Bead&Button ’s annual Bead Dreams competition consistently brings in pieces of high-quality bead artistry from around the world. The mastery and variety of pieces never fails to astound me. As I wait to view the upcoming online gallery, I found a... Read More

Featured on the cover of our August 2010 issue is Jenny Van's beautiful "Peacock fan" necklace. It is light and airy, and oh so sparkly. She used curved bar links and crystals with an AB 2X coating, which brings out even more sparkle. The... Read More

I wasn't able to make the Bead&Button Show this year due to my June 5 wedding, however some hobbies are so engaging, so all-encompassing, that they cannot help but seep into every area of your life. I think we can all agree that beading is one... Read More

One of the best parts of the Bead&Button Show is making friends with new people, including fellow teachers, students, and show attendees. I especially like spending time in my booth, teaching, and talking to all the people who have supported me and... Read More

First, congratulations to Julia Gerlach, who has been promoted to senior editor-jewelry here at Kalmbach Publishing! Julia will retain a strong connection to Bead&Button , where she has been our managing editor and an associate editor. As a result... Read More

When I think of the Bead&Button Show , I often think of the many events happening during the week or the Bead Marketplace , which is open to the public June 11–13. All those beads and bead enthusiasts in one place! Every year, there are hundreds of... Read More

Bead&Button Show week is in full swing here in Milwaukee and everyone is having a wonderful time. Last night I met up with Linda Rettich of "Sushi platter" fame and her pal Sally Shore, who designed "Sticks and stones" for our... Read More

Bead&Button Show-goers are some of the most generous people I know. Every year, dozens of vendors and artists donate beads, books, finished jewelry, and other bead-related products to our silent auctions . Some of the hottest items are Jeanette Shanigan's... Read More

Here are our most-viewed online projects from May. Take a look and subscribe to Bead&Button for access to ALL of our FREE projects : "Fine lines" — pendant, bead embroidery (free to subscribers) "Flower bracelet" — tso stitch ... Read More

Read a short summary of readers' opinions about our June issue, including their comments! Read More

I just realized that there is a technical problem when you try to submit an Ask Anna question. I'm very sorry about that, it is being looked into now. In the meantime, if you just can't wait any longer, contact me at anna@beadandbutton.com. Read More

Beading challenges are all around us: A quick search on the Internet, a glance at our forum , or keeping tabs on a single competition, like Bead Dreams , will reveal plenty of opportunities to increase your creative challenges. When beaders step up to... Read More

Perhaps you noticed in our June issue that we added some resource information at the end of the materials lists: We either direct you to our online Resource Guide for bead color and/or purchasing information, or else we guide you to BeadShopFinder.com... Read More

Last January, I decided to pick up bead stitching. Previously I'd been a stringer, a wireworker, and a loomer, but I hadn't dived into any of the off-loom stitches. Over the past few months, I've tried my hand at the classics: peyote, herringbone... Read More

I won't be attending the Bead&Button Show this year (if you've been following my BrideStyle column at BeadStyleMag.com , you know why). There's many things I'll miss about the show: Giving myself permission to indulge in a giant soft... Read More