DIY Box Knot Leather Bracelet by Pat Netz

Pat Netz, one of our participating members from our Facebook Group, Goody Beaders posted a leather bracelet with a box knot. And we love it so much that we had to have her on our Facebook Live to show us how to do it. Make sure you check out the video HERE!

Pat has graciously given us a tutorial and images on how to make the box knot bracelet!

Here is what you’ll need:

  • (4) 12” piece of 1.5 mm leather cord
  • (4) 6mm TierraCast Barrel Beads
  • (2) 10mm TierraCast Crimp End Cap
  • (6) 8 mm Large Hole Gemstone Beads
  • (2) 4 mm Oval Jump Rings
  • (1) Magnetic Clasp

Other Tools:

  • Painters Tape
  • Toothpick
  • Chain Nose Pliers
  • Crimp Ends Bent Chain Nose Pliers
  • Flush Cutter
  • E6000 Glue

— CLICK for FREE Downloadable PDF Tutorial —

GoodyBeads.com Blog | DIY Box Knot Leather Bracelet by Pat Netz with FREE Tutorial

Directions:

1.Place 2 pieces of leather vertically and 2 pieces horizontally and place a piece of tape over the center.

2. Take the top 2 pieces and loop down. Tape to hold.

3. Take the bottom 2 pieces and loop up. Tape to hold.

4. Now take the 2 right pieces over the 1st loop and under the 2nd loop.(working from right to left)

5. Take the 2 left pieces over the 1st loop and under the 2nd loop(working left to right).

6. Now hold all 8 pieces in center and remove tape. Start pulling cords to cinch in knot. To tighten pull opposite corners at same time.

7. With the 2 center pieces of leather, add 1 large hole bead. You may want to cut one end of the leather at an angle to help put the bead on. Now slide on a crimp bead, repeat 2 more times.

8. Repeat this pattern for the other side.

9. Crimp the crimp beads. I measured from the center of the knot to the center of a crimp bead approximately 1”. This will make a 7” bracelet.

10. Trim excess leather to put on your crimp ends. Cut one piece of leather on an angle to fit into end.

11. With a toothpick, add the E6000 glue into the cap. Push in your 4 pieces of leather and crimp. Repeat for other side.

12. Add the 4mm jump ring and the magnetic clasp.

— CLICK for FREE Downloadable PDF Tutorial —




Design DIY Jewelry with Bali-Style Beads

Bali-style beads are intricate works with filigree patterns and granulation techniques that metalsmith crafters from Bali has a been creating for centuries. The process of making Bali beads is about precision and symmetry. And it is said that Bali beads are an art form a designer will take pride in.

The process first starts with a base, whether it’s a circle disc or cone. Then the filigree patterns are laid on the base and granulation or small silver beads are arranged on the base in symmetrical dotted designs. Once the design is made, it’s then casted into a mold. The mold will make the beads and findings which are copper filled with real sterling silver or gold plating. Our selection of bali-style beads and findings are affordable without losing its handmade beauty and quality. Each bead or finding is also painted with a dye that will fill the concave areas of the design, while the the raised portions are brushed and polished away, really bringing out the details.

Take time to look at Bali beads and know that they’re an old and beautiful art form. Here are some DIY ideas to get you excited about bali-style beads.

GoodyBeads.com Blog | Design DIY Jewelry with Bali-Style Beads

DIY Bali-Style Wrap Bangle

GoodyBeads.com Blog | Design DIY Jewelry with Bali-Style Beads - DIY Bali-Style Wrap Bangle FREE Tutorial

Items used in bracelet: WR00127, Z008001 (2), Z007999 (2), Z008253 (2) (Tools: Memory Wire Cutters and Memory Wire Finishing Pliers)

Directions:

  1. Make a simple loop to one end of the memory wire with memory wire finishing pliers.
  2. Slide on bali-style curve beads, alternating between the three styles. Note: tubes will have a more curves shape then the memory wire, so carefully push and slide the memory wire through the tube.
  3. When you’re done, cut excess wire, leaving 1/4″ and make a simple loop. Tighten both ends to keep tubes in place.

Golden Circle Earrings with Miracle Teardrop Bead

Pulling our inspiration from our favorite Miracle Drop Earrings, we’re using 30mm Miracle Teardrop beads.

GoodyBeads.com Blog | Design DIY Jewelry with Bali-Style Beads - Golden Circle Earrings with Miracle Teardrop Bead FREE Tutorial

Items used in earrings: A014928, Z010749 (2), Z010753 & TCZ0148.

Directions:

  1. Slide on headpin the teardrop bead and cone. Make a simple loop.
  2. Open earwire loop and slide on dangle. Close loop.
  3. Repeat for other earring.




Dakota Stones Microfacet Gemstones & DIY Memory Wire Bracelet with Cellini Spiral Pattern

Our large selection of micro facet gemstones, from our friends at Dakota Stones, are small diamond cut gemstones expertly cut into rounds, rondelles, bicones, cubes and coins. Learn about how these gemstones are cut and get designing with micro facet gemstones in a Cellini Spiral and adding it to a fun memory wire wrap bracelet.

Micro Faceted Gemstones

Dakota Stones’ faceted gemstones ‘are machine cut with industrial-grade diamonds. With the use of new technology, geometry and an understanding of light, which is extremely important for precious stones with strong dispersion, [Dakota Stones] can now make the facets on each stone cleaner, sharper, and more consistent with minimal or no need for polishing. This means…manufacturing mathematically precise cuts on extremely small surfaces while getting the same luster and shine as we would see on large surfaces.’

Now let’s get to designing with small faceted gemstones!

Black Spinel Cellini Spiral Memory Wire Bracelet

The basic design for the cellini spiral is using a 11/0 delica, 11/0 round Miyuki seed bead and 8/0 Miyuki seed bead. In this case, we’re subbing the 8/0 with some gorgeous 4mm rondelle Black Spinel gemstone bead.

Items used in Cellini Spiral pattern:

  • BSP4RL-F – 4mm Black Spinel Diamond Faceted Rondelle Beads
  • SB00145 – DB041 11/0 Transp. Silver Lined Crystal Delica Seed Beads
  • SB00416 – 11-9591 Pearl Ceylon Miyuki Seed Beads
  • SB00422 – 11-91051 Galvanized Silver Miyuki Seed Beads
  • A006587 – Crystal Fireline Thread 50 Yard Spool (6LB TEST)
  • A006767 – #10 Long English Beading Needles – 4 Pack

Items to complete memory wire bracelet:

  • WR00120 – Large Silver Heavy Duty Bracelet Memory Wire
  • A003566 – 10mm Silver Plated Bali Style Spacer
  • CH01105 (6) – 5mm Round Metallic Platinum Leather
  • Z006368 – 5mm Silver Brass Cord End Cap – 4 Pack
  • ONX10RD-8 – 10mm Onyx Gemstone Round Beads

Directions:

  1. Start with 4-5 feet of beading thread. (This is a starting piece, you’ll need to add more to complete the spiral.) Sew on 6 delica beads, 2 pearl beads, 2 silver beads, 2 black spinel beads, 2 silver beads and 2 pearl beads.

2. Tie threads together to create a loop of beads. Tie two knots, making sure to leave a 5-6 inch tail end. Sew through loop once around.

3. You are going to peyote stitch around the looped beads:
– Pick up a delica bead skip a delica on the loop beads, sew through next delica.
– Pick up another delica, skip a delica and sew through next delica.
– Pick up a delica skip first pearl seed bead and sew through next pearl seed bead.
– Pick up a pearl seed bead, skip silver bead and sew through next silver bead.
– Pick up a silver bead, skip first black spinel and sew through next black spinel.
– Pick up a black spinel, skip first silver bead and sew through next silver bead.
– Pick up a silver bead skip first pearl seed bead and sew through next peal seed bead.
– Pick up a pearl bead, skip first delica, sew through next delica and up through the next delica to start the next row.

NOTE: As a helpful tip while you sew around your spiral, when you are picking up a bead, you are picking up the bead corresponding to the bead you just sewn out of. So if you sewed out of a silver seed bead, you should pick up a silver seed bead in your pattern.

4. Repeat step 3 for the next row. By this time, your spiral will start to take shape. Use a 5mm wide dowel to help guide your bead in a spiral shape.

5. Repeat step 3 until you’ve used up all your Black Spinel beads.

NOTE: Between your spiral, you’ll run out of beading thread. To add more, sew your ends through your spiral, looping around a couple of beads before cutting off excess. Add another 4-5 feet of beading thread to your needle, loop around some beads of your spiral before guiding your needle back through the path of where you’ve left off to continue your spiral pattern.

6. Your Cellini spiral is done.

7. To make your memory wire bracelet, make a simple loop to one end of your memory wire with Memory Wire Finishing Pliers.

8. Slide on an onyx bead, spacer, 3 onyx beads, spacer and another onyx bead. Slide end cap and 3 inches of leather and end cap. Slide on Cellini spiral, onyx bead, spacer, 3 onyx beads, spacer and another onyx bead. Slide on another end cap, 3 inches of leather and end cap.

9. Cut excess memory wire with Memory Wire Cutters, leaving about 1/4 to 1/2 inches. Make a simple loop with this end.




DIY Apoxie Earrings with Hashed Patina Paints

It’s National Crafting Month and we are diving into mixed media DIY jewelry. We’ve created a cool pair of earrings using Apoxie Sculpt and Vintaj Patina paints. Check out this step-by-step tutorial now!

Items used in earrings:

  • Z018271 – Black Apoxie Sculpt
  • TL00303 – Coral Patina
    Check out more Patina colors.
  • A001528 – 5mm Jump Ring
  • Z001660 – 3mm Jump Ring
  • TCZ0077 – TierraCast Silver Earwires
  • A002370 – Bead Reamer
  • Other Tools – gloves, silicon mat, acrylic rolling pin, oil, fan brush, small cookie cutters and skewer or awl. (items you can purchase at your crafting store.)

GoodyBeads.com Blog | DIY Apoxie Earrings with Hashed Patina Paints Free tutorial.

Directions:

1. Mix thoroughly part A and part B in equal parts. About a little over a thumb size of each part.

2. Add a small drop of oil to your acrylic rolling pin, enough just to gently coat it so that when you roll the apoxie, it doesn’t stick. (I add a small amount to the silicon mat too.) Roll out your apoxie on your silicon mat to aa 2-3mm thickness.

3. Using a fan brush, added a small amount of patina paint and lightly make hash marking on the apoxie. Paint a different pattern or you can also use stamps!

4. Use your small cookie cutters and cut out the apoxie.

5. Use the tip of your skewer or awl to punch a hole at the top, close to the edge.

6. Let your pieces dry for a full 24 hours. You can leave them on your silicon mat, it will not stick to the silicon.

7. Once dried, open a 5mm jump ring slide on your apoxie charm and close jump ring. Open small 3mm jump ring, slide on the 5mm jump ring and through earwire loop. Close jump ring. Repeat to other apoxie pieces.
Note: If the holes are small, use the bead reamer to ream out a good enough hole.

Are you NEW to Apoxie? Take a look at our Intro video with Erin from Aves Clay, maker of Apoxie Sculpt.




Make DIY Jewelry with PaperClip Chain Trend

Paperclip jewelry is a hot looking trend for all fashionistas. It presents a very modern and bold look as it rolls away from the minimalistic and dainty trend. Its elongated chain link shape mimics the average paper clip office supplies.

Paperclip History

However, did you know that the paperclip is a ‘non-violent symbol of resistance, unity, and national pride’ during World War II. You can read more on its symbolic history HERE as well as some fun facts about paperclip. Because while you are getting into this trend, it’s one that has been a part of history.

Paperclip Jewelry on the Runway

My first initial look at the paper clip jewelry trend is from the HOT runway look of Stella McCartney’s collection in March 2019. The earrings were a cascade of colorful paperclips draped over the model’s shoulder. It was a vibrant look towards spring/summer jewelry with its multicolor paper clips and shoulder duster length.

Image from Vogue

Since then, it has evolved into the creation of elongated chains to mimic the paperclip shape. Its shape create length and bolder statement pieces.

Paperclip Chain Selection

Check our selection of paperclip chain in multiple size, thickness and finish:

Here are some of our DIY selections using paper clip chain.

DIY Earrings

Use a link of the paper clip chain to make connecter pieces or long chain length for earrings! The great thing about the LARGE CHUNKY paper clip chain we offer is that each link isn’t a closed, soldered ring. So can use two flat nose pliers to open the links like a jump ring, which is great because you wouldn’t be wasting a link if you had to cut them if they were soldered closed.

DIY Bracelets

Paper clip chain is very versatile and gender neutral. It’s chunky enough to be a hardy bracelet for men and a beautiful piece for some arm candy love!

DIY Necklaces

We’ve seen a lot of necklace designs with paper clip chain, especially pairing it a carabiner clasp or hanging a statement pendant or charm. Whether your choosing, it will make bold statement necklace or lariat!

Tell us what you think about the Paper Clip Chain trend!