Makings and Musings...: FAVORITE PATTERNS AND TUTORIALS: JEWELRYLESSONS.COM

Hi all! I was hoping to get a post off sooner than this, but unfortunately I am at the mercy of my back until we fix it, or at least mask the problem! So I will file this under the "Better Late Than Never" category and dredge on with a smile! This week I want to start a segment on Makings and Musings on which I share with you my favorite places to get patterns. I am envisioning this as a once a week offering, please let me know if it is helpful to anyone! Read on to discover my favorite pattern websites, my favorite designers, and there may even be a link to a freebie I found out there on the web!

BEADWOVEN TREASURE - TILA MOSAIC BRACELET BY EXTRANO

Okay, let me first say that I didn't sleep last night due to a sick and vomiting dog, and a creepy person who looked in my front door. All is well now, Sophia is feeling much better and no one broke down my door. Whew! We are just all a little sleepy. In fact I am in my pajamas, still under the covers and that suits me just fine. I was flipping through my Fire Mountain Gems catalog, the thick one that resembles a phone book. That is what reminded me to get this post written! It is really a wonderful reference, and it has tons of eye candy and ideas in it. If you don't have one, trust me, you need one. Click HERE to go to the catalog link on their site.

That was probably all a bit of TMI, but I promise the meat of the post is on its way now! Do you have favorite place to go on the net, or a favorite book or other reference that you use for beading ideas? I do. And now, my dearies, I am going to share them with you!

The spotlight today is on JewelryLessons.com what a wonderful website, with tons and tons of designers contributing to the content. It is updated quite frequently and I find something new every time I go there. There are free patterns as well as patterns you can purchase. With all those contributors how will you ever know where to start? Leave it to Jillie to help show you the way! I am going to share with you my favorite designers on the site! (I hope you are as excited as I am)

1. EXTRANO - Says she loves beading and has passed this wonderful art down to her daughters! I simply adore the Old World/Victorian look of her pieces. I have inserted two of her patterns, you simply must click on the pics to go check out the rest!

ALANDAHA BRACELET BY EXTRANO

SWINGING CUTIES BY EXTRANO

2. Ellad2 - Just gorgeous designs, you have to see them yourselves. This is just two of many wonderful designs, but you can click on the pictures to go to the site and peek at the rest! And check out her blog at http://ellad2.com

LET IT BLOOM PENDANT BY ELLAD2

MAROON BRACELET BY ELLAD2

3. Darlovely...loves beading "...because it rejuvenates and calms me during the process and gives me a sense of satisfaction after the completion of each and every piece." Her work features crystals and is beautiful! Don't take my word for it, click on the images below to see for yourself!

SWAROVSKI OCEAN FLOWER BRACELET BY DARLOVELY

DOUBLE LAYER PETAL FLOWER RING BY DARLOVELY

4. Debger Designs...This designer sports classic, feminine, and stylish jewelry patterns and tutorials, using her favorite beads. The use of the Tilas makes these pieces just stunning! Click on the images to check out more of her beautiful work!

CRYSTAL CHANDELIER TILA EARRINGS

RENAISSANCE TILA BRACELET

5. Jaycee Patterns...ah, the vision of beauty. These designs remind me of the holidays, in fact, they would make great gifts! Better get started soon! Click the images to check out these awesome patterns!

AMARYLLA BRACELET BY JAYCEE PATTERNS

NETTED BUTTERFLY BRACELET BY JAYCEE PATTERNS

6. XQ Designs...Just beautiful earrings! And just right for summer! If you are looking for some wire work patterns, this is a great place to start! You can also find XQ Designs on these websites: http://www.Handmade-Jewelry-Club.com and http://www.diylessons.org

CIRCULAR BRICK STITCH EARRINGS BY XQ DESIGNS

FLOWERY EGYPTIAN COIL BRACELET T75 BY XQ DESIGNS

Whew! That is a lot of gorgeousness to take in in one day! I bet you can do it though!

Oh, I almost forgot, I wanted to let you in on a cool freebie I found while fooling around on the net, so here ya go! It is from FaveCrafts click the image to go right to the pattern, there are lots of others there too, but don't blame me if you are lost for hours in beadlandia!!