Thanks to my friends at Artbeads.com I am letting you know about this great offer—a FREE $10 gift card for you and your friends/family.
Artbeads. com also gives you free shipping if you order over $10 in product. Clearly, this is a win/win situation! So click the image below, fill out the form, and wait for your gift card. Don’t wait too long though; they’re only extending the offer for a couple days.
Happy Holidays from Belle Designs!
Full Disclosure: Most of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
250 3mm Swarovski Pearls
11/0 Rounded Seed Beads
Fireline & fine needle
Clasp of your choice
The directions use 4mm bicone crystals. That can hit the wallet tough as there are more than 200 crystals in this project. I decided to try small pearls instead. I used Swarovski 5810 3mm Round Pearls in Powder Green. The photos I have taken of the necklace do not do it justice—the color is gorgeous. Because they’re Swarovski, they are all perfectly uniform in color/size/shape. Perfect for a detailed project like this one.
The instructions could use some additional instructions though. I’ve made this necklace a few times with crystals and am a very experienced weaver—it’s confusing. It’s not completely clear how many sections you should make, and the final steps, which is how you get the scalloped effect, are not clear either. No worries; I’ll help you.
Additional Instructions:
Each section is a series of 5 squares with picots all around.
It’s not totally clear in the directions how many of these sections you should make. This matters because you need to know how many stones you should have to finish the piece. I used some basic math and calculated the intended length of the design and found the necklace too short. I ordered 250 pearls and had plenty to make the necklace exactly the length I needed (and didn’t break the bank).
After you’ve made all the sections you will run through the top of the necklace to create the scallop effect. This part is not that clear. In the directions they demonstrate the first section which is fine. But the next section is going in a different direction and does not work the same way.
When you get to the next arch, you have to twist the necklace to make it flip in the same direction.
The Final Product:
The clasp on this necklace can be anything really. I chose to use a two-strand to one strand finding and then a clasp. I’ve also done a two strand clasp. I like to use quality findings whenever possible. If you’re going to do all this work, why cheap out on lousy findings?
The pearl version of this necklace is really great. If you have the opportunity, try it with bicone crystals as well. Put it on and it doesn’t matter what kind of day you had or that all you’re doing is emptying the dishwasher—you will feel like a princess.
This necklace makes me think of the Long Island Sound and beach. On the north shore of Long Island we have very rocky shores. The texture of this necklace and varied hues of blue makes me think of summertime on the sound. Adding the sterling silver starfish charm was an extra bonus.
This necklace is basically made with a crossweave technique. Depending on the stringing you use would determine if you need a needle or not. I used fireline and two needles.
Using smaller fire polished beads on one side and larger on the outside ensures that the necklace drapes nicely around the neck. Supplies below will make a chain about 18 inches long.
Full Disclosure: Most of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
Here’s a really simple summer necklace. All you need is some ribbon, ribbon findings, clasp, bail, mother of pearl pendant, and charm of your choice,
I selected this Mother of Pearl white pendant from Artbeads.com. I liked the pendant but it wasn’t enough for me, so I added a starfish charm and then attached the bail to both. The pendant is so thin that it works out great and I love the way the charm looks on the mother of pearl.
After putting the pendant together, I made the “chain” using a soft color pink. I made the ribbon about 16 inches long and attached a ribbon finding to each end. Attach a clasp and voila—you have a great summer necklace in under 30 minutes.
Thanks so much to my friends at Artbeads.com for the great products!
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
I live on Long Island, surrounded by beaches and water. I love the beach, sun, and water but what I really look forward to most each summer is my garden. Thankfully, my daughter shares my love of gardening and flowers too.
I was in the city recently for the Whole Bead Show and bought some lovely large crystal rondells. They are green with little rosettes inside them. Just gorgeous. As usual, I had no idea what I’d do with them.
Enter the great charms from Artbeads.com. These are sterling silver charms which make me think of summer. I wanted a little more color on my charm bracelet versus just using a chain.
I strung crystals on eye pins and made little sections with it. I alternated between green Swarovski bicone crystals in 4mm and 6mm size and then the large rondells too. The eye pins allow me to hook the charms to the openings.
This charm bracelet demonstrates everything I like about summer; beatufiul greens, flowers, and gardening. And of course the sparkle of the crystals really makes me happy.
Thanks to Artbeads.com for the great silver charms.
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
I got these really cute Swarovski 4mm Silver-Plated Channel Links in Light Rose and honestly had no idea what to do with them—but that happens a lot to me. I buy beads or findings because I like them and eventually an idea comes to me. I happened to have some Swarovski Crystallized pearls in soft pink and decided to put the two things together.
I decided to wire wrap the pearls and use the wire as a way to join them with the crystals. I made a bracelet with matching earrings. The result is delicate but elegant. I sell a lot of my jewelry—but this went right in my own jewelry box.
I’ll provide directions below and all the way down are pictures of the finished product.
How to Wrap a Pearl
Supplies needed: 2 inch long eye pins, 4mm crystallized pearls, channel links, clasp.
1. Put the pearl on the eye pin.
2. Bend the wire at a 90 degree angle giving yourself a bit of room between the pearl and the bend. It’s a matter of preference. I like about 1/4 inch.
3. Bend the wire towards you using looping pliers making a circle.
4. Take one of the channel links and put it on the loop.
5. Once you bend the wire into a circle, wrap it once around the wire so you close the loop. Make sure it’s tight against the wire before you start to wrap the pearl.
5. Continue wrapping the wire around the pearl. This is not difficult but it does take practice to get the look that you want. The idea is to wrap the wire around the pearl until it meets the bottom loop.
Use your fingers as much as possible, but don’t be afraid to use your pliers for extra oomph. ;) If you have a bit left over that you cannot wrap, take your cutters and snip the end. Use a file to make it smooth.
Thanks to my friends at Artbeads.com for the great products.
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
Lately I’ve had some serious winter blues. I have desperately missed sunny blue skies and most of all; my flower gardens. So during the last snow storm I lashed out at the weather and created some happy sun-loving pieces.
The first used a simple stringing technique. I had an amazing sterling silver pendant from Artbeads.com that I wanted to focus on—the Hill Tribes Silver Large Woven Petal Flower Pendant. The necklace portion is very simple. I used multicolored glass rondelles that I had on hand and strung them on Fireline. The pendant is centered and the necklace measures 20” long. This pendant is really something else—it’s better silver than sterling. Definitely check it out.
The second item I made was a bracelet using TOHO™ Bead Cube 4mm Matte Raku Blue/Teal Iris and complementing the matte color with super sparkly2-holed Swarovski XILION Silver-Plated Aquamarine Setting as an eye-catcher. The bracelet was made using a modified ladder stitch. After three rows I crossed the threads into an x and centered the silver elements. Finally, I used a gorgeous Swarovski crystal clasp for added bling.
Much thanks to my friends at Artbeads.com for the gorgeous beads!
I was in Michaels yesterday and saw these little containers in the scrapbook section. They are small cases for storing photos. They can hold up to 100 4x6 photos—OR your jewelry project. They were only $1.00 so I thought I could afford to take a couple home and experiment.
I cut a piece of Vellux to fit one side of the container leaving a bit of a lip all the way around. This makes for a very nice workspace for your lap the next time you’re on the train or sitting in the lobby of your daughter’s ballet class or kids’ swim class! (I don’t like sitting much—I have to keep busy or I get antsy. Which explains my hyper kids—but I digress.)
What’s nice about this container is that it’s small enough to throw in my bag and take it when my daughter has ballet class but it’s also just the right size to store my beads, thread, scissors, and thread burner. True story.
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
Lately I’ve had some serious winter blues. I have desperately missed sunny blue skies and most of all; my flower gardens. So during the last snow storm I lashed out at the weather and created some happy sun-loving pieces.
The first used a simple stringing technique. I had an amazing sterling silver pendant from Artbeads.com that I wanted to focus on—the Hill Tribes Silver Large Woven Petal Flower Pendant. The necklace portion is very simple. I used multicolored glass rondelles that I had on hand and strung them on Fireline. The pendant is centered and the necklace measures 20” long. This pendant is really something else—it’s better silver than sterling. Definitely check it out.
The second item I made was a bracelet using TOHO™ Bead Cube 4mm Matte Raku Blue/Teal Iris and complementing the matte color with super sparkly2-holed Swarovski XILION Silver-Plated Aquamarine Setting as an eye-catcher. The bracelet was made using a modified ladder stitch. After three rows I crossed the threads into an x and centered the silver elements. Finally, I used a gorgeous Swarovski crystal clasp for added bling.
Much thanks to my friends at Artbeads.com for the gorgeous beads!
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
I used clear thread called Supplemax. It’s a lot like fishing line. Super strong and clear. In addition, I used pink size 11 seed beads.
I promise you, this isn’t that difficult. Most of the jewelry that I make I have learned from reading books and magazines. I use my local library as a resource and if I really like a magazine, I order my own copy. I’ll list some below. I’m going to show you how to make the bracelet with very large beads to simplify the demonstration process. It’s a simple technique of using one long thread and crossing it back and forth. Just replace the beads I’m using below with 4mm fire polished beads and 11/0 seed beads.
1. You take a very long piece of supplemax (or string) and bend it in half. Add about 10 seed beads to the strand and cross over the strands. Take the right strand and feed it through the top seed bead. This is your clasp.
2. At this point you will begin the bracelet. On each of the strands you will add in this order, one fire polished bead, one seed bead, and one fire polished bead. On the right side, add one more seed bead. (The side you choose doesn’t really matter. It’s just for the purposes of this demonstration).
3. After you add the extra seed bead you will cross the strands and feed the left through the right bead. It’s the same thing you did in step one.
4. So, just like the shampoo bottle, repeat. You keep doing this until you get close to the ideal length for your bracelet. Remember that a clasp will add about 1/2 to 1 full inch.
For fun I added little picots with seed beads. You don’t have to do this step, I’m just a details person and I think that “more is more.”
5. I wove back through the crystals until you get to a seed bead between fire polished beads. String 3 seed beads, make a loop, and go back through the same seed bead.
Weave through to the end of the bracelet and back down the other side.
So thanks to my friends at Artbeads for the great products. You can make this bracelet too for just a few dollars in beads.
Nice Beading Magazine:
Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com. Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.
Whenever I walk through a bead store or bead catalog I am instantly drawn to the shiny and sparkly stuff. I saw a pattern using square stitch and Swarovski pendants to make earrings in an OLD issue of Bead & Button.
If you’re friendly with the local librarian you can get old copies of magazines given to you before they chuck them. After a while, libraries have to discard magazines that are old because of space. Jewelry magazines are like cooking magazines and you can always reference them.
What I like about these earrings is how quick it is to whip them up and once done are stunning! Here’s what you need, 14mm Swarovski square crystal components (these can be pricey but you only need 2), Japanese cylinder beads (they look like tiny cubes. You need this over regular seed beads so they lay properly), a pair of 6mm jump rings (soldered closed preferred), and some earring findings. I stitch it using Wildfire thread (my favorite) and a beading needle is a must (unless you like to curse, then do it by hand). I used the black thread because my beads were dark and I don’t like to see the string.
