The Beading Gem

So many of you loved Lisa's take on wire jewelry judging from the response on last week's giveaway. It's easy to see why.

Adding beads brings color to chain maille designs.  There are 3 ways to introduce the beads :

• string beads onto stringing wire which is crimped at each end of the piece
• add beads to finer gauge jump rings
• capture loose beads between the chain maille weaves

Chains are very versatile components for jewelry making.  They can be used in all sorts of creative ways and not just something to hang pendants and focal sections on!

There is only one thing wrong with making a Christmas ornament tutorial in September -  my privet hedge had to stand in for a real Christmas tree!  But seriously, get into organizational mode and make these easy peasy bead and ribbon wreath ornaments for those on your gift list.  They are inspired by a popular necklace and bracelet style usually with pearls and ribbon or lace.

Beading4Perfectionists does some really lovely beadwork video tutorials. I particularly like this unusual Swarovski crystal butterfly bracelet tutorial. It features bicones and the use of curved connectors to help form the butterfly.

If I had to choose favorites from the large Tis the Season collection I received from Prima Bead, it has to be the bead clusters. All those beaded loops already made and color coordinated!  It was so easy to get a purple crystal heart to go with the bright bell like bead loops for my Festive Heart design.

I know, I know. It's not even October yet. But really, getting ahead with some gift making will make December less frenzied. So Prima Bead's assignment for September is a timely reminder to get cracking. A huge collection from their new Tis the Season line of beads was sent to each of the Prima Team Bloggers. Our brief was to create "unique, out of the box projects". Got that.

Ruben Torres is an Oregon based artisan whose Etsy shop is called A Sailor Who Weaves. He really is a sailor - a chief engineer - who enjoys card weaving his friendship bracelets.  He finds it relaxing to make them while at sea.