So a couple of years ago, I wrote a blog telling you I was back. When I wrote it, I meant it! But again, life got in the way, and Craftaholique had to take a backseat. Not just the blog but all the creating and crafting I did in my spare time too. I had a lot going on in both my personal life and at work. In November 2021, I lost my lovely mum to lung disease (COPD), and my world stopped turning for a while. I just couldn’t think straight or get my head around the activities I used to do. Mum was the first person I was really close to who has passed away. The pain of losing her was indescriba ..read more

Hello! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here so apologies for that! I’m blaming the pandemic. It really made me lose my blogging (and crafting) mojo for a while. I spent a lot of time worrying about everything and looking for new clients for my day job – as work tailed off significantly. Even though I had extra time available, I just didn’t feel in the right place to blog. Now though, I’m happy to say, I really want to resume blogging and embracing my creative side again. So, I’m going to kick off with this bead loom bracelet project that I started last May – yes more than a year ago ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. Here’s a funky beaded bracelet I’ve been working on – and the pattern for it is now in my Etsy shop here! This vibrant tubular peyote pattern has been designed to be seamless; you can simply join the ends together to make a bangle, no clasp required. Chevron tubular peyote bracelet pattern The pattern file actually includes three different-sized patterns, so you can make the bracelet to fit a 6-inch, 7-inch or 8-inch wrist. Each PDF pattern includes a word chart, a bead chart and a bead legend showing the exact beads used and the quantities needed ..read more

Today, I’m sharing with you a tutorial on how to make a DIY beadwork storage case, that also functions as a beading mat. This will hopefully be of interest to the beaders among you, but also to any crafter that wants to store small crafting materials and transport them around easily! I got the idea for this project after seeing a rather fabulous ‘bead board’ from one of my favourite beading suppliers, Stitchncraft Beads. You can see one via the link above; it’s a type of beading mat that also works as a case, so you can keep all your beads together and everything is in exactly the right place ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. I recently bought a bead loom from Amazon, something I’d wanted to buy for a long time! Mine is a simple contraption (it’s the Darice 12-inch by 2.75-inch bead loom from Amazon), but it really works well to create some lovely loom beadwork! If you’re not sure how to use a bead loom, I recommend watching this Beadaholique YouTube video – the bead loom used is very similar and the video is nice and clear. I’ve created a set of two stacking bracelets with my bead loom and have listed the patterns in my Etsy shop in case you want to make the same. I ch ..read more

Over the long Easter weekend, I had the chance to do something I’d wanted to try for a long time – the old British craft of rag rugging! I was given the opportunity to take part in an online workshop on rag rugging, thanks to Elspeth, the owner of Ragged Life. She kindly sent me (and my 9-year old daughter) a rag rug kit through the post and during the workshop I was able to learn and attempt two different rag rug techniques. The kit contained three different types of fabric, a hessian square, a latch hook, a rag rug spring tool, a rag rug gauge and a copy of Elspeth’s excellent book, Rag Rug ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. After all the bad coronavirus news of the last few weeks, I fancied making something really beautiful and colourful to cheer myself up. Introducing my latest beaded bracelet (and pattern): Colour Fusion! This is the first seamless peyote pattern I’ve created. The finished bracelet doesn’t require a clasp. You can simply sew the ends of the beadwork together to join them and make a bangle. Colour Fusion tubular peyote bracelet pattern You can find this tubular peyote pattern in my Etsy shop here. The pattern itself includes three PDF files ..read more

In this post, I’ll be showing you how to bezel set a 7mm crystal rivoli using Miyuki Delicas and seed beads. You can create some really awesome pieces of jewellery by making some of these. Check out my step by step tutorial below! Materials required For this project, you’ll need: 7mm crystal rivolis in the colour of your choice. Miyuki Delicas in size 11/0. Miyuki round seed beads in size 11/0 and 15/0. Beading thread, such as Nymo. Beading needle in size 10. *Affiliate links above. Step 1 – creating a circle of beads Thread your beading needle with 2 feet of thread and p ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. Mother’s Day is looming (22nd March here in the UK, and 10th May in the states!). If you’re struggling with ideas for what to get that special mum figure in your life, this post should provide you with plenty of inspiration. I’ve found some of the most unique Mother’s Day gifts on Etsy (my go-to place for handmade gifts). Check them out below – click on a heading or image to see these in each Etsy seller’s store! Personalised Jewellery Case by PaperGala Baby’s Birth Necklace by Ever After Heirlooms Purple Heather Terrarium Brooc ..read more