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 “Brown House with a Red Flower”:“This is another favorite. The little brown house is adorable. I'm always amazed at how you…” read »
- on “Odds and Ends”:
“I adore this bracelet. It belongs on someone's wrist come Spring. It is so pretty. I…” read »
on “Black Dahlia Necklace”:“Thanks everyone!…” read »
on “Pleated Copper”:“LRC, your fold-formed copper designs are so creative! I so enjoy seeing your lovely work.…” read »
on “Calypso Blues Bracelet”:“Don't know how I missed this before. A beautiful bracelet with such a diversity of beads.…” read »
- on “Be still and you’ll know which way to go”:
“Thanks Robin for the explanation. It's a beautiful set.…” read »
on “Leaves and Berries”:“Outstanding piece of jewelry...super wirework!!…” read »
- on “Leftovers”:
“Thanks for all the lovely comments!!…” read »
on “Calypso Blues Bracelet”:“I love the colours, really caught my eye.…” read »
on “Leaves and Berries”:“Well shucks, everyone, I don't know what to say other than thanks for all of the…” read »
on “Leftovers”:“How do you make your orphan beads look like they belong together? It's fascinating how you…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Oh wow LRC! This set is fantastic! What will you do next? You keep upping your…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“As usual - WOW! This is beautiful and has a great old world charm to it.…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Oh - and the matching earrings are fab.…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Work of art is right. I just love it. The design, the colors. Just awesome. I…” read »
- on “Leftovers”:
“Love your leftovers. Wonderful design.…” read »
- on “Orange Orange and more Orange”:
“What a great orange necklace. Love the design. Great colors - love the flat chips.…” read »
on “Be still and you’ll know which way to go”:“Beady, I attach the strap using jump rings- I have a heavy duty kind of hole…” read »
- on “Dark Magic Necklace”:
“I agree - well done and fun idea.…” read »
- on “Wicked Hands Earrings”:
“What fun Halloween earrings. Great.…” read »
- on “Blue Moon Earrings”:
“So pretty - especially when worn. Great size.…” read »
- on “Crystal Skull Drop Earrings”:
“Spooky for Halloween.…” read »
- on “Do The Bunny Hop”:
“Very nice sweetjane. Perfect for fall. Love the bunny beads and the ribbon. So creative.…” read »
- on “Be still and you’ll know which way to go”:
“Robin - This set is so lovely. So glad the earth spoke to you so nicely.…” read »
- on “The Shy One”:
“Another beautiful design using the Arabesque. You named it correctly also. It does look shy. I…” read »
- on “Mellow yellow”:
“Beautiful Robin. The yellows look great with the grays and blacks. And I agree gunmetal was…” read »
on “Leaves and Berries”:“Oh, wow! This is absolutely incredible with all the detailed work involved in this design.…” read »
on “Leftovers”:“Another fabulous bracelet!…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Wow, LRC, this is certainly a showstopper, stunner, and all-around gorgeous piece!!!…” read »
- on “Leftovers”:
“I think the variety of focal points in this bracelet are wonderful. I really enjoy…” read »
- on “Orange Orange and more Orange”:
“Orange=happiness! My favorite color too! Beautiful work & combinations. I love how you…” read »
on “Witches Brew Bracelet”:“I've always wanted to visit Salem. Thank for the lovely comments. Post your Halloween designs!…” read »
on “Leaves and Berries”:“Very amazing piece! I can see it worn at Christmas time with a beautiful velvet…” read »
on “Leaves and Berries”:“I definitely thought of a luscious berry vine as soon as I saw. Beautiful work and…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Whan at amazing piece you've created. I swear my mouth was open for minutes as I…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“Gorgeous!!…” read »
- on “Do The Bunny Hop”:
“Love your bracelets! This one is right up there.…” read »
on “Día de los Muertos Necklace”:“This is spectacular!! Thank you for showing how to use the skullls in a pretty…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“It makes me think of royalty, something a fairy princess could wear. It has a…” read »
- on “Leaves and Berries”:
“I love your handmade focal but somehow I imagine it hanging from green silk string, instead…” 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 7 items.
Measurements: 9.5x6.5mm links
| per foot: $4.20 |
| 15 yd. spool | $3.40 | OUT OF STOCK |
| Package of 12 | $1.35 |
| 42" length: $2.20 |
| Piece | $4.70 |
You are viewing all 7 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!