Beaded Backstitch

 

One of my favorite DIY projects is beading to enhance my sewing projects.  If you have never made an outfit or any sewing project better with fabric embellishment, you would not believe the difference beading and stitching can make.

I found an awesome article with a great tutorial.  Click here for the article.

DIY Chandelier Earrings

Kara at Happy Go Lucky has inspired me to make these cute chandelier earrings!  

Use your imagination to create different styles based on this basic jewelry design concept . . . like I always say, the possibilities are endless.

Click here for an easy to read tutorial with lots of photos from Kara!

DIY Multi-Strand Bracelet

Rebecca from My Girlish Whims always comes up with the most awesome jewelry designs that I've seen online.  

She has also discovered Elements of Antiquity which is an online shop that sells aged pewter jewelry components that are 100% made in the USA, lead free and nickel free.  Great shop to get inspired!

Those of us who enjoy jewelry design as a hobby or as a means to make a living are always looking for sources of inspiration and unique findings.

Click here for a tutorial with lots of photos on how to make this gorgeous bracelet!  Thank you Rebecca!

How to Make Bead Dangle Embellishments

Fabric embellishment along with beading is one of the most therapeutic things that I have found to do.  A "Manic Monday" was always a good time to get behind the sewing machine and manipulate fabric or take that fabric and bead it.  Seems like the days that were the most stressful were the days I created my most beautiful pieces of fabric.

If you are not familiar with fabric embellishment, basically it is anything that adds design interest to a piece of fabric, done by sewing machine or by hand. There are so many techniques that I can't go into this one post.

The fabric pieces can be included in any type of sewing project, even a piece of artwork to hang in the living room.  

My favorite type of fabric embellishment is using denim, lace, rhinestones and beads.  Many of my designs were used as appliques for t-shirts, jeans jackets, purses, tote bags . . . yes, the possibilities are limited by your imagination!

Most of my creations were already sold, but I do have some left in the storage shed that has a big tree limb on it, so I can't get to them and don't know if they survived the accident . . . along with so many other treasures and supplies. Honestly, I'm afraid to know . . . but that is another blog post!  They were sold in my retail boutique and not online, so I unfortunately have no photos :(

Linda's blogs, starting with Love to Sew takes you into the world of fabric embellishment and manipulation.  Her work is exquisite!  It is an awesome place to discover the creative world that I love so much.

Click here to go to the tutorial on how to make beaded dangles for your creations.