iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It's too damn hot but I'm still here. At least my booth is cute.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Signage for the new charm bar complete!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Shut up and look at my moon charms

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Officially overcommitted myself in October. A concert 3 hrs away, a large event the next morning, and a small event the morning after that. AND THEN another large event the following Saturday. I need to make some stock. Desperately.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Smuggling beads and tools through the airport like the menace I am.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Monstera standleyana. But I'm thinking the white princess is next. She's stupid tall.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Think I found my new favorite plant to propagate! Would probably root better in perlite, but had to try moss at least once. This is about 6 weeks of growth from wet sticks.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Even if I have to use the PNG tuber, I'll be streaming for my birthday this year. I told Tilda she's not allowed to get a gooey bald spot again and I think she's agreed. Jewelry. Games. Shenanigans. 8/15/26

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Decided to take a long weekend to recharge my battery. Some overdue housekeeping, some gaming, and some making. My next market is in October, so this is the perfect time to figure out how to use these moon beads I've had forever!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I know she's wonky, but that's what makes her interesting, right? I really want to make my own pendants!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

The jewelry rebrand is near! I'll be launching July 4th! Considering a celebratory split stream - jewelry in the morning and spooky games at night.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Rebranding is moving along! How adorable is this?! I may have been too picky about my soft pink, but it was worth it.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

My final event as Variations on a Bead is in the books! It's been a hell of a run!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Market day! What do I wish I had done differently to prepare? Commissioned my new logo and branding kit earlier Gone to the bank for cash Invested in large rolling suitcases for my display Prepped for custom pendants

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

It's official: the rebrand from Variations on a Bead to Steph Makes Magic has begun! Just hired an Etsy branding designer to help modernize my aesthetic. Something about this old logo feels very pyramid-schemey and I'm ready to move on.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Florence. Hayley. Now Nothing But Thieves? My Affirm account will never recover from this....

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Finally slept in! Anyone interested in a metal clay stream? I want to make my own fine silver pendants since I'm being picky about what I buy. Bead & Bitch when I run out of clay. Between 11 and 12 PST, I'm still waking up!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Forcing myself to take a lunch break by bringing necklaces that need pricing.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Contemplating a full rebrand after this market. I need something fresh.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Had to replace my canopy cover and wash my tables, so tried a modified Z layout instead of my normal U shape. The goal is to improve flow while keeping my pieces out of direct sun. If I modify a bit more to compensate for the short tables, it just might work!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

If anyone needs me I'll be binge-making some necklaces....

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Booth fee paid. Canopy cover replacement ordered. I know I need to reactivate my Meta profiles, but the idea of going back to those toxic apps has me anxious. Anywho, you can find me as @variationsonabead on IG when I finally make that happen.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

My last true maker market was in March of 2019 - the day the wind ignored my tent weights and smashed my entire display, resulting in a dramatic menty-b. Since then, life has not allowed me to do another large scale market. Currently considering a triumphant return in April.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Controversial opinion: Jewelry grade brass is a better affordable alternative to solid gold than gold plate or gold fill. It won't flake or peel, and the tarnish can be prevented or removed the same as sterling silver.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Added my notes app to my home screen and started a folder just for jewelry ideas. Now I can brain dump when I have insomnia and make the pieces later.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Considered another hotel Bead & Bitch tonight, but I ended up breaking the base of my webcam. Nothing a little loctite can't fix - I'll just never take this cam off the stand - but I need the glue to set, so it's a no-go tonight. Side note - I can't take me anywhere.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

It looks like bead & bitch might be a go! How about we try it out around 6pm PST? www.twitch.tv/stephmakesma...

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Next time someone asks me what my favorite color is, I'm pointing them to the Nothing But Thieves Moral Panic Complete Edition vinyl in Transparent Plum. My copy came today and it's the exact vibrant deep fuschia shade I've been trying to define for years. It's getting framed.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Since I'm traveling the next 2 weeks, I might try going live with some lower quality Bead & Bitch sessions after work. Just me in sweats, no makeup, no fancy mic, room service, a fun playlist, and my jewelry supplies.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Highly recommend the hair hack where you refresh curly hair with a clothes steamer. But I DO NOT recommend putting your hand directly under the nozzle to fluff the crown.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

This tiny sterling silver daisy pendant was a gift from my mom when I graduated 6th grade. It was deeply oxidized, but I made it my bedtime routine to hand polish it while watching Twitch streams last week. I think it's ready to add to a beaded necklace for adult Steph to enjoy.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Sometimes it's ok to buy mislabeled gemstone beads. This was sold to me as ruby, but none of the beads were true red, and ruby is always a true red due to the chromium content. So that means I bought a strand of sapphire and I'm OK with that.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

My white princess is ridiculous. She's over 3ft tall and I can't decide if I want to build a massive moss pole or chop & prop. All I know is I need to do SOMETHING FAST! She really wants to tip over.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

A story in 3 photos. She keeps getting thrips, so I had to take drastic measures. If this works, I'll reunite all her parts when I repot. She's getting an isolation pod this afternoon.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

This feels better! Prehnite and cateye black tourmaline in brass.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Went to post these pieces and realized they aren't finished. Not a one of them. I'll be swapping one of the pendants, then adding a dangle to the end of each extender chain for weight and a finished look.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

I've had high anxiety AND a nasty bug, so you know what that means.... Hyperfixation hobbies! I really want to work with precious metal clay again.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

My new year's resolution is going to be bringing my jewelry business back from the dead. I miss it, and I have THOUSANDS of dollars in unused supplies just taking up space. Maybe even a re-brand?

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

It's been a full month of heavy wear and using my tipex nails as tools and they STILL aren't budging. I think it's time to refresh, though. Side note: the jelly black surprised me. I didn't expect to love it this much.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

If jump rings have no haters, I am deceased. Wire wrapped links until the day I die.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

I've found a love for gaming, but I'm an artist at my core. I'm trying to figure out how to build a community that appreciates both spooky gaming AND beading. Is it doable? If you're interested, join me and my bot here: discord.gg/Gp3mbar9s

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Finding ways to mix stringing and wire wrapping.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Cute little green garnet pendant to add to a colorful necklace

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Happy I remembered drive ins exist because I want to participate but I don't want to people.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

I'm used to gems and precious metal, not enamel and elastic. But I'm having a very good time!

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Unpopular jewelry opinion: I DESPISE jump rings. They always pull apart so quickly. Instead, I attach clasps and extenders with wire wrapped links. This post may or may not be inspired by a failed jump ring.

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Steph (she/her) @stephmakesmagic.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

I've been a jewelry artist since 2012. Almost all of my TikTok videos are jewelry/craft content. But it took liking a few swiftie friendship bracelet videos to land myself on beadtok. I'm so happy I finally made it!

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