Are you a beginner beader that needs pro tips and techniques? Are you a professional jewelry designer that wants to network and share your talents? Join our VIB jewelry making community! Our Facebook group is loaded with talented jewelry crafters and inspirational artists. You can find daily creative prompts and masterful jewelry designs. Today, we are putting the spotlight on one designer, Rosanna Brafford. Rosanna is the creator of In Rose's Garden on YouTube. She has been an exceptional contributor to our jewelry community from the beginning. We have always been amazed at the stunning designs she posts and she never runs of out ideas. We love the finished jewelry she makes with our themed jewelry design kits. She is an inspirational jewelry designer and talented teacher. Learn more about this creative YouTube crafter!
Have you joined our Facebook group yet? VIB (Very Important Beading Studio) is a group with thousands of jewelry designers and hobby/ craft creators. We have members that have been designing necklaces for decades. And we have members that have strung their first bracelet a day ago. We welcome all talents and styles and we foster an atmosphere of creative energy. We want to share the joy of creating and we want to learn a new trick or three. Check out the group and get advice from a pro.
Spotlight On Jewelry Maker Rosanna Brafford
Meet Rosanna Brafford YouTube Jewelry Designer And Owner Of In Rose's Garden
I have been making jewelry since I was a teen, though not seriously until recently. I am one of 6 girls and it was always our way to make something for everyone for Christmas. Making something was more personal than buying something in my parents eyes.
As I got older, I made bookmarks, then suncatchers, earrings. It started to become an addiction, and I found myself making more and more things until it became almost a necessity to start to sell some items. I started selling at the local Farmers Markets and then proceeded to the local festivals.
A few years ago, a friend was getting married and wanted a circlet, so I made my first one as a wedding gift for her. In that way, she introduced me to Renaissance Faires and I now vend at 3 annually, with my biggest seller being those circlets.
My 2nd highest seller are my hair barrettes. I also started wire wrapping recently, with some of those stones being central pieces in a few of the circlets.
I love to create and Soft Flex has become my go to beading wire of choice. I can't remember how I originally discovered Soft Flex, but now it is the only beading wire I will use. I also purchase and enjoy the monthly Design kit.
With some help from Randee Brown of Thunderhorse Descendant I started my YouTube channel, In Rose's Garden. I try to do at least 2 videos weekly, though sometimes I wonder what I should do next. Once a month one of those videos is an Unboxing of the latest Design Kit. I do have to admit sometimes my kits sit for awhile after opening, but others "speak to me" instantly.
Rosanna Brafford On Soft Flex Beading Wire
From Rosanna:
I generally try to match my Soft Flex wire up to my beading project, which isn't hard considering all the wonderful colors available. I think I probably have all of the colors, including some hoarded spools of discontinued colors. I never use any other wire except Soft Flex. When I am not sure how I want to finish a necklace and don't want chain, Soft Flex wire is beautiful braided.
Rosanna Brafford's Tip For New Beaders
One thing I would tell a new beader is to practice and not to give up. Try new things - if you don't, you will never be able to do those things. I have a lot of people tell me my wraps are gorgeous, and they are because I practiced them. I will be the first to admit that if they aren't, and I can't fix them, they meet my flush cutters!
Rosanna Brafford On Her YouTube Channel - In Rose's Garden
I started doing videos for my YouTube channel about a year ago, and really enjoy doing them. Every piece of my Chocolate Kiss Design kit has a tutorial video for it. I must admit that Randee Brown of Thunderhorse Descendant helped me considerably when I started. She showed me how to record, edit, and upload. My biggest problem with my videos is that even now I find myself slipping off screen.
I am a self taught beader, though I do still occasionally watch other beaders channels, especially Randee's. I have to admit I am not much of a seed beader, though I do occasionally use them in projects. That is one thing I would like to learn more about.
Rosanna Brafford Makes Jewelry With Soft Flex Design Kits
At Soft Flex Company, we offer mystery themed jewelry making kits. Each kit contains everything a beader needs to create a bunch of unique jewelry designs. Each kit comes with findings, beads, wire, and surprises. Our kits are great for skill building. We want our kits to feel challenging. We want them to be accessible for beginners and advanced designers alike, but we love to throw in elements that may seem difficult to test our beaders skills and make them think out of the box. We think jewelry is great when it is easy. But when you really have to engage your mind and process your materials and tools, we think that your jewelry has the potential to be life changing.
Whimsical Beadtastical Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
Our kits may be inspired by a colorway or theme, but they are meant to be creative interpretations. Imagination and innovation do not follow the rules. Expect the unexpected.
Painted Sunflowers Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
From Rosanna:
The Soft Flex Design Challenge kits were the first mystery kits that I tried, and I love them enough that I have only missed 2 since that 1st kit. That kit was some years ago and was Santorini's Dream (I think that was its title). I used nearly every bead in that kit! I have even won the random drawing a couple of times! I just finished Chocolate Kiss, and used all the beads except 4 rectangular red ones, the tassels, and a few of the tiny gold. Though I did raid the Pink Warrior Support Squad Design kit in order to do so (obviously I don't finish all the beads in every kit). I find some kits "speak" more to me than others.
Chocolate Kiss Beading Design Challenge Kit
Rosanna showed us how to make a bracelet with our Chocolate Kiss Design Kit. This was our sweetest jewelry kit ever! Rosanna made a perfect design for Valentine's Day. This kit is great for a jewelry maker that wants to give the gift of jewelry. Make a bracelet for your bestie!
Make-A-Wish Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
Rosanna showed us how to make chandelier earrings with our Make-A-Wish Design Kit. This kit was our homage to an organization that we adore. This charity was founded as a platform to give critically ill children a chance to have a wish fulfilled. Proceeds from this kit went to the charity. If you would like to donate time or money, follow this link:
More Make-A-Wish Jewelry Designs:
Nutcracker Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
Woodland Walk Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
Peace and Love Beading Design Challenge Kit (Sold Out)
Visit Rosanna Brafford's Links
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