Category: Inspiration Projects

Inspiration Projects

Coppered Turquoise Necklace

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BeadFX Inspiration – May 7th, 2021 – Anne Marie Desaulniers I admit that I’m totally in love with African Turquoise stones. So, when I was trying to think up a new inspiration, of course my fingers gravitated to these two-hole drilled rectangles, and immediately paired them with 8 mm coins. I’d wanted to do something with the rectangles for a while, but was actually stuck on exactly how to work with them. So, I decided to give it a go! I haven’t worked on a necklace for a while, so decided that I would make a version of the old …

Inspiration Projects

Charted Waters

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When I went down the rabbit hole of bead embroidery – sometime last year – I was very impressed by some kits and we brought them in and offered them in the store and online. It occurred to me when choosing which ones I thought would be appealing – that some folks who already have lots of beads would rather have just the charts, instead of the kits, which include the beads. I got some of the kits for myself, and they were great fun, and so I decided to try one of the charts – that doesn’t come with …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Spring Leaves

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Last week we celebrated the start the coming Spring by creating a Sun Pendant. This week we celebrate the leaves and budding flowers with a fun and colourful pair of earrings! These earrings feature the new Monstera Leaf charms. Normally these charms are antique silver but we are adding colour using nail polish, giving them an enameled look. A short length of fine curb chain dangles with lots of spring colour using 4mm beads. I used some leftover Swarovski crystals in colours from my stash but 4mm fire-polish beads, pearls or druks would be just as fun. Let’s get started! …

Inspiration Projects

Pegasus Descending – Wire Collage – Pendant or Cabochon

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BeadFX Inspiration – Anne Marie Desaulniers A while back I made a similar pendant, with a dragonfly as the focal. By the time I got it done, there were no more dragonflies to be found in the store, and it looked like it would not be possible to re-order. So, I had to backburner the project. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted the Pegasus pendant, and decided that it would be a good substitute! On the original, I wire wrapped in a selection of charms, but for this one, I decided to use a combination of silver beads, and …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Sun Pendant

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Spring is coming so let’s celebrate by bringing the Sun into our wardrobe! This week’s project features brick stitch using the 42mm Wire Hoop and cube beads in two sizes: Miyuki 4mm cubes and 1.8mm cube. The finished pendant measures 2 3/4″ across; you can make it smaller by using a smaller hoop and/or smaller beads. With this technique, you will see the thread; choose a thread colour that blends with the hoop colour if you don’t want it to stand out too much. Pull a wingspan of thread and thread your needle. Tie the thread with a double knot …

Inspiration Projects

Hat Jewelry

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Well – looks like a nice day outside. Think I’ll go out. I need my toque (or tuque) – it’s still chilly. And it’s bright, so I’ll put on sunglasses. And my mask, of course. Now I’m ready – ready to go rob a bank by the looks of it! By the time we get all our gear on – we’ve become invisible. So why not take back your identity with some fun and fabulous Hat Jewelry! Grab your stash of charms, some jump rings and some odds and ends of chains, an arms length of wire, and some kilt …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Wire and Stone Bracelet

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I love stones and easy-to-wear bracelets. While I’m not a wire worker, I do like to make simple projects. This is one of those projects! The bracelet is done using one piece of wire. I find 22 gauge ParaWire works very well; it is pliable enough to easily wrap yet has enough hardness to maintain a shape. I’ve used 10mm round stone beads, but you can also use the same size pearls, druks, fire-polish or regular glass beads. Make it longer, for a collar-length necklace. Let’s get started! This project takes a surprising amount of wire. I have a 6.25″ …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Turquoise and Copper Chainmaille Bracelet and Earrings

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Have you tried chainmaille? It is the art of joining jump rings to create beautiful jewellery. It also makes you an expert in opening and closing jump rings! This week’s project features the turquoise colour of the recently introduced 10mm bighole rondelle beads. There are several colours available, but I love turquoise. I also like to combine turquoise with copper! The chainmaille necklace is reminiscent of Japanese patterns, but not quite as intricate and much more approachable if this is your first foray into this interesting technique. Although not made or sized for chainmaille, I’ll be using two sizes of …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Beading down the Centre

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Every so often, a finding comes along and looks interesting, but we really don’t know what to do with it. Centreline findings are like that; they look interesting but what do you do with them? Centreline findings are easy to use and make quick and interesting jewellery for yourself or for gifts. Today I’ll be using a bright silver cuff. Notably the findings have an open space down the centre (hence the name) with holes on both sides that accept stitching. The space fits both three size 11/0 Delica beads and three size 11/0 Miyuki seed beads (Toho seed beads …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week, Tips & Techniques

Project of the Week: Bee’s Knees, part 3

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Welcome back to our Bee’s Knees bead embroidered pin series! In the first two classes we created a design using one of the new Trio of Bees cabochon. Last week, we did the stitching and looked at some design considerations to make our pin more interesting. For a recap, you can see Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. Today in our final series class, we are going to finish our pin by adding an ultra suede backing, the pin back and finish the edge with beads. Let’s get started! Our first task is to cut away the excess foundation …