Free Projects

Sweetheart

Michelle M. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:11:00 GMT

While playing with ideas for bridesmaids' jewelry for her upcoming wedding, Abbie made this lovely necklace with pink glass, freshwater rice pearls, black cable chain, a heart-shaped sterling silver toggle clasp, and a pink glass briolette with a bail for the center pendant. Pearls are always perfect for weddings, and the black chain and wire make the necklace both dramatic and romantic. This project was originally published in Stringing Spring 2005....(read more)

Charming Dream Necklace

tbeard — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:26:00 GMT

Herringbone tubes meet trendy charm accents in this quick, fashionable design that has hidden meanings: To reinforce the dream theme, Katie chose purple tones for creativity, a hummingbird charm for moving forward, and an eye charm for insight....(read more)

Text Beads

Michelle M. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:48:00 GMT

Personalize your beads by adding your favorite quotations or other text. Download also includes lots of tips for making charm bracelets. This free mixed media beadmaking project is from Cloth Paper Scissors. ...(read more)

Champagne Wishes Bangle

Michelle M. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:53:00 GMT

Wrap champagne-colored cubic zirconia beads on the frame with gold-filled wire around this pretty bangle. Attach embellishing beads with jump rings. This project from Step by Step Wire Jewelry with step-by-step photos will be free for a limited time....(read more)

Bead Speak Crossword Puzzle

Michelle M. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Off-loom beadwork or bead stitching with seed beads isn't just beautiful, it also keeps your brain active. What do you call a long type of beading needle? What about decorative beaded edging? What should you use for trimming thread? Test your beadwork knowledge with this free just-for-fun crossword puzzle. If these beading questions have you stumped, check out Step by Step Beads which is packed with beginner-friendly beading projects and uses lots of these beading terms in the magazine. You'll soon be speaking "Beaderese" in no time!...(read more)

Loop de Loop Bangle

Michelle M. — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:48:00 GMT

Make a fun wire bangle with crystals and two sterling bangle bracelets. Connect the bracelets with silver craft wire and leftover crystals from your stash for an eyecatching and affordable accessory. This project from Step by Step Wire Jewelry will be free for a limited time....(read more)

How to Make Earrings: Five Free Jewelry Projects

Michelle M. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:47:00 GMT

This free ebook, Making Jewelry with Beading Daily: How to Make Earrings: Five Free Jewelry Projects, includes five earring projects that use a range of techniques (simple stringing, wirework, simple metalwork, seed bead netting and fringe) and a variety of materials (silver, copper, seed beads, crystals, pearls, gemstones). Both beginners and more experienced jewelry makers will find at least one pattern that will inspire them to catch the handmade earring craze!...(read more)

Square-Stitched Twisty Strap

Michelle M. — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:31:00 GMT

This tight-fitting bracelet from Beadwork magazine is made by working a strip of square-stitch on the diagonal. Instructions include step-by-step illustrations on how to create an alternative increase/descrease in square stitch that creates gently curved edges. This intermediate/advanced square stitch bracelet project will be free for a limited time....(read more)

Herringbone Weave Coaster

Michelle M. — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:03:00 GMT

Use this easy home decor pattern to learn herringbone weave, also sometimes called ndebele stitch after the Ndebele people in South Africa. Large sized pony beads are easier for beginners to handle and alternating dark and light colors makes it easy to understand the stitch technique. Herringbone stitch produces a tough fabric, perfect for a heavy-use item like a coaster. These instructions were originally published in the Winter 1998 issue of Beadwork. In the instructions, "PT" means "pass through" and "PBT" means "pass back through." ...(read more)

Black and White Ribbons

Michelle M. — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:34:00 GMT

Make these earrings with a simple corrugation tool and basic metalsmithing skills like cutting metal, annealing, sanding, and soldering. The corrugation can be either organic- or geometric-looking, depending upon how it's manipulated and finished. The black and white effect is the result of using liver of sulpher to patina the silver earrings. This free project is from Jewelry Artist. ...(read more)

Sweet Leaves

Michelle M. — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:48:00 GMT

For an easy necklace perfect for everyday wear, simply attach leaf beads to oxidized chain. This web-exclusive project is from Stringing magazine. ...(read more)

Garnets Galore

Michelle M. — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:44:00 GMT

Create this eye-catching pendant with basic tools and skills. Easy to customize, you can use a variety of beads and gemstones to achieve your own individual look. This design is simple enough for a day at work and fun enough to effortlessly take you from the office to a night on the town! The finished piece measures 17"-18", but the length can be easily customized by increasing or decreasing the length of the chain. This project from Step by Step Wire Jewelry will be free for a limited time....(read more)

Delicious Donut Lariat

Michelle M. — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:23:00 GMT

The leafy tendrils on the etched-shell donut were the inspiration for this long, lean design. Learn to create a simple peyote bail with matte hematite size 11 seed beads. For faster stringing of this multistrand necklace, use a seed-bead spinning tool. To wear the lariat, place the donut at the base of your neck with the seed-bead “vines” hanging downward in the front. This is a companion project to Katie's Beading Secrets in the June/July 2009 issue of Beadwork....(read more)

Bead Torture

Michelle M. — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:09:00 GMT

How can you tell which beads will fade, tarnish, or change over time? The author exposed a number of beads to light, chemicals (perfume, detergent, nail polish remover, etc.), and friction and reports her results. Includes tips on what to expect with certain types of beads from opaque seed beads to gemstones. This article was originally published in the Winter 2000 issue of Beadwork....(read more)

Making Wire Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Designs from Beading Daily

Michelle M. — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:37:00 GMT

This free ebook Making Wire Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Designs from Beading Daily contains 6 wirework projects: 2 necklaces using wirewrapped loops, 1 wire bangle bracelet covered with coiled wire and bead dangles, 2 pairs of wire earrings, and 1 wirewrapped ring. Projects range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate and use a variety of wireworking techniques, including spirals, coiling, wirewrapping, hammering, and twisting wire....(read more)