The Beading Gem

Beautiful Japanese Beaded Jewelry and Other Making PDF Guides

Many of us love the Japanese esthetic - beautiful and often simple stunning designs. Be sure to check out the numerous PDF book guides from SunsetCuriosity. Currently on sale! Books are really cost-effective as you get many patterns for one low price.

Several craft types are covered including beadwork, tatting, embroidery, felting, sashiko and more. The largest section is crochet.

beadwork feature designer tutorial

5 Elegant Beaded Tennis Bracelet Tutorials for Special Occasions

Lots of people love narrower beaded bracelets which I like to call tennis bracelets. They're usually not too showy and quick to make. But there are always the special occasions when you want to wear something more elegant. So here are 5 lovely examples to inspire you!

First up is the gorgeous cRAW bracelet pattern shown above, created with 24K gold plated beads and complimented with a stunning crystal clasp. The designer is Cynthia Newcomer Daniel of JewelryTales.

beadwork feature designer tutorial

Pretty Beaded Triangle Jewelry Patterns by MadebyShila

I have featured many of Hungarian beadwork designer of MadebyShila before. But this time I want to highlight just her triangle inspired work. She is versatile as she can go from designs which lean on clean lines like the contemporary pendant tutorial above to more statement looks.

feature designer polymer clay

Gorgeous Polymer Clay Jewelry by GreenasBeans

Christina of GreenasBeans is a dedicated landscape artist but her creativity knows no bounds. She said :

I found painting when I was about 19; from there I have been creating with everything I can get my hands on! I love challenging myself and working with different materials and art mediums.

And so she has. Featured here are her gorgeous polymer clay jewelry. Her attention to detail as well as the effort she puts into her designs is evident.

beadwork feature designer

Fun Beadwork Jewelry Designs by RenovatiobyLuciela

I have featured Maria and Mihaela of RenovatiobyLuciela's fabulous beadwork before. If you haven't come across this mother and daughter team's work, you must see their stunning beadwork combination bracelet and clasp tutorials!

They also offer a great many other marvelous peyote beadwork bracelet designs. But the focus of this feature are some of their fun designs! Shown above and below is their beaded balloon dog charm! I love how the colourful dots and outline of gold beads elevates the design! Looks really good on a plain leather bag.

beadwork feather designer feature supplier leather

More Gorgeous Bead and Leather Bracelet Jewelry Tutorials and Kits by BarbSmithDesignsDIY

I've raved about BarbSmithDesigns before including her fabulous supply store, BarbSmithDesignsDIY, for tutorials and kits. This Arizona artisan creates stunning bead and leather bracelets.

This time, I am paying homage to her narrower designs. They are just as lovely as her wider ones. I love how she uses a lot of turquoise and silver combinations which is not surprising, considering where she lives.

feature supplier tutorial vintage

How to Repair a Vintage Brooch Using Starbond Thick Glue

I honestly cannot remember how I came to possess this lovely gold on sterling silver vintage brooch which featured carved gemstone flowers and leaves. I have the actual box and accompanying slip of paper which is why I know it was designed by Canadian artist, Richard Shorty of the Southern Tuchone tribe. He was active in the 1980's.

The brooch is still in great condition but two of the flowers had fallen out as well as a bit of old glue residue - look closely at the picture below.

feather designer leather

Nature Inspired Leather Bag Charms and Keychains by Hammerthreads

Canadian leather work artisans, Ashley and Josh, craft their beautiful work from their studio in a quiet Maritime town on the East Coast. What started as a hobby, Hammerthreads has now become a full fledged small business.

Hammerthreads makes many stunning leather products but my favourites from their extensive collection are the leather bag charms and keychains. Ashley confesses she is a "manic leather crafter with a serious attention to detail". She is a plant lover, especially leaves, so that is reflected in their designs.