Online Bead Classes

I came across a nice site today. Beaducation. I wish I had thought of this when I started teaching beading years ago! It's a site where you can take beading classes online. There are all sorts of skill levels and even a few free classes.

The videos are high quality and provide you with a clear and close view of all of the instruction. Also, you are able to start the video over and rewind when you need to, making sure you get every step of the project.

If you are new to beading, there are a few of the free classes that might be of interest to you. Especially the Basic Loops Class.

Getting ready to make more bracelets.

I'm getting ready to make another batch of my ClinkIts tile bracelets. These bracelets are made with small pieces of processed glass that I make. I call them ClinkIts. They are essentially man made sea glass. I use scrap stained glass in all sorts of colors. You can see more photos of ClinkIts here.


I make the bracelet by wire wrapping (using 20 gauge plated craft wire) the glass pieces leaving loops on opposite ends. I then make little links with glass beads. I link it all together and add clasp. I have a more detailed tutorial I will add soon.

New Banner

I uploaded my new banner today and I hope you like it. It took me way more time to finish it than I would have liked but I had a hard time deciding what look to go for. I tried to keep it simple and clean, yet fun. I'm hoping to be adding new items to my etsy shop soon. I really want to get back to selling my items now that my youngest is 2. I find that I can get more done around the house during the day (with them home), which leaves me time at night to craft a bit while my husband and I watch TV. When do you find time to craft?

Loving my Yo Yo Maker from Clover

I'm sure some of you have made fabric yo-yos. It's a great way to use up scraps. I recently purchased a Clover Yo Yo Maker off eBay and I am LOVING it! It makes cutting the fabric and sewing it very easy! If you haven't seen any of these yet I urge you to take a peek.

And if you're not entirely sure what a fabric yo-yo is, check out a beautiful tutorial by Heather Bailey. She started a garland craze which in turn created a great Flickr group for all sorts of garlands.

I'm mostly using my yo-yos for kids hair clips and pins. I'm also sewing a few onto some plain white newborn socks for my friend who just had a baby. I'm delivering those with a pot roast dinner to her tomorrow! I will take a few photos before I give them to her.