Coffee Talk: What's up with the MIA?

It's time to talk folks. I mean, what's up with the MIA, Cindy? You're pretty faithful to the blog and I can't imagine what would take you away.

You're right. What would take me away?

Another website.

That's right, another website. You all know that I have another life as a sign language interpreter. I've found it necessary to develop the business in that field and so it's taken away from the time I have to blog.

The website isn't quite ready to unveil yet. I'm putting all my free time into it. 

While away from blogging, I had to upgrade my iPhone and have discovered a whole range of photography apps. So here's quick snapshot of some of the beads I haven't quite finished. Enjoy your day and I promise I'll be back as soon as I can!

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!