JTV Blog

Jewel School by JTV's Margot Potter Talks Metal and Chain Jewelry Accents

Using chain and metal accents in your designs can really make them modern and fresh.  I’ve shared a couple of designs I created recently using metal components and gemstone beads.  Think of these as creative inspiration; take them any direction you choose!  Jewel School by JTV has a vast array of really terrific chain and findings along with lots of lovely smaller scale gemstone beads.  Use unexpected color combinations-- this necklace set pictured on the right combines rose quartz, citrine and smoky quartz for a truly seasonless design.  The bracelet on the left features a slightly different palette, using smoky, lemon quartz, citrine, amethyst and rose quartz with lots of metallic accents.  The three strands are united by a lovely silver-plated filigree connector; this allows the bracelet to be lovely even if the clasp is showing.  The earrings are so strikingly simple, a linear design featuring gemstones, QuickLinks™ and a delicate chain. 

Looking at the fashion trends, metal and chain are right on point for Fall/Winter 2011.  Get a jump start on your fall jewelry and update your Summer wardrobe with the fabulous selection of metallic findings , metallic charms and spacer beads, unfinished chain, and genuine gemstone beads at Jewel School on jtv.com!

Creatively yours,

Margot

Jewelry Television and JTV.com July Forecast: Mining for America's Gemstones, and Ruby, Birthstone for July

Jewelry Television and JTV.com has a spectacular line up of ruby jewelry and loose rubies, plus gemstones mined right here in the good ol' U.S.A., just in time to celebrate Independence Day. No July would be complete without celebrating its most famous birthstone--ruby, and we have lots of designs in ruby rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, and bracelets, and loose ruby gemstones, too. There's tons of gemstones, including ruby, that are produced right here in America. An excerpt from USGS.gov states that from 2006 to 2010 "Domestic gemstone (in the United States) production included agate, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, shell, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise, and many other gem materials. In decreasing order, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, California, Idaho, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, North Carolina, Maine, and Tennessee produced 84% of U.S. natural gemstones."

It's fun to to know that within a day's drive from anywhere in the United States, there are mines open to the public where you can dig for gemstones. In Arkansas, you can visit the only diamond producing site in the world that is open to the public--the Crater of Diamonds State Park. If emerald jewelry and gems  make your heart skip a beat, head over to North Carolina to Hiddenite Gems, Inc.'s Emerald Hollow Mine, the only emerald producing location in the world that is open to public prospecting. Search online for many more unique gemstone mining opportunities here in the good ol' USA. Of course, if digging for hours in the dirt isn't your cup of tea, you can always just let Jewelry Television and JTV.com do the "mining" for you. Tune in all month long for great American gems sent straight to your door--no digging required!

- Dana Sebby, JTV.com Online Community Manager

Jewel School by JTV Newsletter: New DVD's, Patriotic Pendant by Lisa Pavelka, Upcoming Designers to Visit Jewel School, and So Much More

Jewel School's Margot Potter Highlights Upcoming Events and Product Debuts on Jewel School by JTV

Hello, Jewel Schoolers! Summertime is here, and it's my favorite time of year for jewelry making!  Our beautiful beaded baubles aren't hidden under bulky sweaters or jackets and virtually everything we're wearing provides an opportunity for beaded embellishment.  Beaded flip flops or sandals, anyone?  I never go out in the sun without a hat; why not bead the brim or make a variety of beaded accents you can temporarily attach to the crown of the hat and change to match your outfit du jour?  Know a teen who lives at the pool or the beach?  Why not a beaded anklet?  Create a beaded  lanyard for your sunglasses. Even your tableware can be spruced up with some wire and colorful beads.

The Jewel School Newsletter featured project is a patriotic resin pendant from Lisa Pavelka that is positively perfect for the Fourth of July!  Ah, summer, it never lasts long enough for me.  I intend to savor every lovely moment of it here in the Smoky Mountains. 

Jewelry Television and JTV.com are beyond thrilled to announce the first of many new Jewel School DVDs--set to debut very soon! This DVD is part one of a three-part set focused on a variety of jewelry and jewelry-making techniques that will hopefully get those creative juices flowing.  Our first offering is The Art of Making Earrings.  It's an hour long and has five projects suited to the beginner, intermediate, and even advanced beader.  This particular DVD goes on sale on June 26th, so don't forget to tune in and be first in line to get your copy!  Our next selection will feature ArtClay with Jackie Truty, followed by The Art of Making Bracelets--in fact we're working to debut a new DVD every month! 

The Jewel School buying team is on the road finding beautiful beads for you. Recently, they visited the Milwaukee Bead and Button show, the world's biggest consumer show for jewelry makers. All the movers and shakers attend to take master classes and stock up on artisan crafted beads. Our team had barely unpacked when they grabbed their passports and headed out the door to China. Jeff and Julie are sourcing new Bead materials our customers will begin to see in late August. We are very excited to work with some of the largest bead factories in the world--this means even greater variety and value in the weeks ahead. Many great surprises ahead as we canvass Asia to serve our customer.  

Speaking of bead artisans, we have a terrific list of artists and new products debuting in the upcoming weeks on Jewel School! Create your Style with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Ambassador, Deb Simon, who appears on Jewelry Television's Jewel School broadcast on Sunday, June 26  for EK Success.  Another SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Ambassador, Former Step by Step Wire Editor and Beadalon Design Team Member, Leslie Rogalski, will be appearing on Sunday, July 10 to share her passion for seed beading.  Watch the Jewel School debut of Chain Maille with Lauren Anderson a.k.a. The Chain Maille Lady, another Beadalon Design Team Member, on Sunday, July 24.  We are working on adding more guests in July, so be sure to tune in and see what's new!

And...we're being super sized! Jewel School will be expanding to a four hour show so tune in from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT starting in July!

Jewel School shines its Customer Spotlight on Elizabeth L. this month.  Read her inspiring story and see her delightful designs below. If you'd like to share your story, just email us at Jewel.School@JTV.com.  We love seeing your work and hearing about your passion for making jewelry!  I'm doing a monthly bead challenge so if you'd like to participate, you’ll find the details here for Margot’s Bead Challenge . Come and play with me!

Until next time, happy beading!

- Margot Potter, Jewel School Education and Creative Coordinator

Jewel School Project of the Month - Rockin Resin Patriotic Pendant

Our project this month uses the Lisa Pavelka ROCKIN RESIN KIT, JTV.com item number LPK01. (Already own the kit--order a "refill" accessory kit. jtv.com item number LPK04). We’ve got step-by-step instructions for you to easily whip up this patriotic pendant!  You may want to go the jtv.com and view the project video More Resin in the Jewel School videos.

Step 1-Condition and Roll Out the Clay

Work the polymer clay in your hands until it becomes soft and malleable, then roll it out. Lisa is using a ceramic tile as a work surface with parchment paper under the clay so it won’t stick. She’s using an acrylic roller, and the spacer slats from our Art Clay kit (ARTCLY027)to roll it out.  You can buy the spacer slats separately (ARTCLY0020). You can also use a pasta machine, but please dedicate it to crafts only after that. After you roll it out, you can take the clay off the parchment paper so it sticks a little to your work surface.

Step 2

  Place foil included in the kit over clay (shiny color side up), then rub the foil using a scrap piece of the parchment paper and the flat pads of your fingers to burnish the foil & make it stick. Rub 30 to 60 seconds.

 

Step 3

  Peel off the foil by grabbing the end and pulling off in a lateral motion. Peel it off by pulling across the clay piece with your hand above the work surface. Do not pull up. Do this in a quick motion-- “rip it” as Lisa says.

Step 4

If there are any spots of clay the foil didn’t cover, position the foil back over the piece in the same place. Line everything up like a jigsaw puzzle, burnish it again, then rip it off in a different direction.

Step 5

Remove your piece from the tile by sliding a thin blade under it. The cutter from the Art Clay kit works wonderfully for this (ARTCLY0020).

 

Step 6 

Press the bezel down onto the clay to make a slight indention so you know the size you’ll need to cut out.

 

Step 7

Use a craft knife and trim inside of the line made by your bezel. Then use your cutter to loosen from your tile. Save your scraps!

 

Step 8

  Brush a little of the polybonder onto the inside of your bezel. Use a few light strokes--less is more!

 

Step 9

Drop in your clay.

Step 10

Tuck in with your craft knife trimming anywhere your clay is too long.

Step 11

You can add texture and press the clay down with a ball point stylus (this is called stipling). Any rounded tipped tool you have will work. I’ve even used a snippet of a large gauge wire (16g) and curled the end with my round nose pliers.

 

Step 12

If you want to embellish further, use your craft knife to cut a freehand heart out of your scraps.

Step 13

Add a tiny drop of the polybonder to the heart then place on your clay pendant.

Step 14

Bake @ 250 degrees F for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes. We use a standard toaster oven, again, dedicated to only craft use.

Step 15

After it cools, pour in your resin. You can fill your bezel completely making the level even with the top of the side walls or even fill it until there’s a nice domed cabochon effect. It’s that thick! 

Step 16

Sit your pendant under the UV light for 5 to 10 minutes. You can take it out and it will be hard to the touch, but set it aside somewhere safe to continue curing.

Continue to watch the VOD for a bonus project at end!

Jewel School Customer Spotlight - Elizabeth L., High Point, North Carolina

Our featured Jewel Schooler, Elizabeth L., admits to having a crafty gene that prods her to try new ways of creating jewelry, using her skills in crochet, knitting, sewing, and scrapbooking. With a lifelong passion for collecting gems found in the mountains of her native North Carolina, she easily transitioned to wire wrapping, and that was only the beginning.  Elizabeth explains how she uses the available resources to let her creativity run wild!

“I began my love of gemstones with childhood gem mining explorations in the mountains of North Carolina. Slushing through icy water and mud was a vacation! I have grown into a little bit of a rock hound and have passed this love onto my children. I have been able to turn my passion for gemstones and a talent for making unique pieces of jewelry into a business!

“JTV has inspired me by not only having a wonderful collection of loose gems, cabochons, beads, and findings, but also through their extensive collections of jewelry-making tools.  Jewel School not only offers these goodies but demonstrates them live on air.  If I can see the process, than I can do it at home too!   

 “So, how did I start making jewelry?  It was love at first sight with drusy quartz (pictured left).  I bought several pieces and knew that I had to make them into jewelry. I had been watching the Jewel School programs for a while and knew about the wonderful Wire Wrapping DVDs.  I bought those DVDs and all the tools and wire that I needed.  It was quite easy!  I started wire wrapping pieces to give away. I think all my girlfriends, teachers and acquaintances received a wire wrap piece of jewelry from me last year.  From that I started selling the pieces I made through my own online shop and through consignment in a local gift shop in my area.  My business has really taken off very quickly.

  “I fell in love with the wire and crochet pieces by watching the on-demand video by Laura Timmons.  Since I’ve been crocheting since I was nine, it seemed like a natural fit! They are just as easy to make as she shows online!  My crochet necklaces are my biggest sellers right now and take very little time to make.

“I’ve also invested in the coiling gizmo.  I was so excited to open that box and within a couple of hours I made some beautiful beads and earrings.  I bought it with the intent of making unusual beads, but it’s expanded to much more!  I have also made easy bangle bracelets and earrings as well.  There’s a vast amount of projects out there for the gizmo that are easily found by doing an internet search.  I am still coming up with interesting ideals to utilize this tool. 

“My next expanse in my jewelry making is the Easy Knotter.  I am just waiting to have a little time to play with it.  Sometimes I let my design ideas roll around in my head for a while before I’m ready to start creating.

“So for anyone out there who is on the fence about starting to make jewelry, I say give it a try!  Jewel School and JTV not only offer an array of gemstones, beads and other supplies, but a wealth of teaching knowledge to help get you on your way.”

Elizabeth, thank you for sharing your can-do spirit!  You personify the wishes we have for all Jewel School customers!  Good luck with your business, EBL Designs, too!

Jewel School Product Spotlight - Wigjig Olympus Peg Kit 

Looking for some easy jewelry making ideas? Try the Wigjig Olympus Peg Kit to make intricate designs using a simple tool with pegs and an acrylic board.  So easy!  You can learn more about it by watching the Jewel School video with Margot and Julianna Hudgins.   The kit comes with easy to read instructions, too!

 

JTV's Silver Soltice Jewelry Event Boast an Impressive Lineup of Gemstones in Sterling Silver

It's easy to get distracted by all the sparkling gemstones and jewelry here at Jewelry Television and jtv.com headquarters. This week, JTV's Silver Solstice Jewelry Event has everyone talking--about what they are buying for themselves, or as gifts for some lucky recipient! Today is Day 1 of the event, but those "in the know" understand the importance of scooping up these deals as soon as they hit the airwaves! Here's 5 of our Top Silver Solstice Picks:

1. Glacier Topaz™ - The refreshing blue hue of this gemstone really does make you think of the amazing blue stripes you see in glaciers. And our designers have paired some of it with tanzanite for a super-rich look.

  2. Sterling Silver Earrings for every style preference. From multi-gemstones to classic solitaires, to dangle earrings in ruby, topaz, mother of pearl, and more.

3. Summery shell jewelry in sterling silver.  

4. Exquisite Ethiopian Opal jewelry.

5. Alluring amethyst jewelry from Africa and Brazil in rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets.

 

JTV World Tour: Vegas, baby! Gemstones and Jewelry from the Las Vegas Gem and Jewelry Shows

Jewelry Television is showcasing gemstone and jewelry finds we found in fabulous Las Vegas, home to one of the world's largest jewelry and gem shows. To get an idea of the kind of spectacular gemstone and jewelry items one can see at these shows, take a look at the tanzanite JTV's Shawn O'Sullivan is holding...

--or check out the stunning strand of South Sea Pearls that VP of Merchandising, Natalie, is wearing...

And these strands of "gold beads" pictured below? Yeah, those are actually Golden South Sea pearls with luster so fine they look metallic. It's enough to make this Pearl Girl swoon!

See JTV's exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from Las Vegas on the Jewelry Television facebook page, and for goodness sake, don't miss any of this weekend's programming as Jewelry Television and JTV.com pull out all the stops to bring you the best from Las Vegas! - Dana Sebby, JTV.com Online Community Manager

Jewel School by JTV: "Seaside Necklace" Design Challenge Inspirations and NEW Jewelry Design Challenge

As mentioned in my last Jewel School project blog, several Jewel Schoolers shared images of their own creations inspired by the Seaside Necklace design. I want to share these customer designs with you and remind you that we have a NEW design challenge to participate in--just click this link to read all about it: Margot's Jewel School Design Challenge - Flower Power Necklace. A big thank you to everyone for participating in my first design challenge. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the next challenge!

- Margot

 

The Original Seaside Necklace by Margot Potter for Jewel School by JTV

Customer Creations Inspired by Margot's Seaside Necklace Design

Shining Star by Barbara

Design by Julia Croneski

Beachside by Pat Thames 

Design by Julia Croneski

 

 

JTV's Jewelry Fest: This Year's Biggest Fine Jewelry Event

Heads up on the most anticipated jewelry event of the year--JTV's Jewelry Fest--airing on Jewelry Television now through Sunday, June 19th. You can always shop jtv.com for the newest JTV Jewelry Fest jewelry and watches, where you will enjoy free standard shipping on orders $49 or more. 

Planning for this event literally begins the moment the prior year's Jewelry Fest concludes, so focused are our buyers on making each year even better than the last.  Take advantage of incredible designer watch values in Croton, August Stiner, Disney and more. Or feast your eyes on JTV's new selection of rare gemstone jewelry we can't always get for you, such as tsavorite garnet rings, Imperial topaz rings, alexandrite rings, color-change garnet rings, fire opal rings and earrings, window drusy rings, earrings and pendants, kunzite rings earrings and pendants, Glacier topaz rings, earrings and pendants. Choose from 18kt gold, 14kt gold, 10kt gold, sterling silver precious metals as JTV brings you THE jewelry event of the year--Jewelry Television's Jewelry Fest!

Make Margot Potter's "Flower Power" Necklace and See the New Design Challenge

French flowers were the crafty creations of poor peasant women back in the 15^th Century in France.  They used discarded beads to create three dimensional flowers that they used for home décor and to embellish funereal wreaths.  This is a modern version of an ancient technique repurposed for a fun focal element in this summery necklace.  I’ve made some materials changes to the original design shown here based on products Jewel School by JTV has in stock, but you can use any beads that suit your style! 

In fact, I’d love to see what you can do with this idea, so I’m tossing out another challenge to you, Jewel Schoolers!  Show us how you re-create a jewelry design based on Flower Power. Send in your 1MB or smaller JPEG images to Jewel.School@JTV.com and I’ll share them on the Jewel School by JTV blog next month!  Ready, set…BEAD!

p.s. Jewel Schoolers accepted my Design Challenge to re-think my Seaside Necklace Design, and I'll be posting photos of their amazing creations on the Jewel School by JTV blog soon.

How To Make Flower Power Necklace Design by Margot Potter for Jewel School

Materials

10 JLW3536 11x9-14x10mm Citrine Cushion Cut Rectangle Beads 

10 JLW2202A 14x10mm Cherry “Quartz” Glass Faceted Oval Beads 

634 JLW4728A 11/0 Crystal Fuchsia Ceylon Lined Seed Beads 

21 JLW3346H 8mm Pink Cracked Crystal Quartz Round Beads 

1 JLW3346D 8mm Orange Cracked Crystal Quartz Round Bead http://www.jtv.com/Orange-Cracked-Crystal-Quartz-Approximately-8mm-Round-Bead-Strand-15-Inches/1076617,default,pd.html&mcid=XSO00010002111

JSWR86D 24 gauge Artistic Wire Silver Colored Copper Wire 

JSWR10B .018 19 strand Beadalon Wire 

JLW1768A 2 Sterling Silver EZ-Crimp Ends 

JLW2103A Sterling Silver Lobster Clasp 

Tools

PLIER21B Mighty Crimp Tool 

PLIER27 Round Nose Pliers 

PLIER22 Chain Nose Pliers 

PLIER25 Flush Cutters 

1.       To create your French Flower, you will make five individual three layer petals and twist them together upon completion of all five.  Start by cutting off a 12” segment of 24 gauge wire.

2.       Thread 33 pink Delica beads on one end of wire; let them fall to the center of the wire.  Bend the two ends together, grasp at top of beads and twist to form a loop.  Add 40 beads to one wire and bend into petal shape.  Nestle the first loop inside of this one and twist wire tail tightly around base of first twist once.  To make your final petal, add 46 beads to one wire; form a petal as before and twist wire tail tightly around base of existing petals once.

3.       Grasp two wires with your chain nose pliers.  Twist wires together tightly while holding base of your petals.  Create until you have a tightly twisted strand.  Cut off stem to about 5”.  Repeat for five total beaded petals.

4.       Take all five petals and twist together with chain nose pliers.  You should have a thick twisted stem.

5.       Add a bead to the center of the flower using a 6” segment of 24 gauge wire; twist the wire tails tightly around your thick stem. 

6.       Cut stem to 1.5” long.  Use round nose pliers to loop the stem, tucking wires into back of flower and forming a ‘bail.’  This is where the beading wire will thread to place flower on your beaded strand.  Make sure the bail isn’t too large to prevent flower from flopping on finished necklace.

7.       The necklace is a simple repetitive strung design.  Seed beads are placed in between each of the larger beads.  This creates drape and fluidity and serves the same purpose as a knot on a silk strand.

8.       Attach an EZ-Crimp end to one end of an 18” strand of beading wire using the Mighty Crimp Tool.   Add beads on in the following pattern:  pink crackle, seed bead, citrine, seed bead, pink crackle, seed bead, cherry glass, seed bead, pink crackle…continuing this pattern until you reach the 7^th cherry glass bead.  Slide your flower on the wire.  Continue the pattern as follows: pink crackle, seed bead, citrine, seed bead etc. until you reach the final pink crackle bead.

9.       Thread wire into EZ-Crimp.  Use Mighty Crimp tool to secure wire and cut off excess wire with flush cutters.

 

JTV Celebrates the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival with Gems and Jewelry from China

JTV's Dragon Boat Festival: tune in June 9th through June 12th for hours of colorful gemstones and jewelry as Jewelry Television and jtv.com celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival, the famous festival in honor of the great Chinese poet Qu Yuan.

Legend has it that Qu Yuan drowned in the Milou River, and that to protect his body, fishermen rushed to the water in their long boats beating drums to scare away the fish. To commemorate this ancient festival, JTV is proud to feature a stunning array of gorgeous gemstones and jewelry originating from China. Watch for jade gemstones and jewelry, Hubei Turquoise gemstones and jewelry, Manchurian Peridot, Jiangsu Sapphire, Altai Aquamarine, smoky quartz, and fluorite, just to name a few!

JTVers also celebrate a Dragonboat Festival--the Knoxville Dragonboat Festival--where they race dragonboats and win big trophies! (Photos below.)The proceeds of our local Dragonboat races go to the Knox Area Rescue Ministries, a local organization helping the homeless. From their website, www.karm.org: Knox Area Rescue Ministries was formally established on December 8, 1960, by five local pastors under the original organizational name Knoxville Union Rescue Mission. Recognizing the necessity for a permanent ministry effort to meet the needs of the growing population of the homeless in Knoxville, these men forged the vision as well as established the first ministry center located in the heart of the downtown area on Fifth Avenue.

 

Ready, set, GO!

JTV wins the Dragonboat race

We are the champions, my friends!

Jewelry Television and JTV.com Weekend Update: What's New in Pearls, Loose Gemstones, Moissanite, June Birthstones and More

Jewelry Television and JTV.com has a gemstone- and jewelry- and jewelry making-filled weekend in store for you. I'm going to do my best to cover the highlights, but all I can say is set your DVR's or plan to watch JTV live online or watch JTV via your mobile device so you don't miss out!  - Dana Sebby, JTV.com Community Manager

Jewelry Television and JTV.com Weekend Highlights

Pearl is one of the birthstones for June, and JTV is the place for everything pearl! We have special pricing on pearl jewelry and loose pearls for jewelry making, including Akoya pearl, South Sea pearl, Tahitian pearl, Biwa pearl, Keshi pearl, freshwater pearl, saltwater pearl, even a Treasure Pearl (jtv.com item number TPC002 on jtv.com)--a pearl you can harvest yourself and then make into a sterling silver necklace. Shop JTV.com--your source for everything pearl!  

JTV World Tour and Gem Expo is going strong here at the Knoxville headquarters! While some of Team JTV is in Las Vegas as the jewelry and gem shows, Jewelry Television's home team is working up gemstone deals you won't believe for this weekend! Look for topaz, Mystic topaz, zircon, loose Moissanite, and a whole day (Sunday) devoted to diamonds

Jewel School is always in session, and this Sunday at 11am Eastern tune in for special guests Dale Cougar Armstrong, who will be working with two wire wrapping kits, and Barbara Carlton, with the Jewelry Designer Manager software. A must-see show!

Bella Luce continues to be one of JTV's most popular jewelry lines. See the lastest Saturday at 5pm Eastern. And be on the lookout for exciting new Bella Luce product during June, only on Jewelry Television and JTV.com.

 

(IMPORTANT NOTE: If you haven't already signed up to receive JTV's Daily Sneak Peek email--a daily email delivered to your inbox each morning listing the NEW gemstone and jewelry items scheduled to air on Jewelry Television each day--you gotta subscribe today. This email will contain MORE exciting (and time sensitive) information after June 7--even more reason to subscribe. If you are already a subscriber, be sure to open your email first thing each morning, or you may miss some very timely information. Just a helpful hint from someone "in the know").