The Beading Gem

I have featured some of Gloria's (Domestic Diva Online) wire work tutorials before (see links below). They are relatively easy to do and at the same delivers a contemporary touch.  Her faux amber caged wire wrapped pendant tutorial can be used with many drilled gemstone nuggets.  I like how she wire wraps her bead sideways.

Wire work is always a popular technique. But when a masterclass book comes out, interest soars. So it was the case with last week's giveaway of Rachel Norris' book. It is one of the most outstanding wire jewelry project books I have seen for a long while. And many of you agreed. Aims said, "What got me with your review Pearl was that the book is over 300 pages long and it's for 15 projects? Wow! Each project must have extremely detailed instructions (and templates too? Oh my!)!"

Leather can be manipulated in many ways to become functional and decorative works.  It can be dyed, painted, carved, stamped, perforated and so on. Viola, a leather jewelry designer from Moscow, Russia shows astonishing mastery of this craft through her amazing leather flower brooches.

Die cutters like the Sizzix are useful for jewelry making - see this past tutorial of mine on how to make denim earrings where I put my Sizzix to use.  But I wanted to do much, much more and not be limited by the dies available.  So I did some research and decided on and bought my Cricut Explore (they now have newer models which are currently on sale). The Cricut machines could cut not just the typical paper and cardstock but fabric, leather, suede and so much more.

Cellini spiral bead work is a wonderful multi-colored technique. Projects usually spiral continuously from one end of the piece to the other. But if the direction is turned, a reversing cellini spiral creates a focal area.  Perfect for necklaces and bracelets.  Designer Cheri Carlson demonstrates how to easily turn direction in this short Art Beads tutorial.

Tassel jewelry have been around forever. But lately, they have been trending hot!  I simply love Cheri Carlson's wonderful tutorial where she combines a traditional diamond patterned brick stitched earrings with cord tassels! Sure beats doing the usual beaded fringe approach.

It has been quite a while since I wrote about a designer who uses unwanted bra underwires for her jewelry designs (and tutorial).  Maya Kuzman, a crochet designer whom I have featured before detested underwires so she removes them and repurposes them in to something far more comfortable to wear!

Kimberley Newman is a genius.  Lots of people make wire wrapped earrings with single beads. But her tutorial has a crucial difference. Instead of using a finer wire like 26 G  or 28 G to wrap the beads to the frames, she hammered tabs which are then simply folded over.  Gives a different look, doesn't it?

It is that time of year again. Fun and creativity ensue during the Halloween season.  Here is a great collection of noteworthy Halloween inspired wire work jewelry designers. First is this gorgeous gemstone studded wire wrapped pumpkin pendant by Jennifer Blackwell of Glowfly Designs.

Rachel Norris is an acclaimed British wire work jewelry designer I have featured before.  Her flora and fauna inspired pieces reflect the natural beauty of her native Cornwall.  Her talent lies in her imaginative creativity which captures  the forms of flowers and creatures with wire and beads.

Are you trying to learn how to do cubic right angle weaves (cRAW)?  Well this set of 3 easy cubic right angle weaves should get you started AND tweak your interest for more.  The first one teaches the basic stitch.  This beginner tutorial is by Bronze Pony Beaded Jewelry.  I like how she added pearls at intervals to make the design more interesting.