My favorite part of CHA is that I have a whole lot of time to be creative.  Being the marketing manager of Soft Flex Company, I find less and less time to just sit and bead.  There is always an ad due, an email newsletter to write, a technical seminar or staff training event to plan, a show to pack for, etc.  At CHA, not only do I get 4 full days to sit and design, but I also get an opportunity to go out and enjoy Make-It-Take-Its from other companies.  Learning new techniques that I can later incorporate into my design work.  I really planned well for this CHA.  I packed according to our new holiday themed Soft Flex Beading Wire Trios (Available from us on February 1st).  I picked beads and findings that I knew would fit well for each upcoming holiday.  I am very happy with my Easter - "Egg Hunt" Trio as well as my Valentine - "Be My Valentine" (pictured above) designs.  It was so nice to just relax and do what I love to do most - BEAD!  The holiday Trios were a big hit.  They are just so darn CUTE! When I get a chance, I'll photograph and blog about some of the MITI's that I enjoyed most.  For now, I'm going to relax and try to recharge my batteries for Tucson.  I leave for Tucson on Monday!  Is it really February already?

Yesterday was an enjoyable first day at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) in Anaheim, CA. I was hard at work on the soon-to-be bracelet shown above.  I'm weaving the seed beads together using our .014 Fine Copper Colored Soft Flex Beading Wire.  It is a long and tedious project but I do believe that it will look very nice when I'm finally done.  I scarfed down a hot dog for lunch at lightning speed in order to drop by a Tim Holtz Jewelry Make-It-Take-It, which I seem to have forgotten to photograph for you to see.  I got a chance to see many familiar faces today: The Bead Monkey (shopping), Rings & Things (shopping) & John Bead (exhibiting)...to name a few that you may know but there were many more.  It is always a treat to visit with bead and craft store owners. So many have supported us since the very beginning of Soft Flex Company.  They've gotten to see us grow and we've gotten to see them grow too.   All in all, a good day.

1. Capes (I totally want a cape!)
2. Girly (That's me all of the time. I love dresses and skirts....polish and jewelry. I embrace being a girl.)
3. Chain Strap Bag
4. Ruffles
5. Sequins (There is a sequined vest at H&M that I could kick myself for not buying.)
6. Gingham
7. Party Ready Shine
8. Tough-girl Chic
9. Pink Leopard Accessories (Sorry, but I think I'll skip this trend.)
10. Khaki Pants
11. Florals
12. Texture
13. Yellow (I enjoyed this color last Spring and I will surely enjoy it again.  With all of this rain lately a little sunny yellow is more than welcome in my life.)

I am a 10-pin bowler too.  I've always thought that bowling balls are pretty.  Even the black ones.  Why not turn them into jewelry?  Encouraged by my friends, I am now saving balls from being buried in landfills. I've designed a line of jewelry using these recycled bowling balls, and it's something I feel quite passionate about!  They're not so heavy after you slice them up.  They look quite stunning in fact!


To my knowledge there are no other designers out there offering a complete line of jewelry made from bowling balls, and so I am doing my best to take this idea to a new level.  I feel compelled and passionate about this!  During the year 2010 I will be introducing several new designs of earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and pendants all made from discarded bowling balls and either silver, copper, bronze or brass.  

Lisa Crone at A Bead a Day won a holiday blog contest and is one of the first to receive a new holiday themed Soft Flex Trios Beading Wire Variety Packs.  The Spring & Summer holiday packs are currently only available at local bead stores.  Have you seen them in your local bead store yet?  Be sure to ask for our products by name.  Check out Lisa's blog for an honest opinion on the variety pack that she received!

Guest Blogger: Jamie Hogsett

New Free Project Idea in the School of Design!

Jamie Hogsett will be signing copies of her book, Create Jewelry: Glass at the CHA show. Stop by the Barnes & Noble book signing area on Monday, January 25th from 2-3pm to purchase a book and meet Jamie! She'll have designs from the book on hand for you to see in person. Then, don't forget to stop by the Soft Flex booth to see all of her newest jewelry designs.

What is your favorite beading magazine?  I am quite fond of Stringing & Bead Style.  I'm not much of a bead weaver, so most of the projects in Bead & Button or Beadwork seem over my head or simply do not interest me.  I've noticed that since Melinda Barta has become the editor of Beadwork, I have really been gravitating toward the magazine.  I think that she has an exceptional eye for detail and color.  The magazine has some young and hip designs that keep it fresh.  Beading Daily is offering a free trial issue of Beadwork Magazine - so I thought that I'd pass along the link just in case you'd like to check it out too or had checked it out before but haven't had a chance to see it recently.

Guest Blogger: Jamie Hogsett

Enchanted Adornments Inspiration Gallery: Jungle Fever


Many months ago, I was honored when Andrew Thornton invited me to make a piece for the gallery section of his sister Cynthia Thornton's book, Enchanted Adornments. The book has been out for a little while now and I just happened to unearth my copy last week when cleaning my office. I finally sat down to look through the book and I haven't been able to put it down since. Cynthia's drawings and stories are beautiful. The entire book is a work of art.


I've been fortunate to see several of Cynthia's jewelry designs over the years, via Stringing magazine, and I must say that the pieces she created for her book are the best yet. She has such an amazing sense of design, probably because she puts a little bit of magic in every piece. I've never with polymer clay and have only limited practice with PMC and resin, but Cynthia's book makes me want to try my hand at all of the techniques. Where will I ever find the time?


My own humble contribution to Cynthia's book is below. The polymer clay beads, made by the lovely Pam Wynn inspired the jungle theme. I used shrink plastic to make dozens of leaves and attached them to sterling silver flower links using natural brass jump rings. I strung the polymer clay beads, plastic leaves, and purple Czech glass beads on heavy Antique Brass Soft Flex wire.


Thank you, Cynthia and Andrew, for letting me be a part of such an amazing book! 

Jamie Hogsett is the Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. Contact her at Jamie@SoftFlexCompany.com or via her blog at jamiehogsett.blogspot.com.

Look-y what I got for Christmas - Enchanted Adornments! We did quite a bit of driving over holiday vacation to see family for the holidays and a family wedding. I found this precious book to be a wonderful companion. Cynthia's drawings and stories make this book absolutely unique and left me feeling "enchanted". I fully review the book for Soft Flex Spotlight, but I couldn't help but mention it sooner. Go get it! It is delightful.

I received a lovely testimonial in my inbox this week. I asked if Maggie would mind if I shared with you her kind words as a testament to the superiority of our products.

As you all know, I'm a bead stringer. I dabble in resin, wigjigs, knitting, etc...but when it really comes down to it SoftFlexGirl strings beads on Soft Flex Wire. Josh's co-worker presented me with a project over my holiday break that was way out of my normal realm of beading. She had a lovely beaded belt that wasn't quite fitting the way that it once did (we've all been there). She really wanted to wear it to an upcoming wedding. I could blame her - this belt is gorgeous. It would be a real shame to keep it locked away in a closet or drawer somewhere. This belt needs get out and socialize! So I explained to her that I had never ever tackled a problem quite like this but that I was happy to give it my best try but was clear that I did not promise to come up with anything at all.

Guest Blogger: Jamie Hogsett

No-Clasp Bracelet Idea


Remember Friendship Bracelets? In grade school, I was never without my bag of embroidery floss and safety pins, always weaving bracelets for my friends and, really, anyone willing to wear them. Here's a new idea for a friendship bracelet that's fast and fun:

This clasp-free bracelet is great because it can fit over a hand of nearly any size. The loops of Soft Flex Beading Wire, used here in Pink Rhodochrosite and Copper Color with accents of Peridot, flatten out to allow for a bit of "stretch" as the bracelet is put on. Please note that the wire itself doesn't stretch, the excess wire in the loops just allow for a bit of ease when sliding the bracelet on. The bright Czech glass beads were the inspiration for the wire colors.

This is a great bracelet idea for kids, as they won't need to worry about fussing with a clasp. I think all of my little nieces will just love them. For two other great no-clasp bracelet ideas, see Sara's Waste Not Want Not and Friendship Bracelets in the School of Design.

Jamie Hogsett is the Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. Contact her at Jamie@SoftFlexCompany.com or via her blog at jamiehogsett.blogspot.com.