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 “Our Black Bears”:“Chicky - I would love some new beads. Feel free to contact me through my website.…” read »
on “Our Black Bears”:“I myself are facing the same problem with way too many beads. It was suggested that…” read »
on “Our Black Bears”:“Jane or anyone ... WOULD YOU LIKE FREE BEADS? My stash is beyond managing and these…” read »
- on “Our Black Bears”:
“This is beautiful, Jane. For some reason, I had decided that the bear was a polar…” read »
on “Romeo”:“What a cutie! And what irresponsible owners, to allow an uncastrated male dog to roam. Puppies…” read »
- on “Our Black Bears”:
“Love your bear necklace. Nice colors, great design.…” read »
on “Our Black Bears”:“I might also add...you rarely hear of a bear attacking someone. They will runaway from…” read »
- on “Our Black Bears”:
“People in Asheville are used to bears...that's why they are called urban bears. I have had…” read »
on “Our Black Bears”:“Wow. Bears in the city. I love the one on your necklace. Nice piece Sweetjane.…” read »
on “Copper Garland”:“Chicly Red-haired Grammy. I’ve had the focals and copper plated beads for about a year now…” read »
on “Romeo”:“Beady, your dog has an awesome smile. Chicky, I got a picture of Romeo this evening.…” read »
on “Our Black Bears”:“Looks my! I don't think I would like that. Opossum are scary enough. …” read »
- on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:
“such cuties... no wonder you sell out!…” read »
- on “Copper Garland”:
“This is a such magnificent piece! How do you keep the copper from tarnishing, please?…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“What a holiday story! I would love to find all the animal abusers and castrate them…” read »
on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:“Thanks, everyone! I can put these together quickly but it’s challenging to figure out how to…” read »
- on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:
“Perfect for Christmas. These will sell out quickly.…” read »
on “Woodland Winter Earrings”:“Hi marshplm, the branch links have sold out. You can select to be notified when the…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“Your Romeo pendant is a beautiful tribute to Romeo. My opinion is that Romeo was…” read »
- on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:
“I love the different wings on your angels. I have made angels using larger beads…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“I love your pendant. It’s so intricate and eye-catching. I hope Romeo is doing ok.…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“Thanks Sweetjane and Beady. Here's an update you'll appreciate. I peeked out the mail slot in…” read »
- on “Susan's Birthday”:
“Love, love, love this necklace! It’s absolutely gorgeous, your friend must have been so happy to…” read »
on “Romeo”:“What a wonderful pendant. It's so beautiful. I hope Romeo decides to stay with you. It's…” read »
- on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:
“Lovely earrings. These are so fun and pretty.…” read »
on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:“I can see why they get sold out!! I have some Christmas tree enameled earring charms...I…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“Sounds like Romeo is very fortunate to have wound up in your neighborhood. I think...if…” read »
- on “Romeo”:
“Romeo has been living on the streets around here for about 9 months. He hangs around…” read »
on “Christmas Bazaar Crowd Pleaser”:“Oh what fun! I love them!…” read »
on “Woodland Winter Earrings”:“Where are the branch links? Not in instructions either.…” read »
on “Rudolph vs. Frosty Earrings”:“I just wanted to say Lima Beads has the best quality beads. I have not gotten one…” read »
- on “Sea Breeze”:
“Wow. Such pretty beads. And I love the leaves and dragonfly. The clasp matches so well…” read »
- on “Sea Breeze”:
“The stones remind me of aerial photography of coastal geography. You make lovely bracelets.…” read »
- on “Happy Thanksgiving!!”:
“Happy holidays to you K. Ralston! I think I'd like to go out on Christmas...now that's…” read »
- on “Christmas for Debbie”:
“Thanks you all...but I 'm still not sure. I made another bird bracelet for her I…” read »
- on “Sea Breeze”:
“These are very pretty stones. I like sea sediment Jasper. I've bought a few cabochons on…” read »
- on “Happy Thanksgiving!!”:
“Both great pieces. The brass focal plate is quite striking. And the red line agate is…” 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 6 items.
Measurements: 9.5x6.5mm links
Measurements: 7.2x5.2mm links
You are viewing all 6 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!