Beading Arts

The only thing constant in life is change   ~ attributed in various forms to Greek thinker Heraclitus of Ephesus I have fought against it for a few years now, but at last it is (past) time for me to make a change.  I have had a website since 1997 and have been blogging tutorials, artist profiles, book reviews, and art business tips since 2005, as well as writing magazine articles and e-books, making projects for my friends' books and for suppliers, and enjoying almost every minute of it. But now, I am ready to shift my focus to doing my own work, just because I want to do it and not because I think it will make a good blog post.  That doesn't mean that I will not be posting anymore, but it will probably be much less frequently, and may or may not include any instructions. I am leaving you a huge archive full of projects, tips, and inspiration.  Beginners, I have always had a special place in my heart for you.  My goal has been to cater primarily to you...

In a couple of weeks, I'm going to be blessed to be able to be with my grand-girls for Christmas!  Since they don't read blogs, I feel safe in showing you some things I've made for them  :-) Here are instructional links to the stitches that I used.  I didn't make any of these things exactly as in the tutorials, but rather I used the ideas and recombined them to suit myself.  Fingerless gloves (except I did the tops with V stitch and crocodile scales...and smaller!) V stitch - used for both gloves and hat Crocodile stitch Hat pattern - I made mine smaller, added crocodile stitches, and left the top open for a long ponytail! Copyright 2018 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.

I can't wait to have a few moments peace to read through this book!  Yes, you heard that right...this is not so much a review as a preview.  It's the only book on my pile right now, but with all the busyness of the season, I just haven't been able to get to it. So here's what's in store for anyone who wants to take the chance on The Visual Guide to Art Quilting , compiled by Lindsay Conner! Chapter 1 covers design theory and inspiration.  Where do you get your ideas?  How do you work with a theme?  Design ideas like grids, slice and rearrange, realism, and abstraction.  Color.  Working in a series. Chapter 2 is about materials and supplies, including how to create a design wall. Chapter 3 covers working with fabric, including organizing your fabric stash, different ways to applique, and improvisational patchwork. Chapter 4 includes many surface design techniques, like dyeing, adding texture, freehand painting, stamping and printing. Chap...

Learn to Stitch Beaded Jewelry: 50+ projects you'll love to make by Marla Salezze Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry: Creating with components by Marilyn Gardiner Hand Stamped Jewelry: How To Make Your Own Hand Stamped Jewelry For Beginners by Shanice Questro Metal Jewelry Workshop: Essential Tools, Easy-to-Learn Techniques, and 12 Projects for the Beginning Jewelry Artist (Fox Chapel Publishing) Step-by-Step Photos for Designs using 12 Simple Hand Tools by Helen Driggs Enameling: For Beginners! Techniques & Tips To Create Amazing Metalwork Enameled Jewelry Projects by Maureen Alaska Beginner's Guide to Kumihimo by Donna McKean-Smith Epoxy clay jewelry projects: A beginner's guide to using epoxy clay by Katherine Swift Wire-Wrapped Jewelry Techniques: Tools and Inspiration for Creating Your Own Fashionable Jewelry (Fox Chapel Publishing) 30 Expert Wire-Wrapping Techniques Step-by-Step, plus 8 Stylish Projects by Lora S. Irish Paper Bead Jewelry: Step...

Embellished right angle weave rope necklace I made a list a little while ago of the rope-style beaded necklaces that I stitched over the summer and early fall.  Looking at my archives, I realized that I had forgotten about two previously stitched styles: the right angle weave necklace shown above, and the Viking's double shown below.  I am adding them to the master list for the future! Viking's Double rope necklace Copyright 2010, 2018 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.

Here's a little peek at a piece of beadweaving that I just finished.  You can probably tell that it's right angle weave beadwork (RAW) and that it's a necklace.  It's not my design, and there's a reason that I'm not showing you the whole thing...you might want to make one yourself! I told you all about Facet Jewelry Box earlier this year.  It's a great subscription to have if you don't have a local bead shop, or if you just want additional projects to do each month.  The nicest part is that everything you need, with the exception of the tools, is included.  No more buying an entire hank of beads just so you can use a couple of them in a project!  The tools needed are all basic, so if you've been making jewelry for any length of time, you'll have all you need. This box came with a necklace and earrings set.  So far, I have finished the necklace...the earrings I've set aside for later this week when I'm in between other projects.  I...

There has been one not-so-wonderful thing about my worktable, for as long as I've had my studio.  Don't get me wrong...I am extremely grateful for having the space, with room for storage as well as work, and with a wonderful view.  But, my hinged clamp-on magnifying table lamp sometimes left me unhinged! Enter Brightech.  The good folks at  Brightech lamps  sent me a replacement for my terrible terrible lamp.  Not only is the design far superior - and yes, looks do matter! - but the function is also way way better.  The magnifying lens is large, clear, and perfectly balanced.  Unlike my old lamp, there is a cover (shown in the up position above) that protects your lens from dust while not in use.  All the springs and hinges are protected, which not only looks nicer, but also keeps your fingers out of danger.    I received a clamp-on magnifying model (shown above but in white) that is dimmable and also boasts 2 different la...

Part one of this tutorial was posted last Monday and covered the construction of the main body of the necklace.  Just to remind you, this post is sponsored by Solid Oak , from whom I have received the products in order to create this project for you.  5. Make two tassels on large round jump rings, using leftover links from the small-sized crystal chains. Also add one of the chain dangles from your findings pack, folding it in half.  Stagger the lengths as shown.  Attach the tassels to the outside of each of the jump rings from step 3 and close them. 6. Cut the neck chain in half.  You can shorten it if you wish, but I like to leave extra length to make it adjustable.  Add a lobster clasp from your findings pack to one end with a small oval jump ring. Add a dangle, if you'd like, to the other end.  This helps to give the piece a finished look.  I used a leftover link from the medium-sized ruby crystal chain and a few links fr...

Garnet Skies Cyndi Lavin, 2018 I was contacted by the good people at Solid Oak Inc  to find out if I would like to have a look at their products.  They have multiple lines of jewelry making charms, kits, fibers, and metal components at very reasonable prices.  We decided that Solid Oak would sponsor a tutorial here on Beading Arts using their Estrella line of sparkly components.  I was psyched!  I've been looking at the colors and styles for Fall into Winter this year, and the multi-strand boho inspired look still seems to be going pretty strong, but with a slightly more sophisticated polish.  Jewelry makers can easily create that look using the Estrella line.  With the products listed below, I made the set shown above. These pieces can easily be altered to suit yourself by choosing the different colors of Estrella crystal chain and the different charms.  However, if you are a beginner jewelry maker and would like to follow along, I...

Christina Larsen has come up with the next logical crossover skill in jewelry making: kumihimo performed with wire instead of cords!  In Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy , Christina teaches three fairly simple kuihimo braid structures that she then goes on to turn into fabulous pieces of jewelry, both with and without beads. Even if you have never done kumihimo with cords before, fear not.  The instructions are very complete, and Christina has lots of tips to help you speed through the learning curve.  You do not need expensive equipment or tools to do this...just a few basic wire tools that you probably already have, and one of the inexpensive foam disks.  Since wire doesn't slip out of holes once you've moved it there, you don't need to worry about the disks "wearing out" quickly.  You do have to worry about tension, though, and Christina shows you all her best practices for choosing, straightening, and moving wires, and for maintaining tension as you work...

Are you familiar with Rita Sova's wonderful bead patterns ?  I've come across Rita's designs many times before, but this time I fell hook, line, and sinker!  Since my recent foray into stitching Russian leaves in all kinds of patterns and colors, my eye has just naturally homed in on any new ones that I see as I'm scrolling through Pinterest.  Well...there was this wonderful piano keys pattern, but without any credits or a link!!!!  Thanks to the magic of google and the Lightshot app, I was finally able to track it down to Rita.  So, here is my rendition of piano keys earrings .  You can get the tutorial at the link above for just a few dollars.  Enjoy! My previous post on bead weaving Russian leaves

Jeweled Fall crown tutorial Personalized stamped bracelet video tutorial Floral stamped mandala pendant video tutorial How to choose the right earrings for your face shape This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique

I came across this really pretty stitch that I found on MyPicot , called the Honeycomb Stitch.  It takes about 7 rows to complete the entire pattern, but you can then choose to add another few rows without actually having to do an entire additional repeat.  I thought that 10 or 12 rows made a wonderful width for a scarf and am thinking about using this pattern again for something else in the future.  As you can see in the photo below, I used two very similar colors of yarn for this scarf.  If you want the pattern to really stand out, use multiple colors like the sample on MyPicot shows.  I recommend printing out the diagram provided.  Since each row is slightly different, it is much easier to follow the diagram than written out instructions.  I found the that I caught on to the pattern very quickly this way. On each long edge, I finished it with single crochet.

Vermont in Autumn Bracelet video tutorial (peyote and brick stitch) Cornucopia Swirl Necklace video tutorial (cellini spiral) Happy Haunts Bracelet with video tutorial (loom stitching) Royal Vortex Necklace video tutorial (cellini spiral) Fright Night Choker video tutorial (RAW stitch) This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique