New to GoodyBeads are the oh-so popular Czech Carrier Beads. We have an easy even count peyote stitch pattern to get you started.

Czech Carrier beads are making waves in the DIY jewelry making world. They have two holes and can be used for a stretch bracelet or intricate necklaces! Because they have two holes, they can be easily used in your favorite bead-stitching projects! The typical way to style carrier beads is bead stitching a tube of beads or seed beads to encase the carrier beads. We are using the classic peyote stitch tubes to slide over the carrier beads. Check out this tutorial and pattern ideas below!

Even Count Peyote Stitch

For these patterns, we used an even count peyote stitch pattern and created tubes to side over Czech Carrier beads. Check out this simple illustration below to understand how to do an even count peyote stitch pattern. Don’t forget to PIN this for later!

Peyote Stitch Patterns

We adore these colors! We used four colors to design these 15 different patterns. Make sure to DOWNLOAD PDF of these patterns and a quick tutorial of how to create tubes to add to your Czech carrier beads.

Plus, you can download this Carrier Bead Pattern Template, where you can create your own designs!

Glue/Adhesive

This step is important because this avoids the tubes from sliding off the carrier beads. We would recommend using GS Hypo Cement (A007224). It has a precision applicator, which helps get into small openings and a cap that stops overflowing glue from escaping and drying up. You have two options of when to add your glue.

First option is before you zip up your tube pattern. Apply glue to both sides of the carrier bead and lay it in the middle of your pattern. Fold your pattern around the carrier bead and sew the ends to zip up the tube patter.

Second option is after making your peyote stitch tubes. Complete your tubes and slide carrier bead half way through, still exposing the bead. Run your glue around the exposed area of the bead, let it sit for a second or two and slide the tube over the rest of the carrier bead.

Let it the beads dry completely before using. Make sure to read instructions for more information.

Pearly Pastel Necklace

Here’s a simple necklace we created with the beads we made above. It’s strung on using Fine Soft Flex Beading Wire (FTBW0001) and ivory miracle beads.

First we cut a 4 feet piece of wire. Fed one end of the wire through a 2′ piece of chain (this will be the extender chain for the necklace) and centered the chain at the middle of the beading wire. Slide on a 2mm crimp tube and using the Magic Crimper (TL00288) crimped the tube into a bead. You can check out our previous blog post HERE about the tool. Next, with both ends, slide on (25) size 4mm ivory miracle bead, (3) size 6mm miracle bead and (3) size 8mm miracle bead. Slide a 6mm miracle bead on each wire thread and slide on first carrier bead. As you can see we added a miracle bead in between each carrier bead. from the top strand, we used size 6mm miracle bead and the bottom used size 8mm miracle bead. This helps the necklace take shape. Reverse the pattern of strung beads to the end and crimp off the end with a lobster claw clasp.

Items used for necklace: SB02334, SB00269, SB01822, SB02346, A006587, A015211, Z016460, A007224, A011534, FTBW0001, TC01897 (2), A010140 (2 pks), A010141, A010142 (2 pks) and CHZ0101

We were fortunate to do two demos at the Swarovski Create Your Style booth during Bead & Button. So Vang demos making beadable cuffs and rings using Swarovski two-hole spike crystal beads and creating hoop to dangle Swarovski Majestic Blue pendants with Beadalon Memory Wire. Check out our facebook videos and components to inspire your next creation.

Crystal Spike Cuff & Ring

If you’ve done fabric sewing and done a ladder stitch to close openings, this technique would be easy for you. Below is a illustrated look at what a ladder stitch looks like from this external website we found. So every time you come up, that’s when you will sew through your bead hole before sewing across and down.

One of our popular demos was bead stitching Swarovski two-hole spike beads on Beadable Accessories like the cuff and rings. Download our components list HERE for this demo and watch our facebook video of how So Vang ladder stitches the spike beads on beadable rings and cuffs.

Cuff components: Z001859, A006585, SW01714 (6), A015211

Ring components: Z001454,A006585,SW01714 (3), A015211

Majestic Blue Drop Earrings with Memory Wire

Make simple drop earrings using Memory Wire and a few tools. Watch as So shows you how easy it is to create hoops and dangle crystal pendants off it. Download the pdf file HERE to get components and tools used for this super easy demo!

Tools: TLZ0207, TL00206, TL00236

Gold Majestic Blue Drop Earrings: WR00126, A019615, SW01725 (2), TCZ0140

Silver Majestic Blue Drop Earrings: WR00127, A001528, TCZ0078, SW01747

Sizzix is new to GoodyBeads and we could not wait to show you videos of Candie Cooper and Tory using Sizzix to customize and design jewelry. Today, we have Tory and Candie demonstrating how to setup the Sizzix Big Shot Jewelry Studio Machine (SZ00049).

You’ll be so excited to just get it out of the box! Order the Sizziz Big Shot Jewelry Studio Machine today and see how easy it is to setup your machine. Plus, Candie will run through what is included in your machine, the platforms and their uses.

Once you have your machine ready to go, you are ready to cut out leather or fabric and make easy dangle earrings, tassels, pendants and so much more!

Sizzix Edition Video Tutorials:

• Fringe and Tassel Earrings & Necklace
• Leatherette Earrings
• Leather Cuff Bracelet
• Sizzix Die Pick 

One of our favorite Make & Take project we offered during the 2018 Bead & Button Show was the Lasso Drop Earrings. Check out how easy it is to make these pair of leather and gemstone earrings!

It features soft deerskin leather lace and matte black gold Amazonite gemstones. Inspired by the trend of leather and adventurous western style, here’s an easy earring tutorial!

Items used in earrings:

BGA8RLLH-M-8, BGA8DC-M-8, TC01395 (2), TCZ0078, Z010962, SB00106, A019685

Lasso Drop Earrings Tutorial

Download PDF tutorial HERE.

Tory Vezina and So Vang just got back from the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee this past weekend. Here are some photos to recap what happened!

Caught up with some of our vendors.

Took a stroll to TierraCast to see what was brewing! Their recent launches of Botanical Birds and Caravan were stunning! Plus, their NEW Worlds Away collection has versatile hoop components and charms you just want to run away with, literally.

The Swarovski Create Your Style booth had prize drawings for these show stopping piece. So Vang would’ve love the bag and Tory Vezina was eyeing the necklace.

So Vang did two demos at the Swarovski Create Your Style booth using Swarovski two-hole spike beads with beadable cuffs and rings AND hoop links using Beadalon Memory Wire. You can see her demos on the Facebook page. Plus, Sara from Soft Flex Company was there while So was doing her first demo and we caught up with her and her demo.

So Vang found some inspiring peyote stitch tubes at the Miyuki booth.

Tory Vezina hung out with the ladies participating in Candie Cooper’s Coffee with Candie event on Saturday. Her Make & Take class was this a simple wrap bracelet with leather from LeatherCordUSA, memory wire from Beadalon and gemstones from Dakota Stones.

And we assisted Candie Cooper with her Make & Take on the showroom floor, creating this leather and gemstone bracelet.

Thank you everyone who sponsored our demos and Make & Takes. We had so much fun and can’t wait to do it again!

How easy can beading get! Especially using these Beadalon Instant Pendants. Watch this video and see how easy it is to make a pendant.

Make your way to our Beadable Gifts and snag some of these Instant Pendants. The mandrel of the pendant is 1.5mm thick and 33mm long. They are perfect to dangle a large heavy bead like our array of large porcelain, large-hole gemstones, lampwork, etc. Or layer it with multiple beads and spacers!

There are two styles; one with a ball tip and the other is a cone tip. They come in silver or gold finish. AND you get THREE with each package. So many combinations to think of!

Gold: Z016435 (ball) & Z016437 (cone)

Silver: Z016434 (ball) & Z016436 (cone)

Instant Pendant Video

We are loving these Czech Paisley duos two-hole beads. Their shape makes them versatile that you can turn or flip them when bead stitching and create a whole new design! We have two simple bead stitch bracelet designs you can easily make with Czech Paisley Duos.

Paisley Stripe Bracelet

This is a simple bracelet you loop your beading threads and make a knot to bring everything together. We love how these paisley beads cup each other nicely like a yin yang. Use two different colors to make this Paisley Stripe Bracelet.

— Download Paisley Stripe Bracelet PDF Tutorial —

Items used: SB03628, SB03642, SB00106, A006585, A001528, Z007856, A021129, A015211

Paisley Leather Wrap Bracelet

We used the same two Paisley colors to stitch a leather wrap bracelet. Find the leather wrap bracelet tutorial from the How to Make a Leather Wrap Bracelet blog post to help make this bracelet and to determine length of desired wraps you want. We first started with adding 5 beads of one color and then one of the second paisley color. Repeat this pattern then gradate in the middle of your bracelet to 5 of the second color and one of your first color.

Items used: SB03628, SB03642, A015211, Z018647/A022075, A006596, TC01245

BeadSmith® Paisley Duos Patterns

BeadSmith has some wonderful patterns online using the Paisley Duos. Make sure to stop by their website for inspiration and pattern tutorials HERE.

Watch as Wyatt White from Artistic Wire teaches how to make a cold connection with the Artistic Wire Crimp Tool for Large Wire Crimp Connector and examples of different ways you can create cold connection bracelets/bangles.

Cold connect large gauges of wire to making bracelets/bangles by crimping Large Wire Crimp Connectors with Artistic Wire Crimp Tool (TL00310).

Before we get started on the video, here are few important products you will need:

Large Wire Crimp Connectors

These crimps are specially designed for making cold connections with 12, 14, and 16 gauge wires. There are three sizes of crimps with three finishes to choose from.

The 1.5 mm large crimps are used with 16 Gauge wires – Z009603, Z009606, Z009609

The 2.0 mm large crimps are used with 14 Gauge wires – Z009604, Z009607, Z009610

And the 2.2 mm large crimps are used with 12 Gauge wires – Z009605, Z009608, Z009611

Or you can purchase the variety set – Z009600, Z009601, Z009602

Wire

Using size 12, 14 and 16 are thicker gauge wires, best to use for these crimp connectors.

Crimp Tool

Artistic Wire Crimp Tool for Large Wire Crimp Connectors TL00310 is a heavier duty tool to crimp larger widths of crimp tubes and for larger gauges of wire. Compared to the original crimpers that has two notches: one to curve the crimp tube and the other to fold it, the Artistic Wire Crimp Tool has only one notch that makes an indent notch to squeeze the crimp tube onto the wire.

Video Tutorial

Learn to make an adjustable flat leather bracelet using 10mm flat leather and loop bar end connectors.

The key component to making an adjustable flat leather bracelet is the end connector. The loop bar end connector has two channels. One channel is open to slide the leather through and the other channel is a closed channel where you glue and insert the leather end. Here is an easy tutorial on how to make the adjustable bracelet using two loop bar end connectors.

Items used: X003849, CH00759, A022105 (2), A015821

Learn how make our popular leather and memory wire bracelets in our video tutorial and watch as we teach you how to finish your memory wire bracelet with the nifty Memory Wire Finishing Pliers.

Leather and Memory Wire Components

Here are items you need in order to make your leather and memory wire bracelet.

Round Leather

Round Leather is the star of your bracelet. We carry 5mm and 6mm round leather cord, which will need to have a hollow core or hole inside the leather. The hollow core helps the memory wire go through the leather. Make sure when selecting your leather cord to read the descriptions, as not all round leather cords have a hollow core or hole. All leather cord is sold in inches, so order according to the amount of inches you will need for your project.

Another type of cord you can use are Regaliz® Licorice Leather with Hole as seen in our Leather & Swarovski Trend. They are thicker in size with flatten sides.

You can also use Hollow Rubber Cord. These are 3mm in diameter and sold in foot increments. Make sure they say “hollow” in the description for memory wire.

Memory Wire

Memory Wire is the skeleton of your bracelet. Make sure the wire you are selecting is round as we also carry flat memory wire and that “Memory Wire” in the description and/or name.

End Caps

End caps will be used to cap the ends of your leather cord. They make your leather ends look cleaner and finished. When looking for end caps, you can find them in Findings: Clasps & End Caps, TierraCast Findings, or search “End Caps.” PLUS, read the descriptions to determine their inside diameter/opening. This will help to accommodate the round leather size you choose to order.

Beads

Lastly, add these beads to your bracelet: glass beads, Swarovski crystals, gemstones, wood and any type of beads that will slide easily through the memory wire. Don’t forget some accent beads like bead caps, metal beads and seed beads.

Some beads we would not recommend are large-hole beads like interchangeable large-holes or large-hole gemstones because their holes are large and may wiggle around on the memory wire. Some tubes will not work because their shape will not curve along with the memory wire. Pearl beads can be tricky because some will have holes to small for the memory wire.

Tools

The best tool to cut your memory wire is the Memory Wire Cutter (TL00206). This cutter is meant to cut through heavy-duty wire like memory wire or thicker gauge wires.

One of your best friends in making your bracelet is the Memory Wire Finishing Pliers (TLZ0207). It’s a sturdy round plier used to loop your wires. It has two mandrel sides to create a consistent 2mm or 4mm loop. This tool will make it easier for your hands to making a loop compared to your round-nose pliers.

Video Tutorial

Watch our facebook live spin-off video below to learn how to add leather cord and end caps to memory wire and how to loop with the Memory Wire Finishing Pliers.

Items used: WR00121, CH00924 (3″), TC01854, SW00171, SW00180, SW00182, A022201, A022205

Memory Wire Bracelet Examples

You don’t have to only use leather cords. Here are some fun examples we used with leather and/or beads.

(Leather & Swarovski Wrap Bracelets, Cork Cord and Wood Beads, Round Leather and Wire Bracelets)

(Flamingo and Palm Tree Blog, Summer Wrap Bracelets, Memory Wire Leather Wrap Blog)

(Fall Gemstone Trend, Turquoise Czech Glass Beads)

(February Birthstone, March Birthstone, Naturally Coastal)

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)

Check out these 5 ways to use hand-dyed silk ribbon. If you haven’t picked up on these Hand-Dyed Silk Ribbon, you’re missing out! Grab some today and make your favorites!

These quality hand-dyed silk ribbon are 34″ long and hemmed around the edges for a finished look without the fraying. They come in many different color combinations that gradients across the ribbon. No two will look the same because they are hand-dyed and handmade. Here are five ways to use hand-dyed silk ribbon in your jewelry-making or be inspired!

1 Braided Cuff

In our previous blog post, Fishtail Braided Cuff Video Tutorial with Candie Cooper, Tory and Candie demonstrate how easy it is to braid your very own cuff bracelet. Watch the video HERE and pick up some ribbon and cuffs today!

2 Charm Wrapped Bracelet

Another easy way to make a bracelet is by adding charms and dangles. Slide on metal charms and beads, staggering through the ribbon. At one end, make a double knot to secure a button. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist and loop the other ribbon end around the button. This will help determine where you will tie a loop to slide over the button.

3 Links and Connectors with Ribbon

Use TierraCast Links from our TieraCast Components Trend! Bend the link slightly with Nylon Jaw Bracelet Bending Pliers (Z005839). Feed one end of the silk ribbon down one hole of the link and up the other hole. After you center the link, wrap the ribbon around your wrist and tie the ends for a simple bracelet OR add a favorite clasp.

You can use Druzy Connectors also for all you gemstone lovers, from our Glitzy Gemstone Trend.

4 Ribbon Necklace

One easy way to use hand-dyed ribbon is to add a pendant and make it a necklace. In this necklace, we made a pendant with Swarovski® crystals, a flowery lampwork bead and silver findings. We attached the dangle to a bail and fed the ribbon through the bail. Tie ends together to your preferred length.

Here’s another way to make a necklace from our TieraCast Components Trend. We took the hammered toggle clasp and used the ring part of the toggle. You will take your ribbon and make a lark’s head knot by folding your ribbon in half, slide the folded end through the larger hold of the ring toggle about an inch or two, take the other ribbon ends and slip it through the loop of your ribbon fold. Pull your ribbon ends all the way to latch the ring toggle to the middle of your ribbon. Tie your ends together to a preferred length and then add dangles and charms to the small hole of your ring toggle.

The second image is also a ribbon necklace with wood beads and silver findings with a seashell pendant. Be inspired from our Coastal Charm Trend.

5 Ribbon Tassel

Tassels are everywhere! What a neat way to create a tassel with ribbon! From our Silk Ribbon in Jewelry blog post, you will see an easy tutorial in creating these tassel earrings.

We used the same concept from above for this necklace from our Naturally Coastal Trend. Instead of a straight blunt cut at the end, we cut each section individually at a diagonal. This will help create a fun wispy tassel.

What is your favorite ways to use Hand-Dyed Ribbon? We would love know how you use ribbon in your jewelry making!

We’re in love with bib connectors at GoodyBeads. So is Candie Cooper! Watch our product video where Tory and Candie will show you bib connectors available at GoodyBeads and how easy it is to add beads, charms, tassels and more for a fun and easy necklace.

Our bib connectors are lightweight with detailed designs. They have holes to easily add charms or tassels to with a jump ring. Watch the video below where Candie and Tory will show you the many kinds of bib connectors you can find on GoodyBeads, sample necklaces using bib connectors and they demonstrate how easy it is to add embellishments to them.

Bib Connector Video

Other Examples

Here are other examples using bib connectors.

(1. December Birthstone Trend 2. Jesse James Trend 3. Boho-Inspired Bib)

(1. Tribal-Inspired Bib 2. Deerskin Leather Trend)

Spring is here and we have some lovely seed bead ideas. If you have a stash of random seed beads, these are great ideas to combine and create with seed beads.

1. Tassel Jewelry – Blog
2. Vendor Spotlight: Miyuki – Trend
3. Beaded Holiday Ornament – Trend
4. Ricks Bead Loom – Blog
5. Fringe Earrings – Trend
6. Beaded Tassel Tutorial – Blog

1. Vendor Spotlight: Miyuki – Trend
2. Nautical Kumihimo – Trend
3. Twist Seed Bead Necklace and Bracelet with Tutorial – Blog
4. Stitch with Delicas – Trend
5. How to Use Silk Cord in Jewelry Making – Blog
6. Stitch with Delicas – Trend
7. Ricks Bead Loom – Blog

1. Falling Waters Seed Beaded Necklace – Blog
2. Beaded Teardrop Earrings with Tutorial – Blog
3. Stitch with Delicas – Trend
4. Boho-Inspired Bib Necklaces with FREE Tutorial – Blog

Believe it or not, 2017 is coming to a close. So get ready for 2018 with new beading adventures, projects, supplies and you! Get pumped with these Inspirational Bars, where you can make a snazzy fabric bracelet or lovely key charm.

Inspired Lycra Bracelet

This bracelet uses Italian Lycra Cord, which sells as a flat wide 30mm piece. Measure your wrist and add 5 inches. Cut your Lycra Cord at that length. Stretch your cord and see that the sides will curl in. Insert your cord through the two side holes of your inspirational bar. Make a knot with your cord ends but not into a tight knot. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist twice and adjust the knot to a comfortable band. Your bracelet should stretch and hug your wrist, not dangle loosely. Tighten up your knots and you are ready to rock out the new year.

Items used for bracelet: A017779 & Z013317.

Inspired Leather Key Chain

For this project, we are adding 1mm leather cord and a large-hole gemstone to this keychain. Cut a 6 inch piece of 1mm leather cord. Slide leather cord through one hole of your inspirational bar. Take the two leather ends and slide your large-hole gemstone through. Make an overhand knot with your leather ends close to your gemstone. Make sure when knotting your leather that the leather loop is loose and dangles off your bar. Cut your leather ends at an angle as a leather fringe tassel. Add your keyring and you are set. This make a cute stocking stuffer idea for a friend or for yourself.

Items used for keychain: Z013306, A020543, GAV8RDLH-8, MCKR0002