Free American Flag Beaded Peyote Ring Pattern

American flag stars and stripes peyote ring by Lisa Yang Jewelry

This peyote ring was made with celebrating the 4th of July in mind, but there are so many days and reasons to wear  American flag jewelry. It is a great way to honor the courageous service people and remind ourselves of the freedoms we are so lucky to have.

The pattern was designed using BeadTool 4 software. The word chart, including the delica bead numbers and detailed pattern is provided at the end of the step by step beaded ring tutorial.

Flat Brick Stitch Chain for Beginners

Bracelet made with Miyuki size 8 seed beads and flat brick stitch

This project will show you how to make a brick stitch chain of  beads that can be used for a necklace or bracelet.  The chain in this tutorial has rows that are two beads wide - which means it comes together very quickly and makes it easy to learn basic flat brick stitch. Using larger beads is also helpful for beginners.

How to Use Wire Guardians for Beaded Fringe Earrings

Bugle bead earring component next to wire guardian

 

There are a variety of ways to attach findings to beadwork. One very secure and attractive way is to use wire guardians. Wire guardians are small, U-shaped metal findings that are used to protect the ends of beading wire or thread from wear and tear. Wire guardians may also be called wire guards, thread protectors, or wire protectors. They are convenient to use and they can help prevent the thread on your handmade bead jewelry from breaking or coming undone. One way to use them is as the hanging loop for brick stitch fringe earrings.

Double Bugle Bead Chain Necklace Beading Pattern

Double bugle bead chain necklace 

 This easy beaded chain uses bugle beads and seed beads stitched together in a variation of right angle weave.  It's a sturdy beaded chain that makes a beautiful and delicate beaded necklace or bracelet, and also works well as a beaded amulet bag strap or eyeglass chain. An advantage to using bugle beads is how quick this chain is to stitch - with each bugle bead adding the length of 4-5 seed beads - so there are less beads to pick up.

About Bugle Beads in Jewelry Making

A variety of bugle bead sizes, types and brands

Bugle beads are long, narrow beads that are often used in bead weaving and other handmade jewelry projects. They can be made from a variety of materials, but most often they are made from glass, and sometimes metal. The beads are made from glass tubes or metal tubes that are cut to the desired size. They may have additional shaping to make them more interesting, such as twists or shaping that gives them facets that reflect light.

This article will look at the different types of bugle beads and how you can incorporate them into your jewelry designs, as well as some issues you may encounter using them.

Types of Seed Beads Used in Jewelry Making

Different types of seed beads including cylinder and round seed beads.

Getting Started with Seed Beads

Getting started making jewelry with seed beads seems like it should be easy.  You've got one or more types of seed beads, a beading needle and beading thread, possibly something you'd like to add some decoration to with bead embroidery or some findings to make jewelry. You may already have a project in mind, so what else do you need to know?

Honestly, getting started making bead jewelry is that easy - and can be very enjoyable, but once you get started you'll find that the little differences in the shape and size of your seed beads can make a huge difference in your finished project. To have more control over your finished beadwork, you'll want to know more about the types of beads, the sizes they are available in, and what beading stitches they are best suited for. 

This article will describe common types of seed beads, how to identify what types of beads you have or should buy, how to find the best beads for your project or how to find suitable projects for the beads you already own.

Hercules Fishing Line: Perfect for Beadwork including Fringe

Hercules is a brand of braided fishing line that is also an affordable, durable, and versatile beading thread. It can be used in place of other fishing threads that are used for beadwork like FireLine and PowerPro. One major benefit to Hercules brand is that it is less expensive than many other brands of fishing line that are often used for beading. But there are other benefits to using Hercules fishing line besides its affordability.

Twisted Bead Fringe Tutorial

Twisted bead fringe is a variety of loop bead fringe that wraps around itself to form a spiral column of beads. The effect is a lot like twisting a loop of string or wire - but, of course, it is more interesting with beads since you can vary the size, color and pattern. 

It is not a style of fringe that you see very frequently, but I think that's a shame - so I'll show you how to make it and try to change that! 

Beadographer Beading Design Software Review

 Have you heard of or tried Beadographer? Beadographer is a web-based bead pattern design tool. If you currently draw your beadwork patterns by hand on bead graph paper and are looking to do this on your computer or I-Pad instead, beadographer can help you do that. 

There are several advantages to using bead design applications over designing on paper. I like that bead programs give a more realistic representation of my project. Most create the bead grids based on the size and type of beads you specify and provide the approximate finished size of the project. They also have libraries of the different bead colors for different manufacturers, so you're not limited to marker or pencil colors - and you can even get an idea of how different bead finishes will look.

Prior to Beadographer, I used BeadTool 4, but there are a few features of Beadographer that I think really make it stand out, so I'll make sure to tell you those. Before I get there, I'll start with the basic info.

Rio Grande Jewelry Findings and Supplies Review

Rio Grande is a reputable supplier of metals, findings, diamonds and gemstones, tools, finished jewelry, displays, packaging and anything else a jewelry crafter or designer needs. Their selection ranges from base metals like stainless steel, brass, bronze and copper to precious metals including argentium silver, sterling silver, gold filled, karat gold and even platinum. I'm guessing their customer base is mostly jewelry businesses and more advanced hobbyists.

This article is a review of jewelry making products that I've purchased from Rio Grande. It is meant for my personal reference to remember which products I like, which were different than what I expected, how the item held up over time, what I want to reorder, etc. 

If you find it useful, that's great - but remember it's just my opinion. (And opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one). There are no affiliate links in this article, all of these items were purchased by me, and if you would like to add your 2 cents about items from Rio Grande you like or dislike, please add it in the comments.

Make Two Strand Bead Fringe Component for Earrings

Making this small bead fringe component is a good way to experiment with fringe length and patterns, and also a great way to add bead fringe to different styles of earrings.

When I think of bead fringe earrings, I tend to think of brick stitch beaded triangles with fringe dangling from the base row. I love these types of earrings but I wanted to experiment with fringe length without having to make a lot of different pairs of earrings. My solution is this fringe component that can be added to a wide variety of jewelry styles.

DIY Plain Thin Round Wire Hoop Earrings

These instructions to make your own simple wire hoops are going to be an absolute favorite. You can make small huggie style wire hoops as well as dramatic larger thin wire hoops. 

And these hoops can be embellished with removable beaded headpin style drops or decorated by wrapping with wire and beads. It's all up to you.  

*I will be adding a video tutorial to this post soon - so check back if you find that helpful.

Making Love Letter Bead Earrings with Wire

 Using letter beads, what I used to call 'baby beads' are a great way to make personalized unique jewelry that express your true feelings. Or they could just be a way to make jewelry that amuses you.

One thing that makes using letter beads in jewelry challenging is that the beads have a horizontal drill hole. That makes them work best for bracelets (or for people who like to read sideways).

How to Make Loop De Loop Wire Hoop Earrings

 Wire hoop earrings have been my go-to wire wrap project lately. I am enjoying both making and wearing all of these fabulous wire hoop earrings.

This week, I am adding another unique and fun wire hoop design, although it is more challenging than the loose messy coiled wire hoop earring tutorial and the small coiled wire huggie hoops design. In fact, I'm not sure I've fully mastered the technique for these - but I'm definitely on the verge of it.

Hugs and Kisses Heart Peyote Tube Bead Free Pattern

 Make this Valentine's Day themed peyote bead pattern to send hugs and kisses to someone you love.

 The pattern can be used to make a small square of peyote beadwork that you can use for a pin or earrings or a pendant - or maybe even add it to a Valentine's Day card. 

Or you can zip up the edges like I did in order to make a peyote beaded tube bead. You can also use the bead diagram to make the project in brick stitch, if that is the stitch you prefer. 

2 Ways to Make Wire Jump Rings for Jewelry Making

Jump rings are a necessity for jewelry making. Jump rings are used to hang pendants, join components and attach findings such as clasps and earring wires. Having a variety of jump rings on hand can mean the difference between finishing a jewelry project or waiting for supplies to be delivered.

No matter how many types, styles and sizes of jump rings I have on hand, there are always times I can't find the jump rings that I need.

So, the question is, do you buy more jump rings or should you learn how to make your own jump rings?

Loose Messy Coiled Wire Hoop Earring Tutorial

 These coiled hoop wire earrings may be my new favorites - favorites to make and to wear. 

It's always fun (and challenging) when making wire jewelry to let things be loose and not make everything match exactly. Especially when you are making earrings! I'm so used to trying to make earrings be carbon copies.

DIY Small Coiled Wire Hoop Earrings (Huggie Hoops)

Making these wire hoop earrings is a great beginner wire wrap jewelry making project. 

This wire hoop DIY follows the current trend of smaller hoops that hug your ear (huggies). I saw a pair of coiled hoop earrings similar to these during my recent shopping trip at the mall, so of course, I decided I needed to make a pair for myself.

The materials and tools are super simple and they will take less than an hour to make from start to finish. My finished hoops are a little less than 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Perfect for everyday wear.

Is ParaWire Good Jewelry Making Wire?

Choosing jewelry wire is a very important part of the jewelry making process.

 Jewelry wire can affect

•        how easy it is to make your project,
•        the visual appeal
•        the cost of making the jewelry and therefore the price (if you are selling) and
•        how long the finished jewelry will last.

With so much depending on the wire you choose, it makes sense to find a good quality jewelry making wire. Read on for my recent experience using ParaWire.