Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

A New Place to Buy and Sell Beading Patterns

Craftsy, the online craft course site, has added a platform for buying and selling beading patterns and tutorials. Currently in beta, the new pattern marketplace allows anyone to post PDF patterns for sale. There currently is no fee to list and Craftsy does not take a commission; sellers do, however, need a business (or similar) level PayPal account.

If you're a beader looking for patterns, you can browse the marketplace for both paid and free patterns. When you purchase a pattern (or grab a free one), it's saved in your personal pattern library on Craftsy, where you can download it anytime. You can even share a photo of your finished project on the pattern download page.

By the way: Pattern sellers, called Designers on Craftsy, also have their own stores on the site. For an example, see JayceePatterns.

Overall I think the pattern marketplace looks promising. It gives us a new place to shop that's dedicated to projects, and is less costly for sellers that listing on Etsy. However, (as far as I can tell) it's not juried, which means that lower quality patterns could find their way into the marketplace. Be sure to carefully inspect a pattern's photos and description before making a purchase.

If you've purchased any patterns on Craftsy, or if you're a Craftsy Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience in a comment.

Get Those BeadItForward Squares Into the Mail

Don't forget, if you're making a beaded quilt square for this year's Bead-it-Forward it must be received by Bead&Button magazine in Wisconsin by March 1. That means it's go time.

Farewell my little owls, be off!

All you need to do is visit this page on the B&B website, scroll down, and click on the PDF link to download a copy of the "guidelines." Print them up, fill out the form at the bottom, sign, and pop it into the mail with your square to:

Bead & Button Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

If you snapped a photo of your square, it's not too late to show it off in the 2012 Bead-it-Forward Reader Gallery.

I can't wait to see everyone's work stitched together. Stay tuned to the Beadwork blog for updates about the quilts as they become available for public viewing.

Great New Year Ideas From Beading Daily Lets Journal

In case you missed them, Jennifer has written a few posts recently that are very motivational for sparking your beading creativity in 2012. Her most recent post was a call to action for me; it's about the importance of keeping a beading journal or sketchbook -- with lots of ideas about what to put in it. That's something I really let go in 2011, with so many other things gobbling up my time.

Chris's much neglected beading sketchbook.

But the reality is, journaling is absolutely the most efficient way to come up with new ideas, remember the ideas that do cross your mind (and then flee), and discover new design ideas and color palettes.

Will you be bead journaling this year? At the end of 2012, let's get back together on this and I'll create a Reader Gallery featuring everyone's journals.

Let's get journaling!

Red White and Blue Beading Patterns for the 4th

We have a new pattern this week especially for our American beaders getting ready for the Fourth of July holiday. I know it's last minute, but this little necklace won't take you long to stitch up--even if you're a beginner beader.

Check your bead stash (or visit your local bead shop after work) to find some red, white and blue beads to use. Select brighter colors for a more modern look, and softer or deeper hues for something more vintage or traditional.

• To browse more free American patriotic patterns, check out the new Red, White and Blue Pattern Directory.

Connect With Beadwork:

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter