Book Review: Foxy Epoxy by Kristal Wick

"Foxy Epoxy:  44 Great Epoxy Clay Projects with Serious Bling" by Kristal Wick
Published by Lark Crafts

I admit it, when I first received this book for review, I set it aside.
Epoxy Clay is not a chosen medium that I work with often - and apparently not often enough, as I quickly discovered once I had more time to "flip through."

I found myself enamored with some of the pieces, smiling at Kristal's use of vibrant color, and her unabashed love of bling.  Its contagious!

Epoxy clay is a unique medium, consisting of two parts.  One is a resin and the other is an activator / hardener.  When mixed together, the substance will hold almost anything.
The craft industry has seen a vitalization, of sorts, of this material by adding color.  Common brands are:  Crystal Clay and DeCoRe.

I have some minor experience with Crystal Clay and have taught a couple of "how to" sessions in the Boutique.  I've witnessed instructors, like Nikia Angel, take Crystal Clay and turn it into magic, right before my eyes.  Once you start, it IS addictive.

But I digress, with little time to create on my side these days, Crystal Clay isn't one of the top few craft items I get out to play with.  I haven't had enough time to experiment on my own.

Little did I know the diverse projects and designs you could create with this material!

Kristal, with the help of twelve talented designer friends, have put together a great collection of projects that give you a variety of things to work with, full of inspiration and ideas!  This is truly a craft technique to try your hand at.

Not all of the projects in the book are my style, but that would hold true with any book.  Some I just didn't understand the "why," of it.  Yet others kept me smiling at their whimsy, their innovative use of materials, and their complete wearability.  This speaks of a diverse group of projects, for every style.

This sourcebook will take you from the very beginning to a endless road of possibilities.  There is a comprehensive "what" and "how to" section, followed by projects that start out simple enough and  become more complex as you browse through.

The usual suspect projects are there, as in Kristal's "Bling Rings", and Deb Saucier's "Compact Mirror" (which I have actually made both of these!!).  These two are the things that come to mind when I think "Crystal Clay."

Then there are more!
My favorites are:
Kristal's "Doodle Pendant" is a multi-medium dream!  What a great way to spend an afternoon using many of your talents.
Stephanie Dixon's "Over The Moon"necklace is just adorable and very wearable.
Jean Campbell made some really cool & innovative earrings called "Tire Swing" earrings.

And the one that IS my style & makes me want to go get some epoxy clay?
"In the Round Earrings" by Candie Cooper
WOW!!

If you've ever wanted to try Crystal Clay - consider this book as a really great reference tool to springboard into your own unique designs.  It will open up your mind to things you didn't know were even possible with Crystal Clay.

Very nice work, Kristal - I love the whimsy & talent you bring to designs!

Book Review: Bead Embroidery Jewelry Projects, Design & Construction, Ideas & Inspiration by Jamie Cloud Eakin (Lark Books)

An inviting new publication from Jamie Cloud Eakin, the Go-To Maven for everything bead embroidery for jewelry design.

Jamie's past publications are chock-full of valuable information, and she's taken her writing one step further to put it all together for you.  This is the 5+5 = 10 in her series.  

If you are a beginner, don't start here.  Begin with either "Beading with Cabochons" or "Dimensional Bead Embroidery," both from Jamie.  "Bead Embroidery Jewelry Projects" is an intermediate to advanced level book on bead embroidery, a manual of sorts.

Jamie breaks out each chapter with categories of projects.  She spells out the "how to" and the "what nots" of how each illustrated piece came together.  In addition, there are a lot of variations that allow you to focus on what you've learned, while at the same time, giving you the tools to take a design in the book from concept to fruition, adding your own ideas and designer's eye.

What I love about this book:

- plenty of 'how to' photographs and illustration

- a description of the techniques used on each project

- the tips in breakout boxes, with valuable information

- variation examples of projects to help you see what else you can do with your newly learned techniques

Her expertise shines through in all of her publications, but this one solidifies all of the other writings she's done.  

Don't use this book as a "flip through," please.  Read it.  Absorb the skill set she's relaying - it's all good stuff!  I promise, its worth your time.

Jamie's style is to be very specific in what she's teaching you.  It feels like she's by your side, almost holding your hand & pointing to where to *exactly* put that needle, through your projects.  

A journey together

"Bead Embroidery Jewelry Projects, Design & Construction, Ideas & Inspiration" by Jamie Cloud Eakin will be available at Bead & Glass Boutique next week.  We're excited to support her work, again!

Thank you, Jamie - for all of your hard work and generous sharing of your expertise

Operation Tackle That Bead Stash's Bead, Book & Bounce - Beaded Colorways

Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is an online beading group that I've recently joined.
Each month, they select a beading book and encourage their members to create something from the book.

Here's what they say:  "You can choose any project from within the current book and you’re welcome to make that project ‘as is’ or make your own adjustments - whether that be to color  beads or the basic pattern. We do not want to limit you, we want to encourage you!"

For the September reveal, the book is "Beaded Colorways" by Beverly Ash Gilbert.

The book opens with an in-depth discussion of basic color theory and progresses to explain how you may put the information to use in creating your own bead soup!

What is bead soup you ask?

Well, for someone with a strong case of organizational OCD, its a nightmare.

However, my creative side took over and I mixed the heck out of some seed beads !!

No regrets, just dumped and mixed.  

When I thought it needed a little more of a sprinkling of this or that, I added it!  Like salt from a salt shaker.  When I thought it needed less of something, I'd add something else to reduce the saturation of the strong color.

I chose to mix the same size seed bead (11/0) in my soup.

Here's what I came up with (which, for those of you that know me, this is SO out of my color palette).  

For me, however, in such a creative frenzy, I neglected to actually READ the OTTSB's guidelines that we should actually be making a project from the book.....  (oops!)

Fortunately, there is that caveat up there, that says, "make your own adjustments"  ---whew---

Because while I do believe the book is a wonderful color reference & resource, with a few great patterns, most of the patterns involve freeform beading of some type.  I'm a little too linear for most freeform bead work.

Instead, I made a bracelet with a netted base (using my new bead soup), and a sparkling embellished top!  Technically, the bracelet is reversible and can also be worn with the crystal embellished side down, if one chose to do so.

Meanwhile, feeling like I'd failed at my first assignment at OTTSB, I quickly whipped up a pair of Freeform Earrings, page 57.  Now.... I succeeded in completing a project from the book  ;)

The bracelet is 1.5" wide, the earrings are about 2.75" in length.

I used:  11/0 seed bead soup, 3mm crystal rondelles, 13/0 czech cut charlottes, freshwater pearls, 6/0 hex beads, Rizo beads, copper ear wires, and copper ball & socket clasps.

This is my first Operation Tackle That Bead Stash's Bead, Book, and Bounce!

What fun!  I am excited to see what is next on the list of 'things to do.'

Life has a funny way sometimes....

I keep mental lists.

I keep paper lists too, but my mental lists stretch far and deep.

On these mental lists are things that I want to do, not the things I have to do.

Things I have to do go on paper, and I scratch them off when they're successfully completed.

I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can physically scratch things off of a list.

Mental lists are different.

And if I didn't have such a level of responsibility each day, I might be able to focus a little more on the items that make it onto my mental lists.  But for now, work and life keep me so busy that the mental lists don't usually make it to paper or typed print.

They're just for me.  These are the "things I'll get to" or "things on the someday list."  

Often times, these are things (projects or tasks) that I've already mentally completed in their entirety:  a beading project that I was given the pattern for - I've already walked through every step, mentally, and can tell you exactly how to make that project, never putting needle to bead (I'd be a killer technical editor!!).  It might be the process of set up I'm considering for our store's new website.  It's the kit construction and design that's manifesting itself each moment I have to dedicate mental energy to it.  It's all of the books that I've read through, mentally making notes, mentally writing the review for Lark, and storing that in the mental folder for the day I have the time to sit and tap out the actual typed print review.  And it's the design of display for the new soutache we just received....  These are all of the things on my mental list today.  Each one has had energy spent on it just today.

In addition, I've crossed multiple things of the paper lists too (the "have to do's").  So by the time it's 11pm, and dinner is just wrapping up, it's not likely that I have much mental list making ability left to spend.  

Life has a funny way of throwing things at you, while you're standing on one foot, on a balance beam.  It laughs in your face and tests your deepest resolve.

So today, I'm putting a new thing on my mental list...

Laugh right back at it...figure out how to do this...make more mental lists if I have to (let's face it, that's a happy place for me), then laugh right back at it.

Why?  

Because I got this!  

Now - start tackling some of those "mental lists" before the paper list gets in the way.

.

Beads for Blog Post winners collaborate !!

Preciosa offers a Beads for Blog opportunity where you can enter to win a box of beads.
If you are a lucky recipient, you get to play with all kinds of goodies that they will send.

Two of my friends, Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kristen Stevens have both been lucky girls.
Both have received boxes from Preciosa's Brads for Blog program.

Want to see how they put their talents together?
Jennifer wrote a pattern, and knowing Kristen had the beads to make the project, she asked Kristen to text the pattern for her.
Here's the result & a very happy Kristen:

http://artjewelryelements.blogspot.com/2013/02/pattern-review-van-beads.html?spref=fb

Go - check it out - and share Kristen's enthusiasm !!


On a side note - I did apply & I am hoping to be chosen to play with Preciosa's beads !!

Beads for Blog by Preciosa - January's Packages

Will you just look at these bead packages from Preciosa???

I'm *drooling* over these two:

CONSONANCE

and

MODESTY 

Look at what they are sending four lucky beaders:

Preciosa Flicker Photos - January

Don't you just LOVE these ??!!

Betty Stephan shares a thought on change

Betty Stephan not only produces amazingly inspirational bead embroidery pieces, her attitude for her art is SPOT ON !!

Read the story, its not long - and she'll inspire you too !!


Betty Stephan Beadwork:  To change or not to change

Preciosa Beads For Blog Winner - Jennifer VanBenschoten

Recently, a friend of mine, Jennifer Van Benschoten (you know her as the editor of Beading Daily) was chosen as a recipient of Preciosa's Beads for Blog Post program.

Each month, Preciosa chooses a few recipients to receive a box with 1000 grams of their czech beads in it !!

YES - 1000 GRAMS !!!

Who can't party on that?

Check out what Jennifer started to play with first...
She blogged about it today at Beading Daily.

I'll give you a hint - its a bead... it has TWO holes

Beading Daily Blog Post

On a separate note - Cross your fingers - I've applied to Preciosa for the Beads for Blog Program & sincerely hope I get the opportunity to play with their great beads !   I'm loving the color combinations they are packaging up!

BOOK REVIEW: Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop by Mary Hettmansperger

The new year is the perfect opportunity to renew my interest in metal and wirework.
I've been so absolutely focused on seed bead weaving for the last few years, that I've set aside all of my metal tools.
Last year, Bead and Glass Boutique hosted a demonstration for our local bead society using the Vintaj Big Kick machine.  We embossed lots of metal blanks, used hole punching pliers to punch holes in the blanks, and connectd them together, adding beads & embellishments.  It was a blast!!
This month, Jessica, our resident metal smith, is teaching the session at the Boutique!!

Since my interest in metals is being rekindled, I've picked up a few books to review.

"Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop" by Mary Hettmansperger
Combining sheet, clay, mesh, wire and more
Published by Lark Books

This book is a really great resource for those interested in the various types of metal clay.  While she does cover basic sheet metal techniques such as forming, annealing, patinas, and soldering, there is a strong focus on metal clay techniques, tips, and tricks!!

Mary goes into quite a bit of detail in her Equipment and Tools chapter, sixteen pages to be exact.  It's the most comprehensive detail on tools I've seen from most metal focused books for jewelry.  Bear in mind, however my point of reference is of a beader, so I'm sure there are others out there that I haven't been exposed to.

I think this is a fabulous resource for anyone seeking to get started with metal clay.
She details silver clay, bronze clay, and copper clay.

The projects are just fabulous, and if I ever try my hand at metal clay, I would want to make an attempt at the "Perforation Pendant" on page 84.

Oh My Neglected Blog

Here you sit - patiently waiting... my neglected blog.

I haven't forgotten you, I've just been so SO busy between working very hard in the new location for Bead & Glass Boutique and my full time job was quite busy in 2012.

I managed to escape town, not once - but THREE times !!
Wisconsin
San Diego
and a road trip to Georgia.

Looking forward to a great 2013 !!

And more blog posts....
I've got TONS of book reviews to get caught up on.

For now... 1am says I have to get some sleep.

*nite!*

BOOK REVIEW: Making Fabric Jewelry

Book Review:  Making Fabric Jewelry, 20+ Projects to Stitch, Fold, and Wear
by:  Marthe Le Van
from: Lark Publishing

Paperback, 144 pages, $15.95

Upon receiving this book, I quickly recognized the earring project on the cover.  Reading a little further, I've learned that this upcoming publication is was formerly published in hardcover format.  Yes - I know!  Because I couldn't resist it then and its in my library of jewelry design books!!  It was previously released as "Stitched Jewels."

This book is a truly refreshing approach to jewelry design.
None of the projects are out of reach in terms of cost, materials, or skills required.
If you enjoy any kind of needle work, or beadwork, THIS is something worth your time and attention.

The introduction is chock full of great information.  I learned a lot about what should be in a basic sewing kit, quality threads, sewing machines, and even basic hand stitches that I previously had not been taught.

The first project eases you into the comfort zone of working with fabrics by making a fabric covered button bracelet.  Three magic words - FABRIC - BUTTONS - BRACELET.  I should say, "You had me at Hello !"

The remaining 22 projects are all absolutely doable, not beyond anyone's reach, budget, or skill level.  Each one is interesting, pushes the way in which I viewed fabrics, and gives you an opportunity to even recycle scraps !!  You will fray, sew, stuff, add beads, glue, and gather to create truly unique pieces.

Careful, though - if you're a beader like me, you may have inherited a suppressed hoarding gene.
Fabric scraps could be next on your list   !!   *wink*

Enjoy !

WINNER !!

Congratulations to Janet !!

She is the lucky winner of the Diane Fitzgerald Book Giveaway !!


I hope you enjoy Diane's book as much as I did, Janet !!

-Amy

Nicole's Blog Giveaway !!

Nicole from Beadwright is giving away samples of her Bead Backing.

I've worked with the material once, and it was on a small project (from a kit).
It was a nice product to work with, and I'm hoping to try it out on a larger scale embroidery project soon!

Read - Enter - WIN !!

Nicole's Blog

Book Review & Giveaway: Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects

Diane Fitzgerald is one of the world's most well known and highly regarded bead artists.  For over twenty years, she has shared her love and knowledge of beads without hesitation.  She's travelled the world and generously tells all about her experiences.

The thing I truly enjoyed most about this book was the in-depth "getting to know" Diane.
I've never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, although in the same room on a couple of occasions, just didn't have the opportunity of introducing myself.  Jean Campbell wrote a fabulous Foreward all about Diane's beading career.  In those three pages, I learned so much about Diane that I now feel I could call her a friend.  Jean wrote a great intro !!

The projects in this book are inspirational !!
For the most advanced bead weaver, these projects can draw you back to the days when you were first learning about knotting, or stringing and crimping.  As creative souls, sometimes we need to drift ourselves back to those days.
For those just getting started, its an amazing reference and visual guidebook.

Diane's knowledge of almost everything beady sure shines through in this book.
She uses colors that make statement pieces sing.
Many of the projects have variations illustrated after the main set of instructions.  I found these to be not only visually inspirational but thought provoking on how you can use your newly acquired skill set for the next project!

Diane is a master of her art.  I believe even the most experienced beaders will find something in this book that they didn't know and can prompt them to try something new !!

Lark Publishing is to be applauded as they have given us THREE sample projects from Diane's book:

Diamond Chain Bracelet

Fortune Teller Beads Necklace

Midnight Snowflakes Necklace


Bead and Glass Boutique is currently sold out of this book!  (they went fast!)
We will gladly order and ship to you if you would like to order.
Please call us at 856-827-0000 !!


Here's the GIVEAWAY Info - its easy & you get lots of chances to enter.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry you complete.

#1 - Follow this Blog  (earns you two entries!)
 
#2 - Like the Bead & Glass Boutique page on Facebook (earns you two entries!)

#3 - Leave a comment here on this post, tell me about your favorite Diane Fitzgerald project or pattern (earns you one entry!)

#4 - Share this post on your own Facebook page  (earns you two entries!)  Please post a copy of your Facebook page address here.


I'll draw a random winning number next week, so please have your entries posted here by 11:59pm on Sunday, July 15th.


Ok - now... GO !

Book Review: Japanese Beadwork with Sonoko Nozue

I have had a copy of this little treasure since sometime in March 2012.
As you know, I own a bead store. Up until last week, we could NOT keep a copy in the store. This publication has been very popular.

This week, I took the opportunity to really sit down an pour through the beautiful projects presented within its pages.

Sonoko Nozue authored the original Japanese publication in 2008, as "Mode de Beads," which included nine projects. Lark furthered the book by translating 16 additional designs by Sonoko. There are a total of 25.......yes, 25 projects !!!
This English language version was only made available this year (2012) from Lark.

Sonoko is a proud bead artist that seems to truly enjoy teaching her students both at home and here in the US (since 2005) at the Bead & Button Show. She is known for not only her beadwork, but also developed the SoNo thread, with her namesake.

Do we owe Lark a round of applause or what?
This is an absolutely stunning publication !
I don't know what beader could ask for more of.
Sonoko's amazing beaded projects are presented in an artful way, where the jewelry is the focus. There are photographs of a beautiful model in a matte black and white, with the jewelry in full color shiny finish!
In addition, the graphics make it easy to follow the pattern, with minimal written verbiage that can often confuse a novice beader. These instructions get straight to the point, either by translation or well-drafted default - its really this easy !!

My favorite presented project is Sonoko's "Sweet Breeze" netted shawl.
While time consuming, the finish project looks stunning in print - can you only imagine what it looks like in person ??

Congrats to Lark for yet another phenomenal Beadweaving Master Class presentation,

If you would like to preview two sample projects, I encourage you to visit Lark's website pages (links below).

Sonoko Wave

Crystal Rose Project


We want you to own this publication!! It's a MUST for every seed beader's library.
Call us at 856-827-0000 - order yours today and we'll ship one right out!!

Bead & Button Show - Here I Come !

The day is here...
My first ever Bead & Button Show.

I've been involved in the beading community since 2003....nearly a decade.
I've shopped all of the local shows in the NorthEast that have outlets in the Greater Philadelphia area.

But... Bead & Button - goodness, of all beading mecca's !!

Not only is it a place for bead enthusiasts to shop, we gather, share ideas, bring exchange baggies, give lots of HUGS, and get to meet our beading friends from afar in real life (not just through a computer.) This bonds us together in ways that I can't yet describe.

So - I'm heading out to spend some time in the beading mecca.
I plan to make the Lisa Peter's Art booth my home base for the duration of the expo (shopping) days.
Joining Lisa this year is Carol Dean Sharpe !! Not only is she sharing Lisa's booth, she's generously sharing her room with me !!
This year has been so unbelievably busy, that I really didn't get to make plans too early. Carol Dean offered me a place to stay, for which I am grateful !

I'll be heading to the Meet the Teacher's night, working at the LPA for those busy times, visiting the Toho Party, having dinner with a group of beading friends that are joining in on a big bead swap, meeting with a group of other bead store owners for a fun night, lunch (hopefully) with Shelley Nybakke, dinner (hopefully) with June & Jill Wiseman on the final night, and a nice breakfast / brunch with Marcia DeCoster before relaxing the last day away & heading home.

I can't wait to see everyone & share photos !

Wait until you see what I bring back for Bead & Glass Boutique !!

Our customers will be just tickled pink at the amazing selections we'll have.

If it came from Bead & Button - it must be the best stuff on earth, right? LOL !!

See you all in Milwaukee !!

30-Minute Bracelets - Book Review

Recently the wonderful people at Lark Jewelry & Beading sent me some books to take a peek through and provide you (my readers) with a review.

First and foremost, I have to openly admit, I'm not a metal smith. I have worked with metal (cutting, hammering, stamping, drilling, annealing, adding a patina, and even ruining the surface of my chasing hammer during a impatient riveting attempt). I've done a lot of reading about soldering & forming, but I dont have any practical experience in those two areas. They are on the "to-do someday" short list, however!!

The "30-Minute" series is compiled by Marthe Le Van, featuring many designers' work. Each publication presents 60 Quick and Creative Projects for Jewelers. I have had the opportunity to flip through the following books: Rings, Necklaces, Earrings, and last but not least, the newest installment, Bracelets.

I would venture out to say that several (not all!!) of the projects in these books are geared for the experienced bench jeweler that maintains a nice stock of materials in their dedicated studio space. The books are all nicely laid out, with a modern style to them. They are easy to follow, but do lack the step by step photos that the inexperienced person would need to actually fabricate these projects in 30-minutes.

The projects themselves? They are amazing, and they do appear to be easy, once you have the proper skill set. True art at work!

Let's focus on 30-Minute Bracelets (releasing in June).

Not all of the projects require soldering, forming, or even metalsmithing!

I am pleased to see stringing, chainmaille, and even some bead weaving represented!

The innovative use of materials keeps you guessing.... (where to source some of these things? And what the heck is a carbon steel internal retaining ring?). But those are the questions that the more experienced might have an answer to. Me? No.. I'm still guessing -hahaaa!

Bottom line: don't avoid this series due to the skill set I believe you need to finish some of the projects. Get these books, and use them as a method to draw you into the creative process! Learn a new technique, get a new tool, and play! Soon, you'll be making your own 30-minute jewelry!

If you'd like to test out one of the 30-minute projects, visit Lark's web page for a sample pair of earrings, designed by Brenda Schweder.

Book Review: Showcase 500 Rings

Lark Jewelry & Beading is preparing to release their debut title in their Showcase 500 Series.

Showcase 500 renames and lightly redesigns their popular 500 Series.

The 2004 publication, 1000 rings has sold more than 50,000 copies !!

This release revisits the design topics and updates the contemporary style we see, almost ten years later.

Showcase 500 Rings is not a How-To book. In fact, many of the pieces may not really be functionally wearable, as you and I define wearability. However, this collection brings together an amazing representation of art that the viewer is drawn into - page by page - through the journey of the definition (or should I call it a redefinition) of the ring.

This redefinition is done in the most artful representations !!

The introduction even goes as far as explaining the definition of "clunk" as to prepare the viewer for what he/she is about to embark upon.

Be prepared to react with "Oh - that's a ring?" to the barely there gold dust on one's hands to the "You Cant Miss It" ring from Rachel Timmins (Growth One).

One of my favorites appears toward the end of the journey on pg 406. This is the "Mussorgsky" by Ian Henderson. Something about the texture, the interlocking mechanisms, and the spirals makes you want to reach into the photo & touch it !!

You can view more of Ian's work here:

Ian Henderson Art, Zoa Chimerum Jewelry on Etsy

Here's a pic of "Mussorgsky":

This is a true discussion book. Leave it on your coffee table, in your studio for inspiration, in your office for visitors, and even in your crafty retail store to evoke expression from the people that pick it up to view it. Even my father, in his mid-60's couldn't resist a peek and an opinion of some of the pieces.

Great job on making unique selections, Brad Metcalf !

As always, kudos to Lark Jewelry and Beading for a well put together publication for us !

To organize or to bead....a type "A" dilemma

Only another person with strong type "A" tendencies will understand my dilemma.

Fact:
I can create a mess just like any other creative soul.

Fact:
I like to organize things.

Fact:
Most of the time, I handle organized chaos really well.
There might be a small pile on my desk, but if you ask me for the electric bill, I've got it at my fingertips!

Fact:
I can not be creative in a messy work space.
I can't even work on an existing project until the materials that I've pulled out for the projects that I've recently finished have been put away.

For the readers out there that know me, you know that I really don't get too much time to actually work on beading projects. I own and operate three businesses, manage a team of staff, take care of my house, my fiancée, and my little kitty, teach beading classes, design new projects on occasion, and volunteer for a bead society. Beading? Don't laugh, it's true! I am a bead store owner that loves beads, loves to work on bead projects, but rarely gets to work on them.

So, wouldn't you think that my workspace would be rather messy? If I rarely have time to bead, why do I make time to clean it up and organize it so well? I could be spending that time starting a new project!


So, tell me - does anyone else need a really clear workspace and well organized materials to be able to get to working on your craft / hobby?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts!

Free Projects from Sabine Lippert AND Sonoko Nozue AND More !!

The people at the Lark Crafts Blog are doing it again... !!

They're sharing projects from two of their newest publications so we, the readers, can get a feel for each of the book's layouts, type of projects, and skill levels.

OH! And - while you're visiting their blog post - make sure you scroll down....
There are TONS of free projects from other artists and publications from Lark.
A little treasure trove of beading patterns to keep you busy for quite a while!

Lark Crafts Blog


And when you're there - be sure to check out two projects that were shared earlier this month.
Tracy Stanley & Janice Berkebile have a new book, "Making Wire & Bead Jewelry: Artful Wirework Techniques."

Two Wire Projects at the Lark Crafts Blog


Now - GO !
:)