June 2013

Made up of crystals, seed beads, and two-hole tile beads, the cute domed components in this bracelet zigzag like textured stone in a cottage garden. Quick and easy to stitch, this design will put you on a path to (almost) instant gratification.

It's a no-brainer to make flowers with Czech glass rose petal beads, but the trick is structure. Several systems of hidden support, including two-hole Czech Mate tile beads, keep this posy perfectly arranged.

This cuff-style bracelet is all elegance, from its ornate box clasp and wide, supple odd-count peyote band to the glittering rivolis that peek through rounds of bicones and layered loops of seed beads. Choose colors you wear the most for an all-occasion accessory!

Square stitch never looked so good! Cylinder beads form the background of this geometric design, and peanut beads lend the look of small rivets.

This necklace combines your favorite beading stitches: peyote, herringbone, bead weaving, and brick stitch. The butterfly and leaf components are versatile, so make the necklace as directed, or let your imagination take wing with a brambly bracelet or butterfly brooch.

Use modified right-angle weave to construct the sides of this bangle and connect them along their inside edges. Then get ready for a pop of color! Choose bright bicones or a more monochromatic hue to finish.

The ornate bead caps and netted bezels in this bracelet are reminiscent of the Victorian era. But when combined with gemstone beads, the piece takes on a modern appeal.

Get a sneak peek at the inspiring styles of the Swarovski ambassadors! This project is not available on our website. Please purchase this issue or visit Kalmbach Books to purchase Crystal Jewelry Inspiration for the step-by-step instructions. The book features how-to projects from some of the sparkliest names in the biz. The Stepping Stones Bracelet is made with African Circle Stitch, a very old and typical Zulu technique that Diane recreated by studying a piece found in the Russell-Coates Museum in Bournemouth, England.

Make your own bird charms with simple wirework skills, and assemble them into sweet, swingy earrings.

Marcia DeCoster ditches the tedium that sometimes accompanies design by breathing new life into existing components. It's easier than you think!

Using modified right-angle weave get the glow of diamonds with Swarovski cup chain, faceted briolettes, and few unexpected elements, like bugle beads and peanuts in this elegant necklace.

Embellish a crossweave bangle that's flexible and easy to roll on. Large farfalle beads (sometimes called peanut beads) stitch up quickly to create the base for this bangle, and seed bead accents offer a pop of color. With a few adjustments, you can make this bracelet with a clasp.

Diane Fitzgerald writes the Handy-Dandy Guide to crystal coatings, read about cool stuff from The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, and book reviews.

Free for everyone! Go to www.BeadAndButton.com/freeprojects to download Kerrie Slade's versatile "Spikes in Bloom" bracelet/ring/pendant.
B&B Extra
Subscribers – be sure to download your June issue of B&B Extra, available June 1 at www.BeadAndButton.com/extra!

• Embellish a herringbone bracelet by Jayashree Paramesh
• Combine crystals, pearls, and Twins for a lovely jewelry set by Michelle Heim
• Stitch a vibrant pattern with SuperDuos by Julia Hecht
• Use bails and spacer bars to make a layered bracelet by Denise Varville
  

Crystal drops, herringbone bead caps, and a few accent beads are the recipe for this elegant earrings.

Use a unique bead-weaving technique to fashion a necklace and earrings from large pearls, sparkly rondelles, seed beads, and smaller pearls.

Jewelry designers are doing amazing things with epoxy resin and clay! These five tips – straight from industry experts – will keep you safe and comfortable from start to finish.

Delicate chain, a gemstone drop, and faceted beads stream down from a silver pendant.

An artist since birth, Christi Klein can't sit still unless her hands are busy.