Making an elasticated bracelet with gemstone beads is one of the easiest ways to get into making jewellery. And they’re not just for kids, or if you’re going to a Taylor Swift concert!  I’m going to show you how to make a beautiful bracelet using sterling silver and semi-precious gemstone beads on elastic cord. It’s really easy to do and the perfect way to begin learning how to make beaded gemstone jewellery.  Jump to the simple step-by-step tutorial here, or read on for lots of top tips and advice to get you started making beaded gemstone bracelets.  *Disclaimer* Cooksongold ..read more

Making a stretchy bracelet with elastic is one of the easiest ways to start making jewellery. You don’t need any tools, just some beads and elastic.  People often look down on elastic bracelets, thinking they are just for kids. But they are so much easier to get on and off, and depending on the beads you use, no one will notice it doesn’t have a clasp.  Types of Jewellery Elastic There are three main types of elastic you can get for making stretchy bracelets: round fabric elastic, Stretch Magic & Elasticity, and Opelon. Always try and use the thickest diameter of elastic as the b ..read more

Learn how to make long beaded earrings using the simple DIY tutorial! Most beaded earrings are made using wire headpins, but longer designs will have much more movement if you use thread. You can use any type and size of beads, as long as the small bead at the top can fit a jump ring through, as well as the thread. You will need: Selection of beads; I’m using size 8 seed beads in Permalux Mint Green, Lilac and Light Pink, Size 8 Pearl Ivory and some 7mm Opaque Bugle beads Size 12 beading needle Beading thread, I used Nymo in white Fishook earrings 5mm jump rings Beading mat How to make Long B ..read more

Both jewellery and macrame use simple, everyday knots to start and finish designs. Learning how to tie basic jewellery making knots will help you create secure designs. Some of them might seem incredibly basic, but knowing the difference between them is really important and can give your jewellery and macrame to a more professional finish. Many of these basic jewellery and macrame knots are used in my tutorials, craft kits and patterns, so it seemed a good idea to put them all in one post to refer back to. We are going to learn how to tie the overhand knot, the half knot, the granny knot and t ..read more

Simple beaded necklaces are having a moment! Colourful glass seed beads combined with freshwater pearls seem to be everywhere in the shops, but its so easy and fun to make your own. You will need: -Selection of colourful seed beads, in size 5 or 6. I bought this opaque mix and took out any darker beads. –Freshwater pearls -A few larger beads for the centre -Beading wire. I’m using Beadalon 7 Strand. –Clasp, a 6mm jump ring and a couple of crimp beads –Chain-nose jewellery pliers –Cutters -Optional, but very helpful :Beadboard. This helps to approximately measure out your necklace. Alternative ..read more

Learn how to tie a barrel sliding knot. The barrel sliding knot is the chunkier big brother to the simple sliding knot. In the second of my sneak peeks from my new Macrame EBook, we are looking at the barrel sliding knot (make sure to check out the simple sliding knot and the square sliding knot too!). There are a few different methods of making a barrel sliding knot, but this one has become my favourite; its easy to tie and easy to slide open and closed once made and if the material you use melts, you can trim the ends off for a neater finish. It can be used for both bracelets and necklaces ..read more

This macrame braid necklace looks more complicated than it is- if you have ever made a basic three strand plait or braid before, you can make this necklace! The magic of this necklace is that is only uses a single piece of cord, rather than 3 separate ones to create the braid, and by doubling the cord up you get a fancy looking plait! And if a necklace isn’t your thing, you can easily make it into a bracelet instead. You will need: -Cord, I’m using 2 metres (approx 2.2 yrds) of 4mm 3ply cotton macramé cord -Washi, masking or painters tape -Tape measure -Scissors – 2x 7mm fold over ends, 2x ju ..read more

Make a beaded daisy necklace and earrings set using this twist on daisy chain stitch. A couple of months ago the lovely Charlotte Jacklin shared a beaded daisy necklace on her Instagram feed. I recognised the pattern as being the classic daisy chain beading stitch, but with a twist. Normally, beaded daisy chain is made with a needle and thread in a continuous stitch. But this necklace had individual beaded daisies made hanging as individual drops! The shop Charlotte bought the necklace no longer sells them, and she mentioned having to get her teenage beading supplies out again! This is a fair ..read more

Learn how to make a square sliding knot, one of the most versatile and decorative sliding knots, it’s a macrame classic! This is the third and final excerpt from my Modern Macrame Jewellery and Accessories book! The square sliding knot will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first craft tutorial I wrote for my blog. (Take a look here – as you can tell my style back then was very different! But it is still one of my most popular posts (thanks Pinterest!) This square sliding knot tutorial uses a separate piece of cord, square knotted around both ends of the mai ..read more

Learn how to tie a simple sliding knot, ideal for both bracelets and necklaces that you want to be adjustable, or where you don’t want to use metal clasps. The easiest of all sliding knots to learn, it is made using each end to create an overhand knot around the main body of the bracelet or necklace. I wrote my first ever craft tutorial in 2012 on how to tie a square sliding knot. From that moment I was hooked on making DIY tutorials. That post still get traffic. So when I wanted to share a sneak peek of the content from my new Macrame EBook, it had to be the sliding knots. I’m going t ..read more