Often, birthstone necklaces are created by simply buying a gold or silver chain and adding either a pendant with birthstones for each of her children or grandchildren or by adding individual charms or beads for each child or grandchild. If you are creating a mother’s birthstone necklace with a pendant or charms, it is best to start with a simple chain, such a box chain or a cable chain.

Birthstone pendants come in a variety of sizes and shapes that can be customized with the birthstones of each of your mother’s children. Be careful when selecting a pendant to make sure that the style you choose can contain the number of stones you need. For example, the beautiful solid Sterling silver personalized mother’s heart pendant shown at the right, available from Amazon.com can be customized with up to 5 birthstones. If your mother has more 5 children or grandchildren, you will need to select another style, or perhaps choose to go with individual beads or charms.

One drawback to a customized pendant is that it is impractical to add birthstones if new children or grandchildren are added to the family. It is a fine choice if the number of children or grandchildren memorialized on the necklace is a fixed number, but if the family is still growing, then individual charms or beads may be a better choice.

Your choice of individual birthstone charms is just as vast as your choice of pendants. Some charms are simple birthstones on a mount. They come in a variety of shapes: round, square, teardrop and more. Others may be more fanciful such as the boy and girl birthstone charms available from Target.com pictured here. Some birthstone charms also have room for engraving the name of the child whose birth month is represented by the charm.

If you have more time or are more artistic minded, you can create your own patterns with birthstone beads, available from a variety of sources. For example, Chamilia offers birthstone beads for every month, made with fine Swarovski crystals, such as the sparkling September birthstone bead below.

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As we honor mothers this month, show her that you care and surprise her with this special gift – a mother’s birthstone necklace.

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If your friend or loved one already has a lot of elegant jewelry such as diamond rings and silver necklaces, then why not surprise them with a one of a kind, handmade beaded bracelet? Once you have read my articles on how to make your own jewellery, now is the time to decide which beads you should use.

Lead Crystal Beads

If you want to make a glamorous and feminine bracelet, then I would recommend using lead crystal beads.

Lead oxide is added to molten glass which gives these beads an amazing shine and shimmering effect. Surprisingly, these gems are quite soft, so great care must be taken to ensure you do not scratch the surface. Some of the most notable makers of lead crystal include Swarovski (Austria), Steuben Glass (USA) and Arc International (France).

Seed Beads

If you want to make a simple and classic accessory, then you might like the sound of seed beads. They are delicate beads which range in style and size, from ovals to rectangles. They are often used as dividers between other beads but they are also striking by themselves.

Before World War II, there was a huge bead industry in eastern Europe where many factories made beads out of glass, metal, aluminum and steel. However, most of the factories were destroyed during the war. If you are lucky enough to find one of these rare, vintage beads, it will certainly add a striking feature to the bracelet, as well as being an interesting story to tell your friend.

Elegant or classic? The beads can make all the difference!

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Making beaded toys,like this turtle is rather amazing hobby. It is not very difficult to make it. Find out pattern of this beaded turtle at beads-making.com

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Creating a beaded necklace requires time, patience and the right tools, but is something nearly anyone can learn to do with ease. Follow these simple steps to learn more about how to create your own beaded necklace.

Tools and Supplies
Before you can start making your necklace, it is important that you have the right beading tools and supplies available. This will ensure you bead a excellent necklace that will last a long time. You will need the following items: jewelry wire, beading needle, beading thread, beads, beading design board, a flat surface to work on, craft glue, scissors, and a pair of flat nose pliers.

Step One: Cut Your Jewelry Wire
Choose the length you want for your necklace, making sure to have an additional several inches to work with to make beading easier.

Step Two: Make Sure You Have Enough Beads and Lay Out the Design
Check to make sure you have plenty of beads and use the bead design board to lay out the beads flat. This will keep the beads from rolling away and making a mess. This will ensure you are able to complete the entire length of the necklace before you actually start beading.

Step Three: Knot the Jewelry Wire
Tie a knot at one of the ends of the jewelry wire. Take a pair of scissors to cut off any extra wire. Keep the knot at the end of the wire, and make sure it is tight so you don’t have to worry about it coming undone. Add a bead to the necklace and pull the wire through the open hole so the knot can rest against the bead. It is a good idea to apply a little craft glue and let it dry to ensure the knot doesn’t come undone.

Step Four: Bead the Necklace
String the beads while threading on the opposite bead tip to ensure that the strung beads do not face the open end of the tip.

Step Five: Attach the Tip and Clasp
Tie a loose knot in the wire end. Push the knot down into the bead tip with a straight pin. Ensure the knot is resting against the hole. Trim any extra remaining wire. Use the pliers to close the bead tip.

These bead tips should be attached to both ends of the thread, as one will allow the clasp to attach and close the necklace, while the other will hold the clasp.

Attach one of the clasp pieces onto a bead tip hook so that the loops are attached to each other. Use pliers to close the rings, one over the other. Do this again for the other clasp at the opposite end of the necklace.

Tips and Tricks
Beads that go by the name “clam shells” or “oyster shells” are easiest for novice beaders because of their size and shape.

To make an even stronger necklace, double your jewelry wire strand.

To make the beads a lot easier to string, add glue to the one to two inches on the end of the wire and allow it to dry. Since it will stiffen the wire, the beads will be easier to string.

Photo: Monica Fiorella Jewelry/Flickr

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When you are satisfied with the size of the base of your box, continue to bead around the edges without increasing (every space gets only one bead).
Remember to step up as you complete each row—you arc now working with tubular peyote stitch.

After a few rows, you will find that the edges are beginning to curl upward.Keep your tension firm and, as you round the corners, carefully pinch the corner into shape. This is especially important when making a triangle box because the fewer the number of sides, the sharper the corner angle will be.

Straight and Recessed Tops Depending on the style of the box lid you choose, the sides of your box will be either straight or recessed at the top.
To bead a box that has straight sides from bottom to top, continue until your box is two rows short of the desired height. The last row should have an up bead at the corners. Now you con simply begin to make the them (Will be in next post). To bead a box with sides that arc recessed at the top, continue until your box is the desired height (about 2″ [5.1 cm] lor your practice piece). Make one or more decrease cycles, depending on the shape of the box (see sidebar on facing page). A decrease cycle is the opposite of an increase cycle hut is identical in appearance.

Decreasing for a Triangle Box

The decrease cycle for a triangle box is simple. After you have completed the first row, every subsequent row is the same.

Row 1: Макe sure you have finished the sides of your box with an up bead on either side of the corner bead. For the next row, bead the
sides as usual. When you come to a corner,omit the corner bead, and sew directly from the first up bead into the next.
Pull (irmly on the thread as you sew the first few beads following the skipped bead so that as little thread as possible shows. When
you complete this row, the corners of the box will be more defined, and the sides will begin to curl inward. Step up to begin the next row.

Row 2: Bead the next row as you did the first. When you come to a corner, you will notice that the 2 corner beads from the previous
row are practically touching. Sew through the first bead and then the next without adding a bead in between. Bead the
remaining sides in the same way, skipping a bead as you round each corner. Step up to begin the next row. When you have finished the required
number of decrease cycles for your style of lid, begin making the inner column.

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Here is a video showing, step by step, how to make Two Pairs of Simple Earrings. I hope that it will be very interesting for you.

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STARTUP ROWS
Row 1: String 4 beads, and tic in an over-hand knot (as if you are beginning to tic a shoestring), leaving an 8″ {20.3 cm) tail.
Grasp the tail tightly in the hand that is not holding the needle until you have established several rows. Sew Through the next bead.

Row 2: String 1 new bead, and proceed through the next bead. Continue adding a bead after each bead in the previous row until you reach the end of the row. You will now have 8 beads. Step up to begin the next row.

Row 3: String 3 beads, and proceed through the next bead. The middle bead of these 3 should lie directly oil top of the one below it. Pull up the side beads, with your fingernails if necessary, to seat the middle one. Continue adding 3 beads after each bead in the previous row until you reach the end of the row. Step up to begin the next row. (Note: When you step up, you will sew through only the first of the 3 beads.)

Row 4: String 2 beads, and sew through the third bead of the three-bead set from the previous row, skipping the middle bead to form a V. String 1 bead, and sew through the next up bead. Pull firmly so that this bead snaps into place. Continue this process— sewing 2 beads over each corner bead and then 1 bead between every two up beads—until you reach the end of the row. Step upto begin the next row. (Note: When you step up, yon will sew through only the first of the 2 beads, coming out in the center of the V.)

Row 5: String 2 beads, and sew through the second of the two beads from the previous row. You should now have a second V sitting inside the first one. Sew 1 bead between the up beads until you come out in the center of the next V. Add 2 beads for the second corner. Continue until you reach the end of the row. Step up to begin the next row.

Row 6: String 1 bead, and sew through the second of the two beads, making sure that it sits snugly inside the V. This bead establishes the corner of the square. Sew I bead between the up beads until you come out in the center of the next V. Add a head for the second corner. Continue until you reach the end of the row. Step up to begin the next row. (Note: The last bead of the row will be the first leg of the first V, and you will step up to the adjacent corner bead.)

INCREASE CYCLE
Bу now you have noticed that the base portion of the square box is made up of two parts: four corners (where the increases
occur) and four straight sides (which have no increases). As you proceed, the corners increase in cycles. The square box has an
increase cycle of five rows, as follows:

Row 1: Bead around the square as usual, with 1 bead between every 2 up beads (including the corner bead).

Row 2: Add 3 beads to each corner, making sure that the middle bead touches the bead below it.
Row 3: Add 2 beads to each corner, skipping the middle bead, to form a V.
Row 4: Add 2 beads to each corner, forming a second V inside the first one.
Row 5: Add I bead to each corner, inside the second V.
After the startup rows, each cycle will increase the square by 12 beads (3 beads per side). Continue this cycle until your square reaches the desired size (about 2n [5.1 cm] for your practice piece).
When you have finished the increase cycles, begin making the sides (tutorial about making the sides will be in the next post on beads-making.com

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STARTUP ROWS
Row 1: String 3 beads, and tic in an over-hand knot (as if you are beginning to tie a shoestring), leaving an 8th (20.3 cm) tail. Grasp the tail tightly in the hand that is not holding the needle until you have established several rows. Sew through the next bead.

Row 2: String 2 new beads, and proceed through the next bead to form a V. Continue adding 2 beads after each bead in the
previous row until you reach the end of the row. You will now have 9 beads. “Step up” to begin the next row. (Note: When you step up, you will sew through only the first of the 2 beads, coming out in the center of the V.)
Row 3: String 2 beads, and sew through the second of the 2 beads from the previous row. You should now have a second V inside the first one. String 1 bead, and sew through the next up bead. Pull firmly so that this bead snaps into place.
Continue this process, sewing 2 beads over each corner bead and then 1 bead between each 2 up beads, until you reach the end of the row. Step up to begin the next row. (Note: When you step up, you will sew through only the first of the 2 beads, coming out in the center of the V.)
INCREASE CYCLE
By now you have noticed that the base portion of the triangle box is made up of two parts: three corners (where the increases occur) and three straight sides (beaded in typical peyote stitch). After the startup row, each row will increase the triangle by 3 beads (1 bead per side). Continue to add 2 beads to each corner—each V inside the one from the previous row—until your triangle reaches the desired size (about 1″ to l’/2″ (2.5 cm to 3.8 cm] for your practice piece).
LAST Row: String 1 bead, and sew through the second of the 2 beads, making sure that it sits snugly inside the V. This bead establishes the corner of the triangle. Sew 1 bead between the up beads until you come out in the center of the next V. Add a bead for the second corner. Continue until you reach the end of the row.

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To build the boxes, you will work with variations on peyote stitch.
Peyote stitch is a popular beadwork technique that has several variations.A more descriptive name for the stitch is “one-bead netting,” because technically it is a netted stitch with “up” beads—the beads that protrude from the row—and “down” beads—the beads that recede into the row.
The working row is always buill from the up beads. The netting contains one bead per stitch, so the result is a solid fabric of beads.

To make the boxes, yon will work with two basic beadwork variations on peyote stitch: circular peyote stitch and tubular peyote stitch. You don’t need to have experience with these beadwork stitches. By following the written instructions and drawings provided, you will be learning these techniques naturally.
Circular peyote stitch begins at a center point and increases symmetrically, allowing each row to have a greater number of beads than the row before it, so that the beadwork radiates outward. The planned increases create segments in the beadwork and give each box shape its specific number of sides.

Tubular peyote stitch begins at a top or a bottom edge and creates a beaded tube. Box sides are formed with tubular peyote stitch. If you begin tubular peyote with an odd number of beads, the rows of beadwork spiral. If you begin with an even number of beads, the first bead in a row is also the last bead, so you need to “step up”—or sew again into the last
bead to begin the next row.

To make the base, you will work with the variation on circular pevote. To get comfortable with the technique, you’ll want to practicc first. Here are the instructions for making the base for each of the four box shapes. Choose the shape you’d like to try first as your practice piece, and follow the instructions for that box shape.
Begin with a length of thread approximately 5′ (1.5 m) long and about 5 grams of beads in one or more colors that you like. I prefer to double my thread (10′ [3 m] long before doubling) so that if one strand breaks, I can make repairs with the piece still intact—but do whatever is comfortable for you. I suggest that you use a thinner thread if you plan to double it and a thicker thread if you plan to use a single strand.

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