Hello, Jewel Schoolers! The temperatures are soaring all across the land, making it one of those perfect times to pull out the beads, wires, and tools and go creative in the cool indoors. It’s a perfect opportunity for pampering yourself with a few extra hours of watching Jewel School and keeping those skills polished. Why not try a new jewelry making project ? Jewel School has plenty of jewelry making kits to get you started.
Jewel School Workshop Planned for October 2011!
Here’s a heads up! We will be having another two day Jewel School Workshop here at our corporate headquarters in Knoxville, TN in late October. More to come on the Jewel School shows so keep watching for details about how to register! We had a blast in August 2010 and look forward to seeing our friends again! Several of your favorite designers, including Art Clay’s Jackie Truty, the super talented Katie Hacker, and wire wrapping expert Dale Armstrong will be joining us. Margot is hard at work developing a very special class for attendees! Space is very limited so stay tuned for more details coming soon on Jewel School. Pictured left is Margot with Katie Hacker, her BFF. Here at Jewel School, we suspect the crafty duo was quite possibly separated at birth!
Jewel School Buying Trip: Beads from Abroad
Jeff Banks, the Big Bead at Jewel School, and our always ready-to-go Julie Evans, have been busy buying, buying, and buying! The trip to China was a huge success and we have surprises and goodies arriving soon, just in time for fall designing and jewelry making! Read on for Julie’s Insider Scoop on what you’ll be seeing on Jewel School in the weeks ahead.
Jewel School Julie's Insider Scoop: August Forecast
What’s ahead in August on Jewel School? Janice Mae will return with more of her bold paper beads on Thursday, August 4. Her bead making kit is unique and will create a one-of-a-kind gorgeous necklace or bracelet! Have you tried Kumihimo? Learn the how to of this ancient Japanese braiding technique on the same show! Whether braiding strands of seed beads or satin ribbons, it is easy to learn how to work with Kumihimo using a simple foam disc.
The Fire Behind the Wire, the lively Juliana Hudgens, returns with her Thing a Ma Jig and fresh ideas for making your designs sizzle with artistic wire! She is showing some new product on Sunday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
Etching metal can be a challenge for even an experienced crafter. Sherri Haab (pictured left) is making a first time visit to Jewel School on Thursday, August 11 to introduce us to her metal etching kit. There’s plenty more coming in August--lots of guests all month long, so plan on joining Kim, Cheryl, and Margot for Jewel School on Sunday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
Also in this newsletter...
Margot Potter practices her brand of artistic whimsy on a beach favorite. Check out her idea for turning a pair of rubber flip flops into a fashion statement. And Jewel Schooler Jacque from Kansas sends along a popping with color photo of her beautiful wire wrapped rings. We introduced her in last month's Jewel School newsletter and couldn’t pass up the opportunity share one more picture. Thanks, Jacque! We love to see your work and we will share as many images as we can squeeze into our shows. Send them to jewel.school@jtv.com
Happy beading,
Christiane Ross, Jewel School Product & Brand Coordinator
Message from Jewel School's Jeff: Made in America!
Jewel School General Merchandising Manager Jeff Banks loves bringing new talent to the show. He is especially proud of the show on July 21 because it was truly made in America. Jeff says, “We launched Cynthia Thornton and her Green Girl Studio recently. We were so lucky to have Cynthia here for the live Jewel School Show. Celebrating great American artists that manufacture here in the USA is real treat and we are very happy to continue growing our relationship and the passion for the products that Cynthia and her husband Greg make in their Asheville, North Carolina studio." Also exciting is the Jewel School video where Greg of Green Girl Studios takes Jewel School step-by-step through the jewelry casting process. View the video here.
If you missed the show, please click here to see their full selection of artist pewter and bronze tone charms.
We do appreciate your business at Jewel School!
Thank you,
Jeff
Jewel School Customer Photo of the Month
This month's photo is submitted by Jacque from Kansas. Check out the popping color in these wire wrapped rings! Thanks for sharing your designs with us, Jacque.
Jewel School Project of the Month by Margot Potter: Fab Flops!
Flip flops have become de rigeur for summer, regardless of how you feel about them; it appears they're here to stay. Some of the beaded and bedazzled varieties can be pretty pricey, but it's really easy to whip up your own pair of what I like to call fab flops in about an hour. Just use your leftover beads, some ribbon and a few findings and turn a dollar store pair of rubber flip flops into something you'll be proud to sport at the beach!
How to Make Your Very Own Fab Flops
Materials
JLW33558H (3) 10x7mm pink crackled quartz rondelles
JLW3355 (3) 10mm black crackled quartz rondelles
JLW903A (3) 3mm clear crackled quartz rounds
JLW2972 (3) 16x12mm faceted citrine yellow rectangle beads
JSWR80B 3/8” wide black organza ribbon
JLW1792A (18) Silver tone head pins
One pair rubber flip flops (pink, black or yellow)
Fabric glue
Tools
PLIER22 (2) Pairs chain nose pliers
PLIER27 Round nose pliers
PLIER25 Flush cutters
Scissors
1. Create loop topped dangles for all of your beads using the head pins, the black dangles each have a 4mm clear round on top.
2. Thread a black, pink, yellow, black, pink, yellow and a third black, pink and yellow dangle o each jump ring. Secure closed.
3. Cut twelve 4” strips of ribbon. Cut one 5” strip of ribbon. Set aside.
4. Cut a 4 foot length of ribbon. Wrap around bottom of the strap of flip flop. Knot tightly. Glue knot and allow to dry. Use chain nose pliers to shove knot and ribbon ends into the attached area of strap on flip flop, this will conceal your knot.
5. Begin wrapping ribbon around strap, overlapping ribbon so it falls evenly around strap without gaps or puckers. Continue until you reach thong section, skip around thong and continue wrapping tightly. You will have a slight gap at the front, this will be concealed with the ribbons and beads.
6. When you reach the bottom of the strap after wrapping completely, knot the ribbon tightly, cut off excess ribbon, use glue to secure knot. Allow to dry and use chain nose pliers to press the knot into the attached area of your flip flop as before.
7. Use the 5” segment of ribbon to attach the beaded jump rings. Bend ribbon in half. Thread two ends under front of strap around thong. Ends wrap up and back into the center. Thread one end into a beaded jump ring. Knot ends tightly. Use glue to secure knot.
8. Tie the remaining ribbons on each side of the center section knotting tightly. Trim so all ends are equal. You can dab each knot with glue if you desire. Gently slide all knotted segments as close to center as possible. There should be three knots on each side of each beaded center segment.
