Use Oval Jump Rings: I cannot tell you how many times I have had to repair a bracelet or necklace because the wire has pulled through a circular jump ring. An easy way to combat this problem is to use oval jump rings instead of circular when finishing your jewelry. The wire naturally rests in the crook of the jump ring where there is no split, unlike the round rings where the point at which your wire will rest is arbitrary and will most likely pull through at some point.

Use Two Rings: If you would like to use round rings but are unsure of the security you can use two jump rings instead of one. This will diminish the chance that your strand will pull through, and it adds an interesting aesthetic!

Widen your Chain Link: If you are using a super-fine chain and are having trouble getting your thick jump ring through you can widen the last link of your chain with an awl. Simply put the awl through the last link and work back and forth until it opens to the desired degree. This generally works if you are using chain with an oval link, rather than round.

Use a Link for a Ring: If you are short on soldered jump rings you can always cut a link of chain to use instead. This works just as great as a normal jump ring and you can feel fabulous for your ingenuity!

GLBG Bead Bonanza
Sunday, March 9th
South Municipal Complex Pavillion Southfield, MI

Twin Cities Bead Bazaar
Saturday & Sunday, March 15th & 16th
Eisenhower Community Center Hopkins, MN

Omaha Bead Bazaar
Saturday, April 5th
Westside Community Education Center Omeha, NE

Art Glass and Bead Show
Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13th
Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall Madison, WI

Bead Blast 2008
Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd-4th
Kansas City Market Center Overland Park, KS

Bead and Button Show
Thursday-Sunday, June 5-8th
Midwest Airlines Center Milwaukee, WI

Puget Sound Bead Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 11th-13th
Greater Tacoma Convention Center Tacoma, WA

You can join the effort and recycle your bottle caps in the yellow containers at Tiny’s, Blue Monday, James Gang Coffee Shop. James Gang Hideaway, or Just Food Coop. Or you can send/bring your caps to:

Glass Garden Beads
413 Division St
Northfield, MN 55057

It is only the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I have seen SEVEN over-sized ornaments of cardboard, two trips to Target for icicle Christmas lights (with the green cord NOT the white), 1 sled from yesteryear, some pouting, and a mess of beads and snowflake frames tinkering about around the room. But all of this has yet to culminate into a sparkling and festive window display that draws customers in like grandma to the bingo palace…or something. Please note, I am not one to criticize. I tried to put one snowflake together and aborted mission before the end of one stem (not until after a long process of trial and error and a lesson of bead arrangement from Cathy, the self-appointed snowflake queen). But I have complete faith in the Glass Garden gals, as they always do pull through. In the meantime, though, I have a happy little man to hang with…

No two snowflakes alike! Here is the latest festive project that Cathy has found to preoccupy her pre-winter days. Perfect for the super creative yet easily distracted types (y’all know who you are!) These snowflakes are also great for people with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, as Cathy says, “with each trail of thought comes a new design…and then another!” Don’t worry Cathy, we don’t mind picking up the millions of tiny beads left behind by your snowflake frenzy. Just as long as you keep making these beauties we can hang in our frosty windows…

Buy the Snowflake frame below!