The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
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Repurposed Picture Frame
I found a cheap, ugly frame at the dollar store and proceeded to jack it up with different shades of gold, textured paper, gems and bead caps, wire...
Components: Let your imagination be your guide here. I surrounded the picture with twisted brass wire, which I twist with the help of an electric drill and a vise. I held it in place with glue-gun glue. Super glue becomes too brittle for heavier placements.
Feather Lamp
Another repurposed piece. Old lamp and shade which I had fun with.
Components: Handmade tissue paper, dyed feathers and textured paper, gossamer ribbon, handmade tassel, metallic paints and carnival beads, all applied at organized random.
Fairy Ribbon & Crystal Halo
The crystal bead links on this fairy ribbon halo really make it sparkle, and would make a great accessory for your flower girl!
Fairest of Them All Journal
I enjoy journaling, as well as drawing and painting, so I created this fun journal with heavy weight watercolor paper. This one is more of a coffee...
Components: Paper, paper, paper. I make my own tissue and decorate it with gold paint patterns, pasted to textured paper that I buy. I then raid my junk box for brass and copper wire, findings, beads and chain and have at having fun.
Repurposed Steel Pendant
I've had a 2 x 1/2-inch trough of rusted steel on my desk for a year and I decided to solder an old, odd gold filled earring to the top as a bale....
African Bead Bag Charms
Create a unique accessory for your key ring or purse with African beads & tassels.
Nesting wrens
I saw a pendant years ago at a bead shop that looked similar to this. We have lots of little wrens and goldfinches nesting here for the winter and...
Components: All of the components are LB. I love the little melon beads. I’m a big fan of Czech glass beads. Nesting tiny seed beads at the top.
Clusters? Drops ? Dangles?
A friend suggested I make different designs of these (what ever you call them) that could be switched between long chains, short chains, neck...
Components: glass beads, seed beads, stone, crystal, metal pieces, clay, tiger eye. turquoise and pearls
Designed by God
Not jewelry, but I have to share how God (& Nissan) saved our lives. My husband, daughter, her husband, doggie & I were on our way home from...
Components: Totaled car :( Alive bodies:)
Easy Pieces
While on the road I quickly made two necklaces and some bracelets to wear to events I was attending. Later in the trip I gave one necklace as a...
Components: The necklaces are both mixed glass beads strung on waxed linen from Lima Beads, in a color to go with the chosen scheme. They both have barrel clasps, attached with knots inside the clasps. The bracelets are all simple glass bead stretch bracelets.
Scrap Pile
So I wanted to share something. A truth if you will. Often times when I or anyone else shares a "finished" piece we assume that the person just sat...
Components: Copper and stick to it 'tiveness
It's a Wrap Beads, fabric beads
These are my hand made beads. I loved the fabric beads out there, but I wanted them not to look like fabric. Really it started out as a fluke. Then...
Components: Fabric dye, paint, glaze, foil, Flatbacks, rondells, any embellishments you want.
Handmade silk tafetta beads
These are beads made from silk tafetta, they are stuffed, around a sturdy wire, sewn, embellished with sequins, 2mm crystals, various Swarovski...
Components: Silk Tafetta, sequins, 2mm crystal beads, seed beads, wire, batting, Swarovski flatback crystals, various other beads, headpins.
Coin and Cross Kilt Pin
A way to use up miscellaneous bits.
Components: Kilt pin. Coin and cross charms (Lima Beads), Czech flowers, stray lampwork bead, Toho and Czech seed beads, brown wire (too thick but I managed.
Pink and green bling earings
These are made with green stones and my cylinder beads that I perfected for 10 years of finding what will make them durable, hard and colorful....
Components: My "It's a Wrap beads", crystal rhondels, wire and apple green teardrop stone.
Not jewelry...but...
So I made a lapel pin for my granddaughter's prom date. Volunteered and had never made one before. I had a very long 3 and 1/2 inch wide strip of...
Components: fabric scraps, tea light, pin back, fabric leaves, glass pearl
I'm a Fool for a Good Looking Rock
I like to shop for rocks. My stash has many, many stone pendants and the next time I see an out standing one I'll have to add it to the...
Components: various agate and jasper pendants, photos 1 and 4 have vintage chains
Seahorse anklet
One of the prizes in the Easter egg hunt was a foot of this chain. I added a seahorse charm and a lobster clasp to make my sister an anklet!
Components: Zola Elements angel skin pink coin chain, TierraCast antique gold plated seahorse charm, and a lobster clasp with jump rings. All of this is on sale this week!
Key focals
Before Christmas I made a bunch of keybands/lanyards, which I didn't have time to photograph properly then -- a friend of mine took them to a...
Components: My handmade wooden focals, painted with Gilders paste (LB), patterned with wood burning tool. (The last one isn't patterned, I just stained it lightly to bring out the growth rings, of the leftovers of an old Christmas tree!) Various beads, mostly from LB. Hooks from local stores. Cotton cord.
Something Different
I decorated these tote bags for my daughters for Christmas. They come with the design printed in black & are made to paint/color & embellish. I...
Components: See description.
Snow Angel
This 2.5" little angel sparkles and shines as decoration or a small pendant.
Components: You will need (1) 12mm faceted round bead, (2) crystal leaf drops for wings, 20 gauge wire, (14-16) 6mm rondelles or 4-5mm rounds. Round nose pliers are great for finishing the loop.
Wolf's pride
I made this thinking about earrings, but when I got done it looked more like a pendant or keychain. I ended up making a keychain fob out of it.
Components: size 15 seed beads, leather backing, findings
Starry Night Brooch
Starry Night brooch. Art history has always been a love of mine and Van Gogh brushstrokes are replicated in this brooch with a needle and thread...
Components: Nunn Design Antique Gold (plated) Rectangle Ornate Grande Brooch 28x46mm
PMC Made from a rose
I made this with pmc more than 20 layers and fired in the kiln!
Components: ((( fine silver
African Tenner Chaplet
Here is the other piece from my Pick about chaplets. Very textured. Color scheme of matte black, matte olive, matte frosted bronze.
Components: Almost everything from LB. 12mm black lava stone rounds, African metal trade bead, 6/0 matte olive green and matte black "jet" Toho seed beads, 8/0 Toho frosted bronze. Tiny textured bronze plated cross. From sources other than Lima Beads; I used two 6mm Czech druks in a color called "Forest Mix" to either side of the Pater bead. This Czech bead has swirls of the same tones of black, olive and cool bronze. Tiny 2mm dyed bone spacers to control the large holed Pater bead, heavy oxidized jump ring, little black iron jump ring and the usual .019 silver satin Softflex--from LB. 2x2 Heavy sterling silver crimp beads.
Matte Botswana Rosary Chaplet
From my last "Rosary Chaplet Pick." A smaller rosary you count ten times around to reach a rosary. Used where carrying a rosary could cause...
Components: The matte Botswana agate is worth every penny. Warm shades of plum through grey with a touch of purple. I matched it with two 6/0 Toho seed beads; silver-lined frosted light tanzanite and frosted transparent med. amethyst. Two 8/0 Toho seed beads; a transparent frosted plum from an "Ambers Mix" and frosted transparent dark amethyst. The cross is two-sided silver-plated "Talvera" by Nunn. The Pater bead is a silver-plated coin bead "Primrose" by Zola. I used a purple enameled copper jump ring and a tiny black glossy iron jump ring. Softflex .019 and Heavy sterling silver 2x2mm crimps.
Here comes summer!
Just some summer fun - to mix and match with bathing suits at the beach. I got the idea for the circle design from You Tube.
Link for YouTube...
Link for YouTube...
Components: C Lon cord, embroidery floss, craft cord, seed beads
Photo purse charm
I have been experimenting with photos and setting them in bezels. This is a pic of me with my two sons last Mother's Day. I made it into a purse...
Components: bezel connect, laser-engraved stainless steel charm, large swivel lobster clasp
Jacaranda
Oh, no! It's another tree!
One of the prettiest trees in Southern California is the Jacaranda. There are several here in my neighborhood and...
One of the prettiest trees in Southern California is the Jacaranda. There are several here in my neighborhood and...
Components: 14 and 24ga red brass wire, amethyst chips, chrome diopside, emerald glass, peridot chips
Felted Beads!
Hello beaders, its been awhile. I have been insanely busy with school, so I haven't been on here much, but I really wanted to share these with you....
Components: wool, glass beads for spacers
New Work
This what I have been working on this week. I have always wanted to make my own headpins, so I watched a few tutorials and here is the result. I...
Components: Pure copper wire, PC, acrylic paints and sealer.
Plummer
Rebecca Nunn designed these adorable lapel pins with astrology in mind. These are so cute and zodiac signs are on trend.
Cherry Blossoms and a Summer Tree
I've done all four seasons! I've been having some trouble finding greens but finally located a web site that had gem stone chips AND glass chips!...
Components: gemstone chips, glass chips brass and copper wire.
Ammonite Mega-Weave
I absolutely love wirewrapping these ammonites. This is the first one I have put into wireweave. I almost always wrap them in vintage bronze but I...
Components: Very Large(3")Ammonite(this particular one is from a bead show but LimaBeads carries ammonites now), 20 gauge non-tarnish gold Parawire, 26 gauge vintage bronze Parawire
Bookmark gifts
I wanted to make some little gifts for my book club friends for our December meeting. They are all different and were quite fast to put together!
Components: Most used a decorative headpin with the various beads strung on them. The one with the feather has beading wire which allowed me to make the loop
Shaman Prayer Beads
Pagan prayer beads are like a strand of worry beads. The idea is to have lots of interesting to touch and see beads to help you focus on the moment...
Components: 10-11mm Tibetan style lined rounds, 8 mm Tibetan style zigzag rounds, green zebra heishi (love this as a subtle stone separator), etched and striped 6/0 Czech beads, Czech double key tabs, a Czech black with red picasso melon, TierraCast paloma bead, three rough old glass beads, 11/0 matte metallic olive Toho, Heavy 2x2 sterling crimp, .019 silver satin soft flex.
Chatter
on “Anniversary Necklace”:“Crystal, this is gorgeous! I’m so happy you posted a new creation. I hope things stay…” read »
on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:“BLE, I've lived in California for so many years I guess I'm a nut or a…” read »
on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:“Hey LRC - I just realized that I'm probably a flakey nut or a nutty flake!…” read »
on “Hidden Cove Necklace”:“Very pretty. I especially like the quartz crystal placement.…” read »
- on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:
“Hi LRC - I was born and grew up in Southern California but now I'm in…” read »
- on “Frosted Ice with silver dangling circles”:
“WOW! Love the design. The frosted chain looks like it would be "cool" to…” read »
- on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:
“You are so right about the dangly ones. They are totally "girly." They are…” read »
- on “Frosted Ice with silver dangling circles”:
“Very pretty. I agree with Kye about the thin wire - It reminds me of a…” read »
- on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:
“What a fun idea. The dangly ones are so girly. Very pretty. Wish I could lend…” read »
- on “Round and around and around she goes”:
“Thanks for all your sweet comments! CC - My vacuum cleaner makes the same noises! This…” read »
on “Washed Ashore Necklace”:“This really is your best piece yet! Sand dunes and sea glass; magical!…” read »
on “Frosted Ice with silver dangling circles”:“These are so cool! I think the contrast between the large chain links and the smaller…” read »
- on “Pearl and Iris and Crystal”:
“These are really cool. I especially like the cascading ones. But then the other ones are…” read »
- on “Round and around and around she goes”:
“I've always wanted to try this beautiful stitch. It's just gorgeous. The spiral effect is mesmerizing.…” read »
- on “Nesting bluebird”:
“This is just the best! So sweet and adorable! The bead soup challenge sounds like a…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“Thanks CC - I'll keep my little eyes open to see if it's back in…” read »
on “Round and around and around she goes”:“Beautiful! The spiral effect is amazing, and you highlighted it well with your color choices.…” read »
- on “Round and around and around she goes”:
“WOW! This is a spectacular choker! The pattern looks extremely difficult though. The…” read »
- on “Nesting bluebird”:
“You know, it is quite helpful if the one typing pays attention to what they are…” read »
- on “Nesting bluebird”:
“Love the birdies and the bird house focal and the beads you chose to use with…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“BLE, Thanks for the compliment. I'm sorry to have forgotten to mention, his pewter pendant…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“CC - I love the necklace you made for your husband. Is his pendant a Renee…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“I also wanted to include a picture of the necklace I made for my husband, but…” read »
- on “Santorini Braided Bracelet”:
“Thank you!…” read »
- on “Nesting bluebird”:
“So sweet! I love the little blue bird peeping out of the hole. The…” read »
- on “Boho Beauty”:
“DJ, I got a partial message from you...go ahead a try again--the messages do go thru…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I purchased several different style horse pendants from…” read »
- on “Nesting bluebird”:
“Robin - I love your necklace. That pendant is so darn cute. Bet your granddaughter wants…” read »
- on “Blue and Green”:
“Hi Little Chick, Thanks for your comments. I have to admit that when I first received…” read »
on “Nesting bluebird”:“FYI/ my problem with downloading was not having my phone WI on. Duh(as my granddaughter says)!…” read »
- on “Boho Beauty”:
“Oh wow! I love those aqua terra agate beads too. Your necklaces are just beautiful. Copper…” read »
on “Boho Beauty”:“Wow! Thank you everyone for your kind comments! What a lovely community of wonderfully talented people…” read »
- on “Boho Beauty”:
“WOW! Great design and color! Love the aqua terra beads and the gorgeous mix…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“Great design! Love the natural cut nuggets mixed with the smooth round beads. As…” read »
- on “Blue and Green”:
“This is fantastic! The colors are great, the bead work is fabulous and the pattern…” read »
on “Washed Ashore Necklace”:“Beautiful!…” read »
- on “Anniversary Necklace”:
“Absolutely stunning!…” read »
- on “Slide Chokers”:
“I love shopping for supplies here.You have the best prices-I have seen many of the items…” read »
- on “Boho Beauty”:
“A beautiful necklace! I love the aqua terra too. You did an awesome job combining the…” read »
- on “Boho Beauty”:
“Very pretty necklaces. I really like the balance between the tiny and large beads and the…” read »
