Tutorials

Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore. Dragons are typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs. Traditionally they symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck.

The 2-hole lentils standing on its end resembles the scales of the all-powerful dragon. Laid out in an inter-locking pattern this cuff is elegant and slinky while at the same time strong and sturdy just like the dragon.

Simple yet elegant and sophisticated. Diamond shapes repeats itself to form a mesmerising pattern. A pliable fluid cuff that will grace your wrist beautifully at any occasion. The cuff ends with 3 points and is closed simply with 3 round Swarovski crystals.

A great piece for you to start your journey into beadwork. And for the the experienced beader, just a nice, quickly completed and fulfilling piece.

NOTE

The tutorial does NOT come with word charts.

Make beads out of other beads? Yes that’s what beaded beads are. Assemble small beads, build a base form and embellish it. Voila! You have a beaded bead.

Pretty, intricate looking but real fun and fast to make. One of the most versatile elements. String them with crystals, gems, other beads as a necklace or a bracelet. String them. Make wire wrapped loops. Add some ear wires and you have pretty earrings. They are great as presents too.

Delicious orbs of beads – don’t you just love them.

This collection of bead jewelry draws on the beauty of Chinese knots for its inspiration. Knotting is an ancient art form in China and is often formed with silk cords both for practical and decorative purposes. The intricate designs of these knots are often used to add interest and elegance in the decoration of functional objects.

The double coin knot which the main focus of this collection of jewelry is so named as it looks like two overlapping traditional Chinese coins. These coins are round but have a square hole in the middle. As the knot is perfectly symmetrical, it also connotes double perfection. Coins of course, denote money and in this aspect, Chinese merchants often carry these knots about their person in the belief that it will bring prosperity.

The Princess Solitaire Ring takes as its inspiration the same octagonal crystal element. The beauty of the crystal takes pride of place as the only stone for the ring. Bezelled in right angle weave, the ring is the perfect accompaniment to your Double Coin Knotlection jewelry. Wear it with the collection; wear it on its own. Day or night, the Princess Solitaire is guaranteed to draw you compliments.

This collection of bead jewelry draws on the beauty of Chinese knots for its inspiration. Knotting is an ancient art form in China and is often formed with silk cords both for practical and decorative purposes. The intricate designs of these knots are often used to add interest and elegance in the decoration of functional objects.

The double coin knot which the main focus of this collection of jewelry is so named as it looks like two overlapping traditional Chinese coins. These coins are round but have a square hole in the middle. As the knot is perfectly symmetrical, it also connotes double perfection. Coins of course, denote money and in this aspect, Chinese merchants often carry these knots about their person in the belief that it will bring prosperity.

Beauty in simplicity - The Little Princess Necklace. A simpler but no less elegant necklace featuring a single double coin knot. A beautiful octagonal Swarovski crystal is suspended from the knot to give a very sophisticated look.

The neck strap features a flat spiral weave. Through the use of magatamas instead of just round seed beads, the neck strap is extremely supple and textured. And to finish, a small and exquisite lotus bud like toggle ball secures the necklace.

This collection of bead jewelry draws on the beauty of Chinese knots for its inspiration. Knotting is an ancient art form in China and is often formed with silk cords both for practical and decorative purposes. The intricate designs of these knots are often used to add interest and elegance in the decoration of functional objects.

The double coin knot which the main focus of this collection of jewelry is so named as it looks like two overlapping traditional Chinese coins. These coins are round but have a square hole in the middle. As the knot is perfectly symmetrical, it also connotes double perfection. Coins of course, denote money and in this aspect, Chinese merchants often carry these knots about their person in the belief that it will bring prosperity.

The Imperial  necklace is the more elaborate of the necklaces in this collection. There are 5 double coin knots that form the centrepiece of this necklace. Each knot is joined to each other with a bezelled crystal chaton. And in the middle, a magnificent Swarovski octagonal crystal hangs in pride of place. The entire centrepiece is suspended from a series of embellished crystal chatons giving the effect of a rich and gem encrusted necklace.

Not only is the front elaborate and luxurious, the necklace is closed by a little “drum” made of two embellished crystal chatons adding just that little touch of something special. This makes the Imperial Necklace one that is befitting of an Empress.

This collection of bead jewelry draws on the beauty of Chinese knots for its inspiration. Knotting is an ancient art form in China and is often formed with silk cords both for practical and decorative purposes. The intricate designs of these knots are often used to add interest and elegance in the decoration of functional objects.

The double coin knot which the main focus of this collection of jewelry is so named as it looks like two overlapping traditional Chinese coins. These coins are round but have a square hole in the middle. As the knot is perfectly symmetrical, it also connotes double perfection. Coins of course, denote money and in this aspect, Chinese merchants often carry these knots about their person in the belief that it will bring prosperity.

The bracelet is an accompanying piece to the necklaces. It has 3 double coin knots connected by beautiful octagon Swarovski crystals. To balance the proportion of the bracelet on your wrist, a smaller octagon crystal is used. It is also connected with a slightly thicker strip to ensure that the bracelet lies completely flat when worn on your wrist.

Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do.
I'm half crazy all for the love of you.
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage.
But you'll look sweet,
Upon the seat,
Of a bicycle made for two.

Daisy Bell is a popular song, written in 1892 by Harry Dacre, with the well-known and much loved chorus. The song is said to have been inspired by Daisy Greville, one of the many mistresses of King Edward VII.

Daisy Daisy cuff is named for the lovely Daisy Greville as well as the humble daisy blossom. Bezelled cabochons carpet the entire surface of the cuff just like the beautiful flowers blanketing a field. Sparkly tiny fire polished beads give the sparkle to these little “flowers”.

The cuff is extremely supple and is stable in construction ensuring comfortable wear and durability.

“Shou”
The character that denotes longevity in Chinese.
It is about having good health and living a long life.

The Chinese longevity symbol is the most revered among the five good fortune symbols - Good Luck, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness, Wealth

The “Shou” character has been stylized by many. One of the most instantly recognizable image of this character is the round “Shou” with straight lines reflecting the strokes of the character. It is this version that the Cuff Of Longevity uses as a design element. To the Chinese, it is very auspicious to have this symbol on one self. To the non-Chinese, it is immediately recognizable as something intrinsically Oriental while being very attractive as a design element.

Weave yourself a beautiful and elegant cuff using this age old symbol of longevity. Wear it on your wrist to benefit from the fortune of longevity.

NOTE

The tutorial does NOT come with word charts.

Cubes! Cubes! Cubes!

Different colors placed together to give the illusion of 3-dimensional cubes. Look at it from one direction and the cubes are facing upwards. Turn it round and the cubes are now upside down!

What’s happening? Which is the top? Dilemma indeed.

The closure takes advantage of the 3-D cubes and end in 3 points with a simple loop and toggle ball ensemble. And to carry on the cubic dilemma, little cubic crystals form the ball portion of the clasp.

An even-count peyote cuff that is guaranteed to wow your friends everytime you wear it.

NOTE

The tutorial does NOT come with word charts.

Collier Joséphine and earrings are a tribute to the love and devotion that inspired the Emperor of France.

Born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie, Rose caught the eye of one of the more famous Emperors of France, Napoléon Bonaparte. Originally known by the name Rose, Napoléon prefered Joséphine and so Joséphine she became. First as Napoléon’s mistress, Joséphine subsequently became his first wife and the first Empress of the French.

As Empress, Joséphine de Beauharnais was popular and known for her kindness and generosity to foundlings. But perhaps what she is more famous for, is Napoléon’s devotion to her and the love letters he wrote to her.

“You to whom nature has given spirit, sweetness, and beauty, you who alone can move and rule my heart, you who know all too well the absolute empire you exercise over it!”
- Napoléon Bonaparte -

A central pendant with an embellished spike and encrusted in crystals is suspended from a necklace of bezelled pearls. The clasp is made from a double spiked crystal encrusted toggle.

Czech glass spike beads are partnered with luxurious Swarovski crystal pearls to form earrings fit for an Empress. Sparkling Swarovski crystals further embellish the ensemble for a rich and regal look.

Deceiving in its simplicity but definitely noble in its materials and design, Collier Joséphine and earrings is an elegant and sophisticated parure befitting a great Empress.

The chrysanthemum or mums or chu hua in Chinese has long been considered a very noble plant along with the orchid, bamboo and the plum. It was so well thought of that only the noble were allowed to grow the chrysanthemum in their gardens - lower classes were strictly forbidden from doing so.

It is said that Buddhist monks first brought the chrysanthemum to Japan around 400AD. The Japanese Emperors were so impressed and thought so highly of the little flower that the throne of the Japanese Emperor is called The Chrysanthemum Throne. To this day, the Japanese believe that the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the sun, and that the way in which the flower opens its petals denotes perfection. Japan also holds a "chrysanthemum festival" known as the Festival of Happiness.

If you receive a red chrysanthemum from someone, it is a symbol of love. A yellow chrysanthemum blossom on the other hand signifies neglected love or sorrow. A white chrysanthemum is a symbol of loyalty and devoted love. In general, chrysanthemums are believed to represent happiness, love, longevity and joy.

Sparkling Swarovski crystal rivolis are bezelled using cubic right angle weave to form the flower centres. Delicious little Czech Dragon® Scale beads form delicate little petals surrounding the glittering centre. Just like the flower, the Dragon® Scale bead petals of this blossom are multi-layered and perfectly ordered.

Five chrysanthemums are connected with textural CRAW tubes that loop gently between each blossom. Just like its flower namesake, Chrysanthemum can be elegant and sophisticated or romantic, gentle and sweet.