QUICK PHOTO TIP for Designers - Take better photos at home

Hey Jewelry designers here's a quick video tip for at-home photography of your pieces before submitting them to the magazines or online. 

Tips to remember: 

1. Remove all staging, textures, and crazy backdrops.

2. Place your jewelry on white.

3. Use white paper, boards, etc to reflect light from a window. 

4. Use a sheet or paper to diffuse window light. 

5. Take lots of photos. 

6. Make sure your photos are in focus.

7. Light light light!!! Lots of light on your jewelry to show details and color. 

Helpful product links:

Acrylic Boards HERE.

Foam Core HERE.

Photos all shot on iPhone 7 without editing

Jewelry in this video was designed by Lisa Jordan (me)

Dog walking around is Butch (Pug/Chihuahua mix)

Let me know if you have any questions or would like more tips. 

Happy Designing!

-Lisa

LILY ON THE WATER - By Lisa Jordan

Hey Beaders!

My latest design is out as a free pattern from Starman. I call this Lily on the Water. 
I tend to gravitate to the small beads that provide all sorts of glorious texture to designs. In this one I used Mini Dagger beads which I have used in previous projects like the Dagger Duo which was a huge success. They are like a fringe bead but they have shape to them that picks up light and gives great dimension to your projects. In the center I used a 2mm bead. You can use Firepolish or round either one. The pad of the Lily are made of MiniDuo and TOHO Demi beads. 
There are so many options you can do with this design. You can change the connecting method, and the colors within the design for a whole new look. This works for summer, winter, fall or any occasion! 

Here's my version of earrings from this design:

And another photo of the bracelets:

THE NEW TOHO DEMI ROUND INSPIRATION - By Lisa Jordan

Hey Beaders!

Have you been looking around for ways to use the new TOHO Demi Round beads? As part of the Starman TrendSetter team, I'm lucky enough to get my hands on the beads early on, so I've been using them for a while now. While it's such a new bead, there is not too many patterns out there yet, but soon there will be! For now, I just wanted to give you this fun little inspiration piece to look at, and maybe help get your creative juices flowing. 

This is a simple RAW I did with 6mm Firepolish in Halo Ethereal - Linen (1-06-P29270). I used 2mm Rounds in Matte Metallic Flax (5-02-K0171) as well, and then I basically added the Opaque-Frosted Jet (TN-11-49F) as an embelishment. I gathered them in the center with a Bronze 15/o round. 

This design is very simple, but still makes a great statement, especially with these colors. The reason why I love the Demi bead is because you can use it just like any other TOHO seed bead with all of your designs, but it also works so great to create loads of added texture that you could not normally achieve! And I'm a texture freak, so this is great!

I also made a pair of matching earrings by taking the same design as above and turning it into a 4 sided cube. It turned out very elegant. Hopefully I'll get some better photos of it since this one doesn't do it justice.

What are your thoughts on the new Demi bead so far? I can't wait to see what all the great designers start coming up with!

Good luck!

-Lisa J.

TREASURE ISLAND BEADED BRACELET - By Lisa Jordan

Hey Beaders!

I just realized that I hadn't made a blog post about one of my most popular designs, Treasure Island Bracelet!

This design is fairly simple using beads you already have in your stash, but can be made to look so different depending on what colors you use. 

CzechMates Tiles are so great for using as a base bead to create all sorts of designs, but they are also great as a focal piece in the design! They are one of my favorite beads!

You can find this pattern HERE.

These are the versions I made for the tutorial:

And here are some versions that were sent to me by others:

Have you tried this pattern? I'd love to see your version!

Happy Beading!

NORTH STAR BEADED BRACELET TUTORIAL - By Lisa Jordan

Hey Beaders!
I finished one of my favorite patterns yet!
This design was so fun to make and takes on many different looks depending on how you connect the components or what colors you use. 
This design uses the CzechMates QuadraLentil for structure and Crescents for texture. 

I'd love to hear your feedback on this one! You can purchase the tutorial on my Etsy shop HERE.

Happy beading!

-Lisa J.

GRAND GARLAND TUTORIAL - By Lisa Jordan

Hello Beaders!

I just finished my tutorial I call Grand Garland. This is a cute wreath inspired pattern with all sorts of tips to adjust it and make different variations with different beads. 

I hope you give it a shot and let me know how it goes. They are SO FUN to make! These make a great single component, a bracelet or even necklace. Depending on the colors you choose, it doesn't even have to look like something holiday related. It's totally up to you!

You can find the pattern on my Etsy shop HERE.

Enjoy!!

-Lisa J.

CELTIC SQUARE EARRINGS - Pattern By Lisa Jordan

Hey Beaders!

I have a new pattern available now in my Etsy shop! I call it Celtic Square. 
Since I love the TOHO Magatama drops so much, and I used them in my Quatrefoil Pattern, I used them once again for this gorgeous and versatile earring.

This pattern is a 7 page, full color PDF that takes you through step by step instructions with very detailed color photos. 

I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did, and I would love to hear your feedback or see your color choices! 

Happy Beading - Lisa J.