Hero of the Week

This weeks hero was inspired by my younger sister. As I was listing the first items in our newly opened shop she sent me a message that said, 'I don't bead but I want those dark olive matte toho cube beads'. It made me think about how I have drooled over so much of our inventory as we have been going through this process and how just the finish and color of these tiny glass wonders excite even non beaders.

To be honest, I have used cube beads in my work just a couple of times so this was an exciting inspiration for me and I love the geometric necklace design I came up with. You can find these 3mm cubes in our shop now and you can check back here on Friday to see the project that these gorgeous green cubes inspired.

Do you use cubes in your work? Tell us about it in the comments. :)

Easy Red Square Stitch Earrings

The wonderful, tiny, full of possibility seed bead is  this week's hero. Opaque cherry red seed bead to be exact, that I created a fun pair of earrings that will match the Blooming Heart necklace we featured last week or stand out beautifully on their own.

My favorite stitch to use with my favorite type of bead is square stitch, and curb chain can work into square stitch seamlessly giving you a great way to combine metal into glass seed beadwork.  Again, if you would like to make these earrings there is a kit available in our shop.

The kit includes the beads and metal components. You will need beading thread, needle, a wire cutter, round nose pliers, and a knowledge of square stitch to help you complete the project. I like long earrings but you can shorten these to suit you by simply weaving fewer rows.

If you would like to learn square stitch to complete this project or have any questions about the assembly please don't hesitate to contact me below or through Etsy.

Let us know what you think and have a fun, bead filled week!

Hero of the Week

My absolute most all time favorite type of bead ever is the seed bead. Preferably size 11/0 and usually in bright opaque colors. That is why this week's Unstrung Hero is the size 11/0 opaque cherry red seed bead!

The sad part about my love of seed beads is that projects using seed beads often take many hours to complete and, like many of you I'm sure, I work a full time job and am a mom and operate two Etsy shops. That is a lot of time already consumed out of my days and I do enjoy sleeping at night, leaving little time to actually make all of the big ideas floating around in my head. I still really want to use these gorgeous drops of color (it's like weaving paint splatters) so I really enjoy small instant gratification seed bead projects. Check back in on Friday to see how I turn this weeks tiny hero into a great pair of earrings that you can make in just a couple hours.

What is your all time most absolute favorite bead ever?

A Blooming Heart

 Earlier this week we introduced to you our hero of the week and promised to bring you a design to use or inspire your own. Here is the finished necklace that turns this Unstrung Hero into a winning accessory for Valentine's Day and beyond.

This is a very simple piece to create with just a few components to assemble and connect that garners a compliment fetching necklace that will work with multiple outfits.

If you want to create this design you can see how it is constructed above. All of the materials are available in our shop but we have also simplified it even more for you by creating a kit with all of the components you need to make this fun piece. You just need to provide a few tools and love of  jewelry making and the kit provides the rest.

 Let us know what you think in the comments below. If you would like to share your finished work with this heart pendant or the kit just leave us a link to a photo in the comments and we will share it in a future blog post!

Hero of the Week

This weeks featured unstrung hero is this super adorable antique brass heart pendant. I love the little bird sketch and the shape of the open half of the heart, and with Valentine's Day quickly approaching it seemed the perfect pick for our feature bead this week.  I could already envision the necklace I would create with this sweet pendant when I ordered it for our shop.

You will love the fun it will add to your design too! Don't know what to create with it? Check back in with us on Friday and I will show you how to transform this awesome piece into a great necklace for you to make and wear or gift to someone you love this Valentine's Day. Prefer to use it in your own design? You can find it along with more beads and components to accompany it in our shop, and check back on Friday for a bit of inspiration!

Almost There!

We have been adding product to our new shop all weekend and still have more to add. Head on over  to see great bead colors like this...

Stay tuned for more excitement to come :)

We Are Listing!

Hello all of you beadweavers and jewelry makers! We are beginning to list in our Etsy shop starting now. We will offer many types of beads and findings including a few vintage and recycled pieces that you will love creating with. Of course we are always open to your suggestions as well. If there is a bead color or size or component you want to see, let us know. We want to know what you like to use in your jewelry.
We will also share great ideas with you here!

Leave your suggestions in the comments below then head over to our shop to check out what we have listed so far!