The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Browse Sets
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 &...
Honey Butter
My first successful attempt at wire wrapping!
The pendant is tiger iron, the earrings are "honey butter" tiger iron - how could I resist with such...
The pendant is tiger iron, the earrings are "honey butter" tiger iron - how could I resist with such...
Components: Pendant: tiger iron, leather, silver plated hook and jump rings, copper wire. Head pin from LB.
Earrings: honey butter tiger iron; rutilated quartz beads and findings from LB.
Working on Asymmetry
I have such a need for symmetry and order in what I make and I'm trying to break free :) This is the first necklace I've made that is intentionally...
Components: Pink druzy connector, silk thread, Saki white bronze clasp-from LB. Freshwater pearls, sterling silver chain, multicolored moonstone, Swarovski crystals and other bits-my stash.
Dream, Dream, Dream
It's time for my daughter to dream big. She leaves Sunday to live on her own and she starts college on Tuesday. It's time for her to dream big...
Components: Recycled "seaglass", silver coloured components, pearls, Aquamarine, crystal, glass
Hanging on to Summer
I'm not ready for summer to leave us quite yet. Summer memories of the beach and the cottage, bbq's, friends and all the other fun stuff...
Components: Recycled "sea glass", glass, crystal, silverr coloured charms and components.
I ❤️ Filigree!
I've been wanting to start creating with filigree for a long time now. And I decided to use some of my lepidolite as I was reorganizing my...
Components: Pink lepidolite, Swarovski flatbacks in vitrail light & assorted dark moss green beads & rivoli, emerald aventurine, freshwater pearls, brass & antique gold filigree, beads & findings
Chatter
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Sue, they are not consistently wonderful,I just don't post the ones that aren't!
…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Yumyumyum!!! Chzechs are just so amazing! And a great design, just the inspiration I need to…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Love the combo of skinny leather and the focal bars -- would be good for everyday…” read »
- on “Turquoise moon mix”:
“Ditto to all the above!
Love the solution and the combo of large gemstones and…” read » 
on “Feather and Flowers”:“Beautiful! Love the simple color scheme with the Vintage brass findings.…” read »
- on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:
“Oh man this is wonderful. Such beautiful color and design. You have such a special way…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“What can I say? Your work is always just so beautiful, one can only hope to…” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“Wonderful! I agree with everything the ladies have said, and I love it!…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Wow, this is gorgeous! I love these colors-saving this for future inspiration!…” read »
on “Feather and Flowers”:“Love your design! Love your wirework! Just a Fabulous necklace!…” read »
- on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:
“Beautiful! Love the colors of the beads and the colors do remind me of a beautiful…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Nice! I really like the subdued mix of color using the Czech Fruitcake beads. …” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“I also like the color progression of the beads on the sides. Nice touch to…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Yum! I love this piece! I recognized it as yours before I even scrolled…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Absolutely beautiful. I love Czech glass, and seeing new ways to use it. Thank you for…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“This is really gorgeous and must have taken quite a bit of time to design and…” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“Love the ombre effect. So beautiful.…” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“This is simply exquisite!…” read »
on “Beach Day Necklace Set”:“Of the designs you just posted, this is my favorite! I have to say I'm not…” read »
- on “Ode to Summer Passing”:
“Ha, I'm with Pam! Living in Texas & before that, South Louisiana, October is maybe the…” read »
- on “Terrace Dragonfly Necklace”:
“What a great necklace for Fall! I bet the wood beads lighten it up some. That's…” read »
- on “Once Apon a Time”:
“I like it! It's very unique. My story when I look at it is playtime is…” read »
- on “Here Be My Dragon”:
“Thank you so very much!…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“I'm with Crystal Canary! I love light weight jewelry also. That's why I use…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“Love tortoise...Love light-weight jewelry--perfect solution!
…” read » - on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“I've been wearing tortoise shell glasses for most of my life. I have a pair on…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“Tortoise shell acrylic has been a long-time love object of mine, too. Love this necklace, and…” read »
on “Skinny Stackers”:“I can see these skinny, colorful pieces being popular to wear alone of stacked up! …” read »
- on “Turquoise moon mix”:
“Love wrist candy! Your bracelet accomplishes a stylish mix of leather, color, sparkle. Appreciate…” read »
- on “Terrace Dragonfly Necklace”:
“I've always looked at this gorgeous dragonfly pendant on LB, but never knew what to do…” read »
on “Some Earrings”:“Good luck with Etsy, you have nice offerings! My best tip is to take excellent photos…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“I love the look of alcohol ink on just about anything. Looks wonderful on PC. I…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Love the rich color you get with this process. Great idea using leather too. Wonderful stackable…” read »
- on “Granite Donut With Agate & Jasper Sprinkles”:
“Beautiful…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Gorgeous and what fun!…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Fun bracelets with a rainbow of color! Nice work ☺…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“These are beautiful and very impressive! They would look great stacked and perfect for the…” read »
on “Skinny Stackers”:“These are very cute! They would look great stacked. Perfect for fall.…” read »
- on “Radiance”:
“Finally,I see really lovely piece! It was beautifull with a chain, but came out nice in the…” read »
- on “Fiber Sparkle Dangle Bangle”:
“I like the bracelet but I would rather use thin leather to connect the two bangles.I…” read »
