The Great Bead Extravaganza Round-Up
The Great Bead Extravaganza is a joint venture by 17 companies, as part of which, they organize a virtual trade show at least twice a year. Industry experts from the craft market are very actively involved in the event. The companies may sell, debut a new product or even conduct classes for the event attendees. Join the community here to get notified of future events by TGBE. And on top of that, your favorite jewelry and beading professionals routinely offer loads of giveaways, discounts, and expert tips just for you! Here is a list of the participating companies plus a materials list in case you are interested in shopping:
The Bead Place
Products: yarns & fibers, beads & jewelry components, artisan components, TierraCast, kits & patterns
Dakota Stones
Products: stone beads and focal pieces, cabochons, wood beads, tools & supplies, leather cord
Candie Cooper
Products: instruction, beads, charms & findings, African fabrics & beads
Christi Friesen
Products: Swellegant metal coatings/patinas/dyes, unique tools & supplies, found objects, curious collections & special things, originals artwork, beads, focals & brooches
Stars Beads
Products: handmade glass beads, high-end semi-precious, pearl, crystal, seed beads, specialty findings & chain, artisan clasps, essential oils, instruction
Jill MacKay
Products: Jill MacKay designed & manufactured jewelry-making components, findings, leather shapes, high quality beads, kits & instruction, inspiration
SoftFlex Company
Products: beading wires, craft wires, tools & supplies, crimps, beads, kits
SilverSilk & More
Product: SilverSilk unique knitted wire jewelry chain, custom findings, instruction/kits
Humblebeads
Products: curated collection of Czech glass, metal pendants, charms and findings, artisan beads, beads, spacers & findings, metal pendants & charms, ‘Faux Tin’ copper components inspired by nature, instruction
TierraCast
Products: specialty metal charms, findings, beads, leather craft tools & supplies, kits, clasps, instruction
Beadshop.com
Products: beads & gems, stringing materials, fabric & fiber, components & findings, tools & supplies, kits, mixes and collections, instruction
Brenda Meintz Schweder
Products: Now That’s a Jig!, Now That’s a Hammer!
Projects: John Bead Corp. goods, Found Object jewelry, instruction
Kellie’s Bead Boutique
Products: beads: Czech glass, seed beads, wood, crystal, semi-precious, buttons, findings, charms & pendants, tools & supplies, kumihimo supplies, kits
Green Girl Studios
Products: original artworks & prints, artisan-cast metal beads, pendants & charms, artisan articulated paper art
Allegory Gallery
Products: beads, gemstones, Czech glass, pearls, original artworks & prints, laser-cut wooden pendants, luxury bead blends & inspiration kits, charms
Goody Beads
Products: large selection of beading supplies, kits, gemstones (Dakota Stones), leather & corresponding components, TierraCast items, unique components & findings, beadables, crystals, Czech Beads, Apoxie Sculpt & patinas
The Bead Gallery
Products: Hawaiian themed beads, artisan glass beads, gemstone beads, beads: wood, glass, crystal and more, kits & mixes, supplies, findings & tools, instruction
Join the TGBE Community Here and Get Notified for Future Events!
How Does Knitted-Wire Work?
While I have currently launched four different lines of chains, I am always working on expanding and innovating. For the Capture Chain, I use the purest form of SilverSilk, which is wire knitting over just the ball chain. I have partnered with Parawire which is a great advantage. Their wire is premium quality and tarnish resistant and not to mention the beautiful color variety. Sometimes, I even knit rainbow tinsels with their wire to give it a lustrous splash of color. The end result is a super extravagant, sparkly and fun piece that is almost unreal.
When I leave out the ball chain, I produce a special chain called Hollow Mesh, which is currently available in 5 colors. I am working on expanding this line with three additional colors and more in the works. I usually pair these with rainbow tinsels but change it up as I feel or for my special SilverSilk & More mystery kit series. I created this rich deep pink colored bracelet with a tan-colored leather cord and a fuchsia pink mesh- a product of my personal experimental endeavors. Thus, the key is to just experiment and really set your inner Picasso free. I have loads of plans for the mesh line so stay tuned for more mesh-based tutorials on my channel!
How Is SilverSilk & More Involved?
I, Nealay Patel, owner, designer and educator of my company, SilverSilk & More, was part of the excitement at the February 2021 event held by The Great Bead Extravaganza. Simply put, SilverSilk is a knitted wire jewelry chain produced by a special machine, using wire that’s as thin as human hair. The machine uses six needles to produce a knitted sleeve, which can be used to cover a cord or chain ball. This production technique provides flexibility and an attachment point for beads or literally any other components. The knitted wire lends great detail and intricacy to the designs and best of all - you get to experiment with all the colors!
Special End Caps by Yours Truly:
I have certain end caps specifically designed for my knitted wire chains. You don't need any tools or glue- just clamp down with the end caps, and you're done! Yes, it's that easy! Moreover, because the end caps have a plated raw brass interior, they ensure a very secure hold. These are available as six different colors, high-end single-, double- and triple-strand end caps. I also carry terminators, standard lobster claws, jump rings, headpins, earring wires and two-hole sliders. My Flat Mesh crimps are also going to be in big use soon, so keep a lookout for that!
Session Recap:
In this session, I taught my students how to create this beautiful drape necklace design and explained my process on crimping techniques along with some useful tips that I've acquired from the first-hand experience. It was a sort of make-along DIY project. The kit was available here on my website, and several of you ordered it beforehand.
Now, what you need is three strands of SilverSilk, a pair of rhinestone embedded triple-strand end caps, a bead for the pendant and a 2 ft. 20-gauge wire – all which is part of the kit except for the bead because I want you to find the love bead of your life and also support the wonderful bead companies in our circle. Bead Place, Bead Shop, Humble Beads, Soft Flex Company and Allegory Gallery have tons of fancy options to choose from. So, what are you waiting for? Find the perfect bead to embellish your drape necklace! As for the gauge wire, I always go for the Soft Flex craft wires. I literally have these in every single color and would recommend them for sure. These non-tarnish wires are super soft and super durable and really fun to work with. If you’re a color enthusiast, like me, you’ll be obsessed with all the vibrant and scintillating beading wires available at Soft Flex.
How-To DIY Pendant:
Grab your nylon drop pliers, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers and a pair of cutters.
Run the wire through the nylon pliers just to smoothen it out.
On the last 1.5in of the wire, bend the wire at a 90o angle and use the round nose pliers to form a loop. Don't worry if you mess it up. You can re-adjust the loop later.
Wrap the remaining 1.5in wire around the neck of the loop a couple times and trim the excess wire. And
String the bead from the other side. You should have a wire wrapped loop on one end of the bead and a long piece of wire on the other side.
Before wrapping the remaining wire around the bead, make another wire wrapped loop but don’t trim the excess wire this time. Make sure to attach your end cap before wrapping the wire around the neck of the loop.
Use the remaining Soft Flex craft wire to around the bead and twist it as you like. There is no one way to do it, so get as crazy and messy as you want!
Finally, after multiple turns of the wire, basketweave it through the loop and adjust the loops, so they're face forward-and voila! Your pendant is ready.
I've always been asked about using really big beads, and truth be told I've never been too sure how that would turn out. But for this session, I used this really big cylindrical bead which I've had in my personal collection for years, as an experiment. I followed much of the same process but just made a somewhat bigger loop. Plus, I threw in a few seed beads just freely flowing on the wire. And it turned out absolutely BEAUTIFUL! So, don't be afraid to experiment. You might actually end up with a masterpiece, as I did. Let your creativity run wild!
Draping the Necklace:
The length really just depends on what you want. You can keep it as long or short as you wish. Use a mannequin and if you don’t have one, use your friends or family members’ neck as a model to mark everything in place. Since this doesn’t have a clasp, you should probably keep it a bit on the longer side. Still, if you feel like it, you can simply attach a toggle or magnetic clasp to one end of the end caps. That’s totally up to you and would give it an elegant feel.
Once placed on your "neck model", string a little piece of wire through the chains to mark them and then get crimping. Line up the chains and go about three beads above the wire marker and don't forget to trim the fuzzies! Once crimped, place back on the model for the final look. It's also a good idea to kind of shake the SilverSilk just to get rid of any tangles that might be present. There is, of course, no right or wrong way to drape the necklace- just go for whatever you're feeling.
Inspired Customer Creations:
Watch the Tutorial Below:
Is SilverSilk Really A Good Idea?
The beauty of SilverSilk is that you can create essentially anything you want with it. Put whatever beads you like and make it how you want it. It is easy to mould and work with. Plus, you don’t need to follow any rigid guide or trainee to be able to use it. And not to mention it is utterly STUNNING. Just accentuate, highlight and experiment!
Get in Touch!
If you’re a fan of SilverSilk- as you should be and want to join me on my journey of striving to create not just a revolutionary jewelery brand but also a community of positive, creative, mindful individuals, follow me on my Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. I post new tutorials on how to use SilverSilk, every Tuesday at 3:30pm PST or 6:30pm EST. Don’t forget to tune in according to your timezone!
SilverSilk & More initially started off as a hobby, and I never thought I would ever take it up as a career. But now I consider myself an artisan, innovator, designer and educator and am truly a one-man show. One of my nicknames, courtesy of my fans, of course, is Silk Daddy or Papa Silk. My fans shape my journey. My vision goes beyond a jewelry business because I wish to create to a strong, united, resilient and beautiful community, just like my woven wire.
If you want to browse all my products, just head over to the Knitted Wire Chains section. You can also still get The Great Bead Extravaganza Kit if you want to try it for yourself. In case your country or region is not listed on the website, or even if you just have a question, feel free to DM or email me at orders@silversilkonline.com. I am always open to feedback and questions.
Also, don’t forget to join our Facebook group SilverSilk Silkies which is a really creative space for you to post your creations and ask any and all questions you may have. Silkies is the fandom name which was also given by the fans themselves, and then it just kind of stuck. You’ll find me asking tons of questions on there because I am always looking to make the company better and to deliver all your wants and needs- and your feedback is what gets me going.
HUGS to you all!
