The Beading Gem

 

The heart shape has been used in various artwork for more than two thousand years. These early depictions were botanically inspired - for example,  the heart shaped leaves of the peepal tree (sacred fig tree). But the heart as a symbol of love didn't arise until the Middle Ages. 

Early illustrations for romantic love back then showed either a pear or a pine cone shape with the narrow part pointing upwards. Although theories abound, no one knows exactly how the symbol eventually evolved to the distinctive shape we know today. 

Do you have ideas in your head but find it difficult to source the right kind of metal components for your project?  Well, if you work with polymer clay, that won't be a problem!

Check out Gloria Uhler of Domestic-Diva Online's easy but clever faux metal frame polymer clay heart earrings tutorial . She supplies the template for making the uniquely shaped heart earrings.

You can tell I really like Bobi Jo Gilman of TimelessTempest's work.  I have featured this Ohio artisan and great instructor twice before - here and here. It was her copper wire work wire tree of life design which first caught my eye, then her rings!

I especially love her wire wrap options for heart shaped cabochons. Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Heart pendants are perfect gifts not just for Valentine's Day but also for Mother's Day. Someone you love might well appreciate this lovely dainty design. The tutorial is by Turkish beader, Senay Tasarim.

The combination of crystals and seed beads in a charming heart shape is what caught my eye. I also like the way she trapped the chain necklace during construction.  No need for a bail and this makes for a "clean" design.

This lovely herringbone beaded cross necklace tutorial by Black Pearl is bold.  Although the designer did not intend it to be specifically a Valentine's Day design, all I can see are great big kisses!  So it will make a loving gift for some one!

The tutorial is not in English but the materials needed are written in English.  So you may need to rewind and watch certain bits again just to be sure of the steps.

Judy Larson is an amazing wire and metal work instructor who has kindly shared many of her tutorials on this blog over the years.  Her generosity benefits jewelry makers everywhere!  Hear! Hear!

She recently sent me this wire wrapping tutorial just in time for Mother's Day.  She taught her students this one years ago.  It is created using traditional wire wrapping using a round cabochon.

I previously shared Cheryl St Pierre's lovely wire swirl earrings tutorial. Did you know she also has a set of more elaborate wire swirl jewelry tutorials?  She called it Celtic style because a wire worked trio of beads are wrapped in such a way which reminds her of Celtic designs.

Like her previous tutorial, she manipulates two strands of wire to form decorative swirls. My favorite is her lovely Celtic style heart pendant tutorial which features some twisted wire work.  Perfect for Valentine's Day or a special gift for a loved one.

Combining techniques is a sure fire way of coming up with unique designs.  One great way is to marry polymer clay with wire.  You can easily create colorful pieces with the polymer clay and use the wire for structural and decorative elements.

One of my favorite metal work designers is Kharisma Ryantori Sommers of Popnicute.   She also has her own website.  Check out her unique combination polymer clay tree of life pendant tutorial which features tiny little polymer clay birds! Check out more of Kharisma's work in this past feature.

Talk about personalized!  This thumbprint heart pendant tutorial is not only personalized but also very easy to do. The tutorial is by Nell of Rhythms of Play.

The thumbprint is created on paper which is then glued to the glass cabochon and then to the pendant bezel.

Want a quick project?  30 minutes is all you need for this kisses beaded earrings tutorial. The design is centered on small rivolis . The kisses are formed with 3 mm round crystals.  I think this is a perfect little gift for someone you love. Or someone who needs a bit of love in their lives.  Also great for Valentine's Day!

I really enjoyed making the sparkly glass chip resin coasters (see tutorial here) so much so that I wanted to show how you can you adapt the idea for jewelry and smaller items like fridge magnets. So in honor of Mother's Day which is fast approaching, her are some resin and chip heart jewelry and home decor ideas!

I've seen and featured plenty of wire heart tutorials before (see links below).  But this wire and bead heart earrings tutorial by Penny Dixon is a standout! There is plenty of time to make a pair for Mother's Day or save it for another special occasion!

Show someone a little love this Valentine's Day with this easy wire wrapped heart ring tutorial by Julie Lockhart/Copar Aingeal.  This is a free tutorial on Craftsy - you do have to join (free) in order to download the PDF. The tutorial is excellent for beginners as it teaches several wire working techniques.

Love peyote stitch?  Then you will love this tutorial by Leslie Sykes-O'Neill.  The Delica hearts are created with peyote decreases and increases. She demonstrates how to "zip" up the sides of the hearts at the end.

This clever heart polymer clay cane tutorial by Archidee is worth a look for a couple of good reasons. See that heart element?  It does have a fun "doodle" look about it. The designer uses a set of heart metal cutters all of different sizes to build up the cane.   The design is built up progressively.  The offset cutting is what gives the cane its informal look.

I would never have considered kumihimo for rings!  But Christina Larsen of CSL Designs did!  She is adept at not just wire work but both macrame and kumihimo.  This tutorial of hers covers how to make a kumihimo decorative band with tiny hearts. Then macrame is used to complete the ring band to size.