We had a stellar week! How about you? We had a Galentine's Day beading party with our friends at Jesse James Beads and our community. We celebrated by creating handmade jewelry and giving gifts to our gal pals. It isn't too late to make jewelry for your best friend. Show them that the power of friendship is as deep as love! Find a deeper dive into this fun event next Friday. We also visited some creative friends and checked out some amazing jewelry design ideas. Learn a new tip or two or just get inspired, join us for the joy of jewelry!
If you did not grab a Galentine's Jewelry Making Party Supply Kit (Sold Out) from us, no worries. The Great Bead Extravaganza - Tucson 2022 is just around the corner. You can grab the kit we will be using for our jewelry demonstration during the big show! Check out the blog we published about the upcoming event on Wednesday. Make sure you are part of the fun!
Kristen started the week off making an elegant set of earrings and bracelet from our Rosé All Day Design Kit (Sold Out). Did you get to take part in the decadent jewelry adventure with this fabulous kit? Sara discussed our latest Tucson inspired products and talked about the fun that is the Tucson gemstone and mineral shows. If you can't make it to the big Tucson events, you can celebrate the spirit of the American Southwest with us. We checked out Sam Siegel from Sam's Bead Shop. He teamed up with Rachel Mallis and held a beading class on how to make a necklace with wire working techniques and beading wire. You are going to love the jewelry they finished! Stephanie Garrett is always a blast. She showed us to make a stunning set of earrings to match her elegant choker necklace. Sparkle by Monica made a jewelry set that is sweeter than Valentine's candy. Nealay Patel, from SilverSilk, made a bracelet that would look amazing for him or her. Let's make jewelry for our friends and loved ones!
Tucson Great Bead Extravaganza Design Kit
Need beading ideas and inspiration? Join us LIVE for the Tucson edition of The Great Bead Extravaganza.
Preview night kicks off February 18th.
The show dates are February 19th - 20th
Don't miss Sara and Kristen's jewelry making demo on Saturday, February 19th - 1:30p - 2:30p (PT) / 4:30p - 5:30p (ET). They will be using TGBE kits and bead mixes to make something marvelous. Buy a kit and follow along or make something unique.
Links:
The Great Bead Extravaganza Site
Official Facebook Page
TGBE Instagram
TGBE YouTube
For a month, at the beginning of each new year, Tucson becomes the world's biggest bead store. The entire city turns into a massive gallery of unique gemstones, beads and jewelry making supplies. Bead shows run throughout the city. Vendors sell their merchandise in arenas, casinos, parking lots, and even out of their hotel rooms. There is a bead show on nearly every major street. It is a vast celebration of beads and creativity. It is the perfect time to explore and find a new favorite designer or store.
Celebrate the world's biggest bead show with us! Tucson Great Bead Extravaganza Design Kit is a collection of beads, charms, findings, beading wire, and supplies that evokes the mystical spirit of the American Southwest. Participate in the fun and excitement of a big bead show from the comfort of your couch. The Great Bead Extravaganza is the world's largest virtual bead show. Feel the rush, learn a new jewelry making technique, and meet new friends with the TGBE show. Join the TGBE social media sites and be in the know. Jump on big sales and giveaways before everybody else. Save money and have a blast!
Jewelry Making Videos
Follow Us On TikTok And Instagram - Learn How To Craft and Make Jewelry In Just Minutes
Follow us on the web! Our social media sites are loaded with instructional jewelry making videos YouTube and Facebook have a ton of long form videos that will teach you how to make jewelry. You will find in depth discussions on how to use your tools and finish your jewelry on those channels. Our Instagram page and SoftFlexWire@TikTok will teach you how to make jewelry in under a minute. Smash that learning curve and learn a new technique at lightning speed. Instagram Reels and TikTok are great tools for learning something new or finding quick inspiration. If your creativity needs a quick cup of coffee, make sure you visit us for a much needed jolt of crafting caffeine!
Check out our 30 second jewelry tutorials on Soft Flex Company's Instagram Reels! Master a new technique in minutes. These videos move quick but are easy to follow. You will get a sense of how to use your tools and finish your crimps securely. If you need more assistance, make sure you check out our YouTube catalog for deeper dives into jewelry making education. Stand on the shoulders of giants and enhance your jewelry making knowledge in a flash!
Got a minute? Follow us on the Soft Flex TikTok Page! Learn how to make jewelry with a fun soundtrack. Sara is here to show you how to make something amazing in just a minute. This is a great quickie if you need the basics. You can always follow up with more in depth videos on our YouTube channel if you need extra help. Sara has ideas for bead stringing, wire wrapping, and so much more. Learn from a jewelry designer pro at the pace you choose!
Rosé All Day Beaded Earrings And Wine Glass Charm Bracelet
Kristen loves her Rosé All Day Design Kit supplies. She wanted to film one more project with this elegant jewelry making kit. For this episode of Free Spirit Beading, she made a bracelet with her supplies and a pair of earrings to match. She even incorporated the wine glass charm that we used to accent the package. James Browning, Soft Flex employee and multi-talented creative guru, handcrafted each of these cute little charms. It was too fun not to use in the design!
Rosè All Day Design Kit (Sold Out)
Soft Flex Beading Wire, .019 Diameter in Rose Gold
Head Pins
Jump Rings
Bead Stoppers
2x2mm Crimp Tubes
Crimping Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Cutters
Let's Talk About The Tucson Gem And Mineral Show And Make Cowgirl Earrings
Tucson is the site of the biggest gemstone, jewelry, and mineral shows in the world. Every January, for one month, the entire city transforms into one big beading event. Arenas, casinos, and hotels turn into massive bead stores full of exhibitors. Vendors from all across the globe show up to network, purchase, and sell their goods. It is unlike anything you have ever seen. Every major street in the city seems to host a show. The staggering collection of vendors and consumers dwarf every other bead show out there.
Tucson is always a dream city to visit during this time. But we are also living in unprecedent times. The pandemic shut a lot of bead shows down for the last couple of years. But things are getting back to normal - slowly. And Tucson is reopening. If you are visiting the city for the show, we would love to hear how it went. Post your thoughts on our VIB Facebook group! If you cannot visit Tucson this year, don't worry, we have something almost as fun!
The Great Bead Extravaganza - Tucson 2022 is just around the corner. TGBE is launching just after the major shows in Tucson shut their doors. This means, you can participate in our event even if you made it to Tucson, no prioritizing needed. TGBE is paying homage to the city of Tucson and the lively essence of the bead shows. At Soft Flex, we have added a bunch of new items on our shelves that are full of the character of Tucson. From boot charms and buttons to turquoise and bone color wire, you can make southwestern style jewelry that embodies the spirit of the desert. Check out our latest Tucson Great Bead Extravaganza blog, click the link below:
Shop our Tucson Great Bead Extravaganza category!
Celebrate the world's biggest bead show with us! Tucson Great Bead Extravaganza Bead Strand is a collection of beads that evokes the mystical spirit of the American Southwest. Participate in the fun and excitement of a big bead show from the comfort of your couch. The Great Bead Extravaganza is the world's largest virtual bead show. Feel the rush, learn a new jewelry making technique, and meet new friends with the TGBE show. Join the TGBE social media sites and be in the know. Jump on big sales and giveaways before everybody else. Save money and have a blast!
Let's make jewelry! Sara showed us how to make a real southwestern style pair of earrings. This jewelry project is so easy to make and full of the essence that makes Tucson so special. If you want to wear a pair of real cowgirl earrings, this pair is big and beautiful! All you need are some charms and a connector to create this rootin' tootin' jewelry statement. Follow this video and make your own wild west earrings!
Soft Flex Beading Wire, .019 Diameter in Red Jasper
Spiral Ring Connector
Tucson Charms
Hammertone Rondelle Beads
Ear Wires
Chain Nose Pliers
2x2mm Crimp Tubes
Magical Crimping Pliers
Cutters
Sam's Bead Shop: Lace Necklace Design Featuring Wire Work And Bead Stringing
We watched a fun free beading class with our good friend Sam Siegel. He teamed up with Rachel Mallis to make a necklace design that Rachel thought up. Sam calls this necklace Rachel's Lace Necklace Design. Rachel says this is a combination of wire work and stringing to create a lace collar. We think the design is beautiful!! If you wanted to add some Craft Wire elegance to your next Soft Flex strung necklace, this is a great way to mix your media. This is a simple course to follow and the jewelry is gorgeous.
If you have never visited Sam's Bead Shop, make sure you check it out! He has a gorgeous collection of beads. You will find a striking collection of gemstones and a delicious mix of Czech Glass. If you need to restock your beading supplies, you can do that too! It is a fun little one stop shop. If you would like to subscribe to his Monthly Bead Box, that is an easy way to save money on a bundle of beads and goodies.
Learn a more about this young business owner from our first beading party with him. We think he is going to be a creative force in this industry for decades to come! Catch this rising star early.
Sam's links:
Website
Bead Box
Join our text list for LIVE alerts!
Gem Chat
VIP group
YouTube
Rachel's links:
Stephanie Garrett Creative: DIY Earrings Tutorial Using Our Rosé All Day Design Kit
Stephanie Garrett is a talented artist and a creative explorer. She is not afraid to try something new and she loves to give back and teach others the techniques she has mastered. Her videos are loaded with inspirational ideas and fun. She is a charismatic teacher and her YouTube channel is sure to spark some ideas in your head for your next piece.
And WOWZAH! Did you see her ring? We are always in love with the jewelry she wears in her videos. Make sure you check out her Etsy pages if you want to own one of her amazing rings. They are her best sellers and we totally see why!
From Stephanie Garrett Creative:
Hi my name is Stephanie Garrett, and I live in Los Angeles California. I’m a jewelry artist, mixed media artist and trained actress. I’m also a busy wife and mom! I’ve been making jewelry for over 15 years. I have created Stephanie Garrett Designs to showcase my jewelry pieces.
I love to inspire people to live a creative life, which motivated me to create my YouTube channel, Stephanie Garrett Creative, where I teach others to make their own unique pieces.
Stephanie's links:
YouTube Channel
Instagram
Facebook
SGarrettDesigns
StephanieGCreative
Video Classes
My original art prints
@StephanieGarrettCreative
@StephanieGarrettDesigns
Sparkle by Monica: Valentine's Jewelry Your Sweetheart Will Love
Monica Dockery has made a delicious Valentine's jewelry set. Indulge your sweet tooth with this yummy jewelry video. She uses the sweetest sugary colors for this cute set. Make your own candied earrings with her colorway. This is a great watch if you want some pop to your Valentine's outfit. This is a tasty way to get inspired. Make a bracelet for your favorite Oompa Loompa or Veruca Salt. Make your next necklace a feast for dessert hungry friends.
From Monica:
Hi, y’all! My name is Monica Dockery of Sparkle by Monica. I’m originally from Tennessee, lived in the deserts of Arizona and Texas, and have now recently moved to a farm in Kentucky. I’ve been on a beading hiatus for 2 years during a nightmare farmhouse remodel. I am getting my sparkly groove back, however, thanks to options like Soft Flex Company’s exciting Mystery Design Kits and beautiful beading wire colors. Although I originally got into jewelry making as a hobbyist in need of uniquely themed party favors, I eventually transitioned over to a business and later expanded into teaching craft classes, providing consultation services to other handmade entrepreneurs, creating digital graphics, and posting YouTube tutorials. My hubby and cats are still my biggest fans (even though they think I’ve developed a SLIGHT bead hoarding addiction). I am grateful to all who become members of my Sparkle Squad along my beaded path. Sparkle on, y’all!
Visit Monica's Links:
Website
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Pinterest
Nealay Patel: Make An Asymmetrical Bracelet With Soft Flex And SilverSilk!
Nealay Patel is the owner of SilverSilk & More. SilverSilk is a knitted wire jewelry chain. But, it is like no other jewelry chain out in the craft market. SilverSilk is made by many tiny latch-hook needles that spin around with wire, intricately machine-stitching the wire into an elegant yet strong and supple knitted wire chain. This knitted wire stitchwork offers the crafter new and unusual ways to use it. You can string large-hole beads on it, sew through it, wire-wrap it, glue it, put it in resin or just leave it as a draped jewelry chain. We love SilverSilk chain, it is the perfect complement to Soft Flex Craft Wire or beading wire. These beading elements can be interwoven and wire wrapped into exciting new jewelry. Design something elegant and rich today with these two stringing options. Your finished jewelry will look like you bought it from a high end gallery!
From Nealay:
During his first SilverSilk Round Up of 2022, Nealay Patel shows how to make an asymmetrical bracelet, using SilverSilk, leather, 2 different size beads, a focal bead, TierraCast endcaps, & Soft Flex beading wire. Depending on the size leather & type of beads-focal you use, you can easily make this bracelet very masculine, feminine, or in between.
Get your beading supplies:
SilverSilk & More
Soft Flex Company
Be sure to mark your calendars for every Tuesday, 5:30pm CST and hop over to facebook.com/groups/silversilk to watch Nealay's videos live and ask questions.
Nealay's channel is dedicated to learning how to make high quality jewelry with SilverSilk with an emphasis on design. You can follow his journey here:
www.instagram.com/silversilkandmore
www.facebook.com/silversilkandmore
Or join his Silkies group and be a part of the conversation
www.facebook.com/groups/silversilk
Join our Facebook group – VIB. Stay in the know. Stay up to date. From our bead shows to our video shows and sales, you can stay in touch with us. The community is full of artistic and helpful beaders and crafty people. Inspire and be inspired. Share your pictures and get the beading bug from others!
Visit the Soft Flex Company YouTube Channel!
Blog contributor Thomas Soles loves Jazz Age writers and crunchy french fries. His favorite gemstones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Freddie Mercury's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com