Lisa's New and Improved Creative Workspace!

Every day when I get to work, I sit down at my desk with a mug of Chai tea and begin the day with a glance around my office. Having no shame, I will share with you what I used to see:

I'm lucky enough to have a personal office with a built-in "Creative Workspace" and I had allowed that whole corner of my office to turn into a dumping spot. It was cramping my creativity big-time! 

The first step is admitting there's a problem, right? The second step is taking action!

PIMP MY WORKSPACE!

I considered buying a proper jeweler's bench, but instead I kinda made my own. My tabletop was a solid wood door, so I had our contractor, Dave, come in make a rounded cutout. Voila!

As you can see in the "Before" photo, the wood door was resting on IKEA storage cabinets. Functional, yes. Fashionable, not so much. So I had Dave attach real table legs. This worked great! The table is incredibly stable, it's the perfect height, and I have more space underneath. Only one problem -- the legs were ugly. Fabric and a staple gun to the rescue!

I have been collecting fabric for awhile (I don't sew...but I might someday - ha!). I cut the fabric in strips wide enough to wrap around the leg with a little overlap and folded the ends over before stapling it to the wooden legs. I had no rhyme or reason to the patterns or lengths, I just kinda went for it.



I really love how my new table turned out, and for a fraction of the cost of buying a generic jeweler's bench! Now... what to do with all those tools?

I always struggled for the perfect way to hang my hammers so they were out of the way, yet accessible. Pipe sleeves and spray paint solved my problem!

My main goal when redoing this space was to have all my tools organized in a smart and attractive way. Hammers had their new home, next came the pliers. An old quilt rack with shelf was the perfect solution. I painted the rack and lined it with contact paper to protect the painted wood from getting marred by the jaws of the pliers. This holds more pliers than one can possibly need (which is saying a lot coming from a tool addict like me!), and holds them at a perfect arm's reach.

I loaded this tool cabinet from Harbor Freight with files, drill bits, etc... 

A few finishing touches included stapling on some beaded trim ('cuz why not, right?) and hanging a few decorative hooks from Anthropologie. The real piece de resistance included spray painting over 20 picture frames and filling them with favorite images from my collection of Alice in Wonderland books. Dave installed my Italian light and BAM, I was in business.  

Finished product -- I LOVE IT!  I am giddy every morning when I come in and see this inviting workspace. I can't wait to create, create, create!

Armed Forces Day Giveaway WINNER

We were proud to honor our Armed Forces with a dedicated post and giveaway on Saturday. Many of you commented here on the blog as well as on our Facebook page. All commenters were entered into a drawing to win two of the dog-tag-style pendants we created.

The lucky winner is SHADOWBOX STUDIOS!

ShadowBox Studios said...

I want to thank my grandfather who was in WWII, and he also met my grandmother after the war while stationed in Germany. He was an amazing person who everyone respected, and since his passing I have realized that he touched the lives of a lot of people, and those I've spoken to have told me some wonderful stories about him.

I also want to thank my wonderful husband who is an engineer in the Army National Guard. He always makes sure I have what I need before going to drill or training.

ShadowBox Studios, please email us with your mailing address and we will get your pendants shipped to you.

Thanks for reading! And again, a big thank you to the United States Armed Forces!

Honoring Our Armed Forces + Giveaway

Today is Armed Forces Day! Beaducation wishes to thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. We are honored and humbled by all you do.

Just for fun, a few of us got busy in the Design Studio making military-inspired creations. As we were chatting, I realized I don't know much about the Armed Forces and how many people are serving our country. After finishing our projects, I got busy learning!

The history of the United States Armed Forces dates back to 1775 -- even before the Declaration of Independence was signed!

The five branches of the US Armed Forces are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.


Military age is 17-62 years old. (Source)

The Army, Navy, and Air Force each used to have separate days of celebration. Armed Forces Day was first celebrated in 1950 in light of the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.

Data from 2012 indicates 1,478,000 people on active duty in the military, with 310,000 in active duty overseas. (Source)

U.S. Armed Forces are stationed in 150 countries. (Source)

If you get the chance, be sure to thank a veteran or service member for his or her duty in protecting the United States. And if you're so inclined, this website provides opportunities to support the Armed Forces in your community. 

GIVEAWAY TIME! We'd like to give one lucky winner BOTH of the dog-tag-style stamped metal pendants that you see in the photo above. To enter to win, simply leave a comment letting us know who you thanked. If you are currently an active duty service member or veteran, let us know that for an automatic entry!

See You At The Bead&Button Show!

The Bead&Button Show is just three weeks away! We've been working for months to bring you the best of Beaducation in our booths and at our classes. We have so much to offer this year!


Our office looks like a warehouse as we unpack boxes, assess contents, and repack them to be shipped to Milwaukee. We're putting together kits for all of our classes and refreshing the look and feel of our booth.

Last year we shipped over 1000 pounds of materials from our office, and that doesn't include what we had shipped directly from our tool manufacturers.

New for this year -- a prize wheel! Fill out a card with your name and email for a chance to win one of five prizes.

Everyone is in on the action! Miles the puppy enjoys supervising Mindy while she spray paints a table we'll be using in our booth. 

Our aprons are ironed and we are excited about the new curtains and table cloths that will brighten the show room. Things are definitely getting crafty in here!

All of our hard work is easily repaid every time we get to visit with one of YOU, our customers! We love to hear your stories and learn about the products and services we can provide to help you in your jewelry making. The Bead&Button Show is a such a fun venue to share ideas and meet people. We can't wait to see you there!  

Meet us!
We've got three booths (536, 534, 433) again this year, which will provide plenty of room for everything we have going on. Our space is going to be buzzing with excitement all week long -- so much more than just selling tools and supplies.

Two of our instructors, Tracy Stanley and Janice Berkebile, have a new book that we'll be selling from our booth (and at Beaducation.com). We're hosting a book signing with the authors in our booth on Friday night from 6:30-7:30 PM.

We will be part of the Show's new "Make and Take" series where you and a handful of other attendees can join a Beaducator to make the neat-o project you see here. Seats will be filled on on a first come, first served basis so get there early! We'll be making-and-taking with folks at 12:30 on Friday and Saturday.

The Beaducation Education Team will be attending the Meet the Teachers Reception on Wednesday evening from 8-11 PM in the 1st Floor Ballroom at the convention center ($13 entry fee). This is an informal meet-and-greet where you can chat with your favorite instructors. Beaducation will be selling our classes on DVD and Lisa Niven Kelly will be selling her project kits. Come early!

Learn with us!

One of the most valuable components of the Bead&Button Show is the extensive selection of classes that is offered. The Beaducation Education Team is teaching four classes this year -- Stamp It, Solder It, Rivet It, and Clasp It. Stamp It still has a spot or two available. Register now!

The Bead&Button Show is like a reunion for all of the Beaducation instructors who teach online classes with us. Ten instructors are teaching their own classes at this year's show! Make sure to check out your favorites, or try a new instructor teaching a technique you've been dying to learn.

(click on the instructor's name to see his/her teaching schedule at the Show)

Lisa Niven Kelly	Kate Richbourg	Lisa Claxton	Barb Switzer
Jill Wiseman	Kim St. Jean	Tracy Stanley	Janice Berkebile
Steven James	Gail Crosman Moore

Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts

In the past year, I have had the pleasure of attending 2 classes at Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. I left both classes trying to formulate a way to ditch all of my current responsibilities so I could move to the city, rent a studio apartment and become a full-time Revere student. Yep, it's THAT GOOD. But alas, I know my place is here at Beaducation and I'll stick with occasional weekend classes.

This academy is a very special place. It was started in 1979 by master goldsmith Alan Revere. Not only do they offer great classes, the environment is incredible. The school is in a corner suite of the 9th floor, down a long beautiful marble hallway in the historic Phelan Building on Market Street in downtown San Francisco. The instructors here are friendly, knowledgable and very clear in their instruction. I took Fabrication 1 and Fabrication 2 and left both three day classes with my notebook and brain stuffed with great information and the courage to continue these new skills at home. I am now fully confident in my soldering, sawing, filing, carving and forging. These two fabrication classes are perfect for the beader or wireworker ready to expand more into metalworking.

Our Education Lead, Aisha Formanski, attended the Masters Program at Revere and here is what she had to say about it:

Stump of tools!

"During my last year in high school I was asked over and over again, 'What do you want to do after high school?' I always answered with a very typical teenage response: 'I don't know.' It turns out I did know and once I verbalized my desire to pursue jewelry as a trade and craft my dad found Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. I moved to San Francisco at the age of 19 to attend the Masters Program. Now picture that -- a little Midwestern girl moving to the big city of San Francisco to make jewelry. FUN!" 

Spiraling staircase up to the 9th floor
 in the historic Phelan Building.

Aisha continued, "The Revere instructors are currently working in the field and are not only thorough in their instruction of the techniques, but also generous with their knowledge of this sometimes overwhelming industry. I explain to people who are interested in taking classes at Revere that they teach traditional silversmithing techniques in an old world way. You will learn the long, hard way so you can later break the rules without breaking the integrity of your piece. Every minute of Fabrication 1 all the way up to Granulation was a wonderful experience. I recently went back to take a chain weaving class and felt exactly like I did 12 years ago as a young student learning from the masters -- honored."

Aisha and I agree, if you are ready to expand your metalsmithing skills, this is the place to do it.  Click here to see their class selection.

View from my bench.

Stamp 'em and Stack 'em!

Jennifer Garner's stacked diamonds

We've got the skinny on these new Thin Stampable Rings at Beaducation! Do you find yourself wanting a more dainty ring? Do you like the look of delicate layers? Do you want the freedom of mixing and matching your rings? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, stacking rings may be your thing!

Thin sterling rings are all the rage right now. Jennifer Garner is sporting a stack of diamonds and Nicole Richie is stacking her finger bangles. The versatility of our Thin Sterling Stampable Rings allows you to personalize each one of them. You can stamp your loved ones' names on them, your favorite cities, favorite emotions -- just about anything! Mix and match them too!

Nicole Richie even stacks her thumb!

The rings measure 3mm wide with 2.9mm of stampable surface. This makes them perfect for your 2mm Letter Sets and smaller. In our sample above, Lisa has stamped 'peace' and 'joy' with our 2mm Uppercase Kismet Set and 'love' with the USA Made, 1/16th Block Uppercase Letter Set. She uses our 1/16 Asterisk Design Stamp and our 3/32 Period Design Stamp for the designer ring without words.

Before you start stamping, we recommend you watch our Stamping on Rings Class. This video will show you the tools you need to begin stamping on a premade ring. Because the stackable rings are less than 3mm in width, they can be tricky. We created a Stamping on Thin Rings product video where Lisa shares specific tips and tricks to set you up for success.

To get started, draw two parallel lines 2.9mm apart on a piece of Copper Sheet to practice between before you stamp on your ring. Once you are comfortable with the space, all that's left to figure out is how many rings you can fit on your fingers!

SALE!! All Gold Filled is 25% off!

It's that time of year again -- the Gold Filled sale! This year we're going all out. Not only are our blanks on sale, we've put EVERYTHING Gold Filled at 25% off!

If you receive our e-newsletter, you know we've gone mad... and this just adds fuel to the fire. Take advantage of these savings on in-stock items while supplies last.

• Blanks 
• Wire 
• Findings 
• Jump Rings 
• Bezels 
• Chain 
• Charms 

If the Gold Filled item you were looking for is out of stock, make sure to check back in before the sale ends on May 14. Our Inventory Team will restock when a shipment comes in; new merchandise is arriving all the time!

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