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Newly Obsessed with Jewelry-Making

August 22, 2012 By crafterhours 20 Comments

I haven’t been this interested in jewelry since I first discovered Claire’s in… 4th grade? I’ve had a few short-lived flings with jewelry-making but none have lasted all that long, for much the same reason that I wasn’t all that interested in sewing until a few years ago– I couldn’t find supplies I was excited about working with. But while I was visiting Adrianna in her parent’s town in July we went for a walk in Winchester’s downtown shopping/dining district and found Potomac Beads.

I didn’t realize until I went looking for a link for this post that there are a bunch of locations— good news for me since that means there are several that are closer than hiking back to see Adrianna’s parents, even though they are super nice and might let me hide out there for a while. :)

So I can’t speak to all of the locations (yet), but this one was most impressive. We were in hang-out mode more than let’s-blog mode, so these photos are just phone pics. Here’s Adrianna contemplating her findings choices.

There are lots of options strung and hanging on the walls, and individual beads and findings available in a long row of tables like this one, in those little cups. And two layers of roll out trays underneath. You could spend a week just looking.

Any sort of craft supply in a rainbow-ish sort of display is a winner to me. Or, um, us.

I loved that there were multiple sit-down-and-work stations in the store, and we were happy to run a few doors down to grab coffee and a snack and come back to get to work.

Something that came up in conversation – you wouldn’t know unless someone tells you that beads on strings for sale are “temporarily strung”. You could attempt to use them that way, but whatever it’s strung on isn’t likely to work well for much. Even if you just want them all in a line, you’ve got to re-string them.

I fell in love with these square agate (I think) beads. I was obnoxious about my new love, too. I told Adrianna, who was still shopping: “You can look all over but I already found the coolest beads in the whole store.”  If she didn’t stick her tongue out at me, she should have.

I knew I wanted to make a necklace that was long enough to put over my head– avoiding closures. They had plenty of ’em, I just wanted to keep it simple.

I strung them and knotted in between individual beads and in groups of 2, 3 and 4. So they wiggle around a little, but not much.

When I had asked the super helpful saleswoman what type of bead cord to use, she took me to a display of these. And I was in looooove. I’ve not seen this at big craft stores, but then again, I wouldn’t have known to look for it until she told me about it.
Not only did I like that the cord was available in several thicknesses and made of sturdy silk and in beautiful colors, but check out the NEEDLE. It’s flexible and the cord is attached securely to it already– in such a way that it’s sooooo easy to string the beads without the beads catching on the eye of the needle, a problem that ended several of my previously mentioned flings. I chose a handful of colors to bring home and use with the existing supplies I have from said flings. 

You can find the thread here. I’m sure there are lots of other sources, I’m just sharing the one I’m familiar with. The company has no idea who I am or that I’m sharing their links, I’m just sharing because I was really, really excited about this. But you already knew I’m a total craft nerd. Nothing new there.

So this necklace is my new fave, and seems to work with about 75% of my highly fancy daily wardrobe. The silk thread is so sturdy that kids tugging at it doesn’t scare me at all.

Adrianna and I both seem to be sudden jewelry enthusiasts at the moment and there may be a few “easy jewelry” tutorials coming. Things that are not complicated to make AND work with the whole mom job thing.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: jewelry

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 22, 2012 at 8:56 am

    OMG, there’s one in Ocean City……

    Reply
  2. Jen Lara says

    August 22, 2012 at 9:03 am

    I love the look of these beads. They remind me of colored ice cubes. I have a whole stash of beads, by the way, if you want to indulge. Pre-Lil-O, I had dreams of being a kids jewelry designer/maker. My stash is still pretty full as motherhood took over from uber-crafting.

    I want to see a pic of your ice cube necklace and an outfit.

    :)

    Jen

    Reply
    • Jen Lara says

      August 22, 2012 at 9:03 am

      On second thought, the beads look like jello cubes.

      Jen

      Reply
  3. DKB says

    August 22, 2012 at 9:17 am

    They look like square gum drops. Pretty colors

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    August 22, 2012 at 10:18 am

    So pretty! And I bet it would go with lots of outfits! Question, though: did you have any issues with making the knots large enough so that they didn’t slip through the bead holes? Thanks!

    Reply
  5. deepfriedyankee says

    August 22, 2012 at 10:33 am

    I noticed your fancy necklace the other day in a FB picture, so glad you made it yourself! I’m a fan of people who make (and wear) their own stuff, obviously. Those stores are like crack to me and I’m glad there isn’t one around here. That I know of. If there is, please don’t tell me.

    Reply
  6. Corinnea says

    August 22, 2012 at 11:23 am

    Very cool store. I’m pretty hopeless at making jewelry but that’s a store that inspires for sure.
    Your necklace is happy and fun.

    Reply
  7. Andrea Graf says

    August 22, 2012 at 11:39 am

    check out firemountaingems.com they are my favorite online resource for jewelry making and I’d be happy to help with mommy friendly, easy to make jewelry, it’s one of my favorite things to do.

    Reply
  8. Tattered-Spinner says

    August 22, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    Ahmuhgosh, just looking at those rows and rows and rows of beads! It’s giving me palpitations. And bead lust.

    Reply
  9. thingsforboys says

    August 22, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    I love those beads!! They look like they jelly pieces in bubble tea…yum!

    Reply
  10. Maggie says

    August 23, 2012 at 1:02 am

    They have a store in Alexandria! I was just there last week! I wish I would have known. I would have gone in and shopped. I love your necklace!

    Reply
  11. Gina Guillotine says

    August 25, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Making your own jewelry ROCKS! I’ve been making my own for years. It’s the only way to get exactly what you want.

    That’s a nice bead shop.

    Here is a hint: GEM FAIRS and BEAD SHOWS!!! Look for them online and sign up for their emails. They travel the country all the time. You will be AMAZED at the deals and steals you get. Strands of dyed jade for a DOLLAR! Metal findings for cents on the buck.

    My daughter doesn’t have pierced ears but wanted earrings. She’s four, so things get lost. I found a bag of clip on earring findings, 16 pieces, for $3. I whipped out the hot glue gun and used stuff from around the house like huge acrylic flowers and little buttons, and made her three pair of earrings the other day. I found the bag of earring findings at a gem fair.

    Bead & Button is a GREAT magazine. Beadwork is also really great. My favorite. Lots of woven bead projects. For really good stringing projects you may enjoy Bead Style. Stringing is another magazine that comes out a couple of times a year that has great ideas in it.

    Have fun with your new hobby! Really, check out the gem fairs and bead shows when they come to your area! The deals. Plus, you will get to meet the artisans that make the beads you love the most.

    Reply
  12. Craly says

    August 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    I love all of these beautiful things. Every time I go out for traveling, the small stalls by the street have the things I like most. Among these, love the candy colored cubic beads most. haha O(∩_∩)O~

    Reply
  13. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  14. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  15. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  16. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  17. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  18. jennifer edwards says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I know the lady and the store she is talking about and she is super awesome and the store is equally awesome. My love of jewelry is Chainmaille, and she has a big selection of supplies. She’s a great teacher and a huge help. I love her store.

    Reply
  19. Nathan Buchman says

    September 10, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    If it helps you guys when doing your tutorials, Potomac Bead Company also has a number of video tutorials on their YouTube site you might find useful:

    http://www.youtube.com/PotomacBeadCo

    Reply

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