Appendix: Reference Materials

Resources for Tools, Supplies, and Materials

Community and Educational Resources

Resources for Tools, Supplies, and Materials

Here are some resources for finding the tools, supplies, and materials needed to complete the tasks and projects in this book.

Local Bead Shops

Many cities and towns have one or more local bead shops. You can find them by contacting your chamber of commerce or checking the phone book. Some Web sites and magazines also provide lists of bead shops by city or state. Most bead shops carry a variety of beads as well as beading tools, stringing materials, findings, pre-made components, wire, and basic wirework tools. Bead shop employees are especially knowledgeable about jewelry making and beading, and they can provide valuable tips and advice. Many bead shops also offer onsite classes.

Jewelry Making Supply Stores

Jewelry making supply stores typically carry some beads, but their primary offerings are tools, equipment, and supplies for jewelers. This is where you can find all of the tools and materials that you need for wirework. If you don’t have a local jewelry making supply store, you can search the Internet or request a print catalog from one of these well-known U.S. companies:

• Rio Grande (www.riogrande.com; 800-545-6566)

• Contenti (www.contenti.com; 401-421-4040)

• Kingsley North (www.kingsleynorth.com; 800-338-9280)

E-Commerce Web Sites

You can also purchase beads and other jewelry making supplies over the Internet. Find them by using your favorite search engine or by checking directories and ads in beading and jewelry making magazines. Although shopping for supplies online can be convenient and fun, keep in mind that colors may be slightly inaccurate on computer monitors. (Because of this, when you’re shopping for a very specific color of bead for a project, your local bead shop might be a better option.) Here are some popular beading and jewelry making supply e-commerce sites, some of which also offer print catalogs:

General Beads and Supplies

• Fire Mountain Gems and Beads (www.firemountaingems.com)

• Rings & Things (www.rings-things.com)

• Shipwreck Beads (www.shipwreckbeads.com)

• Fusion Beads (www.fusionbeads.com)

• ArtBeads.com (www.artbeads.com)

Bead-Weaving Beads and Supplies

• Fox Den Designs (www.foxdendesigns.com)

• Bead Cats (www.beadcats.com)

Bead-Weaving Graphs and Patterns

• Bead-Patterns.com (www.bead-patterns.com)

• Shala’s Beadworks (shala.addr.com)

Vintage Beads

• Beadin’ Path (www.beadinpath.com)

• Beadroom.com (www.beadroom.com)

Beading Wire

• Beadalon (www.beadalon.com)

• SoftFlex Company (www.softflexcompany.com)

Wirework Supplies and Instruction

• Wire-Sculpture.com (www.wire-sculpture.com)

• Spider Chain Jewelry (www.spiderchain.com)

Shows

At bead shows, large numbers of bead and supply vendors come together to offer their latest wares. They typically are held at exhibition centers in major cities, and most are open to the public. Bead shows can be great places to find new bead designs at reasonable prices, but be prepared to buy in bulk. Most beads are sold by the strand, and vendors often refuse to sell in smaller quantities. Feel free to haggle over prices, especially when you plan to purchase multiple strands from a single vendor. Here are some of the largest bead shows held in the United States. Check their Web sites for scheduling information:

• Annual Show in Tucson (www.colored-stone.com/tsg)

• Bead Renaissance Show (www.beadshow.com)

• Gem Faire (www.gemfaire.com)

• International Gem & Jewelry Show (www.intergem.com)

• The Whole Bead Show (www.wholebead.com)

Community and Educational Resources

These resources can help you stay up-to-date in the world of jewelry making and beading. You can also use them to investigate specializations and further your skills.

Magazines

Beading and jewelry making magazines are very useful resources for keeping abreast of trends, techniques, and new products. They provide step-by-step projects, advice, and interesting stories about fellow crafters. Even the ads in these magazines can be fun to browse through; you can use them to find inspiring beads and materials that you otherwise wouldn’t know are available. Most magazines are available at local bead shops, craft stores, bookstores, and by subscription. Here are a few of the most popular beading and jewelry making magazines:

• Bead & Button Magazine (www.beadandbutton.com)

• Beadwork Magazine (www.interweave.com/bead/beadwork_magazine)

• Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist (www.lapidaryjournal.com)

• Art Jewelry (www.artjewelrymag.com)

Books

If you enjoy learning at your own pace using books, you have lots of titles to choose from. Some are collections of projects that share common themes, and others are structured as reference materials with tips and information. Here are some suggested titles that you may enjoy:

• Metal Clay and Mixed Media Jewelry: Innovative Projects Featuring Resin, Polymer Clay, Fiber, Glass, Ceramics, Collage Materials, and More by Sherri Haab

• Beaded Macramé Jewelry: Stylish Designs, Exciting New Materials by Sherri Haab

• Woven Wire Jewelry: Contemporary Designs and Creative Techniques by Linda L. Chandler and Christine R. Ritchey

• Creative Techniques For Polymer Clay Jewelry by Nanetta Bananto

• The Complete Metalsmith: An Illustrated Handbook by Tim McCreight

• Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins

Videos and DVDs

You can also learn new techniques by watching instructional videos or DVDs. Here are some to consider:

• Artgems Instructional Beading Videos (http://artgemsinc.com/VideoLive)

• Joan Babcock’s Micro-Macramé and Cavandoli Knotting DVD (www.joanbabcock.com)

• Preston Reuther’s Sculptural Wire Techniques Packages (www.wire-sculpture.com)

• Victoria Lansford’s Russian Filigree Instructional DVD for Metalsmiths (www.victorialansford.com/filigreed.html)

Web Sites

The Internet is a great place to communicate with other beaders and jewelry crafters all over the world. There are many Web sites and blogs devoted to providing free information and enhancing the jewelry making community. Many of these Web sites offer instructions, projects, and book and product reviews as well as forums, chat rooms, and e-mail newsletters. You can find them by searching online. Here are some examples:

• About.com Beadwork (beadwork.about.com)

• About.com Jewelry Making (jewelrymaking.about.com)

• BellaOnline.com Beadwork (beadwork.bellaonline.com)

• BellaOnline.com Jewelry Making (jewelrymaking.bellaonline.com)

• Ganoksin (www.ganoksin.com)

• Bloglander Jewelry Making Blog (www.bloglander.com/jewelrymaking)

Schools and Programs

If you’d like to take your beading or jewelry making skills to an advanced level, consider enrolling in a hands-on educational program or workshop. You can find local classes by searching online, checking the Yellow Pages for jewelry schools, or inquiring at a bead shop or jewelry making supply store. Magazines also usually contain ads or listings for popular programs. Here are some resources where you can find more information:

• BellaOnline.com Jewelry Making Courses Directory (www.bellaonline.com/subjects/8106.asp)

• GIA Career Fair (careerfair.gia.edu)

• MJSA Education Guide (www.mjsajournal.org/pub_education.php)

Business Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about selling your beadwork and jewelry creations as a business, these resources can help you get started:

• American Craft Association (www.craftassociation.com)

• Home Jewelry Business Success Tips (www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com)

• Jeweler’s Resource Bureau (www.jewelersresource.com)

• U.S. Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov)