Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Magazine Review: Bead Trends

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   Bead Trends is more than a magazine, much more. I just got the Sept/Oct 08 issue and was really suprised to see how thick this issue is,  it’s really like a softbound book.  Their love of creating jewelry is evident in the magazine which is filled . Filled with juicy photos and projects and thin on advertising,  Bead Trends sets itself apart from the other jewelry craft magazines.  The projects range from beginner to advanced so there is something for everyone.  In addition to all the projects, each issue contains a “Designer Highlight” article and “Fabulous Findings” section to bring you the newest and most interesting new things to create with.

The Sept/Oct issue contains a great article about paper quilled jewelry that is gorgeous and stunning lampwork bangles projects.  It may be a bit hard to find in your local book or jewelry supply store, if they don’t carry it tell them about it. You can also buy single issues online directly from the publisher or splurge on a years subscription..

Comments

  2. It is great to read your review. It could not be more spot on with the vision we have for our publications. We will always only allow a small percentage to go to advertising as we want the publication to stay tru to submission and great photography.
    If you could ad one more plug to this article it would be that we want submission to keep in the publication and to keep the variety high. We do not have a design team making jewelry all day so to keep the magazine full of great projects we rely on our readers to send in their submissions.
    If you could and also spread the word to others that we are always looking for more variet and new submitters that would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks for the great review…

    Publisher
    David Ross

  3. I am so happy to find a review of this publication. I subscribe to all the major beading and jewelry magazines and I agree that Bead Trends has completely set itself apart and, I would dare say, above the others.

    The photography is what propels this publication in the stratosphere. No other takes such care to showcase the designs. It is consistently raising the bar on true artistry and it is amazing how beautiful the pieces look.

    The fact that the magazine submissions is all reader based designs is wonderful. It proves that there are talented designers in every corner of the world, and you don’t need any formal training or a title to be the next great thing. I do love to see a consistent take on things with a design team as with other publications, but Bead Trends affords the rest of us an opportunity to shine. I am one such designer. My star has never shone more bright than in the pages of Bead Trends.

    I have been very fortunate to have my designs chosen for this publication many times. I am always humbled that they like what I do. I won’t ever be able to repay them for what they have done for me professionally and personally. I have no trouble believing that I am an artist when I see my work represented in the pages of this magazine. It is sublime.

    I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested in trying new designs, whether beginner or advanced level, to subscribe to this publication. The lean advertising makes the cost quite a bit more than the others, but I find it is worth it.

    Worth. Every. Penny.

Have you read?

10 DIY Elegant Halloween Jewellery Ideas For Adults

Halloween jewellery does not have to mean plastic pumpkin earrings, oversized orange beads, or novelty pieces that only come out for one night and then disappear into the back of a drawer until next October. Sometimes the prettiest Halloween accessories are the ones that whisper spooky rather than shout it across the room. A tiny skull charm on a beaded strand, a black spiderweb pendant with a bit of sparkle, a gothic choker, or pumpkin earrings made with wire and glass beads can feel festive without looking like you raided the kids’ dress-up box.

I have always loved the idea of grown-up Halloween jewellery because it gives you a way to join in the season without committing to a full costume. Handy when you have school pickups, work, dinner out, or, in my case, a dog who thinks anything dangling from my ears is clearly meant for his inspection. Elegant DIY Halloween jewellery is also a lovely excuse to use black beads, gunmetal findings, rich purples, smoky crystals, deep reds, antique brass, and all those moody little supplies we tend to collect because “they might come in handy one day.”

These Halloween jewellery tutorials are perfect for adults who want something handmade, wearable, and just a little bit dramatic. There are beaded earrings, wirework pumpkins, skull bracelets, spiderweb pendants, gothic necklaces, and a few pieces that could be styled beautifully with a black dress, velvet jacket, autumn cardigan, or even jeans and boots. Nothing too childish, nothing too throwaway — just clever handmade jewellery ideas with a spooky-season twist.

Elegant DIY Halloween Jewellery Tutorials For Adults

1. Glam Halloween Necklace Tutorial

This glam Halloween necklace is the sort of piece you can wear to a party without feeling like you’re in costume. The black, orange, and silver beading gives it a seasonal look, but the layered style keeps it polished and very wearable. It would look lovely with a plain black top or dress when you want your jewellery to do the decorating.

2. Halloween Multi-Strand Necklace With Skull Pendant

This skull pendant necklace has that perfect grown-up spooky look — a little gothic, a little beaded, and very fun for Halloween night. The multi-strand design makes it feel more like statement jewellery than a quick costume accessory. I especially like this one for using up seed beads in purple, black, gunmetal, or deep orange tones.

3. Spider Web Pendant And Earrings For Halloween

Spiderweb jewellery can go very novelty very quickly, but this project keeps it quite stylish with craft wire, glass beads, and a matching pendant-and-earring idea. It has enough detail to feel special, but it still sits nicely in that elegant Halloween jewellery space. Try it in silver and black for classic spooky, or antique copper for a more Victorian feel.

4. Creepy Halloween Bead And Wire Spider Earrings

These bead and wire spider earrings are wonderfully dramatic without being over the top. They use wirework and beads to create a proper little spider shape, which makes them ideal if you enjoy jewellery projects that feel a bit more sculptural. Make them in black crystal, smoky grey, or deep garnet beads for a more adult Halloween look.

5. Jewelry Making – Pumpkin Wire Earrings

These pumpkin wire earrings from CraftBits are a sweet Halloween and fall jewellery project that can easily be dressed up depending on your supplies. Swap the bright orange for copper wire, bronze beads, or tiny green glass accents and they suddenly become much more boutique-looking. They are quick enough for an afternoon make, which is always a win when October sneaks up on us.

6. Beaded Pumpkin Earrings

If you like seed bead projects, these beaded pumpkin earrings are a lovely seasonal make. The shape is cute, but the beaded texture gives them a more finished jewellery look than a simple charm earring. For an elegant version, I’d try muted pumpkin tones, copper seed beads, or even black and bronze for a Halloween evening outfit.

7. DIY Dripping Blood Earrings

These dripping blood earrings are definitely for the Halloween lovers who like a bit of drama. Because they are made with hot glue and nail polish, they are budget-friendly, but you can make them look more polished by using deep wine red, gloss varnish, or a subtle red glitter finish. They would be fabulous with a vampire-inspired outfit or a simple black dress.

8. Halloween Skull Bead And Tassel Drop Earrings

Skull beads and tassels are a brilliant combination for adult Halloween jewellery because they add movement without feeling too cutesy. This CraftGossip feature is a great starting point if you love earrings that feel festive but still wearable. Use black silk tassels, metallic skull beads, or deep jewel tones to make them feel more elegant.

9. Colorful Skull Bracelets

These skull bracelets are beginner-friendly, but they can easily be styled in a more grown-up way. Instead of bright rainbow colours, try black skull beads with hematite, smoky quartz, deep purple glass beads, or antique gold spacers. It is a simple strung bracelet project, which makes it perfect for jewellery makers who want something quick but still seasonal.

10. Beaded Bat Earrings Tutorial

For seed bead lovers, these beaded bat earrings are such a fun Halloween challenge. The bat motif is festive, but beadwork gives the design a more intricate handmade feel. They would be gorgeous in matte black beads with a tiny metallic accent, especially if you prefer Halloween jewellery that feels detailed rather than loud.

Styling Elegant Halloween Jewellery Without Looking Too Costumey

The trick with elegant Halloween jewellery is choosing one statement piece and letting it have its moment. A spiderweb pendant with a plain black blouse, skull earrings with a soft cardigan, or a beaded pumpkin bracelet with a rust-coloured sweater can feel seasonal without tipping into full costume territory. I love pieces like these because they let you enjoy Halloween in a way that still feels stylish and personal.

If you are making jewellery to gift, these projects also work beautifully for friends who enjoy Halloween but do not necessarily dress up. Pop a pair of earrings onto a handmade earring card, add a little black ribbon, and you have a thoughtful October gift that feels much nicer than another bag of sweets. Not that I am against sweets, mind you — I simply believe handmade earrings and chocolate can happily live in the same gift bag.