Best Gemstone Beading Websites for Ideas/Designs?

[minousbijoux]

So years ago, there were monthly beading magazines with patterns and how tos for making gemstone jewelry. Since everything is now online, where do you all go for ideas, designs and step by steps - beyond basic stringing instruction? I've searched youtube videos, but found it to be quite hit or miss. Any suggestions?

I have the tools and supplies and, for the first time in years, have the time to devote to creating again.

Calling @stracci2000, @Daisys and Diamonds, @LD, @Autumn in New England and all other stringers and jewelry makers! Thank you in advance for any links, sites, and recommendations.

 

[stracci2000]

So years ago, there were monthly beading magazines with patterns and how tos for making gemstone jewelry. Since everything is now online, where do you all go for ideas, designs and step by steps - beyond basic stringing instruction? I've searched youtube videos, but found it to be quite hit or miss. Any suggestions?

I have the tools and supplies and, for the first time in years, have the time to devote to creating again.

Calling @stracci2000, @Daisys and Diamonds, @LD, @Autumn in New England and all other stringers and jewelry makers! Thank you in advance for any links, sites, and recommendations.

To get ideas, I usually visit a bead or craft store to see the strands in person. Handling the beads will give me lots of ideas. Sometimes I will find a necklace that I want to take apart. So right away I can envision what I want to do with it.
I never had luck with instructional videos except for pearl stringing techniques.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

So years ago, there were monthly beading magazines with patterns and how tos for making gemstone jewelry. Since everything is now online, where do you all go for ideas, designs and step by steps - beyond basic stringing instruction? I've searched youtube videos, but found it to be quite hit or miss. Any suggestions?

I have the tools and supplies and, for the first time in years, have the time to devote to creating again.

Calling @stracci2000, @Daisys and Diamonds, @LD, @Autumn in New England and all other stringers and jewelry makers! Thank you in advance for any links, sites, and recommendations.

fingers crossed this thread is fruitful

i just see things i like either actually on customers at work (i work in an older affluent part of town so its nothing overly trendy) or stuff i see here that gives me inspiration - sometimes i just randomly google

but i must say ive had no luck inspiration wise googerling whitby jet so its been trial and error (a lot of error)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

So years ago, there were monthly beading magazines with patterns and how tos for making gemstone jewelry. Since everything is now online, where do you all go for ideas, designs and step by steps - beyond basic stringing instruction? I've searched youtube videos, but found it to be quite hit or miss. Any suggestions?

I have the tools and supplies and, for the first time in years, have the time to devote to creating again.

Calling @stracci2000, @Daisys and Diamonds, @LD, @Autumn in New England and all other stringers and jewelry makers! Thank you in advance for any links, sites, and recommendations.

im really looking forward to see what you do
im finding the selection and purchase of findings extremely difficult
At least initially im planning on sending mine out for professional assembly/ knotting/ stringing because i doubt i have the dexterity to do a good enough job
but some of my 'error purchases' i would like to knot up myself if for nothing else than practice

may i just ask ?
does a rope usually have a clasp ?

i would love to see necklaces using round gold/ silver spacer beads with the size of said beads because i have nooooooo idea what im doing
i don't even know how to change the battery in my calipers that i have no idea how to use (hence some of my error purchases)

 

[LD]

Are you looking at drilled gemstones to make simple jewellery or seed beads or more elaborate designs using wire to create baskets? There’s a Uk TV station called jewellery maker and they give lots of demonstrations. Create & Craft and also Hobby something all have demonstrations but I honestly don’t know if you can view them in the US.

 

[minousbijoux]

may i just ask ?
does a rope usually have a clasp ?

i would love to see necklaces using round gold/ silver spacer beads with the size of said beads because i have nooooooo idea what im doing
i don't even know how to change the battery in my calipers that i have no idea how to use (hence some of my error purchases)

@Daisys and Diamonds: adding your question again so we can get some good answers. And thanks for your reply!

 

[minousbijoux]

To get ideas, I usually visit a bead or craft store to see the strands in person. Handling the beads will give me lots of ideas. Sometimes I will find a necklace that I want to take apart. So right away I can envision what I want to do with it.
I never had luck with instructional videos except for pearl stringing techniques.

i just see things i like either actually on customers at work (i work in an older affluent part of town so its nothing overly trendy) or stuff i see here that gives me inspiration - sometimes i just randomly google

@stracci2000 and @Daisys and Diamonds: of course you both are so good that you can just let inspiration strike and go from there! I'm unfortunately back at the give-me-some-basic-steps so I don't end up creating strings of different lengths only to put them together and find they just don't look right...or realize there is a better attachment method than the standard crimp beads. While this once might've been second nature, I'm afraid I'm back at the pretty basic starting point these days, sigh.

 

[minousbijoux]

Are you looking at drilled gemstones to make simple jewellery or seed beads or more elaborate designs using wire to create baskets? There’s a Uk TV station called jewellery maker and they give lots of demonstrations. Create & Craft and also Hobby something all have demonstrations but I honestly don’t know if you can view them in the US.

Honestly, I have everything, from crystals and seed beads to gemstone beads but I'm most keen on using the many dollars' worth of excellent quality gemstones (sapphires, mandarin garnets) I bought just before I stopped years ago. These are drilled rondelles and briolettes, and simple multi-strand stringing or wire wrapping - nothing as elaborate as what you do!

 

[lilmosun]

If you are looking for ideas of patterns - get those everywhere - stores, magazines, on-line, etc. Take or save a picture of these ideas.

I can't help with on-line tutorials but if you have a local independent bead shop, they are a great resource for learning different techniques. They can also help for advising on the best type of materials to use (wire gauge, type of stringing material) based on the pattern, hole size, weight and other factors). I find learning how isn't as confusing as picking the right type of materials to use.

As an FYI - A lot of the more elaborate beading patterns like those found in the old beading magazines don't work well unless the beads are calibrated - one reason I used to stick with swarovski instead of cheap chinese crystals depending on the pattern. For the same reason, many might not be ideal for natural gemstone beads.

 

[oceanblue]

Hi there, I too have just started (this summer) to string pearls/beads with new and old supplies.

I get my inspiration and tips from the pearl area of price scope and another pearl forum that has a beading area for inspiration.

As someone else mentioned supplies are very important and lots of suggestions from the two forums.

I just fast forward through the videos until I find one that I like and is easy to follow.

Here is what I have learned so far.

Knotting beads with thread - by far the most advanced method. If you like to sew you will probably love it. Needles needed.

Stretch cord - easy and fun, gets your beads on wrist to look at and get inspiration. No needle. All sizes, will fit any bead hole.

Leather cord - really easy to make and redo, if you don't like the boho look probably not for you. Only good for beads with bigger holes.

Coated wire - no needle needed but need clasp - crimp beads - pliers. Takes practice to get right. 49 strand best quality.

SIZE OF THE BEAD HOLE IS IMPORTANT. My higher end gem beads have very small holes and thin elastic will fail at some point, leather cord is to thick so I must use the coated wire.

This is where I am on my journey, trying to create bracelets (way faster than a necklace)to use up and get inspiration.

Vendors

These supplies are all recommended by someone on either this website or another forum.

Supplies

local craft stores
Rio grande
ottofrio
fire mountain gems
Bella findings

On etsy I really like
The Gem Bee
JLDreamworks

Via murano - sells tornado crimp beads which apparently are the best and neat jump rings that don't require a torch. Also have good videos

Inter Gem show comes every three months with a sea of beads to choose. I found that the vendors keep the higher end beads out of sight or displayed separately.

An in person class, though I have yet to go to one, is a great idea.

I could go on and on, but enough for now.

 

[minousbijoux]

Darn! I was really hoping there was a secret handshake and lo and behold, there would be a site that had just what I was looking for Guess its back to scrolling through youtube vids and checking out websites offering free patterns.

Thank you all - if inspiration strikes, I'll share any creations. And anybody who wants to share theirs (ahem, that's you @Autumn in New England and @Daisys and Diamonds), please do as we never get tired of seeing the creativity of others!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

you know what i wish ?
(in the middle of a never ending global pandemic )
that someone in my town would hold a pearl knotting class
but my town is probably too small - evwn though it is overflowing with strands of pearls that need restraining

the best class i ever did was a crochet class where i learnt to read a pattern (US and English have a very important difference)
but that was back in Wellington at a very popular handcraft shop - i really hope they are still in bussiness
it was the sort of place you could ask am i buying the right thing ?
i need to be able to see the findings and hold them in my hands to know im buying the right thing

the lady down south who im sending my knotting to usually does classes but because of the pandemic she is inky doing private classes - that's what i want !
like a few hours with @yssie or @MakingTheGrade or any of our other pearl princesses

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@stracci2000 and @Daisys and Diamonds: of course you both are so good that you can just let inspiration strike and go from there! I'm unfortunately back at the give-me-some-basic-steps so I don't end up creating strings of different lengths only to put them together and find they just don't look right...or realize there is a better attachment method than the standard crimp beads. While this once might've been second nature, I'm afraid I'm back at the pretty basic starting point these days, sigh.

sometimes i just wake up in the morning and finally i know what to do from a purely creative solution - but i come up very short on the practicality of how to actually do it

ive desided to concentrate on getting all my gemstone/ pearl components and then doing a massave migraine inducing findings order to finish everything off to be ready for finishing - shipping costs have become a major factor as has the price of gold and a plummeting NZ dollar so i don't want to make further mistakes as returning purchase from down here will no doubt be problematic to the pont of being near on impossible

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

this thread would be better with pictures
@Autumn in New England should provide some inspiration for us
(all my projects are unfinished)

 

[lilmosun]

Thank you all - if inspiration strikes, I'll share any creations. And anybody who wants to share theirs (ahem, that's you @Autumn in New England and @Daisys and Diamonds), please do as we never get tired of seeing the creativity of others!

Yes - I would love to see this. I tried to start a thread but it pretty much went nowhere.

Jewelry Making Hobbyists - Show Your Projects Please

I've seen PSers mentions/show their personally handmade jewelry pieces/projects in various posts but thought it would be fun to see them in one place along with any details you care to share. Placing it in FFJ as while some may use real stones, others use Swarovski crystals/pearls, seed...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yes - I would love to see this. I tried to start a thread but it pretty much went nowhere.

Jewelry Making Hobbyists - Show Your Projects Please

I've seen PSers mentions/show their personally handmade jewelry pieces/projects in various posts but thought it would be fun to see them in one place along with any details you care to share. Placing it in FFJ as while some may use real stones, others use Swarovski crystals/pearls, seed...

www.pricescope.com

i remembered your thread but i had/ still have nothing finished

i can't help but wonder if a thread like this would do better in the pearl dept?
i mean pearls are basically beads just made by a shellfish so pearly people have lots of wonferdul creative ideas that can be adapted for gemstone beads

 

[LD]

Girls - Pearl knitting is easy peasie and so is threading pre-drilled stones. Wire wrapping is a bit more challenging but there’s a lady that does great tutorials (not expensive) where you can use her tutorials and add stones. I’ll try to find a link for you.

 

[LD]

Ok so some tutorials here: https://www.jewellerymaker.com/en-gb/how-to/ these cover different techniques for beading.

 

[LD]

This is Nicole Hannah’s wire wrapping website. Her tutorials are really easy to follow. https://www.nicolehannajewelry.com/video-tutorials.html

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, thank you @LD! Can't wait to check them out. I realize that I lack patience for videos, but now that I've reconciled myself to it, I have found some helpful ones too.

@Daisys and Diamonds: I have to say pearl knotting/stringing is actually incredibly easy once you get over two (small) hurdles: getting the right size/color silk for the pearls, and practicing so that you get the knots in close proximity to the pearls.

The nicest necklace I ever made with pearl knotting was a fresh water blush pearl and mandarin garnet rondelle twisted two strand necklace. It was so beautiful and I wore it often. I strung it on blush pink silk, painstakingly knotting between each pearl and tiny rondelle (as @LD has pointed out, it was a bit of a challenge because not all of the mandarins had drill holes big enough for the silk). I wore it several times, loved it, but then stopped wearing necklaces and gave it to my good friend. She wore it a lot, but haven't seen her wear it lately and think that the mandarins probably finally wore through the silk and it frayed and snapped somewhere. And no one in their right mind would be silly enough to restring it, I'm sure!

 

[yssie]

For pearls - hand reamers are the greatest inventions ever!!

I like to have the thread “fill up” the drill holes… So I use as thick a thread as I can. But that leaves no room to double back to finish the strand!! Reaming out the last couple pearls makes all the headaches and snapped-at-the-last-step irritations disappear

 

[minousbijoux]

For pearls - hand reamers are the greatest inventions ever!!

I like to have the thread “fill up” the drill holes… So I use as thick a thread as I can. But that leaves no room to double back to finish the strand!! Reaming out the last couple pearls makes all the headaches and snapped-at-the-last-step irritations disappear

Ooh, excellent tip! I bought a a good quality bead reamer years ago but then abruptly stopped having time for it, so never ended up using it. Now I'll have to take it out and practice.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@agingsparkle do you want to chime in ?