The Beading Gem

Adding a crystal or bead at the bottom of a simple pair of chain maille earrings is one easy way of adding a bit of color to the design.  I like this box chain maille and crystal earrings tutorial by Kylie Jones for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, box chain - which is a simpler Byzantine modification - is easy to do.  One which beginners can tackle.

Do you always need a gemstone cabochon to do a wire work pendant?  Nope.  Check out this lovely wire wrapped gemstone pendant tutorial by Oxanacrafts which uses a top drilled bead. Unlike traditional wire wrapped pendants, she uses the wire woven foundation wires as a frame for the gemstone bead. Note how she uses a round copper bead at the bottom to set a distance from the bead.

Sea horses are a perennial favorite as design motifs. It is something about their pleasing shape.  I spotted this lovely steampunk polymer clay sea horse tutorial by Russian artist, Maria Gia. Her tutorial is clever in that she introduces faux metal bands and textures in the design by using metallic paints.

Beaded tassel earrings do feed into the trend for tassels.  Even if you do not like large earrings, consider making just one and hang it on a chain necklace!  Check out this beaded tassel earrings tutorial by AllBears.  The tassel is actually made with a length of ribbon.  Each long beaded dangle is sewn to the ribbon make a fringe. The ribbon is then rolled up.

There is something about whimsical creations which brings on smiles!  Californian husband and wife team, Kristina and Marcus Matthews design and create "magical portal" gemstone and clay jewelry and art for their Etsy store, SculptedfromNothing.

There are many jewelry making publications which typically focus on just one type of jewelry making like bead work or wire work. But many people - myself included - are keen on using different mediums and techniques. So if you are multi-disciplinary, you might well be interested in this quarterly publication.

There is something lovely about knotted designs of all kinds. Here is the beaded knot kind courtesy of Stephanie of Bronzepony Beaded Jewelry.  The designs are not hard to make and many of you will enjoy creating them as Stephanie does in front of the tv! My favorite is her Lover's Knot bracelet tutorial. You can make these in different color combinations.

This bead and wire woven or braided bracelet tutorial by Vietnamese wire designer, Lan Anh  Handmade, is lovely. Fun too, as you can use multiple wire lengths depending on how wide you like the bracelet to be. However, the one stellar tip is the clasp end design.  Really easy and neat way to gather and finish off the wire ends.

Sometimes watching a larger scale DIY project gives me ideas!  Watch this beautiful table top decor project by Pencil Sketch as he transforms a worn out $40 second hand table  into something spectacular. He used iconic Samoan motifs.

Not everyone has pierced ears. But that doesn't mean they can't wear earrings.  Clip on earring findings are the way to go.  I like this tutorial from Russian instructor, Cojocaru Olga. She shows how to bead earrings such that the beadwork is captured without using any glue. The tutorial is in Russian. So turn down the volume if you do not understand the language.

Twisted wire work is not hard to do.  And the technique can lead to spectacular designs like this cascading twisted wire flower necklace tutorial by the folks at MyBeads in Australia.

Remember my tutorial on how to make simple twisted wire flower earrings with nail polish and resin?  I was aiming for a stained glass effect.  Working with nail polish was relatively easy but as the nail polish suspensions were fragile, I covered the work with resin.  But you can work with colored resin too. However, it requires a lot more skill and artistic flair!!  This featured designer from Barcelona, Spain creates incredible art nouveau inspired wire and resin earrings!

Such excitement over last week's giveaway of TierraCast's Soulful Spirit Collection giveaway. Many of you love TierraCast designs. Greta said, "Their products are so versatile and it forces you to really think about all the ways they can be used." I don't know about being forced! TierraCast designs are so easy to design with. It is hard to stop the ideas from flowing. One reader said, "Their designs usually sets the curve for style and quality." Agreed.

I confess that I don't have much time to do beadwork these days. But lucky for me, my mother loves to bead. So when we both admired Sonyrees Creations' lovely beaded drop earrings tutorial, she said she would make some for me! I just got them in the mail. Didn't wait to make my own ear wires. Just grabbed some ready made ones I had so I could put the earrings on almost immediately! Thanks Mum and Sonyrees Creations!

I've long had the opinion that people who are good with polymer clay may well have an easier time learning to make metal clay jewelry.  Forming the clay, drying it and then firing it (with a torch or kiln) to remove the binder in the clay. This results in a near pure fine silver piece of jewelry. Seems a lot easier than using traditional metalsmithing techniques, don't you think?

I've made a number of jewelry pieces with dried flowers and leaves embedded in resin (see this tutorial). They were mostly pendants and earrings.  I've also covered how to make a basic resin bracelet with gold flakes.  However, I was intrigued with the possibility of making resin beads with embedded organics.

Lan Anh Handmade created this caged round cabochon wire pendant tutorial which is a must see.  The criss-crossed wires spaced out with crystals is lovely. It is called a lotus bud pendant because it does indeed resemble one.  You can use either gemstones or crystals.

I spotted Gina's tutorial a little late for a pre-Christmas post. But as Easter is just round the corner, here it is now! It is a gorgeous design which can be made in any color combination you want....not just reds, greens and golds.  The metallic Toho seed beads (11/0 and 15/0) is what makes this pair look luxurious.

Elephants are such magnificent creatures.  So it is natural to see them as an inspiration for jewelry designs - especially for malleable polymer clay!  I features one amazing polymer clay artist who makes almost exclusively elephant polymer clay jewelry.  If you love the idea of making elephant brooches, then check out this delightful (and different) polymer clay elephant brooch tutorial by Svetlana Belova. She created an adorable elephant shape.

Salvador Dali - Salvador Dali

Nia Gould, a British graphics designer based in Exeter, not only loves creative and artistic designs but she also adores cats.  She said, "There have been five cats in my life who have been a big part of the inspiration behind Niaski - Sampson, Salvador, Socket, Frida and Pablo. You’ll find that they have made their way into a lot of my work."  Indeed, they have!

Sterling silver findings are expensive.  No kidding, right? But using top quality and beautiful pewter findings such as those from TierraCast is the best solution.  Their components and findings are tested for safety compliance so you can be assured these are lead free.

Chinese knot closures are not just for clothes!  If you get them large enough, they can be easily turned into a statement Chinese knot button bracelet as you can see by this easy tutorial by Hapiness Wherever.  This has the look of macrame without the hard work!

I shared Lan Anh Handmade's wonderful four leaf clover wire work pendant tutorial last year.  So if you want a matching set, check out the designer's four leaf clover ring tutorial!!  You can certainly wire wrap some small beads in the open areas if you want some color.

I adore these beaded teardrop crystals which remind me of the Russian Imperial eggs by Faberge.  They can be really glamorous when netted with metallic seed beads.  The beaded tutorial is by Leslie of Seed Bead Bliss.

As if I needed confirmation. But there are a lot of beadaholics out there! Many of you new to Dollar Bead Box were delighted seeing the lovely Czech beads in the box and bag examples when I revealed my box in last week's giveaway!

Luciana Lavin is a Mexican born jewelry designer. She explained, "I started creating jewelry since 2004 in my hometown Mazatlan. In 2010 I moved to Mexico City where I studied a degree in jewelry design in CADJ (center for art and jewelry design)." She is now based in Georgia, USA.

I once demonstrated how to turn two hole crystal embellished connector beads into stud earrings.  The designs featured long dangles. But you can also use simpler connectors and rondelles with resin clay to convert them into stud earrings.  And add some color at the same time.

I've been collecting a number of jewelry making tutorials which use alcohol inks (see below).  You can buy them easily enough in small and large sets.  But if you use a lot or are on a budget, you might well consider making your own. Check out this tutorial on how to make your own alcohol inks using permanent markers. It is by scrapbook crafter, Leslie McGrath.

Craftsy isn't just about online jewelry classes - they have classes on several topics such as cooking, knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, weaving, painting and so on.  I have reviewed several of the jewelry making ones and have found the in-depth classes to be excellent.  Ideal for those who do not live near where these top instructors teach.

Thread wrapping is a great technique to use when you want to add a strong color to a jewelry design. Check out this awesome mixed media earrings tutorial by Brittany Watson Jepsen of The House That Lars Built.  The earrings was inspired by this gorgeous Rajana Khan.

Making your own findings really adds to handmade designs. They can be all wire or or you add beads to compliment the jewelry piece.  Check out this lovely wire wrapped toggle clasp tutorial by Abby Hook (her surname is a great example of nominative determinism - I have one too! see this past post)