Color Inspiration by Kristen Fagan

Image by Steve-h via flickr

 Items that match this color palette:

 3MM X 5MM COPPER SWIRLED BEAD

OCEAN FLOOR BEAD NO. 2 BY PAM DUGGAR

GRADUATED MADAGASCAR JET CURVED DAGGERS

SOFT FLEX WIRE AMETHYST

RED BURMA RUBY POLISHED DROPS

Blog contributor Kristen Fagan is the Website Graphic Designer for Soft Flex Company. She also has her own blog and etsy shop.  She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Kristen@SoftFlexCompany.com.

Free DIY Beaded Earring Idea by Jamie Hogsett

Hoop earrings! They're fun and always in style, so here's a quick and easy braided pair you can make for yourself. These were made with Fluorite wire, size 11 seed beads, and Czech pressed-glass ovals. Can you imagine them in endless color combinations featuring different sizes and styles of beads? In addition to beading wire and beads, you only need three 2mm crimp tubes and an ear wire per earring, so you can make up pairs in any color palette you can think of! Enjoy! 

Blog contributor Jamie Hogsett is Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company and co-author, with Sara Oehler, of Show Your Colors. Please contact her at Jamie@softflexcompany.com.

Winner Announced

We have a winner from last week's giveaway: BJ. Yay! Congratulations. Although only one person can win this time, stay tuned for future giveaways. 

I'm back from Knoxville, TN. Taping Jewel School proved to be a very interesting and fun adventure. I was SO nervous for the first few minutes on the first day. But, I was able to let it all go and by day two, I felt right at home. It felt a little bit like sky diving (which I have also done). Once you jump out of the plane there really is no going back. You might as well let go and enjoy the ride. It was fun to see all of our items sell out so quickly, especially Show Your Colors! It is neat to think of all of that colored wire traveling out to new homes with designers who will use it to make their own beautiful creations. If you missed it, I am tentatively scheduled to appear on Jewel School again on August 15-16.

Jewel School today!

May 23-24 - 10am-12pm (EST)

Jewel School on Jewelry Television (JTV)

 Check your guide for you local channel and time!

www.jtv.com

Make sure to scroll down and check out our current jewelry-making giveaway! Post by May 27th to enter to win the book and a Trios package!

Jewel School today and tomorrow!

May 23-24 - 10am-12pm (EST)

Jewel School on Jewelry Television (JTV)

 Check your guide for you local channel and time!

www.jtv.com

Make sure to scroll down and check out our current jewelry-making giveaway! Post by May 27th to enter to win the book and a Trios package!

Jewelry-Making DIY Giveaway - Ends May 28th!

Since I will have my hands full with Jewel School this week, I thought that it was the perfect time for another fun giveaway! This time, we are giving away a copy of Show Your Colors along with one Soft Flex Beading Wire Trio in your favorite color assortment. Show Your Colors explores beading designs infused with color. Soft Flex® Trios™ Color Wire Sets are comprised of three ten foot spools of Soft Flex® Beading Wire in complimentary colors.

May 23-24 - 10am-12pm (EST)

Jewel School on Jewelry Television (JTV)

 Check your guide for you local channel and time!

I will demo crimping and knitting on a spool.

www.jtv.com

In order to enter, leave me a message by clicking on "fabulous thoughts" or "post a comment".

To enter more than once:

1. Click to follow this blog. See the follow tool on the right side. Note in your comment that you are a blog follower.

2. Use the share feature to share this giveaway. Choose your favorite social network and share our giveaway. Please note where you shared our giveaway in your comment. I will enter you as many times as you share this blog post with your social network! Examples: facebook, twitter, pinterest, etc.

3. Like us and leave a comment about Soft Flex on facebook.

Responses will be collected through Monday, May 28th. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 29th. Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you or you may not get your prize. If you have questions or are uneasy about sharing your email in a comment, you can email Bert [@] SoftFlexCompany.com.

BeadandButton Class: Soft Flex Company Presents: Bang Bang Bracelet from Show Your Colors

B121539 Soft Flex Company Presents: Bang Bang Bracelet from Show Your Colors
Sara Hardin Oehler
Wed. June 6 • 4:00pm-7:00pm - (3 hours)

Level: All Levels
Maximum Class Size: 12
Class Fee: $95.00

Description: Mix it up with this unique bracelet design using colored beading wire and craft wire. Students will create shapes with craft wire using a Wig Jig and learn tips for work-hardened wire. Then weave the colored beading wire through the craft wire shapes to make this one-of-a-kind design. To finish off the bracelet, you'll learn everything you need to know about crimping.

Fashion Trend

Wear these Chino Shorts.
Make those Chain Wire Earrings.

 

To see all our Fashion Trends online, click here.

Color Inspiration by Kristen Fagan

Image by Steve-h via flickr

 Items that match this color palette:

 RUTILATED QUARTZ WITH CITRINE AND 18KT GOLD SETTING

4MM OLIVINE CZ FACETED RONDELLES

SOFT FLEX WIRE IMPERIAL TOPAZ

8MM SMOKY CZ FACETED RONDELLES

6MM RUBELLITE TOURMALINE FACETED PEARS

Blog contributor Kristen Fagan is the Website Graphic Designer for Soft Flex Company. She also has her own blog and etsy shop.  She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Kristen@SoftFlexCompany.com.

Odds and Ends by Jamie Hogsett

As Sara mentioned, she and I are on our way to Knoxville, Tennessee next week to present Soft Flex Company products on a couple of segments of Jewel School on JTV. I'm not going to lie, I'm quite nervous about it! No matter what though, we'll have a great time. The past few weeks have been busy making projects for the shows and you can see a jumble of at least six of my new projects above. It's been a time crunch, but it's been wonderful to be able to devote so much time to beading. I can't wait for you to see all of Sara's and my designs!

In other news, I received a book package from Kalmbach last week. At first I thought it was perhaps some more copies of Show Your Colors, but it was actually a copy of Easy Beading Volume 8! Just getting the book was excitement enough, so imagine my surprise when I found my necklace with the sweet little hedgehog from Humblebeads featured inside! What an honor! I'm delighted that even more people will get to see this fun design. Thank you Kalmbach!

Hope you have a great week!

Blog contributor Jamie Hogsett is Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company and co-author, with Sara Oehler, of Show Your Colors. Please contact her at Jamie@softflexcompany.com.

Show Your Colors

Ralph Lauren

Have you noticed all of the color in fashion this year? I could never have imagined how popular color would be when Jamie and I started working on our book two years ago. Now, I am thrilled to see color everywhere! What is better than adding colorful jewelry to your accessory collection?!

Show Your Colors by Jamie Hogsett and Sara Oehler

Free Spring 2012 "Ask the ColorQueens" Journal

Hey all, have you seen the new Spring 2012 "Ask the ColorQueens" Journal? You know how I love the topic of color. This Journal is chalk full of colorful advice.

Free Spring 2012 "Ask the Color Queens" Journal

Here is a description: "This 15-page issue is full of colorful discussions, diagrams and photos that will inspire you in your own work. You'll learn different approaches to combining color as well as special techniques that will help you work through challenging color predicaments. And we have special surprise for you this time... a color-centric interview with colorist extraordinaire, Jamie Cloud Eakin. Read how Jamie approaches harmonizing hues with gemstones to create her stunning palettes."

And, just in case you missed it, here's a link to the Fall 2011 issue. Enjoy!

Free Fall 2011 "Ask The Color Queens" Journal

Book Signing in Phoenix, AZ Today!

Phoenicians, last chance to attend a book signing and make a free pair of earrings! Come by Bead World in Phoenix, Arizona today for a little beading fun!

May 12 - 12pm-3pm
Bead World
Free Make-it-Take-its and Book Signing
6068 N 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.beadworldinc.com

BeadandButton Class: Colors in Bloom: Enameling

B122208 Colors in Bloom: Enameling
Kieu Pham Gray
Fri. June 8 • 5:00pm-8:00pm - (3 hours

Level: All Levels
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Fee: $140.00

Description: Learn how to make copper ball pins using copper wire, then enamel the ball pins to create a bracelet that is blooming in color! Wire wrapping and torch patina will complete this project. Knowledge of wire-wrapping loops is a plus but not required as you will learn a new and easy technique. Students may choose two enamel colors from the selection that the instructor will have available.

Fashion Trend

Wear this Sleeveless Tie-Dye Dress.
Make that Diva Cord Bracelet.

 

To see all our Fashion Trends online, click here.

Preparation for Jtv

Does this ever happen to you? I HAVE a bead table. THIS is my kitchen table. It started out innocently enough. I wanted to work on some of my designs for jtv and visit with my husband at the same time. The next thing I knew, the beads took over. Creativity is so often messy!

May 23-24 - 10am-12pm (EST)
Jewel School on Jewelry Television (JTV)
 Check your guide for you local channel and time!
www.jtv.com

What does your beading space look like?

Free DIY Step-by-Step Earring Instructions by Jamie Hogsett

 

Irises are sprouting all over my neighborhood this week and they're just lovely. Unfortunately, most of them got beat up yesterday by the crazy rainstorm that blew through, so here are a pair of iris-inspired earrings that will last indefinitely!

Materials needed:

8" of Fluorite .019 Diameter Soft Flex Beading Wire 

8" of Purple Amethyst .019 Diameter Soft Flex Beading Wire

6 Silver-Filled 2mm Crimp Tubes

4 Sterling Silver 1 1/2" Head Pins

2 Sterling Silver 4.5mm Jump Rings

1 pair of Silver Plated Ear Wires

4 Amethyst CZ 4x2mm Rondelles

2 Green Aventurine 11x16mm Drops

2 Amethyst 12x14mm Simple Cut Nuggets

Tools needed:

Chain Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Needle Nose Pliers

Cutters

Crimping Pliers

Finished size: 2 1/2"

1: Use 1 head pin to string 1 CZ rondelle. Form a wire-wrapped loop. Repeat three times for a total of four dangles. Set aside.

 

2: Use 4" of Fluorite beading wire to string 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, leaving a small loop of wire, and crimp. String 1 amethyst simple cut nugget and 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, leaving a small loop of wire, and crimp. Repeat entire step to create a second amethyst link.

 

3: Use 4" of Purple Amethyst beading wire to string 1 green aventurine drop. Use both wire ends to string 1 crimp tube. Use one wire end to pass back through the tube. Adjust the wire ends for loops that appear as below, and crimp. Repeat entire step to make a second green aventurine dangle. 

4: Use 1 jump ring to attach 1 CZ dangle, 1 green aventurine dangle, and 1 CZ dangle to the bottom loop of 1 amethyst link. Attach 1 ear wire to the top loop of the amethyst link. Repeat entire step for the second earring.

Enjoy! 

Blog contributor Jamie Hogsett is Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company and co-author, with Sara Oehler, of Show Your Colors. Please contact her at Jamie@softflexcompany.com.

Book Signing at the Bead Depot in Billings, MT

This was a special book signing for me. I started going to the Bead Depot in high school and it sparked my love of beads. The Bead Depot was much smaller back then. They have expanded and created a beautiful space. I cannot express enough the importance of your local bead store. Keep them in business. Without a store like the Bead Depot, I may have never started beading.

Here are a few snapshots from my visit!

 

 

 Window Display for my Book Signing!

 Little shelves display the 10ft colors really well!

 A customer's order.

 Rebecca, her new puppy Chanel and I

 

Bead Depot
2717 1st Ave North
Billings, MT 59101
www.bead-depot.com 

Book Signing + Free Make-it-Take-it at Bead World in Phoenix, AZ this weekend!

This is my last book signing in a bead store for a little while. I've enjoyed visiting so many stores in so many different places: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tucson, Windsor, Billings, etc. This last and final store is my local bead store that I go to on a fairly regular basis. It is the closest of the Bead World locations to my home. So this signing is near and dear to my heart.

May 12 - 12pm-3pm
Bead World
Free Make-it-Take-its and Book Signing
6068 N 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.beadworldinc.com

Review Show Your Colors

Due to an error, Show Your Colors was not available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble until last week. Therefore, there are not many reviews. If you have a copy of the book, please consider writing a review. It would really help Jamie Hogsett and I out! Thank you!

Show Your Colors on Amazon
Show Your Colors on Barnes and Noble
Show Your Colors on Good Reads

Soft Flex Gallery Open House in Sonoma this Weekend!

Soft Flex Gallery Open House

May 5 - 6, 2012
Saturday and Sunday
11am - 5pm

22678 Broadway, Suite 1
Sonoma, CA 95476
(Broadway is HWY12. Go down the long driveway. Turn right at stop sign.)

Book Signing in Billings,MT Today!

May 5 - 1pm-4pm
Bead Depot
Free Make-it-Take-its and Book Signing
2717 1st Ave North
Billings, MT 59101
www.bead-depot.com