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!
It is always exciting to see what designers can create with vintage items. Nancy Donaldson was given some of the Japanese Porcelain beads we have on sale this month and as you can see she combined them beautifully with soutache cords.
The floral embellishment is wonderful and the gold highlights add an extra level of embellishment.
The large cabochons are spectacular framed in color.
We only have a small collection of these left. They can never be restocked.
Nancy Donaldson continues to experiment with out Soutache cord collection. These free-form earrings are a wonderful way to learn to work with the cords. This first set features our Cardinal Purple cord.
Lemon Zest Soutache Cord Earrings
Samba Red Soutache Cord Earrings
Black Soutache Cord Earrings
Here is Nancy’s featured necklace for our soutache cord collection.
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.
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
John Bead will be there and we have two great workshops you can sign up for. The conference registration begins tomorrow!
Mega Show 2015: Conference & Education Artisan Workshop: Tropical Sensation Bracelet
Friday January 9, 2015 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Soutache, used in the 16th century to make a wide range of trims and tassels as well as in bookbinding, is now one of the hottest trends in jewelery making. Lengths of soutache are stacked to create a visual element and stable base for crystals. It can be curved and shaped into many patterns. Fernando DaSilva takes soutache to a playground where style merges into attitude with pizzazz. Class sponsored by Dazzle-it! – a house brand of John Bead Corporation. Instructor: Fernando DaSilva
Mega Show 2015: Conference & Education Artisan Workshop: Create, Klik© Repeat
Sunday January 11, 2015 11:30 AM – 1:30
Your personal touch is “just a klik away” with the Metal Complex’s new product range cleverly titled “klik©.” Sensational new looks can be created and then modified with interchangeable jewelry. In this workshop, resin diva and designer Carmi Cimicata will teach how to add your own flair to blank bezel snaps, which can be filled with resin, epoxy, beads and more. Create unique and coordinated jewelry that’s trendy and versatile with an incredible added value. Instructor: Carmi Cimicata
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.
It’s Soutache! Is the latest adventure of Fernando DaSilva on his mission to bridge the DIY segment and fashionable designs for the creative-minded. Fernando is our Product Development and Creative Manager.
“I saw soutache for the first time on the pages of Italian Vogue and months later in person at jewelry stores located on the famous Ponte Vecchio, in Florence. This booklet is an introduction to the art of passementerie using soutache trim. The projects represent a fresh interpretation of this ancient technique tailor to an amateur, who just like myself, wants to expand their DIY universe.”
“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.”
“In the do-it-yourself market, the jewelry-making segment is heavily influenced by the past, pop culture and looks from the catwalk. For the last decade, DIY has been the most important tool to create unique fashion and to express people’s personalities. That being said, the materials used with different techniques are the essence for crafters and hobbyists to reach uniqueness.”
With so many new soutache enthusiasts it is exciting to see the colour palettes and bead choices they are selecting.
Nancy Donaldson is teaching herself how to incorporate soutache cords into her projects. It is clear she has really enjoyed the process.
Samba red and silver cords look wonderful side by side.
Nancy’s focal bead is a Fire and Ice agate oval dyed black.
A closer look at our marvellous duets!
