Blog Posts

Beading tips

From Marlene Blessing: • Dismantle old designs and use the components again. • Explore seed beads. They take time and patience to work with and you get the satisfaction of using your stitching skills. • Use base metals instead of silver and gold in your designs. • Use semi precious ...

Getting creative in Cambodia

A recent email from Ginny Hanson in Cambodia took us by surprise. Sometimes we’re taken aback by how far our little magazine travels. In her email Ginny, who runs a group called Sak Saum (the Khmer word for dignity), wanted to nominate a young NZ woman, Joanne Cole, to be ...

How to - working with head pins

Step 1 Place bead onto head pin. Cut off excess wire leaving approximately 6mm above the bead. Step 2 Using round nose pliers bend wire above bead at a 90º angle. Step 3 Hold the end of wire with round nose pliers and curve into a hook by twisting your ...

Artist profile - Christine & Julie Ashford

English jewellery makers, Christine and Julie Ashford, whose book, ‘Spellbinding Bead Jewellery’, was released in the UK, Australian and NZ at the end of 2008. The sisters established their company, Spellbound Beads, in 1984, where they gather beads from all over the world. The shop is supported by a ...

A brief history of... the Bead

We wear them, we buy them, we count them, we sometimes even pray with them but why are beads so precious to the human psyche and where did it all begin? Here are a few tasty tidbits about a material that holds such importance in our crafty endeavours. Man began ...

Just can’t get enough!

The addictive world of beading The last five to seven years have seen a rise in popularity in beading that rivals many other craft forms. Today, most major shopping centres house at least one specialist bead store, most craft markets overflow with handmade creations and the amount of related books, ...

Artist Profile - Claire Aristides

Claire Aristides describes her new jewellery making book, ‘Bejewelled’, as the first of its kind because it takes a high fashion, magazine editorial style approach to the handcraft. “I think it’s fair to say it’s the first of its kind,” says Claire. “Everyone’s very excited.” Whether she’s on Channel 7’s ...

Projects

Knitted beaded choker

Inspired by Claire Aristides... we’ve tried our own version of glamour beading with this distinctive choker.

Knitted bead bracelet

These knitting bees are very handy tools.

Bead & fabric necklace

If beading’s your thing & you feel like exploring with new materials, consider introducing fabrics into your work. The texture & colours you’re able to create produce truly unique & wearable items.

Beaded hair ties

A perfect project for teens

Blue beaded box

Great for hoarding pins & paperclips, for packaging up precious gifts, as a teen craft project, even for bonbonniere or gifts at the table, having a few trinket tricks up your sleeve will always come in handy.

Blooming bonsai

Working with beads need never be boring. Once you’ve mastered one technique, there’s always another to tackle. This month, think ‘landscape’ when looking at your beads. A whole new journey could be a wire twist away...

Dare to dangle

Like all chokers, this unusual piece sits close to the throat, drawing all eyes to you.

Stitched & beaded pendant

Inspired by ‘indie’ streetwear, we combine embroidery stitch & beading to create this distinctive accessory.

Red effects bracelet

By concentrating on one particular colour palette in a charm like this you can create a strong look.

Beaded lampshade

Have beads, will decorate! Embrace your inner embellisher!

Beaded canvas

Have beads, will decorate! Embrace your inner embellisher!

Beaded cushion cover

Have beads, will decorate! Embrace your inner embellisher!

Beaded cake stand

Have beads, will decorate! Embrace your inner embellisher!

Lauren’s necklace

A 'get creative' intern has been full of bright ideas. Try this intermediate beading project that combines some of her favourite techniques.

Oriental decorative tassel

Here’s a simple and effective way to add a touch of Oriental flavour to an Asian inspired room. Decorate a ready-made tassel with beautiful Chinese Cloisonné beads sprinkled with Swarovski bicones to add sparkle and glamour. Hang your completed tassel on a door knob or a dresser door. Alternately, you ...

Beads by design

Recycle papers to make these beads.

Beaded frame

A perfect project for Teens and Tweens!

Beaded bracelet

Pressed for time and need something pretty to complement a new outfit? Then this little set of stretch thread bracelets is the perfect solution.

Pretty pen

How cute!

Pink personalised bookmark

Books are wonderful gifts but this personalised beaded creation ensure your literary gift is truly one-of-a-kind. Create a number of bookmarks from just a few packets of beads & findings.

Nereid necklace

“The Greek myths tell us of the fifty beautiful sea nymphs or nereid companions of Poseidon who come to the aid of sailors who find themselves in peril fighting dangerous storms. The necklace brings together the azure colours of the Mediterranean Sea and the pebbled textures of the shoreline. Although ...

Turquoise cloisonné & swarovski bookmark

Books are wonderful gifts but these personalised beaded creations ensure your literary gift is truly one-of-a-kind. Create a number of bookmarks from just a few packets of beads & findings.

Pink Thongs

Use these ideas to decorate and style your own!

Bugle bead beauty

Create this and more using different colour themes and just clip them on/off to suit your mood.

Brown Thongs

Use these ideas to decorate and style your own!

Black Thongs

Use these ideas to decorate and style your own!

Beaded bracelets for friends

This new kit makes it easy to get crafty over the holidays.

Collage belt

Add a little rock’n’roll chic to your wardrobe & make use of your beading skills as well!

Backpack pins

A perfect project for Teens and Tweens!

Valentine's table - candle embellishment

A dinner at home this Valentine’s Day gets the glamour touch when you make gorgeous napkin jewellery, wine glass & candle embellishments to set the scene.

Ocean girl bracelet

The pretty colours of these beads remind me of the beach!

Pony bead pals

Her hair is so cute!

Flip-flop key ring

These look so cool attached to your beach bag!

How to - Work with head pins

Step by step lesson - for teachers or learners.

How to - Work with eye pins

Step by step lesson - for teachers or learners.

How to - Use jump rings

Step by step lesson - for teachers or learners.

Valentine's table - wine glass twists

A dinner at home this Valentine’s Day gets the glamour touch when you make gorgeous napkin jewellery, wine glass & candle embellishments to set the scene.

Valentine's table - wine glass bling

A dinner at home this Valentine’s Day gets the glamour touch when you make gorgeous napkin jewellery, wine glass & candle embellishments to set the scene.

Valentine's table - napkin jewellery

A dinner at home this Valentine’s Day gets the glamour touch when you make gorgeous napkin jewellery, wine glass & candle embellishments to set the scene.

Chained heart bracelet

Play around with cubes, hearts & striped beads to create this charming, chunky bracelet.

Love & art

Turn dome epoxy (acrylic) stickers into a fun word bracelet.

Mirror mobile

A little like jewellery making on a grand scale... Create your own artistic installation with this enchanting project.

The memory keeper bracelet

Incorporate things like a loved one’s watch face & trinkets from travel to create one-of-a-kind jewellery items.

Fabulous flatware

Here’s a simple project that will add a touch of pizzazz to your next dinner party or barbeque. Alternately, these beaded salad servers make a great gift.

Bead & wire bunny

Lead little hands through a practical project with this simple, useful idea. Projects for teachers and childcare professionals.

Beaded bunny pin

Lead little hands through a practical project with this simple, useful idea. Projects for teachers and childcare professionals.

Charming keys

Jazz up your key ring

Jubilant jade

Part of Ribtex’s Precious Stone collection, this natural yellow Jade is perfect for creating striking suites of jewellery or stand-alone pieces.

Leather allure

This simple leather wrist wrap idea is easy to execute & lends a sharp, contemporary edge to your wardrobe.

Beaded mobile

Lead little hands through some practical projects with this simple Mother’s Day project. Also useful for teachers and childcare professionals.

Book thongs

Perfect project for crafty tweens and teenagers

Knotted necklace

Oooh, I LOVE making jewellery. This necklace is one of my favourites.

Pink pearl box

Great for hoarding pins & paperclips, for packaging up precious gifts, as a teen craft project, even for bonbonniere or gifts at the table, having a few trinket tricks up your sleeve will always come in handy.

Your Inspiration Room