Beaded Jewelrymaking Projects & Information
Make beaded jewelry by stringing, knotting, stitching, glueing, or using a combination of techniques.
Abstract Volcano
Heat things up with this 12-color loom or square stitch pattern! I've included a large color pattern and a general list of colors. This design is sure to turn heads.
Autumn Leaves Necklace
This three-dimensional autumn leaf necklace is easy to make and sure to draw compliments! Use the Victorian wirework technique to make other shapes and sizes of leaves, feathers, and flowers.
Bead & Wire Flowers
Here's a versatile and super-easy bead and wire flower. I used it to make a hair pin, but these flowers make great additions to all types of jewelry.
Beaded Bobby Pins or Barrettes
Make your own beaded bobby pins or barrettes. All it takes is a few beads, some wire, and the pins/barrettes to make bejeweled creations worthy of becoming heirlooms.
Beaded Crystal Heart
Make your own beadwoven heart using crystals, pearls, or other beads and clear nylon, wire, or other stringing material. Make flat heart or three-dimensional shapes. With a project this versatile, I bet you can't make just one!
Beaded Snowflakes
These beaded snowflakes are easy to stitch. The finished flakes are small enough for earring dangles or you can tack them onto clothing or string them together to make chains. Once you master the technique using size 11 seed beads, give it a try using size 15's for really dainty sparkles!
Beaded Spiral Rope Chain
This easy stitch results in a flexible rope of beads. The spiral rope looks lovely by itself, but it is also easy to embellish either during the beadweaving or after the rope is complete.
Beaded Stars or Mandalas
These beaded stars or mandalas are easy to stitch and make great earrings, pendants, or small ornaments. You can adapt these instructions to make stars of other sizes or with more/fewer points.
Beaded Wave Jewelry
This super-easy variation of the daisy chain thread path results in curves or waves. The pattern works up quickly and easily. You can make a bracelet/anklet/necklace or omit the clasp and use smaller beads to make a ring.
Beading Books for Beginners
I'm often asked to recommend a basic beading book for new new beaders. These are my recommendations for the best books to read to learn the art of beading. Some are old, some are new. All are valued in my personal library.
Beadwork Hangman Game
Do you know the types of beads, beading tools, names of countries that produce beads, and all things beady? Here's your chance to prove it, with this fun beadwork hangman game.
Before You Buy a Bead Loom
I love beadweaving, but I vividly recall the confusion I felt before I bought my loom! Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you make a loom purchase. Once you know the answers to the questions, make sure any potential loom measures up to your needs and expectations.
Beginner's Guide to Making Beaded Jewelry
Are you completely new to beading and unsure what you will need to get started? Here's a description of several types of beading and lists of the basic materials you will need in order to give them a try.
Brick Stitch Diamond Pendant - Whirlpool
This diamond-shaped abstract whirlpool pattern makes an unforgettable pendant or it can be stitched to a pin back to make a brooch.
Chain Mail & Bead Jewelry
This is an updated take on the classic European 4-in-1 chain mail pattern. The beads are optional, but they add distinction. Once you are comfortable with the basic pattern, try varying your wire and ring size for dramatic changes in the appearance of the mail.
Chandelier Earring Instructions
Chandelier earrings gorgeous! These instructions are for completely hand-made earrings, made using a jig or pliers, wire, and beads.
Chinese Dragon Loom or Square Stitch Pattern
Are you up for a serious beadwork project? This is my favorite Chinese dragon, 200x150 beads, all ready to be beaded into a purse or wall hanging. It's not a beginner project, but if you love dragons, particularly Eastern dragons, and have a wide array of colors and a large loom (or enjoy square stitch) this may be the perfect pattern for you.
Coraling Technique - Russian Frost Earrings
These lacy earrings look like coral, frost, or flowers, depending on your colors. The branched fringe or coraling beading technique is easy to do and yields stunning results.
Crystal Flower Ring
Use bicone crystals to make this simple and stunning beaded 'flower' ring. Two design options are given.
Encircled Beads Ring Tutorial
This is a beautiful and comfortable ring, made with a very useful technique. It's adaptable to many different sizes and types of focal beads.
Fractured Jewel Peyote or Brick Stitch Pattern
This abstract pattern for brick stitch or peyote could be used to make a charm, amulet, or pendant. Although intricate-looking, this pattern works up very quickly and requires few beads.
Glass Bead Types & Finishes
Do you know what it means for a bead to have a marea or ceylon finish? Can you tell a charlotte from a hex cut? This pair of charts describes glass bead types and finishes.
Greek Mermaid Loom or Square Stitch Bracelet
Complete the pattern as shown for a shimmery bracelet or make additional motifs for a beaded choker.
Hair Coils
These delicate-looking hair accessories are easy to make. All you need is a bit of wire and a bead, rhinestone, pearl, or flower.
Handknotted Pearl Necklace with Pendant
The is an elegant variation on the classic handknotted pearl necklace. Use a pre-made pendant or set your own special stone.
Hemp Flower & Spiral Jewelry
Make a macrame hemp spiral and beaded flower choker, bracelet, or anklet. It's so easy, you might want to make all three! I've included instructions for altering the flower pattern and for making a simple bead/loop closure. Great for beginners, kids, teens, or anyone looking to make great jewelry quickly and inexpensively.
Hemp Fishbone & Bead Choker
Although the finished look is very intricate, the fishbone pattern is really quite simple to create. If you can tie a square knot, you can make this look. If you don't know how to tie the knot, now is a great time to learn!
How Many Beads Do You Need?
This is a collection of useful tables, including beads per gram, beads per inch or centimeter, beads per square inch or square centimeter, beads per 16" (common strand length), and average number of beads per package size.
Hugs & Kisses Ring Tutorial
Make this elegant ring with beads and stringing material or wire. It's a great beginner project!
Illusion Necklace
Pearls or other beads strung on clear cord make delicate illusion necklaces, but it can be difficult to handle the knots, glue, or crimps required by many designs. Here's an easy and beautiful alternative technique!
Ladder Stitch
The ladder stitch is used to make chains and to serve as the foundation for embellishments. Here are instructions for the single and double needle methods of doing this versatile beadwork stitch. In addition to beading thread, try this stitch with wire or jewelry elastic.
Legend of the Christmas Spider
Did you know that a Spider Ornament is a traditional German Christmas tree decoration? Here's the legend behind the decoration, which also explains the significance of garlands around the tree.
Long Rope or Lariat Necklace Tutorial
A long rope necklace or lariat is among the most versatile of accessories. You can wear it as a long necklace or belt or wrap it up for more fashion options. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use beads, beading wire, and crimps to make a long rope that will stand the test of time.
Make a Beaded Spider Ornament
This quick and easy project is great for kids, yet can be used to make a spider worthy of becoming an heirloom. Make spiders for Halloween and as traditional Christmas ornaments and as suncatchers and pendants... you get the idea!
Mermaid Amulet Bag Pattern
This tiny mermaid-themed amulet bag measures only 1-1/4"x1-3/4" using Matsunos (it would be even smaller in Delicas). It works up very quickly in tubular peyote stitch and requires few beads.
Mini Chandelier Earrings
These pearl and crystal chandelier earrings have drape and swing without weighing too much or costing a fortune to make in terms of time or materials.
Mini Vampire Jack-o-Lantern
Here's an instant-gratification square stitch or loom pattern for a tiny beaded vampire pumpkin. Make a charm or a quick pair of earrings for Halloween.
Netted Cabochon Ring
Use this easy netting technique to form a beaded bezel around any cabochon. For this tutorial, the netting encircles an opal and is extended outward to form a ring. However, beaded bezels make great settings for pendants, bracelets, and earrings, too!
Pearl Earstuds
Pearl earstuds are a classic fashion accessory, jewelry store staple, and a great gift idea. High quality materials and careful attention to technique will make the difference between heirloom treasures and earstuds that look ill-matched and fall apart. Learn how to do it right!
Power Pro for Beading & Jewelrymaking
Have you tried this space age fishing line for beading? Bugles and Swarovski crystals won't cut it, it knots easily, and it's stronger than steel!
Retro Waves Bracelet
This abstract pattern for a loom or square stitch bracelet only requires two colors. Another design option is to attach a chain or ribbon to each side and wear it as a choker.
Setting Sun Bracelet
This is a vibrant abstract pattern for a loom or square stitch bracelet. It works up quickly and you can easily alter the edges of the pattern to lengthen or shorten it. Alternatively, you could use it as a center panel for a choker.
Snowflake Bracelet - Loom or Square Stitch Pattern
The snowflakes in this beaded bracelet shimmer and shine, especially if you choose metallic or iridescent beads. It's an easy project that yields stunning results. Make the bracelet, as shown, or extend the ends of the pattern for a necklace.
South Carolina State Flag
If you live in South Carolina, you'll see it everywhere! Now you can bead the state flag for earrings, a pin, a pendant, etc. This basic peyote pattern includes a large color graph and a bit of history about the Palmetto State's flag.
Summer Surf Peyote Anklet or Bracelet
The colors and waves are reminiscent of the summer beach! Make this peyote project using Delicas for a bracelet or with true size 11s for an eye-catching anklet.
Tension or Stopper Bead
A tension or stopper bead keeps your beads from falling off the thread and maintains the structure of a piece of beawork. Learn how to do this essential beading technique.
