The Beading Gem

 Looking for some beaded earrings tutorials that are both fun and not a time suck? Then check out these lovelies. They each have different types of beads in the starring role.  The first tutorial over on Irina's Cute Box is by LiriGal over on Etsy. I love how a single dagger bead is used as a dangle.

I adore Native American style beaded earrings.  So it is refreshing to see a different take on the usual diamond shape fringed earrings.  This tutorial is by Karina Turchin over on Biserok.  The square look means she can show off more of the pattern.  Her color scheme is so rich and elegant!

Not keen on beadwork that screams statement?  Well, you have to check out Mortira VanPelt's circular peyote beaded necklace design tutorial over on Inspirational Beading.   There is a wonderful openness I like about her design.

Ah, those wretched thread ends!  Having to deal with the thread ends after finishing a loom beaded project can be frustrating.  Especially if there is a lot of them.  Some people use this easy and quick way to sandwich the thread ends in narrow ribbon strips on either end of the work. This ribbon part is then hidden under ribbon clamps.  But this won't work if you want to make a brooch, adorn a hair clip or even embed in garments, bags and so on.

Alla Kovelenko shared her curved beaded flower brooch tutorial over on Biserok.  This is not a difficult design to do. However, by pulling tight and adjusting your thread tension just so, the petals (and leaves) can be curved. The result adds a further dimension and interest compared to a flat bloom.

Need a delicate beaded chain for a necklace?  Or a skinny bracelet?  Then check out  Beth Clark's wonderful beaded zipper stitch tutorial over on her blog Beading with Beth.  The key is the the offset Superduo beads and Miyuki drop beads in 2 sizes.

This beaded button tutorial by Anna Taylor is such a versatile one because you can use the completed buttons for all sorts of jewelry making projects.  All the better if you are using up unattractive shank buttons from your stash!

Here is a refreshing change on the beaded fringe style earrings.   I love how Mortira of Inspirational Beading added decorative discs to the front of the earrings. Her tutorial used wooden nautical discs from Blueberry Cove Beads. It also shows how she attached them with some beads from the main fringe part.  This is a great tutorial for beginners.

This wonderful "Magic Carpet" design and tutorial by Kelly Dale of the Off the Beaded Path, is visually pleasing and will be fun to do.  It is easy but it will take a while to bead embellish the base bracelet!  The embellishments are just many beaded loops woven into each of the foundation beads.

Did you like the bargello spiral polymer clay earrings tutorial I featured yesterday? Here is yet another wonderful example of one craft inspiring another!  This time Mortira Vanpelt of Inspirational Beading got her inspiration from patchwork quilts! Her square stitch bracelet tutorial is so colorful!

Butterfly motifs are more often than not show these lovely insects with both wings spread out. Less common is the side view.  Maria Kardakov over on livemaster.ru shared her bead embroidered butterfly brooch tutorial.  She used a long pearl bead for the body!  If you look carefully, you can see she also integrated crystal chain in the design. A gorgeous design indeed!

It's really wonderful to come across a beadwork tutorial that's different from most.  This tutorial by Olga Barannikova features a beautiful beaded floral cluster pendant.  It is a layered 3D design. What the designer clearly tried to do was create a basket of flowers.  It took her 8 hours to finish.

You don't have to be a beader to really appreciate this wonderful wavy bead woven cord necklace tutorial by Svetlana McDaniel. It is a versatile design because you can create different cord foundations as well as use different types and colors of beads. The general technique is very similar to the ever popular bead wrapped bracelets - see links below.

There are a number of you who are intrigued with beadwork but have yet come over to the "dark side" as this glass artisan quipped in this humor post about Fantasy Bead Studs. So this one is for you.  An easy peasy pearl and seed bead necklace tutorial just for beading newbies.  The pretty  tutorial is by Megan over on her jewelry making blog.

Some people prefer stud earrings to dangles.  So if you are one of these or making jewelry for someone else, then these 5 beaded stud earrings are worth trying!  Most of them do not use glue to attach the posts.  The one exception is Jean Campbell's design tutorial shown below.  I liked how she began with Czech glass rings.

If you love them big and long,  then beaded earrings are an excellent way to go. The Native American style of beaded earrings is very versatile and great for beginners and experienced beaders alike. The pattern and colorways can be varied for these very lightweight designs. You don't have to make them very long but they are particularly dramatic when worn. The fringes also have additional movement.

Peyote stitch is popular for rings.  But are you bored with the ordinary flat tubes you can make? Then check out this fun peyote ring tutorial by Kris DeGraeve over on How Did You Make This. The  lovely winding effect is simply due to the different sized beads and crystals used.

Combining techniques is a sure fire way for unique designs.  But Colombian artisan, Claudia Fajardo, a talented artist unusually combines metal work with bead work.  The result is a boldly colored collection with a contemporary look.  Claudia says she likes her designs to showcase geometry and natural shapes.

There are plenty of beaded medallion bracelets out there. But for sheer elegance, these two tutorials stand out.  I also love the color palette chosen -both are neutral.  Beaded medallions are often richly designed so the simpler approach here will suit those who prefer less ornate styles.  First up is the Grace Kelly bracelet tutorial by Julie Bean over on Beadaholique.