Fun with Beadalon

Making new videos for the Beadalon web site brought out
a variety of my facets, er, faces. :-)

Look for the videos now on Beadalon's You Tube page. My latest videos include how-to-do, why-to use, and what-to-use for: loom bead weaving, Elasticity stretchy cord designs, WildFire beading thread, all sorts of beading needles, bead organization and storage, arranging a beading work area, and Hybraid (Is it a wire? A beading thread? It's both!)

Here's one showing some basics for a well equipped beading work area.


Even though I was feeling a bit wired and threadbare myself after a long week just back from doing two back to back Jewelry Television shows, I know the videos now showing on Beadalon's You Tube page will educate and inspire you.

Stick around, because you never know when some of my actual design tutorials will appear, too!

Sorry, This Class is Cancelled

Or, why I cant teach one or two students
even if you buy me dinner.

Steampunk Herringbone Cuff by Leslie Rogalski (c) 2011
Only one student signed up. 
Cuff was recently selected to be featured
in the new Lark book Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry
now on advance sale on Amazon.

People grab my arms when I wear pieces such as these and exclaim, ooh, teach this, teach this!

So I write up tutorials, a laborious and lengthy process. I spend days re-making designs I have so far only made intuitively– measuring the number of beads, calculating sizes, counting components, and simplifying technical aspects as I re-create my one of a kind pieces so I can teach them clearly and step by step.

I take photos I hope will entice, fill out forms meant to present the projects as fun and doable, and submit packages to events. I'm ecstatic when I get juried in. I make hotel and flight reservations. And then... I get one, maybe two students (thank you!) who sign up.

I can just feel all you other teachers sighing and nodding. It is never an impulsive decision to cancel a class even if we have but one student, because every single student is important and valued, very valued.

Cubic Right Angle Weave Fiesta Links bracelet
Leslie Rogalski (c)2011
Only two students signed up.
Have been told by those who learned this from me
that it's the best class ever to learn this stitch.

The truth is we cannot afford to travel to shows unless we make a profit. Not just cover travel expenses, not just be compensated for all the time it took to develop the class, write the tutorials, determine the best way to get a technique presented. Make money, as in, to put in the bank and save for the kid in college or get a real haircut not by your neighbor in beauty school.

It's not a profit just to pay your way and break even. That's living hand to mouth. I bet most of you are close to doing that no matter what your jobs are.

Purple Path Tila Herringbone cuff
by Leslie Rogalski (C)2011
Taught it to several "I'll never like seed beading" friends
who now can't stop beading.
SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS
AT BEAD FEST SPRING

Sometimes it's hard not to be mad when a class you signed up for is cancelled. Teachers think you are the BEST PEOPLE EVER for wanting to be our students. We just wish there were more of you signing up. Then we can not only come to the shows and teach the classes, but eat, too.

There are a couple amazing shows with registration open NOW for fabulous classes, with renown, master teachers. They are very varied in time and cost and skill level, so there is bound to be at least one class you'd love. Maybe even one of mine.

Bead & Button is in June in Milwaukee, and Bead Fest Spring is almost here, April 13, 14 and 15th at the Oaks convention center, easy to reach, just a few miles from Valley Forge PA.

Hollywood Filmstrip loom cuff by Leslie Rogalski (c)2012
Sign up for it at Bead Fest Spring
Kit includes the loom and beads and the cool special bezel cuff!

Treat yourself for your birthday. Or your unbirthday. Celebrate your emancipation from that guy you thought was Brad but was really the pits. Classes are kosher for Passover, and I know the Easter bunny would leave a gift card for a class in your basket if you promise not eat all the jellybeans except the green ones.

BEAD FEST SPRING, Oaks, PA

BEAD & BUTTON SHOW, Milwaukee, WI

Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects

It is not every day you have the chance to get the inside scoop from a master, let alone one who shares your own passion. Diane Fitzgerald is such a worthy mentor for anyone who makes, wears, or simply appreciates the art of beadwork. I encourage you to enjoy her journey with her in her new book from Lark,  "Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects." 

The appealing variety of styles, techniques and materials on the cover are indicative of the lovely, feminine and colorful projects found inside. Diane's designs are lush with seed beads but she also uses beads in other shapes and materials. 

Variations of designs include these
juicy versions of the Hard Candy bracelet.

Diane has chosen 24 personal favorite projects to represent her journey (so far!) as a teacher, designer, historian, and ambassador of global bead arts.  The delightful introduction by another bead master, Jean Campbell, fills in the storyline about Diane and how she became who she is.

Diane can be such a romantic.
The soft fabric used in this
Apple Blossom Necklace proves it.

There is a range of skill levels but truly anyone familiar with beading can make everything in the book. The projects have wonderfully clear illustrations and well written, step by step instructions. The photos are nice and large making it easy to see the beads, read the tutorials, and follow the illustrations.

Excellent details abound in close up photos.

There are also tips on using color, improving your technical craft, and inspiration from the four corners of the globe—which, by the way, Diane has visited. She has literally searched the world for inspiration and technique, and has gathered a history of beadwork along the way which is shared in comments scattered through her book.

Fortune Teller beads predict happy hours with bright colorss.

You all know I'm a seed bead devotee above most other materials. I have not been around the world  but I have been around as an artist, teacher, editor, and beady babe. I know a lot of beady peeps. So,  I have high expectations when it comes to inspirational and informative beading books. "Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects" will make your fingers itch to bead!

Diane's Zipper Bracelet is my personal favorite.
I  love the purple iris cube beads, too!

BEAD CAPS: Before, During, After

BEFORE

First I chose these Lucite beads from my stash

  DURING

Then I made a glorious mess playing around with Beadalon bead caps, Swarovski crystals, Swarovski crystal pearls, more beads, lots of wire, headpins, and stuff. You know, STUFF.

AFTER

Here are the finished bead components I made.

Want to see more? 
Tune in to Jewel School on Jewelry Television
March 18 and 19th 
10 AM to Noon EST.
See everything I made with 
Beadalon bead caps!

CREATING SWAROVSKI STYLE in TUCSON 2012

The CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI experience in Tucson this year was beyond my expectations.
First, being together with the other ambassadors was as warm and fuzzy as it was sparkly! I heard this event brought more ambassadors together in one place than ever before.
We had a special showroom with tables to share our creationss, kits, books and more with everyone. Seeing the diversity of work and astounding innnovation in materials and techniques among us was simply cosmic.  For example, look at Diane Whiting's Crystal Balls necklace--and the issue of Step by Step Beads in which it appeared. (True story--I was the editor in chief of that magazine and brought that project in from Diane before we even really knew each other!)

Kristal Wick's collection of finished jewelry and kits featured some of the most lush combinations of crystals and her original fabric beads, plus more yummy luxe materials. if you haven't made one of her necklaces, check out her kits and her fabulous books online--because you are missing out on making something extraordinary that will have people oohing and aaahing.

The vunderbar folks from Austria presented the new shapes, colors, materials, tools, effects and trends for the next year.  Everyone was so eager to see the presentation and listen to Chris, Raphaela and Katrin "romancing the stones!" (But we missed Nicole and Marlena, who could not attend.) Here are ambassadors Debi Simon, Brenda Schweder, Kelli DeFries and Stephanie Dixon.
Among other new tools and web enhancements, we'll all be able to add a fabulous color wheel tool to our own web pages, showing how to mix and match all the Swarovski elements styles and colors.I love getting our little "candy box" of samples of many new elements.



Classes, workshops, and make and takes were a huge success--can you tell from my student that she was happy with her Chessboard earring project?

The newest part of the event was a showroom for Ambassadors to display (and sell) our finished work, kits, tutorials, books and DVDs, and demonstrate our favorite techniques.It was so incredible to meet people face to face! The best part for us was being together with the other Ambassadors. I am sure our camaraderie was tangible. We just love being part of this group! (And we really missed those who coud not be with us.) Personally I can't eait to do this again next year. Thank you Swarovski for making this possible (and for the nightly Happy Hours). Huge hugs to our Ambassadors who helped put it all together (Tammy, Diane, Debi). Thanks to the local bead society folks who were just as nice as could be on helping us in any way we needed.
And thanks to everyone who came to see us!


Make the world beautiful!

BEADING ON A LOOM

Sign up to make this stellar cuff
at the Bead & Button Show!

Working on the Beadalon loom is so much fun, it really takes me back to my beady beginnings. I started using seed beads on a loom almost exactly like the one that every student will get in my class at the Bead and Button Show in June. I know, I know–what about those pesky warp thread ends, right? That "chore" has kept you from using the loom, right? Not any more!! In my class you will learn to whisk those ends outta sight plus many other practical and easy loom weaving tricks:

Use strong and non-stretch WidFire
to string the main long threads (warp)
and for weaving (weft).

We learn how to read and design a chart.

See how to make your piece as long as you wish!

Discover how many things you can
weave on a loom--earrings, for example!

The colors of the Hollywood Cuff
are shimmering Miyuki size 11 Delica beads

Next to the zen of weaving with Miyuki Delica beads and the satisfaction in the way those beads fit together, the best part of this project is the way we finish. We simple cut the cuff from the loom, fold under the threads, and adhere into a bezel cuff from EK Success. The look is superbly crafted and stylish.

So sign up! You keep the loom as part of the class kit, and I will have plenty of other patterns and blank cuffs for sale so you can make more– because I guarantee your friends will all want to be a film star too!

My Gift of Peyote Patterns for You!

I hope you enjoy these 8 peyote patterns, designed for Hanukah but with a few that are universal. Each medallion can become a pendant, cuff or brooch, or incorporated into a greeting card, work of fabric art... it's up to you! I made one into a necklace.

Worked in size 11 Delica beads, the actual size is h x w 1 5/8" (42mm) x 1 1/2" (40mm). Note how the side edges have the in-out beads. This enabled more horizontal straight lines in my designs. It also allowed me to use the bead holes along the top edge to attach a rolled peyote tube as a bail through which I strung my beaded cord. These patterns are easy to follow in either peyote or brick stitch.

A bit about Hanukah for those who wonder if Jewish kids really all got gifts for 8 days. I personally did not. With four kids in my family, are you kidding? Do the math! Plus, this isn't a "holy" day. It's much more of an historic celebration. Here's the short version:

Hanukah means "rededication." In 168 BCE when the Syrian king banned Judaism and took over the temple, the Jews took it back led by Judah the "hammer", the Macabee. After the battle the remaining temple oil (for the eternal flame over the Torah ark) seemed too low to last for more than a day, but it lasted 8 days --some say that's the time it took until new oil could be created. The festival is full of games (like playing with the dreidle) and fried food (more oil, that's right!) Traditional yummies include donuts, called "sufganiot," and of course my personal favorite, latkes, or potato pancakes.

No matter how you spell it, Hanukah is a festival of light and celebration for the Jewish history of survival against all odds.
So happy Hanukah, or as we say in my wonderfully multi-cultural house, Hanuchrismakwanzstice!

And more than anything, HAPPY BEADING!

Menorah, with all 8 candles lit,
reflecting the entire Festival of Lights.

Peace Dove. When are you showing up?

Dreidle, the toy top with Hebrew letters
standing for the words
"a great miracle happened there"
referring to the Hanukah story.

"Chai", Hebrew word for Life.
The toast "l'chaiim!"is to drink to life!

Hamsa, or Chamsa
Middle Eastern symbol for the protective
hand of Gd. The Hebrew word for five
(as in fingers) is "chamesh."

The  flag of Israel is designed
to look similar to a tallit,
or prayer shawl.

The Torah contains the 5 books of
the Old Testament. Portions are read
at every Jewish service.
Torahs are hand scribed on scrolls
to this day. No errors are allowed,
so they are written in sections
If a mistake is made, only the
one section needs to be rewritten.

Tree of Life, "Aitz Chaiim"
in Hebrew
shown here with day and night