Introducing our new gift jewelry kits perfect for gift-giving. Created by our in-house designers, So Vang, Tory Vezina and Heidi Urlaub, these kits are easy to make and versatile to wear to all of your upcoming events and celebrations. Plus, the kits are conveniently packaged inside a plastic pillow-shaped container for easy gift giving to the DIYers in your life!

Thinking of what to give this holiday season or for birthdays or special occasions? Gift kits are the perfect gift to give to your girlfriends, sisters, bridesmaids, work buddies, etc.

Gift Kits by So Vang

(Kit Shown: KT00147, KT00152, KT00151)

So’s kits play with bold hues of porcelain, Czech and blown glass beads. Make a statement with Indonesian Dream Necklaces, style your nightlife with Maya Moon Earrings or stack up your love of arm candy with Peaceful Journey Stretch Bracelets.

Gift Kits by Heidi Urlaub

(Kit shown: KT00166, KT00158)

Heidi’s kits have an earthy and edgy vibe with her love of leather and gemstones. You can easily wear her jewelry with the intent of going everywhere and still be on trend. Her Tears of Leather Earrings and On the Fringe Leather Earrings are so gorgeous, you’ll long to own one, two or all of her styles! Meditation Stretch Bracelets have a harmonic combination of round gemstones and emerald-cut Swarovski® crystals, while the Boho Belle Tube Necklace is decorated with small gemstones and curved tubes that gently hug your collarbone.

Gift Kits by Tory Vezina

(Kit shown: KT00181, KT00171, KT00175)

Tory created artistically-inspired kit designs with popular memory wire bracelets, fringy tassels and beautifully handmade lampwork beads. Make a simple Free Spirit Leather Wrap Bracelet with memory wire, leather, tube beads and assorted silver-plated beads. Extend your love of tassels with a Bellisimo Bracelet or an Amalfi Leather Tassel Necklace. Or update your look with Modern Art Earrings or Celestial Jewel Earrings.

Cozy up this winter and make these beaded snowflake ornaments. Hang them on your holiday tree, decorate your door frames, dangle them in front of your window pane or use them in place of bows on your gifts! Learn to make snowflake ornaments with our EZ DIY GoodyBeads Series tutorial.

Tutorial

Sample Ornaments

From our Oct 2015 Trends, is our popular tear drop miracle beaded ornament.

Beads used:

• (1 pk.) A006241 – 6 Inch Wire Snowflake Ornament Form
• (2 pk.) A014921 – 15mm Tear Drop Silver Miracle Beads
• (1 pk.) A013221 – 8mm Rondelle Acrylic Beads
• (3 pk.) A001745 – 8mm Silver Plated Crystal Rhinestone Rondelle Beads
• (1 tb.) SB00012 – Crystal AB Miyuki Seed Bead

(Designed by Tory Vezina)

These three lovely matte gold and red snowflake ornaments come from our Oct 2014 trend.

Beads used:

• (1 pk.) A006241 – 6 Inch Wire Snowflake Ornament Form
• (1 pk.) Z006996 – 4mm Matte Gold Beads
• (1 pk.) Z008122 – 9mm Matte Gold Rondelle Beads
• (1 pk.) Z006997 – 8mm Satin Gold Beads
• (1 pk.) A016763 – 4mm Light Siam Round Glass Beads
• (1 pk.) A016781 – 6mm Light Siam Round Glass Beads
• (1 pk.) A016799 – 8mm Light Siam Round Glass Beads
• (1 pk.) PR00263 – 4mm Preciosa Round Cream Pearl Beads
• (1 pk.) PR00274 – 6mm Preciosa Round Cream Pearl Beads
• (1 tb.) SB00632 – 11/0 Gilding Metal Seed Beads

This colorful snowflake is created with fun ceramic beads and faceted Chinese crystals.

Beads used:

• (1 pk.) Z009790 – 9 Inch Wire Snowflake Ornament Form
• (1 pk.) A008069 – 4mm Red Miracle Beads
• (1 pk.) A006151 – Green Round Acrylic Beads
• (2 pk.) A001744 – 8mm Silver Plated Garnet Rhinestone Rondelle Beads
• (2 pk.) A008566 – Ceramic Christmas Tree Cookie Beads
• (2 pk.) A008567 – Ceramic Gingerbread House Cookie Beads
• (2 pk.) A009134 – 10mm Silver Plated Peridot Rhinestone Rondelle Beads
• (1 pk.) A016598 – Garnet Faceted Teardrop Crystal Beads
• (2 pk.) A013428 – 8mm Faceted Rondelle Lime Green Millefiori Beads
• (1 pk.) Z016402 – 10mm Preciosa Green Carmen Beads

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

We’ve got a brilliant Black Friday gift with purchase for all you beady peeps! Since the gift-giving season is upon us and you’re creating like magical elves, we’re here to help you out with loads of FAB holiday beads you can mix and match! Use them to design an all-in-one beautiful jewelry piece for yourself or make dozens of earrings for your gal pals. Just add a few ear wires, headpins, chain and you’re good to go. I made seven different projects out of this Black Friday Free Gift and still had leftover beads! So there’s plenty to go around. You can also find all the beads included in our Black Friday Free Gift on our website. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get going!

Snowman Earrings

Here are three easy designs in this DIY blog. They’re quick to make and highly addictive – once you start, it’s impossible to stop!

Snowman Earrings

(2) A012827 – Sterling Silver Filled French Wire Earrings

(2) A019688 – 2 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Headpins with Ball Top

(2) A004285 – 12mm Clear Hand Painted Snowman Head Lampwork Beads

(2) A008069 – 4mm Red Miracle Bead

(2) A008067 – 4mm Green Miracle Bead

Steps

1. Slide your beads onto a headpin in the following order:

Red Miracle Bead

Snowman Bead

Green Miracle Bead

2. Make a simple loop at the top of your headpin.
3. Open the loop of the earwire. Slip the headpin dangle onto earwire loop and close loop.
4. Repeat for the other earring.

Snowman with Flowers Earrings

Who doesn’t like a darling snowman? Festive with a pair of jeans as well as with a fancy holiday party dress, these little guys are sure to bring many smiles this holiday season.

Snowman with Flowers Earrings

(2) A020541 – Sterling Silver Ear Wire with 4mm May Bi-Cone Crystal

(2) A019688 – 2 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Headpins with Ball Top

(2) A004282 – 20mm Clear Hand Painted Snowman Lampwork Beads

(4) A008069 – 4mm Red Miracle Bead

Steps

1. Slide your beads onto a headpin in the following order:

Red Miracle Bead

Snowman Bead

Red Miracle Bead

2. Make a simple loop at the top of your headpin.
3. Open the loop of the earwire. Slip the headpin dangle onto earwire loop and close loop.
4. Repeat for the other earring.

Snowflake Bracelet

Blue snowflakes and a splash of silver says winter in the warmest way, don’t you think? Customize this bracelet for any age and style. Oh, be sure to make one for yourself, too!

Snowflake Bracelet

(1) A002734 – 8mm Rhodium Plated Fancy Chain Link

(1) A019633 – 3 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Eyepins

(3) A012842 – 4mm Matte Silver Plated Jump Rings

(1) A005566 – 10mm Blue Hand Painted Snowflake Lampwork Beads

(4) A008065 – 4mm Silver/White Miracle Bead

(2) A002968 – 9mm Silver Plated Bali Style Round Beads

(1) A003578 – 8mm Silver Plated Simple Round Toggle Clasp

Steps

1. Cut two equal lengths of chain.
2. Slide your beads onto the eyepin in the following order:

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Silver Plated Bali Style Round Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Snowflake Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Silver Plated Bali Style Round Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

3. Make a simple loop at the top of your eyepin.
4. Open the eyepin loop, slip one chain link into the eyepin loop and close loop.
5. Repeat for the other side of the bracelet.
6. Add a toggle bar to one end of the chain using two jump rings.
7. Add the toggle to the other chain link using a jump ring.

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

Nothing says celebrate like darling, dangling ear candy, am I right beady peeps? And since this is the time of year for pulling out all the stops on festivities, here are five new Merrily Bright Holiday Earring Kits for your DIY pleasure!

Frosty the Snowman and Penguin Santa Swarovski® Earring Kits

Everyone needs a little whimsy now and then, don’t you think? These little snowmen and penguins are just the ticket. Whether you’re gift giving to a youngster or a young-at-heart-ster, these are sure to bring a smile—not to mention they’re simple and quick!

Mini Snow Globe Swarovski® Earring KitNostalgic Nana on your nice list? These darling mini snow globe kits have the daintiest, detailed Santas just waiting to delight all ages (mostly yours). They’re very lightweight and wearable, perfect for the office.

Star Bright Swarovski® Earring Kits

Need a cup of classy cheer? Our Star Bright earring kits made with Swarovski® Artemis crystals are excellent for those holiday parties and events where you need a more elegant look. There’s nothing better than Swarovski® to deliver stylish chic. Make a red pair and a green pair, keep one earring of each and gift the other set to your BFF so you’ll have a matching “unmatched” set of earrings for the holidays. Remember our  Merrily Bright Holiday Earring Kits make great necklaces as well. Just add a chain,  leather or suede cord to your earring loop and you have an instant pair of matching necklaces! Or gift a kit to one of your “jewelry-making-wannabee” friends and guide her through the first kit. We’ve given you everything you need (you provide the tools) to ensure success and convert another pal to the wonderful world of jewelry-making!