Findings Worth Finding - Rustic Canyon

Beverly Herman sent me these photos of pendants she found at Michael's and I knew I had to share them with you!  Guess where I'll be heading today?  You could fill up that little window with an image and resin or a tiny charm in resin.  

I tried to find more information about the line, but it wasn't available online. I have been told that Micheal's also carries chain to match the patina finish.

The trick to using inexpensive components in your jewelry is to add art beads to compliment the pieces - like I have done here with the Industrial Chic findings - also from Michael's. I added one of my eggs and Green Girl Studio nest. This offers your designs a unique touch even though you are using store bought components. This strategy can also help stretch your beading budget by mixing art beads with less expensive findings.

Findings Worth Finding: Artistic Headpins

I love artist made headpins and have been working on several new projects using them.  I'm considering writing an ebook featuring them, what do you think?  There are so many ways to use these little gems!

SueBeads, NadinArtGlass

GeneaBeads, IcedMoments

Humblebeads, Cindy Gimbrone

Make quick and easy earrings using decorative headpins.

Findings Worth Finding: Artisan Headpins

I can't get enough of these!  You can use decorative headpins to liven up earring designs.  Add a little splash of color at the bottom of pendants.  Or add them in where you'd like a little bit of texture, wire-wrapping them into your designs.  Oh, the fun you could have...

 Copper Leaf Headpins by Aunali

 Double Dips by Cindy Gimbrone.  I love to use these as toggle bars!

Enamel Headpins from Miss Fickle Media

 Flower Headpins by Flamedancer Beads

 Glass Headpins by Nadin Art Glass.

 Silvered Ivory Glass Headpinds by Supply Diva.

 Fluted Flower Headpins by Sunroom Studios.

Vintaj Art Deco

Since our monthly challenge is straight from the Art Deco period, I asked the creative team at Vintaj to put together a collection of their findings that are inspired by the era.

Love the leaf charms from Vintaj - how perfect for our challenge!

Art Deco

Jazz

Flappers

1920s & 30s

Geometric Shapes

Strong Lines

Egyptian, African and Oriental themes
Butterflies

Tassels

Longer strands of beads

Layered necklaces & bracelets

Long, bold dangle earrings

Czech beads

Stones - real or faux:

jade, coral, onyx, mother of pearl, lapis, rock crystal, chrysoprase, carnelian, rubies, emeralds, smoky quartz, amozonite

For more information on costume jewelry from this period check out this article.

Findings Worth Finding: Vintage Groove

Have you checked out the new Vintage Groove line of findings at Fusion Beads yet? If not, you should! Part of Designer Jill Schwartz's collection, these vintage inspired charms and components  are perfect for the ever popular layered jewelry.

Here's a few sets that I bought last week. I love that you can buy these convenient charm or connector sets- ranging from 2.99 to 15.99 - they are affordable and fun to use. They also have pendants, pre-made chains, alphabet charms, and full kits!

With these sets, I created a long charm necklace using some large teadrop link chain, and added some wire wrapped faceted lucite coins in a coordinating teal color.

Findings Worth Finding - Industrial Chic

Oh, here is a reason to hop in the car and head out to Michael's today - Susan Lenart Kazmer has a line of findings and components called Industrial Chic and they are pretty amazing.  I've seen some designs online using the components and I'm in love with them!  My favorite are these connectors, I need some - now!

Photo from Erin Prais-Hintz.

Garden Gates

Here is a fresh selection of beads and findings to fit my summer mood.  I'm imagining a white-washed garden gate, sculptures faded from the summer sun, birds chirping nearby and sweet blossoms popping up in every corner. 

 Ghost White Patina Copper Chain from MissFickleMedia and Ceramic Wings from Gaea.

 Shabby Metal Filigree from PalomaAntigua and a Dandelion Wine Bead from Humblebeads. 

 

Aged White Skeleton Key from PatinaQueen and a Zinnia in Relief from ClassicBead.

The white patina on the brass adds a summery touch to vintage inspired findings.  Pair them with birds, flowers, dragonflies or butterflies for quick and easy seasonal favorites.

Findings Worth Finding: Leather Flowers

The Art Bead Scene is always on the look out for new and unusual findings for your designs. We predict we'll be seeing more leather in jewelry so this finding worth finding is a set of pink leather flowers with center holes from HM Creative Supplies on Etsy (photo courtesy of HM Creative Supplies.).

I have an idea how I'd use them, but what might you do with them?

(written by Cindy Gimbrone, who is off searching for more new and unusual findings.)

Findings Worth Finding: Clasps

There seems to be a buzz with art bead clasps, so I thought I'd feature another round up of them here on the ABS.

I found Amanda Davie through that intrepid bead scout, Lorelei.  How does she discover such amazing finds?  And yeah that she shares them with us.  Here is a resin clasp with a crow.

Carrying on with the bird theme is this awesome pewter owl clasp from Green Girl Studios via the Beadlady on Etsy.  I love that branch toggle, wish I had a million of just those!

Melanie from Earthenwood Studio has been experimenting with new designs.  I'm smitten with the timber pendants.  I could see this as a clasp.  Just add one of these branch toggles from Nunn over at Bello Modo.

LeAnn at Summers Studio has created Victorian inspired key toggle bars - works for steampunk or more floral themed designs.

And now let's get into some clasps for seafaring jewelry designers.  Lynn Davis has this wonderfully rustic looking hook clasp, it has a nautical vibe don't you think?

And speaking of beachcombers, here is a starfish toggle pendant from Humblebeads, yes - that's me!   

And finally, maybe you are feeling a little DIY-ish today and want to customize your own clasp.  Miss Fickle Media is offering these new bezel clasps, fill them up with your favorite image and resin.  I've been eyeing them thinking some polymer clay belongs in there!

Findings Worth Finding - Safe Safety Pin Links

Have you ever made a bracelet or necklace using safety pins for that edgey look? Did they come apart or were a bit flimsy for your design? Ornamentea comes to the rescue with these brass curved safety pin links.

Still wonder how you'd use they wonderfully different findings? Well click on over to Ornamentea's Safety Pin Bracelet project sheet for inspiration and/or your next piece of jewelry!

(Thank you to Ornamentea for use of their photos.)

Written by ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone, a lover of safety pins and all things wonderfully different!

Vintaj Inspiration

Somethings just go together and Vintaj brass findings and art beads are definitely a match made in heaven.  The Vintaj design team has released their Spring 2010 inspirations for jewelry and quite a few art beads are being featured this season.  Here are a few of my favorite picks.

Design by Megan Sharkey

Polymer clay flower handmade by Barbara Fajardo

available at Desert Designs

Glass lampwork boro bead handmade by Melissa Rediger

available at Sea of Glass

Designer: Jess Italia Lincoln

Handmade glass lampwork beads made by Melissa Rediger

available at Sea of Glass

Design by Jess Italia Lincoln

Lampwork flower from Lisa Kan

Designer: Jess Italia Lincoln

Lampwork Beads by Melissa Rediger
available at Sea of Glass
Polymer Clay Teal Bird from Heather Powers
available at Humblebeads

You can see more design inspirations in the Vintaj Idea Gallery and on their Facebook Fan Page.

(All photographs courtesy of the Vintaj website.)

Art Bead Toggle Clasps

Why use a simple clasp when there is an art bead that can do the job!  Be creative, you can mix and match components for an even more customized design.  I like to add a tiny bit of chain or a few extra jump rings so that the toggle bar can easily fit through the hole. 

 Spring Willows Toggle Pendant from Humblebeads

White Flowers Stoneware Pendant from Golem Design Studios

Double Dips from Gindy Gimbrone Beads

Another design tip: use fancy glass headpins like Cindy Gimbrone's Double Dips to create a toggle bar for your clasp.

Leaf Spanish Architectural Window from Chinook Jewelry 

Bird Over Clouds Toggle by Green Girl Studios

Time Wheel Toggle Clasp from Earthenwood Studio

Zebra/Wow Toggle by Jangles

Keyhole Key Toggle Set by Lynn Davis

Pussy Willow Toggle Button from Creative Impressions in Clay

Blue Flower Toggle Clasp from Mary Harding

Branch Toggle Bar from Summers Studio Etc.