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Archive for the ‘Beads’ Category

Just off the Venetian shoreline in Italy rests the Island of Murano, a historic trading port and the home of Murano glass. Venice was a commercial trading port since the 7th century and it’s believed that Murano glass making actually has its roots in 9th-century Roman artistry, though there are also strong Asian and Muslim influences present as well.

With travelers, merchants, tradesmen, and artisans descending on Venice from all parts of the world for centuries, Murano glassmakers had ample opportunity to absorb the techniques and styles of artisans from around the world. As early as the 10th century, Venice was one of the most well-known trade cities in Europe, and Murano remains today a popular destination for tourists, artists, jewelry makers, and lovers of fine art glass.

Venice was once a city with numerous glassmaking operations spread throughout. In 1291, the Venetian Republic, fearing the potential of widespread fire that might result from an accident in one of the mostly wooden city’s many glassmaking foundries, required all glassmakers to move their operations to the Island of Murano. The move isolated the dangers of the foundries flames from the rest of the city and also established the foundation for Murano glass. With all of the glass artisans now in one central location, Murano became a creative hot spot in which the art of glassmaking was able to flourish as it could nowhere else in the world.

The glassmakers of Murano quickly became the more prominent of citizens, rising to a position of true power in less than 50 years. They were allowed to wear swords while other citizens were not, and they were exempt from prosecution under Venetian law. These notorious craftsmen married their daughters off to some of the most influential and affluent families in Venice. By the later part of the 16th century, just under half of Murano’s population of 7,000 was in one way or another involved in the glassmaking industry.

The glassmakers were restricted to Murano but their importance to the Venetian Republic’s reputation and economy was not lost on Venetian leaders who forbade them from leaving the Republic. In spite of this, many Murano craftsmen escaped Murano and established their own foundries in other parts of the world, including those who settled as far away as the Netherlands and Britain.

While some of Murano’s glassmakers left their Venetian foundries to pursue glassmaking in other parts of the world, those who stayed refined their processes, style and techniques. They established a monopoly foothold in the glassmaking industry, solidifying their place as the most renowned and skilled glassmakers in the world. For centuries, Murano was known as the foremost quality glassmaking capital of the world.

Murano’s glassmakers refined their processes, developing new technologies that allowed them to create some of the finest glass artistry the world has ever seen. Craftsmen created crystalline and enameled glass. They developed methods for threading glass with gold flecks and producing multicolored glass. Murano milk glass and glass “gemstones” allowed them to further expand their product offerings.

Processes of creating unique glass objects include Murrine, Millefiori, Filigree, Incalmo, engraving and Lattimo. Murrine, Millefiori, and Filigree are all types of canework glassmaking, an ancient technique in which long rods of molten glass called canes are layered to create unique patterns of color or design.

In Murrine, multicolored canes are sliced into cross sections to reveal uniquely colored finished pieces of artisan glass. Millefiori glass is similar in its techniques but rather than long canes of molten glass, it is shaped with a mold to produce many tiny pinpoints of color when the glass is cross-sectioned. Filigree caneworking allows the artisan to add creative embellishments to the exterior of a larger glass item or to create fine, ribbons of glass art.

Historic Murano glassmakers produced a wide range of fine glass products. Contemporary Murano artisans are the makers of art glass, glass jewelry, figurines, chandeliers and even wine stoppers. Today’s Murano glassmakers include large factories and individual artists. These contemporary glassmakers produce mass market wine and other drinking glasses, glass beads, and figurines, among any variety of other fine glass items. Individual artists focus their efforts primarily on the production of art glass and sculpture.

Age-old glassmaking techniques are still employed by contemporary Murano glassmakers. Murano glass art in particular is still created through the process of lamp working in which silica is used as the base material. When heated to exceptionally high temperatures, silica becomes liquid. Prior to cooling completely, the silica is in a semi-solid state in which it can be shaped by an artisan to any form imaginable.

Looking for the best beads? Too Cute Beads was founded in 1998 based on one principal- giving everyone the opportunity to create beautiful and unique jewelry at a reasonable price. From the beginning, we followed the principal that we would never carry a product that we ourselves would not wear and love. Since then, we have grown and expanded. Our designs have been featured in some of the top beading magazines.

Nature has been, is, and always will be a part of us. It is everywhere. It is connected with everything that we do, particularly when it comes to the humanities. Well the art of beading is not an exception because there are beads that can really come from nature itself! This is one of the reasons that beaded jewelry making is such a well-liked hobby as it is so diverse in the kinds of materials that you can use and that the range of designs you can create.

These categories of beads are extremely appealing because they are nice options from the industrially-made plastic or home made glass beads. They also are a lot lighter so you can use lots of them and not worry about your jewelry not being wearable. They are great accessories during the summer time or when visiting a tropical country.

Wooden beads are possibly the very first thing that comes to one’s mind when talking about beads from nature. There are so many types of wood to choose from. There’s bamboo, sandalwood, and rosewood to name a couple. And since wood has a pattern of its own, the mixtures are seemingly endless. Wood is also awfully alterable. You can color it and change its shape whichever way you would like. You may also burn it too! Another great thing about wooden beads is that they are very easy to combine with other natural beads.

Another present from nature that we are able to use for beading is freshwater pearls. These come in all kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be pretty dear, particularly if they are top quality pearls but if you look closely enough you’ll find some that are less costly.

Ah, shell beads. Who can resist them? They have the prettiest colors and you may even pick them on your own. All you have to do is drill a complete into them. Watch out when doing this though as you can simply hurt yourself if you aren’t acquainted with what you are doing.

What is more natural to us humans than bone? But take note that the ones used for beading aren’t from humans! They often come from cows and camels. Bone is so flexible and so simple to change. Soaking it in tea or coffee will immediately give it a pleasant darker color. Soaking it in bleach, on the other hand, will leave you with a brighter looking bead.

The nice thing about natural beads is that you can simply manipulate their colors. Dyes often give the desired effect. Doing this is easy and quite cheap. The textures also differ. But in spite of this it is very easy to mix one natural bead with another. Make sure to use hemp and it instantly fits with the general theme of nature. Incorporating natural materials in our designs has become terribly captivating jewelry for men and women as we are all becoming more environmentally conscious.

If you want to become more organized in your jewelry business then our Bead Manager Pro is guaranteed to help you do that. We can also help you get the most out of your jewelry business with our free jewelry business tools and free jewelry business book.

The probabilities of working with beads are not restricted to jewelry. Beads are not just for necklaces or bracelets or earrings. If you are looking for a new thing to use your beads in, why not decorate your bookmarks? First thing that you need to do is to be certain you have what you want for making bead jewelry. Make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials available as it can be exasperating having to stop in the middle of a project.

Beaded bookmarks make for actually unique and beautiful gifts. The fact that you made it yourself makes it considerate and book lovers would find it really special. Top it off with a gift of a book or subscription to a mag. Artsy crafty bookmarks are always appreciated as little gifts. The great thing about these book mark gifts is that each and every one is always completely unique.

If you’re a keen reader yourself, making and employing a beaded bookmark would make your reading experience much more fun! Having beaded bookmarks also adds a posh style to an otherwise dull shelf of books.

You can choose to make your beaded bookmarks in 2 ways. You may either purchase a pre-made one and make a beaded trimming, or you can create the whole thing from nothing.

You will decide to start easy and make a store-made bookmark first. Bookmarks can be discovered in just about any bookstore and you might even find some old ones around your home. Punch out a hole near the top edge of the bookmark and fasten a tassel on it made of strings and beads of your choice. You may use embroidery thread and charms to make it unique.

You may also make a bookmark yourself by employing laminated paper. This is special because you can choose to print on it an image of your favorite art or you may even create a collage for your friend. Its better to use heavy paper when doing this so it becomes tougher. Do the same as when you decorate a store-bought bookmark.

Paper bookmarks don’t always have to have fancy footage on them. Often you can decorate them with beads. Try and experiment with felt paper as it has that good fabric texture that you don’t have to sew and most significantly it doesn’t fray. Play around with curls and other fancy lines. Finish it off with a beaded tail.

Another bookmark that you can make is a straightforward book thong. These are just cords and strings with beads tied in them. Decorate these the same way you would a tassel.

Whichever way you do it, making beaded bookmarks could be a really fun activity. It is something that even kids would like and would be able to do. Not to mention the end products are helpful, thoughtful, and truly special. There are tons of beading forums that you will find online that may give you some great design ideas.

Our beaded jewelry software is guaranteed to help you become more organized in your jewelry business. We also have a range of free jewelry business tools and a free jewelry pricing calculator to help you get the most out of your business.

categories: beads,beading,bead bookmarks,beaded bookmarks

Swarovski is one of the world’s most recognized manufacturers of crystal items. It is a company that has grown to astronomical proportions after getting its start in a small family-owned and operated business. The business came into being during the latter part of the 19th century and has successfully made its way into the 21st century.

The founder of Swarovski is Daniel Swarovski who began his journey as an apprentice to his father in a Bohemian glass foundry. Bohemian glass was well known in Europe and America at the time for its unique and intricate style of crystal glass. The affordability of Bohemian crystal initially made it what it was but the Swarovski name and talent added a degree of sophistication and craftsmanship to the designs that rivaled the most well-crafted crystal in the world.

One of the critical elements that determined the outcome for Swarovski crystal is the innovation Daniel Swarovski put in place. He introduced an electric cutting tool to the process used in creating crystal products, and revolutionized the practices and eventual outcomes of the crystal industry for all time.

In 1892, Daniel Swarovski had created a prototype cutting machine and moved to patent the invention. Daniel proceeded with establishing his own company as a result of the success of the machine, and secured financing for the company through Franz Weis and Armand Kosman. The machine was capable of producing high-quality cuts, precision designs, and multifaceted crystals; it was also inexpensive and efficient to operate.

For much of the history of Bohemian crystal, the creators of these fine glass products frequently moved around, often moving their entire foundry, family, and employees with them from one place to another. The process of creating crystal products required extensive sources of wood for fuel to power the furnaces of the foundry. The sourcing of fuel often required relocation to new forestlands.

Swarovski and his financial backers determined that the new company would have the best chance if it was located far from competitors and as such, they established the company in Wattens, a town located in the Austrian Alps. This location was selected due to its easy and inexpensive access to hydro-electric power, thereby freeing Swarovski from the nomadic lifestyle that had ruled the Bohemian glass foundries for decades.

Before the end of 1895, the new Swarovski Company had been constructed and produced its first line of crystal glass products. While the initial production runs experienced some pitfalls and challenges, the company eliminated these issues within the first few years of operation.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Daniel Swarovski began to involve his sons in the operations of the company. His sons contributed their unique perspectives and talents to the operation and refined the production processes and techniques, moving the company to the next level. It is due in large part to the involvement of this next generation that Swarovski has become such a household name today.

In the early years of the 1900s, the production line of Swarovski became the flawless, intricate, and delicate products that everyone sought after. The company’s line of crystal glass items expanded to include crystal jewelry. While it took the world’s fashion industry until the late 1920s to fully embrace the class and quality of crystal jewelry, these gemstone-like pieces became some of the most renowned items in the world. They are highly valued today for their exceptional quality and flawless design.

During the years of the Great Depression and World War II, the demand for expensive or ornate items lessened due to tight economic circumstances and upheaval in the political, social, and economic realms. Swarovski crystal, like most manufacturers of fine quality personal adornments and decorative items, suffered a harsh blow. The company remained in operation but was largely unknown and unrecognized for their efforts.

The 1950s saw a resurgence in popularity, largely due to the Aurora Borealis designs that were introduced during this time. This line of jewelry was created by Daniel Swarovski’s grandson. The items in the Aurora Borealis line were coated with trace metals to create an ethereal rainbow-like sheen.

The Swarovski Company continued to introduce unique design styles and elements to the world of crystal in the 1970s and 1980s. In the mid-1970s, the crystal animal figurine joined the beautiful offerings of this long-standing giant of the glass world. The Olympic Games where held in the Austrian Alps near the site of the Swarovski foundry, making it possible for many of the visitors to the games to easily purchase beautiful figurines as mementos of their trip. This happenstance is credited with bringing the Swarovski name world-wide recognition and prominence.

In 1977, Swarovski introduced the cubic zirconia to the jewelry industry, changing the manner in which inexpensive fashion jewelry would be viewed forever. The quality and clarity of these crystals set the stage for Swarovski to be a major player in the world of fashion and jewelry for many decades to come.

In the 1980s, the company expanded its product line once again. Colored jewelry was added to the standard fare. Fashion handbags, belts, hair accessories and other items began to feature Swarovski crystals as well.

Looking for the best bead stores? Too Cute Beads was founded in 1998 based on one principal- giving everyone the opportunity to create beautiful and unique jewelry at a reasonable price. From the beginning, we followed the principal that we would never carry a product that we ourselves would not wear and love. Since then, we have grown and expanded. Our designs have been featured in some of the top beading magazines.

Crafts have always been a great way for families to spend time with each other, learning and exploring new ways to create wonderful works of art to share. Parents are always looking for new and innovative ways to have fun with their children without spending a lot of money, and crafts are a great way to accomplish that. You can help your children to unlock their imaginations with crafts and create their own special masterpieces. This is also a great way for you to spend some quality time with your kids and perhaps create something new and neat together. Here are five examples of good craft projects to help you get started.

1. You or your child on paper: This is a fun and entertaining craft project that you and the kids can do. You will need to purchase some large pieces of paper, preferably packing paper, leftover wallpaper or the end of a roll of newsprint from the local newspaper. You have your child lie down on the sheet of paper and then you trace the shape of their body. You should use a pencil for this so you don’t get ink on their skin or clothes. Once you have finished tracing them on the paper they can take it and draw the face, hair and also add clothes and accessories. You can even purchase things like glitter or gemstones to give it some bling. You can also have your child trace you and any siblings, and join them in decorating the figures. This is great fun for all ages.

2. Painting Rocks- Rocks are found almost anywhere and surprisingly they can be great fun to paint and decorate too. You can choose different sizes and shapes of rocks to craft. Take a rock and put some imagination into what you put on it. You can paint designs or funny faces on them, or you can glue on glitter, yarn, sequins, and other things. Once you are done you can use your rocks to decorate desks, shelves, bedside tables, or any other place that would put a smile on your face.

3. Framed hands and feet: This is an awesome craft for kids and adults to do together. Get some construction paper and some fingerpaints and dip your child’s hands into the paint. Then place them onto the paper. Then you can do the same thing with their feet as well. This is also a great opportunity if they have younger siblings for them to get involved, as well. There is nothing that babies and toddlers love more than to be allowed to make a mess on purpose and this is a great way to have them do that, while being creative at the same time. You can do the same process with their hands and feet and then have brother or sister help them to decorate the paper with glitter, gems, crayons and markers once the paint has dried. You can let them make a messy one for themselves and then help them to create one that you can decorate and frame for the wall. You can purchase a few inexpensive frames to place these in and they are great as keepsakes for when your children grow up.

4. Make your very own sidewalk chalk: You can get great recipes online for making colorful and nontoxic sidewalk chalk. This is a fun and creative craft project to do together and when it’s done you and the kids can have even more fun using your creations outside on the sidewalk or driveway, to make a hopscotch game or simply create some colorful drawings. There are so many ways to have fun with this craft activity and the clean up is a breeze, too. Simply grab the hose and wash it away.

5. Scrapbooks: This is a timeless craft that has been around for centuries, frankly, and has been a fun-filled tradition for many families around the world. Young and old alike will enjoy this craft because it allows you to be as creative as you can be. There are an unlimited number of things you can put in your scrapbook; the possibilities are almost endless. You can create a family scrapbook with photos, or the kids can create one with their friends in it. This craft will let you create memories and have a whole lot of fun at the same time.

Looking for the best bead stores? Too Cute Beads was founded in 1998 based on one principal- giving everyone the opportunity to create beautiful and unique jewelry at a reasonable price. From the beginning, we followed the principal that we would never carry a product that we ourselves would not wear and love. Since then, we have grown and expanded. Our designs have been featured in some of the top beading magazines.