The Beading Gem

Statement necklaces aren't for everyone.  But if you love them large and gorgeous, then OSoFree's wonderful designs are stunning.  One lucky winner has won Arni's amazing design from last week's giveaway :

Goody Beads (great name for a bead store!) sell different kinds of jewelry supplies. Their best selling items are their Licorice and flat leather and accessories.  It's not hard to see why!  They have a great selection of European leather products for making easy but very stylish bracelets. You can see the previous designs I made here.

Zoraida is a wonderful wire and metal work artisan on Artfire, who just happens to be a reader.  She also writes her own blog and shares some lovely tutorials.  I really liked her tutorial on how to make a wire woven bail for donut gemstones.

Don't know about you, but I am all "farched" out.  It's a combination of February and March I-am-so-sick-of winter-blahs. If you are lucky enough to be off on a cruise in some exotic and warm locale, I envy you!  Perhaps you should be making some gorgeous beaded sandals for the trip?

Some of the loveliest found objects for jewelry making has to be sea glass and pretty stones.  Throw in crystals, pearls and gemstones and these are the fixings for delicious jewelry designs.

Beaded earrings are quick and lovely to make.  But I've never really been fond of beaded loops for hanging onto the ear wires.  So this little gem of a tutorial, Clever Blossom Earrings with Gold and Black Glass Pearls,  has a super trick using very short lengths of chain for that connection.  The actual design is an easy floral element using illusion cord.

Well, it's April Fool's Day so what better time then to share this new crop of fun jewelry finds (see more below).  Some people are so creative and clever.  It's a small niche but can be lucrative.  Just ask Licia Young of Licia Beads on Etsy!  Her beaded toilet roll jewelry is famous!  Doesn't hurt to have been featured on the Jay Leno Show either!