Hello Crafters,

Julie here, the newest member of the Beading + Jewelry team at mycraftivity.com. I just started working a F+W, and am excited to be one of the team… so excited, in fact, that I ran out this weekend, bought some stuff and began creating. What resulted from my first attempt at jewelry making: A big-wooden-bead-drop-sort-of-earring.

Its chains are awkwardly situated, so I might deconstruct the earrings to get them in the right spots, then glue them for good measure.

So, as I was browsing for these beads and findings (what I sometimes refer to as “do-dads”), I realized I have no method of putting things together — I was definitely winging it! So I’d like to know: How do you choose the beads, findings, other stuff you use for your bead and jewelry making? Is it the color that strikes your fancy? What about some funky shapes? Maybe even a mood?

Let me know — This newbie could use some ideas!

Perhaps my next project will be our latest free project — I love sewing, too, and this beautiful button would look great as a fastener on a bag I’m thinking about making!