The Best Blog Posts - Top 15 Most Viewed Blog Posts in 2011

#1
Learn how to make earwires on the WigJig using Soft Flex Craft Wire!

#2
Find inspirational ideas for displaying your jewelry either in your home or at a craft fair, bead show or farmer's market.

#3
Learn how to use crimps and beading wire to create colorful beaded connectors, closed jump rings, links and dangles. 

#4
This blog post includes a full free set of instructions from one project in Nealay Patel's book. It also shows you where you can purchase his full book. 

#5
Cindy Lietz, the Polymer Clay Tutor, discusses using polymer clay with colored beading wire. The combination of these two mediums is stunning.

#6
Branding and packaging your designs can sometimes be as important as the actual design itself. Find a few ideas for how you can make your packaging feel special and reflect your personality.

#7
Learn how to knit on a knitting spool using colored beading wire. You can add beads, knit with several colors or mix several different types of materials together.

#8
Learn how to make an easy decorative, gift box on the fly.

#9
Learn how to make five different, simple but elegant bails for creating a pendant. 

#10
Learn how to use Soft Flex Craft Wire on the WigJig to create a fun holiday ornament which could easily be downsized for earrings or a pendant. 

#11
Although there are many ways to make a project idea your own, this blog post offers 3 great options: Color, Shape and Layer.


#12
Learn how to knit colored beading wire on a knitting spool with the addition of beads! This blog post offers step-by-step photos and instructions!

#13
 As of April 1, 2010 strung designs that use flexible beading wire created for HSN are strung on Soft Flex Beading Wire. Read about Sara's visit to HSN.

#14
Get inspired to braid colored beading wire through several free project ideas showcasing this age-old technique.

#15
Learn how to make your own colorful beads using Soft Flex Craft Wire on the Twist N Curl.

Fashion Talk - Wish you all a Happy New Year



A very happy New Year 2012 for all our readers and visitors.



The Best Designs - Top 20 Most Viewed Free Project Ideas in 2011

#1
Designed by: Sara Oehler 

#2
Designed by: Sara Oehler

#3
Designed by: Martina Valdivia

#4
Designed by: Sara Oehler

#5
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett 
Project materials provided by Beadfx

#6
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett 

#7
Designed by: Janet Balich

#8
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett
Project materials provided by: Art Beads

#9
Designed by: Sara Oehler

#10
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett

#11
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett 

#12
Designed by: Sara Oehler 

#13
Designed by: Sara Oehler 

#14
Designed by: Jessica L. Rosenfeld 

#15
Designed by: Sara Oehler


#16
Designed by: Virginia Magdaleno

#17
Designed by: Sara Oehler 

#18
Designed by: Shelley Richey  

#19
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett 

#20
Designed by: Jamie Hogsett 

Fashion Trends

 

To see all our Fashion Trends online, click here.

Color Inspiration by Kristen Fagan

Image via Stock.XCHNG


 Items that match this color palette:




 

Guest blogger Kristen Fagan is the Website Graphic Designer for Soft Flex Company. She also has her own blog and etsy shop.  She'd love to hear from you! So, please feel free to leave comments or email her at Kristen@SoftFlexCompany.com.

Streetstyle Fashion - Funky Hats






Free DIY Quartz Earring Idea by Jamie Hogsett

These Simple Cut Quartz Nuggets are just gorgeous. Super sparkly due to their many facets, the beads are perfect to use when making earrings to celebrate the New Year! Though there is only a small amount of beading wire used in the design, you can make the earrings using any color of wire that will complement your party look! The instructions below are for a pair of earrings using Garnet Beading Wire, while the other examples shown are made with Green Turquoise and Purple Amethyst.

Materials needed:
12" of Garnet .019 Diameter Soft Flex Beading Wire
8 Sterling Silver 2mm Crimp Tubes
8 Sterling Silver 3mm Crimp Covers
1 Pair of Silver Plated Ear Wires
4 Clear Quartz 20x12mm Simple Cut Nuggets

Tools Needed:
Cutters
Crimping Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers

Finished Size: 2 1/4"
Step 1: Use 3" of beading wire to string 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, forming a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube. Trim the wire end. Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 2: String 1 quartz nugget and 1 crimp. Snug the crimp bead close to the bead, and crimp.
Step 3: Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover. Trim the wire end.
Step 4: Use 3" of beading wire to string 1 crimp tube and the loop of wire formed in Step 1. Pass back through the tube, forming a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube, trim the wire end, and cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 5: String 1 quartz nugget and 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, leaving a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube, trim the wire end, and cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 6: Attach 1 ear wire to the previous loop of beading wire.

Step 7: Repeat Steps 1-6 for the second earring.

Enjoy! Happy New Year to you all!


Guest blogger Jamie Hogsett is the Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. Contact her at Jamie@SoftFlexCompany.com.