I’ve mentioned a few times recently that I’ve taken up beading. I’ve never been super crafty – scrapbooking, knitting, sewing, etc. They all sound neat to me but I’ve never enjoyed learning to do any of them – like my hands just didn’t want to do that and it was more frustrating than anything else.

I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, mostly because of expense, partly because of small children that like to hang on me and break my things – but when a friend offered to teach me how to bead my own jewelry, I was intrigued and said yes. I was almost immediately hooked. The first bracelet I made went so smoothly I was surprised – that’s it in the picture above. I wear it all the time now, mostly because I’m so proud that I made it myself!

I’ve always loved the idea of making “something from nothing” and envied my crafty friends (and spouse) and now I have finally found a hobby that gives me that feeling. Browsing the bead aisles at my local craft store or bead specialty shop and find colors and bead designs that appeal to me and then going home and turning them into an actual piece of jewelry that someone can wear – awesome. I love it. Even when it’s hard, it’s worth it to me to keep working to get it right.

I thought I’d share some of my recent creations that came out well.

This was bracelet #3 – number two was an epic failure at least in my book. It just didn’t go how I wanted it to go. I bought the wrong this and attempted the wrong that and restrung it three times and still wasn’t happy with it in the end. But I wasn’t so much discouraged so much as taking notes – that didn’t work. Remember that. Also, buy more supplies.

So the bracelet above was my next try – it was also a compromise when my original design didn’t pan out, but I like it’s simplicity and colors and I’m happy with it.

Then I made this one shortly after – very similar design to my first bracelet and I love it. I love how the beads kind of sparkle and the interest of shape. I love the seashells – and I’ve quickly become a big fan of the double strand bracelet. I love this.

And my first necklace – it’s nothing special but I like it. Necklaces seem more complicated to me just because there is more room to fill – I need to make more and I need to learn some new techniques so that all my designs aren’t the same three things rehashed. But I’m loving it.

Any other beaders out there? Any tips or favorite brands or techniques worth learning?