Each month we have enjoyed exploring the birthstone for that given month. We are now to September (already!) and its birthstone is the gorgeous sapphire. When our mind conjures images of sapphire, we almost always picture a deep rich blue hue. In fact, there are sapphires of all colors except for red which is technically a ruby. Both rubies and sapphires are made of the same mineral - corundum!  One of the most famous sapphires in the world is the one embedded in the engagement ring of Princess Diana and later Princess Catherine of Wales. This 12 CT sapphire helped to fuel the world's lov ..read more

It's September - hooray!!! I don't know about everyone else, but I am sure ready for some cooler weather, pumpkin flavored goodies, harvest color palettes, and that cozy feeling that comes with being tucked in snug on a crisp night. Designing jewelry for this season is a joy - we get to use a warm color palette of browns, oranges, reds, and yellows while incorporating fun elements like leaves, pumpkins, acorns, and more. Below are some of my favorite fall jewelry making components! Charm, Oak Leaf 35x16mm, Enameled Brass Peppermint Green/Amber Blend, by Gardanne Beads (1 Piece) Leather ..read more

We love creating and sharing free resources. Over the last several years we have created a whole host of beading patterns and charts that are free to download. We continually add to this collection so it's good to check it often. Here is a link to the entire free beading patterns section and below are some of our most popular! Free Blank Brick Stitch Grid Pattern Paper  Free Blank Loom Grid Paper If you are curious how to make your own patterns on the types of paper above, we have created a video with some tips and instructions! Featured Video: How to Make a Peyote Bead Weaving Patt ..read more

If you love doing loom work, you know there are some essentials that you need for every project. If you are new to loom making, it can be a bit overwhelming figuring out what those essentials are. In this blog we will try to simplify things so that those wanting to try loom work can do so easily. These recommendations are the personal preferences of our designers who love to loom! The first thing you need is of course a loom. There are several different ones to choose from but a great basic starting loom is the Jewel Loom. It's compact, durable, and doesn't require much set up. It comes with ..read more

Are you looking for a little color inspiration for your new jewelry making project? These three vibrant color palettes will add some pop to any design. We have selected some coordinating beads to help you make these lovely color palettes come to life.  Dakota Stones Gemstone Beads, Pink Crazy Lace Agate, Round 10mm (8 Inch Strand) Miyuki Delica Seed Beads, 11/0 Size, #459 Nickel Plated Dyed Dark Teal (2.5" Tube) Preciosa Czech Crystal, Round Bead 6mm, Light Rose (36 Pieces) Assorted Color Palette, 8/0 Preciosa Czech Rocailles Round Hole Bead Mix, Cherry Blossom ..read more

Whether you are completely new to jewelry making or a seasoned expert, sometimes you just want a quick and easy project. That instant gratification can be so satisfying, and honestly, sometimes we only have time in our day for a quick and easy design. As a mom of two young boys who also works full time, I dream of elaborate projects but only have time for short ones—but I still want to create and I still want to finish a project. In this blog post I have compiled some of my very favorite supplies, tools, and ideas for quick and easy projects. These projects can usually be finished in less than ..read more

July's birthstone is the magnificent ruby! This long-prized gemstone has been a favorite of royalty for centuries and is highly coveted for its rich red color, rarity, and hardness (9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness). The name ruby is derived from the Latin word ruber which means red. This beautiful stone represents life, love and passion. Rubies color can vary from a very deep red with purple undertones to a shade of pink and everything in between. The most sought after ruby color is a vivid and intense red. This is the color that most people think of when they hear "ruby." So ..read more

What? The bee's knees? Well, we think bees are the bee's knees, especially when used in jewelry design. If you have not heard of this expression before, it means great, wonderful, excellent! And that is exactly how we feel about bee-inspired and bee-bedecked designs. Adding a bee to your artistic creation brings a touch of whimsy into the design. You can create a very playful design using bees or a very elegant design—it is all about what you pair with the bees. Some of our favorite bee beads and charms come from artisan brands such as Nunn Design and Raven's Journey. There are also 2-hole Cze ..read more

Summer is a time of beach days, popsicles, picnics, and all sorts of outdoor fun. It's when the kids splash around in the pool and parents lounge under the cabana. It's when neighbors gather for BBQs and friends greet each other on walks.  There are certain images and icons that personify summertime at its best: seahorses, anchors, flamingos, and so on. Thankfully the wonderful makers of jewelry supplies have captured some of these images in jewelry component form and when you use them in your designs, suddenly your creation screams SUMMER! Below I have picked out some of my very favorite ..read more

Memory wire is the at the core of some of the most beloved jewelry making designs and techniques. It's a very forgiving medium and one that both novice and master jewelry maker alike adore. You can make bracelets, rings, necklaces, napkin rings, wine charms, ornaments, and more with memory wire.  At the foundation of every memory wire design is the hardened steel wire that holds its shape, even when pulled out. Besides needing a pair of memory wire cutters to cut the hardened wire (do not use regular cutters, it will damage them!), you technically do not need any other tools.&nb ..read more