The Beading Gem

Hannah of HannaRosnerDesigns is a talented Oregon based bead artisan whose passion for beads include beaded wall art, beadwork jewelry AND lampwork beads. She is the first artisan I've come across who has the technical and creative skills for two very different beadwork methods! Pretty impressive!

As mentioned, Hannah offers both tutorials and finished work. The tutorials are mainly for jewelry but she also has some for lampwork including how to make custom memorial beads from ashes. 

As you can see from her studio video below, her handmade creations begins with ancient inspirations including actual museum/archaeological finds. She works primarily with bronze metal clay because this metal gives her the old gold look she wants for her designs. Vie doesn't use an oven but torch fires her metal clay. I also love how her work looks like cloisonne.

Ewa Pliszczynska of EwiMacrame has spent many years living in Slovakia. She was initially inspired by Slovak wire craft but switched to working with threads and has not regretted it. Macrame has become her passion and it shows.  

Ewa is very active on her Youtube channel . However, as many of you know, videos are sometimes hard to follow so having  transcripts or PDF tutorial versions on hand are helpful. Ewa's shop contains PDFs,  transcripts and a combination of photo tutorials and transcripts based on her free Youtube design tutorials. 

 
First up is the macrame angel pattern above which is from Italy based designer, Tatiana of MacrameSphagettiP.

Many designers create lovely resin work but the designs Croatian artists, Nadia and her mother,  of SummerGirlArt, are refreshingly different.  Their designs often display that something extra. The iridescent real flower resin coasters above are great examples. The brown resin geodes below look like sliced tree trunks to me!

I really like bead embroidery because the possibilities are endless.  I especially like the tutorials by Canadian Dene artist , Breanna Dei, s not just because she teaches well but her designs have a contemporary style. They are captivating.

Shown here is one of my favorites - a cheerful sunflower earrings tutorial. It's easy enough for beginners. You can see more tutorials on her Youtube. She lists her supplies and suppliers here on her website. 

She uses pearls, crystals, rivolis, and other beads to great effect. She often creates swags and netted effects. Some of them use specific stitches like the double St Petersburg or RAW. Cathy also offers tutorial sets.