We had a very wet spring this year, that and the cool weather delayed gardening for many. So rain drops are what inspired this post. When rainy days keep us indoors,  there are always some lovely beaded drop beadwork jewelry tutorials to enjoy.

First up is the Swarovski crystal raindrop beaded pendant tutorial (shown above) from Isabella of  bead4me. Here's where you can get the Swarovski 6022 xirius crystals .
This lovely double drop design below from DebRoberti can be used as either earrings or pendants. She is a fabulous beadwork designer so be sure to check out her other designs. 


Bicone crystal fans (or hoarders) will appreciate this drop design tutorial for either earrings or pendants from AsszaBeadingArts. Assza is another prolific beadwork designer worth investigating!


Here is a beauty! This beaded drop pendant tutorial features a Swarovski crystal in all its glory. A 30 mm pear shaped Swarovski 4327 crystal to be precise. The designer is WonderfulJewelryShop.

I also love this raindrop earrings beadwork tutorial from Youtuber @BeadedJewelry. 



How Umbrellas were Once Made 

People have long used umbrellas to shelter from either rain or sun. The earliest ones date back to the Ancient Egyptians, in about 2450 BCE. The Ancient Chinese invented the foldable umbrella which can open and close. These were silk and oiled paper umbrellas largely used by the upper classes.

Shown in this video is a demonstration of how such bamboo and oil paper umbrellas were made long ago. The level of craftsmanship is remarkable!

The gemstone, lapis lazuli, which was mined in Afghanistan, was the source of the vivid blue pigment prized by people long ago.  This showed that trade routes existed thousands of years ago. Lapis lazuli based pigment was so expensive that renaissance painters depended on their patrons to buy it. Even then, it was reserved for the Virgin Mary's cloak. Modern synthetic dyes are much more affordable today!


Before You Go:

jewelry making supplies

Disclosure 

This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation. 
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM