Pantone has chosen the spotlight color for 2020. Classic Blue. It is a ‘solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.’ Here is how Classic Blue is characterized:

Because Pantone has continuously given us variations of blue hues in the past, it can be safe to say that blue is a reliable and dependable color that we all find ourselves designing with and wearing through the years. And it is definitely a bold color. Here are some items to get you inspired with the classic blue:

• Blue Hematite
• Blue Druzy
• Majestic Blue Swarovski® Crystal
• Blue Tassel
• Lapis Gemstone
• Dumortierite Gemstones
• Sodalite Gemstones

Items in image: A008060, Z007741, TC02545, Z006089, SW01800, SW02259, Z015066, SW01736, Z020677, Oval Druzy, HEMMB4RL-F, DAG8RD-BLU-F-8

Here are some easy DIY earrings to get your 2020 started.

Blue Glass Glowing Earrings

We combined some of favorite beads like glass, miracle and Swarovski, tied together with some gold findings! Plus, we just love the gold flakes in the glass bead.

Items used in earrings: SW01726, A019696, A014931, Z018412, SB00107, A019605, Z015066 & A014108

Directions:

1. On a headpin, slide the following beads and make a simple loop:
   3mm Swarovski bicone bead, wavy disc, miracle bead and seed bead.
2. Open eyepin loop and slide on bead dangle from step 1. Close loop.
3. On the eyepin slide on the following and make a simple loop:
   Seed bead, glass bead and seed bead.
4. Open earwire, and slide on your dangle and close loop.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Majestic Blue Drop Earrings

We don’t use much of the kidney earrings, but love them all the same. They work great with a simple drop crystal or charm, as the kidney drapes and elongates the earring itself.

Items used in earrings: (2) SW01840, (2) SW01820, Z003274 & SW01830/TL00264.

Directions:

1. Follow the instructions from our Epoxy Blog Post of mixing your epoxy solution.
2. Add a small dot of mixed epoxy to your glue-in setting.
3. Place your oval crystal stone in the setting, firmly pressed in there.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for other crystal and setting.
5. Let pieces dry or cure for a few hours or until it’s dry.
6. Slide dangle through your kidney earring, through to the loop. Using your round nose, pinch the opening of the loop to cinch loop, gently.

Blue Blue Golden Tassel Earrings

One highlight of our 2019 are tassels and love how this pair of earrings combines our love of tassels and connector/links components!

Items used in earrings: (2) SW00734, (2) Z016742, SB00107, A019605, TCZ0139 & Z006091

Directions:

1. Twist the loop on the tassel 90 degrees so that loop run across the other way.
2. Open tassel loop, slide through hole of half circle connector (curved side). Close loop.
3. Open eyepin and slide through other hole of half circle connector. Close loop.
4. On the eyepin slide on a seed bead, pearl and see bead. Make a simple loop.
5. Open earwire loop and slide on your pearl/tassel dangle. Close loop.
6. Repeat all steps for other earring.

This week’s tutorial from ImpressArt is all about metal stamp texturing. Texturing adds an extra dimension of design to your metal blanks. It also adds an organic look for your metal stamping needs. Here are some product you may need to get you started on texturing:

• Texture Stamper Hammer (TL00266): This innovative tool creates unique, one of a kind textures using your metal stamps as texture heads. You can also interchange the stamping head with this hammer.

• Ball Pen Texture Stamper Head (TL00313): This hammer head creates an organic, hammered texture look to your metal blanks. It is to be used with the Stamper Hammer.

Texture Bracelet Tutorial

Using last week’s tutorial on Bracelet Bending, texturize the bracelet blank first before bending the blanks to create a bracelet.

Let’s celebrate and toast to 2019 and welcome 2020! We have the perfect pair of earrings to celebrate the glam with this DIY Golden Fringe Earrings. Designed with ball chain and end tubes, you can whip up this pair of easy earrings before the ball drops!

What you’ll need:

• 2 – 16mm Gold Tube End (Z011022) / Silver (Z009110)
• 4 feet – 1.5mm Gold Plated Ball Chain (CH00723) / Silver (CH00722)
• Gold Earring Finding  (Used in example Z016754) / Silver (Z016753)
• 4mm Gold Jump Ring (A011517) / Silver (Z011500)

Directions:

1. Cut chain with the following ball counts: 17, 23, 25, 31, and 35. Cut a quantity fo two each.
2. Slide the following chain into the tube by hooking one ball inside the tube: 17, 23, 25, 31, 35, 35, 31, 25, 23, 17.
3. Close the other side of the end tube with a flat nose.
4. Open jump ring and slide on loop of earwire and loop of end tube. Close jump ring.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.

This week’s tutorial from ImpressArt is a simple tutorial on bracelet bending.  See how easy it is to make a bracelet by using the bracelet bending tool.

Here are some tool you’ll need:

• Bracelet Guides (Z021583) – This will help to keep your lettering straight when writing names or a simple phrase.
• Bracelet Bending Pliers (TL00350) – This tool will give you the curve your bracelet will need to obtain a curved shape.
• Bracelet Bending Bar Kit (TL00352) – This tool is very useful in bending the ends of your bar. Plus, this kit includes (4) 1/4 inch and (4) 38 inch Aluminum Bracelet Blanks.
• Other Tools: Letters Stamping Set, Enamel Marker, Hammer & Steel Block.

Bracelet Bending Tutorial

We’ve got THREE easy projects using December’s Swarovski Psychology of Color: Ruby. Design jewelry with this bold hue!

Ruby Snowflake Ornament

Fitting for the holiday season is making snowflake ornaments! Here’s our version using Ruby crystals, clear crystals and wavy discs.

Items used in ornament: SW00131 (12), SW00102 (12), SW00104 (6), Z018412, SB00423 & A006240

Directions:

1. On a prong, slide on the following and make a simple loop with memory wire finishing pliers:
   1. 3 seed beads, 4mm crystal, disc, ruby crystal, disc, 8mm crystal, disc, ruby crystal, disc, 4mm crystal, 3 seed beads.
2. Repeat the same sequence of beads to each prong.

Ruby Hoop Earrings

Make this pair of trendy hoop earrings!

Items used in earrings: SW00131 (10), TC00278 (4), Z001052 & A015821.

Directions:

1. Slide through the hoop:
   1. bead cap, 5 ruby crystals and bead cap.
2. To the top of the last bead cap, add a small dot of glue. Let this dry for a few minutes to keep bead cap in place with the hoop earrings.
3. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Ruby Rockestar Earrings

These beautiful Ruby crystals really standout next to these grey/black diamond crystals.

Items used in earrings:SW00131 (2), SW02072 (2), TC00278 (2), SB00422, TC00055 (2), A007499 & A001495

Directions:

1. Open eyepin loop, slide on star charm and close eyepin.
2. On the eyepin, slide a seed bead, Ruby crystal, bead cap, 4mm black diamond crystal, and seed bead. Make simple loop.
3. Open dangle loop and slide on post earring loop. Close loop.
4. Repeat all steps for other earring.

For December, Swarovski’s Psychology of Colors pick is Ruby. Check out how passionate this hue is!

While Ruby is not a vibrant red color, its deep hue is nothing but gorgeous!  Here are some Swarovski colors to matches this hue:

• Scarlet
• Siam
• Light Siam

Ruby Jewelry

Make sure you stop over to our other blog post for jewelry designed with Ruby.

Beadalon instant pendants are easy to use! You simply unscrew the bottom cap and slide your beads one the mandrel and screw back on your cap. Another way to vamp up your instant pendant design is with a peyote stitched tube. Here is a simple even count peyote tube you can add to these nifty instant pendants.
What you’ll need:

• Beadalon Instant Pendants
• 11/0 Delica Seed Beads
• Beading Thread and Needle
  AND
• PDF Tutorial

What you’ll need to know:

• Basic Knowledge on Even Count Peyote Stitch 
• OTHER Even Count Tube Bead Examples

Peyote Tube Pendant

Make multiple tubes with fun designs using Miyuki Delica beads. Plus, the Instant Pendants makes it easy to slide on each tube or even swap them out for a versatile design option!

Items used in examples: SB02339, SB00223, A006585, A015211, Z016436 & TCZ0078

Directions

1. Start with 4 feet of beading thread.
2. Make a stopper bead at the end of your beading thread, leaving a 4-5 inch tail. (I like using a different color Delica to differentiate the beads.)
   
3. Sew on 28 delica beads.
4. Pick up a delica bead and sew back through the second to last delica, going the opposite way. Pick up another delica bead, skip a bead and sew through the next delica bead. Repeat going all the way back towards to stopper
5. Once you’ve sewn through the first delica bead, you’ve finished your second row of your peyote stitch pattern. Pick up another delica bead and sew back the other way skipping the first bead and sewing through the second. Repeat again down the row.
6. Repeat your peyote stitch going back and forth until you’ve added 12 rows.
7. Wrap the sides together to create a tube and peyote stitch the first row to zip up the peyote tube. Gently pull your thread tight to even out thread and loop through a few beads and cut off excess thread. Pull off stopper bead and sew thread end through a few beads and cut off excess.
8. Repeat all steps to make another tube. Add tube to instant pendant and attach pendants to earwires for easy DIY earrings!

CLICK HERE for PDF downloadable version for tutorial.

This PDF also has a blank template so you can create your own designs!

Our friends at ImpressArt have given us a 5 week roll-out of educational tool knowledge, tips and tutorials. ImpressArt has a whole inventory of tools, guides and metal blanks for metal stamping. Metal stamping is a great tool and skill to use to customize and personalize jewelry and crafts with impressed words and designs. (Note: Though, many of these metal stamping tools are great for imprinting on metal, you can use them for stamping leather too.)

Essential Tools

To get started on customizing with metal stamping, we are starting with stamping essential this week.

These tools are what you will need to help you start metal stamping:

• Metal Letter Stamping Sets – Great for personalizing jewelry and craft components. Many of these sets will have an Uppercase and Lowercase set, as well as a number set. Plus, there are different font styles you can get. (Item in image is Bridgette Set: TL00123, TL00124, TL00193)
  
  (An example of the stamps you will get with your letter set.)
• Steel Block (A011605/A014415) : This a hard, stable block that you’ll need to place your stamping blanks to stamp on. This will assist you in giving you a solid impression when you stamp.
• Ergo Angle Hammer (TL00235): ImpressArt’s Ergo-Angle handle provides ideal positioning for clean, even impressions and it’s one pound head provides optimal weight for deep crisp impressions. It’s short handle design features multiple holding options for maximum control and comfort.
• Stamping Tape (A010618): A straight guide that allows precise accuracy when stamping letters on metal.
• Sticker Guide (Z021582): Stamp Guides makes it easy to space out letters, stamp in a straight line or curve, and stamp Mandalas and other intricate patterns.
• Enamel Stamp Marker (Z002602): Stamp Enamel Marker is an acrylic ink used to darken stamped impressions so your design will be clearly seen. Convenient applicator marker makes highlighting impressions quicker, easier and cleaner.
• Optional Polishing Cloth (A002371) : Use the polishing cloth to help wipe off excess enamel.

DIY Key Chain Tutorial

Here is a simple DIY Key Chain Tutorial using these essential tools and guides.

Here are items suggested in tutorial:  Z014563, MCKR0002, TC02063, TL00123

We are seeing these Tila stretch bracelets circulating online and cannot fathom how cute and easy they are! Check out these bracelets from Anthropologie we adore:

(image from Anthropologie)

Made with Miyuki Tila two-hole beads, you can make some of your own. Plus, with our usual Tila and Half Tilas, we have newly added Quarter Tilas to our store. The variation in sizes makes for combining and mixing up different colors fun!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Tila Stretch Bracelets:

• Miyuki Tila
• Miyuki Half Tila
• Miyuki Quarter Tila
• 0.5mm Beadalon Elasticity – A021633
  • TUTORIAL on tying Surgeon’s Knot

Items used in bracelet: A021633, SB03744, SB01934 & SB00870.

Directions:

1. Cut two pieces of elastic at about 9 inches.
2. Stretch out one cord to loosen the elasticity.
3. Slide on your beads.Mix up the sequence of beads or not, this design is up to you!
4. Make sure to add enough beads to wrap around your wrist comfortably.
5. Make a surgeon’s knot to your cord ends. (Optional, you can add a small dot of glue)
6. Cut off excess elastic.
7. Take other elastic and stretch out to loosen the elasticity.
8. Starting from the same beads from where you started, slide elastic through the second hole of each bead, all the way around.
9. Make a surgeon’s knot and cut off excess elastic.
10. You’re done! Now you can make more!

Mix up the sequence of beads or not, you can make a whole lot of these bracelets in no time!

We had created the beautiful Sparkling Beaded Holiday Wreath and Beadable Holiday Wreath Earrings last month. We’re continuing our festive tutorials with MORE holiday wreaths! We have three holiday wreath ideas for you to celebrate with this holiday season using memory wire.

Jingle Bell Wreath

Items used in wreath: SBBM0005 (10 pks) & WR00121

Tory had designed a cute wreath on our Facebook Live episode, using memory wire and jingle bell charm/beads (SBBM0005). This lightweight jingle bell wreath dangle would be cute as a present topper, Christmas tree ornament or even make a pair of earrings with them! Here is the video tutorial where Tory teaches how to quickly make and assemble a wreath of your own. It will be helpful to know how to make a hoop with memory wire. 

Red & Green Miracle Bead Wreath

Items used in wreath:SBBM0005 (5 pks), MIRA0008 (3 pks), WR00121 & MIRA0002 (3 pks)

Tory combines red and green miracle beads with jingle bells in this wreath version.

1. Using a ball headpin, slide on a miracle bead and make a simple loop. Make a total of 27 Red miracle beads (8mm) and 54 Green miracle beads (6mm).
2. Cut one loop of memory wire.
3. Make a perpendicular loop at one end of your memory wire.
4. Slide on dangles in the follow sequence:
   1. 2 green, red, 2 green, red, 3 green & 5 jingle bells.
   2. Repeat this sequence 8 more times.
5. Slide the other end of memory wire through loop you made in Step 3 and curl a loop (It’s alright to loop it a couple of times).
6. Your wreath is complete! Add ribbons and a bow.

Red Satin Wreath

Items used in wreath: A017124 (1 pk), A01722 (3 pks), SB00107, WR00134 & A019663 (2 pks)

Inspired with Tory’s cute wreaths, So Vang designed this larger wreath with gorgeous satin beads strung on Extra Heady Duty Necklace Memory Wire.

1. On a headpin slide on a seed bead and a satin bead. Make a rolled loop, coiling more than once is fine. Make a total of 22 of the 14mm Satin beads and 110 of the 10mm Satin Beads.
   
2. Cut a coil of the necklace memory wire with Memory Wire cutters.
3. Using Memory Wire Finishing Pliers, make a perpendicular loop at one end.
4. Slide on the following sequence:
   1. 14mm Satin dangle & FIVE 10mm Satin dangle.
   2. Repeat this sequence 21 more times.
5. Slide the other end of the memory wire through the loop you made in step 3 and curl a loop (It’s alright to loop it a couple of times.)
6. Your wreath is complete. Add ribbons and a bow!

Need some DIY gift ideas for your naturalist friend? He/She most likely love neutral colors, leather and gemstones. Here are some gorgeous DIY jewelry for the naturalist friend this holiday season!

1. Black Gold Amazonite Tassel Necklace
2. Crystal Quartz Drop Earrings
3. DIY Diffuser Necklace with Lava Beads
4. Leather & Tube Bead Necklace
5. Easy Leather Hook Bracelet
6. Stone Ripple Leather Bracelet
7. Gemstone Donut Bails
8. Gemstone Post Earrings with Cabochons

Here are some great DIY jewelry gift ideas for our trendy friend. Our Trendsetter is always wearing the latest fashion and jewelry. She not only wears it, but also influences others to join in on the fad. So try out some of these DIY jewelry with some of our newest products like wood and resin pendant charms, Acetate, Enamel, post earrings, lariat necklaces, adjustable bracelets with sliding clasps and DIY kits are trendy. It will surely be a eyeopener for your Trendsetter friend!

1. Wood and Resin Pendant Necklace
2. Golden Halo Earrings with Swarovski Crystals
3. DIY Jewelry using Enamel Component
4. Tory’s Acetate & Silver Drop Earrings
5. Acetate Fringe Earrings
6. Lariat Gemstones and Tassel Necklace
7. Diakonos Kits

These Holiday DIY gift ideas are for the Boho Beauty in your life.She seeks a relaxing vibe and a moment of zen. She loves natural and earthy tone, so make sure you design with fibers like Ribbon, Tassels, Leather and Straw, as well as some Gemstone. Here are some great DIY projects for the Boho Beauty!

1. Straw & Leather Macrame
2. Fishtail Cuff
3. Fabric Tassel Jewelry
4. Fan Tassels
5. Macrame Leather Bracelet
6. Boho Feather Earrings
7. Silk Ribbon in Jewelry
8. Long Tassels

Who doesn’t LOVE a fun pair of festive, holiday wreath earrings? This pair is designed using our Beadable Ring Pendant (Z011336) and 11/0 Delica Seed Beads. Design with classic red and green colors or mix it up!

What you’ll need:

• Beadable Ring Pendant – Z011336 (2)
• 11/0 Delica Seed Beads – We used SB03540 & SB03545
  • Other Green-color Delicas
  • Other Red-color Delicas
• Beading Thread and Needle
• Earring Findings – We used TC02297

Directions:

1. Using a 3 feet piece of beading thread, add a stopper bead to the end of your beading thread, leaving 4-5 inch tail. (To add a stopper bead, pick up a bead and slide towards to end of your thread end, leaving 4-5 inch tail. Sew through the bead, looping two times through the seed bead.)
   
2. Sew through an outer hole of your beadable pendant.
3. Pick up 7 beads (do variation of reds and green, using more green than reds).
4. Sew down the hole across the channel. (The beads wont be sitting in the channel.)
5. Sew up through the next hole and repeat steps 3 and 4.
6. You will repeat this process, zigzagging through the pendant until you have gone all the way around.
7. While on the backside of your pendant, sew up the next hole and through the first seed bead. Pick up 4 seed beads, sew across the channel, down the last delica bead and through the hole.
8. Repeat step 7 as you sew back through the beadable pendant again.
9. Once you’ve finished, tie off your thread ends and cut off excess.
10. Open your earring loop and slide your beadable wreath on.
11. Repeat all steps for other earring.

We’ve got FOUR easy projects using November’s Swarovski Psychology of Color: Emerald. Design lovely jewelry with this hue!

Emerald and Pearl Stretch Bracelet

Items used in bracelet: SW00062 (11), SW00665(11), Z001355 & A021634

Directions

1. Cut 9 inches of stretch cord. Pull on elastic to loosen the elasticity.
2. Slide on the stretch cord emerald crystal, gold disc, pearl and gold disc.
   1. Repeat sequence another ten more times.
3. Make a surgeon’s knot with the elastic.
4. Optional: Add a dot of glue.
5. Cut off excess elastic.

Emerald & Pearl Drop Earrings

Items used in earrings: SW00061 (2), SW00666 (2), CH00724, X001505, A021657, Z012031, A015821 & Z002570

Directions

1. Cut two pieces of beading chain at 1 and 3/4 inches. (You can cut it shorter or longer for your length preference.)
2. Glue a memory wire end to one end of the beading chain. Repeat again for other beading chain. Let it dry for a few minutes.
3. Slide on the beading chain: pearl, silver disc and emerald crystal. Repeat again for other beading chain.
4. Slide end cap on beading chain and using your fine nose pliers, crimp the end cap. Repeat again for other end cap and beading chain.
5. Open earwire loop, slide on end cap loop and close loop. Repeat again for other dangle.

Emerald Teardrop Earrings

Items used in earrings: A008182 (or CH01090), SW01994 (2), A008799, Z07856 & Z003694.

Directions

1. Cut two chain pieces at 1 inch. Make sure both chain has the same amount of links and has an even number.
2. Open oval jump ring, slide through one end of your chain and emerald pendant
3. Open small jump ring, slide through other end of chain and through earwire loop.
4. Repeat Steps 2 & 3 for other earring.

Emerald & Acetate Earrings

Items used in earrings: Z013607, Z010571, Z011522, A019600, SW00167 (2) & Z001831

Directions

1. Open jump ring, slide through acetate hole and disc hole. Close jump ring.
2. Open eyepin loop, slide through other hole of gold disc, close loop.
3. Slide an emerald bicone crystal on the eyepin and make a simple loop.
4. Open loop you just made, slide through ear wire loop and close loop.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.