Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 24-25

Medieval silver beads and jewellery (1100-1500 AD)
[Photo: Statens historiska museer/Gunnel Jansson, cc by-nc-nd 2.5 se]

It's over a week ago since the last blog post before the blog vacation was posted, but it wasn't until now I got a little time to sit down and do the last recap for this season. This time you can find everything from contest tips and beaded flowers (bouquets and boutonnieres) to historical bead charms and jewellery to turkish beaded lace.

All this and more after the break!

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 22-23 + pre-blogiversary info

Blogiversary info

Well, time flies... while writing this I'm about to start writing the last blog posts on Manekis Pärlblogg before my annual summer break. That means there's still two more weeks to go before I put the blog on hiatus until september. As usual I will be doing the odd posts, e.g. contest/challenge tips and news that can't wait plus the monthly bead palettes. What's different this year is that the blog is turning five on July 1st. And I have to do something about that, don't I?

But what to do? I've really not come much further in my thoughts than back when I first mentioned realising that a milestone was coming up a month ago (you know, peak season in the potato business now -- sorry about not replying or in any way acknowledging comments right now, by the way, same issue there). My plan now is to skip any ideas about giveaways or contests as I don't have the time or energy to arrange it and hunt for sponsors. So instead I thought I'd do some sort of present for all the readers instead: that is, new free tutorials! Yes, I'm digging myself into an even deeper hole... But I've been meaning to do a couple of those for ages and never got around to it. Making this decision -- and now making it official here -- means I have a deadline to commit to and that's what I need. Of cause I'm not yet sure exactly what I'll be doing. The twin bead tutes I've been talking about but never did and which now is surpassed by so many other free tutorials online it's uninteresting? The stitched/whipped leather bracelet? Something really new? That simple but perhaps dull brad pendant I've already taken step-by-step photos of? I'll be a surprise -- for me and you both!

Anyway, if you have any ideas, wishes or perhaps even something you want to add to the july bligiversary posts, do feel free to contact me or comment below as right now I've barely got a clue myself, just an urge to do something...

Blog recep

On to the blog recap. Weeks 22 and 23 have encompassed such things as a round-up of bead meets/jewellery makers' get-togethers in Sweden, metalworking techniques, Doctor Who projects, Gatsby/art deco/jazz age jewellery ideas, poisonous beads, new challenges and more.

Read alll about it after the break.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 20-21

It's that time again: the biweekly summary of the posts I write on my beaders' and jewellery makers' blog, Manekis pärlblogg. This time the posts range from miniature jewellery projects, beading with multi-coloured thread and butterfly jewellery to contests, novels about beads and the medicinal history of pearls.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 18-19

The cold is getting a bit better (and even more so, my throat which was horrible raw and sore this morning is better) so I thought that I might as well take the opportunity to post a recap already on a friday. Before forgetting as usual. Hope you find something of interesting to read on or via the posts!


It's time for another recap of what I'm blogged about on Manekis Pärlblogg, my blog for beaders and jewellery makers. This time subjects range from sustainable precious metal and jewellery art to silk ribbon projects and new swarovski colours to contests and cake.

All that and more after the break.

5 years of blogging...

Yesterday, I suddenly realised it'll be five years since I started Manekis Pärlblogg, my first blog, this summer (July 1st to be precise). Five years!

I can't say that the years have flown by as it by now feels like I've been writing for that blog forever. The amazement is more with the fact that I can't really grasp it, decide whether it feels like yesterday or an eternity since I started it all. It's not like how I felt when I turned 30 -- still in denial of that! -- when it felt impossible that so many years had gone by already. That I'm fricking middle-aged now (though still living like a 20-something student -- minus the drinking and partying). The years fly by so fast when counting your own.

Five years is... five years. It doesn't feel long and it doesn't feel short. If anything, it's looking at the blog archive that makes five years feel awesome. To realise how much I've written, how many links I've tracked down and how much fact I've consumed. Of cause I see the post count tick everyday on the Blogger dashboard, but it's really when looking at the archive, year by year and month by month, the number makes sense and looks impressive. Today I've posted blog posts no. 1712 and 1713. One thousand seven hundred and thirteen.

I haven't had a blog anniversary contest or giveaway since 2009, celebrating that first year, but now I'm starting to think about doing something (sorry, might just be open to swedes depending on what sponsors I find). Maybe a bit late, though, considering I'm not really sure what I want to do. But five years... Surely it needs to be celebrated or at least observed in some way. Right? I should go hunting for sponsors and make a thing of it, don't you think? It must the worth noticing in some way.

So... no idea what to do, but now that the fact the blog is turning five struck me so sudden I really keep thinking about it. I've got less than two months to get somewhere with my thoughts -- no idea what I'll end up doing: make something big of it or just let it slip by unnoticed? Dunno.

For now it's all just that first thought that popped into my head when counting my fingers: "Huh, it'll be five years since I first posted something on Manekis Pärlblogg this summer..."

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 16-17

As usual I've managed to round up my posts from my beaders' and jewellery makers' blog. After the break, you can read more about everything from new contests, bead humour, creative projects, interesting magazines and bead info. And of cause, a call for all swedes to help me create a list of shops/groups/people/places that offer local bead meets, courses, workshops etc.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 14-15

I'm finally catching up with the bead blog recaps. Here's the round-up of the last two weeks's posts. After the break you can read of everything from bead trivets and colourful stretch bracelets to lead-free crystal and jewellery colours that matches the wedding dress. And more. After the break.

Maneki's bead blog March recap

I've finally finished working for this week and way not take that time to catch up a big on my blogging and more precisely my recaps of what I've written on my beaders' and jewellery-makers' blog, Manekis Pärlblogg. During march, I covered everything from beaded eggs (including real ones!), new bead shapes and tree root jewellery to contests, bead sculptures and notebooks for pearl lovers. Read all about it after the break!

Maneki's bead blog February recap

Ok, Janurary recap finished, now it's time to get through February too. And then next week, March will be the last month I do a monthly instead of (bi)weekly recap as I will have caught up by then.

In february I featured everything from new beads and children's jewellery sizes to pinwheel jewellery and cat hair beads.

Maneki's bead blog January recap

As perhaps some of you have noticed, I haven't done any recaps of what I've written over on my other blog this year. It wasn't intentional and at time I remembered, but had other things to do. The recaps are really just a way to lend a helping hand to anyone who doesn't speak swedish, but would be interested in the things I write about or link to at Manekis pärlblogg. As most of the tutorials and webpages I like to are in english, the language isn't necessarily a problem.

It's a little something I've been doing since december 2009. It's not perhaps my most popular blog feature, but sometimes it does generate a little traffic. And I like it so I'm not intending to give it up. So today I'll write two catch-up post: one recap for january and one for february. As usual I'm putting a break before the list so it won't take up too much space.

As usual I list the blog posts from newest to oldest with each headline being a link to the post in question. I may skip out-of-date contests, challenges and news in these recaps.

Bead blog recap weeks 50-51

I never wrote the last recap of the year before christmas, but today I'm trying to finish everything I didn't do before christmas which I want to have done by the end of the year. So here's the last recap of 2012 with everything from Color of the Year and EU's new lead ban to beading chain ideas and snowglobe jewellery.

Bead blog recap weeks 48-49

New Baroque finish. Photo courtsey of Miyuki Co, Ltd

A little belated, but here it is: Manekis pärlblogg in review, a summary of the last two weeks of blogging on my other blog. Everything from bead shop guides and bead embroidery techniques to contest tips and new bead finishes (I so want some of those Baroque seed beads now!).

Bead blog recap weeks 46-47

Almost forgot it, but here's the recap of my two last weeks of blogging at my other blog, Manekis pärlblogg. This time there's no less than three book reviews on top of the usual project tips, info on glass bead colours, bead embroidery techniques, contests and colourful leather cord.

Bead blog recap weeks 43-45

I've once again forgot to do a recap last week... Probably should do them weekly instead of biweekly in order to remember it better. (Last weekend was my birthday, but it's not much of an excuse, seeing how I don't really celebrate it and therefore didn't have much more than usual to do. At the most, I planned some shopping as I got a little money from my parents and aunt. Yay, new stuff!)

So three weeks of writing, what has that produced? This time around you can read about new contests and challenges, inspiring beads, colour inspiration, project and techniques such as repairing foilbacks (se photo above) and drilling in stone.

Any contest, challenge or swap that's too late by now has been left out from this list of posts. If curious, you can find all the challenge and contest tips on my blog here.

Bead blog recap weeks 41-42

Haven't been much online lately, but hope to write some more posts these next few days. Apart from posts on Manekis Pärlblogg, that is (I'm a bit behind there right now, I'm afraid, so that takes precedence). Today I at least remembered to do the biweekly summary of the post on my other blog. These last two weeks have encompassed everything from bead meets and shows to spike bead projects and design inspirations.

Hope you find something fun to read!


By the way, shop owners and distributers: the two swedish bead meets/conventions (Pärla! and Bead Lovers Meet) are looking for sponsors. If you sell internationally and want swedish costumers, you might want to get in contact with the organizers. Just a thought.

Bead blog recap weeks 38-40

Pages from La broderie perles by Yukiko Ogura

I'm so rubbish at remembering my Manekis pärlblogg summaries! Probably should go back to posting every weekend again... Anyway, here's what I've been writing on my blog for beaders and jewellery makers the last three weeks.

This time you'll find challenges, german pearl exhibits, bead embroidery, bead shop map help wanted, cakes and more -- and a note on the fact that I've now written over 1 500 posts on Manekis pärlblogg!

Bead blog recap weeks 36-37

It's time for yet another round-up of my Manekis pärlblogg posts from the last two weeks. These weeks I've posted about challenges and contests, Swarovski innovations, cool Pébéo paints, padded bead embroidery, a jewellery exhibit in Stockholm, bead shopping at Swedish sewing and mineral shows and more. (If you or beaders/jewellery makers you know are going to Stockholm -- or Sweden in general -- you might want to read this as there's an unusual amount of shopping and exhibition tips here.)

Enjoy!

Bead blog recap weeks 34-35

 
Since Manekis pärlblogg is back on the usual schedule again it means the biweekly summaries of what I write over there are back too. I started off the "autumn term" with everything from cute bead-embroidered dolls (don't miss those!), beaded brollies and painted rhinestone jewellery to french schools, odd jewellery supplies and jewellery-creating larvae.

There's a few contest tips too (as a heads up, there'll be the monthly design challenge summary and -- hopefully -- a giveaway next week so pop over so you don't miss a deadline between my posting there and doing a recap here).

Also, I've done a few design changes so if you haven't been over to my other blog in some time, you're welcome to take a look and give some feedback on the changes. More about that below.

Bead blog recap weeks 23-25

I've been so busy with other things as well as relaxing and doing nothing so I forgot the last recap before the blog break. So here, finally is a summary of the Manekis Pärlblogg posts for the last few weeks. (As usual I will do monthly colour inspiration posts and contest/challenge tips during the break.)

The posts include everything from slightly unusual jewellery materials (concrete and washi tape), embroidery techniques, challenge tips, seed bead glossaries, patinas, german bead shows, colour inspiration and more.

Bead and jewellery making book reviews

I'm sitting here -- after a short working day (2 hours) -- and waiting for my book order to arrive. It feels like ages ago that I ordered them (last week)... No books in the mail today, but perhaps tomorrow?

Anyway, since I'm thinking about nothing but books -- the ones I bought and the ones I want to buy -- I got the idea to make a short list of beading and jewellery making books I've reviewed on my other blog. Mostly books in english, but also swedish, danish, dutch, french, japanese books can be found in my collection -- eventhough I don't even speak all those languages!

List of reviewed bead and jewellery making books 2008-2011

Books listed by name of author. Click on the title of each book to go directly to the review post in question. Of cause all reviews are written in Swedish; if you want, you can translate them using Google Translate.

• Atkins, Robin: Beaded Treasures. Finger Woven Bracelets, Necklaces, Tassels & Straps. (2006, Tiger Press)
• Barta, Melinda: Custom Cool Jewelry. Create 200+ Personalized Pendants, Charms and Clasps. (2008, Interweave)
• Belle Armoire Jewelry (Stampington)
• Davis, Jane: Bead Embroidery: The Complete Guide. Bring New Dimension to Classic Needlework. (2005, Krause Publications)
• Eriksson, Mariana & Birgitta Videgård: Smycka dig. (1997, LTs förlag)
• Frey, Kathy: Elegant Wire Jewelry. Contemporary Designs & Creative Techniques. (2007, Lark Books)
• Goodhue, Horace: Indian Bead-Weaving Patterns. Chain-Weaving Designs, Bead Loom Weaving and Bead Embroidery -- An Illustrated "How-To" Guide. Revised and Expanded Edition (1989, Bead-Craft)
• de Graaf, Leane: Kralenfantasie/Perlenphantasie/Beadfantasy/Féerie de Perles (2005, Leane Creatief) [review of whole series of booklets]
• Greer, John Michael & Clare Vaughn: Pagan Prayer Beads. Magic and Meditation with Pragan Rosaries. (2007, Red Wheel/Weiser Books)
• Haab, Sherri: Designer Style Jewelry. Techniques and Projects for Elegant Designs From Classic to Retro. (2004, Watson-Guptill)
• Hettmansperger, Mary: Fabulous Woven Jewelry. Plaiting, Coiling, Knotting, Looping & Twining with Fiber & Metal. (2006, Lark Books)
• Hewitt, Jema: Tiaras and Bridal Jewellery. (Rainbow Disks, CD book)
• Hooghe, Christine & Sylvie: Crystal Beaded Jewellery (2004, Search Press)
• Hørmann, Karen & Anette Ib: Smykker af strandsten. Forlaget (2004, Hørmann & Ib)
• Hørmann, Karen & Anette Ib: Sølvperler. (2001, Forlaget Hørmann & Ib)
• Japanese bead books
• Jones, Linda: Making Colourful Wire & Beaded Jewellery. 35 fabulous designs. (2004, Cico Books)
• King, Kenneth D.: Designs for Bead Embroidery. 150 Patterns and Complete Techniques. (2006, Search Press)
• Krona och krans. Smycka till fest och bröllop. (2005, Tidskriften Hemslöjden/Svenska Hemslöjdsföreningarnas Riksförbund)
• Kummli, Heidi & Sherry Serafini: The Art of Bead Embroidery. Technique, Design, & Inspiration. (2007, Kalmbach Publishing)
• Lawergren, S.: Handvirkat (1964, Aktiebolaget E. Holmqvists Eftr)
• Lenart Kazmer, Susan: Making Connections. A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists. (2008, Disegno Productions)
• MacDuffee, Melody: Boutique Bead & Jewelry. (2008, Lark Books)
• McGrath, Jinks: The Jeweller's Directory of Decorative Finishes. From Enameling and Engraving to Inlay and Granulation. (2005, A &C Black; American edition: k p books)
• Miller, Sharilyn: Contemporary Copper Jewelry. Step-by-step, techniques and projects. (2009, Interweave Press)
• Millodot, Suzen: Celtic Knots for Beaded Jewellery (2006, Search Press)
• Rhodes-Moen, Jeanne: Silver Threads. Making Wire Filigree Jewelry. (2006, Kalmbach Books)
• Rohn, Valérie: Pampilles ambiance déco (2006, LTA Décoration)
• Root, Gineke: Van Kraal tot Sieraad (2004, Cantecleer)
• Ryan, M. T.: Glamorous Beaded Jewelry (2006, Creative Homeowner)
• Thomas, Susan C.: Link It! Colorful Chain Mail Jewelry with Rubber O-Rings. (2008, Lark Books)
• Tourtillott, Suzanne (ed.): Making Beautiful Beads: metal, glass, fiber, polymer clay. (2002, Lark Books)
• Vintaj Jewelry Technique Book. (2010, Vintaj Natural Brass Co.)
• Wallace, Sandra: The Beader's Colour Mixing Directory. 200 colour schemes for beautiful beadwork. (2007, Search Press)
• Winell-Garvén, Iréne & Margareta Nyde: Med pärlor och tråd. Trädning och broderi, vävning och makramé, stickning och virkning. (1974, ICA-förlaget)
• Withers, Sara & Stephanie Burnham: Pärlteknik -- så skapar du egna smycken. (2005, Prisma) [Swedish edition of The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques]
• Yoko: Beads Jewellery for Happy Wedding [english subtitle] (2005, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha)

~ * ~

I also read magazines, though with a few exceptions I have found that I prefer books, but Belle Armoire Jewelry is so far the only mag I've gone as far as reviewing. Partially because that's one of the few mags I had several recent issues of; reviewing a mag based on one issue feels somewhat unjuste and reviewing a mag based on what it was like two or three years ago when I subscribed or regularly bought copies is even more unfair and gives a dated and perhaps even wrong view of what the mag is like today (and tomorrow).

I haven't reviewed any books in a while now. Since the books only are ones found at the local library -- not that many of interest -- or bought when my budget allowed such luxuries, the number of reviews I can make are very limited. The first couple of years I simply reviewed books from my bookshelf, but now I've already reviewed most of those. Well, at least I'll hopefully sometime during this week get one book that'll be perfect to review on the blog. After that I'm not sure how many more book purchases my budget will allow (seeing how I want to buy supplies too, not just books).


PS! Would you be interested to read my future reviews here, in english, too? Just let me know if you do and I'll include them here as well.