The Beading Gem

One of the most useful things about working with polymer clay is the ability to integrate some kinds of findings to the design.  Shown here is the excellent combination bail and brooch pin polymer clay tutorial by Russian artist, Ekaterina Brazhkina (also known in the jewelry world as Kate Valeri).

Did you know you could paint with polymer clay?  No, I don't mean using a brush and paints on a plain piece of polymer clay. Fiona Abel-Smith, a British artist, uses only polymer clay and cane techniques to build up a landscape image in her brooch tutorial.  It is painstaking work but incredible results!

You can see more of her beautiful polymer clay jewelry and tutorials on her Etsy store, Polyoriginals.

Japanese designer, Rie of Paru Channel, makes jewelry and accessories with UV resin.  I love her hand painted peacock UV resin peacock charm/pendant tutorial. Her tutorials are in Japanese. But they are self-explanatory.  What I am assuming is she cures the first layer of clear resin before hand painting the peacock with colored resin - she used what looks like alcohol inks to get the colors. Clever to use nail art technique and little decorations!

Yvonne Williams (she is on Etsy as BacktoEarthCreations) likes to create chain maille bezels.  Her design is actually a combination of 2 different weaves.  I personally love larger rings like the ones she uses.  Small ring work just make me cross-eyed!

I've covered wire and polymer clay jewelry tutorials before (see links below). Rather than ordinary round wire, you could also use flat wire. Flat wire is just a long strip of wire in different widths.  A couple of polymer clay designer shows how you can use flat wire to form frames which are then used to cut out the clay. Regular wire, beads and so on are used to embellish the creations.

Lots of people love the medieval period. Reenactments and medieval festivals are very popular.  I, for one, enjoy reading about that historical era (and others. See my bejeweled biographies here). If you are like me or know another with similar interests, consider making this awesome wire wrapped sword pendant.  This tutorial is by wire jewelry designer, Rhonda Chase.

Geometric jewelry designs certainly appeal perhaps because of their contemporary style. Here is one easy tutorial which features bugle beads which aren't used that much in jewelry designs.  It is designed by Helena Chmelikova for Preciosa-Ornela.

Wire Wrapped Violin Pendant

Lucie of WireUpGem is a Canadian wire work jewelry designer and seasoned instructor based in Toronto. What caught my attention were her lovely musical instrument inspired wire wrapped pendants.  

I first came across Lisa of Haus of Gioiella's wonderful and glamorous body chains - see post here.  I also noticed her romantic bridal pearl and lace jewelry.  They were designed for formal wear - not all were exclusively for brides.

Many dichroic fused glass artists make really pretty abstract pieces as does fellow Canadian and Ontarian, Tracey. But the wonderful scenery glass jewelry from her store Jump Glass really captivated me! That is because she does something very different. She fused enamel images onto her designs.

Lucky me!  My soon-to-be 86 year old mother has made me 3 beaded necklaces in different color combinations as shown in the picture below.  This easy beaded necklace tutorial by Dutch beader, Beading4perfectionis is a hit!  Mum says she has made many for friends and family.

Making jewelry can be an expensive hobby.  One way to get some great supplies is through your local charity shop.  Most of the time, the jewelry there is not worth a second look. Yup, plain old junk. But occasionally, there are some great bargains for gemstones and good crystals.  These pieces can be taken apart, washed and dried and recycled into new jewelry.  There are indeed some Etsy stores who sell recycled jewelry designs!

The soutache jewelry making technique was developed by Dori Csengeri way back in 1987.   Since then many talented jewelry designers have mastered it and created some distinctive work of their own.  One such artisan is Polish designer, Joanna, of GiSoutacheJewelry  (link no longer works).

I try to use components in novel ways. Do you?  It is a good strategy as it results in unique designs. Check out Gloria Uhler's easy tutorial which features two hole jasper gemstone tiles. The flat conical beads (bead caps) she uses are typically placed at clasp ends which usually gathers together multi-strand necklaces.

Making lamp work glass making requires a lot of practice and an affinity to working with a torch and manipulating molten glass. Heather Behrendt Glass  show cases the amazing glass focals and beads by this Rochester, New York artist.  Especially noteworthy are her cat inspired designs. She explains, "All designs are drawn freehand in the flame using hairthin pieces of glass called stringer."

Remember the real rose petal jewelry tutorial post I wrote about not long ago?  The easiest seems to be incorporating bits of the flowers into polymer clay.  Well.  This artisan will change your perception of what real rose petal jewelry could be!  Svetlana, the Russian artisan behind Botanist in Love (updated link to her new shop), makes beautifully preserved whole rose petals mounted on polymer clay.

Jamie ゆき Carlson is a Canadian designer of mixed Swedish and Japanese heritage. Her shop, Scandinazn, shows her speciality - recycled leather jewelry. Festively in fun colors! My favorite of her different collections is her confetti inspired one where each and every spot is hand punched from pre-loved leather.  Pointilism in jewelry form!

I still have a ton of gemstone chips. So I am looking for ways to use them up besides making tree of life pendants! (see tutorial here). This easy gemstone chip beaded fringe necklace from Bead Diagrams was just what I was looking for!

Florida based Ella declared: "Ok, I confess: I am a bead addict! and I am happy with that :)"  So what is a bead addict do?  Design a lot.  She is prolific for beading tutorials in her Etsy store called Ellad2. She covers all levels of beading ability for many pendants, bracelets, rings, and earrings. A few of her tutorials - I suspect her most popular ones - are also offered in other languages.

Have you ever noticed designing with odd numbers looks better than even numbers? Even numbers show symmetry. But odd numbers do make designs more aesthetically pleasing. I particularly love this simple but effective pretty wreath-like beaded jewelry tutorial by Sonysree Creations.