Bead Sale

We're getting ready for a buying trip so from now until January 31stop by Bead Here Now for some good sales!
1-2 strands of beads 10% off
3 strands 15% off
4 + strands 20% off
20% off all recycled glass strands

Also come check out some cool art from Robert Noelke & Samantha Merritt, handmade jewelry from myself, Shannon Reeves(A Choice Bit of Calico Jewelry- www.achoicebitofcalico.com), and jewelry from Catina Gray, handmade purses from Kelly Sheffield of Subterfuge, photography from Lindsay Nussbaum, and fun kids onesies from Vintage Candy.
Also, Hello Kitty, Loungefly Accessories, Black Irish Clothiers, Blue Q Body Treats and of course, all of your jewelry making needs.
Bead Here Now1051 Park StJacksonville, Fl 904.475.0004Mon-Sat 11-6Sun 12-4

Creating a handmade pair of hammered copper earrings

i love the rich look of copper, i dont think copper is used nearly enough in jewelry. to create a pair of hammered copper earrings, i first draw my shape on a piece of paper then i cut out the shape to use as a stencil. i then get a sheet of 20 guage copper, lay my stencil out and trace the stencil with a fine tip marker. i now get a pair of shears, cut out my shapes. i take my cut out shapes over to my anvil and then use my ball peen hammers and start hammering. i usually use 2 or 3 different size hammers for different size hammer marks. to add some different texture, take a piece of old window screen and lay that over your copper and hammer over it to transfer that pattern to your copper. now place your piece in a dapping block and slight hammer to give it a nice domed shape. for this, my boyfriend took a part of a tree stump and cut me some different shaped indentions into the piece of wood, it works great. next, use your jewelers files and start filing your edges to make it nice and smooth. now figure out where to put your holes to add the earhooks, use a punch and slightly hit your punch in the spot for your hole. if it does not make the hole for you, take your piece to your drill press and drill that hole.now add any addtional beads you wish to add, then your earwire and wahla, you have a funky, beautiful pair of copper earrings.hope you have fun!
shannon

Bead and jewelry contests are a great way to have fun and help pay for your hobby. 1st place at Fire Mountain is $1,000. Sometimes they can be hard to find if they don't promote all that well. Here is a table of Beading contests and Competitions. Follow the links to each of their contest rules and entry forms.
Beading Contests
Contest Name / Link
Ends / Often
Medium
Bead Museum DC bsgw.org
8/08 Annual
mixed
Bead Patterns bead-patterns.com
8/08 TBA
Wedding
Bead Arts Awards stepbystepbeads.com
5/09 Annual
bead jewelry
The Gemmys lapidaryjournal.com
08/09 Annual
cut gem
Fire Mountain Gems firemountaingems.com
5/15/09 Annual
multiple
Beading Daily beadingdaily.com
Monthy
stringing
So you think you can bead boojeebeads.com
12/31/08 1X
jewelry
Beadsky beadsky.com
TBA Annual
TBA for 09
Ugly Necklace Contest landofodds.com
3/15/09 Annual
jewelry
Bead Dreams beadandbuttonshow.com
TBA Annual
mixed
Saul Bell Design Award riogrande.com
TBA Annual
jewelry
artbeads monthly challenge artbeadscene.blogspot.com
Monthly
art beads
Beads Amore beadsamore.com
5/31/08 1X
Indiana only

Ladies Nite

Its that time of year again and Christmas is just around the corner. Let Bead Here Now host a fun ladies night with you and a few of your closest friends. Learn the basics to create that special gift for that special friend or loved one in your life. The fee is $10 + material which will be wavered when you purchase $40 or more. Feel free to bring refreshments and some tasty ice cold beverages, a bottle of wine. So come, create and have fun.

Look forward to seeing you soon.