Bijoux Ornament

I bought some large Swarovski crystals and pearls because I thought I'd design some holiday ornaments but I just can't seem to get inspired by these large beads. They sure are pretty but I'm not feeling the love. So... I decided to try a different approach and used these beads on one of my earring patterns, the Bijoux Earrings, with the following changes:

• Instead of 6 lb. FireLine, I used 8 lb. FireLine.
• Instead of 11/0 seed beads, I used 8/0 seed beads.
• Instead of 4mm bicone crystals, I used 8mm bicone crystals.
• Instead of 4mm glass pearls, I used 8mm glass pearls.
• I used a larger 4mm jump ring, which I attached to a hook.
• In Steps 12 and 13 where it says to add five seed beads, I found that you have to add six seed beads.
• And in most of the steps, I went back around through the beads to make the ornament stiffer and less floppy.

It's about 3 inches long and 1.75 inches wide, and I'm quite sure my purple-loving Mum-in-law will want it for her tree :)

The Netted Cab

I've been using peyote to bezel rivolis but Ruby has a step-by-step tutorial up on how to use netting to bezel—The Netted Cab:

Beading in the Rain

I am always amazed at the beautiful rivolis available on eBay (and heaven knows, I have spent a small fortune on them). Beading in the Rain constantly wows me. They always have some great auctions going but their "Buy It Now" selection is also worth a long look.

In addition, Beading in the Rain is one of the few shops where you can buy Swarovksi rivolis with special coatings. I just received some 12mm Mystic Shimmer rivolis that I won in an auction and the picture just does not do them justice because they are so beautiful:

I have also purchased Beading in the Rain's Water Lily, Peacock, Mystic Crystal and Glacier Blue rivolis—all equally lovely, especially the Peacock rivolis because they are so unique:

new pattern uploaded: the Spotlight Bracelet & Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: Spotlight Bracelet & Earrings, $5, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

FREE! Part II

More wonderful and FREE beadweaving patterns on the Web:

Alexis Beads/Perlen
Alexis is known for having one of the most comprehensive lists of beading links on the Web but she has also posted numerous beautiful free patterns, available in English, German and French and downloadable in PDF form:

Bead-Patterns.com
If you click on the "Free" tab, you will find over 300 free beading patterns, stitch instructions and tips, all downloadable in PDF format, including some of my patterns and some of my favorites, like Jann Christiansen's Sealed With A Kiss Bracelet:

Bead Weaving Patterns by Sandra D. Halpenny
Along with hundreds of gorgeous patterns for sale, Sandy also has about 14 free patterns available on her Web site, including two free snowflake patterns:

Part III coming soon!