Road Trip!

If you came here looking for the Hero of the Week yesterday and thought we forgot this week, have no fear - we did not forget and a new hero will return next week to the same bead place at the same bead time! What I did forget was to leave this little explanation here for you as to why our beady heroes are taking a break this week.

 We, the Unstrung Heroes clan and tag-a-longs, are going on a road trip and our shop will be closed from Friday 3/29 through Monday 4/01. We apologize if this is inconvenient for you but we are super excited to travel a bit so I hope knowing we are happy will ease your pain a bit. In the meantime here are some lovely pictures of spring leaf beads to ooh and awe over while you await our return.

 Have a great weekend and if you have a request for a hero feature in April let us know in the comments below!

Green Duos Enhance Spring Wrist Jewelry

Texture is one of my favorite things about wearing bead woven jewelry, and the bracelet I made with this week's green super duos hero does not disappoint there.

The contrast of the smooth glass of the two hole seed beads and the matte texture of the seed beads in these multiple woven strands create a very enjoyable weight and feel on your wrist.

If you are inspired to make your own you will find the green duos, the seed beads, and the thread in our shop. The button is from my own embarrassingly large collection. Do you collect craft supplies like that too?

Hero of the Week

This week our hero is a repeat shape but in a fresh new color for spring.

A fresh new color calls for a fresh new design to inspire your spring jewelry making and complete your 2013 spring wardrobe.

Check back Friday for inspiration in using super duos in your beading.
We need inspiration too! Tell us in the comments what your favorite bead (or bead you love but need a bit of inspiration on what to do with it) from our shop and we will feature it in a future week and you will be our hero!

Pretty in Pink and Lace

Strawberries and cream round beads with a whip of creamy white seed beads on top (I should get some breakfast) make a deliciously sweet little wheel that can be used for earrings or a pendant.

You could even make a few without the fringe and connect them for a lacy spring bracelet or anklet.

Whatever you create, it is hard to resist being inspired by the lovely finish of these variegated beads.

Have a beadful weekend and play with what inspires you.

Hero of the Week

Colors named after fruits and cream sound so refreshing..(blueberries and cream, oranges and cream, banana cream)... you get the idea. This week's hero looks as sweet and refreshing as it sounds - strawberries and cream 4mm round beads.

What will you make with this tasty color?
Tell us about it in the comments below and check back Friday for more jewelry inspiration.

Warm Weather Jewelry Makes a Splash

Citrus spritz seed beads swept images through my mind of laying back in a beached chaise lounge, barefoot and bathing suit clad with a huge umbrella overhead, a book in one hand and a tall glass of a deliciously light, alcohol laced, lime drink on ice in the other. This barefoot, bathing suit look is, of course, not complete without a great looking anklet to finish the picture.

In the previous post I talked about the effect thread color could have on seed beads and for this project I used a white thread so this delicate bead color would stand on its own.

If you want to make this project to wear with your summer attire you can find the beads, the thread, and the clasp in our shop. A ladder stitch base determined the length and then the brick stitch (or comanche) triangles were added to that. Loop on a clasp and you have yourself a great piece of jewelry to show off against your pretty tan this summer.

What images do citrus spritz seed beads conjure in your mind?

Hero of the Week

Our bead hero this week is one that I have been drooling over since I saw it and I am having so much fun creating a great piece of jewelry with it this week. 

This very light green transparent seed bead color is aptly named citrus spritz and it does look as though clear glass has been spritzed with this lovely color.

 One of my favorite things about weaving seed beads is using different colors of thread, especially with transparent beads, to create different colors and effects and these are a perfect candidate for that kind of play. You can enhance the color, change the color, or simply let the color be itself simply from the color of thread you use with them.

This is definitely one versatile bead to add to your stash that could be used alone (as I will show you Friday), or added in small amounts to break up heavier colors, or strung with shiny glass and crystal beads to frame their sparkle.

How would you play with this fun color?

Stained Glass For Your Wrist

A simple black frame to contain the gorgeous primary round glass beads.