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 “Knots Knots Knots”:“My fave beads at the moment, and such stylish knots! Have to find that tutorial!
The…” read »
on “A Gift of the Sea”:“Thanks again to everyone. Stingray, your beautiful wrapped Rivolis inspired me to get some wrapping done.…” read »
on “Mixed foursome”:“Wow. I ditto all the above positive comments.…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Fantastic knotted and ceramic bracelet with a fitting clasp. Its gorgeous. The varied colors is all…” read »
- on “Simple gem arrow earring”:
“This is lovely! And its my favorite type of earring.…” read »
on “A Gift of the Sea”:“Very nice! Innovative and unique, I really like the blue rondelles. It is indeed reminiscent of…” read »
on “A Gift of the Sea”:“What a beautiful pendant and chain that took a lot of work.…” read »
on “A Gift of the Sea”:“What an amazing sea-themed piece! All of the sea creatures and goodies that you wire…” read »
- on “Simple gem arrow earring”:
“Nice! Did you attach some sort of embellishment to the arrow? Very stylish.…” read »
- on “Pi Stone Donuts”:
“Everyone said exactly what I was thinking! Simplicity is perfect for the gemstone donuts.
…” read » - on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Perfect! I love the mix of colors against the brown cording! The snake knot…” read »
on “Simple gem arrow earring”:“So cute!…” read »
- on “Mixed foursome”:
“Multi-strand bracelets are a favorite of mine. Yours are fun, and I really like the…” read »
on “A Gift of the Sea”:“I thought that was a twisted three bead herringbone. I'm working on one myself but it…” read »
- on “A Gift of the Sea”:
“Wow! Your wirework is amazing. There is so much to admire on this necklace. I keep…” read »
- on “Daydream”:
“Crystal Canary, I'm glad you are getting started. No one would laugh at you. You should…” read »
- on “A Gift of the Sea”:
“Thanks BLE. I learned this chain from a YouTube channel called Sapphirus and the video is…” read »
- on “Pi Stone Donuts”:
“Letting the stone speak for itself, with just a little assistance from the artist. Very nice.…” read »
- on “Simple gem arrow earring”:
“That's a very pretty stone. Simple, classy, pretty.…” read »
- on “Mystic Sea Cairns Necklace”:
“Ditto all above! Great interest with the gemstone choices, texture, and unique design!
…” read » - on “Daydream”:
“Guess I'm late to this conversation! This is such a beautiful piece! The colors…” read »
- on “A Gift of the Sea”:
“Wow KR You really captured the underwater vibe with this necklace. It's so much fun with…” read »
on “Simple gem arrow earring”:“Sweet and simple. Letting the gemstone do the talking. This is why I love making earrings.…” read »
- on “Pi Stone Donuts”:
“I agree with Pam and kye. Pretty pendants - simple and nice.…” read »
- on “Pi Stone Donuts”:
“Those pendants are so pretty. Your simple treatment really lets them shine. The bead on top…” read »
on “Knots Knots Knots”:“Hi Kye! I used the C-Lon 0.5mm cord.…” read »
- on “Pi Stone Donuts”:
“Lovely pendants with the bead on top! What kind of cording did you use?…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Kye beautiful knots! I like both pieces with the knot. Like you the name…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Thanks for showing your beautiful work with this knot CAS. What stringing material did you use?…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Beautifyl Kye! Very ooohhh ... aaahhhh indeed. I've used the "snake" (also not a fan of…” read »
on “Knots Knots Knots”:“These are so nice, Kye. You are a very neat & consistent knotter. Great job!…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Your work has a very refined look. I like the multi-knotted one best.…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“What fun and beautiful bracelets. The porcelain beads are so pretty and look great with the…” read »
- on “Daydream”:
“Your experiment piece is really cool. I actually prefer the off-brand crystal because they don't chip…” read »
on “Half moon fringe & half moon "taco"”:“Refreshing and modern! Love the fringe!…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“I love it when a simple stringing material becomes an important part of the design. …” read »
on “Knots Knots Knots”:“Very cool design!…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“Spring and Summer are on the way, and I can see this being perfect with a…” read »
- on “Knots Knots Knots”:
“I love this! It's just so cute!…” 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 10 items.
| Package of 12 | $1.35 |
Measurements: 9.5x6.5mm links
| per foot: $4.20 |
Measurements: 7.2x5.2mm links
| per foot: $3.70 |
| 42" length: $2.20 |
| 15 yd. spool | $3.40 |
Gaea Ceramic Atlantis Organic Round 9-10x12-13mm
BACK IN STOCK!
| Piece | $1.20 |
| Piece | $4.70 | OUT OF STOCK |
You are viewing all 10 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!