Welcome to the Blog for John Bead Corporation: Beads, Crystals, Components and Carnival
Manufacturer, Distributor, Wholesaler. We supply stores, online resellers and designers with your favorite beads and components!
Dazzle-it is a jewelry line of tools, stringing material, beads, chain and containers. Dazzle-it is the perfect option for those just getting into the art of jewelry making or are well on their way to becoming pros.
The fabulous wired nest was created by Nancy Donaldson. It really is a shape that does not need a name. It is all curves and twists and wild.
It started out with some wire and beads. What makes it unique is the component Nancy wired everything to.
Nancy used one of our flower maker components so this piece can immediately be strung onto a necklace. She also used on of our unique cabochons (more information about hose soon) for the flower centre.
Designed by Carmi Cimicata for John Bead Corp and Perles et Cetera Winter 2016 Issue. This is the English translation of the step by step that appeared in French in the current issue of the Magazine.
This simple kumihimo disk has become the most loved tool in my studio. Made of foam, it is surprisingly sturdy. Kumihimo is an ancient braiding technique. Today, the classic 8-strand braid is easy to create with a variety of stringing materials. Most kumihimo disks come with instructions for this braid. Rattail is usually included because it the most common string used by kumihimo designers. It braids easily and is available in a wide selection of colours and several thicknesses.
I love the 8-strand braid and have tested it with virtually every stringing material I have in my stash. Thick and thin lengths of cording combine to create the most elegant braids. They look complicated and unique. This really appeals to me as a designer.
To create the three tiered necklace I set up three completely different braids. My disk looked different each time. For one braid I used Neo Chain and classic kumihimo polyester rattail.
My second braid features several different thicknesses of cotton wax cord.
The third braid is especially unique with one extra thick piece of Nappa leather cord, soutache cord, cotton wax cord and rattail.
The color palette for these braids was influenced by the announcement of the 2016 Pantone Color of the year. This is the first time they have selected two colours; Rose Quartz and Serenity.
2016 Pantone Color(s) of the Year.
I glued my three braids into a special large kumihimo end cap. I made sure to let this cure overnight before adding my lobster clasp in order to ensure that the three braids were permanently in place.
I think the necklace looks lovely on it’s own. The chain I added to one of the braids adds a tiny bit of glitter.
However, what is life without a little extra embellishment? As a jewelry lover I also have quite a few of these vintage brooches in my collection.
I added this over the top rhinestone brooch and felt quite satisfied with the final necklace. The brooch is in place with just its pin back, so it is easy to remove, replace or switch out for a different color.
Here is how the necklace appears in the current issue of Perles Et Cetera.
Products Used from John Bead Corp.
Kumihimo Circle Disk
Dazzle-it Rattail
Dazzle-it Cotton Wax Cord
Metal Complex Napa Leather
Kumihimo End Cap #23820105-01
Lobster Claw
Quick Grip Glue
More Information
If you go to blog.dazzle-it.com you will see over sixty posts I have written featuring kumihimo.
If you would like to see a video demonstrating the classic 8-strand technique go to this link.
RETRO BLOOMING Necklace Workshop Created for CHA 2016
“Make a cutting edge leather necklace using components from the Tropical Punch line by John Bead Corp in association with Sizzix machines and brand new dies created by Jill MacKay. Mixed media has never been this hip…until now! A workshop literally to die for.” Workshop by Carmi Cimicata
This workshop was created to showcase our soft leather sheets and some of the unique components in the Tropical Punch jewelry making collection. Since the workshop techniques were demonstrated in person, these pictures are a good summary of what you need to do in order to create something similiar.
The Retro Blooming Necklace stands out because of the layered leather blooms. We were able to create and cut the flowers with special dies from the Jill Mackay collection. Thank you Sizzix for allowing us to use your new “Movers and Shapers” dies for workshop.
Tip – You will be able to die cut more flowers if you cut your leather into smaller shapes. There will be less waste. (see picture above)
You can cut as many flower shapes as you may want for your necklace. Some of my pieces are over the top with more than three layers. You may prefer far fewer flowers on your necklace. Simply cut and build layers until you are satisfied with the groupings.
I used a tiny dab of glue between each flower layer to secure it in place. For the layer on top I added the special circular bead.
The bead I used as the flower centre is a Preciosa Ripple™. I sewed mine with a tiny bead anchor to give my necklace more of a hand-finished appearance. 
I only sewed through a single layer of leather.
One good stitch with a knot holds the bead in place. Then I glued the layers of leather together. The Ripple bead covers the tiny hole in each flower and any possible glue seepage. (Notice where I added glue.)
NOTE: If you do not enjoy sewing, you can glue the bead in place too.
I worked on a non-stick surface so I did not accidentally glue my leather flower to my table/work surface.
I always let glue dry overnight if I can. In a classroom setting, we are on the clock, so it was great to be able to use a fast glue such as Quick Grip for this project.
To make the flowers wearable I used Tropical Punch polyester pipe for my necklace.
I created the tiered look by cutting my pipe to the length I liked and taping it in place to maintain its shape.
I added a pendant bail slider to my last polyester pipe cord before gluing on my end caps.
The bail slider allowed me to add this special lucite Tropical Punch flower to the necklace. Then I glued my leather blooms to the polyester pipe necklace so that the lucite flower was perfectly framed.
If you do not like working with frayed ends (1), you can tape your polyester pipe before cutting it (2) or use a flame to seal the edges (3).
The Tropical Punch endcap I picked has a deeper center, so I cut my cords into a triangular shape so that I could glue them properly into the cap. This allowed the cords to sit side by side snuggly in the cap with glue.
If you are working on a beading board, place a little masking tape under any area where you apply glue. This way your project won’t accidently stick to the board if glue seeps out.
Your last step is to add a clasp.
I used these products from John Bead Corp.
Soft leather sheets – Retro Pink and Black Suede 75103102-05 + 75103100-00
Tropical Punch Polyester Pipe 75001000-01 (available in many colors)
Tropical Punch Findings 26002001-03
Tropical Punch Lucite Flowers 28400684-04
Pendant Bail Sliders 26002053-01
Bead Design Board 74530132
Quick Grip Glue
Czech Preciosa Ripple Beads 27800957-01s5
These earrings feature the new fingernail earring posts now available at John Bead.
My earring were created with two finished beaded sections, our soft leather and a pair of fingernail earring flat posts.
I cut two pieces of soft leather to line the back of my finished pieces. I made a mark where I would like the post to get placed.
I cut a small slit in the leather.
This allowed me to carefully push/pull my fingernail earring post through the opening. The rough side of the leather will not be seen so this is the side that the flat back needs to be placed.
On the “good” side of the leather, the post is now visible.
You just need to make sure the post section is punched through the leather. (I made a hole with a paper piercer to make sure my hole was exactly where I wanted it to be.)
At this point you could glue to flat back side to the leather.
When I was sure my liners were set up perfectly I then glued the original beaded section to its new backing.
I beaded all the edging.
These unique flat back components allow you to create professionally finished earrings for leather and beaded projects. They provide extra security for finished designs and are ideal for performing arts jewelry where you need to be sure that your earrings are securely in place.
Fingernail earring posts are available in retail ready and 25 pair packs.
Soft leather is available is many wonderful colors.
Creating a kumihimo necklace with leather cord is just a joy! My braid is so unique and I can see myself wearing this unadorned and perhaps later with a pendant.
I used our Dazzle-it kumihimo disk to create my braid.
The new collection of genuine leather cord includes metallics, so I used the silver and grey in various sizes to create my necklace.
Here is a closer look at all my cords.
I didn’t waste one bit of my braid. I had a few extra inches of braid which I used to make this necklace.
Twenty Four colours to choose from in three sizes!
This is a closer look at one of soutache artisan Liz Macfarlane’s samples in our “It’s Soutache” booklet gallery section.
This is one of my favorite colour combinations; brown and pink.
In our catalog we call these colours strawberry pink and espresso.
I also love the sparkly Dazzle-it shamballa beads featured.
It’s Soutache! will introduce clever applications of these fantastic trims to create equally trendy and one-of-a-kind designs. It’s Soutache! Mixes the traditional ancient technique with modern and trendy applications that exudes freshness. Turn the pages and let the beauty of Soutache capture your heart.
We have a wonderful collection of Czech glass pearls in a magnificent assortment of colours.
They are available to purchase in a complete collection of 3 per each strand shown or individually in sets of three. The glass pearls are available in 8 inch strands in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10mm. There is also a wonderful assorted strand combo of 10-16mm sizing.
From traditional white and cream to more dramatic colors like purple, black and rose our collection is rich. We are also following the current trends with platinum, bronze and rose gold just to name a few. These high quality Czech glass pearls add stunning luster to any jewelry creation.
The new collection was unveiled in our 2014 New Products Supplement which is always available for you to download online.
Here are some inspired samples using pearls with colour.
Here are some featuring the classic colour in multiple sizes.
Faux suede is easily incorporated into wearable jewelry projects.
Nancy Donaldson used both our lace and one of our new tassels to make this bracelet.
I love how the suede lace was braided into the chain.
The colour options for suede lace is excellent!
