The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Designs by Karen aka kidsauthor
An Antique Heart
I found the brass heart at St Vincent de Paul, could not resist it. I love "old" jewelry. Bought it home, cleaned it up, removed all the old...
Fall Leaves
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Mother Nature really knows how to display her talents. This necklace reminds me of all the beautiful colors...
Components: LB Czech glass Autumn Afternoon leaf drops 8x12mm in various colors of Fall, seed bead 11/0, 4mm orange/shell rounds, simple leaf gold toggle clasp
Vintage Flowers!
Wanted to make a vintage necklace...really did not have a plan for this one, made it up as I went along. I had all these filigree flowers from...
Components: Brass, silver plate filigree components, Swarovski crystals 3 & 6 mm peach, pink ribbon threaded through the chain, 2 Mother of Pearl charms
Lucious Watermelon
One of the first picks I did were these colors and the cabachon. I blended the beads with the copper & here is the result!
Components: Most of these beads are from LB! Malachite cabachon & setting, 8mm dk pink shell coins, Czech glass 6mm prairie green squares, 4mm firepolished round-hematite, copper chain, round spapcers & clasp. The necklace is 20" in length
Seed Bead Designs
Always wanted to do something a little more creative with seed beads. I worked with a gal who taught me this design in 20 minutes while on break,...
Components: Round 11/0 size seed bed, various colors, 3mm pearls and 2-3mm Swarovski crystals, Fireline string and sterling silver clasps on all three necklaces.
My Amber in Gold
This the one I made with gold and amber acrylic. I loved working with these beads, wasn't quite sure about working with such a large mm bead, but...
Components: Acrylic amber 22mm, 8mm gold beads, seed beads in shades of amber, gold-plated chain and clasp.
My Amber
I fell in love with these amber acrylic beads and came up with a couple of designs, I think this one is one of my favorites as I prefer silver or...
Components: Acrylic amber 22mm with shades of amber/gold seed beads, 10mm nuggets, silver-plated spacers 10mm
Forever Pearls
I had this bow focal point for some time and just sat down one day, recently, and came up with this! I really like the pearls with it, kind of...
Components: 22mm brass bow with dark purple rhinestones, Top-drilled fresh-water pearls in amethyst, sea green & ivory. Brass lobste claw clasp, and 2 brass leaf spacers.
The Jaded Rose
I found these faceted rose beads, fell in love with them (remember, I love sparkles) and had the jade stones...put them together and found that the...
Components: Swarovski Baroque crystals 16mm & 18mm, swarovski bicone rose, Jade rounds, 6 & 4mm, rose faceted glass 12mm, Antique silver clasp
"Swamp Water"
I really enjoyed working with the new beads from LB. Recently watched an "old" movie "Swamp thing", and was inspired to create something with the...
Components: LB new Peruvian Opal Groovy Rectangle, new Margarita fire polished rondelles, gold plated bar links, gold plated toggle clasp
July's Fire
My husband's birthday is in July and I wanted to design a piece that displays my love for him. He is so supportive of my "hobby" in designing...
Components: Acrylics and Czech glass beads, 3mm Swarovski crystals, gold-plated link chain and clasp.
Chatter
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This is a piece one can wear from day to night, very beautiful!…” read »
- on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda the ring is cute, did you a spiral worked in to your ring?…” read »
on “Garden Droplets”:“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
on “a taste of honey”:“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
on “Evergreen Copper”:“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
on “Prince Moai”:“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
on “Lovely Impression”:“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate!
I'll take a closer look at Swellegant.
Lynda, thank you for the…” read » - on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous.
…” read » 
on “Prince Moai”:“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
on “Simply Crystal”:“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“Great earrings. Can't wait to see what you do with the 16g.…” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Wanda, I really like this. Love the Butterfly theme and admire all the hard work…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Please let Jimmy know that he is my first on-line crush. Love a guy who…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“I read your tute and found it very easy to follow! And must agree with Kate and…” read »
on “Mystic Mystery”:“Love that color! Great design, too.
…” read »- on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Blue with brass. What more could anyone want? Great design.
…” read » - on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“My kind of color! Love the design, too! Isn't it great to have a stash when…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Mmmmmm, yummy color! Love it!
…” read » - on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Kate is right, It definitely has that "industrial chic" look. Great color, excellent design! …” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Thanks so much everyone. When I designed this I was thinking that the butterflies were skipping…” read »
- on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Great Pendant! Love it! If you aren't sure about the design, put it away for a…” read »
- on “Recycled Blues”:
“Instant summer! Love 'em!
…” read »
