Learn to Make a Fancy Scalloped Wire Edge - Free Tutorial

This post has been a long time coming! I decided to make wire leaves following my previous tutorial tutorial so I could make another pair of the leaf dangle earrings.  Revisiting an old design is a great opportunity to see where else you can take it.

In this case, I decided to combine the leaf shape with a lacy edge that I first made on one of my heart designs.  I realized I never did a tutorial for that edge, so a little over 2 years later - here it is!

This is the lacy edge heart. If you are interesting in making this shape, start with the free wire heart shape tutorial.

Why is Herringbone Weave More Difficult with Flat Beads? - and What to Do About it.

Although it may not be obvious, herringbone wire weave works best with beads that are round in the center. They don't have to be perfectly round beads, but oval, rondelle, drops, anything that is rounded will work best because the bead can turn in the herringbone frame and it will still look fine.

So what do you do when you want to add herringbone wrap to flat beads?

How to Do Herringbone Wire Weave with Beads: Free Tutorial

As a follow up to the basic herringbone wire weave link tutorial, here is a tutorial for the variation with beads.  I used silver 20 gauge wire for the center and 24 gauge wire for the herringbone wraps for a two-tone metal effect.

One thing I really like about adding the side beads with a large center bead is that it looks like an evil eye.  I think that look could probably be played up a little more in the design with your choice of beads.

Bead Embroidered Photo Frames

I decided to take a new approach to beaded cabochons for Mother's Day.  I wanted to make something personal and nostalgic, like an antique photo pendant or locket.

But it had to be beaded, of course.

The pendant and framed picture are a combination of the materials I could find to work with for this type of project and a new bead embroidery book I borrowed from the library.