Beading Arts

I am really getting anxious for Spring!  Last week, we had two days in a row that the temperature reached into the 70s!!!  That is unheard of for New England in February.  Anyway, I was inspired to work a bit more on my Spring Style 2018 board on Pinterest.  It's full of inspiration and tutorials for fashion trends, jewelry design, color and prints...everything fashionable for Spring. I've also got a smaller board called Welcome Spring! which focuses on more home decor and crafty type projects, because I don't know about you, but I always need to bring some of that fabulous color into my house after a long dreary Winter :-)

I made this for my Mother for Christmas this year...it's just a little tiny thing, but it was so much fun to do that I might have to make more next year!  It all started with a set of vintage table napkins that I swear are silk... Google "embroidery alphabet letters" and you will find more inspiration that you could ever believe.  I picked a fairly simple, but nicely curved letter and stitched it onto the napkin through tissue paper that I had drawn the letter on.  It took awhile to pick out the tissue shreds afterwards, but it was worth it.  My napkin was very thin and delicate, so I lined it with plain muslin in the embroidery hoop, which you can't see. Once it's done, choose a smaller hoop for mounting.  I traced around the inside opening and cut a piece of foam-core that size.  Place the embroidery into the hoop and center it properly.  Pull it snug.  Use double stick tape to attach another piece of napkin fabric (or other...

Queen of the Nile component Egyptian scarab earrings video tutorial Quick and easy pearl knotting White chocolate raspberry skillet cookie ...just because Queen of the Nile pendant necklace video tutorial Square hoop earring tutorial Patina key necklace tutorial Night Blooming Jasmine necklace video tutorial How to make your own sea glass ...and... How to drill sea glass Free cross stitch writing tool online This post contains affiliate links: Jesse James Beads

  Dutch Spiral Earrings Look at these colors!  Perfect for Spring, and there's enough time to make them before the weather clears up and you'll be ready for them :-)  The tutorial is at the links above.    Pantone Spring 2018 palette

Cleopatra necklace video tutorial (shown above) Roaring 20s style chain maille earrings tutorial World Wonders earrings video tutorial How to make chain tassels tutorial Cartouche necklace video tutorial 15 Stylish paper jewelry tutorials How to clean brass jewelry Black and white chocolate brownie bars This post contains affiliate links: Jesse James Beads

I am crazy about stones.  Used to collect them when I was a kid, especially the limestone geodes that littered the field behind our house.  Now I don't collect them as much as I used to, but I still love to gaze adoringly at them.  Maybe I'm part dragon...? This is an example of what you'll find there that is NOT a stone! This is an example of what you'll find there that IS a stone! :-)

What a great match for Ultra Violet, the 2018 color of the year!!  This little bracelet works up so quickly, and you might end up being tempted to make one in every color :-)  The tutorial is at the link. 

Jewelry design contest by Jesse James Beads $100 bead shopping spree as the prize! Recycling old forks into elephant pendants Video Giza necklace tutorial (shown above) 20 Chocolate dessert recipes, just in time for Valentine's Day! Selling your work: tips from Luann Udell How to measure bracelet sizes properly All about metal stamping This post contains affiliate links: Jesse James Beads

Lucite, plastic, wood, brass, and copper $35 It's a fun, light, and airy piece for the spring or summer, perfect for this year's color palette. The various sized lucite, plastic, wood, copper, and brass beads are from recycled vintage jewelry pieces. They are suspended in a tangle of cords, set off nicely by the brass cones and clasp. The total length of this handmade beaded necklace is 22 1/2 inches. Hit the button above, or leave me a comment if you are interested! If you'd like to try making your own, I wrote a tutorial long long ago :-)

  Here's another piece from a couple years ago that has perfect colors for the Winter palette!  It's just a simple wire wrapped pendant, quick and easy to make.  The tutorial is at the link!

  New colors and styles of Swarovski crystals (shown above) Faux terrarium necklace tutorial Five minute pom pom earrings...just because! Leather round-braid bracelets tutorial Recycled t-shirt bracelets Jesse James Beads video tutorials: Green goddess pendant Goddess cuff bracelet Norse goddess earrings  Egyptian goddess bracelet This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique and Jesse James Beads

Silver, copper, turquoise-colored beads, probably dyed howlite $55 I made Turquoise Seas back in 2010, and it has become another necklace that just sits on my shelf and mopes for a good home.  It is not real turquoise, but more likely dyed howlite, which is why the price is so fantastic.  The large central bead in this piece is made from bead-woven silver and copper beads, using a spiraling peyote stitch technique. It is approximately 2-1/2 inches long, and is surrounded by copper, silver, and turquoise-colored stones in the rest of the necklace strand. The rest is put together using simple stringing and wire work techniques.  Length adjusts from 18 to 21 inches.

  Ammonite pendant Once you've tried a few easier pendants, I challenge you to try one that is a bit trickier!  This ammonite cabochon is much thicker than the usual cab that you might buy for a pendant.  Check out the tutorial to see how to deal with this challenge!  The tutorial is in two parts. 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.

Lakshmi necklace tutorial video (beads shown above) Up-cycled belts turned into leather cuffs! Free kumihimo live online class next week Making an adorable polymer clay bear  Using nail polish to marble a ring dish Sequinned ear crawlers tutorial DIY wire ring tutorial How to make the amazing pastries known as Bear Claws! This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique and Jesse James Beads

Don't wait till the last possible minute before you make, find, or buy something special for Valentine's Day...whether it's for yourself or for the one you love!

    Triple cabochon bead embroidery pendant For far too long, I let some polymer clay pieces that I made as experiments just sit around gathering dust.  Finally, it occurred to me that they would look good as the focals of a bead embroidery pendant.  And why not?  Turquoise is always a good color, no matter what the current season dictates!  This winter, it goes with Shaded Spruce.  In the spring, it will be a good match for Arcadia!   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.

Sweet candy heart earrings - a video tutorial! DIY elephant fork bracelet Fun shawl pins! Ant earrings for metal workers Pretty pearl ribbon choker tutorial Using stickers to make matching heart jewelry 6 Easy DIY rings you can make in an afternoon How to make Holi beaded earrings - a video tutorial (charms shown below)     This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique + Jesse James Beads

Ametrine nuggets, vintage buttons, pearls and faceted glass  $60 Twists of seed bead strands, accented by crystals and pearls, swing their way between beautiful pearly vintage buttons in graduated sizes. The large ametrine nuggets are a slightly softer shade than they appear in the photo. The total length can be easily adjusted from 18 to 21 inches. Hit the button above, or leave me a comment if you are interested! I never took any step-out photos of this one while I was making it, but there is a simple tutorial at this link if you'd like to try your hand!

Are you as crazy about vintage jewelry as I am?  I could look at it, drool over it, wear it, and lust for it every day!  I also find it really helpful in inspiring my own designs.  Visit my Vintage jewelry inspirations board and see what might inspire your next collection. 

    Black glass bead embroidery pendant A simple piece like this is really quick to work up with minimal colors and techniques, so it's a great way to introduce yourself to bead embroidery.  It will go with practically anything you wear if you pick an appropriate neutral and metallic for your wardrobe.  The two-part tutorial is at the link! 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.