We love to be inspired by all crafty communities. Here is a simple DIY with the popular macrame trend, creating a planter hanger while incorporating our interchangeable large-hole beads. Designed by our friend Jacque from Dakota Stones, she has definitely inspired us!

What you’ll need:

• 3mm Macrame Cord
• Large-Hole Beads
  OR
• Large-Hole Bead Mixes

Directions

1. Measure your macrame cord to 64 inches + the width of your planter + 24 inches. Cut 4 pieces at that length.
2. Fold all 4 pieces in half and make a looped knot at the fold.
3. Anchor your loop.
4. On each strand, slide on your large-hole beads. Pattern and amount is up to you.
5. Take two cords and make an overhand knot. Repeat this to the other strands, making sure the knots are distanced the same.
6. Take two adjacent knots and take two cords from each of those and make a knot. Do this all the way around. Make sure they are all the same level.
7. Add your planter to see if your knots are situated to fit your pot.
8. Take all strands at the end and make a full overhand knot. Cut excess if you prefer.

Video Tutorial

This tutorial is inspired from the DIY 5 Minute Macrame Planters video by WhatsUpMom on YouTube. You can see the video HERE.

Today’s DIY Colorblock project was featured in our previous Facebook LIVE episode, and uses bright Vinyl beads and memory wire. Create color blocking with separating chunks of color and wavy disc beads.

Items used in DIY colorblock bracelet project:

• X002168 – 6mm Multi Color Vinyl Beads
• X001538 – 6mm Black/Grey Vinyl Beads
• WR00126 – Gold Memory Wire
  OR WR00139 Gold Assortment Memory Wire
• Z018412 – 6mm Gold Wavy Disc

Directions:

1. Make a simple loop on one end of memory wire.
2. Without pulling all the beads off the multi-color strand, grab about an inch off and hold between your fingers while you feed the memory wire through them. Grab another chunk and slide on memory wire. Do this to add 30-50 vinyl beads.
3. Add 5 wavy disc beads to memory wire, making sure to feed them in opposition directions to create the wavy look.
4. Separate the whites from the Black/Grey strand and slide on 10-15 white vinyl beads on the memory wire.
5. Add 5 wavy disc beads.
6. Repeat Steps 2-5 another two or three more times, or to your desired length.
7. Add another 2-3 inch length of multi-color vinyl.
8. Cut off excess memory wire with memory wire cutters, leaving about 1/4 inch tail.
9. Loop that end to finish your bracelet.

Video Tutorial

Check out the Facebook video on how to make this bracelet. Go to this VIDEO LINK and tutorial starts at 9:00 minutes.

Summer is a HOT one and Summer means pineapples. Here is a simple DIY necklace with a porcelain pineapple bead and alphabet charms.

What you’ll need:

• Z009661 – Porcelain Pineapple
• SB00106 – 8/0 Seed Bead
• A019697 – 2 Inch Headpin with Ball
• X003062 – 5.5mm Jump ring
• 13mm Alphabet Charm (Letter used in example Z009558)
• Y013843 – Necklace Chain

Directions:

1. On a headpin, slide on the following and make a simple loop:
   8/0 seed bead, pineapple bead and 8/0 seed bead.
2. Open a jump ring and slide on pineapple dangle and on chain necklace. Close jump ring.
3. Open another jump ring, slide on alphabet charm and on chain necklace. Close jump ring.

Hair accessories are very popular this year. From the comeback of scrunchies to oversized fabric headbands, today’s project features a DIY pearl hair pin. Natural pearls are wire wrapped on a Silver Plated Hair Pin with 2 Loops.

What you’ll need for Pearl Hair pin project:

• Z007170 – Hair Pin with 2 Loops
• WR00035 – 26-Gauge Wire
• PRL-WHT7-75PO or PRL-WHT6-65PO
  You can also try other Natural Pearls or Swarovski Pearls

Directions:

1. Cut a 14 inch piece of wire.
2. Loop one time through one end of the wire through a hole of the hair pin. Twist the shorter wire around the other wire twice and push coils close to hole of the hair pin.
3. Slide on 5 beads or how ever many you need to fit between the two holes of the hair pin.
4. Slide wire through other hair pin hole.
5. Criss cross around pearls and back again.
6. Cut off excess.

Video Tutorial

Check out our previous Facebook LIVE episode with this tutorial. Tutorial starts at 10 minutes.

This month’s trip is Costa Rica. Find out how tranquil this destination is from its tropical vibe to its endless blue skies. Plus, check out the hues Swarovski suggests to inspire your Costa Rica trip along with a DIY jewelry project for you to try.

Costa Rica

Starting as underwater volcanoes which then surfaced over thousands and thousands of years, Costa Rica has evolved into one of the largest, lush ecosystems in the world. Imagine yourself rappelling down a waterfall, relaxing in hot springs, hiking along the rolling fog of the cloud forest or exploring the pink sandy beaches of the Guanacaste coastline. Theses adventures paired with rich tropical flora and fauna and soft sunsets over crystal blue water were the incredible inspiration for these pieces – and my version of ‘paradise’.

Costa Rica – Swarovski Crystal Colors

• Peridot
• Light Turquoise
• Rose Peach

Costa Rica Inspired DIY Jewelry

Our pair of earrings is cool and bright! It has the simplicity for a warm beach stroll and an elegance for a beach-side patio dinner!

What you’ll need for earrings:

• SW02553 (2) – Swarovski crystal 18mm Light Turquoise Meteor Pendant
• SW00157 (2) – Swarovski crystal 4mm Peridot Bicone
• SW02213 (2) – Swarovski crystal 4mm Rose Peach Shimmer Bicone
• SW02552 (2) – Swarovski crystal 4mm Light Turquoise Bicone
• SB00444 – 11/0 Matte Opaque Cream Seed Bead
  You can sub seed bead for 2mm Pearlescent Pearls SW01920 (8)
• A001494 – 2 Inch Silver Plated Eyepin
• TCZ0077 – Sterling Silver Earring Wire by TierraCast®

Directions:

1. On eyepin, slide on the following:
   seed bead, peridot crystal, seed bead, light turquoise crystal, seed bead, rose peach crystal and seed bead.
2. Make a simple loop about 4mm or large enough to slide on crystal pendant.
3. Open the loop you made in step 2 and slide on crystal pendant. Close loop.
4. Open earring wire loop and slide on on other eyepin loop. Close loop.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.

We love the classic black and white themed jewelry. It’s hip and gorgeously elegant all in one. Our pair consists of acetate connectors and enamel components, with of course gold findings! (Shop All Acetate Components)

What you’ll need for Kite Earrings:

• Z013528 – Black & White StripePendant/Connector
• Z015945 (2) – Black Enamel Gold Plated Triangle Charm (Silver Option Y008949)
• Z003693 – Gold Plated Brass Lever Back Earrings (Silver Option Z003692)
• Z007861 – 3mm Gold Jump Ring (Silver Option Z007856)
• Z011522 – 6mm Gold Jump Ring (Silver Option A001529)

Directions:

1. Open 6mm jump ring, slide on enamel charm and acetate connector. Close jump ring.
2. Open 6mm jump ring and slide on other hole of acetate connector and close jump ring.
3. Open 3mm jump ring slide on top 6mm jump ring and earring loop. Close jump ring.
4. Repeat all steps for other earring. Note: You can flip flop the acetate for an asymmetrical look or keep it consistent.

Check out other Acetate DIY jewelry ideas.

We’re making summer last longer with fun, bright earrings using new colorful Vinyl beads.

What you’ll need:

• 4mm Vinyl Beads – Item used X002156
• WR00139 – Gold Memory Wire Assortment Pack (Silver Option WR00140)
• Y004700 (4) – 34mm Gold Stick Connector Bar (Silver Option Y004697)
• Z011522 – 6mm Gold Round Jump Ring (Silver Option A001529)
• Z003695 – Elegant Hook Earrings (Silver Option Z003694)

Tools:

• Memory Wire Finishing Pliers
• Memory Wire Cutters
• Flat Nose Pliers

Directions

1. Using the 2nd smallest memory wire in the pack (child’s wrist size), cut about one loop of wire.
2. Using memory wire finishing pliers, loop one end outwards, into a simple loop.
3. Slide about 46 vinyl beads onto your memory wire.
4. Cut excess wire leaving a 1/2 inch tail. Using memory wire finishing pliers, roll and loop that end outwards, into a simple loop.
5. Open one loop with flat pliers and slide on bar connector. Close loop. Repeat on other memory wire end with other bar connector.
6. Open a jump ring, slide on both ends of bar connector and through ear wire loop. Close jump ring.
7. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Video Tutorial

Watch our previous Facebook LIVE episode where we demonstrate creating these earrings! CLICK HERE > Start at 14:20 for tutorial.

Today’s project is perfect for Summer because it’s delicate and minimalistic; the right kind of jewelry to not outshine your summer style! Made with only two products, Griffin silk cord (No. 4 cord) and Miyuki 11/0 Delica mix, this project is easy to make for a lazy summer day.

What you’ll need:

• Griffin silk cord (No. 4 cord) – Item used in necklace A006569
• Miyuki 11/0 Delica mix – Item used in necklace SB03797

Tools needed:

• Thin tipped, needle nose pliers
• OR you can use thin tweezers to make the knots.

Get all the components for this project here

Directions:

1. Unravel your Griffin cord and straighten/smooth the strands to remove kink. (Refer to Silk Cord Blog)
2. Make a knot at the end of your silk cord, leaving a 1/4 tail. Sew on 4 delica seed beads.
3. Make a knot 4 inches from the first knot you made. Sew on 8 delicas and make another knot close to the end of your delicas.
4. Make a knot about 1/2″ from the previous knot. Sew on 8 delicas and make another knot close to the end of your delicas.
5. Repeat step 4 until you have about 5-6 inches left of your Griffin cord.
6. Sew through the last delica that you added in the beginning (Step 2). this will act as your slider and create your necklace loop. Pick 3 more delicas and make a knot at the end of your Griffin cord, 1/4″ from to the needle. Cut off needle.

You can wear this wrapped around your necklace two times or wear it as a wrap-around bracelet, using the slider piece to adjust.

You can also shorten the pattern to alter the length of your necklace.