Beads Online is closed; well for a little over a week. We are off to Melbourne to for the Melbourne Quilt and Craft show (22-25 July). The entire team will be there as we are joined by our designer Teena Germano (hehehe I get to hang out with Teena).

Beads Online is a family business and also joining us is Miss 4 & 1 who will be keeping us on our toes behind the scenes. I am looking forward to ‘exploring’ with the girls after the show is finish.

So if your order was made and paid for before Sunday 18th July we are planning to ship it before we leave. When we are in Melbourne our online store will be open so you can place your orders. Please note all orders placed during this time will not be processed until after the 27/7

Its our first time in Melbourne so please come in and say hello as I love to put faces to names. Teena will also be hosting a one hour Make & take 2.30 daily where you can make our stunning Steam Punk butterfly brooch. Learn more about this project here

We love Creative Beading as it has some of the most beautiful magazine photography. Check out this project designed by Teena Germano in the June issue of Creative Beading.

Kits are available here

Beads Online fairy earrings (designed by Teena Germano) are on the cover of July issue of Australian Beading. Beads Online has a total of nine projects in this issue.

You can buy the kit to the fairy earring here

A few months ago due to problems with some international orders we decided to make all our international package be shipped via registered post. After meeting so many lovely New Zealand beaders at the the Sydney Quilt and Craft Show we have decided to revise this decision so New Zealand customers have the choice between standard shipping for orders under 1 kg.

Standard shipping to New Zealand starts at $7.50 for a package under 250 grams. More information on international shipping rates can be found here: http://beadsonline.com.au/help/international-shipping.php

The Beads Online team have booked our tickets and hotel accommodation for Melbourne Quilt & Craft show 22-26th July (a little under a month away). We will be joined by our designer Teena Germano. Teena will also be hosting daily make and take classes where you will make a filigree beaded Steam Punk butterfly. Note their are limited places so book early!

Looking forward to meeting every one, see you at the show…

A childhood favorite has been transformed into a charming altered art bracelet kits thanks to our very talented designer Teena Germano – check out the bracelet here

I just can’t get enough of Swarovski Stones. I love how they look like gemstones and when you hold them to the light its just memorizing. Currently we only stock Amethyst but we have M O R E colours on order that should arrive in a few weeks. We also stock the most perfect Trinity Brass open backed setting so these little beauty can be added to your designs and still catch the light.

Very excited to use these beautiful stones and setting in some up coming projects.

If the last two blog entries where not enough to convert you to the the wonders of Magic Gloss wait we have more. The vintage clock face and hands are set with Lisa Pavelka. Magic-Gloss (straight from the bottle resin that sets in the sun in 20 minutes and dries rock hard); then stuck on a Trinity Brass filigree ring. Steampunk magic

Beads Online stocks both Magic Gloss and vintage preloved watch faces.

Love those old watch faces and not sure what to do with them? Here’s a project that anyone can do in a short space of time.

A simple deep dish pendant some old watch faces and magic gloss and you have a perfect individual pendant gift for any of your family or friends.

STEP 1: Remove the spikes at the back of the watch faces using cutting pliers, then either file the rest off or hammer flat using a hammer and steel block.

STEP 2: Roughly work out your arrangement.

STEP 3: Using your Magic gloss apply a thin layer over the base of the dish, then place your first watch face into the gloss, pushing down firm flat against the bottom and remove all air bubbles, set in sun to dry.

NOTE: YOU WILL NEED A SUNNY DAY FOR THIS TO CURE CORRECTLY.

STEP 4: Once gloss is set, place your next watch face on, apply another layer of gloss over this ace so it just covers it, remove all air bubbles and set in sun to dry.

STEP 5: Again once your gloss is dry arrange your last watch face and apply another thin layer of gloss so that it completely covers all of the watch face and arms and forms a dome when you look at it from the side, remove all air bubbles and set in sun to dry.

STEP 6: Lastly if you have any extra cogs or watch arms left lying around using E6000 glue, glue them to the top of you magic gloss for that added extra interest.

NOTE: I USE ALCOHOL BASED SCRAPBOOKING PENS TO COLOUR SOME OF MY WATCH FACES FOR AN EXTRA DIMENSION AND TO GIVE IT A LIFT

Great news Beads Online stocks both Magic Gloss and vintage preloved watch faces.

Written & designed by Teena Germano

Like the idea of recycling? Here a perfect project for you that can be done in under an hour.

A simple watch case opened up, add some pretty paper and cute resin flower all fixed together with some magic gloss, add some chain and Swarovski crystals and you have yourself a sweet elegant necklace that will take you anywhere any time.

STEP 1: Remove the back of your watch case.

STEP 2: Choose some pretty scrapbook or origami paper, trace around the outside of the case, cut out on the inside of your traced lined. Now place inside the case, pushing paper in firm and flat.

STEP 3: Using Magic gloss apply a thin layer over the entire paper surface, use the top of a head pin and push all air bubbles out from under the paper, your paper will change colour as it absorbs the gloss, once all your air bubbles are out, place your little resin flower directly in the centre, place in the sun to set as per directions on the bottle.

NOTE: YOU WILL NEED A STRONG HOT SUNNY DAY FOR THIS TO CURE CORRECTLY.

STEP 4: Once gloss is set, replace your case face.

STEP 5: Now add a length of fine peanut chain and a clasp, pop some crystals on the bottom to give it a lift and your piece in done.

Great news Beads Online stocks both Magic Gloss and vintage preloved watch cases.

Written & designed by Teena Germano