TastyLinks™ Saturday!

Click here to get the instructions for my Simply Lovely Bracelet at the Beadalon Website, you'll learn how to use scrimps and wire guardians! Copyright 2006 Margot Potter for Beadalon (You can find the bird charm at Ornamentea)
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What a wild week! Up and down and all around and by Friday I was feeling like crawling under my covers with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a trashy novel. Then I got some stellar news I can share as soon as the ink is dry and that perked me up a skootch. I was still feeling kinda bleh until I got an email from my publisher. Both of my new books Beyond the Bead and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed have sold through their first printings! Beyond the Bead sold through within the first three months! That’s rockin’! Plus the email included a little Press Release they’d whipped up that said some awfully super nice things about me. I’m a Leo, we love compliments. In fact we eat them for breakfast every morning. Please pass the ‘pretty please with brown sugar on top’ and a side of ‘gee you’re swell’s.”

So thank you to everyone who has purchased both of the books, thank you to folks who’ve written up some great reviews and helped get some buzz going. Kudos to my fabulous co-authors Fernando DaSilva (check out Nando's great post on pricing your jewelry line) and Katie Hacker (Katie's got a great post on Bead Artists against Breast Cancer)! We popped the cork on some bubbly last night and celebrated. This just confirms my belief that folks are hungry for inspiration and for creativity in these trying times. So if you’re a creative, take heart.

I'll be riding on a horse drawn carriage in a fancy (and probably soggy due to the rain) hat this Sunday! My SIL invited us along to schmooze with the uber elite at a prestigious horsey event. As Joan Rivers would say, "Fohn, fohn, fohn...fohn." Just call me "Lovey" dahling.

Super Linky Love thank you to the gals from ScaryCraft for featuring my Mixed Media pin last week! Check out their craftalicious blog!

Ms. Jennifer Perkins did a very fun blog round up of crafty red heads this past week. She included yours truly, I'm a red head at heart no matter what color is on my locks. Thanks Jen!

A Linky Love 411: The folks from Max and Chloe emailed me a hot tip on a great giveaway! They carry some really innovative costume and fine jewelry lines. Click here to enter a sweepstakes for a 500 dollar shopping spree!

My friend Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio did a gorgeous design for Rings n Things last week. She was inspired by my simple wire wrapped lava rocks to make a mind blowingly cool wrapped design integrating her beautiful keyhole pendant as a focal element. Plus I love how she showed you first hand how to be inspired by something and then make it your own. Great work, Melanie! Also check out her thoughtful post about artists’ rights and copyrights here.

Without further ado...here’s this week’s sampling of TastyLinks™ open wide and say “AH!:”

Vickie Howell Create customized cards out recycled fabric and keepsake images!

The Crochet Dude Drew talks about his latest hook/needle find in an All Boye Review!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make stitchless embroidered fabric from the cool new book: Fabricate by Susan Wasinger.

Naughty Secretary Club Jen does a little painting, searches for vintages images and boils a pair of eyeglasses all in the name of creating a necklace with a little specs appeal.

Cross Stitch at About.com Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Connie's latest fun, fabulous, and did we mention FREE Cross Stitch pattern.

CraftyPod In her latest podcast, Sister Diane interviews Sarah Hodsdon about the future of the design profession in a global, digital economy.

Crafty Princess Diaries Go shopping in style with your own crocheted tote bag. The Crafty Princess shows off her latest finished fiber project.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a crochet pattern for a pop art roll of toilet paper cozy, a detailed tutorial on how to make a photo based painting, a free dress silhouette template from the new book: Cloth Doll Artistry, and a couple of necklaces made from some very unusual recycled elements.

Cathie Filian Cathie volunteered to make 40 centerpieces for an Awards Gala - Check out her trip to the flower district and step-by-step instructions on how to make the arrangements.

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has rounded up all of her favorite posts on making background papers and fabrics for your projects.

Aileen's Musings Aileen offer's another great Mothers or Father's day gift idea using more bottle caps!

About Family Crafts Help needed: Looking for creative graduation decorations... Ideas anyone?

The Impatient Crafter Learn how to make beaded wire circles with Madge!

Final Free Jewelry Project from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by designer Fernando Dasilva

Here's the final free project/sneak peek into the fabulous new book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by Fernando Dasilva, Katie Hacker and Margot Potter from FW Media and North Light Books! I'll be giving away one final copy of the book with a set of 2 ocean blue tear drop multi color CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski elements pendants like the ones shown above! Leave a comment and I'll announce the winner here next Tuesday before we head off for our Jamaican getaway! Last week's winner is: Shaiha of Love Romances and More blog. Please email me at theimpatientcrafter@gmail.com with your snail mail address so I can get your prize out to you!

Design by Fernando Dasilva
Golden Glow earrings
Featured items: Satin gold cube bead bumpers, German style wire, pinch bails, modern ear posts
Copyright 2009 Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed for North Light Books by Fernando Dasilva, Katie Hacker and Margot Potter

Fernando says, "My mother never goes out in public without at least a pair of earrings. I know there are many women like her, and that led me to envision a pair of slim and elegant drop earrings suitable for many occasions. I paired polished surfaces with rubber textures. The result, I think, is an updated version of the traditional drop earring. Incorporating the square Crystallized™-Swarovski Elements buttons with teardrop crystals and satin gold bead bumpers™ results in an edgy but wearable design."

Materials
2 14mm light Colorado topaz square crystal buttons
2 24 x 12mm Terrenum long tear drop crystal pendants
14 4mm gold plated light weight jump rings
2 gold plated modern ear post
4 gold plated pinch bails
50 1.7mm satin gold cube bead bumpers
16” 24 gauge gold plated German style wire

Tools
Beadstrom™ chain nose pliers
Beadstrom™ round nose pliers
Beadstrom™ flush cutter
Mighty crimp tool

Instructions
1. Use the outside jaw of the mighty crimper tool to attach 1 pinch bail to each hole of one square button. Be gentle using the crimper tool otherwise the edges of the button will chip.

2. Attach one pinch bail to the long tear drop; use the same techniques applied on step 1.

3. Using chain nose pliers wrap one of the tips of German style wire to the tear drop assembled on step 2; place the tip of wire into the edge of pinch bail and turning around its neck twice; trim excess wire and tuck the tip under the wrapped portion.

4. String 25 gold satin bead bumpers onto the German style wire; wrap around the tear drop on vertical position and finish the same way was done in step 3. Make sure the wire was wrapped tightly around the crystal tear drop and then trim excess wire.

5. Open 1 4mm round jump rings and slide through tear drop’s pinch bail ring and then close gently. Attach a second jump ring following same directions.

6. Open a 6mmm round jump ring and string 4 bead bumpers into it.

7. Repeat step 5 to attach 2 others 4mm round jump rings to square button pinch bail and then attach it to 6mm jump ring;

8. Attach the portion finished on step 7 to 2 round jump rings and then attached to a single jump ring previously attached to modern ear post;

9. Repeat all steps for second earring.

Fernando's Tips
* Use the tip of chain nose pliers to create a subtle kink to the side of the German style wire adding an extra interesting feature around the tear drop crystal. It will end up with a sort of a lightening shaped design.
* Space bead bumpers strung onto the 6mm jump ring to add enhanced texture.
* You are welcome to replace button shape (e.g. round or oval) and also to create a different color contrast.

There are detailed step by step photos in the book!

Free Jewelry Making Project from Design Secrets Exposed 'Connections'!

Here's a free jewelry project from beading Goddess Katie Hacker to whet your appetite for Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed co-written by Katie Hacker, Fernando DaSilva and yours truly (F+W Pubs 2009). From wire designs that defy gravity to innovative uses of everyday findings, there is inspiration for the beginning beader and the experienced jewelry designer on every page.

Congratulations to Sheila from Halo Hill Blog for winning last week's Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed book giveaway! Email me your snail mail address Sheila and I'll get that prize out to you ASAP! This week's prize is another copy of the book, a spool of Beadalon purple Clear Colors wire, a pack of star tipped headpins, a pack of crimp covers, a pack of textured solid rings AND a small stash of Swarovski crystals! Leave a comment and I'll select a winner next Wednesday! Stay tuned for more contests from this book and my other new book Beyond the Bead in the next few weeks!

Connections
Excerpt from Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed
Design Copyright 2009 Katie Hacker

This week's free project from Exposed is a design that Katie created using toggle rings in an unusual way. Can you spot them? The toggle rings act as links and echo the geometric channel-set crystals.

Materials
18mm crystal twist sew-on stone
3 14mm cosmic rings
5 8mm Siam round double-loop channel set crystals (these are sold at JewelrySupply.com see link)
3 6mm clear round single-loop channel set crystals
small silver curb chain
17 4mm round silver jump rings
9 8mm round silver jump rings
10 silver toggle rings
silver toggle clasp
(Order from Art Beads before July 31st and use my code to save 10%:SCF10P-POTTER-0112)

Tools
chain-nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions
1. Cut the chain into the following lengths:
2. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the lower hole on the sew-on stone and use it to connect a toggle ring.
3. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
4. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the lower loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect a cosmic ring.
5. Attach another 8mm jump ring to the cosmic ring and use it to connect a toggle ring.
6. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach the three 2" chain lengths to the lower loop on the toggle. Cut the chains so they're slightly uneven in length.
7. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach a clear crystal channel to the end of each chain.
8. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the upper hole on the sew-on stone and use it to connect a toggle ring.
9. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
10. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the other loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect the loop on a toggle ring.
11. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the toggle ring and use it to connect a cosmic ring.
12. Pass another 8mm jump ring through the cosmic ring and use it to connect a toggle ring.
13. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle ring and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
14. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the other loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect the loop on the toggle ring.
15. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach three 4" lengths of chain to the toggle ring.
16. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach half of a clasp to the end of the necklace.
17. Repeat Steps 8-16 to complete the other side of the necklace.

All crystals are from Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements; chain and findings are from Beadalon.

Free Jewelry Project Cascade Earrings from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed!

This week's Free Project is from the innovative new book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by Margot Potter, Fernando DaSilva and Katie Hacker for North Light Books. Elements that usually play supporting roles take the lead in over 50 fascinating designs by three gifted jewelry designers. From wire designs that defy gravity to innovative uses of everyday findings, there is inspiration for the beginning beader and the experienced jewelry designer on every page.

I'll be selecting someone from the comments here to win a free copy of the book, a 30ft. spool of 19 strand Satin Copper Beadalon wire AND a 28mm CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements starfish pendant. Leave a comment and I'll announce the winner with next Wednesday's free project! Good luck!

Cascade Earrings
Excerpt from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
North Light Books
Design Copyright 2009 Margot Potter
(Buy the book for step by step pictures of the project!)

Cones can be used in all sorts of ways and I love exposed wire tendrils exploding out of them like they do in these earrings. This beaded wire fringe is a fun new take on a traditional idea. I wanted to make the colors festive, like a fireworks display. This was a more the merrier situation because the more cones I made, the merrier the earrings became.

Materials
5 4mm padparascha CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm Indian sapphire CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm light topaz CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm black diamond A/B CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
8 gold plated cones
8 gold plated eye pins
8 gold plated kidney ear wires
32 gold plated crimp beads
8 3” lengths .018 Satin Gold wire8 2.75” lengths .018 Satin Gold wire4 5mm gold plated jump rings2 gold plated small toggle circle ends
(*Order from Art Beads before July 31st and use my code to save 10%:SCF10P-POTTER-0112)

ToolsRound nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Nipper tool

1. Cut 8 3” and 8 2.75” segments of Satin Gold wire.
2. Flatten a crimp bead flush to the end of a 3” wire section. Add a light topaz and a padparascha bead to wire.
3. Flatten a crimp bead flush to the open end of wire. Use nippers to cut off any excess.
4. Repeat process making 8 3” light topaz/padparascha and black diamond/Indian sapphire beaded and crimped wire segments then 8 of each color combo using the 2.75” wire.
5. Take a 2.75” and a 3” beaded wire segment each with a different color combo and thread them on to the pre-opened end of an eye pin.
6. Close the eye pin and thread it into a cone.
7. Keep the wires even as you pull the tail of the eye pin inside of the cone. Use round nose pliers to do this.
8. Keep the eye pin secured as you create a coiled loop flush to the top of the cone.
9. Repeat making eight threaded cones.
10. Create coiled dangles with the remaining beads. There should be two of each color.
11. Attach a cone to a jump ring with a light topaz coiled dangle.
12. Attach a second cone to a jump ring with a padparascha coiled dangle and thread it into the bottom of the first, alternating the placement of your cones and coils so they hang on opposite sides of their jump rings.
13. Add a cone with an Indian sapphire dangle and repeat for the final cone with a black diamond coil. There will be four cone and dangle combos on each earring.
14. Attach the small end of a toggle circle to the kidney wires, using pliers to secure. Repeat for second earring.
15. Open and attach the top jump ring of your cascade to the large end of the toggle circle and repeat for second earring.

MaterialsBeads CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements, findings Beadalon