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 “Some More Nuggets”:“Love the copper flower and the chunkyness of the bracelet. It makes a statement.…” read »
on “Getting in the Groove Again”:“Sweetjane, I am just catching up with everyone today. So sorry for all you are going…” read »
- on “Dogwood flower”:
“Your work with the alcohol ink always astounds me. This is gorgeous.…” read »
on “Purple flower bracelet”:“You will sell this quickly. It's stunning.…” read »
- on “Truck necklace”:
“This just screams "free spirit." So fabulous.…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“These are so interesting. The patina and the bronze work well together. Very unique.…” read »
- on “Polygon Drops”:
“Casual and fun. Very nice Sweetjane.…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Hey Beady. This is a great piece. I haven't checked in for a few days so…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“This is such an amazing design! I love the combination of metal component and bead…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“Interesting earrings! I almost always have a plan for the things I purchase because the…” read »
- on “Polygon Drops”:
“Thanks you all!! I got a bunch of vintage/retro beads from this seller. I just kinda…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“I really like this design! The duos really bring attention to the patina. Very cool and…” read »
on “Stackable Czech Glass Nugget Bracelets”:“Thank you!…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“Wow. I really love these earrings sweetjane. The shapes are very interesting. And the colors so…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Wow Crystal. Wish I could have seen that waving, slapping and shouting. How entertaining! Yeah ravens…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“These are gorgeous! I love the reversible drops. It basically doubles the number of…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“Very cool! Love the large shape, especially for longer hair styles. The fact that…” read »
on “The Raven”:“Beady, Haha. No, I was stand outside making a fool of myself waving my hands…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“So creative! You gave these a lot of thought & the end result is very…” read »
- on “Amber River”:
“This really feels like an amber river...I can almost see the motion. The pendant and the…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“Great earrings, Becca! Creative use of the miniduos...definitely unique!…” read »
on “The Raven”:“Robin - Darwin is doing quite well. He's a real menace. Strawberry Hill is $4.99 for…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“Unusual, pretty design. Love the miniduos and the color combination. Great earrings.…” read »
- on “Amber River”:
“Beautiful, happy necklace. The navy colored strap pulls it all together. Wonderful focal.…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Thank you all so much. Crystal - Duh, I forgot to add the raven to my…” read »
on “Getting in the Groove Again”:“Thanks you all...I really appreciate your comments! I got an order today....plus two custom orders!! It…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“These are quite beautiful !! Plus they are transitional....from season to season.…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“These are a different design, but in a beautiful way! I love the use…” read »
on “The Raven”:“Beady, long time no see. I love your necklace - and I love the bird.…” read »
- on “Polka Dot Crazy”:
“I wanted to also mention, that I like the fact that they help the African women--that's…” read »
- on “Polka Dot Crazy”:
“Thank you Brenda for the pitch to purchase these. I finally got some--got the violet…” read »
- on “Getting in the Groove Again”:
“Jane, I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. These things can be very…” read »
on “Getting in the Groove Again”:“Jane, this necklace is gorgeous. I wish I could see a photo of it on someone.…” read »
- on “Amber River”:
“The rich colors make this an instant go-to piece when heading out the door. I…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Don't you know, I was outside early this morning 'shoo-ing' several of these off our rooftop!…” read »
- on “Some More Nuggets”:
“My favorite part of the bracelet is the copper flower. Crazy I know but that's me...…” read »
on “Amber River”:“I hope my comment posts. This is a fantastic necklace. I also like the fact that…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Great necklace to honor a post we will head from nevermore. The Raven was my favorite…” read »
- on “Getting in the Groove Again”:
“Thanks you all...for your kind comments and support!!…” read »
- on “Some More Nuggets”:
“Thanks you all!! I'm looking forward to ordering more beads and getting back to making more…” read »
Garden Droplets
About this design:
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
-Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
I am pretty sure my favorite story growing up was The Secret Garden. I used to daydream about finding one and what it would be like. So it comes as no surprise that when I decided to make a Spring inspired necklace, I gravitated towards creating a focal that reflects new life and blossoms dripping from a garden wall.
Buy the supplies:
The products in this design are listed below.
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: First I applied patina to the largest African brass ball we have :-) I brushed on layers of moss, verdigris, and jade from the weathered copper patina kit, adding in tiny touches of Amethyst from the Victorian Gable Patina Kit. I then took the relief block and lightly buffed until I had my desired look. See Tip: Using Vintaj Patinas |
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Step 2: I also applied patina to the pewter lily drop using agate in the petals, ochre where the pollen would be, and moss on the leaves and loop. Ochre and agate are from the retro highway patina kit and moss is from the weathered copper patina kit. See Tip: Using Vintaj Patinas |
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Step 3: Once the colored pieces are dry, I began making my droplets. See the following steps for each droplet below. |
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Step 4: Tanzanite charm connected to chain, with an etched chain link used as a jump ring to connect the droplet to the silk string See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
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Step 5: Cut 4" length of silk string. Tie knot at one end and string on a ceramic bead. String silk through chain, add on another ceramic bead and knot at the end of the silk string. Etched chain link used as a jump ring to connect the droplet to the silk string. |
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Step 6: Using approximately 1.5" of etched chain, connect gold leaf and wire wrapped charms to form this droplet. See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
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Step 7: Cut an 8" length of silk string. Begin at one end knotting on glass teardrops individually, spacing anywhere from 5-10mm apart. String the silk through the etched chain so that approximately half the string is on each side of the chain and knot in place to secure string to chain. Attach wire wrapped pendant to the silk string with a knot approximately 1" from end of string. Place patinated pewter lily drop at the end and knot to secure in place. Attach lucite leaf and Earthenwood egg to chain. |
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Step 8: Now that all of the droplets are created, take a 7" length of the silk string and string all of the droplets on. Double your silk string over and string through large African brass ball. Once strung through the bead, string through loop of wire wrapped Tanzanite link, and tie several knots to secure. Tuck tails of silk string back into the African brass bead. |
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Step 9: Create chain using 2' of flat oval cable chain and 20" of etched oval cable chain. I wanted to give the chain some subtle detail without distracting from the focal, so I broke up the flat oval into sections at the front of the necklace. I then doubled up the etched chain placing it those gaps. Once the chain is complete and attached to the focal, string on 2 glass rings down onto the African brass. See Tip: Closing A Jump Ring |
Buy Products from this Design
You are viewing all 8 items.
Measurements: 9.5x6.5mm links
Unicorne Beads Multi Forest Teardrop 7x9mm
BACK IN STOCK!
Measurements: 7.2x5.2mm links
You are viewing all 8 items.
On Apr 05, 2012 at 2:07 pm #
olive penguin says:Thanks for the tutorial Ali! This is a really adorable design. I love the playfulness of the design and the elements in it. It certainly does remind me of a garden.
On Apr 05, 2012 at 3:38 pm #
Miss Molly says:What a fun design – I just ordered a bunch of the Vintaj patinas, and can’t wait to play with them!
On Apr 05, 2012 at 6:43 pm #
black cat yawning says:Nice job, Ali! The Secret Garden was my favorite, too. In fact, we bought our current house because it had a neglected, sort-of-secret garden, and a “robin who showed the way!”
On Apr 06, 2012 at 12:12 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Great design and I love the way you have used the patinas especially on the large brass ball.
On Apr 06, 2012 at 4:27 pm #
KatsAllThat says:Nicely done…
On Apr 26, 2012 at 10:59 am #
Ali says:Thanks everyone. Something about this necklace is so fresh and happy, that when I wear it I feel optimistic about summer being around the corner.
On Mar 04, 2013 at 9:27 pm #
Mandy R says:LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!!
On Mar 16, 2013 at 3:24 pm #
Caroline E says:Love it!!!!!
On Mar 16, 2013 at 3:26 pm #
Caroline E says:<3
On Mar 25, 2013 at 6:47 pm #
lummibeader2013 says:I really like that design and it looks easy to make. hugs to the designer!!
On Mar 26, 2013 at 10:44 pm #
princessdsp says:This is really beautiful and unique. love it!
On May 24, 2013 at 3:12 am #
jdbeast1 says:Love it….You always inspire me, Ali !
On Aug 27, 2013 at 12:50 pm #
agthomas says:Beautiful!
On Jan 06, 2014 at 10:22 pm #
Thea says:This is so adorable. I am sill finding my way around the site and find something that amazes me everyday. I have to say Lima Beads is as addictive as making the things I craft.
On Sep 23, 2014 at 1:20 am #
D McDuffie says:Super cute ‘organic’ design–very original! Definitely want to try this.
On Jan 06, 2016 at 6:56 am #
Jody L says:Yes I agree it is really cute and organic, very fresh and fun and with winter in the air now it is inspiration for the warm weather to come, and ways we might choose to enjoy it!
On Sep 05, 2016 at 12:07 pm #
Misty S says:I wanted to create the GARDEN DROPLET but I cannot find the ball that it was made of.
Can you please tell me where I can find this.
Thanks
On Mar 11, 2018 at 1:35 pm #
JillEllen B says:Thank you for introducing me to the Unicorne Beads; who knows how long, in my indiscriminate wanderings around Lima Beads, it would have taken for me to discover them –if ever! I love them and will be ordering some. Also, kudos on your lovely design!