2018 Bead & Button Show: Lasso Drop Earrings

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.

 

 




Gift Ideas for Dad

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

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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, CH00156Z010962, CH00475 & A022075
  2. MCKR0002Z009650A001530CH00185TC01679,  TC01812,  TL00191

 

Leather Bracelets

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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. A015313A019014
  2. CH00475 & Z001235
  3. CH00126, Z003438, Z002073, A014254
  4. CH00125, Y002136Z003438
  5. CH00157, A003853, A022061

 

Gemstone Stretch Bracelets

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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

 




Beadalon® Instant Pendants

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




Paisley Duos Bracelets – Pattern Tutorial

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.

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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: SB03628SB03642, SB00106, A006585, A001528, Z007856, A021129, A015211

Paisley Leather Wrap Bracelet

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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.




Artistic Wire® Crimp Tool For Large Wire Crimp Connectors

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

 




GoodyBeads EZ DIY Series: Tassel Hoop Earrings

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

GoodyBeads | Blog: Easy DIY Tassel Hoop Earrings

Items used: A011541, Z014010, SB00106

 




BeadSmith® Magical Crimping Pliers – Video Tutorial

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:

 

 




Beadalon® Ring Jig – Video Tutorial

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:

 

 




GoodyBeads EZ DIY Series: Adjustable Flat Leather Bracelet

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.

 

EZDIY_AdjustableFlatLeather_tut1

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




Vintaj Pearl Patinas with Candie Cooper – Video Tutorial

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).

VintajPatina_image

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:

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

 

 




How to Make a Leather and Memory Wire Bracelet – Video Tutorial

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.

MemoryWire_1

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

MemoryWire_2

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

MemoryWire_3

(Fall Gemstone Trend, Turquoise Czech Glass Beads)

MemoryWire_4

(February Birthstone, March Birthstone, Naturally Coastal)




4 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

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.

MotherDayIdea_Pearls01

Make a simple knotted pearl necklace with griffin silk cord or a leather wrap memory wire bracelet from our Swarovski Wrap Bracelet Trend.

MotherDayIdea_Pearls02

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

MotherDayIdea_GlassTile

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.

MotherDayIdea_BeadPens

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.

MotherDayIdea_BeadableGifts

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!

MotherDayIdea_BeadableGifts2

(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!

MotherDayIdea_Kits01

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OR buy two and make them together.

(Kits shown: TL00197, KT00154, KT00144, KT00248, KT00176, KT00150, KT00250)

 




Artistic Wire® Conetastic Cone Mandrels – Video Tutorial

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.

 




5 Ways to Use Hand-Dyed Silk Ribbon

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

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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

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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

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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.

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

 

4 Ribbon Necklace

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!

 




Bib Connectors with Candie Cooper

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_Connectors

Bib Connector Video

 

Other Examples

Here are other examples using bib connectors.

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

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