Nothing is Funny this week so Fabulous Links!

Ugh, I've spent the last 3 hours surfing YouTube, LOL Cats, the Daily Show and I can't find anything that I think is funny enough to share with you! So this week it's Fabulous Links!

A Bead A Day
It's Bead Mix week on A Bead A Day! Do you have a favorite bead mix you'd like to share? Stop on over!

About.com Jewelry Making
It's hot, and it's here - summer time! Enjoy our summer with these jewelry making and other crafting ideas.

Art Bead Scene
Copper is the new silver! Here are some copper-y ideas for you!

Beading Arts
And yet another chance to win a fabulous bead package giveaway!

Beads & Books
If you're in a creative rut, you might want to read what Michelle learned from interviewing bead artist Betsy Youngquist.

Carmi's Art Life/World
Carmi tests a package of Shrinky Dink for ink jet printers in order to make a new bracelet.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Bright Colors are everywhere - here's a rewind on how to put some color into your designs!

Resin Crafts!
Carmi creates a ring combining Envirotex Lite resin and resin clay!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean received the most wonderful email from Pasty Evins! You must read it --it will make you, as an artist, think!

The Bead Dreamer
Charlene shares a bracelet made with moon beads, owl charms and thoughts on how we are more alike than different

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew dishes on his secret ingredients for making affordable, but beautiful silver coin pendants!

Bead Table Wednesday: Fairy House

I don't know what possessed me last week, but a fairy house sprung up under one of my red lotus pods on  my beadmaking table. 

Tag-a-long-Tangle: On the front cover!

I'm thrilled that my Easy Loop earrings project is on the front cover of 10 5 Minute Wire Jewelry Projects from Interweave. Great news for you too, Interweave is having a sale on their books this week. So be sure to check it out!

Tuesday Tangle Tutorial: Well Loved Earrings

This week the Tuesday Tangle is a tutorial.

A Tangle Tutorial - get it?

Ok ok, before I chase you away with my bad jokes,  today's tangle is a reward for you coming back. Last Saturday, I debuted my new word beads on Studio Saturday. So today, I'd like to show you a quick pair of earrings I've made with the new beads. I call these, "Well loved" because your best friends and allies love you best.

Supplies:

Ally word beads
Two (2) Vintaj pearl headpins
Two (2) Vintaj kidney earring wires
Two (2) Vintaj 8mm foliage bead caps
Four (4) vintage 3.5mm orange firepolished Czech glass beads

Tools:
Dapping Block/punch set
hammer
roundnose pliers
wire flush cutters
file


1. Open the Vintaj 8mm foliage bead caps to fit the 12-13mm Ally word beads. Place in the dapping block and hammer with the punch to widen the 8mm bead cap. Start with a size just slightly larger than the 8mm bead cap. Go up to the next size and tap with the punch to widen the bead cap more. Keep gradually widening the cap until it is able to fit over the 12mm Ally word bead. Do this with all four beadcaps.

2. String in this order onto the Vintaj pearl headpin: vintage orange Czech bead, foliage bead cap, Ally word bead, foliage bead cap, vintage orange Czech bead.

3. Cut the headpin down to approximately 1/2 inch from the top of the orange Czech bead. If the end of the wire is sharp, file to make it smooth.

4. Use your round nose pliers to make a loop. Do steps 2-4 to make the matched pair.

5. String onto the kidney wires.


There you have it!  Your own set of "Well Loved!"

Studio Saturday and Sensational Links!

I'm over at Studio Saturday this week with my new Word Beads series. I start the series out with one word very near and dear to my heart, ally. I'll be blogging an earring tutorial using the word beads next week, so make sure you stop back!

Here are my favorite bead blogging pals up to their usual goodness this week!

A Bead A Day
Do you ever miss a piece of jewelry you made as a gift? Lisa is contemplating creating a copy of the bracelet she made for her Mom for Mother's Day!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy is having fun with filigree and brass charms, which includes a new bracelet tutorial.

Art Bead Scene
Want to personalize your jewelry designs? Here are some suggestions from the Art Bead Scene.

Barbe Saint John
Barbe talks about Lark Books latest Call for Entries

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares her method of making a charm necklace from a vintage button!

Beads & Books
Michelle shares the pearl and crystal necklace she made for the Artbeads.com challenge.

Carmi's Art Life/World
Carmi has a new pendant to work with to create the copper rose necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's come up with a primary color variation on the double dip ring.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
The Earthenwood Design Team has been hatching up some beautiful jewelry designs using Melanie's ceramic egg charms and pendants!

Resin Crafts!
To launch a week of pouring resin into bezels Carmi showcases two different floral techniques.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses the giveaways--Go for it!!!-- and the call for Entries from Lark Publishing Company

The Bead Dreamer
It's not always easy to get the length of a bracelet correct - especially if large beads are involved. Charlene shares a tool that can help.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew debuts several new items in his Shop, including these NEW skeleton keys!

Monday Links

A Bead A Day
If you are interested in polymer clay techniques, Cindy Lietz, the Polymer Clay Tutor, is offering a free tutorial on color blending!

About.com Jewelry Making
Even if May 5th passed by you unnoticed, that doesn't mean you can't find an excuse to celebrate.

Art Bead Scene
Looking for a challenge? Art Bead Scene has two design contests for you!

Beading Arts
Don't miss our next giveaway package from the fabulous Cherry Tree Beads!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
How 'bout a mini-dip to go with your double dip?

Resin Crafts!
Resin Crafts has a great idea for using leftover resin.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the stunning book, Vintage Jewelry Design. It's one hundred years of must-see beauty!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Celebrate Spring and the return of the weekly Thursday Giveaways with an assortment of components from Beadaholique!

Tuesday Tangle....Primary Dip Ring

Had some fun at the torch and flattened out some of the shorter double dips. They make a perfect ring!

Monday Monkey Business and Links

A Bead A Day
Do you know "the bead" when you see it? Lisa came across one of those in a craft-store mix recently and couldn't walk away!

About.com Jewelry Making
Vintage style is mixed with modern alternatives in this new necklace tutorial.

Art Bead Scene
The Art Bead Scene offers up a few business tips.

Barbe Saint John
Barbe reviews Jen Cushman's "Explore Create Resinate" Book.

Beading Arts
Don't miss your chance to win giveaway package #2 from Cherry Tree Beads!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has some eye candy featuring scarves and a big bauble.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
The week, Cindy's tangled up in a re-do of her studio.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie uses an unusual find of vintage leather postcards to craft a leather cuff bracelet

Resin Crafts!
Carmi turns a feathered butterfly in a pendant with resin.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
In this A to Z blogging challenge entry, Jean is surprised by "W" for a Wonderful thing which happens to her!

The Bead Dreamer
Vintage inspired jewelry components and a vintage pin from her grandmother come together in this special necklace from Charlene

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew gives a heads up about a great giveaway from Lark Jewelry & Beading!