Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Siren Song Necklace by Avalon Potter

by

photo copyright Avalon Potter

photo copyright Avalon Potter

When making seasonal themed jewelry, it’s important to think of what evokes the thoughts & feelings of that season for you. For Summer jewelry, its usually tropical or beach/sea inspired. Using yellows, bright orange, red, lime green and hot pink color brings a tropical flavor to your work; while using cool sea colors of aqua blue, sandy beige,and natural objects like shells and drift wood will evoke memories of a seashore.

All summer long, I’ll be posting themed jewelry to get you inspired to create your own Summer Jewelry wardrobe.

Our first sea themed inspiration piece is by a young lady with a lot of talent, Ms. Avalon Potter. “Siren Song” is a simple yet elegant combination of just a few components that make a gorgeous statement necklace.

Avalon used a miniature canvas pendant from Art Beads,, Beadalon Quick Links and chain and jet black CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements briolette pendants to create this piece. I love what she did and am going to get one of those pendants for myself.

I’d love to see YOUR summer themed jewelry too! Leave a comment with a link to your work and perhaps you’ll be next on the Summer Inspiration post!

Comments

  2. Is this Margot Potter’s daughter? If so, I can really see that talent runs strongly in the family.

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.