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
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 “Copper Sheets and Washers”:“Annabel, So sorry you have been sick for so long. It sounds depressing. Glad you…” read »
on “Look Mom No Chainmaille”:“
…” read »
on “Crystal Dragon”:“Thanks, everyone! Shaggy loops is a very easy chain to learn. Here is a free tutorial.…” read »
on “Crystal Dragon”:“Wow piece, indeed! I agree how the chain lets the dragon piece be the star…” read »
- on “Pineing for Green”:
“another piece that I like to the moon and back! This would be good with…” read »
on “Crystal Dragon”:“Wow!!!!…” read »
on “Crystal Dragon”:“Really a beautiful piece, I agree with sue done well.…” read »
on “Pineing for Green”:“Lovely piece. Love the color, the materials, and the construction!…” read »
- on “Crystal Dragon”:
“Well, obviously, what you did is just remarkable! Great clasp, and you've given it a fabulous…” read »
on “Dragon's Cave”:“The Nunn design necklaces I love too. I love doing resin and love all of Nunn…” read »
- on “Dragon's Cave”:
“Just wanted to say that fantastic little Czech bead I was talking about was a matte…” read »
- on “Dragon's Cave”:
“Moogie is right. The sparkly grey beads are druzy. The bead that looks blue was a…” read »
- on “Copper Sheets and Washers”:
“Annabel, not only is your etching so nice, but your explanation of your process was supper.…” read »
- on “Send in the Clowns..”:
“I love them! They are so beautiful and creative. I really like how copper looks dipped…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“Wow, I love Aquamarine! I love your choice of beads to highlight the Aquamarine. So BEAUTIFUL!…” read »
on “Cool Waters”:“Yummy is right! Those are some higher quality aquamarine beads & your other bead choices are…” read »
- on “Send in the Clowns..”:
“Wow, these are super cute & creative! You just keep doodling around because the outcome is…” read »
- on “Copper Sheets and Washers”:
“Hey Annabel, your work is so awesome! Thanks for all the info on etching. I’ll have…” read »
- on “Dragon's Cave”:
“Donna, I’m dying here! I just love your necklaces. The dragon is my fav. How creative…” read »
- on “Leather lessons...”:
“These came out really neat Lynda! I love how you colored the button too. Don’t you…” read »
- on “Turtle medicine”:
“I really love your stylish turtles! This is a wonderfully earthy necklace & the perfect length…” read »
- on “Sea Stones - Tide Pool”:
“I love all these different blues together. I appreciate the times you took to wire wrap…” read »
on “Send in the Clowns..”:“Thank you! I had another pair of earrings I had made, but for some reason, I forgot…” read »
- on “Copper Sheets and Washers”:
“Thank you! The bleh spiral was basically from the flu, which I had been battling for around…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“I can see why you were inspired by the aquamarine discs. They are so yummy. Wonderful…” read »
- on “Send in the Clowns..”:
“Beautiful beautiful! Love the color combos.
…” read » - on “Copper Sheets and Washers”:
“I'm so sorry to hear about your bleh spiral. I hope you're feeling much better. Your…” read »
on “Pink Peacock”:“Beautiful, pink is always lovely.…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“Your design sense is still there! This is beautiful!…” read »
- on “Send in the Clowns..”:
“I'd be very happy to wear these earrings!…” read »
- on “Copper Sheets and Washers”:
“The earrings are beautiful! The design on the long ones is wonderful. The last…” read »
- on “Dragon's Cave”:
“Really like your collection, what is the bead that is sparkling? The one on your dragon…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“Smart design colors are just right, you have good eye appeal. Anna…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“This is a lovely, wearable piece that I would definitely wear!…” read »
- on “Cool Waters”:
“I love the aquamarine discs. This is lovely!…” read »
on “New Kumihimo”:“Such pretty color and texture! I get impatient when doing Kumi, hence I don't do it…” read »
- on “Look Mom No Chainmaille”:
“Lovely! And great advice from Moogie. I've never thought of adding a crimp here and there…” read »
- on “Pink Peacock”:
“Beautiful! I always have a hard time designing anything pink.This is fantastic!…” read »
- on “Send in the Clowns..”:
“Very nice! I'd love to wear these!…” read »
