The Beading Gem

Gorgeous Metal Findings from SupplyDiva

I have always loved the "alternative" metals to gold and silver. They have colour and are relatively inexpensive. If you're like me, check out this Mexican workshop called SupplyDiva. They have many different metal findings in copper, brass, bronze as well as silver.
Such bounties from tiny charms to gallery wire, to various embossed blanks ready for patina. Metal stampers will also find some excellent shapes here.

6 Beautiful Beaded Christmas Bauble Tutorials by SYLIANKY

It's never too early to bead a Christmas bauble! Why, if you were a die-hard reader, you could be beading baubles all year long for gifts.

Speaking of gifts, I love how the above peyote beaded ball peyote pattern shown above (3 designs) can be packed prettily into a gift box. The Ukrainian designer is Halyna of SYLIANKY.

Halyna is very creative. Here are just a few of my favourites so be sure to browse her shop for more. She also has a number of bead crochet baubles.

beadwork feature designer tutorials

5 Pretty Beaded Flower Jewelry Tutorials by Tezukuri Notes!

I love flowers - both the real ones as well as beaded versions. One excellent Japanese instructor is @TezukuriNotes. She delivers on the Japanese esthetic - simple yet very pretty designs.

She uses fine 0.17 mm (~ 6lb) monofilament fishing line which is stiffer than the usual beading threads such as Fireline that we use. You may well have to double up on the thread paths or go up to 8 lb. The advantage of monofilament fishing line is its transparency.

feature supplier

erdmetaljewelry's Laser Cut Metal Findings and Custom Laser Cutting Service

Turkish findings supplier, erdmetaljewelry, is a wonderful discovery for those who are hunting for unique metal charms and findings. They have an enormous inventory of all kinds of laser cut charms. The largest selection are their raw brass, stainless steel and gold plated sections. All are at reasonable prices.

beadwork feather designer tutorial

8 Gorgeous Beaded Hoops and Loops Earrings Tutorials

Hoop earrings have been popular for thousands of years. The picture below of a young girl wearing hoop earrings is from a fresco painted in Ancient Greece dated about 1650-1625 BCE.

Today we have all kinds of variations on the hoop style. Shown here are my favourites. Be sure to check out the designers' shops because they all have much more to offer!

brooch feather designer historical

Beautiful Celtic and Viking Inspired Penannular Brooches | How to Pin a Penannular Brooch on a Shawl or Cloak

Penannular brooches are incomplete ring brooches which has been in used for thousands of years. These were especially popular during the medieval age and were worn as fasteners by both men and women - usually those with the means to afford them. They are still popular today.

Shown above is the Wolf Head Brass penannular brooch from CELTICFUSIONDESIGN.

beadwork charms feature designer

Adorable Beaded Chubby Amigurumi Animal Charm PDF Patterns by asleepycreative

South Korean beader, asleepycreative, has only been on Etsy for just a short while. But her adorable beaded chubby animal charm patterns are already a big hit. Such small amigurumi charms can be jewelry as pendants or earrings. However they are a hot trend as they can also be for keychains and as bag charms.

Anka said :

I started the project "sleepy clouds" because I wanted to reconnect with my inner child through cozy hobbies. My favorite are beading, clay art, paper craft, and I want to start sewing, too. Expect to see patterns for these crafts in the future! :)

beading software beadwork feature designer tutorial

Beaded Fringe Earrings Pattern, Design Temples and Software by kowshop

I spotted a pair of beautiful beaded fringe earrings featuring bees on a friend not long ago. It was a gift from her friend. I think many of you love making fringe earrings. They are quick to make and more importantly can sport many themes.

Check out Ukrainian bead artist kowshop's wonderful range of brick stitch beaded fringe earrings designs. She has lots of animal inspired designs, especially cats!

Be sure to check out her store as she offers both beaded earring templates and a software program to help you design your own!