The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “All Wired Up”:“Sorry, Becky...I meant to respond to your question about the waxed linen, too. The coating does wear…” read »
on “Sea Breeze”:“Very cool! I especially love the sun and the silk!…” read »
on “All Wired Up”:“Lynda, thank you, it makes sense to me
…” read »- on “Close to my Heart”:
“I see a family heirloom. What a personal, beautiful expression of motherhood.…” read »
on “Fortunate mistake”:“Mistakes often lead to new and fantastic discoveries. Just look at how goldstone was invented. Hope…” read »
on “My seashore stack bracelets”:“Awesome!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“What a great outcome! Love the effect it had on the ammonite, and those rondelles are…” read »
on “The Uh Ohs!”:“So cute!…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Love this!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Very, very nice!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“Me TOOOO!!!! What a cool outcome for a potential disaster!! You need to tell…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Hi Becky-Yep, those are blue dyed zebra jasper beads.…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Very pretty
…” read » - on “Fortunate mistake”:
“I really like the effect
…” read » - on “Close to my Heart”:
“Not only did you save money, but you made something that is so close too your…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Love the idea, gorgeous work, Jess
…” read » - on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Great piece, Coral, loving the asymmetry
…” read » - on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“Fun earrings
…” read » 
on “Nesting Instinct”:“Beautiful!!!…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Beautiful necklace and sentiment, Jess! I love your style!!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely design, Coral!! Are those blue dyed zebras?…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“FAB-YOO-LOUS!!!!! WOW! Fantastic nestwork and SUCH a cute idea!!!! How are the kids?? Baby…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Fabulous design for your mother necklace!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Beautiful wire work in this, and that nest is so cute. I'm sure she will love…” read »
on “Peridot Pleasure”:“This beautiful Julia as always!…” read »
- on “Lavender and Tarragon in Blooms”:
“Beautiful!…” read »
- on “More the Merrier Re-design”:
“WOW!…” read »
- on “Turquoise Feather”:
“Pretty!…” read »
- on “Peacock Tail Feathers”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “All Wired Up”:
“Fabulous!…” read »
- on “Ebony & Ivory”:
“Great piece!…” read »
- on “Flowers and Butterflies”:
“Lovely!b…” read »
- on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“These are pretty!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Gorgeous!==i…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Great design!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “Sparkle Shine”:
“Beautiful necklace Coral!…” read »
- on “Maroon Sun”:
“Thank you Old Beaded Lady!!…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Very pretty...perfect pairing of colors and materials!…” read »
mister bojangles
About this design:
Taking technical baby steps -- that is, trying to move beyond just stringing -- I experimented with some copper links and jump rings. :)
Components:
Bracelet: Copper disks and jump rings, gold quartz twisted rectangles, copper S-clasp. Earrings: Copper disks and yellow jade nuggets.Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 7:35 am #
Green Eyed Lady Chick says:This is gorgous! I love it, you did a great job keep experimenting would love to see more!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 7:51 am #
KittyMom Linda says:Susan, you went right from baby steps to running! This is beautiful – but then I’m not the least bit surprised. It still has your “signature” style. Can’t wait to see more.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 8:51 am #
Judith Ann Boyer says:Adorable! I agree with Kitty Mom…You have this wire wrapping down, you are off and running!!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 9:26 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:Fabulous Susan! I have to agree with Linda, you are off and running! Don’t stop now!
I’d also like to comment on your photography skills. Your pieces show such beautiful detail and lighting. Any suggestions for us photographer wanna’ be’s?
On Apr 05, 2010 at 9:27 am #
Purple Chick aka Violet says:This is gorgeous !!! Beautiful job !!!!!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 10:28 am #
Harmony on Strings says:Lovely and those twisted quartz beads are awesome.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 10:29 am #
sunny chick says:What a lovely set! The name is pretty cool, too! Great job on the wire wraps.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 11:04 am #
Dragons Chicky says:Really like this Susan! (still looks like you tho!)
On Apr 05, 2010 at 11:12 am #
doktordesigns says:Thank you all for your encouragement. Working this way, with wraps and rings, requires a lot of patience compared to stringing…something I’m sometimes lacking.
Re: the photography, I’m afraid I only have one suggestion: have a professional shoot your stuff.
I can’t take credit for any of my shots — they were taken by an amazing photographer/friend Rick Luettke (www.luettkestudio.com). He does all kinds of work, but I especially love his fashion and landscape photos. Check out his website, he is so talented!
We spent Saturday shooting so I have about a dozen new pix to post…this is one of them.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 11:26 am #
Valley Girl says:Love the gold quartz in this… beautiful!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 11:32 am #
doktordesigns says:You know, I shouldn’t have been so flip about photography advice. I’m really sorry if I sounded dismissive — I recognize that not everyone is going to have the opportunity to have their work shot by a professional.
Yes, I do have some suggestions. (I used to earn a living as a photographer and supervise a lot of photography in the course of my “day job.”)
First thing: I like to keep it simple. I avoid fussy set-ups because they detract from and diminish the piece. I use stone tiles but there are other simple options, from a wooden table to a piece of burlap. Pick a background color that provides sufficent contrast, too. (Use darker shades with lighter stones, lighter shades with darker stones.)
Second: It really helps to get in close. You may need to buy a camera with a “macro” feature to do so. But the beauty of the gemstones is lost when you shoot from too far away.
Third: Camera flashes are so harsh. Try shooting in natural light. Set your pieces by a window on a nice sunny day. Then get yourself a piece of white cardboard and experiment with reflecting the natural light onto the piece from another direction. This will give your pieces more dimension. It will also make faceted stones shimmer and shine. (It helps to have someone else holding the card while you take the shot.)
Fourth: When we shoot, we experiment with different camera angles. Not every piece has to be shot from directly above or positioned in the center of the frame.
Hope that gives you something to go on, Mary/Sweet Chick. If I think of any other tips, I will post them.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:05 pm #
Canadian chicky karen says:I love this bracelet, it is stunning. Great job on the wire wrapping. Fave.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:09 pm #
Linda Talbott says:This is a beautiful set. I love the copper disks, and they are well set off by the gold quartz. Stunning! Into my faves!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:10 pm #
Carla B says:For me, I don’t sell from photographs, so getting a professional to do the photography isn’t necessary. I just shoot some pieces to post here.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:19 pm #
Wemai Coffee Chick says:Great work, Susan! Absolutely lovely!
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:25 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:Very nice to bad you ran out of the quartz for earrings..the other goes okay though…
On Apr 05, 2010 at 12:47 pm #
doktordesigns says:Actually, I didn’t run out of the quartz. I made the two pieces on separate occasions. We just thought they looked nice together, so we shot them that way.
But you’re absolutely right, Stormy. I should make a matching pair of earrings. More and more people have been asking me to make something else to “match” the piece they’re purchasing.
On Apr 05, 2010 at 1:25 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Very nice Susan. Love your new wire wrapping and jump ring skills! It’ll start to feel like second nature before long and you won’t mind adding a dangle even here and there to your stringing projects!
I have lots of customers who want matching sets too, though these photographed together look lovely. Looking forward to seeing your other new ‘pretties’! SLS
On Apr 05, 2010 at 1:34 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:I’m pretty much doing what you suggested, I guess it’s just going to take practice, practice, practice……..or hire a professional! (NOT!)
On Apr 05, 2010 at 2:56 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:Sorry Susan i guess i thought they where a set! I made a bracelet and earrings once out of lampwork and copper and the gal only wanted them if it had a necklace…I looked for weeks and could,t find more lampwork like what I had…Now I just figure this is it and hope you like it!… You have the majic tough in what ever you do..:)
On Apr 05, 2010 at 9:39 pm #
Lynn g says:This is really nice, and the name is so neat, I wonder if Linda will singing this song too
On Apr 05, 2010 at 9:41 pm #
Lynn g says:I forgot to add,, I really like those g. quartz ..
On Apr 05, 2010 at 10:27 pm #
seashellsally says:Hey Doc,
Spread your wings! I cannot wait to see where your journey takes you.
Wonderfully designed.
Thank you!
SSS
On Apr 06, 2010 at 10:09 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Wonderful wire work, Susan!
Thanks for the photography tips, too! They are very much appreciated!
On Apr 06, 2010 at 9:01 pm #
AllureofGemsGlamJulia says:Beautiful ! Great work
On Apr 10, 2010 at 4:54 pm #
Valentine Chick says:Very nice!
On Apr 17, 2010 at 1:10 am #
RubberT aka Plucky Chick says:Immediately into my favs, then I got a treat when I read photograpy advice!! As always, thanks for sharing, Dok!!