Don’t have a gift for Mother’s Day? We have 4 last-minute gift ideas for the deserving mother and women.

Whether it’s your Mom, sister, Aunt, Grandmother, wife or other beautiful women in your lives, a small gift can show your appreciation. If it’s handmade, that’s extra bonus points! Plan with handmade jewelry made with Swarovski Pearls, customized glass tiles with photos, easy-to-make beadable gifts or select the many DIY kits available.

Pearls

It’s been a tradition to gift pearls for mothers, so why not on Mother’s Day. While it embodies purity and love, it’s the kind of jewelry that reflects the elegance of a woman. Here are different ways to use Swarovski Pearls.

Make a simple knotted pearl necklace with griffin silk cord or a leather wrap memory wire bracelet from our Swarovski Wrap Bracelet Trend.

Wire-wrap pearls to make linked earrings or a waterfall necklace (Wire-Wrap Loop and June Birthstone Trend). Or make cascading earrings with Swarovski pearls and crystals in this stunning lampwork glass earrings (Wedding Jewelry Trend).

Customized Glass Tiles

One project you can get kids involved in making are customized glass tiles with photos. Check out our previous blog how to make customized glass tile for a fun keychain dangle, ring or add a magnet to stick on the fridge.

Beadable Ideas

An easy-to-make gift idea are beadable products like bead pens or beadable gifts.

Bead pens are perfect for moms to slip into their handbag or on their work desk. They are sturdy in weight and customizable with beads. Check out Hot Category: Bead Pens for compatible bead pens and large-hole beads to create one today.

Don’t forget that moms will also love beadable gifts like a letter opener, winestopper or even a beadable keychain. Add large-hole beads and wrap it up for an acceptable gift!

(Easy Gifts Trend)

DIY Kits

If you can’t decide what to make, pick up a DIY kit. Make jewelry with an easy Earring, Bracelet or Necklace Kit and gift it. These kits are packaged with bead, findings and instructions, so you can even stick on a bow and gift the whole kit for the crafty, beading lady!

OR buy two and make them together.

(Kits shown: TL00197, KT00154, KT00144, KT00248, KT00176, KT00150, KT00250)

Make a personalized gift with special, customized words for Dad. A new alternative to sterling silver, Alkemé™ stamping blanks make personalizing gifts easy and fun.

Made with a newly formulated, non-corrosive metal alloy, these metal discs allow for intricate, detailed stamping at just a light tap of a hammer. Plus, Alkemé™ stamping blanks are lead-, nickel and cadmium-free.  Just buff with a soft cloth, like you do with silver. It’s a great, affordable option to using sterling silver, and looks fantastic.

Leather KeyChain with Alkemé Blank

Dads are heroes, don’t you agree? They fix the sink when clogged, change out the burned-out light bulb, chase away monsters under your bed and even drive you to the mall. We have this easy leather keychain to remind him of his superhero qualities. Refer to our How to Rivet blog post for a tutorial on how to rivet leather and our metal stamping blog post on how to stamp metal blanks.

What you’ll need:

• Stamped Alkemé blank
• 6” of 10mm leather
• Key Ring and jump ring
• 6mm compression rivet and 6mm rivet setter
• Metal working tools

Leather Cord Wrap Bracelet

This simple bracelet is for the fishing enthusiast Dad. Using this stylish fish hook clasp, 2mm leather cord and an Alkemé dangle blank, he is sure to wear this bracelet all day, every day, fishing, or non-fishing.

What you’ll need:

• Stamped Alkemé blank
• 2mm leather cord
• Jump ring
• Fish hook clasp

Leather KeyChain with Alkemé Blank

• (1) MCKR0002 – Key Ring
• (1) Z009650 – 1 1/4 Inch 18 Gauge Silver Dog Tag Alkeme™ Metal Stamping Blank
• (1) A001530 – 8mm Jump Ring
• (6) CH00185 – 10mm Brown/Turquoise Flat Leather
• (1) TC01679 – 6mm Antique Copper Compression Rivet
• Tool: TC01812 – 6mm Rivet Setter
• Letter Stamps: TL00191 – 3mm Bridgette Metal Letters Stamping Set

Leather Cord Wrap Bracelet

• (1) A019153 – 5/8 x 1/4 Inch Oval Tag Soft Strike Aluminum Stamping Blank
• (1) A021702 – Antique Silver Multi Fish Hook
• (1) Y002922 – 1.3mm Natural Orange Leather Cord
• (1) A001530 – 8mm Jump Ring
• Letter Stamps: TL00191 – 3mm Bridgette Metal Letters Stamping Set

Mother’s Day is approaching and what better way to say thanks to our mothers by customizing a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day locket. We have two easy DIY locket gift ideas for the loving mothers, special aunts, and caring grandmothers in your lives.

Charmed Locket

Lockets and floating charms are an easy gift to make for Mother’s Day. Choose your glass locket and fill it with floating charms and mementos. Here, we have filled our pink locket with a brass heart stamping blank and three floating charms.

Picture Love Locket

Tell her that you love her with this love locket with a picture inside, so that she can wear it close to her heart. We filled this LOVE locket with a ½” gold-plated blank and used stamping tools to stamp MOM along with two small hearts. We then sized a photo down to fit inside a ½” circle. Glue both pieces inside the locket and add a necklace. This heart-filled necklace is ready for a box and bow for Mother’s Day.

Charmed Locket

(1) Z007505 – 30 Inch Rhodium Necklace

(1) Z006118 – 30mm Round Pink Glass Locket

(1) Z003779 – 16mm Heart Stamping Blank

(1) A020560 – MOM Heart Floating Charm

(1) A020583 – Round White Opal Floating Charm

(1) Z011743 – Pink Enamel Flower Floating Charm

Picture Love Locket

(1) A015258 – 23mm Round Love Pewter Locket

(1) A011799 – ½ Inch Circle Stamping Blank

(1) Z004116 – 18” Sterling Silver Chain Necklace

TL00123 – Bridgette Letter Stamping Set

As the clock starts ticking down the hours, minutes and seconds to finish off 2015 and chime into 2016, did you make any last minute New Year’s resolution? Making New Year’s resolutions are easy but the hardest part is the commitment. Resolution bracelets are the perfect accessory companions to help you stick to your 2016 plans. Here are some inspiring resolution bracelets that we’ve made showcasing metal stamping. Check out our previous blog post on how to get started with metal stamping, to learn how to make this popular personalized jewelry.

Quoted Stamped Bangle

Quotes are words of encouragement. We have quoted Ghandi on this bangle with, “The future depends on what you do today.” What is your favorite quote?

To make this bangle, start out with a Z005837 copper stamping blank. Take some Sanding Sponges like TL00154 and sand down the edges and corners of the stamping blank. Once you have smoothed them down, lightly pencil your quote on the stamping blank, keep in mind the size of the letter stamps you intend to use. Space words evenly to fit the whole quote. Stamp your quote. Use a black permanent market or Stamp Enamel to fill in your letters. Wipe and shine your stamping blank with a polishing cloth. This will also help rub off the light pencil marks. Use a Bending Bar to curve your bangle and Bending Pliers to help shape the bangle.

Items Used:

• (1) Z005837 – 1/4×6 Inch Rectangle Copper Stamping Blank
• A010615 – Lower Case Jeanie Metal Letters Stamping Set

Picture Jasper Charm Bracelet

Picture Jasper is about peace and relaxation. It’s why we included some Picture Jasper dangle charms in this bracelet to help calm your mind and soul for 2016. We’ve also added a few Chinese crystal dangle charms for added sparkle. We’ve used metal blanks and stamped words to help encourage the mind and soul to “take chances” and “be patient,” as wells as to just “breathe,” “heal” and to “laugh more” in the New Year.

Items used:

• (1) Z001016 – 10mm Silver Cable Chain
• (5) A008547 – 8mm Black Diamond Rondelle Chinese Crystal
• (7) GS00406 – 4mm Round Picture Jasper
• (12) A001493 – 2 Inch Silver Headpins
• (5) A019452 – ¾ Inch Pewter Stamping Blank
• (6) A001529 – 6mm Silver Jump Ring
• (1) Z005822 – 16mm Swivel Lobster Clasp
• TL00191 – 3mm Upper Case Bridgette Metal Letters

Focus Wrapped Bracelet

We love the versatility of this wrapped bracelet. We cut a piece of our Lycra cord in half and pulled/stretched it until it curled sideways, providing a soft yet strong, stretchy bracelet base. Thread the lycra cord through both sides of the metal blank we have stamped “Focus” on. Tie it according to the example we have below and wrap around your bracelet three times for a versatile look.

This bracelet is perfect to wrap around your wrist for a morning jog to “focus” on a healthy goal. Or wear this bracelet while studying your next school exam, so you can “focus” on getting that A+! Focus on the goal and you shall succeed!

Items Used:

• (1) A021495 – 1.375 Inch Oval Pewter Stamping Blank
• (1) A017779 – 30mm Yellowish Paisley Italian Lycra Cord
• TL00191 – 3mm Upper Case Bridgette Metal Letters

The holiday season is here and it’s the time of reconnecting with loved ones and gift giving. Looking for a quick holiday gift? We have some inspirational easy leather DIY projects. Jump on the trend of fashionable leather bracelets or try out an alternative use of flat leather for an easy DIY key chain.

Winter White Splendor Leather Bracelet

Simplify gift-giving with a stunning bracelet using 2mm leather cord. Cut the 2mm round cord at 8 inches. Fold the cord in half and slide the TierraCast® barrel bead (TC01538) through the cord ends to create a loop. Glue the cord ends to a hooked curved clasp (A019043) and you are done! You may want to make a few of these because you’ll want to keep one for yourself.

Licorice Leather Bracelet

Licorice leather bracelets are the perfect statement jewelry. Cut the licorice leather to the preferred wrist length. Add a combination of beads and spacers to add color and use O-rings to keep beads and spacers in place. Lastly, glue your choice of licorice clasp.

Leather Key Chain

Think outside the box of bracelets and you have an alternative way to use flat leather. Make a leather key chain with 10mm flat leather and licorice beads, spacers, and O-rings.

1. Start out with 6 inches of 10mm flat leather.
2. Fold the leather in half with the key ring in the loop Glue your leather pieces together.
3. Slide on licorice spacers/beads and a 12mm rubber O-ring.
4. Cut your leather ends in a criss-cross angle.

These customizable leather key chains are great stocking stuffers, don’t you think?

Check out our other blog posts for more easy DIY leather projects:

Memory Wire Leather Wrap Bracelets

Watercolor Flat Leather Bracelets

5mm Flat Leather with Slider Charm Bracelets

Easy Leather Bracelets – Summer Style

Need more inspiration? Be inspired with GoodyBeads.com’s past monthly Trends We Love featuring leather. Here are a few leather trends we LOVE!

Clasp It: Unique Clasps Make Stunning Bracelets

2mm Round Leather: Easy Leather Bracelets are Great for the Holidays

Leather Wrap Bracelets: Get Wrapped Up In Stylish Leather and Cork Bracelets

Spell It Out: Make a Personalized Phrase Bracelet!

Statement Bracelets: Big and Bold Leather Bracelets

Wrap Suede & Chain Bracelets: Make Trendy Stackable Wrap Bracelets

Winter White Splendor Leather Bracelet

• (8”) A013406 – White Leather Cord
• (1) A019043 – Gold Plated Hook Curved Clasp
• (1) TC01538 – Gold Hammer Barrel Bead
• OR TC01752 – 4mm Gold Deco Barrel Bead by TierraCast

Licorice Leather Bracelet

• (7.5”) A015304 – Baby Blue Licorice Leather
• (2) Z001947 – 12mm Chocolate Brown Rubber O-Ring
• (2) Z001948 – 12mm Sage Green Rubber O-Ring
• (2) A015327 – Antique Brass Oval Spacer Bead
• (2) A015612 – Antique Brass Slice Spacer Bead
• (1) A015348 – Green/Brown Oval Ceramic Bead

Leather Key Chain

Black Version:

• (6”) CH00051 – 10mm Black Flat Leather
• (1) A016424 – 12mm White O-Rings
• (1) A018905 – C-Koop Steel Grey with Chamois Brown Enamel on Copper Slider
• (1) MCKR0002 – Key Ring
• A015821 – Super New Glue

Natural Cork Version:

• (6”) CH00547 – Natural with Gold Flecks Cork
• (1) Z001947 – 12mm Chocolate Brown Rubber O-Ring
• (1) Z003499 – Alphabet K Letter
• (1) Z003555 – Alphabet M Letter
• (1) MCKR0002 – Key Ring
• A015821 – Super New Glue

by Kristal Wick

What’s better than family-and friend-filled holiday feasts? An embellished holiday feast! We bling up our jewelry, why not our dining utensils! Seriously, I think most DIY-ers are so busy making jewelry for gift-giving, they completely forget the forks and spoons! How cute is a red-and-green canape knife? Or a serving set for your salad or turkey with all the fixins. The best part is, you can remove the large hole interchangeable beads and use them in your jewelry the next day. Mix and match customized dinnerware in your fave colors and shapes for added entertaining elegance.

Salad Serving Set

Our salad serving set is ideal for serving salads, I’ve found embellished forks and spoons perfect for mashed potatoes and dressing as well!

The handles on each service piece unscrew so you can load up about 2.5 inches of beady deliciousness. Slide on the O-Rings to secure the beads from scooting around on the stem. Once you’re pleased with your line up, simply screw the ball onto the top of the stem and you’re ready to munch!

Canape Knife

Use these darling canape knives for all your hors d’œuvres, spreading butter, pate, jellies or jams. They look festive and are easy to clean once your guests depart. Keep a few favorite color schemes when entertaining other times of the year, such as birthdays and fourth of July picnics.

Salad Serving Set

(1) A003251 – Stainless Steel Salad Serving Set

Spoon

(2) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(1) A006069 – 12mm Light Siam Czech Crystal Sterling Silver – Large Hole Bead

(2) A002833 – 10mm Beaded Large Hole Spacer – Rhodium Plated

(1) A004848 – 13mm Green with White Dots Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A012630 – 9mm Red Enamel Drum Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A003864 – 11mm Emerald Rhinestone Large Hole Spacer Bead – Rhodium Plated

(1) A005438 – 13mm Red with White Pattern Rondelle Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A012631 – 9mm Lime Enamel Drum Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

Fork

(2) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(2) A002858 – 8mm Crystal Flower Square Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A005951 – 9mm Garnet Rhinestones Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A005437 – 13mm Green with Green Swirl Rondelle Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A004849 – 13mm Red with White Dots Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

Canape Knife

(1) A003252 – 5 Inch Canape Knife – Add a Bead

(1) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(3) A013373 – 12mm Light Siam with Clear and Jet Dots Preciosa Crystal – Large Hole Bead

(2) A004892 – 12mm Emerald Green Foil Lined Large Hole Beads

by Kristal Wick
Customized purse charms and accessories have been on trend for many moons and for good reason! They’re darling reminders of what we carry near and dear to our hearts from kitties to cupcakes. Designs are all up to your own imagination and creativity.

Nylah Glass Tiles

Here at GoodyBeads, we love our kids and pets (they’re kind of the same thing to many of us) so we’ve come up with some super easy instructions for making your own personalized glass tile charms for purse charms, pendants and rings, with the cutest models Nylah, Sparkle and Bling (we realize we’re slightly biased but you have to admit, they are adorable)! Embellish a chain with Swarovski pearls, TierraCast® charms and other “Goodys” and you’ve created a masterpiece.

Bling and Sparkle Glass Tiles

Nylah is Carlee’s — our Graphics Designers’ – four-year-old daughter. Sparkle and Bling are my rescue pups who pose for treats any time — day or night! Whether you’re making these customized glass tiles for yourself, grandma or a BFF, let your creative juices flow when in design mode. They make great custom holiday and birthday gifts, wedding party jewelry and school picture memorabilia pieces – for just a few ideas.

Nylah, Sparkle and Bling Tiles

(1) A013854 – 35mm Large Circle Glass Tile (Nylah tile)

(1) A013863 – 35mm Large Square Glass Tile (Sparkle and Bling tile)

(1) A013850 – 23mm Small Square Glass Tile (Nylah tile and Bling ring)

(1) A013856 – 23mm Oval Dome Cabochon Glass Tile (Nylah ring tile)

(1) Z010105 – 20mm Adjustable Silver-Plated Flat Ring with Glue Pad (Nylah ring)

(1) A015180 – 12mm Adjustable Silver-Plated Ring with Glue Pad (Nylah ring)

(1) A013610 – 2 oz Diamond Glaze

(1) A011455 – E-6000

Paint Brush
Scissors
Sharpie Oil-Based Metallic Markers

Assorted images printed on an ink jet printer

Steps for a Custom Glass Tile

1. Size and print out your images on a laser printer (the ink from ink jet printers tends to run).
2. Cut out your image(s) to fit a specific glass tile, making sure the image is a tad smaller than the tile itself.
3. Using a soft paint brush, apply a light coat of Diamond Glaze to the back of a tile.
4. Carefully press the colored side of the image to the Diamond Glaze and press out any bubbles or air pockets.
5. When dry, color the edges of the tile with a metallic oil-based Sharpie maker (we used silver and gold in our samples). Let dry.

For a Pendant

6. Attach the pendant finding to the back of the pendant using E6000 and let dry.

For a Ring

6. Color the back of the tile with the Sharpie pen and let dry. Then attach to ring back using E6000 and let dry.

Birthstone jewelry makes a classic, customized gift for the special people in your life, from girlfriends, mothers and grandmothers to yourself.

We are using radiant Swarovski® crystals to represent birthstone colors. Below is a chart of birth months and its Swarovski® birthstone colors. What color represents you?

We have created some subtle yet personalized pieces of birthstone jewelry that are easy to make and customizable to fit your birthstone preference.

Sapphire Ring:

Our sapphire ring, which represents September birthdays, is an easy, minute project. Consisting of two components, a ring base and a 14mm Swarovski® rivoli crystal, and your choice of adhesive, you can wear this ring within minutes!

Emerald Tier Earrings:

With our earrings, we are showing fun and different ways to use connector pieces. Using the simple wire headpin loop with Swarovski® crystals, links of chain and a 2-to-1 connector, these earrings are prefect as trending statement jewelry.

Swarovski Bali Bracelet

This bracelet is ideal for combining different birthstones into one jewelry piece. It’s a gift best for a mother with family birthstone colors or for a grandmother with grandkid’s birthstone colors. Accented with Bali scroll beads and tubes, this bracelet holds a sturdy shape and fun/sentimental design.

Sapphire Ring:

• (1) Z005966 – Antique Silver Ring
• (1) SW00990 – 14mm Rivoli Crystal
• (1) A015821 – Super New Glue

Emerald Tier Earrings:

• (2) TC00185 – 10mm 2-to-1 Link
• (1) A008998 – French Wire Earrings
• (6) SW00167 – 4mm Emerald Bicone
• (2) SW00168 – 6mm Emerald Bicone
• (1) A008125 – Figure Eight Chain
• (4) A002413 – 4mm Jump Rings
• (8) A007659 – 1 Inch Eyepin

Swarovski Bali Bracelet:

• (1) FTBW0001 – Beading Wire
• (1) A003577 – Shepherd’s Hook
• (2) A004830 – 2mm Crimp Tubes
• (2) A021472 – 45mm Silver Plated Bali Curved Tube Bead
• (8) A021117 – 8mm Silver Plated Bali Circle Bead Cap
• (1) SW00027 – 8mm Siam Crystal
• (1) SW00062 – 8mm Emerald Crystal
• (1) SW00074 – 8mm Sapphire Crystal
• (1) SW00042 – 8mm Topaz Crystal
• (9) SB00640 – 6/0 Metal Seed Bead

With school quickly approaching, you can hear teachers rustling papers and kids groaning. While prepping blank notebooks, unsharpened pencils, and crisp folders, you can certainly throw in some easy and fun metal stamping projects to celebrate back to school time.

Here, we have made a simple Back-to-School theme glass locket with floating charms. It’s prefect for a parent dropping their kids off on their first day of school or school orientation.

Our friend Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects, made a similar necklace but added an easy metal stamping disc inside the locket. Intended as a teacher’s gift, Adrianne has a quick and easy tutorial to personalize the locket with metal stamping. (image source from Happy Hour Projects)

You can also show your school pride by personalizing a stamping blank with “2015” or “Wildcats.” Or add Swarovski crystals to your locket representing school colors. Whatever your choice, this locket and metal stamping project is a great way to celebrate learning and school memories! Check out our Back-to-School Metal Stamping Trend for more inspiring Back-to-School projects.

Locket One

• (1) A019152 – 30mm Round Silver Glass Locket
• (1) Z005241 – Cable Chain Necklace with Extender
• (1) Z012824 – Red Apple Floating Charm
• (1) Y004314 – Gold Star Floating Charm

Adrianne Locket

• (1) A019152 – 30mm Round Silver Glass Locket
• (1) A018597 – 3/4” Stamping Blank
• (1) Y013843 – 28” Cable Chain
• (1) Z012824 – Red Apple Floating Charm
• (1) Y004314 – Gold Star Floating Charm
• Tools:
  • A010618 – Stamp Straight Tape
  • A014415 – Bench Block
  • A010617 – Stamping Hammer
  • A010615 – Jeanie Metal Letters Stamping Set
  • Polishing Cloth/Pads
  • Sharpie
  • Jewelry pliers