What Is Precious Metal Clay?

In 1991 scientists in Japan, from the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, developed a wonderful new product called, Precious Metal Clay, or PMC. These scientists used a combination of binders and metal particles to create a material with the working properties of modeling clay. The end product is water-soluble and comes in the form of lump, sheets, slip, and ready-to-use syringes and is available in fine silver or 22kt gold.

Online Jewelry Classes at Beaducation

There are some great ideas on Lisa Niven Kelly's website and she offers classes online. Better yet, many of the classes are FREE...that's right FREE! Step-by-step video classes are taught by some of the nation’s best instructors and offer the perfect opportunity for you to learn the latest techniques.

http://www.beaducation.com/classes/?p=classes

The free classes currently include HOW TO: Basic Loops, Byzantine Chain, Coiling Wire By Hand, Intro to Chainmail, Intro to Seed Beads, Making Your Own Earwires, Perfecting the Wire Spiral, Stamped Jewelry Design Ideas, and Stamping on Metal.


Classes for sale include: Chainmail Earrings, Crystal Elf Weave Bracelet, Dahlia Ring, Edison Drop Earrings, Fleur de Link, Intro to Fine Silver Metal Fusing, Ionic Column Earrings, Making Your Own Jump Rings, Orbital Ring Chain, PMC Leaf Buckle Spacer, Temptation Earrings, Unbreakable Heart Pendant, Wire Jewelry Fundamentals, Woven Rings, Wire Framed Beads, Tornado Toggle, Rustling Leaves Bracelet, Pearl Hope Necklace, Mermaid Braid Bracelet, Making Your Own Balled Head Pins, Intro to PMC, Herringbone Bezel Pendant, Empty Box Pendant, Desire Earrings, Crystal Squared Pendant, Crochet Bracelet, and Basket Weave Wire Centerpiece.

Don't miss Lisa's Say It On Your Wrist Kits and her unique stamps!

http://www.beaducation.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=77

Mother's Day is May 11th, 2008

Celebrate moms with a traditional name bracelet. Each child's name is represented in sterling silver cube letters and accented with sterling silver, birthstone beads or the beads of your choice. Come in to our Grayslake, Illinois location and design one for a special mom you know!
Swarovski Birthstones:
January SIAM
February AMETHYST
March AQUAMARINE
April CRYSTAL
May EMERALD
June LIGHT AMETHYST
July RUBY
August PERIDOT
September SAPPHIRE
October ROSE
November TOPAZ
December BLUE ZIRCON

What is Argentium Silver?

Germanium is the key to Argentium® Sterling Silver, invented by Peter Johns in 1990.

Because pure silver is too soft for jewelry use, traditional Sterling Silver has copper added to it. In fact, copper has been used to harden pure silver for 5000 years. This alloy "sterling silver" is composed of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. However, a silver alloy can be classed as sterling quality so long as it contains at least 92.5% silver. The remainder of the alloy can be made up of any other element or combination of elements. The downside of having to add base metals for hardness, is that sterling silver will both tarnish and firescale will be produced when the alloy is heated. Tarnish is the discolouration of metal surfaces, caused by exposure to, or contact with sulphur compounds in the atmosphere and sulphur-containing materials/substances, e.g.:
Air pollution
Rubber bands
Latex
Some foods (including eggs, mayonnaise, salad dressing, onions)
The silver and copper in sterling silver react with oxygen and sulphur to form tarnish compounds. Firescale is when sterling silver is heated in air for processes such as soldering and annealing, oxygen reacts with copper in the alloy to form a dark coloured copper oxide known as 'firescale'. At elevated temperatures, silver absorbs oxygen: this enables copper to oxidise below the surface of sterling silver, thus causing firescale to penetrate deep into the alloy. Both tarnish and firescale have been known downsides of sterling silver. In fact, to remove is both labour intensive and costly. Moreover it often requires the use of harsh chemicals, e.g. cyanide.

Peter Johns 's Argentium Sterling Silver has enabled the copper content to be replaced with other elements, without compromising the hardness and durability of finished products. Thus, creating a superior alloy to traditional sterling silver.

As the details can be a little confusing, please visit: http://www.argentiumsilver.info/ for additional information about argentium silver.

Artists Wanted for International Beading Contest~

CALL FOR ARTISTS, LECTURERS, TEACHERS, ...
"Celebrating Beads: the journey of" is the Bead Museum in Washington D.C's first annual juried design competition. Entries will be accepted until July 25, 2008 by mail and August 8 by Internet. For details and entry forms goto www.bsgw.org/CelebratingBeads. This international contest celebrates the journey of beads, recognizing bead artistry as a true art form. The top three pieces in each category and level will be showcased in an exhibit "Celebrating Beads, the journey of" at the Bead Museum in CD from 9/21-12/31 2008. There are 12 media categories: clay, fiber/textile, gemstones, glass, lampwork/dichoric (handmade), man made materials (inorganic), metal, mixed media, organic materials, seed beads, Swarovski crystal and trade/ethnic beads. This contest is open to everyone: professional, hobbyist/amateur and students; each level to be judged separately.

Upcoming Chicago Area Bead and Jewelry Shows and Events 2008~

May 1, 20081 - 5
Rings & Things Wholesale Bead Tour Comfort Suites O'Hare Airport 4200 N. River Rd., Schiller Park, IL 60176. Rings & Things BeadTour is a wholesale only bead show. You must have a resale license to get in or have recieved an invitation which you may request at http://www.rings-things.com/SECURE/invitation.html. For more information call (800) 366-2156 or check out their website: http://www.rings-things.com/ Note: The show will also be held on Apr 30 in Milwaukee, WI at the Clarion Hotel Airport and in Grand Rapids, MI on May 3 at the Grand Inn & Conference Center.

May 22-25, 2007 Fri 12-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5
International Gem and Jewelry Show Stephens Expo Center 5555 River Rd., Rosemont. The largest retail and wholesale show in Chicago. It is held three times a year around Memorial Day and Labour Day weekends and two weeks before Christmas.

Jun 1-8, 2008
Bead & Button 2008 Midwest Airlines Center 400 W. Wisconson Ave.Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Classes are Jun 1 through Jun 4, "Meet the Teachers" is Wednesday evening, shopping for registrants and wholesale begins Thursday evening and the regular shopping will be Friday-Sunday. On-line registration begins in January 2007 - http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/.
Jun 28 - 29, 200810 - 5

2008 FESTIVAL of FINE CRAFT in HIGHLAND PARK, ILThe Art Center in Highland Park 1957 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park. Our 11th Annual juried weekend-long event Saturday & Sunday. Mark your calendars! See the finest work in contemporary American Crafts, enjoy our selection of summertime food and beverages, craft demonstrations, and special family activities including a Kids' Crafts Area. For more info. call 847-432-1888 or visit http://www.theartcenterhp.org/.

Aug 22-24, 2008
AMERICAN CRAFT EXPOSITION The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion Lincoln St. at the Lakefront, Evanston IL. This is along with SOFA are the two best craft shows of the year held in Chicago. It behooves anyone interested in crafts to plan their vacations so as not to miss either show. http://www.americancraftexpo.org/

Aug 22-24, 2008 Fri 12-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5
International Gem and Jewelry Show Stephens Expo Center 5555 River Rd., Rosemont. The largest retail and wholesale show in Chicago. It is held three times a year around Memorial Day and Labour Day weekends and two weeks before Christmas.

Sep 11, 2008 12 - 4
Rings & Things Wholesale Bead Tour Comfort Suites O'Hare Airport 4200 N. River Rd., Schiller Park, IL 60176. Rings & Things BeadTour is a wholesale only bead show. You must have a resale license to get in or have recieved an invitation which you may request at http://www.rings-things.com/SECURE/invitation.html. For more information call (800) 366-2156 or check out their website: http://www.rings-things.comNote: The show will also be held on Sep 10 in Milwaukee, WI at the Clarion Hotel Airport and in Grand Rapids, MI on September 13 at The DeltaPlex.

Nov 7-9, 2008
SOFA CHICAGO 2007 Navy Pier 600 East Grand Ave, Chicago. This is THE most stunning craft show of the year held in Chicago. Think of SOFA as a museum experience. The pieces are so expensive that you might not buy anything other than the catalogue. Run! Don't miss it. Go! For more information check out http://www.sofaexpo.com/

Nov 9, 200810 - 5
Ayla's Wonderful World of Beads Hilton Garden Inn1818 Maple Ave, Evanston. For more info call 847-328-4040

Dec 12-14, 2008 Fri 12-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5
International Gem and Jewelry Show Stephens Expo Center 5555 River Rd., Rosemont. The largest retail and wholesale show in Chicago. It is held three times a year around Memorial Day and Labour Day weekends and two weeks before Christmas.

~Highland Park Bead Show This Weekend!~

Bead Sale Sunday April 20th, 10:00am - 5:00pm Beads, beads, and more beads! Find antique, lampworked, unusual and unique beads at this semi-annual event sponsored by TAC. Find the inspiration for creating something new, fix something old, or just amaze yourself at the variety of creative possibilities. At TAC. Admission $2. The Art Center *1957 Sheridan Road *Highland Park, IL 60035* phone: (847) 432-1888fax: (847) 432-9106

Swarovski, A Name So Important To Beaders!

1892 Daniel Swarovski of Bohemia, at that time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, registers a patent for a machine that made it possible to cut crystal to perfection beginning a new era in the world of crystal. Today Swarovski is a global company with over 14,000 employees worldwide.

1895 The Swarovskis moved from Bohemian Georgenthal to Wattens in Tyrol. Wattens, in the Austrian Alps had sufficient water resources to power Daniel's new crystal cutting machines, and proved to be an ideal location for the Swarovski factory.

1977 In 1977, Swarovski launched its first jewellery line – the Swarovski’s Jeweler’s Collection.

1919 Daniel produces grinding and dressing tools which were used to process crystal jewellery stones. Swarovski markets the grinding and dressing tools under the brand name of TYROLIT.


1931 Swarovski registers a patent for a crystal set fabric ribbon. In the twenties, "dancing dresses" embroidered with pearls and crystals highlighted were all the rage. The couturiers and leading fashion studios turned to Swarovski for inspiration. Swarovski in turn invented crystal set fabric ribbon that could be directly applied to textiles, shoes and more!

1956 The fifties were very successful and allowed Manfred Swarovski, the grandson of the company's founder, to experiment with important advances of the company's crystal stone development. Manfred worked closely with Christian Dior. It was at this time Manfred developed what we know today as "Aurora Borealis" This process coats the crystal with wafer thin metal particles, greatly increasing the crystals sparkle and allowing each crystal to sparkle with every color of the rainbow! This was a huge turning point and the crystal became a worldwide success, sparking a new fashion trend. Coated crystals were soon being produced in a variety of colours with shining or iridescent effects. Because of the great success of the Aurora Borealis, it was at this time Swarovski was inspired to give all of the colors unique and creative names, ranging from "Fireball", a multi-faceted crystal ball shot through with fiery colors, to the extraordinarily successful "Moodstone", which changed color according to the mood of the person wearing it. Again, the rest as all of our beaders know, is history!

1965 A product range for the crystal chandelier market is launched under the brand name STRASS®. STRASS®, the original from Swarovski, sparkles on the chandeliers at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as well as in the Chateau of Versailles, Paris. Strass's range is considered unparalleled worldwide in terms of its brilliance, value and quality. The brand name for these high quality crystal components for lights has been registered as a trademark since 1977.

1975 Swarovski introduces Hot-Fix technology, making it possible to add sparkling crystals to any item of clothing using a newly developed molten glue. Finished crystal designs could now be applied to fabric using heat and pressure.

1977 In 1977, Swarovski launched its first jewellery line – the Swarovski’s Jeweler’s Collection.





1993 Swarovski introduces Crystal Mesh, a soft and supple fabric completely covered with a flexible frame that is set with sparkling crystals. Jewellery and fashion accessories such as bracelets, watches, handbags and purses are made using this technique. Almost any kind of colourful, mosaic-like pattern can be created. Crystal Mesh becomes a hit with the top designers such as: Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, Once again, Swarovski revolutionises fashion.



1999 Swarovski and Golay Buchel establish Signity, a sales, marketing and distribution joint venture with its headquarters in Horgen, Switzerland and sales offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The genuine gemstones and synthetic stones, marketed under the brand Signity, are cut and polished using sophisticated proprietary technology that allows Signity to set and maintain the world’s strictest standards for proportion, polish, size and shape. In November 2006 the Swarovski group acquires 100% of Signity.

2003 Swarovski launches “Crystal Fabric”, which fuses fabric and crystal into a second skin with a transparent Hotfix-foil. The surface of this foil is set with tiny full cut and round crystals and can be ironed, sewn or glued onto materials such as lace, velvet, silk, jeans, leather and synthetic fabrics.

The History of Beads ~Fun Facts~

Did you know the history of beads dates back as far as 40,000 years ago? Moreover, since then beads have been made by every culture.
Have you ever heard the term trade beads? This refers to glass seed beads because Columbus' first trade with the people of the Americas included glass beads. These beads helped Columbus gain the confidence and admiration of the native people, setting the pattern for beads to become an essential and valuable trade item.
Every society has had the ability to produce beads using everything from plant seeds to a variety of stones. While plant seeds required little technology to create beads, such material as: gemstones, bone and semi-precious stones required a very labor intensive process just to create one bead. In addition to production issues, beads were produced based upon the resources of a particular geographic location. For example, in North America beads were manufactured in: gold, jade, bone, blue-green stone turquoise and hand polished shell. In 1100 A.D. marine shells coming from Florida were traded up north and made into beads in Illinois and distributed to Mississippi, Ohio and the Illinois River valley.
With the advent of European trade, and the Hudson Bay Company adding beads as a standard trading commodity, beadwork became a predominant craft and an historical pastime. Friends and family would bead together around the table while discussing current issues and socializing.

Did you know that in 1622, a glass factory was built near Jamestown, Virginia? However, less than a year later the factory was burned down during a raiding party of Indians. Very few of the beads made in the Jamestown factory are believed to exist today. Even before that, Egyptians were making glass beads as early as 1365 B.C. In addition, several thousand-year old glass factories in Lebanon are still in production. There is also evidence that China has been making and exporting glass beads for centuries has been revealed in archaeology sites. Glass and Brass beads have been found in burial sites of many cultures: Egyptian tombs, Roman catacombs, Saxon, African, and American Indian.

Venetian Glass Trade Beads refer to beads being produced in Venice Italy. It's no secret the Italians know how to produce great beads. In fact, Venetians pretty much monopolized the industry starting from 1224 A.D. In 1291 a large portion of the Venetian glass industry was moved north to the Island of Murano because city officials feared the glass furnaces poised a danger to the city. Thus the Murano Glass Beads was introduced. By the 1500's demand was so great for the Italian beads that the Venetians had to outsource to Bohemia (Czechoslovakia). Here glass tubes were broken into beads, polished, and sent back to Venice. Czechoslovakia had been known for making glassware since the twelfth century and had an abundance of workers and supplies. Soon many of the Bohemian workers traveled to Murano to work in the factories. These workers brought their skills and knowledge back to Bohemia and by the mid 1800s, Czechoslovakia was producing more glass beads than Italy.

Many history books claim the Dutch bought Manhattan for twenty-four dollars worth of trade beads. This story first appeared in Martha Lamb's book on New York history in 1877, which was two hundred and fifty years after the purchase. Since her book was published, most historians have quoted it. Manhattan was purchased with trade goods, but there is no evidence that trade beads were more than a small part of the exchanged items. - Peter Francis, Jr. Bead Research Center.

China was also a source of glass trade beads. Studies by Peter Francis, Jr., Director of the Center for Bead Research, has shown that beads from China were brought to Mexico with the Spanish galleon trade. This trade route linked Chinese ports with Manila and Acapulco, and from there to the rest of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Russians acquired Chinese beads from trading post on the Mongolian border and transported them to Alaska. A few Chinese glass beads have been found along with Venetian beads on Spanish colonial 17th century sites…one of America's top archaeologist, David Hurst Thomas, excavated over 62,000 beads from St. Catherine, the northern most Spanish mission on the Atlantic coast