The Beading Gem

8 Colorful Photo Glass Cabochons for Jewelry Making

Many jewelry makers love working with cabochons. You could bezel them with beads or wire wrap them. Or glue them onto metal bezels if the sizes fit.

There are some gorgeous gemstone ones as well as those made from clay. But have you considered photo glass cabochons? The designs can be very colourful indeed.

They are made by punching out photo images and gluing them to the backs of glass cabochons. Not much of an artist or photographer? You can purchase pre-designed circle images from various artists.

Do check out my links at the end for past posts for resin tutorials. Clear resin has the look of glass but is much lighter.

Vintage Fountain Pen Nib Jewelry by Classically Romantic | Words and Phrases from Shakespeare

First, we had a huge shift to all things digital. Indeed, many writers like me compose entirely on the computer. But there is growing revival of using real writing implements on real paper. My old fountain pens from decades ago are long gone but I've bought a couple of fountain pens in recent years to enjoy the writing process once again.

It's our human nature to want do something more tangible than tap keys, to create and form words and to feel things in our hands. It's much the same with people who prefer to read actual books which you can hold and even smell!

beadwork feature designer tutorial

Pretty Beaded Jewelry Patterns by Bingobeads

I am really pleased when I come across a beadwork instructor who creates pretty designs which stand out. This latest find is German bead artist, Bingobeads.

At a time when many of you are trying to use up smaller lots of beads, some of her designs will help you do just that. The geometric kite earrings design above as well as the quilt inspired bracelet below are excellent examples.

ceramic feature designer feature supplier

Gorgeous Ceramic and Bead Mosaic Supplies and Tutorials by Sharra Frank

Thanks to reader Lynn, you and I might well have a new obsession! Making ceramic and bead mosaic art! She spotted Sharra Frank's work on Instagram, which led me to find her Youtube channel, AND her lovely shop, sharrafrankmosaics.

Sharra is a wonderful instructor and her mosaic work is so inspirational. Watch below for a couple of her shorts as well as her informative guide.

beadwork feature designer tutorial

Whimsical 3D Beadwork Tutorials by mindofjulia

There is one thing for sure about the brain behind mindofjulia, it's highly creative and imaginative. This French-Dutch creative digital nomad creates different kinds of downloadable artwork but what I love best is her adorable 3D beadwork pattern collection.

It's clear from her sushi designs she loves Japanese food. Perhaps she loves the sea too because there are her fish including cute puffer fish. And those puffed up frogs and octopuses are utterly adorable. You can use these as pendants, charms or earrings!

animal crochet feature designer keychain tutorial

Farm Animal Amigurumi Crochet Keychain Pattern Tutorials | Fun on The Useless Farm

Crochet amigurumi animals are incredibly popular. I spotted a lot of these in recent years when I've gone to various craft shows. Patterns for these are also trending in a huge way. So much so that I had great difficulty in selecting just these few! Soft and squishy little animals make for great keychain or bag charms. Please check out the links at the end if you prefer small animal beaded tutorials.

I particularly love the humourous ones like the funny chicken (and frog) pattern from kisiselamigurumi, shown above.

ethnic feature designer leather tutorial

Beautiful Beaded Patterns for Vamps, Boots, Mitts, Mukluks, Moccasins by AmbersLeather

I once missed a wonderful opportunity to make my own moccasins from a First Nations bead artist. I've never been able to find another chance again. But fortunately, there is AmbersLeather's patterns available! They are a team of Metis designers and makers from Manitoba, Canada.

They are currently not shipping physical items (finished work, supplies and DIY kits) to the US.

However, there are plenty of beautiful beaded patterns available to download no matter where you are! Use them to embroider the mitts, moccasins, mukluk boots that you can make from their leather patterns. These come in many different sizes. You will be spoiled for choice as to the beading embellishments you can make whether or not for cold weather wear!

high tech tutorial

How to Make Robot Charms by Deuxper Handicrafts | Amazing Robot Martial Arts Show

Steampunk style robot charm necklaces are so much fun. Many of you thought so too when you saw my feature on awesome robot jewelry designers . There are quite a few benefits to these robot charms. First, they are unisex. Secondly, you can use charms, wire, beads, bought or recycled hardware items.
The robots are usually wood based with the metallic elements screwed on. @Deuxperhandicrafts has a number of tutorials where he demonstrates how to make robot charms.