So, what does “Serendipity” have to do with our BEAD STEW jewelry-making kits? We believe that beads are “destined" to be together and meant for you to create scrumptious jewelry. At Suzie Q Studio, we artfully hand-select the bead combinations for all of our BEAD STEW Kits, in extremely limited edition kit quantities, and once the edition is sold out, we never make the same combo again… So, get ‘em while they’re still on the menu!
Also, because beads always look yummy enough to eat, our BEAD STEW kits all have fun, food-theme names such as:
Our Serendipity BEAD STEW, Easy Jewelry Making Kits contain all of the scrumptious ingredients needed for you to create a one-of-a-kind, bangle-style bracelet, with absolutely no “crafty” experience required, so no matter how you add the beads to the “memory” bracelet wire... PRESTO!… You’re guaranteed to have fab, professional results with a creation you’ll be proud to say, “Look what I made!”
And, what’s extra-cool about our BEAD STEW jewelry kits, is that even if you and your friend have the same kit, the bracelets will be unique to each of you. To see this for yourself, take a look at the results when 5 friends created BEAD STEW bangle-style bracelets with the same kit called “Maple Syrup on Snow” by CLICKING >>> HERE.
DO YOU WANNA GET STRETCHY?
If a bangle-style bracelet isn’t to your taste, or you don’t have access to the two basic tools needed to make one, our BEAD STEW kits now include STRETCHY BRACELET CORD for you to have the versatility to make individual, "roll-on" bracelets to wear separately, to layer up in a stack or even to make as a gift for your bestie, with only a pair of scissors required to create them. You can even mix it up and make both styles of bracelets.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BEAD BOX...
Yet more options for creativity… There are three essential, but super-easy, skills in jewelry-making that are perfect to use with the fab bead combos in BEAD STEW kits, along with the addition of some extra components that aren’t included --- maybe from your own stash? --- to make other types of jewelry such as: earrings, charms, a necklace, etc. And even if you only know or learn 1/3 of the techniques… The design possibilities are endless and surprisingly simple to make professional quality jewelry, custom designed by you!
So, what are the three essential, easy-to-learn, jewelry skills that will have you creating all kinds of custom jewelry with our Serendipity BEAD STEW kits?
If you were to learn only one jewelry-making skill, learning how to “crimp” is definitely the way to go! "Crimping” is the technique used to securely attach a clasp onto a bead-strung piece of jewelry such as a necklace, bracelet and anklet. Knowing how to do this easy-to-learn skill opens the door to endless jewelry-making projects.
BEAD STRINGING “CRIMPING" TOOLS REQUIRED:Crimping Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers, Japanese-Style Pointy Cutter, Bead Stoppers, Velux Beadwork Mat, Ruler
BEAD STRINGING SUPPLIES REQUIRED:FYI… Very soon, Suzie Q Studio will have instructional videos available to demonstrate the three basic skills of jewelry-making, but until then, the internet has a ga-zillion DIY videos for your to learn from… Just be sure that the video shows you how to use a proper “crimping” plier and away you go!
With the wearing of cloth masks during the pandemic, I decided to see if there are enough beads in a BEAD STEW kit to create a mask chain and shown above is what I came up with using the kit “Tropical Sherbet”, and not only can you use it as a mask chain, but I worked out a way to also wear it as a necklace and a wrap bracelet… How versatile and pretty FAB, right?!
If you’d like a PDF of the instructions to make this project, shoot me a quick email by CLICKING >>> HERE.
Knowing the basic skill of how to make a “Loop” and a “Wire Wrapped Loop” lets you turn beads into charm dangles to use when making earrings, necklaces and bracelets, as shown in the image above. You can also do a wire wrapped loop at both ends of the bead in order to “connect” beads together in a chain… You’ll see a sample of this at this in the necklace near the end of this article.
What’s the difference between a simple “Loop” and a “Wire Wrapped Loop”? A “Loop” leaves the circular shape open with a slight gap and should only be used when you know that the dangle you’ve made won’t be under any kind of stress to cause the loop to open up, resulting in the loss of your dangle. A “Wire Wrapped Loop” is when wire is wrapped around the base of the loop and is the best way to ensure your dangle is secure.
As mentioned earlier… Very soon, Suzie Q Studio will have instructional videos available to demonstrate the three basic skills of jewelry-making, but in the meantime, the internet has a whole ton of DIY videos for you to learn from by googling “Wire Wrapped Loop” in your search bar.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR LOOPS & WIRE WRAPPED LOOPS:
Round Nose Pliers, Side Cutter, Chain Nose Plier, plus a second pair of pliers of your choosing: Chain Nose, Bent Chain Nose, Flat Nose
EXTRA SUPPLIES REQUIRED TO MAKE CHARM DANGLES:
BEAD STEW Beads (or other beads) and the following not included in BEAD STEW kits; Head Pins and/or Eye Pins, plain or decorative and available in various colours of metal, plus any other desired accents such as Bead Caps, etc.
In jewelry-making, jump rings are small circles made of round metal wire, and available in all kinds of diameters, gauges (thicknesses) and colours, and are used to connect beds and jewelry components together, as well as decorative elements. They’re available permanently soldered closed or with a cut in the circle so that the jump ring can be opened and closed. “Open" jump rings are also used in the more advanced art of chain weaving to create beautiful chains with intricate patterns. However, for most jewelry-making applications, you need only to learn the very basic skill of opening and closing them properly, which means after opening a jump ring, getting it to close back together as tightly as possible, and you’ll hear a “click” to let you know that the closing is good and tight.
To learn Basic Skill #3, use the search term “open close jump rings” and a plethora of websites and YouTube videos will be available to you… And, Suzie Q Studio “How To” videos will be available soon!
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR OPENING & CLOSING JUMP RINGS:
Two pairs of jewelry pliers of your choosing: Chain Nose, Bent Chain Nose, Flat Nose
Incredibly, no extra beads beyond the BEAD STEW kit were used to create this wonderful, multi-tiered necklace!
The extra supplies, not included in the kit, as well as the skills that were used are as follows...
BASIC SKILL #1: Bead Stringing (Crimping)… Soft Flex Bead Stringing Wire (medium weight), 2mm X 2mm Crimp Tubes, and Crimp Covers
BASIC SKILL #2: Making a Loop, Wire Wrapped Loop… Headpins (various gauges & lengths), plus fine gauge Round Wire for "Double Wire Wrapped Loops", used to connect beads together for one of the necklace strands
BASIC SKILL #3: Open & Close Jump Rings… Open Jump Rings (various gauges and sizes)
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES: Chain (two styles/weights), Lobster Claw Clasp, Tassel
FYI… This spring, Suzie Q Studio will be adding all kinds of jewelry-making components, such as chain and some of the other items mentioned above to our website, so please stay tuned!
So, what will YOU create with your BEAD STEW jewelry-making kit?
Whether you decide to make a bangle-style bracelet or a stack of stretchy “roll-on” ones, or choose to go "Beyond The Bracelet” by adding extra supplies and utilizing some basic jewelry-making skills, Suzie Q Studio BEAD STEW kits provide you with irresistible bead combinations that will give you heaps of “Good Creative Fun” and fab results, no matter what type of custom jewelry you make!
You can SHOP our current selection of yummy BEAD STEW kits by CLICKING >>> HERE.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been out making local Calgary deliveries of lots of Suzie Q Studio Treasures: BEAD STEW and "Little Miss" bracelet-making kits, Rare & Retired Glass Trollbeads, scrumptious sterling silver “Box Clasps”, tools, etc… It’s been a very busy time, thankfully!
After dropping off the last of my packages on a recent delivery adventure, I pulled into a parking lot to run a quick personal errand. A big truck pulled up into the stall next to me, and I happened to notice that there were a couple of masks hanging from their rearview mirror. My initial reaction was wondering if this was such a good idea, germ-wise, not to mention it being visually unappealing. It also begged the question of what to do with a mask when you’re not wearing it?
The visual of the masks dangling from the mirror of the truck, stayed with me for a couple of days, and then I had a wonderful —> I • D • E • A <— to experiment with!
I was aware of “mask chains” being available to purchase that let you suspend your mask from your neck while not wearing it, like sunglasses, BUT I got to wondering… Are there enough beads in a BEAD STEW Bracelet-Making Kit to make your own, unique “mask chain”?… After all, when donning a mask, you may as well wear it in style, right?!
I decided to dive into my BEAD STEW, mask chain experiment, but first, which mask to choose? My sister, Rita, who lives in Kelowna, and I’m so very lucky to have as my Website Wizard, is a terrific seamstress, amongst her many other talents, so I chose the mask she made for me in some of my fav colours: bright orange, pink and red :-)
The next task was to decide on which BEAD STEW kit would coordinate with my FAB mask, so I chose “Tropical Sherbet”… Doesn’t it look yummy?
EUREEKA!… As you can see, mission accomplished. You can indeed create a "mask chain” from the beads in a limited edition BEAD STEW kit… YAY! (with alternate finishing components, instead of the "memory" bracelet wire, of course).
Here’s the “mask chain” in action… Doesn’t it look totally FAB?!
Hey… Would you like some added versatility?
As I began experimenting with creating a “mask chain” I had another “LIGHT BULB” moment! I decided to size the length of the bead stringing wire, so that my BEAD STEW “mask chain” could also be worn as a necklace AND as a multi-wrap bracelet. Isn’t this totally cool?
BTW… I’ve never liked having my picture taken or made a habit of doing “selfies”, but in this age of COVID I had to push my self-consciousness aside and step into the role of “model”… Yikes! I guess we all have to adapt, in all kinds of ways these days :-)
So, how can you create your very own BEAD STEW “Mask Chain”? The Suzie Q Studio “BEAD STEW” Shopping Page has been changed to accommodate YOUR CHOICE of making a BEAD STEW “Bangle-style” Bracelet OR a BEAD STEW “Mask Chain” by clicking on the appropriate button.
BTW… ONE BEAD STEW Kit will make ONE of EITHER of these two projects!
When you choose the BEAD STEW “Bracelet” option, you’ll receive “memory wire” to make your project.
When you choose the BEAD STEW “Mask Chain” option, you’ll receive “Softflex” bead-stringing wire, PLUS, two lobster-style clasps, crimps and crimp covers in the colour of metal that coordinates with your chosen BEAD STEW Kit.
Head over to the BEAD STEW Shopping Page by Clicking on this >>> LINK
Do you love the look of having your BEAD STEW “mask chain” coordinate with a bangle-style bracelet? Simply purchase TWO of the same kit, but remember to choose ONE of EACH of the “bracelet" and "mask chain" options… Easy-peasy :-)
VISIT the Suzie Q BEAD STEW Shopping Page! <<<<Choose your Mask Chain and/or Bracelet Kit Here!
While Serendipity BEAD STEW Kits have FAB combos of hand-selected, high-quality beads, as well as the appropriate finishing components, the tools needed to make a bangle-style bracelet OR “Mask Chain” aren’t included, and isn’t it the worst to sit down to create a project, only to be missing a tool or two?
To be prepared, please take a look at the image above, or the tool lists below, and check to see which tools that you already have on hand, or if you’ll need to add any of them to your order of BEAD STEW Kits. BTW… All of the required tools for both of these projects are basic, essential jewelry-making tools that can be used for oodles of other projects and techniques.
BEAD STEW BANGLE-STYLE BRACELET:
• BEAD MAT or other working surface, so your beads don’t run away!
• HARD WIRE CUTTER, to cut the excess “Memory” bangle wire. PLEASE NOTE… You can also use a heavy duty wire cutter from your household tool box, but DO NOT use regular jewelry wire cutters because they’ll be ruined by the hardness of the bangle wire
• ROUND NOSE PLIERS, to make a round loop at the end of the bangle wire to stop your beads from falling off when your bracelet is finished
BEAD STEW “MASK CHAIN”:
• BEAD MAT or other working surface, so your beads don’t run away!
• SOFT WIRE (POINTY) CUTTER, to cut bead stringing wire that is comprised of 49 strands of nylon-coated, stainless steel wire. This cutter can also be used to cut up to 20 gauge thickness of wire and headpins to make earrings, dangles, etc.
• BEAD STOPPERS, which are used to clamp onto each end of bead stringing wire to prevent your beads from sliding off… It’s a total drag to have the design you’ve spent hours working on, slip away, and worse yet, loosing some of your beads that bounce onto the floor! Bead Stoppers are one the best jewelry-making inventions, ever!
• CRIMPING PLIERS, used in conjunction with “crimp tubes” (which are included in your “Mask Chain” Kit) to securely attach the clasp to your bead stringing project. Some people just flatten the crimp tube with a pair of pliers, but you run the risk of having the end of the wire slip out of the crimp and have your beads flying off, sometimes at the most inopportune time!
• CHAIN NOSE PLIERS, are used to close “crimp covers” (which are included in your “Mask Chain” Kit) into a round bead that cover the crimp tubes on your piece… Crimp covers give your project a clean and professional look. You can also use any flat, smooth-jawed jewelry pliers to close your crimp covers, such as: FLAT NOSE PLIER or BENT CHAIN NOSE PLIER.
During these stressful and uncertain times of COVID-19, it’s super-important for your well-being to distract yourself once in a while, and engage in creative activities such as baking, sewing, knitting, listening to music, jewelry-making — although I might be a bit biased on that one!
As well nothing takes your mind off of more serious topics than having a good laugh, don’t you agree?
One of my many guilty pleasures is watching the nighttime talk shows, and during the time I was working on the new BEAD STEW “Mask Chain", I happened to catch a “bit” on Jimmy Fallon’s show that I got a chuckle out of, especially because one of the “Aunts" was wearing a… “Mask Chain”!
Yup, it’s me again, wearing another FAB mask that my sister Rita made for me. She sure knows what my favourite colours are, and it even matches my BEAD STEW - “Tropical Sherbet” mask chain!
As a “Thank You" to my amazing, Web Wizard sister Rita, I’m going to make her a “Mask Chain” that matches her BEAD STEW “Basil Poppy Seed Dressing” bracelet… I hope she’ll like it :-)
So, are you ready to have some “Good Creative Fun” and make your own unique bangle-style bracelet and matching, oh-so-stylish “Mask Chain”? Then be sure to add some yummy BEAD STEW to your Suzie Q Studio Shopping Cart and get creating!
~ xo Suzie ️
YOU’RE INVITED!
Creating a BEAD STEW bracelet is perfect for a group setting because this project doesn’t require intense concentration, which means that you can still be social with your fellow participants, at the same time as creating your bracelet… Fun, or what?!
At every Serendipity BEAD STEW Class, both public and private, included with your purchase of a bracelet-making kit, you’ll receive FREE expert instruction and design help with the creation of your one-of-a-kind “Bangle-icious” Bracelet, plus it’s always great to be inspired by other attendees.
The next Serendipity BEAD STEW Bracelet Making Class is happening on SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1-4PM, at A & B Fiberworks, with limited spaces available.
FOR MORE DETAILS, please continue reading below...
A & B Fiberworks is a retail store located at the Crossroads Market (which is where the BEAD STEW CLASS is being held on January 19), as well as a fibre farm and fibre processing mill that is located approximately 100 kms north and east of Calgary, near the town of Linden.
Shown above and on the right, is the owner of A & B Fiberworks, Anne Goodwin-Estes. Anne has been involved with spinning and weaving fibre arts since 1979, was an avid knitter before that time, and she enjoys all aspects of working with fibre, including operating her fibre farm for the last 20 years.
On the left is Anna, who is an extraordinary felting artist, and she also teaches and works part time for Anne at the A & B Fiberworks store.
In the centre of the photo collage above, is Ian, who is another felting artist featured at A & B Fiberworks. Every weekend, Ian demonstrates the art of felting, while making his whimsical, and very detailed, felted figures, bottle covers, dryer balls, etc., so be sure to check out Ian’s pieces the next time you’re at the Crossroads Market.
On either side of Ian, are PICs of some of Anna’s gorgeous creations… shawls, scarves… her colour combinations are fabulous, and wearable art pieces are exquisite!
So, meanwhile back at Anne's Fibre Farm, all kinds of fibre-related activities are happening!
Anne raises some sheep, with exotic-sounding breed names such as: "CVM, BFL and BFL cross sheep”.
I’m not sure which breed of sheep is shown above, but his name is “ABE”. Isn’t he handsome?!
Anne raises Alpacas too. She currently has approximately 65 of these incredibly adorable animals at her Fibre Farm.
Not all of them have names, but the cutie on the left is “Tarzan”. Anne tells me that they’re very shy creatures, but maybe not so for the curious one on the far right.
The sheep and alpacas are sheared once a year.
All of the fibre is then sorted, washed and processed in the fibre mill into roving and yarns, which are available for sale at Anne’s shop at the Crossroads Market in Calgary.
Anne also does custom processing for other fibre processing farms from all over Canada.
In addition to her own custom fibres, Anne also stocks cotton, tencel, bamboo, cotton chenille, linen and other fibres from a Canadian company called “Brassard”.
A & B Fiberworks is a dealer for the Canadian weaving equipment company “LeClerc”, spinning and weaving equipment by “Louet” and “Ashford”.
As well, Anne carries the supplies for both needle and wet felting techniques.
With all of the colourful yarns at A & B Fiberworks, I think it’ll prove to be inspiring surroundings to create a Serendipity BEAD STEW “Bangle-icious” Bracelet at my Bead Stew Class on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM!
BTW… To register for YOUR SPOT in the upcoming Bead Stew Class at A & B Fiberworks, please see the details at the bottom of this Blog Post :-)
EASY-PEASY!
If you’re not already familiar with Serendipity BEAD STEW, easy-to-make jewelry kits, each “Bangle-icious” Bracelet kit contains all of the yummy ingredients you’ll need to make one bangle-style bracelet, including unique, premium quality beads made from various materials such as: metal, stone, glass, enamel, resin, crystal, acrylic and more. Each one-of-a-kind bracelet will have that ultra-cool look of multiple bangles stacked on your wrist.
Whether you feel that you have no artistic talent, whatsoever, or you’re a long time maker-type, Serendipity BEAD STEW bracelet kits are the perfect, no-stress solution for some good, creative fun, because no matter how you string your beads onto the bangle bracelet "memory wire”, you’re guaranteed to have fabulous results with our gorgeous, high-quality, unique bead combinations.
With our BEAD STEW Limited Edition kits, we save you the time and stress that can be involved in gathering your supplies (all supplies are included in every kit), plus making these eye-catching bracelets requires very little in the way of tools and, best of all, no experience at all!
To see how it's done, click this LINK to watch a VIDEO>>> “How To Do The Stew”
Want to get a better idea of just how easy it is to make a Serendipity BEAD STEW, “Bangle-icious” Bracelet? Check out this "How-To" VIDEO with Suzie Q Bead Gal, Lynn>>> She’s an amazing “Bead Whisperer”!
Need some BEAD STEW Inspiration? Peruse our NEW BEAD STEW GALLERY by clicking here >>> BEAD STEW GALLERY
And, for some more specific DESIGN HINTS, take-a-look at the following >>> DESIGN INSPIRATION TIPS
In addition to BEAD STEW Jewelry-making Classes at A&B Fiberworks, I’ll be adding other BEAD STEW Class venues, as well as offering “Private Parties” for all kinds of occasions: Birthday and Retirement Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers, Christmas Lunches or After Work Get-togethers, and lots more!
Hope to see you on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM at A&B Fiberworks for our BEAD STEW Bracelet-Making Class.
Being creative feels good, and now's the perfect time to start making your holiday gifts!
~ xo Suzie
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