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July 21-25 :: Convergence 2010 Albuquerque
Handweaver's Guild of America Conference. Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico. Showing jewelry, C-Lon, supplies, kits and new items. Booth 617.
More info > www.weavespindye.org
Show hours: Wed Noon-5:30, Thur-Sat 9:00-5:30, Sun 9:00-4:00.
Hey, if you get a chance to come to this exciting event, come by to see my jewelry collection, the full collection of C-Lon cord and the Kumihimo and Crochet Kit in person. It has been a number of year since I have gone to a Convergence. I am packing away and can't wait to be there. Or if you can't come, read about this event on my blog and/or facebook next week! - Marion
July 15, 2010 :: 2 New Colors of C-Lon Tex 135 Fine Weight Bead Cord The next installement of Tex 135 just arrived. 4 more are scheduled to arrive this summer. Light Copper and Shanghai Red are arriving today. Rose & Purple, arrived June 27. 16 colors are planned for now. This is the newest size of C-Lon Bead Cord and it has already got the attention of many designers and crochet artists...
May 30, 2010 :: Tools for Crochet + Tubular Bead Crochet, the Easy Way!
The tubular bead crochet jig and tutorial from StudioDax, patent pending, is not widely available. If you have struggled with this technique, had a hard time with the beginning of the tubes, or always wanted to learn, find out about this method. For more info read my latest blog entry.
Plus steel crochet & tools perfect for making jewelry with the C-Lon Bead Cords and the other bonded nylon brands, such as Tuff, Mastex or Conso, are also now available in the new crochet section... Go to >> Tools for Crochet
May 7, 2010 :: Conso Nylon #18 is going through a major change under the leadership of Wright Co...
First, the good news: the manufacturing of Conso Nylon #18 has been brought back to the U.S.. The previous supply was manufactured in China, Mexico or India.
The spools seem to hold more yards, the yardage may have been increased. The main differences are in the bond finish and the actual dye lots. The new colors already in stock do not match the old colors precisely, and some have a very light bond. The application of bond does not seen even across the 4 new colors received. Is it a fluke or just the hiccups of a new manufacturer? We will see. Of course if you use this thread for stitching a couch, it may not be very important, however if you use it to make a jewelry collection, quality and color becomes critical.
For a while the supply of Nylon #18 from Conso will be mixed as the available stock is from different manufacturers, some imported and some domestic. Ah, the topsy turney world of thread! >> Conso Nylon #18
May 6, 2010 :: I just added a new Taiwanese Black Cord in the Fine weight size. It is blacker than the regular black and very evenly braided. It is available only in 10 yards cards as I got a very large spool from one of my gemstone dealer, so much more than my lifetime supply as I only occasionally use Chinese Knotting Cord. She had two spools, she kept one for her designs and sold me one. >> Chinese Knotting Cords
April 26, 2010 :: 8 NEW COLORS of C-LON BEAD CORD
The newest 8 colors C-Lon Bead Cord are here - This brings the full collection to 104 colors! Wow, all the color choice s... I remember the days of 12-25 drab colors for the upholstery industry. This is really beyond my wildest dreams. The up side of all these choices is the ability to find the exact color desired. The down side is keeping track of all the colors. It is getting harder to keep track of all the color names. Most orders are accompanied by a color sheet with all the colors listed. I highly recommend that you mark the colors you purchase and/or keep a swatch with the color names. Another option is of course to buy a set of samples cards.
C-LON BEAD CORD :: April 2010 :: THE NEXT 8 NEW COLORS
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Peach Glow
Blush
Mahogany
Chinese Coral
Wheat
Lemongrass
Blue Morning
Indigo
Order all 8 colors :: 1 spool each :: $25.00
Peach Glow is in between White and Sea Shell. It is a warm off-white or ecru as we say in French with a soft pink glow. Renamed as Heavy Cream matched the samples but not the produced color.
Blush is in the same color range, a stop darker than Sea Shell with antique rose undertones. Heavy Cream, Sea Shell and Blush make a beautiful ombré.
Mahogany has some of the same tones, but much deeper. It also fits well as a deeper tone right after Ginger & Nutmeg. Brown or Sienna would be the next step deeper or redder respectively.
Chinese Coral is very distinctive. It is darker than Pink Lemonade.
Wheat fits right after Vanilla and Cream. Dark Tan is the next darker color in this group.
Lemongrass is a great fashion color, lighter and more gold than Olivine, softer than Chartreuse. When compared to the other gold tones, Gold would a coppery gold, Marigold brighter, Antique Gold softer, Light Maize a bit greener, whereas Lemongrass has a definite green tone.
Blue Morning is a light blue, lighter than Light Blue. Indigo belongs to the same blue family as Blue Morning and Light Blue, with Navy as the darker tone. These are four blues have no greens or yellow undertones. Another nice group is Pearl, Indigo and Navy. Indigo is a washed down tone reminiscent of denim, a great choice for bead crochet ropes as it will blend in easily... Ah, so many possibilities. New color groups and a re-shuffled color chart are next my C-Lon agenda. To buy individual colors >> C-Lon Bead Cord
THE C-LON TEX 135 FINE WEIGHT BEAD CORD
The new C-Lon® Fine Weight Bead Cord is the latest addition to the C-Lon family as of Feb 2010. As its siblings, the C-Lon Bead Cord (standard weight), the C-Lon Micro Cord (extra fine weight) and the C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord (heavy weight), it is a bonded 3 ply twisted multi-filament thread with diameter of 0.4mm and a 24 lb breaking strength. Good for micro macrame, stringing beads and other techniques such as bead crochet, finger weaving, kumihimo, tatting as well as many other uses where a strong bonded nylon is required. Especially good size for fine semi-precious bead, Swarovski crystals and for crochet ropes or kumihimo with seed beads size 8/0s.
8 colors are available > C-Lon Fine Weight Bead Cord
New color sample cards of all the 104 C-Lon Bead Cord colors are now available. They represent a tremendous amount of work by C-Lon and minimal mark-up all around, well a labor of love at the $42.00 price for 100 cards. If you already previously ordered the set without the latest 8 colors, complete your collection for $4.00.
104 cards with actual samples of each of the C-Lon Bead Cord colors, plus 4 comparison cards with each of the thickness of cords available, Micro Cord, Tex 135 Fine Weight, standard or regular Bead Cord and the heavyweight Tex 400. Organized alphabetically by codes, not names, and bound in 4 sets: AB-Antique Brown to CST-Chestnut, CT-Chartreuse to LMZ-Light Maize, LO-Light Orchid to PO-Pointsetta, PRL-Pearl to WN-Wine, plus the 8 newest colors. Each group is attached by Black C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord. >> Color Sample Set
C-LON BEAD CORD :: February 2010 :: THE NEXT 8 NEW COLORS
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Azalea
Violet
Ice Blue
Pearl
Steel
Eggplant
Dark Tan
Fern
Order all 8 colors :: 1 spool each :: $25.00
Azalea, Violet, Ice Blue and Pearl are bright colors. Steel, Eggplant, Dark Tan and Fern are more subtle muted tones. They are beautiful additions to the incredible color line offered by C-Lon. This bring the collection up to 96 colors, a dream come true for artist like myself who had to work with the limited drab palette made for the upholstery industry. 8 additional colors are planned for 2010, for a complete collection of 104 colors. Wow, that is beyond my wildest dreams... To buy individual colors >> C-Lon Bead Cord
New 2002 Workshop
Occasionally a workshop get initiated under unusual circumstances. I came in contact with Dawn, the creator of intricate knotted creations a few years ago, when she was looking for mentor in the art of Cavandoli knotting. Then again when she was looking for thread. We have corresponded by email since. I included some of her beautiful creations in the presentation on 'Cords, Thread and Fiber Jewelry'. This visual presentation premiered last August to the Bead Society of Northern California. It was received positively and described as a feast for the eyes, or pure 'eye candy'. See August 18, 2009 entry. Last October somehow the subject of teaching a workshop in Bemidji came up, and Dawn became the local coordinator, organizing the partial funding from the local arts council, making this weekend workshop and the presentation on Friday evening possible. - Marion
More about this story > See the latest entry on my blog or to see > Dawn's Creations on Etsy
March 26, 2010 - 'Cord, Thread and Fiber Jewelry'
Trunk Show and Digital Presentation - Bemidji, Minnesota
This visual presentation will tell you all about cords and thread, from how they are made to the different types available, then take you on a tour of some of the stunning works being done by artists worldwide with a variety of techniques. Sponsored by Region 2 Arts Council and Dawn Standera. 7:00 pm. No entry charge, open to anyone interested. Beltrami Electric Cooperative Room, Bemidji, NM.
March 27-28, 2010 - 'Braids, Cordmaking and Knotting Techniques for Fiber, Jewelry and Bead Artists' 2-Day Workshop - Bemidji, Minnesota
This class will combine the program of Cords & Braids, plus many aspects of How to End Kumihimo Braids, and Turk Head Knot. The program description is available in a pdf format.
Class $85 + Kit $15.00. Sponsored & funded in part by the Region 2 Arts Council. Organized by Dawn Standera. The student kit is payable at the workshop. To register send a check in the amount of $85.00 to Region 2 Arts Council, 426 Bemidji Avenue. Bemidji, MN 56601. You are registered once R2AC receive your check.
For more information, class description, to download program description and sign-up >
> Workshops
While learning silversmithing in the mid 70's, I came up with this method of setting Cabochon into a fiber setting. I refined the process over many years. This method is especially interesting at this time as there is a renewed interest in micro macrame and in cabochons. The workshop will take course over 2 days. Originally planned to take for CNCH, this workshop has been rescheduled as a pre-event workshop and will take place at my studio for a very small group. If you plan to travel to California, we also normally have pretty good weather by April, so plan a visit around this workshop and of course plan a visit to CNCH 2010. I will have a booth at this event! - Marion
Cabochon Setting with Leaves & Flowers - April 6-7, 2010
2-Day Workshop - Redwood City, CA
Learn how to set a cabochon in a micro macrame setting with nylon & silk thread and how to add free form knotted leaves, flowers and stems. This workshop will teach a method to set cabochons without the use of any glue, by caging it with double half hitches, thread and one wire. It will also introduce free-form Cavandoli knotting. Knowledge of double half hitch is a prerequisite. Several tutorial are available to download.
Class $200 + Kit $25.00. Space is limited. $100.00 deposit to sign-up, balance due at workshop.
Email or call at 650-365-7939 for more info.
For class description, to download tutorials and sign-up > Workshops
November 2, 2009 :: Chinese Knotting Cord :: I just found a new supplier of extra fine Chinese Knotting Cord - This braided nylon cord is made in Taiwan, and is of the best quality available > Go to Chinese Knotting Cord
October 29, 2009 :: 8 NEW COLORS of C-LON BEAD CORD
The next 8 colors C-Lon Bead Cord are here. It is a thrill to see all the new colors in their little boxes after being part of the process of selecting them. I have to admit, I cheated and already used some of these new colors from the sample spools, such as Red-Hot, Charcoal and Olivine in several pieces. I look forward to creating new pieces with these colors, and hope you will also find some of these new colors great for your creative projects.
8 NEW COLORS :: October 2009 :: C-LON BEAD CORD
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Vanilla
Light Maize
Golden Olive
Olivine
Gunmetal
Charcoal
Red-Hot
Black Currant
Order all 8 colors :: 1 spool each :: $25.00
Vanilla is just like milk cooked with an actual vanilla bean - no short cut such as vanilla extract for this color. It is right in between White and Cream. Light Maize is a blend of Lemon and Antique Gold. It has a very nice sheen. Golden Olive is just as it sounds. Mix Olive with Antique Gold, and you will get Golden Olive. Combine it with Bronze for an ombre effect. Olivine, named after the mineral called peridot when of gem quality, is just like a dark peridot. It is a tone down Moss or a blend of Olive and Moss. Or it is a stop between Chartreuse and Olive. Gunmetal and Charcoal round up the neutral grey's. Considering that grey is the 'new black' in the fashion world in Paris, the addition for these two new greys is well timed. Red-Hot needs no introduction, it speaks for itself, it is smack in between the Shangai Red - the scarlet red, and Red, the original Red - a bit on the burgundy side. Black Currant is a deep tone with many undertones, hard to pinpoint and to capture as a jpeg, and just as Chocolate it is a mutable shade that changes depending on the colors that surround it. > C-Lon Bead Cord
+ Other New Additions: New vintage Tex 135 nylon cord, available in 10 'rainbow' colors. The size is in between C-Lon Bead Cord/Nylon #18 and C-Lon Micro Cord/Nylon #69. It is perfect for all the times when the standard size C-lon Bead Cord/Nylon #18/Tex 210 is too large and the Micro/Tex 70 size is too fine. By coincidence two of the colors match Red-Hot and Black Currant perfectly. + New colors of Nylon #69 in both bobbin size and 1 oz spools.
+ New Kumihimo Kits in Bags: Perfect for gift for the holidays or to braid on the go > Kumihimo Bags
September 23, 2009 :: 8 NEW COLORS of C-LON BEAD CORD
Great News :: C-Lon is releasing 32 new colors of C-Lon Bead Cord. The first 8 colors are in. 8 additional colors mid-October, then 16 more in the first half of next year. This will bring the full color collection of C-Lon Bead Cord up to 104 colors. A new comprehensive color chart will be compiled when all the colors will be in.
As their informal color consultant, I worked with C-Lon closely in selecting the colors. This process was highly educational. I had to use all my color skills to make choices and ponder on the color theory. I may write a blog entry about it as some point. As an artist, working with this kind of thread all my life, I can't wait to play around with the new colors. C-Lon already offers the widest choice of colors ever available, so 32 additional colors is pure bliss. ~ Marion
Notes on the new colors: Argentum is a great neutral gray, right in between White and Grey as to value, a bit on the cooler side when compared to the warmer Nickel or the even warmer Silver. Antique Gold, when compared with Bronze, Tan, Marigold & Gold, is right between Bronze and Tan. In value it is a bit lighter than Gold, but a bit darker than Marigold and Tan. French Lilac is a muted tone darker than Lavender, lighter than Medium Purple. Cerise is a dark rose tone. When compared to all the other pink and rose C-Lon shades, it is darker and more muted than Light Orchid and it does not have of any yellow cast. Cyan is a bright tone, a bit darker and bluer than Aqua. Cerulean is a bit bluer and more toned down than Teal. Periwinkle and Hyacinth are lighter shades of Persian Indigo.
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Argentum
Antique Gold
French Lilac
Cerise
Cyan
Cerulean
Periwinkle
Hyacinth
Order all 8 new colors :: 1 spool each :: $25.00
September 21, 2009 :: D&E/Mastex Colors Back in Stock! Cocoa, Flax & Hunter are back. Flax is a bit darker than the last dye lot. Other shifts: Natural is a bit lighter and even more neutral. It is the best natural yet. With still have 6 spools of the older dye lot in stock, request lighter or darker dye lot at checkout > D&E/Mastex
Upcoming Workshop at BABE! 2009 :: November 13, 2009 - Sorry, class is sold out...
Crown knotting or the crown knot sennit is an elegant solution for stringing beads with larger holes such as antique beads and keeping them from touching each other. The crown knots have many advantages over traditional overhand knots. The knots are completely symmetrical. They are easier to keep snug against the beads and are especially well suited when stringing beads with large holes or uneven holes as the ratio between the cord going through the beads and the actual size of the knot is much larger than with overhand knots.
This class will teach how to tie 4-strand crown knots with the use of a kumihimo disk, a method that makes this process much easier to learn and master. The class project will integrate the clasp with a button and loop seamlessly with no loose thread or thread ends remaining.
Tuesday, August 18 :: About 'Cord & Thread for Beads & Jewelry' at the Bead Society of Northern California
I want to thank everyone who contributed work to the visual presentation. It was truly stunning. All who attended responded with ho's and ha's. What fun to present a subject I am passionate about to an interested crowd. If you live in Northern California, consider becoming a member. ~ Marion
June 29, 2008 :: New Addition - Fujix Tire Silk #16 Buttonhole Twist Weight :: I just received the full collection of this silk (new to me) on Friday. I worked as quickly as I could to add it to the store, sorting colors and creating the jpegs with eye breaks in between. The complete collection comes in 121 colors and compares to the Kanagawa 1000 Denier Embroidery Silk. I worked on a cavandoli knotted neckpiece with silk and nylon (C-Lon Sepia) over the weekend and could not differentiate between the two silk brands unless I looked at the name on the card. So if you enjoy working with the Kanagawa silks, you will love the additional color choices this new silk provides.
Tuff Bead Cord is getting very popular - especially Size 3. It is an ideal size for crochet ropes with seed beads size 8/0. This cord is also recommended in the new book on Micro Macrame by Annika de Groot. See my blog on Annika's book. I keep ordering Tuff bead Cord and selling out, and the company I order from seems to have the same problem. They keep being out of stock too so bear with us until we adjust to the increased demand!
May 29, 2008 :: D&E (Formerly Mastex) Nylon #18 :: New stock just arrived with a few dye lot different enough to be listed as separate colors. D&E is most likely going to be difficult to keep in stock, just as Conso, as the companies are no longer keeping large inventories on hand, so plan accordingly >> Go to D&E
May 8, 2008 :: A rare find, some Vintage Mastex Nylon #18 thread, circa 1990-2004, all on the tall black plastic spools. The quantities are limited as this thread is no longer manufactured. Some colors may have been private label colors or special orders. >> Go to Vintage Mastex
Personal Note ::I am so excited to have these colors available. I restocked my shelves and already have used some of these colors. I am in love with Cognac and Mahogany. Cognac, Mahogany and Maple are new colors for me as they were not available from Mastex directly.. A mystery. I was familiar with Cognac from a sample sent by a customer. It really is the topsy turvey world of thread...
New items :: Sterling Silver Kumihimo clasps + New End Caps >> Go to Findings
March 25, 2008 :: I went to teach in the Boston area and while I was away my studio got repainted. The teaching went well even tough the subject was hard. Thank you to all who attended and to Bead Designer International for inviting me. I also got to briefly visit Boston, ride on bicycle along the Minute Man Trail between Lexington and Concord and attend CraftBoston. I worked hard to reorganize my studio upon my return and it's still ongoing especially as I keep getting more thread!
March 6, 2008 :: Mastex Nylon #18 update :: A new company D & E Thread is producing the same thread manufactured by the same factory who made the Mastex thread released post 2005, so it is the same exact thread. It is welcome news - I am very happy as I was on my last spool of Mastex Black. I like this thread for applications requiring a softer hand than the other nylon brands. So for now it is available again, hopefully for a long time to come. I have been advised that availability may not be steady, by that I conclude that the inventory kept at the factory will be low, so order accordingly. Ah, the topsy-turvy world of thread... More on D & E Nylon #18>>
February 20, 2009 :: New Addition :: Madeira 100% Silk Floss
I have been working with silk thread such as the Kanagawa 1000 Denier Silk, Silk Floss and Silk Cord combined with Nylon #18 or C-Lon Bead Cord. Most of my silk floss supply was purchased long ago in bulk and then hand dyed in small skeins in many shades. Slowly over time I have used up my supply and of course it is no longer available in bulk. I find the Madeira 100% Silk Floss to be one of the best floss currently available. It comes in 108 colors, so a sufficient color range for most applications.
The Madeira Silk Embroidery Floss is a high quality 100% silk 4-stand floss. It comes in 108 brilliant colors that are wash fast. It is a durable silk that is easy to work with for many applications such as needlework including cross-stitching, quilting, smocking and other precious work for which the highest quality silk floss is required. It is packed in a spiral in a little plastic bag 1 7/8" wide by 4 5/8" tall (4.8 cm by 12 cm). The thread is pulled simply by cutting a 'V' at the bottom of the spiral pack. This clever method keeps the thread clean and tangle free... For more info >>
February 18, 2009 :: 8 NEW COLORS of C-LON BEAD CORD
Good news: It is a pleasure to announce that C-Lon has expanded their C-Lon Bead Cord colors offered to our niche industry especially at this time. The C-Lon Bead Cord is the original bead cord weight. The 8 new colors brings the color range to 72 colors. As an artist working with Nylon #18 for many years, the color range offered by C-Lon is beyond my wildest dream!
C-Lon has a new information site, go for a visit >> http://www.c-loncord.com/
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Nickel
Bronze
Chestnut
Sepia
Celadon
Aqua
Peacock
Persian Indigo
Order all 8 colors :: 1 spool each :: $25.00
December 2008 :: Have a wonderful holiday season, a peaceful, creative and prosperous 2009! Thank you for visiting my site!
I have been working on my artist website, in between orders, shows on weekends and special orders. A complete remodel and a new gallery online store are in progress, with new items added as I get a chance to photograph them and design their pages. I had forgotten how long it takes to create a custom website, not the pre-fabricated ones with no product information unfortunately so prevalent on the web. The website architecture and bones are in place with some categories already well represented, but lots of work still remains to be done as I will be adding items from my extensive collection. So please visit the gallery often!
Not sure what to get for someone on you list for the holidays? Supplies are always welcome, so get a Paypal gift certificate for this online store. Recipient must have a Paypal account to redeem. Available on variable amounts. See Paypal conditions on gift certificate.
November 17, 2008 :: Mastex is going out of business - see September 19 entry. I bought some of their bonded nylon #69 in bobbin size. 15 colors are available in single bobbins, groups of 6 or 12 as well as in a collection of 30 spools nested in a plastic box. It is perfect for projects not requiring a lot of thread such as bead stringing beads with small holes. Each spools has 32 yards (29 m.). The spool size is good for bead crochet. The diameter of this thread is a bit heavier than the C-Lon Micro Bead Cord Tex 70. For more info >>
Read about a presentation by Rodrick Owen, a leading expert on kumihimo and Peruvian braiding. See the October 20 entry in my blog. ~ Marion Blog >>
October 14, 2008 :: The new colors are in. They are beautiful in person, hard to do justice in jpegs...
Also just added :: New tool for beaded fringe and tassels :: Helping Hand with Magnifier or Double Third Hand with a Magnifier
September 19, 2008 :: Mastex will no longer produce their Nylon #18 thread. I will miss their thread for its softness particularly for making cords. Supplies are limited with already many colors out of stock.
On a more positive note: C-Lon will be adding 8 new colors to the Tex 400 line in mid-October: sable, chocolate, silver, shanghai red, grape, peridot, teal, navy.
Beautiful finished jewelry cords are hard to find. Many years ago I started making my own. Over the last several years, customers at shows have been ordering cords as alternative or replacement cords. Some like them so much, they wear them just by themselves. This section will feature my handmade cords. I am starting with one type of cord, a twisted 3-ply cable type cord in three colors, three diameters and three sizes. I plan to add more styles, especially a braided kumihimo style cord and more colors over time. ~ Marion
Also newly added :: Reamers, new scissors, bead awls...>>Go to Tools
June 30, 2008 :: 16 NEW C-Lon Micro Cord Colors are here. Order the 16 new colors now. To order individual colors and for more info >>
NEW C-LON MICRO COLORS
Grape
Lt Orchid
Orchid
Amethyst
Caribbean Blue
Teal
Lt Copper
Shanghai Red
Oyster
Sea Shell
Wine
Brown
Lt Blue
Peridot
Olive
Forest Green
June 12, 2008 :: One of my customer with experience writing manuals offered to test all my kits. Since then during our spare time, a sparse commodity for creative minds, we have been busy editing, or writing and re-writing all the manuals for my workshops and kits. ~ Marion
New Kit :: Kumihimo Medallion with Nine Beads
This kit comes with a 14 page manual with illustrations, color photos and step by step instructions. It includes all the material for the project: donuts, beads, nylon and sterling or gold filled clasp. The techniques covered are: Four Strand Kumihimo Braid, Maru Dai-Free and Disk-Free. Bead Edging around the Donut. Square Knot Loop. Finishing. More>>
Mastex :: New Golden Tan
On the short spool with a slightly different shade than the tall version produced up to 2005.
Mastex is now completely out of the tall spools on the black plastic cone in all colors. Very limited supply of the tall spools is still available now, but get them while you can. More>>
The new heavyweight Tex 400 C-Lon® Bead Cord is the latest addition to the C-Lon family. As its siblings, the C-Lon Bead Cord and the C-Lon Micro Cord, it is a bonded 3 ply twisted multi-filament thread with diameter of 0.9mm. A 75 lb breaking strength should guarantee long-lasting creations for micro macrame, stringing beads and other techniques such as bead crochet, finger weaving, kumihimo, tatting as well as many other uses where a strong bonded nylon is required. It fits through most 4mm gemstone beads, Miyuki 8/0s once with a self needle and passes easily twice through Miyuki 6/0s. Made in the USA. 16 colors available to start.
Personal Note ::Many times I have wished for a cord heavier than the Nylon #18 and C-Lon Bead Cord. Until now I often made my own cords, an extra step, when needing a thicker cord. The C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord will provide us the designers with new design possibilities. It knots very well between beads when stringing and for micro macrame. The thread is gorgeous by itself, it has a beautiful sheen and the 16 colors are a great start!
More about the new thread from C-Lon :: I usually think about thread in the context of making jewelry with it, and I can already think of many ways of using this heavier thread. I want to thank C-Lon for adding new colors and now a new weight of thread to its thread line. It is such a pleasure to play, design and work with such a fabulous range of colors and now 3 thread weights all color coordinated. I can't wait to play with the new thread...
I am also always intrigued by the wide range of work done with the thread and cords I carry. I just posted new pictures and comments, among them several showing musical instruments and finger woven treasure bracelets. ~ Marion
April 10, 2008 :: New Blog :: marion jewels in fiber has an official blog!!! Check it out, it is just in its infancy... as I just set it up two days ago. So we will see how it evolves... I posted pictures, comments, landscapes/cityscapes mostly in a slide format from my trip to New England. Here is the URL: http://jewelsinfiber.blogspot.com/
A Feedjit map has also been added to the website. See it below in the left column. It shows a world map and tracks the latest visitors on a map by red dots and if you click on the map, it will take you to larger map with the towns where the visitors are from and the pages they visited. It adds a cookie to your visit to my site, but the site will function even if you refuse the cookies from Feedjit. The info they collect is general enough as to not be intrusive to your privacy. I find it fun as it illustrates the global reach of the internet. I will post on the blog regarding this map. Please post your comments there! If I get a lot of negative comments I will remove the map. ~ Marion
Special Congratulations Notes :: To Jeanne W for being published in Bead & Button Magazine, a full page no less from what I hear. I have yet to see it as I do not subscribe to the magazine... See her work and link in the customers' comments page December 30, 2006 entry. Additional note: Jeanne just sent me the picture its beautiful!
And to Donna Littlewood on her upcoming 'Spiral Anklets' project to be published in ' Step by Step Beads' July/August by Interweave made with C-Lon Nylon Bead Cord. See one of her piece and comment on February 15, 2007.
April 2, 2008 :: Back in California... More to come on my trip as soon as I get a chance... In the meantime all the orders placed while I was away have been shipped. I now need to get caught up with custom orders for jewelry! ~ Marion
C-Lon News :: Mint is the newest color of C-Lon Bead Cord. It replaces Mint Julep. It is right in between Peridot and Sage, a really nice soft color.
If you like Mint Julep, order it now while it is still available as it has been discontinued.
'And more colors of C-Lon Micro Cord are coming in the not-too-distant future.' I am quoting C-Lon... More to come on this soon.
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Mint Julep
March 26 to March 31, 2008 :: Marion Jewels in Fiber goes on the road to teach in the Boston Area at Bead Designer International. No processing of orders, answering of emails.. while away. Fast and friendly service to resume on April 1-2 ;-) ~ Marion
March 20 , 2008 :: The 8 new C-Lon Micro Cord color are here ready to ship. To see the colors arranged by Jewel Tones/Earth Tones or to order the full collection of 16 colors go to more info >>
THE NEW C-LON MICRO COLORS :: Individual Colors $4.50 per bobbin/spool
White
Grey
Purple
Sienna
Chocolate
Sable
Chartreuse
Capri
BOOK REVIEW :: Marie Le Sueur "Micro-macramé de la dentelle aux bijoux" (Micro-Macramé from Lace to Jewels) published by LTA 2007 Paris, French Text
I met Marie Le Sueur online in 2006 when she purchased supplies from my online store such spools of C-Lon Bead Cord, Kanagawa Silk, tools, adhesives, clasps and a kit. We have corresponded since then by email. At the time she was in the process of researching and writing a book on micro-macrame. I got to become familiar with her work through her website and one of her earlier book 'Bijoux en cristal, Dentelles de perles" (Jewels in Crystal, Beading Lace) published by LTA in 2004 and now with her new book on micro-macrame of course. Her work seen through her books and her website is quite distinctive. Her style is exquisite, full of opulence, reminiscent of a bygone era. Even some of her color choices somehow allude to a more romantic and sentimental past.
This book is worthwhile for anyone interested in micro macrame. It forms a seamless bridge from beading lace to micro-macrame, so it is of particular value for someone with beading lace experience interested in taking a foray into micro knotted jewelry.
Micro-macramé de la dentelle aux bijoux" is a 96 pages hardcover book, 10 inches x 10 inches. The book includes 9 micro-macramé projects. The step by step instructions are full of good clear color photos, making it possible to follow the directions without reading or understanding the French text.
Several of the projects combine several versions, one as a bracelet, another as a neckpiece for example, so altogether 8 bracelets and 6 neckpieces/necklaces/pendants are possible choices. Of course the projects can also be simply sources of inspiration for your own designs. The written text and instructions are clear and easy to follow even for beginners with some understanding of French. Most importantly even with no knowledge of French, the color photos of the step by step instructions are clear enough for anyone with some prior micro macrame experience.
The book has a chapter on material: the thread for micro-macrame (C-Lon, Mastex and Conso), the boards (Marie's preferred is the Lacis Board), the T-pins, Marie's recommendation of Fray Check, tools such as Tool Zap/some as thread burner and of course her choice of glass pearls, charms and findings. Some of her choices of findings are may be hard to find in the U.S but alternatives are available. There is a very well illustrated chapter on the common macrame knots, followed by a chapter about finishing. The chapter on finishing is a little light in my opinion, but finishing is a big issue for me as I sell my work, so my past mistakes come back to haunt me as pieces not finished perfectly are sent back to me for repair. Then it goes on to the actual projects. Each project gets a full page close-up color photo. The step by step instructions have between 16 to 145 color photos for each project respectively.
C-Lon Bead Thread Size D is a nylon monocord thread available in 36 colors. It was specifically designed for bead weaving on and off loom, bead stitching and embroidery with seed beads and English beading needles as a better alternative to Nymo thread (Nymo was originally created for the shoe industry). Unlike its siblings the C-lon Bead Cord and C-Lon Micro Cord, this thread does not have any twist or plies, it is like a floss. It is UV resistant and vat-dyed, the color does not rub off. The vat-dyeing process involves high heat and pressure which forces the dye completely through the thread resulting in a permanent dye. It comes in two thickness, Size D and Size AA. Size D is suitable for use with Delicas, 11/0s, 10/0s, or larger beads. Size AA is thinner (so not as strong as D), and is best for 15/0s. Only Size D is stocked at this time.
Personal Note :: I originally ordered this thread by mistake as it is primarily a stringing thread for seed beads and not intended for micro macrame knotting. However when looking for an alternative to silks for the knotting, I found it behaves like a silk floss, with the advantages of lower cost and better stain resistance. I would recommend its use for Cavandoli style knotting over C-Lon Bead Cord or Nylon #18. In the double half hitches it works well as the knotting cord only, not as the anchor cord. In the cabochon rings posted here, I used it doubled or tripled and may have done one or two rows of vertical double half hitches. - Try it out!
January 11, 2008 :: New Addition The Tuff Bead Cord Line is a new addition to the store. It comes in 16 colors in small plastic spools with a cover. Each spools has 1/4 oz of thread, so depending on the size you will get different yardage. Size 5 compares to Nylon #18/C-Lon Bead Cord and comes in spools of 33 yards each. More info >>
Happy New Year! Wow it has been a long time since I did an entry here. The store will soon celebrate its two years anniversary. I can hardly believe it, I must I fallen into a rabbit hole... I wish you a great year to come and it's been a pleasure to share my expertise on micro-macrame and knotting thread. I am amazed again and again by the wide range of applications done with the thread I carry. Send jpegs, comments and links for my customers' comment page. The page will be updated soon, so send your anything you wish to post online, pictures and links!
Lots of exciting news are in the pipeline: the array of cord and thread carried in this store is growing. The store will now carry C-lon Bead Thread in Size D as I found it good for micro-macrame. C-Lon has made new color cards for the C-Lon Bead Cords. As it is available in 64 colors, it is very convenient! Also just recently I finally found a brand of thread/cord I was searching for a long time, the Tuff Bead Cord Line. It comes in 16 colors, in many sizes. Size 5 is perfect to intermix with the C-Lon Bead Cord/Nylon #18. I can't wait to play with it and have more options. It's here, I just posted all the new pages. Read more above and check it out!
Click on picture to enlarge and allow popups.
November 17, 2007 :: A weekend at home... catching up... A few new items like 4" classic gingher embroidery scissors, thread zapper replacement tips (I still using my original tip! ~ Marion)
Need ideas for gifts for your friends, micro-macramé fans, beaders, embroiderers, tatters...? A beautiful 24karat gold plated needle safe with a pair of gold plated Gingher Epaulette Scissors, or a practical plastic needle safe loaded with T-pins and needles. Beeswax, needles, t-pins, Nylon Cord, Silk thread make great stocking gifts... Just request your purchase gift wrapped at no charge! Check the US Postal Holiday Shipping Schedule>
October 31, 2007 :: T-pins and needles are available now in the tool section... Happy Halloween! I am getting ready for The Contemporary Craft Market on November 2-3-4 in Santa Monica. If you are in Southern California come by to visit! More info>
As I will be away Thursday and Friday, all store orders will be shipped on Monday and Tuesday November 5-6. Thank you! ~ Marion
September 11, 2007 :: New sizes of sterling silver end clasps for kumi cords, some changes and lower prices on some of the items. More info>
July 31, 2007 :: All the C-Lon Color Charts have been updated with the new colors and can be viewed by Colors or Brights/Tones again. Separating the bright colors/hues from the muted tones makes it a lot easier to choose colors. Some comments on the colors are listed when viewing the colors in the Larger Pictures. More C-Lon Bead Cord Color Mixes are available. Other: back in stock, Fray Block, 5 minute Epoxy in separate tubes, the Thread Zapper.
July 24, 2007 :: The C-Lon Sage Micro Cord arrived yesterday, the last of the new 8 colors. All the pre-order have been shipped.
I use this kind of thread all the time. Conso #69 is available either in large cones or small bobbins in a limited color range. So the C-Lon Micro Cord is a great addition especially as it matches the colors of its bigger sibling the C-Lon Bead Cord.
Ask for a sample, I will gladly send you one at no charge! - Marion
A New Product :: C-Lon Micro Cord :: Introductory Sale Price :: $4.50 per bobbin :: 8 Colors
320 yards per bobbin. A thinner version of the C-Lon Bead Cord in Tex70/Size E similar to Nylon #69. List price $6.00-6.25. Made in the USA
The Micro Cord is great for stitching, wrapping, finishing, hidden construction, and micro-knotting/macrame with a high count of knots per square inches. It is also a great thread for stringing beads or bead crochet with small holes beads (15/0s, 11/os, semi-precious and precious faceted beads). It can also be used as a a warp or weft thread for loom or for off-loom bead weaving where a twisted thread is desired.
Black
Red
Cocoa
Gold
Khaki
Rose
Flax
Sage
July 16, 2007 :: The C-Lon Bead Cord Chocolate has just arrived. All the pictures have been redone as it is such a great color and many colors have been moved around the chart once again. This time it looks like it will be this way for a while, so I will get some color chart printed again :: J'aime vraiment le Chocolat, it is rich, dark and scrumptious!!! In addition, just back in stock, genuine Gingher Epaulette Embroidery Scissors, Fray Check, and more Kanagawa 1000 Denier Embroidery Silks.
6 new colors of C-Lon Bead Cord :: $3.15 each
new CLC-CHO
new CLC-LV
new CLC-MP
new CLC-PER
new CLC-SG
new CLC-SLV
Chocolate
Lavender
Medium Purple
Peridot
Sage
Silver
July 14, 2007 :: Lavender & Sage arrived, great colors by the way. The C-Lon color chart has been changed and adjusted and a C-Lon Bead & Micro Cord Express Ordering page has been set to allow you to order multiple colors faster, check it out! Chocolate will arrive on July 20. Oops, I thought Chocolate, not Sage was on its way here. I also had some code issues with some 'add to cart' buttons not functioning, it has been fixed today, at least as far as I could test it, although some previous versions of web pages may still be on the net out there! Please contact me if you are encountering any problems or difficulty with your shopping experience. - Marion
July 7, 2007 :: New Colors of C-Lon Bead Cord :: Medium Purple and Silver are here. Medium Purple is exactly in between Purple & Orchid, Silver is its own color, a light warm grey with touch of lavender and heather. The colors on the jpegs have been adjusted to better match the actual thread. Chocolate & Lavender are on their way. One more color, Sage, to arrive soon. Check out the new color chart. Chocolate, Lavender & Sage will be adjusted when they are here. The full 64 color collection and many other color mixes are now available. Enjoy browsing!
June 29, 2007 :: Peridot has just arrived. Peridot is misnamed as it is more like the color of New Jade/Soft Green Serpentine, or a new spring leaf.
Notice the new sign 'this site is green'. Well for whatever it's worth, Dreamhost, my web server since 2001, has gone green by purchasing green credits for their greenhouse gas releases. I kind of like these guys as they are non-corporate, a little wild, but seem to deliver pretty good service, at least most of the time. Their email support is fast and friendly, delivered in readable English for non-techies like me, if such a word exists. Mainly, they don't play 'advertising games' with their customers. They don't offer short term introductory deals and ignore long term customer loyalty, as many unnamed corporations out there that force us to change service every year to save money or generally behave like sharks whenever they can get away with it.
March 24, 2007 :: Books are very easy to order online, even out of print books. After careful consideration I decided not to include books for sale on my site at the present time. However finding the right book is not always easy. I spend a considerable amount of time answering emails regarding my recommendations. So I will try to include a book review every once in a while. When I have enough reviews I will allocate a special page just for them. - Marion
BOOK REVIEW :: Micro-Macramé Jewelry, Tips & Techniques for Knotting with Beadsby Joan Babcock
I met Joan at a show a number of year ago. We traded slides for presentation on our work. Her work is exquisite. She has developed her own style with some pieces reminiscent of Tina Johnson-Le Puy.
It is 77 pages book published in 2005, 10.8 x 8.3 inches in format bound with staples. Only the outside cover is in color with photos of all ten projects included. The inside is all black & white, but full of diagrams and beautifully illustrated by Jeff Babcock. Lots of work went into these illustrations!
The book includes 10 micro-macramé projects: 4 pairs of earrings, 2 bracelets and 3 neckpieces/necklaces/pendants and 1 brooch/pin or barrette. The instructions appear to be clear and easy to follow even for beginners, but I am not automatically the best judge as I could do the projects without instructions.
The book also comprises chapters on materials, knotting tips and the basic knots. All these chapter is well put together. 'The Basic Knots' chapter is very good for beginners and has some good tips for all knotting levels. If you are learning to knot, I usually advise students to use more than one source as one may help with one knot or combination, another with another one. As to 'Materials' for Micro-Macramé', we do not always share the same opinions on basic supplies. For example, I hate sewing pins or quilting pins as I bend them right away, I much prefer 1" T-pins (small ones, not the usual huge ones that come with boards or are sold in most stores) as they hold up to my abuse!
The last chapter 'Design Essentials' is full of useful information to help the reader create their own design. So although Joan did not really share the full scope of the design that comprises her current collection, she gives the reader the tools to go beyond the limited scope of the projects included. That chapter alone makes buying this book worthwhile.
March 19, 2007 :: New additions :: Tools :: New macramé board from Lacis :: Adhesives :: Fray Check with comments and tests done so far.
Notes from a newsletter...
About all Nylon #18/C-Lon Thread :: Manufacturing thread is not an exact science. Each time a specific color of thread is manufactured minute differences may occur. The color may vary a little bit even though the same dye lot formula is used, also known as 'dye lot drift'. The finishing or bonding process may also vary a little bit, so one lot/batch of spools have a slightly different hand or feel. When noticeable differences in dye lot or feel occur, I try to annotate them in the color close-ups. Actual dye lot affect the thread itself as well, so as a general rule darker colors have a heavier feel than lighter colors. The actual thickness of the thread is changed. White nylon thread for example is always slightly thinner and has a lighter hand than colored nylon thread as it does not have any molecules of dyes attached to the molecules of nylon!
About C-Lon Bead Cord Curling up :: I worked with the curls for while just ignoring them, refusing to take the time to steam the thread or iron them as some of my customers suggested. This last weekend (3/25/07) one of my student discussed her frustration with curls in the thread with her husband and sure enough as a good fisherman, he came up with the perfect and simple solution. Simply pull hard on the thread an arm wide length at a time when unwinding it and guess what: no more curls!!!! It really made me feel like a complete idiot as (from the original Greek meaning: idiotes, able to vote but no doing so)! For previous news>
