Creativity on the Catwalk – The Nomadic Traveller Look

The Nomadic Traveller by Fernando DaSilva

Our Global Chic product line was beautifully captured in this picture from the “Creativity on the Catwalk” fashion shows in the UK last month at CHSI Stitches. (Photo from CHSI) Our Creative Director, Fernando DaSilva designed an “out of the ordinary collection of jewelry that is delightfully different, chic and of course trendsetting.”  Here is a closer look at just one of the six models he styled.  The unique embroidered dresses were hand picked by Fernando in Brazil in January.

Bakhtiari

Fernando has some global inspiration for this look.

“I was inspired by the real nomads (like in this picture). Women are clearly identifiable with color and I can imagine the jingling sounds created by the bells that are attached to their animals, which are also used to adorn their own clothing. That’s why I added lots of the jingle bells to both the wraparound bracelets…plus channel beads with seed beads.”

he Nomadic Traveller by Fernando DaSilva

The goal of this look was to showcase the tapestry cords from Global Chic collection and our model Sophie Kelman does that spectacularly with her completely adorned arms.  Fernando used 5 ft of tapestry cord for each design.

Global ChicFD-Global Chic-12Tapestry Cords

We have tapestry cords in a grand selection of colors.  Creating a color palette is only difficult due to the many options available.

he Nomadic Traveller by Fernando DaSilva

The pom-pom earrings were added to bring a sense of joy to this look.  

“This woman is a world traveller and Bohemian…she doesn’t take herself too seriously.”

Pom Poms are something we have had in the John Bead catalog for decades.  They are available in many sizes and colors too.  The bells are also fun to work with.

The rings our model wore are from a collection of already finished European jewelry we sell in our John Bead Outlet.

he Nomadic Traveller by Fernando DaSilva

This is post four in our series.

Look One – Golden Butterscotch can be viewed here.

Look Two – Wild Boho can be reviewed here.

Look Three – The Global Jet-Setter

 

The Midnight Leaves Soutache Statement Necklace

Midnight Leaves

This soutache statement necklace by Nancy Donaldson was commissioned to showcase our fabulous line of soutache cords.  The necklace was displayed in our “New Innovations” booth at the Craft and Hobby show earlier this month.

In our It’s Soutache manual written by Fernando DaSilva (released in the fall of 2014) Soutache was described “as one of those materials that defines not only a look but also a whole technique.  Recently, Soutache has become popular among many European designers excited by the endless possibilities this material provides to their creations.  The technique requires a lot of precision and a certain finesse to handle and stitch trims together.”  There are many applications for this fantastic trim and the main rule is that you must insert your needle in the centre of the soutache groove with every stitch.  That can be challenging and requires practice.

When we released our Soutache manual, Nancy was given an early copy along with some of our cords to experiment.   (she is a regular contributor of projects on this blog)  We assumed that she might make a few of the projects in the book.  We never imagined she would immerse herself into soutache, teaching herself new and unorthodox ways to use the cord.  Our Creative Director Fernando DaSilva recognized her talent immediately and met with her to select a color palette and theme for this necklace.

Many recognized soutache jewellers pre-plan their designs with mathematical precision.  Nancy is much more free with her designs.   She creates individual pieces that are collaged together.  She does not glue her sections into one single backing pad.

Her piece is also unique because some sections are left open.  The sections that are padded showcase our fish leather in a way that sets Nancy apart from other soutache designers. Our fabulous tilapia leather created the perfect texture when paired with soutache trims and beads.   Her finished necklace is not stiff.  It conforms to curves on the body beautifully.  She also created matching cuffs that sit perfectly on a wrist.

The cabochons used by her in this necklace are “JB Vintage Atelier.”  Selected by Fernando just for this design they are incorporated in a way that is fresh and appealing.  We are proud to showcase this new soutache designer’s masterpiece.

What Nancy Used To Create Her Necklace

 

Dazzle-it Soutache Cords

75000900-11   Wine Soutache Cord

75000900-46  Acai Soutache Cord

75000900-45   Alloy Soutache Cord

Fish Leather

751-35101-02  Light Grey Suede Fish Leather

751-35101-03   Plum Suede Fish Leather

751-35101-01   Black Suede Fish Leather

Pearls

27758101096 313  Swarovski 6mm Lavender Pearl

27758101245 001  Swarovski 12mm Light Grey Pearl

27758101160 328  Swarovski 8mm Blackberry Pearl

Beads

45s 1960206004700 Preciosa Siam 6mm

45s 1960204004700 Preciosa Siam 4mm

27004139 Czech Fire Polished Garnet 6mm

27004137 Czech Fire Polish Garnet 4mm

27290000-41 Ori Crystal Donut Amethyst 4x6mm

680-02069  Czech Square Metallic Mix 3.4mm

45s1960203003600 Preciosa Round Jet 3mm

45s1960204003307 Preciosa Round Jet 4mm

45s6930205003600 Preciosa Round Jet 5mm

JB Vintage Atelier

Black Cabochons

Chain

Czech Rhinestone Cup Chain

Soutache Beauty From Nancy Donaldson!

Nancy Donaldson has completed another soutache beauty.  I am thrilled to be able to share it with you first!

I have watched from the sidelines as Nancy has taught herself how to make great use of our new soutache cords.

I thought she might whip up a few shapes…I had no idea she would create such stunning finished pieces!

She has incorporated many of our glass beads and pearls into her necklace.

These little gems are called metallic glass peacock pressed glass beads.

She does not make a plan when she starts her projects.  This section lead her to create a new design which featured her piece in a new direction.

Isn’t it stunning?

Pastel Statement Necklace for Perles et Cetera Magazine

 

By Carmi Cimicata for Dazzle-it and John Bead Corp.

Pastels have gone mainstream.  No longer just for summer, pastel wools, fibers and winter fabrics mean that you can wear these lovely colours throughout the year.  They were represented throughout the fall ready to wear collections.

 

The current issue of Perles et Cetera just hit the magazine stands.  As the magazine is a french publication, I am providing the english translation of the project here.  The necklace tutorial features our Dazzle-it Pastella beads.

This pastel statement necklace could be the fastest one you will ever make!  The focal piece is a sequined beaded applique that you would find in any store supplying products for costume designers.  These appliques are normally sewn onto fabric.

The back of an applique is not meant to be seen.  I glue felt to the reverse when I use the applique as a jewelry component.

 

Now my piece is lined and it will feel soft if it comes into contact with skin.

I strung my Pastella beads into four different strands.  EZ crimps make it very easy to finish these strands making them instantly attachable.

I hand-sewed a soldered jump ring to both sides of the applique.

 

I cut some Dazzle-it fancy chain to match the length of my bead strands.  The Pastella beads looked great alone, but the silver leaf chain added extra sparkle.  Then I joined the chain and beads to the applique with a jump ring.

I used another jump ring to attach each set of beads and chain to the magnetic clasp.

The necklace is ready to wear!

Products Used 

Dazzle-it Starlight Blue Pastella Beads 4mm

Dazzle-it Starlight Blue Pastella Beads 6mm

Dazzle-it Fancy Chain Leaves 3x9mm Silver

John Bead Outlet – Sequined Beaded Blue Applique

Dazzle-it Tiger Tail Wire

Soldered Jump Rings 8mm

John Bead Outlet – Magnetic Crystal Clasp

Beadalon EZ Crimp 3.5mm Ring

Silver Jump Rings 6mm

White craft felt

Tools

To cut my fancy chain:

Dazzle-It Japanese Style Pliers  4.5inch Side Cutter

To open and close jump rings:

Dazzle-It Japanese Style Pliers 5.5inch Flat Nose

Bead Design Board

Rainbow Kumihimo Bracelet

This kumihimo bracelet was inspired by something similar I viewed on Facebook last week.  It reminded me that the rainbow rattail is the ideal cord to use for beginner projects.  You achieve the look of a complex pattern with virtually no work.

We have the rainbow rattail available on spools and bobbins.  There is also a bright rainbow and a pastel colour version.  Sizes range from 1mm to 3mm.  I am using the 2mm for this project.

The rainbow colours makes the most beautiful braid!  This is the standard 8-strand braid you see in our instruction booklet that comes with your kumihimo disk.

Before I glued in my end caps, I added one of our new butterfly pendant bails.  It made adding my dangles easy and the bail itself is just beautiful on its own.

Here is a closer look at the bail.

The semi-precious skull beads have always been a colourful addition to anything I add them to.

 

John Bead also has a chain tassel group that I selected my dangle from.

 

Owl Be There!

I could not resist a fun title for this post.  My friend Nancy Donaldson twists wire like it was a pen on paper.  She has so much fun with our aluminum wire that I always think I can make something similar…and quickly discover I am not a wire worker at all.

The combination of both our 12 and 18 ga aluminum wire brings this owl to life.

Aluminum wire is inexpensive and available in so many colours.  You don’t have to get too stressed if you are simply experimenting with design ideas.

I wanted my owl to have a little extra colour.  I added a copper end cap to this gorgeous Dazzle-it feather.

These end caps make everything an instant dangle.

My last step was to select some beads to showcase my new owl pendant.

These mixed 4mm Czech Fire Polished bead strands were the perfect accent.

New Dazzle-it Magnetic Closures

Fernando DaSilva is John Bead’s product development and creative manager.  So it should not surprise you that if you ask him to “describe our new Dazzle-it  magnetic clasps” that we are going to get a fabulous sample to show off.

These new magnetic clasps finish your designs so elegantly!

Red Lovely Knots cording just pops against the gold!

20mm Jump Rings

Brass tube with dots spacer beads.

Bronze Open Heart Pendant

Kumihimo and Agate Slabs

Agate slabs or slices are a wonderful addition to a summer necklace.  These semi precious slices are available in many colours and ordinarily feature a pre drilled hole making them easy to add to a project.

My kumihimo braid features two of our Dazzle-it rattail colours and sea blue cotton wax cord.

I used the classic eight strand braiding technique that you receive with our Dazzle-it Disk instructions.

When you make a braid you will find it very helpful if you add a weight to the end.  It will help pull and keep your braid tight and straight while you work.

My finished braid looks wonderful!

I finished the ends with our Kumihimo endcaps.

I added a simple gold chain to lengthen my cord and this became ready to wear!