Beading Arts

Beaded Chains & Ropes: Create Easy-to-Wear Jewelry Using Popular Stitches by Karin Van Voorhees Easy Jewelry Making: 50+ projects from the 11th year of Bead Style magazine by BeadStyle magazine Freeform Wire Art Jewelry: Techniques for Designing With Wire, Beads and Gems by Gayle Bird The Jewelry Recipe Book: Transforming Ordinary Materials into Stylish and Distinctive Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces by Nancy Soriano Technorati Tags: bead embroidery , handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

A number of years ago, I made my first experimental felt pyramid .  Since I wrote up all the instructions at that time, I'm going to just send you there to see the details of how its done.  However, I've got a couple of tips to add... I decided not to use a stiff felt liner on all the faces of my current pyramid, only on the bottom.  Now I wish that I had taken the time to add them to each face.  See how it sort of sags?  Live and learn. On my original, I wish that I had added beadwork to the side faces before assembling.  This time I did.  At least that part turned out better, but it is partly the weight of these additions that caused the sagging! Here are my process shots.  Please visit the link above for the instructions, but remember to add the side decorations before assembling the sides! January 2015: Wavy raised circle form February 2015: Crescent form March 2015: Orb form April 2015: Pyramid form Copyright 2015 Cyndi Lavin. All

Clay Cross Stitch Have you ever heard of clay cross stitch? The words "unique" and "original" hardly do justice to clay artist Eva Stosic's latest adventures in clay. How To Make A Pom Pom Easy tutorial on how to make your own pom pom and ideas to use them. Quick Craft Update Adorable amigurumi overload! Owen the Monkey and Blair the Bunny are ready for their new home. Come say hello to them before they move on their way. Art Bead Scene Check out Mary's fun tutorial using macrame and leather!

You all know that bead embroidery is my thing, not so much beadweaving.  Although I enjoy beadweaving from time to time, it just never enthralls me the way embroidery does.  Except... Except for beadweaving ropes.  I could spend time almost everyday weaving ropes, and I'd be happy (as long as I still had time to embroider).  There is something hypnotic, mind-freeing, and relaxing about beading a rope.  Sometimes they are tricky to get started, but once you've got the first few rows done, the rhythm kicks in and the zen descends! I also love ropes because they're a great way to feature favorite pendants or art beads.  Now Karin Van Voorhees has put together a collection of really nice chains and ropes by a talented collection of designers, called appropriately Beaded Chains & Ropes .  All the major stitches are represented, including herringbone, brick, peyote, square, ladder, RAW and cubic RAW, crossweave, spiral, circular netting, Russian spiral, St Petersburg

I've had this beautiful black and copper swirl dichroic glass pendant for a long time, and it is certainly large enough to just wear on its own by adding a large jump ring, but I wanted to do a bit more.  Not too much more, though!  I'm very happy with the compromise I came up with. If you are new to bead embroidery or to making pendants, step-by-step instructions for putting together a bead embroidered piece, including back stitch, edging brick stitch, and stack stitch can be found in the free first chapter of Every Bead Has a Story .  Chapter two has instructions for stitching a peyote stitch bezel, and Chapter three teaches the square stitch bail. 1. I decided to stick with only the colors already found in the pendant.  I used some double stick tape to hold the pendant down temporarily while I bezeled it with size 11/0 seed beads, topped by a row of size 15/0 seed beads to cinch it in.  I used a Swarovski marguerite to hide the pendant hole and to secure it to th

Yarn Review and Bead Crochet This video craft podcast is full of knitting, crochet, and beading! Take out your current craft project, and craft-along with the Crafty Princess. Blue Glass Solar Lights Cherie's playing with blue glass again! She's made some solar lights for the garden. Butterfly Spring Card Design “Hello.” Here’s a bright cheery butterfly spring card with die cut embellishments to brighten someone’s day. Fish Extenders and Finished Bags Finally finished the Fish Extender Bags! I also show some of the gift ideas I have come up with. The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Stop by and check out the fun projects that the participants of the Frenzied Motion Challenge made!

Advanced Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop:  Weaving with Rings and Scale Maille  By Karen Karon  Interweave/F+W; $26.99 It's hard to believe that it was three years ago that Karen Karon's first book on chain maille jewelry was published by Interweave (my review at the link).  It is by far my favorite book on the subject. And now, chain maille enthusiasts, take heart!  At long last, Karen's sequel, Advanced Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop , is available! One of the most important things for me when I'm learning a new skill or trying to improve one is that the instructional source I use is well-organized.  Just like the first book, Advanced Chain Maille is amazing in how thoughtfully it is laid out.  There is a quick review of tools, materials, and techniques in the beginning, including chain maille math.  Then Karon moves right into fabulous new weaves, each more complicated than those in the first book, and progressing in difficulty throughout each section so

Square stitch bail for a donut It's so much fun to master a little piece of beadwork, and then be able to use it over and over for different purposes in your designs.  I gathered up a bunch of easy little multi-use seed bead components that I've taught here over the years, all in one place so you can find the one you want easily! Cellini spiral tube Square stitch bail for a donut RAW bezel and bail Two-drop peyote stitch beaded beads Peyote stitch beaded beads An interesting spiral Beaded flowers Beaded cabochon pendants Spiral square stitch Barnacles Floral chain Bezel for a lampwork bead Copyright 2015 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact. Technorati Tags: bead embroidery , handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , b

Video Needle Review Learn the pros and cons of the Knit Picks Interchangeable Nickel Plated Needle Set. Dazzle-It Rings: Great Beginner’s Bead Weaving Projects If you'd like to try bead weaving, here's a great way to learn. Look at the ring Eileen made in her first attempt. Connie Gee's Designs Prims are all the rage these days and Connie is fascinated with them. She's added a new free pattern that is inspired by all the primitive designers she admires. It will have you "crowing" in anticipation of a quick finish. Art Bead Scene 5 Free Art Bead Jewelry Project that were featured in the 2015 Bead Cruise Program. The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Winter is coming... actually, it's spring, but the new season of Game of Thrones starts soon. See what Andrew created for a jewelry challenge that pays homage to the books and television series.

Pantone's color report for Autumn 2015 (yes, yes, I know it's early, but some people like to plan ahead!) Freelance writers who want to earn more How to apply the "power of 100" to your blog How to get top bloggers to share your content The family-run jewelry business 5 Things retailers should know about Google + Jewelry industry events calendar Reasons your business should have a blog Technorati Tags: bead embroidery , handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

I am still inspired by the beautiful springtime colors of the ribbons that I received from Offray Ribbons , which included wild berry, violet, and a textured gold ribbon.  For this project, I wanted to use some polymer clay cabochons that I made quite a while ago, featuring the very same colors! Materials & Tools Arabesque wire edged ribbon, Wild Berry , 1 1/2 inch wide Arabesque wire edged ribbon, Violet , 5/8 inch wide Galena wire edged ribbon, Gold , 1 1/2 inch wide Foundation fabric (non-woven fabric like ultra suede) Focal cabochons of your choice Double stick tape or glue Size 11/0 and size 15/0 seed beads Pearls , 6 - 8 mm Beading thread (I used black Nymo O) Tools : Silk pins Beading needles Scissors 1. Play with your ribbons on a background of foundation fabric until you like the arrangment.  Use silk pins or double stick tape to hold down the ends for the next few steps. 2. Choose the placement for your focal pieces and adhere them li

Win a Free Knitting Book! Show off your finished crafting objects and get a chance to win a copy of a new knitting book coming out this month! Thumbprint Bunny Tea Towel Kids can help make these thumbprint bunny tea towels. They make charming housewarming gifts and fun keepsakes for grandparents, aunts and uncles. Beaded Crosses Cherie makes crosses with beads and baubles. Her latest crafty obsession! Sweet Harmony Cross Stitch Pattern Connie has added another free pattern that is suitable for cross stitch on Aida, linen, stitching over one, or even needlepoint. The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Check out what the Inspired by Reading Book Club members made for their March selection, "Home" by Toni Morrison!