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 “Bluebells”:“Fantastic job...you definitely captured the look of your flowers. I seriously want your flowers...lol.…” read »
- on “first”:
“Its not just you. This has happened to me twice. There was an upload problem...it took…” read »
on “Bluebells”:“Thank you ladies, so glad you like them
…” read »- on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Thank you all ~ glad you like them !
…” read » 
on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:“You can't beat black with silver and pearls! Great designs!…” read »
on “Raspberry and Cream!”:“love how you're exploring so many beautiful variations with this technique, Julia....they all end up in…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This a stunning piece, the heart pendant,WOW!!…” read »
- on “Grampa's old tree”:
“Gorgeous!!…” read »
on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:“It is 3 strands of sari silk. The silk is knotted on either side of…” read »
on “Country Leaves”:“I agree with Kate. Bright and cheerful! Love it, love it...want it.…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“What a nice, clean design. Both are winners. I have been working on jewelry…” read »
on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:“These would definitely cheer me up, love them both! I have some of this sari silk…” read »
on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:“Fantastic, I really like it.…” read »
- on “Sonya or 'Earth' earrings”:
“very pretty !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“This is lovely work - you should be very proud. And that totally teal bracelet is…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“This is wonderful - a really sweet design and I especially love the cute earrings to…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“Love them all!!…” read »
on “Sonya or 'Earth' earrings”:“Love it! still trying to figure out how you did this tricky wire work. …” read »
on “Country Leaves”:“Oh My Goodness!! This is so bright and cheerful! I usually associate maple leaves with Fall…” read »
- on “Cultus Lake Market”:
“Great looking jewelry - enjoyed looking!…” read »
- on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Beautiful necklace and I love the design of your earrings!!…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“Great design!…” read »
- on “Grampa's old tree”:
“Beautiful piece. I love the vintage look, and the cabochon is fabulous.…” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“This is a fun and easy bracelet. Lots of options to make matching earrings. …” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“I love copper and am crazy about these! Those Czech leaves are gorgeous.…” read »
on “Pearl with a touch of Silver”:“Beautiful classic look. Very nice work!!…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Can you please tell me if the 14 gauge is Dead Soft? I just started…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“I really like your bracele, the design is great! Good work.…” read »
on “Grampa's old tree”:“Love the way your design makes the pendant pop. Gorgeous colors! Great design!…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“Great design for your pendant. Beautiful!…” read »
- on “Bluebells”:
“You have captured the real thing in these earrings beautifully. Lovely work!…” read »
on “Bluebells”:“Beautiful work
))…” read »
on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:“Great job!…” read »
- on “Bluebells”:
“These are as beautiful and delicate as your inspiration. Lovely work!…” read »
- on “Connected to the Trees”:
“I am in Love with your designs!!!…” read »
on “Prince Moai”:“Thanks guys! When I have such amazing gems it's hard not to share with Jimmy. Thanks…” read »
- on “Grampa's old tree”:
“Love the cabochon and the way you mounted it--all works together. And what a clever use…” read »
- on “Pearl with a touch of Silver”:
“I love pearls!! Gorgeous necklace. Great painting also. Love the bird stoey. I have a bird…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“Love it. Good design and workmanship.…” read »
Need Your Help!
About this design:
I made a herringbone stitched bracelet in gunmetal and silver lined seed beads and put it on a piece of memory wire to keep its shape. I put two nice sized loops on either side. Then I created another wheel in black square beads and gunmetal seed beads. My problem is.... how should I attach the focal?? I need a clasp too.... Are there any of my chickie friends out there that can help me???
Components:
8 seed beads for herringbone stitch, memory wire for bracelet 4mm square beads, 11 seed beads for the wheelRead the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 8:31 am #
Green Eyed Lady Chick says:Jill what if you but a bead in the middle of the focal run wire thru it and wrap it around the bracelet? and a beaded clasp would be nice!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 8:40 am #
Linda Talbott says:I think Green Eyed Lady Chick’s suggestion is a good one. Hope you will share the finished version. So far it looks beautiful.
On Jul 19, 2010 at 8:57 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Beth’s idea sounds great to me, Jill! Looking forward to seeing the completed design!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 8:58 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Oops — forgot to mention how much I love your beadwork designs, Jill! You have a real talent for this type of beading!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 9:29 am #
ChickyD aka Debra says:Beth’s suggestion sounds good to me, too. Beaded clasps are a lovely finishing touch!
Lovely set, Jill!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 9:40 am #
sunny chick says:Jill, this is fabulous! If the wire is too thick could you stitch it on with Fireline? Stitch your way up to where you want the focal to be, reinforce it then secure it. A beaded clasp sounds lovely. I can’t wait to see the finished piece!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 11:23 am #
Lynn g says:Very nice bead work!!! hope you figure it out.
On Jul 19, 2010 at 12:19 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Very nice beadwork for sure!! SLS
On Jul 19, 2010 at 12:50 pm #
jewel in NP says:Beths idea for the focal is a good one but if you put it on memory wire do you really need a clasp?
If you do, a beaded clasp would do the job nicely. Love the piece
On Jul 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm #
Natures Precious Gems says:I think you should have your focal as the clasp! Kill 2 birds with one stone. It may be too much with a clasp and the focal. This would allow your beautiful beadwork to really get noticed. Just my opinion
Very nice piece!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 3:36 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Jewel in NP and Natures Precious Gems have good points about omitting the clasp altogether, Jill. Could you just add the focal as your clasp?
On Jul 19, 2010 at 3:44 pm #
Daisy Chick - Dawn says:Beautiful work! The only thing that I can think of is to agree with the ladies and let the clasp be the focl too. I have seen pictures where the bracelet had a beautiful button and a beaded loop that slipped over the button. I don’t know exactly how this is done, but perhaps you do.
On Jul 19, 2010 at 4:11 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:I do — I make button/loop clasps all the time (see my Design Gallery necklace “Turquoise Aztec Necklace” for an example)!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 9:43 pm #
Chicky Bear-Tara says:Love this Jill! What if you were to make one of the loops on one end big enough for the focal bead to go through it to use as the clasp. Kind of a button and loop sort of thing. Your bead work is fabulous!
On Jul 19, 2010 at 11:07 pm #
Classy Chick JbyJill says:Oh my goodness!!!! Thank you soooo much for all of your comments. They are so much appreciated! All of your ideas are fabulous! I have been away since I posted this so I’m just now seeing the ideas. I will ponder this a little longer and will post a pic as soon as I get it done!! I’m hoping I get to do a little work tomorrow on it.
On Jul 19, 2010 at 11:10 pm #
Chicky Bear-Tara says:I just re-read Dawn and Lynn’s suggestions and realized they had said what I said already. Sorry about that ladies. Didn’t read close enough I guess!