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 “It's Raining On The Sun”:“Excellent! These are unique and stylish. I love the earrings.…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“Kimberly, were the colors already together or did you put them that way? I am…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“Thank you all, so much! I appreciate your words and I marvel in the universality…” read »
on “Angel”:“Silver and blue would be awesome. Gold with red and green for Christmas. Another gold with…” read »
- on “Angel”:
“I love this beautiful angel. I've never seen anything like it. You should make them in…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“This is a stunning bracelet! I would love this as a gift!!!…” read »
on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:“What a sweet piece with such a refreshing vibe! It does look the the fishie…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“Jogi, you have a great way of highlighting these inspirational focals with all of the colorful…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“Fantastic piece! Love all the different African beads in this piece! Your use of seed…” read »
on “Angel”:“A lovely thoughtful gift in every way, right down to the easy clasp. She’ll love…” read »
- on “Angel”:
“Kye, I really like the darker wire & jumprings--they add such depth to the piece. …” read »
on “Angel”:“Kye !! Wow this is so so beautiful, I just adore her wings.....your mom will cherish…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“Thank you ladies so so much !! All your wonderful and supportive comments truly mean so…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“Wow, all of you are so encouraging! Thanks for the wonderful comments. Your feedback…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“I love this! I love fish so you had me there! Of course the…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“What a fun and unique necklace. The design is perfect for the colorful African beads. I'm…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“Another beautiful and inspirational bracelet. I really like the rustic nature of the ceramic focal mixed…” read »
on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:“Wonderful mix of beads...very aquatic!! plus, the fish lobster is so cute!…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“Wonderful mix of elements. I really like how it would work well with everyday jeans and…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“Oooooh! Oooooooooh! Was all I could think and say for several minutes when I first…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“What a fun necklace Kimberly. Love the colors and the African trade beads. And your…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“Lovely message and beautiful bracelet. Love the little flower beads.…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“Thanks so much.…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“It's encouraging to hear how others have struggled to get back into beading...and overcome it! …” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“I have always loved the phrase “when pigs fly” so I purchased the Green Girl charm…” read »
- on “Oor Earrings”:
“Love the simplicity and organic look!!…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“Another great bracelet Jogi!! I know I wouldn't be alive today if it were not for…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“This is what jewelry making is all about...making fun and happy pieces. This is definitely a…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“What could be better than a beautiful necklace with a storyline? It's so much fun following…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“CC I just noticed you used stainless steel jump rings. That makes your flower even more…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“I love the "chunky" feel of your beautiful necklace! balanced with some delicate open strings.…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“Very bright and happy. Lots of interesting stuff in here. I especially like the metal bead…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“These porcelain pieces have been great to work your pieces around. Lots of interesting beads to…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“Definitely a sense of the aquatic. I love how you have arranged it asymmetrically with the…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“So bright for Spring and with the positive words. The chain mail work adds much interest.…” 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.
| 15 yd. spool | $3.40 |
| Package of 12 | $1.35 |
Sage Silk String 2mm
BACK IN STOCK!
| 42" length: $2.20 |
Gaea Ceramic Atlantis Organic Round 9-10x12-13mm
BACK IN STOCK!
| Piece | $1.20 |
Vintaj Metal Reliefing Block
BACK IN STOCK!
| Piece | $4.70 |
Measurements: 9.5x6.5mm links
| per foot: $4.20 |
Measurements: 7.2x5.2mm links
| per foot: $3.70 |
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!