I just created a new bead weaving video showing how to make what I call Romanesque Earrings.

I was looking at some stained glass window designs and one I saw that I really liked was Romanesque.

This beading pattern is not hard to make. I used 4mm bicone beads and seed beads.

I used the picot pattern on the edges of the design as well.

I hope you will like the result!

Here is a preview of the video course:

If you are interested in getting this pattern you can find it in the earrings section of the video library.

Please click here to take a look: Beading Patterns

Bead stringing is the where you want to start if you are interested in learning how to make jewelry.

Why?

Because stringing beads on a thread or wire is something almost anyone can handle, and it’s important to get comfortable using basic jewelry making tools and parts before moving on to more complicated jewelry techniques.

In short, bead stringing allows you to gain confidence by having some success with your first creations. It’s so important to have those successes so that you don’t get too frustrated when you have some of the inevitable failures with more complicated jewelry patterns or techniques.

I know a few crafters who skipped bead stringing and went straight to bead weaving. I understand their intentions because you can make a lot of really neat jewelry creations with bead weaving.

However, trying to learn a complicated pattern like the puffy heart without any prior jewelry making experience will only lead to failure and frustration for most people.

Like most things, you have to learn to crawl, then walk, then run. If you short cut the process, you will probably fall down and quit in frustration which is a shame because jewelry making is truly a great craft.

So get going with bead stringing and work your way up from there. There are many books and magazines you can get at craft stores which will give you tips on how to get started.

I also have a free bead stringing video course that will show you the things you need to get started as well as a video lesson on the basics of bead stringing.

It costs you nothing so I recommend you give it a try.

Just click on this link and it will take you to the sign up page where you can download the course and get started right away: How to String Beads

Happy Beading!

It’s Easter time. It’s springtime. It’s a wonderful time of year!

So if you’re feeling in the mood for some fun beading, I created a free beading pattern video which shows you how to make a cute bunny face.

I haven’t figured out yet what I will do with mine… try to make it into a necklace pendant? a bead ring? I don’t know!

It’s kind of cute all by itself, but I’ll have to figure out some way to wear it and show it off.

If you come up with some ideas please post them in the comments section, and better yet, if you create something you want to share with others, provide links to your creative work for all to see!

Here is the video.

Bunny Face Beading Video

To create the bunny face you need these materials:

4mm 5301 Swarovski crystal bicone beads, pink color x 45

4mm 5301 Swarovski crystal bicone beads, white color x 4

4mm Swarovski pearl, black color x 2

3mm Swarovski pearl, black color x 1

Size 11 Seed Beads, pink color x 2

0.24mm Monofilament String x 28 inches

Flush Cutter

I hope you enjoy making the bunny face, and please get back with me to let me know how it turned out for you.

Also, if the shape of the cross is an important image for you at this time of year I have a beautiful beaded cross pattern that I think you will like.

Here’s a picture of the finished piece: Crystal Bead Cross Pendant

Here’s a preview of the beading video: Crystal Bead Cross Preview Video

Happy beading and Happy Easter!

This week’s featured beading pattern on video shows how to make a bracelet using the Picot pattern.

This picot weave is the same one I used to create the Picot Necklace.

Just as I did with the picot necklace I mixed Swarovski pearls with Swarovski bicone beads.

The necklace and the bracelet make a very nice set, along with the picot earrings which I will feature next time.

Here’s a closeup picture of the bracelet: Picot Bracelet Picture

Here’s a preview of the video class:

Picot Bracelet Video Preview

Enjoy!

Here’s a new bead jewelry making pattern I just completed a video of to show how to make a Crystal Pearl Delight Choker Necklace.

That’s a mouthful!

As you can see in the picture, the most interesting part of this design is creating the “clusters” of Swarovski pearls.

But I also like the large 13mm Drop shape crystals we use. They really stand out!

This pattern is not that difficult to weave as long as you have some bead weaving experience.

Like the Classic Pearl Choker Necklace this choker is well suited for more formal occasions.

The materials consist of different colors of 4mm 5301 bicone swarovski crystal beads, both 4mm and 6mm Swarovski pearls, 13mm Drop shaped crystals, and lots of seed beads.

Here is a close up picture of the Choker: Crystal Pearl Delight Choker Picture

Here is a preview of the video class: Crystal Pearl Delight Choker Preview Video

Enjoy! 

I saw a great article last week that got me so excited (again!) to be involved in the jewelry making business.

The article talked about the crafting industry, and how it is growing rapidly, even in these difficult economic times.

For example, the Craft and Hobby Association said that there were nearly $32 Billion in craft sales in 2007, and that nearly 57% of US households are involved in some sort of crafting.

That’s a lot of sales and a lot of people who are crafters!

Of course, many of these crafters enjoy their craft simply as a hobby, but more and more are taking the plunge and starting their own small crafting businesses.

Naturally, there are a growing number of vendors to serve the growing demand for learning how to turn a crafting hobby into a business, as well as vendors who supply the materials to crafting entrepreneurs.

At the Craft and Hobby Association’s annual show in January there were over 900 vendors exhibiting with many focused on hot crafting trends like scrapbooking, green crafting, crafts for kids, and sewing.

Here is a link to the article so you can read more details: Crafting Industry Article

I believe the jewelry making and beading trend will continue to push forward as well and it’s exciting to see so many folks not only getting involved, but loving what they are creating.

If you are looking for a craft to get involved in as a business, I highly recommend that you consider bead jewelry making.

I think it is one of the easiest crafts to learn quickly and one of the easiest crafts to sell your works, especially if you practice often and start bringing some of your own creativity to your beading creations.

If you are totally new to bead jewellry making and looking for a way to get started, I have a complimentary bead stringing quick start video guide that I recommend to you.

You can check out the details here: Bead Stringing Quick Start Guide

The guide will tell you the tools and materials you need to get started.

But if you would prefer to avoid the hassle of buying all tools and materials on your own and just have everything in one package sent to you, I recommend my All-in-One Bead Jewelry Making Starter Kit.

This kit contains seven lessons on a two set DVD showing you the basics of both bead stringing and bead weaving.

Here is a link to learn more about the starter kit: Beginner Beading Starter Kit

Whichever craft, or crafts, you choose I encourage you to consider making your own small business from it.

It is a great feeling of satisfaction when someone appreciates your work so much that they are willing to give you their hard earned dollars for it.

Good luck and happy crafting!

I just published a new bead jewelry making pattern on video that shows how to make what I call a Classic Pearl Choker necklace.

I’m not exactly sure why, but this design reminded me of jewelry I have seen women wear in some older movies from the 50s.

That’s why I decided to call it “Classic.”

I use a lot of cream color Swarovski pearls in this design and I think they stand out beautifully next to dark colors.

This would be a nice necklace for a more formal night out, or would look very nice for bridal wear as well.

Here is close-up picture of the choker necklace: Classic Pearl Choker Necklace:

Classic Pearl Choker Necklace

Here is a preview of the video class: Classic Pearl Choker Preview Video

Enjoy!

It’s a week away from St. Patty’s Day, so I decided to make this week’s featured video class the Shamrock Pendant Video.

This is a design I came up with while trying to figure out how to bead weave the shape of a three leaf clover.

As with most things, there are many ways you can do it, but I think I found a way that is fairly simple and enjoyable to make.

If you try out this bead pattern, I hope you will agree!

The materials to make the shamrock pendant consist of 3mm Swarovski 5301 bicone crystal beads x 56, about 100 size 11 seed beads, 2 x 18 inches and 1 x 24 inches 0.25mm monofilament string, and a flush cutter.

Here’s a closeup picture of the pendant: Shamrock Pendant Picture

Here’s a preview of the video class:

Shamrock Pendant Video Preview

Bead Stringing World Record

 I just saw a report that a group of teenage children in England broke the world record for bead stringing by stringing over 20,000 beads in under 14 hours.

Check it out here: Bead Stringing World Record

Is that a lot of beads or what??

I guess you can’t call it a necklace, but the length of the final result was over 108 meters long!

It’s nice to see a teacher find a creative way to get teens interested in beads.

I know if I turned my kids loose on stringing together my bead stash they would have the thing running out the door and down the street in no time.

If breaking bead stringing world records is not your first priority, but you are interested in learning more about bead stringing, I have a free bead stringing video guide to help you get started.

Here’s the link where you can learn more about it:

Free Bead Stringing Guide

Here’s a free bead pattern video showing how to make a four leaf clover ring as well as a beaded four leaf clover pendant you can wear as a necklace.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

There are two parts to the video so make sure you start Part 2 after you finish Part 1.

Four Leaf Clover Video - Part 1

Four Leaf Clover Video - Part 2

Here are the materials you need to create the ring:

 5mm 5301 Swarovski crystal bicone beads, emerald color x 6

5mm 5301 Swarovski crystal bicone beads, blue zircon color x 6

6mm Bugle Beads, silver color x 8

3mm Round Beads, silver color x 1

2mm Round Beads, silver color x 80

Monofilament String x 40 inches (for ring)

Monofilament String x 28 inches (for pendant)

Jump Ring x 1 (for pendant)

Necklace Chain x 1 (for pendant)

Flush Cutter

Chain Nose Pliers x 2 (for pendant)

I hope you enjoy trying out this pattern. Please let me know how it turns out for you.

Happy beading!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!