Latest Jewelry Makes for Jesse James Beads Summer Bead Blast

I've been slacking in so many ways lately in sharing what I've been up to here. I recently posted several times about my mixed media art endeavors, but I've made some jewelry too! Hopefully, I'll be sharing a reveal of my most recent Bead Box makes, but I've made a few other things for Jesse James Beads and their Summer Bead Blast challenge. Here's a look at the pieces that have video tutorials. Clicking the picture and/or caption should take you to the tutorial. 

Simple Connection Earrings

Bead and Button Bracelet

Aromatherapy Car Charm

DIY Charm Pendant Necklace

And, that about covers the pieces with tutorials. I've also shared several more makes on Instagram if you want to take a peek over there too. And, there are several weeks left of the JJB Summer Bead Blast if you're interested in a fun challenge. 

Multi-Strand Design for JJBSummerBeadBlast Week 4

I have failed to mention that Jesse James Beads is having a summer-long (15-week) Jewelry Design Challenge that they're calling the Summer Bead Blast. As a Design Ambassador, I have been given several weeks to participate. But, as a lover of challenges, I will try to do them all. This is week 4 of the challenge (one that I was assigned) with the prompt Multi-strand. And, this is the bracelet I created. 

It really was an easy make as two of those three strands were already made! You can see how I brought the whole thing together in the video on YouTube. 

The challenge prompts are being released five weeks at a time. Here's the list of the first five weeks in case you want to catch up.

And, here's some more information about the challenge.

Since I forgot to share my first makes with you, let me do that now.

For the Week 1 Summer Vibes prompt, I made a simple, fun anklet.

There's a video of that one here: 

For asymmetrical design, I did a short of making a simple pair of earrings.

And, for the week 4 Memory wire/Stretch Bracelet prompt, I made a rainbow memory wire bracelet.

Though, of all the designs thus far, this week's bracelet is by far my favorite!

For more information on the challenge, please visit the Summer Bead Blast page on the Jesse James Beads website. As well, for more inspiration, check out Jesse James Beads on Instagram and on Facebook. If you decide to play along, make sure you use that hashtag!

Jesse James Beads Tutorials

I believe that I've mentioned a time or two here that I'm a Design Ambassador for Jesse James Beads. Basically, that means they send me beads, chains, pendants, and findings from their shop; and I make beautiful things with some of it that I share. For the most part, that sharing is on either Instagram or YouTube. But, there's no reason I shouldn't make sure you see what I've made either. 

First, here's the latest Jesse James Beads unboxing of the pretties that I received.

From there, I created this pair of earrings that were full of hearts and flowers, perfect for Mother's Day at the beginning of the month. You can watch how I made these in this Instagram Reel. 

After that, I created a really beautiful necklace with a full tutorial on YouTube. 

And, most recently, I shared another Instagram reel on making these super sparkly earrings. 

And, there's more coming from Jesse James beads this summer. Watch their Instagram, Facebook page, and especially the Jesse James Secret Stash Facebook group for more details coming soon.

Spring Jewelry Reveal for Jesse James Beads

I know, I know! All I've posted this month has been about the beautiful beads I received from Jesse James Beads. And, I promise I've been busy with other things too. Just go check out my Instagram, and you'll see! I'm hoping to share something else with you this week, but for now, I can't help but show off all the pretties I created with them.

I spent a lovely couple of hours with those beads making all these earrings!

Of course, there was also the layered necklace from my previous post.

And, I shared how these earrings were created in a reel on Instagram. 

Here's a fairly quick video of me talking about each of these makes. 

Of course, if you have any questions about how ANY of these were made or want more details, just let me know! I'd be happy to help.

DIY Easy Layered Neckalce

 Where the heck has the month gone?

I hate that I haven't been over here lately and promise that I'll do a post soon about what was keeping me so busy the last couple of weeks, but for now I'm here to share one of the things I made from some of the beads and chain that I received from Jesse James Beads as a Design Ambassador. (My last post gave you a peek at what all they sent me.) If you watched the video, you saw me ohh and ahh over the enameled dangle chain in dahlia. I knew it would be just perfect for a layered necklace. And, I was right!

Along with the enamel chain, I used a few more beads from Jesse James Beads and some silver tone chain from my own stash to create the necklace. I think it's perfectly customizable as you get to decide how long you want each layer. 

You can watch how I made this one to see how simple it really can be. Seriously, the hardest part is getting your lengths just the way you want. 

Let me know if you have any questions at all!

Unboxing Beads from Jesse James Beads

I received another package of goodies from Jesse James Beads as one of their Design Ambassadors. This one was full of bright pinks, purples, and greens and felt quite Spring-like. 

I've already got a few ideas for some of these beauties and should hopefully be sharing those soon. For now, you can watch me unbox and take a good look at all of what I was sent.

Do these spark any inspiration for you? 

You can find all this and more on the Jesse James Beads website. 

Easy Chain and Bead Necklace

As a Jesse James Beads Design Ambassador, I receive a ton of fabulous beads, findings, charms, buttons, and chains. But, admittedly, some of it lingers in my stash because it feels too precious to work with, too perfect already. This is precisely the case with the Chain Reaction strands. These strands contain interesting metal links interspersed with wire-wrapped crystals. They can easily be a necklace or a bracelet on their own. So, I struggle. But, in an attempt to push myself this year and be BRAVE (my Word of the Year). I moved some of the chains around on my desk until this super simple design jumped out at me.

The skills needed to make it were little more than knowing how to open and close a jump ring and how to make a wrapped loop. And, I only need a few jump rings, a clasp, and a headpin to pull it together. I'll talk you through it in the video.

The video also contains some real-life moments too: cats fighting, dog barking, and me being unprepared. But, that's how inspired I was to create this piece. I couldn't wait for the "perfect time" to make it work. It had to be made right then!

I've already got a few more ideas of what to create with some of the other many strands of Chain Reaction in my stash. But, I'd also love to know what would you make with this neat chain. You can see a few more examples of it in the video. 

DIY Pink Sparkle Bracelet

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that you make. I can't resist crafting a few projects for friends and family this time each year. With one friend in mind, I gathered some beads and made a simple beaded bracelet just for her. 

And, since I knew this project and method might work for others too, I popped on the camera and recorded the process in case you want to make one too. 

It really was just a matter of sorting through an array of beads from Jesse James Beads, getting them in an order I found pleasing, and crimping the ends. But, the results really are stunning. 

While it's probably just fine on its own as a gift, I'll pair this bracelet with a couple of other goodies I hope she'll enjoy. It was just so darn simple to make, I want to throw in some extras too. 

So, tell me, are you making any gifts this holiday season?

Make a Pendant from a Chain and a Chain from Beads

I have received a glorious array of beads from Jesse James Beads as a Design Ambassador. In fact, I've gotten so many that some have been neglected. I received the July Magical Mystery Bead Box at the end of July and put this Sunflower-inspired box aside while I made designs with some of the other beads from them. The Sunflowers box seems perfect for Fall, so it was about time I pulled it out and played. You can watch my unboxing of this array of beads, chain, and other treasures on YouTube. This unique necklace is my first to come out of that box. 

The "Chain of Blooms" chain from the box included three main links, and I moved them around so that the twisted ring hung from the bottom of the floral connector. The infinity connector was perfect to top the pendant and connect it to each side of the chain once I altered its alignment.

Dangles were created with headpins and a few of the beads in the Sunflowers Mini Mix. This addition finished the pendant.

From there, I picked out brown and green beads from the Gratitude, Friendship, & Happiness Bead Mix and used them to make links for the front portion of the necklace's chain. Jump rings were used to attach these links together and add a golden chain from my stash. To finish the necklace, a lobster clasp was added. 

This is a fabulous fall necklace. And, it kinda, sorta looks like an owl (one of my favorite animals). In my YouTube video, you can watch the complete tutorial to Create a Pendant with a Chain and a Chain with Beads. 

Of course, if you have ANY questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Ask away!

Five Beaded Designs from One Mix

 The folks at Jesse James Beads surprised the Design Ambassadors with a fun little challenge. We were all sent the same beautiful components with which to work.

While we were only asked to create a single design, I couldn't stop playing with these gorgeous elements and made five pieces! You can watch me reveal the bits they sent as well as make all five pieces in my Five Beaded Designs video on YouTube. 

But, if you just want to see what I pulled together, here's a reveal of each of the designs in the order that I made them. 

I was smitten with those roses and the little crimson tassels and just had to pair them up. 

This is the only appearance the crystal chain makes in my designs, but that just means that I have more of it to use later! Single links of it work as connectors for these pretty earrings. 

Those feather charms work great on their own, but the red crystals help add a little weight to these earrings. 

The maroon color of both the pearls and the tassels had me using them together, but the design changed mid-video, as you'll see if you watch. Of course, that large clasp is the real star of this bracelet. 

I always love an owl and knew I needed to use this one somehow. It became the focal on this simple necklace that uses a few more of the beads on beading wire (What!? I never use beading wire anymore.) This was quick and easy to pull together. 

And, those were my five designs. 

I still have quite a bit of chain and beads left to use on another day. It's amazing how much you get in a MINI mix from Jesse James Beads. I've still got a whole Magical Mystery Bead Box from them that I haven't touched yet. Keep an eye on my YouTube Channel for that reveal! Oh, and if you want to see what the other Design Ambassadors made, use #JJBAmbassador throughout social media to find us. (Here's the Instagram tag for good measure.)

If you're interested, these are the links to the products we were sent: 

Mini Mix in Bing Cherry

Gunmetal Rhinestone Chain

Organic Lobster Clasp in Silver

Feather Tassel Pair

Which of these five designs is your favorite? And, what would you have made?

Diy Beaded Fan Pull

 The Magical Mystery Bead Box for May 2022 that I received from Jesse James Beads as a Design Ambassador was chock full of all kinds of amazing that I still haven't completely worked my way through. As I was showing off some of the beads to my husband, I realized that the large ceramic focal in the box would be perfect as a fan pull in our living room. And, y'all, it really is!

It took me less than ten minutes to pull it together. And, I know this because I let the camera roll in real time as I created the piece. 

You can watch me make this Beaded Fan Pull in the viewer above or head over to YouTube for the full experience. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have in the comments either here or there!

And, I'd love to know what you think of the process and product. 

Honey Do List Reveal (July 2022)

I was kicking myself for not having the time to participate in last month's Honey Do List challenge from SJ Designs Jewelry as the inspiration photo was of a Chihuly glass art installation, and I LOVE Chihuly's work. Fortunately, Sarajo and Eric used another photo of Chihuly's art this month too. YAY! 

Something about this inspiration felt watery and almost jellyfish-like. And, the colors...they're almost all there! I knew I could make something from this eye candy of inspiration.

As a design ambassador for Jesse James Beads (#jjbambassador), I have received a beautiful array of beads, pendants, chains, and other glorious bits in the past several months. So, I let these two "challenges" combine and created a couple pairs of earrings from some of my JJB stashes for the Honey Do List. 

Between the underwater feel, the glass itself, and the color array of the inspiration photo, these earrings fell together. The mermaid tails came from my latest mix from the May 2022 Magical Mystery Bead Box while the yellow and orange beads are part of the Sunset Goddess Bead Mix. 

It may come as no surprise to anyone, but the blue of the inspiration photo really stood out to me personally. And, then there were the lines on much of the glass that caught my eye. This collection of beads (also from the May Magical Mystery Bead Box) seemed to emulate those points to me. Aren't they gorgeous?

Once I had these two earrings made, I knew I could be done with the challenge, but something told me to try playing with my tin as well. I kept seeing crinkled discs in the inspiration photo. So, I cut out a bunch of discs, altered them, and created this wonky pendant. 

While I do feel that it captures the inspiration, it just doesn't feel quite right.

So, with the leftover discs, I created this one instead.

It worked out much better!

Hopefully, I can bring in more of those gorgeous Jesse James Beads to make a simple chain for at least one of these pendants, but I was running out of time again before this reveal. The chain(s) will have to come later.

Now, I invite you to head over to the Honey Do List reveal to see what Sarajo made with the inspiration. There, you will also find links to the other artists who participated as well as a way to add your own link if you want to play along!

Thanks to Sarajo and Eric for another beautiful challenge!!

Sweet Button Bangle DIY

I received a beautiful selection of beads and buttons this month from Jesse James Beads as a Jesse James Beads Design Ambassador. Admittedly, they are colors I probably wouldn't have chosen myself, but it gave me even a hint more of a challenge. And, you know know how I like a good challenge. I should have a full reveal of everything I made from what they sent next week, but when I saw those beautiful Mermaid Mix in Coral buttons from Dress it Up, I knew I needed to make a button bangle with them. 

Yes, this design isn't new to me, but I took some time to update the tutorial. You can watch and learn to make your own button bangle on YouTube. 

It's a simple process that uses a thrifted bracelet as a base, wire, and those lovely buttons. 

Of course, if you have ANY questions I'm always available to answer them. Ask away!

Make Your Own Beaded Suncatcher

 As a Jesse James Beads Design Ambassador, I received one of the Secret Stash Boxes this month. And, it was PACKED with beautiful beads, pendants, and findings. One of the pieces in there was a large crystal that I thought might be too heavy for a pendant. It got my wheels turning as to what else that beauty could become. It didn't take long for me to settle on using it to create a suncatcher for a window in my sunroom.

And, it took even less time to pull it together. Really, the hard part was deciding what beads to include with it. 

All of the beads included in this project came from my own Secret Stash Box. But, who knows what could be in yours. Each box is different, but all of the pieces are curated to go together. It's such a FUN surprise.

Anyway, back to the suncatcher. Once I decided on the beads, I used fishing line, crimp beads, and a fishing swivel to complete it. You can watch my whole process in my Easy Handmade Beaded Suncatcher video.

I do mention in the video that you can create the suncatcher without the swivel, but I like to include it because it allows it to spin in the light more easily. 

It has brought a smile to my face every time I see it.

And, really, even if you don't have a big crystal from Jesse James Beads, you could use all kinds of things to create a fun hanging decoration with this technique. Tell me, what will you string up in your window?

Jesse James Beads (April 2022)

Have I mentioned that I was selected to be a Jesse James Beads Design Ambassador? (#JJBAmbassador)

 It was a simple enough process to fill out the form on their website and then wait for the news. After that, I sat on pins and needles to see what they would send me to play with for April. You can watch my Unboxing Video for the unveiling of the above beauties. 

From there, I set to moving the beads and chain around on my desk. Almost immediately, I was ready to create. First, I came up with a pair of simple earrings made with some wire that framed several of the beads. 

I shared the process of making these in a DIY Bead and Wire Earring Tutorial on YouTube. 

Then, working with both the beads Jesse James sent me and some I bought from them, these little beauties just fell together. 

To see how these were made, you can watch the reel I made on Instagram. 

After that, I turned off the cameras and just set to work creating a bounty of jewelry. 

I really wanted to play with that gunmetal contemporary chain. So I combined it with a few of the beads from the Sunset Goddess mix and created this bracelet.

Most of the beads I received from Jesse James Beads came in even numbers, making them perfect for earrings. So, I HAD to create several more pairs. First were these that also used a few links of some chain I purchased from them.

And, I had to see how well they worked with a few snippets of tin. 

Then, the gunmetal chain drew my eye again!

Finally, I combined some of the beads they sent with some of the beads and chain I bought to create this lovely, delicate butterfly necklace. 

All around, I'm ticked with the results and how fun it is to create with Jesse James Beads. I'm hoping they want to continue to work with me as a Design Ambassador and can't wait to see what they send next to inspire me! Keep your eyes peeled for more.