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| Artwork by Kristen Fagan |
Items that match this color palette:
SOFT FLEX WIRE TURQUOISE BLUE TOPAZ
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Color Inspiration by Kristen Fagan
SOFT FLEX WIRE TURQUOISE BLUE TOPAZ
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Pin It - Soft Flex Pins on Pinterest
I love to see what people are pinning on Pinterest from our website - www.SoftFlexCompany.com. Here are some of my favorite things that customers pinned recently.
"Use to make outline of pendant. Then use thinner wire to wrap beads everywhere."
Jamie created this project as an ornament, but it is easy to see that this project can be translated into a fabulous and very bling-y pendant too. Click on the link below the picture to see the final design.
If you have called our office, chances are great that you've had a
chance to talk to Shelley Richey. Shelley has worked for Soft Flex
Company since 2002. She has a background in jewelry design and has
shared several ideas in our Free Project Ideas section, such as the
earrings shown above.
This necklace was in the first set of designs that Jamie Hogsett created for Soft Flex Company. I was so impressed by her ability to think outside of the box and use colored beading wire such new and unusual ways. I can see why folks heavily pin this design!
I think that this design is interesting because it shows how adding three different colors of beading wire together can create a very layering effect that reminds me of paint. It almost creates a brand new color.
If you have ever wondered how to Twist N Curl, you may wan to check out this tutorial. A customer did and then she pinned it for future reference.
Crimps are such an important but undervalued part of a design. Without a good quality crimp, the whole design can to pieces. This tips page covers a lot of great information on crimps and crimping. If you have ever had issues with crimps, you should take a moment to check it out.
I had no idea when I created this design that people would love them so much. I see that they get pinned a lot and have watched many people ooooh over them at bead shows. I think that it is a mixture of them being so darn cute and a shape that no one would think could be created with beading wire.
Blog contributor Sara Oehler (the original SoftFlexGirl) is the Marketing Manager for Soft Flex Company. Find her on facebook or her blog. She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
On Sale - Knitting Spool + Beading Wire + Craft Wire + Cones + Toggles
Enter coupon code SAVEBIG at checkout to SAVE 25% on knitting spools, beading wire, 26-28g craft wire, cones, toggle clasps through May 31, 2013.
Chances are, if you have followed this blog for long, you've seen me talk about my love of the knitting spool. Jamie Hogsett and I loved it so much that we included an entire chapter on it in our book Show Your Colors.
Our Sales & Marketing team decided to add 26-28g craft wire to the sale this time because you can use all sorts of materials on the knitting spools, including craft wire. When using craft wire, you can actually draw the wire down into a thinner chain using a draw plate. Something that you can definitely not do with beading wire.
Although a clasp and cones are not always necessary for a knitted design, they are often helpful. So, we chose toggles and cones to finish off this sale and offer even more pieces for creating a uniquely yours design.
Finally, my very favorite Soft Flex Trio pack is on sale along with Fluorite colored beading wire in 10, 30 or 100ft spools.
So, as you can see, there are a lot of great things on sale right now. Don't miss this opportunity to buy designer findings, simply the best beading wire and a Made in the USA tool - the knitting spool. If you want a free project idea to get started, try this bracelet!
Enter coupon code SAVEBIG at checkout to
SAVE 25% on knitting spools, beading wire, 26-28g craft wire, cones,
toggle clasps through May 31, 2013.
Blog contributor Sara Oehler (the original SoftFlexGirl) is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Soft Flex Company. Find her on facebook or her blog. She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Book Review: Metal Jewelry in Bloom by Melissa Cable
Metal Jewelry in Bloom
by Melissa Cable
This book marries two of my favorite things: flowers and jewelry making. I love flowers. Most anyone who follows me online can see that by what I pin, post and photograph. Flowers are such a wonderful part of life. I was thoroughly intrigued when a copy of this book arrived on my doorstep. It wasn't a book that I anticipated that I wanted, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I am your typical jewelry maker. I collect beads, tools and supplies but don't always have time to try everything. I've definitely done my fair share of collecting metal working tools and supplies. I was excited to see that this book gives some great options for using those supplies. In the first 40 pages, I enjoyed learning about creating shapes, textures, edge dimensions, embellishing, riveting and more. There is not a project in this book that I would not make and wear.
From the back cover: "Build metalworking expertise by making beautiful flowers. Each flower project teaches traditional metalworking skills that transition from easy to more complex as you progress through the book."
In this book you will find:
- Guide to tools and materials
- Metalworking basics
- Step-by-step projects with pictures
- Flower patterns made in metal
- Full jewelry designs using flower patterns
Blog contributor Sara Oehler (the original SoftFlexGirl) is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Soft Flex Company. Find her on facebook or her blog. She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Spotlight On - The Artful Bead
The Artful Bead
The Artful Bead stores in Dallas, Fort Worth are your one-stop shopping destination for jewelry making supplies. They have everything you will need, including quality beads, wire, chain, findings, and tools.
Other things you will find at their stores:
Classes are taught almost every day for every skill level by qualified instructors with an emphasis on a variety of techniques: basics, wireworking, seed bead weaving, soldering, metalsmithing, and more!
Jewelry repair is done skillfully on the premises in a timely fashion. They even do pearl knotting!
They offer custom jewelry design for weddings, proms, quinceaneras, and other special occasions - or just to tickle your everyday fancy and set you apart in the fashion world. You'll enjoy collaborating with their designers for a one of a kind piece.
You'll be amazed by the selection of single and stranded beads that include a large variety of quality gemstones and Czech glass. Also, don't forget that they have the largest selection of seed beads in the DFW area.
Best of all, their experienced staff is able and always willing to answer any of your beading questions. Just ask!
Keep up with what's new by visiting their blog or Facebook Page.
5304 Trail Lake Drive in Fort Worth
(817-294-2903)
or
2501 N Josey Lane, Suite 116 in Carrollton
(972-242-8949).
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Color Inspiration by Kristen Fagan
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| Artwork by Kristen Fagan |
Items that match this color palette:
CHRYSOCOLLA POLISHED RECTANGLES
Monday, May 13, 2013
Tranquility Necklace Free Project Idea
This design by Sara Oehler has been recently published in Soft Flex Company advertisements and we now have the free project idea instructions available online for you to make your own version! Click here to see instructions!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Save 25% On Crimps And Crimp Covers Before May 15th!
Enter coupon code SAVENOW at checkout to SAVE 25% on crimps through May 15, 2013.
If you bead with our wire regularly, you probably use a lot of crimps. Now is the time to restock. You can use the coupon code SAVENOW to get 25% off your crimps - sterling silver, silver filled, gold filled and copper are available. We have crimps in sizes that vary from 1x1mm to 3x3mm. Our crimps are double the wall thickness of most and entirely seamless. They are very strong and durable.
AND, we have brand new silver filled crimp covers in both 3mm and 4mm in quantities of 20, 50, 250 or 500. SO AFFORDABLE!
Blog contributor Sara Oehler (the original SoftFlexGirl) is the Marketing Manager for Soft Flex Company. Find her on facebook or her blog. She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Today! Free Make-It-Take-It + Book Signing Event in Sonoma, CA!
Free Make-It-Take-It + Book Signing Event
Sara Oehler and Jennifer Wilson
Sponsored by Soft Flex Company
Saturday, May 11
1pm-3pm
San Francisco Arts and Crafts
546 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
www.sanfranciscoartscrafts.com
Sponsored by Soft Flex Company
Saturday, May 11
1pm-3pm
San Francisco Arts and Crafts
546 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
www.sanfranciscoartscrafts.com
Friday, May 10, 2013
Book Review: Suzanne Golden Presents Interviews with 36 Artists Who Innovate with Beads
Suzanne Golden Presents
Wow! It amazes me to look at the amazing things that people do with beads. This wonderful book is a collection of some of the most interesting and innovative beading artists. Some of my favorite designers in the book include but are not limited to: Mariana Dempster, Colleen O'Rourke, Betsy Youngquist, Jan Huling, Teresa Sullivan, Arianne Van Der Gaag, Sherry Markovitz, Patricia Kraemer and Yael Krakowski. Suzanne Golden, with her impeccable taste, hit a home run with this book.
From the back cover, "Be Inspired by this must-have collection of artwork by - and interviews with - trailblazing beadwork designers."
You can buy this book from Barnes and Noble.
Blog contributor Sara Oehler (the original SoftFlexGirl) is the Marketing Manager for Soft Flex Company. Find her on facebook or her blog. She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com.
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