Daily Blogs : Bead Embroidery, Bracelet Making

Jazz Up Your Bracelet Making Projects with Beautiful Bugle Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT


	*Kelli Burns' Tuscan Tiles bracelet is a beautiful, stylish way to use copper bugle beads.*

When I first started learning how to bead, I only thought of using bugle beads as fringe for the dozens of peyote stitch amulet bags that I made. Later, I started experimenting with using bugle beads for things like bracelet making, and as a way to make quick and beautiful netted collars. Bugle beads weren't easy to find, and when I did find them, the range of colors was quite limited.

Now that I know my way around a bead shop (and around the internet), bugle beads are a lot easier to come by, and in a lot more colors and styles. You can even find bugle beads made with precious metals like sterling silver and gold-filled, and base metals like brass and copper.

It only makes sense that designers these days are inspired to use bugle beads in their bracelet making projects. Bugle beads are the perfect complement to crystal beads, cube beads, and even materials like ribbon and crystal chain! Why are bracelet making projects made with bugle beads so special? Here are four of my all-time favorite bugle bead bracelet making projects, just to give you an idea of why I'm so inspired by bugle beads:

		The Swingin' Bugle Cuff by Cathi Tessier is a classic retro bugle bead bracelet! This is the kind of bugle bead bracelet making project that I love to work with, because you can play with colors to your heart's content. Experiment with new colors, twisted bugle beads, or even metal bugle beads to make a beaded bracelet that you can wear with anything and everything.

		You have to look very closely at Smadar Grossman's Wheels of Fortune bracelet. The bugle beads used in this particular bracelet making design are used so that they blend in perfectly with the matte metallic cube beads used to create each circular wheel! The wonderful circular shape of each wheel is the perfect contrast to the "straight and narrow" of the bugle beads, don't you think?

		Fit for a princess? Oh, yes! Cristie Prince's Princess Kate Bracelet makes easy and elegant use of chain made with prong-set crystals. Add a rhinestone clasp, and you've got a quick and easy bracelet making project that looks like it came from a high-end department store jewelry department! Make a whole armful when you want to look like a million bucks without spending the family fortune.

		Csilla Csirmaz's Corset Cuff allows the bugle beads to take center stage, accenting them with sparkling crystal beads and finished with a very clever ribbon-tie closure. The soft, gauzy ribbon and sparkling crystal beads give the bugle beads used in this bracelet making project a kind of understated elegance that just brings out the romantic in me.

After all these years, I still can't figure out what it is about bugle beads that I love so much! They're great for adding a unique texture to my bead embroidery pieces, and using them for bead-weaving is a fantastic challenge for my design skills. With all the bugle beads that keep finding their way into my bead stash, I'm just going to have to keep looking for great beading and bracelet making projects like these to use them all up.

If you love using bugle beads, take a look at Stitching with Shaped Seed Beads: 10 Beaded Projects to Make with Bugle Beads. For less than a dollar per project, you can instantly download ten innovative bracelet making and necklace making projects that use bugle beads. Learn how to use bugle beads to create bezels for your favorite crystal stones, mix them with crystal beads, and learn about color play using your favorite seed beads.

Do you have a favorite tip for working with bugle beads? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share it with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Try This Free Riveting Bracelet Making Project

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT


	Design by Tracy Gonzales (for TierraCast)

Everywhere you look, leather jewelry is a hot trend. At Bead Fest Philadelphia last summer, I saw lots of leather jewelry-making supplies, from the wonderful "licorice" leather for making fun beaded bracelets to fish leather for bead embroidery and mixed media jewelry.

Tracy Gonzales from our friends at Tierra Cast designed this great leather bracelet making project for anyone who wants to learn about using metal rivets and leather. It works up in just a snap!

Materials:

9-10" 5/8" flat leather, 2-2.5mm thick
1 TierraCast Spiral & Rivets Link
1 TierraCast Line 20 (approx. 13mm) Spiral Snap Cap
1 Line 20 Snap Fastener
4 TierraCast 4mm Cap Compression Rivets
2 TierraCast 10mm Hammertone LH Bead
E6000 Adhesive or similar

Tools

Revolving punch pliers or other tool for making holes in leather
Snap setter tool
Rivet setter tool
Dot/snap anvil
Bench block (optional)
Hammer
Pencil
Scissors

Step by Step Instructions:

		Make a pencil mark in the center of the leather strap about ½" from end. Use revolving punch pliers to make a hole approximately the same size as the snap component posts at the mark. This will be the hole for the button/cap part of the snap.

		Keeping this end on top, wrap leather around wrist to determine fit, then mark the leather where the hole for the bottom snap component will be. Punch a second hole at this mark.

		Set snaps according to package instructions.

		Place the Spiral & Rivets link at the center of bracelet. Place one 10mm Hammertone LH spacer on each side of link. Mark holes with pencil. Punch 2.5mm holes at each mark.

		To rivet the components to the leather, set a post component through a hole from the underside of the leather. Place a metal component onto the post on the top side. Place a rivet cap onto post and squeeze the two components gently to engage.

		Set post onto block or dot anvil (flat side). Place the concave side of the rivet setter tool over the rivet cap and use a hammer or mallet to set.

		Put a small dab of E6000 on the inside of the Spiral snap cap and set it securely over the snap button/cap. Allow to dry. Trim excess leather as desired.

Ready to see more of the hottest trends in jewelry design? Check out 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings, available as an instant download from Zinio! You'll find page after page of colorful ideas for making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Ceramics, ribbon, leather, and metals come together to make over a hundred fabulous beaded jewelry designs! Download 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings through Zinio now and get busy beading today.

Want to win a sampler pack of great new leather jewelry-making findings from Tierra Cast? Leave a comment on this blog before February 18, 2013 at 12:00 midnight CST, and you could win this pack of spacers and barrel beads, separator bars, links, compression rivets, and endings! Just tell us what latest jewelry trend you love and why, and you could win! (Please note: due to customs regulations, this contest is only open to residents of the United States.)

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

How to Make a Brick Stitch Ruffle

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time, I found myself finishing up a bead embroidered necklace, and as usual, I didn't have a clue as to how I would add fringe to it. After I finished the brick stitch edging, I must have tried six or seven different patterns for fringe. Nothing looked right.

Looking at it on my work table one evening, I thought, "What if I tried a brick stitch ruffle around the bottom of this necklace?" I knew it was going to take a lot longer than other styles of fringe, but I thought it just might work. Sure enough, it felt as if the stitching took forever on that ruffle, but the results were perfect for what I had originally envisioned for the finished piece!

Making a brick stitch ruffle is really just a matter of increasing in the middle of a row of brick stitch. It takes a little practice to squeeze your needle in between the beads, but here's an easy way to get started:

		Start with an ordinary strip of brick stitch. Make sure your working thread is exiting the bottom of the strip. (Not like in this photograph where I have my working thread exiting from the top of the brick stitch!)

		Add two beads in the first stitch, then continue to add two beads per thread, one bead at a time. (Add the first bead like you normally would, then go back and add a second bead in the same thread.) You'll see the beads start to zigzag back and forth across the row.

		Each row of brick stitch will get longer as you continue to increase, and your ruffle will get more dramatic. For a softer ruffle, you can alternate increases to every other stitch.

		The finished brick stitch ruffle has lots of fun applications in bead-weaving!

Brick stitch ruffles are great for all sorts of beading projects: use them to add texture and visual interest to the edging of bead embroidery projects (like I did), or make ruffled brick stitch bracelets and pendants. A brick stitch ruffle can be made to look like waves for a water-themed piece of bead-weaving, or try surrounding a glass pearl with a brick stitch ruffle for a playful bracelet making component!

Practice your brick stitch skills and stock up on your favorite beading projects now during the eProject sale in the Beading Daily Shop! All eProjects are 30% off until 12 midnight CST on February 7, 2013, and since they're all instant downloads, you don't have to wait to get started beading. Download a few new brick stitch beading projects today and find out why brick stitch is one of the most versatile bead-weaving stitches out there.

Have you ever used a brick stitch ruffle to embellish a beading project? Leave a comment and share your ideas with us here on the Beading Daily blog, or better yet, take a picture of your brick stitch masterpiece and post it in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Reader Photo Gallery Giveaway, Week 1: Show Us Your Best Bead Embroidery!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT

One of the things I love about the Beading Daily online community is the Reader Photo Gallery. It's so inspiring for me to look in there every day and see all of the beautiful beaded jewelry made by the members of the Beading Daily community! You should all give yourselves a big pat on the back -- your beaded jewelry is just gorgeous.


	Ammonite Neckpiece made with bead embroidery by user Lindsay Starr from our Reader Photo Gallery.

I thought it would be nice to share some of these beautiful beaded jewelry designs with the Beading Daily fans on Facebook, and while I'm at it, give away some fun prizes! So, here's how it works:

Each week for the next five weeks, I'll be posting a blog on Saturday morning with a theme for that week. You have until the following Saturday to post a picture in the Reader Photo Gallery of a piece of beaded jewelry or a bead craft that falls into the category for that week. During the week, I'll pick five beautiful beaded creations to feature on Beading Daily's Facebook page, and one lucky featured artist will win a prize! (Please note: We can only ship prizes to U.S. addresses and addresses in Canada excluding Quebec. No international entries at this time, please!)

To kick things off, I thought I'd start with one of my favorite beading techniques -- bead embroidery!

Why I Love Bead Embroidery

Bead embroidery and I weren't always friends. As a matter of fact, I had some real issues trying to learn basic backstitch for bead embroidery. But after many failed attempts, something finally clicked, and now, whenever I get an idea for a new beaded necklace or beaded bracelet, chances are, I'll be making it using bead embroidery.

Bead embroidery can be used to create so many different kinds of beaded jewelry. You can create incredible beaded necklaces, beaded bracelets, beaded earrings, and even beaded rings using basic bead embroidery techniques! Bead embroidery also lets you capture found objects and cabochons using peyote stitch or right-angle weave and turn them into beautiful beaded jewelry.

What I love the most about bead embroidery is the way it seems to be a marriage of storytelling and painting with beads. There's a freedom to bead embroidery that I just don't see in other types of beading techniques. For me, when it comes to making important works of beaded art, bead embroidery will always be my first choice of beading technique.

How to Enter the Reader Photo Gallery Giveaway

Take a picture of your best bead embroidery piece. It can be anything - a piece of beaded jewelry, a beaded accessory like a handbag, a piece of home decor, or a bead craft that uses bead embroidery.

Next, make sure that the picture is saved on your computer and is no larger than 6MB. Go to your account and log in. Under the tab 'Galleries' click on 'Reader Photo Gallery.' Select the Thumbnail option. Then with the Upload File selected, search your computer for the picture and then click Save. Be sure to fill out all of the fields in that window and click Save when you are finished.

Make sure you tag your photograph with at least two tags: the first should be "bead embroidery". Any other tags should be descriptive of the piece, like "beaded necklace" or "beaded handbag". This will let us be able to find your photographs easily in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Next, make sure you "Like" Beading Daily on Facebook. Every weekday, we'll share a photo from our Reader Photo Gallery on Facebook. If it's your photo, you'll be entered to win a weekly prize!

This week's prize is a copy of Denise Peck's Beaded Viking Knit Bracelet DVD. If you've ever wanted to learn how to do Viking knit, this is a great place to start. Or, if you already know the basics of Viking knit and are looking for a project to expand on your skills, you'll enjoy learning Denise's techniques for adding beads to your Viking knit.

If you need some help with your photographs, we've got a couple of links here to get you started:

Successful Etsy Sellers Share Their Beadwork Photography Tips
How to Choose the Right Digital Camera for You (with links to photography tips on About.com)
Free download: 3 Simple Steps to Better Beadwork Photos

Have fun! Stay tuned to Facebook to see if you're one of our featured artists during the week, and check back next Saturday to find out the theme of next week's giveaway!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

My Favorite Materials for Mixed Media Beadwork

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

One of my long-standing obsessions is using found objects in my beaded necklace and beaded bracelet designs. When I inherited a portion of my mother's old jewelry after she passed away in 2008, I started thinking about ways I could use them in new mixed-media jewelry projects, both as a way to honor my mom's creative spirit and as a way of keeping her memory close to me.

That was right around the time I was starting to become interested in stitching beaded bezels around found objects, too. I was trying to figure out how to make peyote stitch and right-angle weave bezels around anything I could get my hands on, including cabochons, crystal stones, vintage glass stones, and cameos. I also started playing with adding leather cord, silk ribbon, and chain as necklaces to my beaded pendants to give them a different, more modern look. Inspired by the Beadpunk style originated by bead artist Diane Hyde, I started looking for more objects and more ways to incorporate them into my beading projects.

If you want to start including more found objects into your bead-weaving projects for great mixed-media jewelry projects, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Tiny glass bottles. I found a stash of these glass bottles at my local craft store with the scrap book supplies. When I first started learning how to bead twelve years ago, beaded bottles were everywhere. With all the new mixed-media jewelry making projects that incorporate bead-weaving stitches, these tiny glass bottles in a range of shapes and sizes are perfect for adding to a statement necklace. They also make great last-minute beaded gifts when you add a fancy ribbon for a necklace!

Antique keys. Keys have been a staple of steampunk jewelry making projects since the beginning, it seems, and some of my favorite thrift-store finds have been big key rings full of old skeleton keys. Embellish them by wrapping a strip of peyote stitch or right-angle weave around the shaft of the key, or attach it to a beaded necklace using peyote stitch rings. Look for keys with unusual heads or even with a little bit of rust that give your antique key some character.

Typewriter keys and Scrabble tiles. Old typewriter keys are great for making tiny pendants and earrings. Whether you cover them in resin or stitch a tiny beaded bezel around them, you can find dozens of ways to incorporate typewriter keys into your mixed-media jewelry making projects. String them together for a unique bracelet for your favorite writer or reader, or hang a single typewriter key from a beaded necklace as a special and personal gift to a friend.

In the same vein, I love to use old Scrabble tiles in my bead embroidery pieces. Their square shape and flat backs make them better suited for bead embroidery projects than typewriter keys, which can sometimes have rough or curved backs. You can add initials, spell out short words, and add language to your mixed-media jewelry making projects using Scrabble tiles, and they make great bead embroidered cuff bracelets, too.

Natural objects. My mother had a huge collection of shells, fossils, and other natural objects from her beachcombing adventures on Galveston Island, where she lived the last years of her life. She would send me boxes of wonderful shells, shiny seeds, rough beach glass, pressed and dried flowers, and tiny twigs for use in my mixed-media jewelry making projects. These objects can be beaded around, glued to a backing and used for bead embroidery, or placed in a bezel and encased in resin for jewelry with a natural touch.

Silk ribbon or sari ribbon. Before I found a great tutorial for how to make a wire hook-and-eye clasp on leather cord or ribbon, I always felt intimidated by using these materials in my mixed-media jewelry. If you want a quick, fabulous necklace for a beaded pendant, wrap a strip of silk ribbon or sari silk around a length of leather cord and wrap the ends with a small piece of wire to hold it in place! Adding a few wire-wrapped dangles will add even more texture and visual interest to your latest beaded necklace project.

There are so many ways to incorporate special objects into your beading and bead-weaving projects for unique keepsake jewelry. Melanie Doerman's book, The Art of Forgotten Things showcases fifteen mixed-media jewelry projects using a wide range of both bead-weaving and jewelry making techniques that will inspire you to make your own memories. Sadly, Melanie passed away earlier this year, but The Art of Forgotten Things has left us with a beautiful way of honoring her memory, as well as a way to capture our own special memories with special keepsake jewelry.

Pre-order your copy of The Art of Forgotten Things and turn find new ways to turn special memories into special pieces of beaded jewelry. Or, if you just can't wait another minute to get started, you can also find The Art of Forgotten Things as an eBook, available as an instant download, and ready to view on your desktop or laptop computer in just minutes.

What found objects have you used in your own mixed-media jewelry? Have you included bead-weaving techniques in your found object jewelry yet? Or maybe you've already created a piece of keepsake jewelry using bead-weaving and found objects that told a special story. Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us about your favorite techniques, materials, or that special memory you captures in a piece of jewelry for yourself or for a friend!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Bracelet Making: Three Special Bracelets in My Jewelry Collection

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMT

I don't wear bracelets too often, even though I have bags of them in my collection of handmade beaded jewelry. Most of the time when I'm designing a new piece of beaded jewelry, I usually come up with necklace making designs, not bracelet making designs. But, once in a while, a great bracelet making idea pops into my head, and I have no choice but to listen to the beads and run with it! Even better is when I receive a beautiful bracelet as a gift or learn how to make someone else's beaded bracelet design.

I recently added three new beautiful bracelets to my collection. Each one has a great story behind it!

		This bracelet was originally supposed to be my challenge project for Beadwork magazine later this year, but at the last minute, I was inspired to create a different piece for that particular challenge. Still, my Lotus Cuff bracelet was a great bead embroidered bracelet making refresher for me. I tried something new for this bracelet and decided to leave most of the colored bead embroidery backing exposed to add an additional color to the palette of beads I chose. The design of the Lotus Cuff was inspired by the time I spent attending prayers and meditation with a group of traveling Tibetan Buddhist monks back in April. The cultural center that hosted the monks was adorned with beautiful Tibetan Thangka paintings, which are a combination of painting and embroidery using metallic silk threads. No matter what my mood, when I wear this bracelet, I remind myself to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the ride.

		I don't often get the chance to bead with a group of friends, and I don't often have the time to work up another artist's beaded bracelet making design, so making the beautiful It's Becoming bracelet by Nikia Angel at York Beads in New York City a couple of weeks ago is something that I will remember for a very long time! It was so much fun to meet new beaders, hang out with Nikia for a while, and just relax and learn a new bracelet making project.

		This last bracelet was gifted to me by the wonderful (and talented) Tanya Borden. Tanya and I were swap partners in Lori Anderson's Pantone Bead Swap a few weeks ago, and part of the Pantone color-inspired package of beads I sent to Tanya in Thailand was a small bag of some flower-shaped sequins I found in New York City. Tanya was so inspired by the sequins that she sat down and created this delicate and fashionable bracelet -- and then she sent it to me as a thank-you! I was so touched to receive this unexpected gift that I've worn Tanya's bracelet almost every day since receiving it, and it's another wonderful reminder of how beads can bring us all together!

I think what I love the most about bracelet making is that you can use pretty much any materials with any beading technique you like to create a piece of beautiful beaded jewelry that you can look at all day! How refreshing is it to look down at your wrist and see all that beaded goodness down there?

No matter what your favorite bracelet making technique is, you're sure to find some new inspiration in 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings 2012. There are dozens of step-by-step instructions for new beading projects using beading, stringing, and simple wire wrapping techniques, as well as great information from my favorite color expert, Margie Deeb, on how to pair metal findings with your favorite beads. Pre-order your copy of 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings 2012 and give your imagination a boost!

Have you recently discovered a new favorite jewelry-making component or bead for bracelet making? Maybe you've discovered a new kind of seed bead or a new metal finding that you just can't live without. Leave a comment and share your favorites here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Free Bracelet Making Project: Make a Simple Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I don't often wear bracelets, but I love a good bracelet making project. One of my favorite techniques for bracelet making is bead embroidery using lots of different types of beads and cabochons in all sizes! I used to be of the opinion that bigger was better when it came to bead embroidered bracelet making, but then I started making simple bead embroidered bracelets to sell at the farmer's market every week.

Bracelet making projects using basic bead embroidery techniques don't have to be very difficult or complex. In fact, this little bead embroidered cuff bracelet project works up in just under a day, so you can stitch one up as a gift for someone special or to have something new to wear to the office on Monday morning!

Dig through your stash of cabochons and beads, and I'm sure you'll come up with a beautiful array of beads to be used for this free bracelet making project!

Materials:

(1) completed bead embroidered cabochon, any size
(1) 1/2" brass embroidery cuff blank
Seed beads, size 11, in color to contrast or match with your faux suede or leather, approximately 5 grams
10" square of faux suede fabric in color to match cabochon
Beading thread in color to match fabrics and cabochon
Glue or adhesive such as E6000

Tools:

Size 10 or 12 beading needle
Toothpicks
Scissors
Thread cutter
Chain nose pliers (optional, but helpful for getting needle through tight spaces)

Step-By-Step Directions:

		Step 1: After you've stitched a peyote bezel around your cabochon, finish it by surrounding it with a round of large seed beads and add a brick stitch edging to it.

		Step 2: Wrap a strip of the leather or faux suede (I prefer to use Ultrasuede) around the brass bead embroidery cuff bracelet. Leave at least 1" on either side of the bracelet to accommodate the stitching of the cabochon to the material. You can trim the top and bottom edges to within 1/8" of the edge of the cuff bracelet.

		Step 3: Cut a short length of beading thread (less than 3 feet) and tie a knot in one end. Center the cabochon on the leather. You can use a small amount of glue or double-sided adhesive tape to secure it temporarily while you work. Stitch from the back of the leather up through the cabochon, exiting somewhere between the outer round of seed beads and the bezel. Stitch back down through the cabochon and the leather and repeat along one side of the cabochon.

		Step 4: When you have finished stitching along the first side of the cabochon, stitch through the leather strip and tie a couple of knots. You can add a drop of glue if desired. Repeat on the other side of the cabochon, stitching it to the leather strip.

		Step 5: Use a toothpick to spread a thin layer of glue along the brass cuff bracelet and adhere the leather strip to the bracelet. Trim the ends to about 1/8" outside of the cuff bracelet. Allow at least an hour for the glue to dry.

		Step 6: Take another strip of leather and adhere it to the inside of the bracelet. Trim to within 1/8" outside of the cuff bracelet, and allow at least an hour for the glue to dry.

		Step 7: Using your seed beads, stitch a brick stitch edging all around the cuff bracelet using the same technique you used to finish the cabochon.

If you don't want to leave the band of the bracelet unadorned, think about adding metal filigrees, spirals or other shapes made out of craft wire or flat beads. Or think about making your own cabochons out of resin and your favorite scrap book paper, a copy of a special photograph or a copyright-free image that you like!

Get ready to explore even more fun and easy bracelet making techniques in Kristal Wick's DVD Mixed Media: Beaded Bracelets with Fiber Beads, Crystals, Resin and Wire. Kristal takes you step-by-step through six lessons that cover all the materials you'll need as well as bead making techniques using fabric, fibers, wire and resin. Then watch as Kristal shows you how to assemble it all into a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet that's sure to turn heads! Get your copy of Mixed Media: Beaded Bracelets with Fiber Beads, Crystals, Resin and Wire and shake up your next bracelet making project!

What's your favorite technique for bracelet making? Do you like to use bead embroidery? Maybe peyote stitch cuffs are your thing? Leave a comment and share your thoughts here on the Beading Daily blog! (And if you happen to make this project, take a quick photo and share it with us over in the Reader Photo Galleries!)

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Enjoying My Summer, One Bead at a Time!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:00:00 GMT

Summers here in the Adirondack Mountains can be hot. Maybe it's just because we're all so used to spending four or five months dealing with sub-zero temperatures, but as soon as the mercury rises, all I can think about is sitting in the pool and cold drinks! But summers are also a great time to take advantage of the sun and the nice weather and a chance to sit on my back porch with my beads on a warm summer evening. Summers are short up here, so sometimes I'll look through my beading projects to see if I can recapture a little bit of summer's light and warmth during the dark days of winter. With that in mind, check out my five favorite summer beading projects:

	Dulcey Heller's Wish Upon a Starfish is a great introduction to shaped beadwork. Stitch up a few of these tubular peyote starfish in your favorite colors as mementos of a trip to the beach. Add embellishments like charms and pearls for a pretty beach-themed beaded sculpture.
	Daisy chain was one of the first off-loom beadweaving stitches I learned, and I love Dustin Wedekind's updated Daisy Chain variations. Daisy chain works up fast and makes beautiful, light little bracelets and anklets that you'll want to wear long after summer vacation is over.
	Brick stitch is another one of my favorite off-loom beadweaving stitches, and Kerrie Slade's Periwinkle Choker combines both flat and circular brick stitch to make delicate little flowers. Beading projects made from components are another favorite of mine because even after finishing just one piece, I feel as if I've accomplished something!
	Another fun variation on peyote stitch is used in Nicole Campanella's Summer Rings Peyote Stitched Anklet. (You might remember Nicole is the originator and distributor of Nicole's Bead Backing for bead embroidery!) Whip up a bunch of these little peyote stitched rings to make a bracelet, anklet or necklace, or if you're short on time, make a pair of them for sweet little summery earrings.
	Of course, summer also means lots of weddings and outdoor parties. If you need a little something dressy for your next outdoor event, Marcia DeCoster's Summer Soiree necklace is just the thing. Made with pearls, crystals and sequins, this will add a lively splash of sparkle to your favorite summer dress.

If you're tempted by any of these lovely summer beading projects, there's even better news: all projects in the Beading Daily shop are on sale for a limited time! Whether you're planning a coast-to-coast road trip or just a couple of days off to relax and bead, check out all the great beading projects in the Beading Daily shop and bead up a little bit of summer fun!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Holiday Beading Ideas from Readers

MichelleM — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Holiday Gift Ideas from Beading Daily Readers

Beaded holiday pin by reader
Karen Nicholson

"YES!!!!"

"Are you serious?!?"

"Are there any other kind?"

That how 95% of you answered the question: "Will you be making beaded gifts this year?" That's not surprising. What is surprising is the number of gifts. More than half of the more than 800 respondents claimed that they would be making a minimum (a minimum!) of six handmade gifts each.

Let's do the math. (Or rather, let me do the math--you probably should sit back and string a few more beads on that bracelet if you really expect to finish it on time!) That's more than 2,400 gifts--and that's not including all the folks who admitted to making somewhere between one and five gifts this year. Add those and we're talking at least 3,500 beautiful beaded gifts from just those who answered the poll. Whew!

So, what kinds of gifts are you making this year?

Earrings, bracelets, and ornaments were at the top of your gift-giving list. (Check out the holiday gallery to see some of the gifts that Beading Daily readers are giving this year.) Other items mentioned: wine charms, dolls, stitch markers, rings, necklaces, angel pins, beaded dragon, purses, eyeglass holders, beaded egg box, cell phone fobs, Christmas cards, needle cases, bookmarks . . .

"Right now, I'm in the process of beading a Tabasco cover for my uncle, who eats every meal with the stuff. Since he carries a bottle of it in the restaurant with him, I thought that I would give him an attractive cover for it. It's always so hard to give men beaded gifts that you know they will use."

A few readers mentioned the netted snowflake ornament featured on Beading Daily awhile ago. I made my own version and admit that this easy netting project has its charms--and according to one reader, at least one special power:

"The inspiration fairy has been ABSENT!! Thank you so much for the snowflake ornament--a netted snowflake brought her right back!"

Some of the lucky gift recipients include: daughters, sisters, mothers, nieces, aunts, friends, office workers, neighbors, hairdressers, and teachers.

"For my sister who has (and can get) everything . . . except a priceless beaded necklace from her less fortunate, albeit more talented, sister."

My version of the snowflake ornament

Of course, not everyone is easy to bead for. Men were often mentioned in this "difficult" category, but they weren't alone:

"If I'm able, I'll make gift sets for my four nieces. I know what I like, but I think females between 13 and 25 prefer something simpler. If anyone has ideas that have won praises, I'd love to hear about it or see an example."

But what about other beaders?

"I've decided that even making bead gifts for my beady friends is OK... after all, I have a different design sense than they do... and it's nice to have things that are not all your design."

Be warned, those of you who are making beaded gifts for the first time this year--this may easily become a tradition!

"My nieces, sister-in-laws, and friends all look forward to jewelry gifts. One year I gave something else, thinking they might be tired of always getting jewelry, and they all asked what happened to their jewelry gifts!"

"It's expected of me... Now that I 'Bead Daily'!"

"If I don't bestow beaded creations for the holiday, the relatives will hunt me down and string me up on the Christmas tree!!"

"I figure I'll make an ornament with a different beaded pattern every year, so they'll end up with quite a collection!"

"I've created a monster with giving jewelry gifts. Now my friends and family can't wait to see what they will get this year and they started hinting back in October."

Above: A Christmas necklace by reader Capitola Girl

What stops us from giving beaded gifts? A couple of people mentioned ungrateful recipients and lack of funds, but by far, time seems to be the universal enemy:

"I would love to make all beaded gifts but I have to earn a living. Horrible when real life gets in the way of beading!"

"I always plan to make handmade gifts, but never seem the have the time. Even though I'm making several gifts this year it's not as many as I had originally intended. Oh well, maybe next year!"

Of course, maybe it depends upon what other crafts you enjoy:

"I usually knit for people, but beading is so much faster!"

The sensible among us know to simplify when time runs short:

"When planning to give a number of gifts, I tend to think lots about the style and color preferences of the person I give to but due to the time it takes to do off loom beadweaving, I also tend to be less creative and make simpler bracelets instead of more time consuming necklaces."

"Mostly quick earrings. Life's too busy for more complex, but even these are amazingly satisfying."

But not the overachievers . . .

"I am making bracelets to go with scarves I have knit."

"I am making netted snowflakes for co-workers--roughly 45. I always make a few extra because you just never know who's going to be dropping by unexpectedly."

Simple Christmas Tree Earrings

"A nephew and his wife have a goal for me -- to cover their 10 foot tall Christmas tree with my beaded ornaments. I'm about 10% there. How wonderful to be so appreciated!"

"Probably close to 15 or 20 [gifts], but at least that beats the 58 ornaments last year!"

Of course, time isn't the only challenge:

"I sure hope that I give them away, and not end up keeping them for myself, and then buying a box of candy to give as a gift instead!!"

Never underestimate the power of chocolate!

Beaded Gift Wrapping Tip

"Mailing out gifts this year? After addressing your package, sprinkle some tiny beads sparingly around the addressee label without obscuring the information, then tape them down with clear packing tape, smoothing the tape securely. Instant festivity!"--Step by Step Jewelry Gifts for the Holidays

Coming Friday: Polymer clay beads by readers, plus an interview with Carol Blackburn.

Looking for more ornament ideas? Check out "Ornament Thursday" on Candie Cooper's blog. Each Thursday, Candie and other beading bloggers will publish photos and instructions for handmade Christmas ornaments.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She still has at least two more pairs of earrings to make as gifts.