PATTERNS
Swarovski's Website "Create-Your-Style"
SWAROVSKI® has a great website! If you ever need some inspiration and/or ideas for a
Beading and/or Jewelry Project...go here!
This site also has an Online Design Tool you can play around with to get ideas!
When your project comes together, just print it out.
Excellent free tool to utilize rather than purchasing a program
SAFETY PIN PATTERNS
A Safety Pin is used for each Vertical Row and then all pins hook on to one top larger pin horizontally
Seed Bead Size: 2mm or 10/0 is usually Ideal
Safety pins come in many different sizes. Here are some tips on choosing the correct sizes
- A safety pin that is 7/8 of an inch long will hold 8 seed beads.
- A safety pin that is 1 1/16 inches long will hold 10 seed beads.
- A safety pin that is more than 1 1/16 inches long is usually too wide to hold seed beads.
- A safety pin that is 1 1/2 inches long will hold up to 10 beaded safety pins.
- A safety pin that is 1 3/4 inches long will hold up to 12 beaded safety pins.
- A safety pin that is 2 inches long will hold up to 14 beaded safety pins.
~ BEADED BUTTERFLY PATTERN ~
You will need the following materials:
108 SEED BEADS
4 BRIOLETTES
6 TUBE BEADS
Pattern is based on one half of the butterfly done separately. Start at the top of "left" antenna, proceeding downward following the diagram. When you reach the end of the Butterfly's body, start back up on the other "right" half and do the pattern in reverse until you reach the top of the "right" antenna. Go around the very top bead on the outside to secure. Enter back down the antenna until reaching the body and double around through the first and second beads (top two body beads) and tie off. Connect each completed Butterfly to the next in the same way.
~ INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING DROP EARRINGS ~
All you need for a set of basic earrings:
- 2 Headpins or Eyepins
- 2 Earwires
- Beads of your choice
- Round Nose Pliers
Spacer beads are also useful. These are very small metal-colored beads that serve to frame the other beads. If you don't have headpins, you can just bend the end of regular wire in a loop to make your own eyepins.
  1. Find a Headpin, (head pins have a flat end), They are available in different sizes and thicknesses.
 2. Add Beads - Put some beads on the head pin. Experiment with different colors and styles. In this picture, spacer beads are used to break up the colored beads.
 3. Begin Loop - Use a pair of round-nose pliers to bend the headpin at a 90º angle.
 4. Finish Loop - Bend the end of the head pin over in the oposite direction to complete the loop. Add a french-wire or other earring finding and you're done!
~ VARIATIONS ~
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SAMPLES
 
  
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TIPS "n" TRICKS
RECENT TIPS FROM EBAYERS
Danielle's tip: Purchase a plastic clipboard, the ones that have a flip lid. Inside, place a beading mat to use as a work surface. Place all your beads, tools and supplies inside with another mat on top. When the clipboard is closed the contents won't move around.
BYUS4U additional comment: Another added benefit to this make-shift work area is that it's portable! Perfect for taking anywhere you want. Also, fleece is an excellent protector for your beads and can be used as lining in this type of application.
EBAYER ~ Margaret's tip: Don't throw away those prescription bottles, the label will come off if you just peel it off (do not use water, it will get sticky) use these bottles for your beads, even though most bottles are brown you can still see what beads are inside, the lids seal tight - no spilling! I love these bottles for my beads.
BYUS4U additional comment: Another added benefit in using the prescription bottles, (besides being Free!) ~ Most come with child proof caps (or just ask the pharmacist when filling your prescriptions). It gives that extra protection when young children or grandchildren are around. Many beads look very much like candy!
EBAYER ~ Suzanne's tip: Did you know!?! Placing Garnet colored beads in a plastic zip bag or a closed container for a length of time causes them to appear almost black! Exposing them to air and light for up to 12 to 24 hours will bring out their true rich dark red color.
LIKE TO BRING YOUR BEADING WITH YOU?
If you like to bead while you're on the road, here's a portable work surface you can make yourself. Cut a circle of sticky-backed felt that will fit in the bottom of serving plate with a snap-on lid, remove the backing, and attach the felt to the inside of the plate. Make removable bead trays by gluing small pieces of Velcro to the backs of clear furniture coasters. Glue the matching Velcro piece to the felt-lined plate. To keep the plate on your lap as you work, cut two 2-in. (5cm) pieces of Velcro. Glue one half to the underside of the plate,and attach the other half to your pant leg with a safety pin. At break time, snap on the lid, and tuck the plate under your seat.
BEAD & BUTTON MAGAZINE©
HOMEMADE JEWELRY CLEANER
Supplies:
1 glass jar or bowl (an empty salsa jar works well)
1 cup hot water (heating water in microwave for 1-2 minutes is hot enough)
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dish washing liquid
1 piece aluminum foil (big enough to fit on the bottom of jar or bowl-shiney side up)
1 plastic spoon
1 towel
Instructions: Place aluminum foil in bottom of jar or bowl. Heat water and pour into jar or bowl. Add baking soda and salt to water and dish washing liquid. Stir slightly. Place jewelry on top of foil and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove jewelry with plastic spoon and rinse in cool water. Dry jewelry on a towel thoroughly. Polish if you like. This works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickle) silver, and sterling silver. Also does well cleaning freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl pieces with this method.
BEAD and FINDINGS - SPACE SAVING and STORAGE TIPS
IN USE: Love those fuzzy pipe cleaners but don't really have a need for them? Now you do! Use one for each letter,number or symbol with your ALPHABET BEADS. Not only do they hold THEIR shape, they also hold YOUR shapes! Makes your letters highly visable, no more "digging" for a letter and you can see exactly how many you have. Easily pull off exactly what you need. Fold the ends of the pipe cleaner so the beads won't come off and store in a shoe box or plastic container.
IN USE: Purchase a small mesh trash can and lazy susan. Place the trash can (upside down) on the lazy susan. You now have many holes in which to hang your finished and unfinished pieces, earrings-bracelets, etc. Makes viewing and retrieval quick and painless!
IN USE: Ice Cube trays make an excellent holder for several beads and findings that you are working with. The beads and findings stay separated. With the deep sections they are not easily spilled. They can be stacked one atop the other for easy "space-saving" storage.
TAKE NOTE: As you aquire more and more beads and findings, it becomes very clear that you lose track of the quality and the average. No matter which type of container you choose to store them in, you can always place a small piece of clear tape on your bag or container and make a "mini" note as to it's origin and type. (example: ebay-byus4u SP or SS) Got it on ebay, from BYUS4U, and the wire is Silver Plated or Sterling Silver.
SAVE SPACE: The best method for categorizing your beads and findings is in the Color itself. This enables you to pull out a tray and/or container and see all the possibilities within that color realm. If you sort them by shape and type, it's possible to need up to 8 or more containers to achieve the same task. Everyone knows how difficult that would be to juggle that many trays and/or containers...just to make a bracelet!
***These are just a couple fun things to try:
TRY THIS FUN LITTLE "BRAIN" TRICK:
LOOK AT THE LIST BELOW AND SAY THE COLOR...NOT THE WORD
YELLOW BLUE ORANGE BLACK
RED GREEN PURPLE
THIS IS KNOWN AS A "BRAIN CONFLICT" - BETWEEN THE LEFT & RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN :-O
FIND THE LITTLE BLACK DOTS...BEFORE THEY DISSAPPEAR!
SUPER DUPER !
I'm a genius! No...seriously, I really solved two problems with one item. It seemed I had no other place to use these cute "pencil holders" which had suction cups on the end of them. One day I stuck it on my smaller rotary cutter rulers and placed my special marking pencil in it...and what a great handle too!
It not only resolved the frustration of trying to pick up the flat template ruler, (without messing up my fabric, scratching my nails or just plain not being able to get ahold of it!) but also my pencil...(which always seemed to dissappear "under something", or rolled off the table) was now totally accessible all the time! BYUS4U ~ Coni
"Super Duper-Handy Dandy"
Don't BUY Chip Clips...easily MAKE 'EM!
This is one of my husband's "TIP". Don't toss those plastic pant hangers in the recycle bin! You can do your own recycling, just cut each clip off with a small hacksaw or heavy duty utility sissors, file smooth with a nail file and make "CLIPS"! BYUS4U ~ Steve
How to Sell Your Crafts
What to Sell: You already know which crafts you love. Popular items change quickly. You want to sell item(s) which:
are at least somewhat popular (and/or useful) in your area don't take too long to make are somewhat unique don't cost too much to make you enjoy working on there is a market for you have the rights to
Where to Sell Them: You've decided which type of craft you want to sell. Now to figure out where you're going to sell them. Below are a few suggestions as to where you can sell your items. Bear in mind selling your items almost always costs money up front.
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from your home
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on a casual basis to people you know
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at craft fairs and similar events
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on consignment in shops
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by custom/special order on the internet
How to Advertise: You must advertise. If no one knows you're selling, how will they find you to buy anything? It doesn't have to be complicated. If you're selling at the big craft fair at the recreation center that's been an annual event for the past 20 years, basic advertising is probably covered. You may want to mention to friends, family and coworkers that you'll be selling there. Ask them to drop by your booth or table. Odds are they'd rather buy from you than from a stranger. Be careful though, they may ask for a discount! It's a good idea to have contact information on your business cards, order forms and so on. From the advertising point of view, you want to get your name and contact information onto every slip of paper you distribute so customers (and potential customers!) will have a way to reach you.
Keeping Records: Keep track of everything, even if you think it's not useful to you at the time. Will you remember 6 craft shows later which location's customers really liked your new item and they sold out within an hour at a nice tidy profit? In order to calculate how much profit you are making, you must track:
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which items sell best and in which location
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the expenses you've incurred - all types
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info needed for income tax, sales tax, etc.
Pricing: Often the most difficult decision to make is what to charge for your crafts. There are a few schools of thought on this:
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3 or 4 times the cost of the materials used
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an hourly rate (many suggest you use at least minimum wage) multiplied by the number of hours put into each item, plus the cost of the materials used
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whatever amount seems reasonable
The first two are pretty easy to calculate. If the result is not realistic, you must take the third option into account. "Reasonable" is very subjective. It must be low enough that the customer feels it's not overpriced. It must be high enough that you feel you're getting a decent return on your investment of time and money. You may have to do a bit of research to see what price the market will bear. About.com
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