Celebrate fathers everywhere with gifts he can proudly wear and still be fashionable! Check out these easy DIY gift ideas to prepare for Father’s Day.

Leather Keychain

Keychains are a smart gift to give Dad! Make it a memorable accessory that he can hang his keys from! From our Facebook Live show, we showed how easy it is to make braided leather keychains. And from a previous Father’s Day post, we did a tutorial on riveting flat leather for a simplistic keychain with a stamped dogtag charm.

Components from left picture to right:

1. CH00474 & Z010962, CH00156 & Z010962, CH00475 & A022075
2. MCKR0002, Z009650, A001530, CH00185, TC01679,  TC01812,  TL00191

Leather Bracelets

Create a modern leather bracelet with round and Regaliz® leather. From our Men’s Bracelet trend, these leather bracelets will never go out of style. Leather bracelets with a touch of silver makes accessorizing with men’s fashion easily from casual denim to a neat blazer.

Bracelet components from left to right:

1. A015313 & A019014
2. CH00475 & Z001235
3. CH00126, Z003438, Z002073, A014254
4. CH00125, Y002136, Z003438
5. CH00157, A003853, A022061

Gemstone Stretch Bracelets

From rock stars to movie stars, you see more men wearing stretch bracelets everywhere. We especially love a bracelet of all Gemstones like these dark Sardonyx or mix it up some gemstones with silver spacers or beads. Check our Easy Elastic Bracelet Tutorial to learn how to make a stretch bracelet with a surgeon’s knot. Or use the Elastic Cord Needle and watch how Beadalon® finishes off their stretch bracelet in this Vendor Video Post.

Bracelet bead components from left to right:

1. SDW10RD-8
2. TGE8RDLH-F-8 , BCL8RD-8 , (2) TC00340, (6) TC00032

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

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 these tassel hoop earrings with a few products and a flat nose plier. Check out this EZ DIY in creating your own simple boho-style earrings.

Tutorial

Items used: A011541, Z014010, SB00106

Watch as BeadSmith demonstrates how the Magical Crimping Pliers (TL00288) is used. The end result is MAGICAL!

We love how easy it is to use the Magical Crimping Pliers and how the tool cinches the outer parts of the crimp tube, thus creating what looks like a small 2mm bead. Pick this tool up today! It’ll be your new favorite tool!
What you’ll need for this video tutorial:

• Magical Crimping Pliers
• 2mm crimp – Make sure these crimp tubes/beads are sized at 2mm x 2mm.

Watch as Wyatt White from Beadalon shows how easy it is to create customized adjustable rings using the Ring Jig Tool.

Who doesn’t love adjustable rings? Especially when you can make them yourself and add small beads or charms!

What you will first need are the following for this video tutorial:

• Ring Jig Findings Form (TL00280)
• String Materials – Beadalon Half Hard Wire 
• Flat nose pliers tool
• Optional – Seed Beads

Be creative by painting with Vintaj Patinas. Tory and special guest, Candie Cooper, will show you how easy it is to design and paint with Pearl Vintaj Patina (TL00286).

Vintaj Patinas are a water-base paint that is popular to use in painting jewelry components like metal charms and beads. You can even use them on leather, wood or other surfaces. They adhere well after a few seconds or minutes of drying time.

A few items to get before you Patina:

• Metal Charms, Nunn Designs or Vintaj Charms
• Vintaj Patinas 
• Vintaj Metal Reliefing Block or Sanding Sponges
• Soft bristle brush

You aren’t limited to only metal charms. As an optional surface, you can check out Metal Blanks with various sizes and shapes and TierraCast Charms is also a fun alternative to textured surfaces for Patinas.

Video Tutorial

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)

Artistic Wire shows how easy it is to assemble and make wire cones using the Contastic Inverted Mandrels in this video tutorial. Learn how to use this nifty tool today!

We are inspired to show you this video tutorial from Artistic Wire on how to make wire wrapped cones using the Contastic Cone Mandrel (Item# TL00209). Use to make bead caps, connectors, or as a holiday tree charm like in our previous blog post.

Video Tutorial

We would love to know what you think of the tool and how you use it in your jewelry making.

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!

So Vang has created these beautiful Honeycomb Rosebud earrings using Czech Honeycomb, SuperDuos, Miyuki seed beads and the Oval Groovy Bead Frame. Check out this FREE tutorial on how to make your own.

Inspired by the gorgeous Frida Kahlo and the iconic flowers in her hair, is a pair of beautiful earrings that Frida would’ve love to wear!

Supplies you will need:

• Czech Honeycomb Beads – Try out the NEW Laser Core Honeycomb beads.
• Czech SuperDuo
• Miyuki Round Seed Bead – Size 8 and size 11
• Oval Bead Frames (Z019139/Z019142/Z019145)
• Beading Needle (A015211)
• Fireline Beading Thread
• 4mm, 5mm or 6mm jump rings with a 24-Gauge or up to a 20-Gauge wire.
• Earring Findings
• Optional: Fiber Tassels with cap
• And FREE Honeycomb Rosebud Oval Earrings Tutorial

Make sure to try different colors and combinations even a monochromatic purple pair of earrings with cream seed beads.

Don’t forget to get the FREE Honeycomb Rosebud Oval Earrings Tutorial!

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

We love leather and GoodyBeads has a large selection of leather and leather findings to choose from. Our inspiration for today’s tutorial is creating a casual leather bracelet for anyone to wear. We love its masculine, simplicity, and rawness of the licorice leather with leather cord coils. Check out this tutorial and make one today!

Components

The components you will need for this bracelet are simple:

• Licorice Leather
• 2mm Leather Cord
• Licorice Clasp
• Super New Glue
• Tool: Flat-Nose Pliers

Tutorial

Items used: A015821, A022052, A022076/Z028648, A015313

Featured from the trend 2018 Pantone Color of the Year: Ultra Violet, these silk ribbon tassel earrings are fun and flirty to wear. Learn to make these pair of earrings with a video tutorial.

Vergata ribbon is typically used for Kumihimo braiding, but we are using them as tassels because they create lovely thick tassels that are great for earrings or even a necklace tassel. Below is a video tutorial making tassels with vergata ribbon as well as other examples of using this technique.

Video Tutorial

Start by cutting a 5 feet long vergata ribbon. Tie the two ends together to create a loop. Using your four fingers, start wrapping the ribbon loop loosely around them, creating a width of 3″ of ribbon. Watch and follow as we use a 6″ piece of wire to make the tassel and adding a cap and beads to finish the earring dangle.

Items used: Z019287, A010156, Z001286, A002225, TCZ0078, AW00031, SB00422

Small Ribbon Tassel Earrings

In our Ribbon Tassel Earrings trend, these tassels are smaller and dainty. Use 3 feet of vergata ribbon and after you’ve tied the two ends together, wrap the ribbon loops around two fingers loosely. Follow the rest of the video to add a cap and beads.

Items used:

• (Blue) A015419, A021118, A003563, A007499, SW00208, SB00422, AW00031
• (Pink) A015420, A021118, A003563, A007499, SWz0694, SB00422, AW00031

Tory’s Make and Take class was a HIT at the Twin Cities Bead Bazaar! It consists of Dakota Stones® faceted large-hole gemstones and TierraCast® new collection: Vida Más Dulce. We are happy to share with you this necklace and a tutorial you can make!

Items Used:

• TC02370 (1 pc)
• TC02360 (1 pc)
• TC02352 (1 pc)
• TC00708 (1 pc)
• TC01491 (12 pc)
• A022070
• MIX8RLLH-F-8

Tools:

• TL00222
• A013729
• Scissors

Tutorial

1. Start by cutting the leather for your tassel. For a long tassel cut 4 pcs of leather at 5”, 4.5”, 4” and 3.5”. For a short Tassel start with 3.5” and cut the others at 3.25”, 3 and 2.75”.
2. Put the 4 ends of your cut leather into the cord end and crimp the cord end on both sides with a non-serrated or nylon Pliers. Make sure to squeeze both sides or you may loose a piece of leather on either end.
3. Add a spacer bead, gemstone and spacer bead to each piece of leather cord in your tassel and tie a overhand knot at the end. Pull tight so they do not come undone. Make any adjusts you need to the tassel length at this time.
4. Measure how long you want your necklace to be around your neck. Take this length and double it and cut. Then cut a second piece the same length.
5. String your leather thru the top holes of the TierraCast connector piece. Then trim the ends of your leather to a point, to make it easier to slide on your beads. On each side string both pieces of leather thru the spacer bead, gemstone bead and another spacer bead.
6. Pick one side to add your button to and put one piece of leather cord from that side thru each of your button holes and do an overhand knot with both cords. Then do a second over hand knot under the button and pull it up so it is flush with the button.
7. On the other side do an overhand knot at the top and then about a half an inch down, add a second overhand knot and this will become your button hole to act as a clasp for your necklace.
8. Open your jump ring and add your tassel and the bottom hole of the TierraCast Connector. Close your jump ring.