The Beading Gem

Johnette wanted to make a pearl necklace gift for her friend at a beading party. She knew this lady preferred classic designs. While there is nothing wrong with an all pearl necklace, what Johnette did certainly made the design "pop".

She did not use a pendant but she added a couple of accent beads - silvery ones which flanked a single rhinestone rondelle bead. The overall design was still understated but unique and lovely.

Image by Susan Elliott

I've featured miniature beaded jewelry before for Barbie dolls (see link below).

But Susan Elliott's amazing embroidered and bejeweled picture is different. It's her homage to the film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn.

Anne Cecilie is the talented beader behind Jewelry and Polymer Clay Tutorial Heaven whose tutorials continue to be featured here. Want more super how-tos from Anne? Here goes.

First, a matching set of earrings and bracelet.The earrings tutorial demonstrates a wonderful combination of wire work and knotting with beads.

Scarves have become popular again over the last few years. So I was delighted when I spotted Franchesca Leigh Ramsey's Twitpic of her fabulous scarf necklace some time ago. She is a video blogger and a self confessed hair obsessed graphic designer based in New York City.

So many people loved her wrapped silk scarf that she made a fun Youtube video showing how to do it yourself. It's a beautiful way to dress up a plain outfit. Perfect for cooler weather or frigid air-conditioned offices in hot climes!

Bold. Colorful. Tribal. Spectacular!  Amanda Assad Mounser's Autumn/Winter 2011 Neo Conquistador collection clearly wows. This New York City based designer uses bright colors, multi-layered elements, tassels, spikes and chains to great effect.

Although Assad Mounser is primarily known for her glam rock movement inspirations, this latest collection springs from her imaginative take on conquerors creating anew from the relics of destroyed cultures.

Crystazzi Jewelry Rose Light Kit

My petition for a 36-hour day failed  miserably. So time is still one of our most precious commodities.  If you are struggling to find time to craft then a kit will help.

Kits mean you don't have to think about what to gather up. The color coordinated components are all assembled together  ready for you to pick up and start crafting right away when you have a spare moment.

I never knew drinking straws came in so many different colors until I saw Linda Schailon's eco-rings. Her aptly named Flow collection is made by putting together recycled straws.

This Italian designer's sense of color comes into play as her recycled straw jewelry is available in so many different color  and pattern combinations.

Cathe Holden, the contributing craft editor for Country Living Magazine and the blogger behind Just Something I Made is truly creative.


She created a wonderful mini folk charm necklace tutorial which represents her family. The tiny people necklace is a different take on family name necklaces or even birthstone versions.