Sailing Away Earring Tutorial

For many beaders, there are few things more fun and satisfying than whipping up a pair of fringed brick stitch earrings. The classic design is easy to make and offers lots of fun possibilities for pattern and color play. You can create all kinds of variation within the fringe by tapering, adding drop beads, or incorporating a pattern. This week I discovered that brick stitch earrings are also a great backdrop for silhouettes.

In the nautical-themed March bead box from Blueberry Cove Beads, subscribers got so many wonderful treasures, including a lovely packet of wooden cut-out charms with a sailboat motif. I was totally taken with these pretties instantly because they would go so well with my favorite tagua-slice-and-St.Petersburg necklace design. Front-drilled charms and pendants are great for layering as a unique focal. However, since the charms came in pairs – two each in white, pale blue, and navy – I decided to experiment with earring designs instead, and the Sailing Away earrings were born.

Lightweight wooden beads and charms are ideal for earrings, and are a great way to add oomph without making earrings too heavy. You could also use tagua nut slices, shell charms, or mini pendants.

To create these earrings you’ll need a few grams of 11/o seed beads in three colors, and one matching 8/o seed bead color. You’ll also need some lightweight front-drilled charms or pendants, like the sailboat cut-outs, jumprings, and earring findings. For the example project I used an ocean sunset palette of orange, purple, and navy blue, but any color trio would look great!

Sailing Away Silhouette Fringe Earrings

1. Attach a stop bead to 2 yards (1.8 m) of beading thread, leaving a 6 inch (15cm) tail. Pick up 6 seed beads and slide them down to the end.

2. Working in square stitch, add 6 rows of beadwork for a total of seven vertical columns of beads.

3. Anchor the thread by stitching down through the 6th column, and back up through the 7th column again.

4. Pick up 2 seed beads. Skipping the nearest bridge of thread between the top beads, needle under the following bridge, moving towards you. Gently pull the thread snug to bring the new beads into place along the top of the beadwork.

5. Stitch up through the 2nd bead just added and pull snug, being careful not to cross or splice the threads.

6. Pick up 1 seed bead. Pass the needle under the next thread bridge at the top of the beadwork and pull snug. Stitch up through the new bead.

7. Repeat step 6 until you reach the end of the beadwork and all of the bridge threads are covered. Stitch up through the last bead added. Flip the beadwork to start the new row.

8. Repeat steps 4-7 until you have a row with just 2 beads. Pick up 1 size 8/o seed bead, and 13 size 11/o seed beads.

9. Stitch back down through the 8/o and into the opposite brick-stitch bead in the final row to secure the loop.

10. Pass down through the beads at the edge of the brick stitch section and all of the beads in the outer square stitch column.

11. Anchor the thread by stitch up through a few beads in the next column, then back down through the same number of beads in the outer column to exit from the bottom. Leave the working thread for now.

12. Remove the stop bead from the tail thread and weave it into the beadwork, passing through the loop section at least once to add strength. Trim.

13. Pick up the working thread again. String about 3cm of size 11/o seed beads, 1 size 8/o seed bead, and a size 11/o.

14. Skipping the last bead picked up, stitch up through the 8/o seed bead and the rest of the strand. Stitch up through a few beads in the square stitch section, then down through the same number of beads in the next column. Check the tension on the fringe.

15. Continue adding strands of fringe, tapering as desired, until you have 7 strands.

16. Weave up into the center of the brick stitch section. Pick up a silhouette charm and 2 size 11/o seed beads. Skipping the 2nd bead added, pass back through the 1st seed bead and the charm, and needle through to the back of the beadwork. Pull snug.

17. Working from the back of the beadwork, stitch through the nearest seed bead. Weave around to retrace the thread path through the charm, then secure any remaining thread and trim.

18. Attach a jump ring and ear wire to the loop. Repeat to make a second matching earring.

Happy beading!

Mortira

I would like to thank Blueberry Cove Beads for giving me the chance to try out the Nautical Bead Box. Inspiration Beading has not received compensation for including products in this post.

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Copyright 2016 Inspirational Beading

Bead Color Ideas: Blue Mother of Pearl

With summer just around the corner I’m looking forward to light and airy designs, aquatic themes, and lots of gorgeous color. For this week’s bead colors I started with a strand of aqua blue mother of pearl coins that I’ve just barely tapped into. They’re always sitting in my stash, calling out to be used, but I rarely have any ideas for their shape. The best solution, of course, is to find the perfect color palette and wait for inspiration to strike.

I didn’t have any particular colors or themes in mind when I started looking for seed beads to back up these coins. I just pulled out colors that I thought would look good and then matched them up. My first trio features the always ready-to-work transparent medium topaz for a lovely beachy look. I added a dash of flotsam in the form of metallic olivine. I love the moody earthiness of this particular color, which works really well with the nacre patina on many of the coins. The Baked Boardwalk trio would be great in a design with lots of geometric elements - perhaps a cuff bracelet or some brick-stitched fringe earrings.

I’ve really been in the mood for my precious white-heart seed beads lately, so I was quick to grab what’s left of my cobalt stash. The glow of white hearts plays really nicely with the shimmery shells. To complete this palette I ended up with some buttercream Ceylon with its barely perceptible hints of pale yellow and an equally pretty shimmer. Though Vanilla Milkshake doesn’t pop quite as much as the first palette, it still has plenty of potential. I’d love to use in in an ombré-style design with the shells spanning between the seed bead colors. An asymmetrical mulistrand necklace would be perfect.

Finally, I couldn’t resist some transparent cherry red to get a coral and turquoise effect. This color combination always makes me happy and eager to get creating. It’s equally great for aquatic, Western, and ancient Egyptian themes. I added a backdrop of jet black 8/o's to really make both colors shine. The Fire Urchin palette would be lovely in something fringed, as well as netting. It would be so much fun to make a scarf lariat in this palette.

What colors do you like to use in summer designs?

Mortira

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Bead Giveaway: From the Beach

I’m almost finished with this year’s stash clean up. My bead collection is starting to look really polished and much more ‘me’ than ever before. I’ve got quite a few destash beads to giveaway yet, and this month it’s all about the beach (again!). This prize pack includes a big handful of lovely cowry shells that are perfect for hemp jewelry and mixed media projects, plus a dollop of pretty mother of pearl chips. I’ve had some really great times working with these beads, but it’s time for them to find a more worthy home.

How to Enter

For a chance to win all of the beads shown, leave a comment on this post letting us know what your favorite beach-themed bead palette is. One lucky reader will be drawn on Tuesday, July 14th. This giveaway is open to readers in Canada and the US.

Important: Please make sure to leave your comment directly on InspirationalBeading.blogspot.com to enter. No log-in is required, but please make sure to leave an email address or contact link in your comment, so that you can be reached if you win. Incomplete or duplicate entries will not be included in the draw.

Good luck, and happy beading!

Update: This giveaway has closed.

Copyright 2015 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Color Ideas: Beach Glass

The found object and sea treasure appeal of beach glass is what made it a popular item for everything from knickknack bowls to jewelry, but those aren’t the only reasons why we love it. The warm glow of sand polished glass in soft colors is hard to resist for any magpie, which is why so many bead companies and artisans strive to recreate the look in a less rare - and sometimes more affordable - variety.

With the spirit of beach glass in mind, I started this month’s bead palettes with not one, but two accent beads. I couldn’t bear to decide between the two colors, each with their own summery appeal. And after all, a single seed bead color can do a lot with the right accents and patterns. Today’s trios include Indonesian glass in gorgeous tropical lime green, and beachy frosted teal. Together they look like a mermaid’s treasure - all they need is a great background.

I started with an obvious choice - the warm sandy color of transparent topaz really adds a beachy vibe. The slightly orange hue also contrasts perfectly with both the lime and teal, making for a very tasty trio. Grotto would look fabulous in a freeform piece, inspired by flotsam and jetsam on a hidden beach.

Next I wanted to really enhance the sourness of the lime rondelles, and turned to an old favorite that looks right at home with rustic bead shapes. Turquoise blue white-hearts glow even brighter than warm tropical waters, and add a lot of light to the palette. Aloha would look gorgeous in a multi-strand piece inspired by gently lapping waves.

Last but not least, I wanted to cool things down a bit with a much darker color. Black would have been much too easy, although the Java beads would look amazing on a stark neutral backdrop. Instead I went with the decidedly purple tones of cobalt iris. The shimmering finish is great for any aquatic inspired piece, and the violets and indigos play so nicely with the teal. Reef would be the perfect palette for a rope necklace or lariat with bead cluster focals.

Do you like the look and mood of beach glass in your designs? Do you prefer the handmade or traditional style?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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July Bead Stash Favorites

Summer and the beach go together like carnivals and cotton candy - especially when you live in a cold climate. The few months of the year when it’s warm enough to swim outdoors are precious, so it’s no wonder that July and August are favorite months of aquatic themed designs.

Although I’m feeling pretty swamped with the approaching deadline for my Egyptian Gods challenge less than six months from now, I can’t help but be inspired by sunny weather and days at the beach. Right now, all of my bead favorites are fit for mermaids.

Shell and pearl beads are one of my biggest bead weaknesses. They are natural and sustainable, but they’re a little on the anonymous side, so I try to keep my consumption to a minimum. This is tough, because I adore the natural, organic patterns and colors in shell beads. Right now I’m craving a project for this gorgeous strand of hammer shell heishi from Happy Mango Beads. The chip shapes and soft browns are so perfectly beachy.

Ladder-stitching Egyptian inspired cuffs has really helped me get over my fear of thread-fraying bugle beads, and they’ve really grown on me. I’m starting to build up a stash of bugles again, and right now my favorites are these lovely satin aqua tubes from Shipwreck Beads. Not only do they have a great tropical hue, but the finish is perfect for breezy summer designs.

The newest addition to my stash are these pretty turquoise Rizo seed beads from Fusion Beads. I haven’t had a chance to try them out yet, but I’m eager to see how they play in my designs. I love the uniform shape, which should provide the same effect as drops, but with a little more sharpness.

What kinds of beads are you working with right now?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Wear It Twice: Sand and Shell

With summer heat in full swing, all I can think about is ocean breezes, ice cream, and cool clothing. 'Cool' here meaning garments that help to beat the heat, like lightweight fabrics and pale neutrals. So I went on the hunt for some summery outfits that would go perfectly with a beachy necklace.

I started with a great statement necklace in white mother of pearl, with chunky cabochons that are perfect for a day at the beach. Hints of sandy taupe and tropical turquoise make for a refreshing palette, without out-shining the paleness of the shell.

White Sand Splash by mortira featuring tote handbags

I chose garments in linen and chiffon - perfect for catching a wisp of breeze. Strappy sandals and simple accessories keep with the theme of light and breezy. All that’s left to add is an icy pina colada!

It was a little tougher than usual to find handmade and vintage pieces to match this month’s collage, so I also sprinkled in a few beach inspired art prints.

If you like these looks, here are few beach inspired jewelry tutorials to try!

Tidal Treasures Necklace
Don’t Mesh with Me Necklace

Fill Me In Earrings
Fairy Wings Earrings

America Sparkles Mutlistrand Bracelet
Beachy Keen Bracelet
Growing Tall Multistrand Bracelet
Strands of Sparkle Bracelet

And here are my favorite Polyvore sets featuring this month’s picks.

A day at sea.. by mariapia65 featuring current elliott boyfriend jeans

Summer Fun by roseyrose27 featuring a raffia handbag

Untitled #97 by anne-symanski-goranson featuring shell jewelry

The Avatar State by sunshineowlnew featuring roman gladiator sandals

Seaside Romance by hatsgaloore featuring a metallic dress

What are your favorite colors to wear in summer? Do they carry over to your summer jewelry designs as well?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Tropical Neon Cuff

I’m spending my ‘weekend’ working on some crafty non-bead projects, so I just have a quick update for you today. If things work out, I’ll share the results of my experiment next week!

One thing that was bound to come up during the destash quest were those wonderfully abundant mother of pearl chips that we’ve seen time and time again. I’ve completely depleted the supply of square shaped beads that are suitable for neckwear, which leaves only a few options for working with these beads.

The cluster cuff that I made last time turned our really well, so I decided to give it another shot, and use up some forgotten seed beads at the same time. I combined neon orange with hot pink to start, which looked great together - and not much else. For just a hint of contrast, I had to part with a few white-lined aqua beads, which turned out just right.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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A Bracelet a Week: Blue Shells

This week’s bracelet was a bit of a last minute success. I was really sidetracked with other projects, and I needed a simple design that I could create in just a few days. While I was putting away shell beads from a necklace I had just finished, some blue mother of pearl rectangles jumped out at me.

I’ve only used them once before, in my SOS necklace, and since then I’ve been at a loss for what to use them for. Sometimes I wonder why I bother buying accent beads, since I don’t really do stringing, and I often have to hold on to things forever before an idea takes hold. Luckily, something usually comes along, and it often works out, too.

I was a little surprised by how easy it was to come up with a technique for using the rectangles after all this time, and I worried that it wouldn’t turn out as well as planned. I used a combination of right angle weave and ladder stitch to weave the shells together in a simply line, added a button, and voila! I’m actually quite happy with how it turned out., especially with the beachy combination of blue and topaz.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Wear It Twice: Poolside

I didn’t fully understand the purpose of bathing suits that can’t get wet, until I started making jewelry. Fashion doesn’t have boundaries - it goes everywhere, and so does jewelry. And just because you’re wearing a fabulous bathing suit, doesn’t mean you plan to go swimming. Maybe all you want to do is get a great tan.

In any case, if your swimwear is just for looks, then there’s no reason not to accessorize it. Today, I wanted to look at some fun ways to pair jewelry with bathing suits, for hot summer days on the patio. I started with a statement piece that is a vacation essential - a shell necklace. The one I picked looks wonderfully tropical with shell donuts and strands of tiny wood beads.

Swimsuit Additions by Mortira featuring a beaded bikini

I tried to create two unique looks for different tastes. One is a little more conservative and a little tribal inspired. The other is a bit daring and a lot more uptown. The palette of orange and aqua, with hints of warm brown and yellow is great for the pool, the beach, or the backyard.



For the handmade and vintage alternatives, I decided to take a look around Etsy this month. The selection of bathing suits is much broader, and I was able to find two that fit perfectly with the theme. It was hard to choose just a few necklaces, and I couldn’t resist adding the aqua lampwork nautilus.

Last but not least, here are just a few of my favorite Polyvore sets featuring today’s picks:

Let's go to the beach... by CukrausVata featuring beige handbags

beachyyy:D by <3Rachel:) featuring boho necklaces

♥ by ThanyuzhK featuring an orange tote

HOT HOT Summer by FashionQueen76 featuring paper hats

What’s your favorite bathing suit style? Have you ever worn your jewelry to the beach?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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