The Design Gallery
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Browse Sets
Things are Coming up Rose Gold!
I've been going gaga for the new(ish) Rose Gold patina paint from Vintaj and Ranger. I just couldn't stop painting more brass components with this...
Components: Variety of Vintaj charms, pendants, findings with Rose Gold added to them. Lots of Czech glass and other goodies.
Blue Moon Walking
I thought of the Moon and the Beads and glisten in the light.
Components: Zola elements dragon focal the focal does not hide the wire, Swarovski 4mm beads, lagoon 6mm, a some black gems
Experimental
Here are a couple more wooden beads. I'm not completely happy with the designs -- the focal of the necklace is not quite where I'd like it, and not...
Components: Birchwood, Gilders Paste in White and Damson (LB), assorted leather cord, Tierra Cast triple spacers (LB), large hole jasper beads, waxed linen, decorative nails and decoupage glue (to fasten the bark) for the twig.
Cary's SS JPL Tourmalasper
I love silver Chainmaille Jens Pind linkage, Dalmatian Jasper and tourmaline round smooth beads and schorl. I sit down with some beads, some wire...
Components: Sterling Silver, tourmaline smooth round beads and schorl, dalmation Jasper and leather.
Honey Do List August 2017
Another installment in my husband's Honey Do List challenge! I had some more fun with Vintaj patinas and layering.
You can see my other...
You can see my other...
Components: Vintaj round and flower blanks, scarb beetle, patinas, findings, & chain; Czech glass flowers, English cuts, rondelles; Swarovski pearls; faceted prehnite coins.
Pretty Pastels
I made this set at the Adornments Retreat in Galena, IL last month for the Bead Soup challenge they gave us. I shared the color palette they gave...
Components: Pendant by Erin Prais-Hintz (Tesori Trovati); Czech glass, Amazonite, Rose Quartz, seed beads, clasp by TierraCast
Primal Beginnings Set
I've been trying to work on the plethora of unfinished projects I have waiting for attention!
The inspiration for this set was creating a more...
The inspiration for this set was creating a more...
Components: Fire Agate, Lava stone, Picture Jasper, Czech glass, recycled glass, TierraCast wavy discs & toggle bar, crystal rondelles, ASP findings--most from Lima.
A penny for your thoughts! :)
Some time ago FreshBaked posted a few pieces she'd made with copper and solder. She then stamped the solder while still hot with a rubber stamp....
Components: Canadian copper pennies (1996 and prior), solder, torch, rubber stamps, copper heart, chain, various beads, leather, copper sheet, glass cabachon, glue
Fiesta Time
I made this necklace for a special order. They wanted a necklace set that they could wear for Fiesta while riding on a parade float.
Components: It is made with various types of multi-colored beads, primarily glass beads. Each set of beads were randomly placed on a pin. I used pins with loops and then used needle nose type pliers to make loops on the other end. I them used a flat head pins to add a bead to dangle. I used small and medium jump rings and attached to metal chain.
Teardrops and swirls
Tibet beads made of red coral and turquoise, paired with brass Ethiopian padre beads and Onyx.
Gold Cream Summer
I have a family wedding coming up in a couple weeks, and needed jewelry to go with my dress. I tend to stick with silver or copper elements...but...
Components: All are from Lima Beads. Hammered Links, Chain, czech glass beads, eyepins, jump rings, clasps
Beaded Hairpins
Fun hairpins for easter or prom
Components: Pearls ans assorted beads wired onto hairpins
I think I like it?
Hmmm. I had this wonderful piece from Annabronze, that was a gift with my first purchase (wow!). And I wanted to do an elaborate boho piece with...
Components: See above. Let me know if you have any questions ❤
Adventures in Agate
This was inspired by a "fresh pick" I saw on LB, as well as a bit of serendipity. I wish I could remember who's pick, but it had the crazy lace...
Components: Crazy Lace Agate, pyrite rings and small beads, Czech glass beads-all from LB. The clasp is white bronze from Saki Silver, as well as the white bronze spacer discs. Leather cord, jump rings from my stash.
Southwest Style
Turquoise just makes me sooo happy.
Components: Turquoise, tiger eye beads, Swarovski crystals
Circlesnsquares Springs in the Air!
Thinking warm thoughts and sundresses!
Sunny yellow and clear day Czech glass squares mixed and matched with silver plate open circles and...
Sunny yellow and clear day Czech glass squares mixed and matched with silver plate open circles and...
Ready for Spring?
These were made at separate times but I suppose one could wear them as a set. The necklace is knotted on green bamboo cord, finished with crimp...
Components: Large assortment of beads, most from Lima--African, brass, lampwork, Czech, Saki, Swarovski, gemstone, ceramic, gold-plated.
Learning a New Skill
I've been wanting to explore more wire work & metalworking. So I bought a few books & hit YouTube. The wire book I got is Artisan...
Components: 10mm & 6mm crazy lace agate, 6/0 African Sunset Toho, 18 & 20 gauge copper wire. The caged beads are made with a coated copper wire from my father-in-law's electronics stash.
Smile at the Birdy :)
Just a fun little set to remind me that Spring is only a few months away. Birds and flowers. :)
Components: Copper chain, copper coloured metal, Coral, turquoise coloured magnesite, czech glass, jump rings, headpins, wire
Cruising
My cousin was going on a cruise and needed some jewelry to go with a dress. This is what I made for her. It turned out really nice and she got...
Components: Blister Pearl focal, peacock pearls, zola components, crystal, headpins, wire, metal beads, chain, clasp, jumprings
Giving back..
My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas and for my birthday (which is on NYE). My response was instant.. Recycled glass beads from Ghana....
Components: Recycled glass disk beads (Turquoise), recycled glass tulip flower beads from Ghana Treasures. Recycled glass round bead in Turquoise from Lima Beads. All wire, including those to make the ear wires and wire wrapping, leather (1.5mm dark brown) and Czech, gemstone chips and coconut rondelle from Lima Beads.
Gemstone chips used were Larimar, Malachite, Apatite and Jasper tumbled chips (some were sold as stretch bracelets from LB which I obviously ermm.. cut the elastic to get to the chips for this - sorry LB!).
Thread is C-Lon in orange and red from the local bead store, which I waxed repeatedly with beeswax and then used a warmish iron and a thick piece of calico on top to melt into the thread and wiped them down with cotton to remove the excess wax.
More Presents..
The set with the round drop earrings are PC (translucent with blue ink and copper solid coloured PC) were for my sister-in-law. The long dangly...
Components: Polymer clay beads in the necklace and earrings, made by me (translucent with teal and blue ink with a bit of solid copper PC added when shaping to get the two contrasting tones), as well as the copper PC disk bead/washer..
Czech beads - round teal and aqua nugget bead in the long drop earrings from Lima Beads. The 3 window beads and Picasso rondelle (4mm) from my own stash.
Wire and leather from Lima Beads. 22 gauge wire for the ear wires were also from LB and shaped by me. Earring findings in the stud earrings and split rings, as well as the thin chain and lobster claw clasps from the local bead store. Recycled glass tulip bead from Ghana Treasures on Etsy.
Gifts for Mum..
I was trying my hand at polymer clay drops, mixing different colours, with a design idea for my mother in the colours I know she loves. I may have...
Components: Pink Czech beads, melon beads, blue rondelle and red round beads and antique copper wire from Lima Beads. Ceramic raku beads also from LB that I had been hoarding for a while now, as there were only two when I bought them. Polymer Clay drops, beads and disk beads, made by me. Chain and earring findings from the local bead shop. The dark blue 3 window Czech beads from my own stash.
" Winter Bird "- Merry Christmas everyone
It had been a while since I posted, but last 2 months were extremly busy, that does not mean that I did no beading just opposite. This little...
Components: Magatams seed beads, Czech glass, waxed linen and chain from LB, rest from my stash.
Smoke and Fire
I made this a while back and love wearing it. It is a necklace I always feel good in. The smoky tones and the fiery tones complement each other...
Components: Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Brass
Garnet Gunmetal Set
This all started by finding those Czech turbines from Lima. And this set was born. I made it for moi!
Components: Various gunmetal beads and some called patinaed copper from FMG, Czech garnet druks, turbines, ovals, Czech firepolished gunmetal glass beads (nice sparkle:), .8mm stretch cord, gunmetal findings
Bronze Beauty
This set came from my love of bronze metal & receiving the gorgeous copper rutilated quartz chips. I also wanted to work in a few special beads...
Components: Bronzite, Sodalite, & copper rutilated quartz gems, Czech lampwork bead, Grace lampwork cobalt celestial, Greek ceramic raku oxyhedrons, & a mixture of bronze chain, findings, Greek bronze, & a bit of brass & antique gold plated pieces. Most from Lima, some from Etsy & my stash.
By The Sea..
The colours of this set remind me of the sea, sand, and the lush palms and plants that dot our beaches and everywhere around my home and local...
Components: The focal beads in the necklace and bracelet are Feldspath Faceted Freeform Oval (from Lima Beads that I picked up in the "last chance" deal).
African recycled glass beads, Blue Haze Fire Agate, Matte Pink Quartz rondelle, coconut spacer beads (big and small), Czech blue glass beads, 18 gauge wire and 22 gauge vintage copper wire, leather cord (in necklace and bracelet), C-Lon cord, round size 6 Toho seed beads are all from Lima Beads. Ear wires I made myself from the 22 gauge wire (my first ever ones!)..
Clasp, split rings and findings are from the local bead shop.
Fluorite Fantasies
I was inspired to try this necklace design from another website using my own ideas about beads & color. The bracelet came from having epoxied the...
Components: Necklace--Assorted fluorite beads, seed bead fluorite mix (my own), gold plated stardust beads, findings & brass beads (2.5mm) & chain.
Bracelet--Swarovski pearl & CPS rivolis, beads & gold plated findings.
Mystic
I just fell in love with these rainbow glass beads...they Have a mystic feel to them. A customer loved them but wanted a Druzy pendant...
Components: Rainbow glass beads, Druzy connector, gold chain, gold leverbavk earwires
MInoan Bull
Here are the pieces I made from my "Minoan Bull" pick. The bull is a choker and the long heishi shell and opalite necklace was designed to wear...
Components: Golden Pyrite "wolf" pendant-LB, Black Water Jasper 8 mm rounds-LB, Moss opalite 4 mm rounds-LB, Czech dark purple pearl 6/0, Toho 6/0 matte Jet-LB, Toho Transparent Frosted Ruby 8/0-LB, Zola Antique Silver (plated) geometric Diamond charms-LB, oyster heishi.
Hard to Photograph!
I pulled out my gemstones in blacks & greys & strung 3 sets. And actually finished them! The first is labradorite in alternating dark & light...
Components: Most gemstones listed above from Lima, antique silver & silver plated or filled findings & beads, clear crystal rondelles, Czech UFO beads in clear & silver from an Etsy shop
At the Beach
It's the end of the season and time to close the cottage this weekend until the May long weekend. I always miss being able to go up there during...
Components: glass, brass, wood
Gunmetal Mania
I got bit by the gunmetal bug so I had to make something for myself! These gemstones are called kiwi or sesame jasper. I fell in love with the soft...
Components: Sesame Jasper, gunmetal chain, beads & findings, crystal & blue faceted beads, antique silver end caps
A Few Finished
A friend of mine saw my jewelry that I posted on FB. She chose 3 necklaces from my Etsy store & said she wants bracelets & earrings to match. My...
Components: Greek pewter chandeliers (may be silver plated), sterling filled & sterling silver findings, glass beads, peacock pearl wrapped with half round bronze 22g wire from Etsy, Millefiori glass bead wrapped with half round copper wire. Earring photo on cup is the first rendition. My friend needed them shorter, so I modified them.
Wheels on the bus
I loved the autumn jasper donut and beads - definitely fallish. I paired it with red jasper and bright copper. I made the chain and clasp with...
Components: Autumn jasper donut and beads, red jasper beads, copper wire and earwires.
It's Autumn and the leaves have turned
I live in the country and overlook a ravine with a stream and a forest. The leaves are so beautiful - all shades of yellow, red, orange, green,...
Components: Lucite leaves, crystals, crystal pearls, brass plated components, chain
In The Pink..
A necklace made for my mother to attend an afternoon engagement party for my young cousin. She likes pink and wanted pink.. She asked for...
Components: Mum's set - Tea stained paper beads, made by me. Czech beads from Lima Beads. Rosaline crystal rondelle, own stash. Earrings were round druk Czech beads, Czech bellflowers and Lucite flowers, also from LB. Chain, waxed linen and findings, own stash.
My set - All beads (including flower beads and the beloved maple leaf) were Czech and the coconut rondelles from Lima Beads, as were the charms on the bracelet, including my favourite shell patina charm. Chain, waxed linen in natural, and finding from the local beadshop.
Earth Tones..
The brief, from a beloved cousin, was earthy tones with blues and reds.. I hope I delivered!
I decided to use the coin beads as focals as she...
I decided to use the coin beads as focals as she...
Components: Coffee stained paper beads, made by me. All other beads were Czech beads - Saucer beads, focal coin beads, nugget beads (8mm), blue fire polished rondelles - Lima Beads. The coconut rondelles were also from Lima Beads. Red fire polished beads, findings, waxed linen and clasps - from my own stash.
Silver Leaves
This is a simple strung necklace on beading wire using different shapes & sizes of silver leaf jasper. I really love the cut of the diamonds &...
Chatter
on “Who knew? Not me!”:“Oops, great things.…” read »
- on “Who knew? Not me!”:
“I had time later to google embossing metal with these design folder...I'm behind the curve !…” read »
on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:“I'm not usually so into pink, but those first pair of earrings (the ones with the…” read »
on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:“Oh, I see what you mean now...I thought you didn't like the blue color and wanted…” read »
on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:“I had added an unneeded "yellow-black-yellow" seed bead set right after the blue on one side…” read »
- on “Who knew? Not me!”:
“Wonderful find and experiment! The earrings are gorgeous--love how the patina brings out the embossing.…” read »
on “Who knew? Not me!”:“WOW! Another new project to put on my list to try! The earrings are…” read »
on “One Fish, Two Fish ...”:“Ali, Great idea and you did a terrific job. Love it!!!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“Wow..what were the reasons? What didn't you like? I thought the blue around the…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I restrung it. I feel better, now! Thanks guys!…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Beautiful soft hues of pink can bring out the feminine side in all of us. …” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“The color blocking and chunky coconut heist beads are design inspiration that are perfect for this…” read »
on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:“Beautiful collection!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I see what you mean. Still a beauty tho. I bet you end up restringing it.…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Cheerfully elegant!…” read »
on “Frosted Snow”:“Three brown bear were in my field 2 days ago and all I could think about…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Beautimuss!!!!…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Yes, I think I would find this addictive. It's really beautiful, and in the combinations you've…” read »
- on “Misfit”:
“This is sooo cool! The mix of components and textures is striking. I love the smooth…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Sarajo, what gorgeous pieces with the rose gold patina! The rose gold came at the…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“Oh no Look.The base doesn't match. Wonder if I should restring. ..…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“I love looking at snow from the inside or on TV. I don't like the…” read »
on “Frosted Snow”:“Crystal canary we do not get much snow here in Pennsylvania, thank you…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“The simplicity is a winner. Love those Zola elements you include in your designs. Beautiful necklace…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“The simplicity is nice with this one, and I like those white rings on the bottom…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“Nice touch and style, makes me want to create something unique…” read »
on “Turquoise Necklace”:“Crystal the pink stone is Lavender Coral Rose Mountain Jade.…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“Yeah. I'm not gonna lie here, but my husband IS pretty awesome! Thanks, everyone, for the…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I love the arrangement of this necklace! The two large stretches of maple leaves is…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“Great idea!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I really like the powerful effect an element can have when several are placed together. …” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“Well, you've hit it out of the park again! I would wear that and so…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“Wonderful! I really like the effect of the English cuts, too. Just a great bit of…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“I totally agree with all the comments on this gorgeous piece, but my eye was caught…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“That's exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thing my dad would have done. You have an awesome…” read »
- on “Turquoise Necklace”:
“Beautiful pieces! I think Zola chain is a wonderful addition to jewelry designs--it adds…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“These are great!…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“This is so pretty. All the yellows are so fun and cheerful.
…” read »
