We all love a good donut, right? Especially gemstone donuts! We have an easy way to dangle gemstone donut using a donut bail. See our easy tutorial today!

Donut bails are different from your traditional bails. Instead of cupping your dangle or pendant from the top, donut bails cup from the hole of the donut upwards. NOTE: be careful when opening up your bail. If you pull out too wide, it can weaken the curved part and snap in half.

What you’ll need for tutorial

• 40mm Gemstone Donuts
• Donut Bails (Silver, Gold, Copper, Sterling, Gunmetal)
• AND choice of stringing material or necklace

Here are some examples using the donut bails!

Items used in necklace: Z001738, A022075, SDM40DNT

Items used in necklace: Z001740, MOB40DNT, Y003724

Point pendants are an easy component to use for simple pairs of earrings. We have 5 different ways you can design DIY earrings with point pendants.

To prep your Point Pendants, you will need to remove the bail from the pendant. On the backside, you can pull the bottom prong outwards to slide the pendant off the bail. You are now ready to use point pendants as point dangles!

We used the 6x16mm Onyx Point Pendant (Silver/Gold) throughout our examples to show you the different ways you can design DIY earrings with a simple pair of point pendants.

1 – Easy DIY Earwires

Select your favorite Earring Findings to pair with your gemstone points. You open the earwire loop and slide on your gemstone dangle. If earwire doesn’t open, using a small jump ring can easily attach your dangle for a simple pair of earrings! Here are three earrings using different earring findings.

• #1 Earring components: A002413, Z020488 (2), Z010743
• #2 Earring components: Z020488 (2), TCZ0077
• #3 Earring components: Z020489 (2), Z010215

2 – Chain Links

Use a short piece of chain to lengthen your earrings for a cute pair of earrings.

• #1 Earring components: Z020489 (2), TCZ0140 , Z007861, CH00802
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, Z007856, CH01091 

3 – Links and Connectors

Taking one of our many Links and Connectors, you can accent your point dangle with a charming look! Connect with a jump ring, you have another simple DIY earrings idea!

• #1 Earring components: Z020489 (2), TCZ0140 , Z007861, A021765 (2)
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A002413, Y018889

4 – Bead Links

Besides adding a Link or Connector, make a bead link to match your point dangle! We used our beautiful Onyx gemstones and some of our newest Bali Metal Beads.

• #1 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A019612, SB00106, A021126
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A019612, SB00106, ONX8RD-8

5 – Other Examples

Play around with different ways you can design with the point pendants/dangles! Our hoop and frame selections will get your creative wheels turning!

• #1 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), A011541
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A002413, Z016723 (2)

New gemstones from Dakota Stones are detailed-cut to the popular bicone shape. See how beautifully cut they are and bead stitched on a beadable circle pendant or wire-wrapped into a chain link for a stunning pair of earrings!

Gemstone bicone beads ‘are faceted with diamond drill bits for sharper and more precise facets for more sparkle than a conventionally faceted stone.’ (DakotaStones.com) Each bead is carefully cut to 3mm in size with a hole size of about .7 mm. The sharp facets of its bicone shape, sure adds more twinkle in every turn!

Peridot Ripple Earrings

This tutorial takes these gemstone bicone beads and are bead stitched on a beadable circle pendant for a pair of cute earrings. Check out the illustration below to see how to ladder stitch through the holes and for each tier you sew on 8, 7, 6 and 5 bicone beads down to channel. Sew through the channels back up to strengthen the stitches. Tie off and cut excess bead thread. Add your choice of earwires and you have a pair of Ripple Earrings!

Items used in earrings: Z001475 (2), PER3BIC, A015211, A006585, TCZ0140

Crescent Peridot Earrings

Our friend Kayla from DakotaStones created this pair of earrings by wire-wrapping three, chained piece of Peridot gemstone bicone crystals and connecting one end with a Half Circle Pendant from Nunn Designs. Then use a jump ring to connect both chained ends  to earwire. Tip: Make sure the  loops on the chained gemstones are looped the same direction. This will help the earring to lay straight and not twisted.

Items used in earrings: WR00034/AW00055, Z020508 (2), PER3BIC, TC02305, Z010981

Indulge yourself with this simple stringing project made with Griffin silk cord, chinese crystals and seed beads.

You will love how versatile this long necklace can be. Wrap it twice around for a layered necklace, wear it long or cinch a knot for a cute lariat. Here is how you can make one for you!

What you’ll need for necklace:

• 2 strands of 3-6mm round Chinese crystals (items used in necklace example: A016737 &  A016746)
• 11/0 silver seed bead (SB00422)
• Griffin Silk Cord – Size No. 2 or No. 4 (Item used in necklace example: A019188)

With two strands of 3mm chinese crystals, it makes for a 54″ long necklace. Switch up the color sequence, keep it one color, design it without seed beads. You have a large option of how to create a long necklace of your own with this simple stringing project!

Directions

1. Unravel silk cord from card.
2. Slide on the following sequence of beads: seed bead, black bead, bronze, black, seed bead, bronze, black, bronze.
3. Repeat sequence until you’ve used up all your chinese crystals.
4. Tie off bot end together with two knots. (Optional: you can also use clam shell bead tips) Add a small dot of glue to secure knots. Cut off excess.

We recently got new Chinese Crystals in and So personally favors the opaque crystals. Here is a pair of earrings she made that looks like firecrackers!

What you’ll need for earrings:

• Earwire
• Bali Chandelier Earrings (Y013697)
• 1.5″ Headpins (A019647)
• 4mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle 
• 8/0 Silver Seed Bead (SB00106) – This item is optional.
  OR
• Components list of items used in earrings example: TC02297. Y013697, A019647, Z013491, Z013499, SB00106

Directions: (Seed beads are optional)

1. On a headpin, slide on two red beads, one yellow and one seed bead. Make a simple loop. Open loop and slide on first hole on earring finding.
2. On another headpin, slide on three red beads, two yellow and one seed bead. Make a simple loop. Open loop and slide on second hole on earring finding.
3. On another headpin, slide on four red beads, three yellow and one seed bead. Make a simple loop. Open loop and slide on third hole on earring finding.
4. Repeat Step 2 and slip onto fourth hole on earring finding.
5. Repeat Step 1 and slip onto last hole on earring finding.
6. On another headpin, slide on a yellow bead and make a simple loop. Open loop and slide through the inner hole of earring finding.
7. Open earwire loop and slide through top hole of earring finding. Close loop.
8. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Bead mixes comes in various shapes, sizes and color. Here are 3 simple ways you can easily use Bead Mixes.

We are working with the Assorted Long Oval Cane Glass Beads Grab Bag (Z014786), which has an array of colors and a long oval-shaped bead. You can certainly use a different assortment of bead mixes to make design similar to our DIY projects.

Assorted Bracelet Set

We made a set of three bracelets using 9 inches of stretchy cord, 6 beads each bracelet and small 8/0 seed beads. After stretching out the cord, slide a cane glass and seed bead sequence. Make a surgeon’s knot to secure the bracelet. Cut excess leaving a small tail and as an option, you can glue the knot. (optional, add another cane bead and seed bead sequence for a 7.5-8″ wrist size.)

Items used in bracelet: Z001460, Z014686, SB00106

Cane Pendant Necklace with Tassel

You can make a load of necklaces when you turn each cane bead into a pendant. Plus, we paired the pendant with a sweet tassel! To make this necklace, on a headpin, slide on a seed bead, cane bead and another seed bead and make a wrapped or simple loop. Open a jump ring and slide on the cane dangle and chain of your necklace. Close jump ring. Open another jump ring, slide on tassel and chain of your necklace. Close jump ring.

Items used in necklace: Z014686, Z010981, Z001033, Z013719, SB00106, TC01257

Cane Glass Earrings

Try matching a pair of beads for this simple pair of earrings. Even a mix-match set would be cute! On a headpin, slide on a seed bead, cane bead and another seed make. Make a wrapped or simple loop. Open ear wire loop and slide on cane dangle. Repeat all steps for other earrings!

Items used in earrings: Z014686, SB00106, TC01257 (2), TC02297

Our simple and sweet tutorial today consists two of our favorite brands: TierraCast and Raven’s Journey. Create this easy pair of earrings today!

What you’ll need for earrings:

• 2 – TierraCast Teardrop Frame (TC01395)
• TierraCast Front Loop Earrings (TC02297)
• Raven’s Journey Pear Shaped Glass Beads (Item used in example A021843)
• Headpin with Ball End (A019694)

Directions:

1. Slide a teardrop bead onto the headpin and make a simple loop.
2. Open loop you just made and slide through the under side of the hole loop on the TierraCast Teardrop Frame. Close loop.
3. Open loop of earwire and slide through the top side of the TierraCast Teardrop Frame. Close loop.
4. Repeat all steps for other earring.

We have three COOL projects using July’s Swarovski Psychology of Color: Aquamarine. Revamp your DIY jewelry with these ideas!

Aquamarine Bubble Earrings

Create cascading bubbles in this pair of Aquamarine earrings.

Items used in earrings: TCZ0077, TC00198 (2), A019672, A019606, SW00071 (6), SW00070 (10), SW00069 (6)

Directions:

1. On a headpin slide on a 6mm round crystal and make a simple loop. Repeat to make a total of FOUR 6mm dangle.
2. On a headpin slide on a 8mm round crystal and make a simple loop. Make a total of SIX 8mm dangle.
3. Open loop on eyepin, slide on a 6mm dangle from Step One and close loop. Slide a 4mm round crystal on the eyepin and make a simple loop.  Repeat to make a total of FOUR links.
   1. Open loop of link, slide through outer loop of the TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link and close loop. Repeat to the other outer loop of TierraCast Link
   2. Repeat to other TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link.
4. Open loop on eyepin, slide on a 8mm dangle from Step Two and close loop. Slide a 6mm round crystal on the eyepin and make a simple loop. Repeat to make a total of SIX links.
   1. Open loop of link, slide through second loop of the TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link and close loop. Skip middle loop and repeat to attached link to the fourth loop of TierraCast Link.
   2. Repeat to other TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link.
5. Open loop on eyepin, slide loop of link you make in Step Four and close loop. Slide a 4mm round crystal on the eyepin and make a simple loop. Repeat to make a total of TWO links.
   1. Open loop of link, slide through the middle loop fo the TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link and close loop.
   2. Repeat to other TierraCast Bali 1-to-5 Link.
6. Open ear wire loop and slide on top loop of TierraCast Bali Link. Close loop. Repeat to other ear wire and Bali Link.

Aquamarine Raindrop Necklace

This easy DIY necklace requires minimal effort to make and a gorgeous piece to wear!

Items used in Necklace: SW02134, TC02317, Y003724

Directions:

1. Slide prong of the pinch bail to pendant hole and gently pinch the bail.
2. Open clasp on necklace and slide necklace chain through bail.

Swarovski: Triple Ocean Waves Necklace

Our friends at Swarovski Create your Style, designed this stunning necklace.

What you’ll need:

• (24) SW00621
• (24) SW02035
• (49) SW02036
• (24) SW01462
• (24) SW02068
• (8) 8mm Swarovski Aquamarine Pavé Beads
• (24) SW00729
• TC01871
• (36) TC00034
• (2) 3mm Crimp Tube
• (2) 4mm Crimp Cover
• FTBW0001

Directions:

1. Cut stringing wire into three 32” pieces.
2. Using all three wires together string on one Pave Bead, two SW02036, one nugget bead, three SW02036, one nugget bead, three SW02036, one nugget bead, three SW02036, one nugget bead, two SW02036 and one Pave Bead. Position all these in the center of the three strands of wire.
3. Starting with the right side of the necklace, and only using one of the three wires coming out of the pave bead, string on one SW00621, one SW02068, one SW02035, one SW00729, one Sw01462, one nugget bead, one SW02036, one nugget bead, one SW01462, one SW00729, one SW02035, one SW02068 and one SW00621. Repeat this two more times for the two remaining open wires.
4. Now take all three wires together again and slide on one Pave Bead, two SW02036, one nugget bead, one SW02036, one nugget bead, two SW02036 and one Pave Bead.
5. Repeat Step 3.
6. Now take all three wires together again and slide on one Pave Bead, two SW02036, one nugget bead, three SW02036, one nugget bead, and two SW02036. Using all three wires slide on one crimp bead and one end of the toggle. Crimp to close and add crimp cover.
7. Repeat Steps 3 – 6 to make left side of the necklace.

For July, Swarovski’s Psychology of Colors pick is Aquamarine. Check out how purifying and cool this hue is!

Wrap yourself up in this color! Aquamarine is a refreshing color like a cool sip of water on a hot day or the clear sky with no clouds in sight! Here are some Swarovski colors to match this cool hue:

• Aquamarine Shimmer
• Aqua
• Erinite Shimmer
• Turquoise
• Ocean DeLite
• Crystal Iridescent Light Blue
• Blue Shade

Aquamarine Jewelry

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

This Teardrop Acetate and Leather Earrings tutorial was one our most popular Make & Takes during the Spring 2019 Twin Cities Bead Bazaar. Learn how to make them today!

Read our previous leather blog on how to coil leather around a licorice leather. This will give you an easier idea at how to coil your leather around the acetate teardrop.

Directions

1. Cut TWO pieces of leather at 24inch each.
2. Add 9 seed beads to each strand of leather cord.
3. Make a loop at one end and fit it on the back side of the teardrop.
4. Do 3 wraps around acetate teardrop.
5. On next wrap, center your first bead on the front of the teardrop and then do a wrap without a bead. Repeat this 8 more times. End with 3 wraps at the end.
6. Slip the leather end through the loop you’ve made in step 3.
7. Holding your coils, pull gently on the single cord, on the opposite side of the loop; you may need to use a pliers.
8. Pull the cord until the loop is situated inside of your coils.
9. Trim your ends.
10. Grasp the loop of your ear wire and turn the loop 90 degrees or until the ear wire hole faces outwards.
11. Open a jump ring and slide through the loop of the acetate teardrop and earwire loop. Close jump ring.
12. Repeat all steps for the other earring.

Items used in Earrings: SB00106, A022070, TC02306, A008807, Z020567

Dainty and beautiful describes this DIY necklace using a Swarovski Pearl and beading chain. Check out how easy it is to making this piece of jewelry!

Items you need for necklace:

• 16″-24″ – Silver Beading Chain (CH00724)
• 2 – End Cap X001505
• 8-12mm Swarovski Pearls
• Silver Jump Ring (X003062)
• Choice of Clasp

Directions:

1. Taking a piece of wire like a headpin or very thin awl, ream the holes of the pearl. This will help with getting the chain through.
2. Cut beading chain to desired length. Slide chain through pearl.
3. Crimp an end cap to each chain end.
4. Attach your choice of clasp to your necklace ends with jump rings.

We’re mixing up the last day of June, our DIY Month, with these Earrings and Necklace using our Graduated Fan Pendant Sets. See the varies ways you can design this simplistic style!

What you’ll need for Earrings & Necklace:

• Graduated Fan Pendant Sets
• TierraCast® Wire Hoops from their World’s Away Collection
• Chain and jump rings (A008807) for Necklace
  and
• Earring Findings for Earrings

Metal Fringe Necklace

The neat thing about the TierraCast Wire Hoops, is that their hoops open. There is a hook at the base of the hoop loop that you can pop out. Pop that out and slide on all your metal pendants in the exact same sequence. Hook the end back into place. Open a jump ring, slide both ends of your chain and close jump ring. Open another jump ring and slide through previous jump ring and through the hoop’s loop. Close jump ring.

Items used in necklace: TC02411, A022053, A012845 (2′), A008807 

Buy All Product to make necklace with BAP0006

Metal Fringe Earrings

Mix up the fringes when designing the earrings. We have four different ways to design these fringe earrings and with different metal pendant sets. PLAN out your designs by laying your pendants down in the order you want it. This will help with creating an even look when designing earrings to match.

Items used in earrings: A022056, TC02416 (2), Z002858

Items used in earrings: A022053, TC02411 (2), TC02297

Buy All Product to make Earrings with BAP0007

Items used in earrings: A022054, TC02413 (2), A014018

Make this Golden Halo Earrings, tiered with TierraCast® components, acetate and Swarovski® crystals.

What you’ll need for these pair of earrings:

• Acetate Half Circle (earrings use Z012461)
• 8mm Gold Jump Ring (earrings use A011523)
• (2) TierraCast® 19mm Gold Hammertone Ring (earrings use TC00611)
• Earwire Findings (earrings use TC02298)
• (2) Swarovski® 16mm Princess Cut Crystal Pendant (earrings use SW02167)
  OR
• Buy All Products with BAP0005

Directions:

1. Open jump ring, slide on crystal pendant and bottom hole of acetate. Close jump ring.
2. Open another jump ring, slide on top hole of acetate and hammertone ring. Close jump ring.
3. Open earwire loop and slide on hammertone ring. Close loop.
4. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Make festive and fancy Snowflake ornaments with GoodyBeads’ Master Mixes with 4mm bicone crystals in today’s tutorial.

Christmas may be a few month away, but you can never be too early to prep for the holidays. Plus, making these snowflake ornaments can be used and displayed all year round. Hang them on your window or as an outdoor mobile, you can surely get some twinkling reflections on a sunny summery day.

What you’ll need for ornament:

• 4 1/2″ Snowflake Ornament Forms (Z009715)
• 8/0 Miyuki Seed Beads  (sample uses SB00107)
• GoodyBeads’ Master Mixes  (sample uses MX00009)

Directions:

1. The FIRST thing to do is separate out your Mix. Each mix will have 5 different crystal color. Once you have your piles, create a crystal/color sequence of how your want to snowflake to look. A suggestion is to make piles of graduating colors from dark to light. You can see a closeup of how our sample looks.
   
2. On each spoke, slide on the following:
   Three seed beads, 1st crystal, two seed beads, 2nd crystal, two seed beads, 3rd crystal, seed bead, 4th crystal, seed bead, 5th crystal and three seed beads.
3. Make a simple loop at the end of your spoke.
4. Skip a spoke and repeat steps 2 & 3 to that spoke.
5. Skip another spoke and repeat steps 2 & 3 to that spoke. (You want to fill in every other spoke so that your design will sit evenly.)
6. For all the other spokes, repeat steps 2 & 3.
7. Repeat for other snowflakes.

Make sure to check out our other Snowflake Blogs:

• Seed Bead Snowflake
• Snowflake Ornament

Palm trees are an iconic motif to summer or tropical paradise. Use acetate tropical leaf pendant with faceted gemstones for a natural and earthy vibe to summer.

What you’ll need to design Acetate Leaf Earrings:

• 8mm Round Gemstone
• 20 Gauge Eyepin (Gold / Silver)
• Semi Hoop With Loop Earrings (Satin Gold / Antique Silver)
• Acetate Leaf (Green / Multi / Tortoise)

Directions:

1. Open eyepin loop and slide on loop on earwire. Close loop.
2. On the eyepin, slide on a gemstone bead and make a simple loop big enough to slide through Acetate.
3. Open loop you make in Step 2 and slide on acetate leaf. Close loop.
4. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Specific items used in earring image: Z019976, Z013968, ONX8RD-F-8, A019616