Briolette Trapeze Earrings

Do you have ten minutes to create a pair of earrings? What if I told you that they could be done in 3 easy steps?

What if I told you they looked like this?

Briolette Trapeze Earrings by
The Quiet Lion

Now you're interested - huh?

I really like the springy, ocean-like feel to this design and the fact that they are different colors of greens and blues instead of all one color (though, they would look wonderful that way too). And, I always have some spare briolettes laying around just waiting for a project.

A little chain, some briolettes, ear wires, two headpins and ten minutes are all you need to create your own pair to wear. No briolettes - no problem. You could use probably used any side drilled bead, pearl or stone in this design too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Crochet Ribbon and Pearl Earrings

Check out this sweet set of pearl and silk ribbon earrings:

Crochet Ribbon and Pearl Earrings
Photo and Project by Valerie for Mommy Tyme Crafts at Fave Crafts

I'm not a big fan of pink,but with all the pastel colored dresses I'm already seeing in the stores, I think they would fit right in for the upcoming Prom and wedding season. Pink - not your color (not mine either), change the ribbon and you change the look. Don't know how to crochet? Well, the stitches for this project are super-easy and all you have to do is either do an internet search for crochet instructions or go to YouTube and learn how.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

How to Set Eyelets in Leather

There's no doubt about it - the coolest trend right now is leather! But, there's no need for you to go out and buy pricey leather pieces or ready to Bling leather bracelets when you have a thrift store full of leather belts nearby.

If you do happen to have some leather pieces and need to learn to put eyelets in them, Rings N Things has a really easy, step by step tutorial to show you how.

How to Set Eyelets Project and Photo
by Rings N Things

A few simple tools that you or your significant other may already have are all you need to start creating your own brand of leather bracelets.

Click HERE to go see how to do it. And, check out the color - Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid - no less!

Now go bead something.

Byzantine Chain Bracelet

Did you know that the Byzantine Chain is also known as "Idiot's Delight?" Well, now you do; but, don't let that name deter you from making your own Byzantine Chain bracelet like this:

Byzantine Chain Bracelet by
Cafe Craftea

The Byzantine Chain technique is, admittedly, probably one of the more difficult techniques to learn; but, if you press on you will be highly reward with a lovely, slinky bracelet (or necklace) like this one by Cafe Craftea.

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Bangle Charm Bracelet by the Crafty Chica

Bangle Charm Bracelet
Project and Photo by the Crafty Chica
Kathy Cano-Murillo

I absolutely adore charms! Why? Because I always have orphaned beads left over from previous projects and I love the one-of look that they give.

So when I saw this Bangle Charm Bracelet by Kathy Cano-Murillo - the Crafty Chica herself, I knew I had to share it with you.

Even if you don't have left over charms/dangles from other projects, they are so simple to make. All you need is a pair of round nose pliers, some wire, head or eye pins and your bead(s). Make a simple loop or fancy it up by wrapping it around the stem a couple of times. Even simpler is Kathy's way of stringing the bead onto an eyepin and then adding it to a large jump ring.

I can see this bracelet with lots and lots of charms - maybe even some that have some sort of personal or historical meaning to you. And, if it were me, I would add multiple charms to that one jump ring to make it even more fun to wear (and hear)! I may even make my own bangle bracelet - but, you can buy these simple bangles everywhere.

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Got Kumihimo?

Beads, fibers, braid and weaving... who wouldn't love that? And, kumihimo is a technique that includes all of that and more. There are simple kumihimo braids, but with just another twist or the addition of different color beads or braids you can get a completely different look.

So, you've been wanting to try kumihimo, but don't want to invest a lot of money in the equipment - like for a marudai - the round topped stool with a hole in the center that most serious kumihimo artists use. Well, now there are these simple and inexpensive round and square kumihimo disks you can use to create these lovely braids. And, who doesn't have beads, cords and a few blingy crystals around - huh?

To start you off on your Kumihimo journey, here is a pretty little project from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads - a double strand necklace and earring set using Swarovski crystals, beads and silk cords.

Double Stranded Kumihimo Necklace and Earring Set
Project and Photo by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

The colorway is really lovely, but isn't this a great opportunity to create it in Pantone's Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid? Yes, it is.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Button Bracelet

Chances are if you collect beads, you probably have a button stash as well. What to do with all those buttons?

How about a neat little stretch button bracelet? Like this one from lillyella.

Button Bracelet
by Lillyella

Some elastic, buttons, needle and thread are all you  need to create your own bracelet. Best of all - I know that working with stretchy beading thread can by finicky and just outright frustrating - but, this project uses quarter inch elastic you buy at the fabric shop - yay!

So take out your modern or vintage buttons and make your own bracelet.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Heart Projects in Time to Wear for Valentine's Day

Around the Beading Table has about a dozen different heart patterns you can bead right in time to wear or gift for Valentine's Day.

You can make something like this Crystal Heart:

BeadJewelryMaking.com Crystal Heart

Or these Brick Stitch Earrings:

Rings N Things Brick Stitch Beaded Heart Earring Pattern

Or even one of these projects:

Projects by 3DBeading.com

Click HERE to check out all the patterns and for links to the projects.

Now go bead something.

Polymer Clay Heart Earrings

Polymer Clay Heart Earrings
Project and Photo by Renee at Cute Simple Stuff

Here's a pair of earrings you can make right in time to wear for your Valentine's Day lunch or dinner with your sweetie (or sweeties).

A tiny bit of polymer clay, some wire (or Beadalon type beading material) and a pair of earring hooks are all you need to create your own pair. Not in the mood for earrings, then simply enlarge the pattern and make it a pendant.

The heart motif is one of my very favorite to work with so I would wear these all through the year.

Click HERE to get the instructions - in video format - no less. Happy Valentine's Day!

Now go bead something

2014 Pantone Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid

I have always been in love with the color purple - perhaps because I am a Pisces;  but, as if that wasn't enough, Pantone has chose it for its 2014 Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid to be precise.

Picture by Pantone

The color is gorgeous and how can you not love something that begins with the word "Radiant?"

Click HERE to see why Radiant Orchid was chosen the color of the year and the selection process that Pantone used.

Now go bead something - in Radiant Orchid - no less.

Heart Charm with Fingerprint

Heart Charm with Fingerprint by
Emjay at Emjay's Course

Right in time for Valentine's Day giving (or keeping) is this cute heart shape charm that houses a little secret - a fingerprint!

A bit of polymer clay (less than $2.00 a block) in your choice of colors - I can so see this in a gorgeous red - is all you need to create this precious way to capture a loved one's fingerprints!

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Paint Shelf With Hidden Door

Look... up at the wall!!! It's a shelf...It's a door... No - it's a shelf and door!

I thought this was such a clever and easy way to add extra storage to any room. And, although, this blogger stores paint in the shelves, you could easily use it to store a ton of bead tubes and other beading supplies.

Storage Shelf with Hidden Door
By infarrantlycreative.net

Even if you are not handy with tools or happen to have a handy significant other in your life most big box hardware stores will either cut the pieces you need to size for free or charge you a very small fee.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Bird's Nest Earrings

I've seen these "Nest" pendants all over the internet and there are several versions how to make one; but, I've never seen one using wire crochet.

Wire Crochet Bird's Nest Earrings
by Mr. Micawber

If you've never tried wire crochet, it's really simple. All you need is some thin gauge wire (usually 26 to 30 gauge) and a small crochet hook (in this case, a size 5). The technique involves simple chain stitches and there are lots of tutorials (check out YouTube) to show you show how. The tutorial on this website has lots of pictures to help you along too.

Click HERE and make you a pair or two or three.

Now go bead something.