Natural beads from a wild grass

Panyas is tropical grass plant with sword-shaped leaves and hard white spherical seeds that are used as natural seeds and nuts beads. Its seeds, also commonly known as “Job’s tears“, “Mary’s tears“, “bead plant“, or “tear drops“, take on the shape of tear droplets and are pearly white, or grayish in color. This wild grass is native to most tropical regions…

Lustrous shell cracking pendants for an elegant jewelry design

Sea mollusks (sea shells) have about them the natural luster and shine of sea water pearls. These outer coverings are made of calcium carbonate —the same mineral composition found in human and animal teeth and bones. It accounts for the shells’ natural durability against breaking when cut and shaped with metal tools. It can stand grinding and can be polished to…

Designer’s Fix: Tips on Overcoming the Creative Block

Ever faced a creative block? Like it or not, artists wrestle with these inescapable dry spells from time to time – times when you want to create, need to create, have to create, and you just can’t. For some, these frustrating episodes seem to stick around longer. Jewelry designers, likewise, struggle through such long, futile hours unable to find the…

Design tip: use silver components to enhance basic jewelry

Jewelry trends this season favor the sensual and classic styles with bigger pieces, bolder colors, and unique designs. Organic /natural materials continue to grace this cooler season with focus on the “fusion” looks —popularly, with sterling silver.

Here are some basic silver jewelry beads  and findings to complete your “fusion” designs:

An easy guide to “the effective use of color” in beaded jewelry designs

Color is practically the “lifeblood” of good design, in this case —beaded jewelry designs. Color can work for or against your design. Color can set the mood of a jewelry piece —as an example: use a playful mix of bright colors to express a “happy” design. The key, really, is to “combine” colors harmoniously in such that it attracts…

6 Jewelry Pieces That Will Elevate Your Winter Looks

The cold season is officially upon us! I bet you are ready with your turtlenecks and thick winter coats and have cleaned your favorite boots. You might even have prepared your scarves or maybe knitted new ones. You are absolutely winter ready!  But what about your jewelry?

 

As temperatures continue to drop, your jewelry styles should elevate. From statement rings,…

Stringing Materials for Your Jewelry Projects Part II

As you learn how to get creative with your jewelry projects, you’ll be mastering fundamental jewelry techniques along the way.  But instead of just learning the skills with the usual how-tos, you’ll also get more familiar with different stringing materials.

 

There are many types of materials that are available in a wide range of colors, thicknesses and finishes which we…