Handmade Beaded Jewelry

Creating a piece of handmade beaded jewelry is so satisfying that you just want to make more! There are so many types of beading to explore, one thing is for sure – you won’t ever get bored! Of all the different types of beading, bead stitching and bead crochet are by far my favorites.
As you learn more about making beaded jewelry and improve your beading skills, you’ll be amazed what you can create! The most exciting thing about beading is the ability to combine different techniques into a handmade piece of jewelry you can enjoy yourself, or give as a gift. Browse the Bead Stitching and Bead Crochet samples in my Portfolio to see just some of the possibilities!
Several bead crochet bracelets made with various colors and patterns

Bead Crochet

Bead crochet is one of my very favorite techniques. It is not easy to learn, but if you practice, practice, practice, it is well worth the effort. Once you learn the technique, you’ll be able to create so many different looks – some just by using different size beads. Bead crochet is a flexible technique as well – it can be combined with other stitches or components to create fabulous designs with or without clasps.

Browse the Bead Crochet samples in my Portfolio to see just a few of the possibilities!

Beaded cuff bracelet with loops and loops of beads and swarovski crystals. Designed by Karmen Schmidt

Bead Stitching

Bead stitching encompasses so many different techniques it is impossible to show them all here. Bead stitching is done with a needle and thread – like sewing – and there are different stitches to accomplish different looks. There are flat stitches, tubular stitches, and many other different combinations using different sizes and types of beads.

Spiral rope, netting, and herringbone stitches are just a few of my favorites! Browse the Bead Stitching samples in my Portfolio to see just a few of the possibilities!

Several bead crocheted pendants in various colors and styles

Bead Embroidery

What do you do when you love cutting and polishing cabochons AND bead stitching? Bead Embroidery, of course!

Bead embroidery is done with a needle and thread to enhance a cabochon or focal element in a piece by stitching beads onto fabric or other backing material. Bead embroidery doesn’t create the structure as in bead stitching, where beads are stitched together, but allows creative decoration by using beads to encase or bezel cabochons, focal beads, and other focal elements.

Your imagination and creativity are the only limitations to what you can do with bead embroidery. Make pendants, bracelets, neckpieces, hairbands, pins and more using seed beads of any type including bugel beads, triangle beads, SuperDuos, magatamas – you name it – you can bead it with bead embroidery! There are a few basic stitches to learn and a bit of trial and error, but with a little practice you’ll be creating fabulous pieces of art in no time!

Browse the Bead Embroidery samples in my Portfolio to see just a few of the possibilities!

So many slabs…so little time!