Did your mother and grandmother have a button jar.  When I was growing up, I loved rummaging through the button jar.

Here I have used a decorative button to hold together five strands of freshwater pearls.  It is so easy to wear – just slip it on and off, but has a dressy look that goes perfectly with that ‘little black dress’!

Focusing on the same technique, here are some more examples of what you can do with stretchy cord.  Maybe they will inspire you!

Try weaving through every other link of chain. Tips:  1.  I also found that by putting a small bead between the large pieces  of coral it allows the bracelet to stretch without exposing the cord. 2.  Stretch cord comes in different colours, so by using black thread, it blends in with the black chain.

You can add interest by using two or more strands of cord going through the beads and breaking out into two or more strands of beads.

Close up of how two strands go through a single bead…

Using clear stretch cord is both quick and easy, if . . . you know the right way to knot the cord and how to seal it.  Below are a couple of samples – and I will be posting more ideas to inspire you to, try it for yourself!!

Mix and match beads, giving a mixture of textures.

Natural beads made from nuts, seeds or other similar materials appeals to younger generations of either gender.

What you will need . . .

• Your choice of beads
• Clear stretchy cord (I recommend .7 or thicker for more body)

Cross left end of cord over right end of cord.

Bring cord around again (twice) and pull.

Cross the right end of cord over left end of cord.

Pull to tighten until the knot catches. Seal the knot with a dab of clear nail varnish or clear drying adhesive.

Hiding a knot . . .

Where bead holes are large enough, after gluing the know, thread one tail of cord back through the closest bead.  Pull the cord gently until the knot pops into the bead.  Allow the glue or nail varnish to dry.

Trim excess thread, leaving a knot that is not only hidden but more secure!

Tonight starts the new term for my Adult Education class in Beginners Creative Jewellery.  I am so excited!  I have 15 students and sharing my love of creating jewellery is my absolute favourite thing to do!  Over the next 10 weeks we will be learning about the various materials used and simple techniques to making jewellery.  Tonight we start with stretch cord and while some may turn up their nose at it, you can create some very beautiful things with stretch cord and it is so easy to slip on and off!

By using beautiful beads and embellishments, you can create something very special that coordinates perfectly with your outfit.  Here nI have used emerald green fire polish beads mixed with smooth round beads all enhanced with antiqued silver bead caps.

A close up of some beads and bead caps!

This is such an easy bracelet to make and yet it is so beautiful to wear.  Using Beadalon’s Wildfire thread gives the bracelet fluidity and durability.

I used an angled stripe in royal blue, jet black and silver crystal.

The wire guardian protects the thread at its weakest point and the crimp over the knot makes it especially secure!

Want to do something fun and enjoyable this weekend?  Check out the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts show in Exeter (England!) running 22-25 September.

At the beginning of the first day, Dino is preparing himself to demonstrate how easy it is to learn to make beautiful jewellery.  He should know.  A year ago, he had never made any jewellery and here he is, not only selling beads, findings, tools and everything for making jewellery, but actually showing others that it is fun, enjoyable and very easy to achieve success!

You can see a few of my finished pieces in the glass case to the left.  The gorgeous beads that Dino sources mean that even the most simple techniques can produce amazing jewellery.

Dino demonstrating – if you can’t make it to Exeter, check out his products on his new website, Bijoux by Me!

Working with wire and beads is so satisfying.  I really enjoyed making this black, white and silver necklace.  Adding the bouquet of beads gave it a whole different focus!

The seed bead strands on the sides are just twisted to make a solid cord but can also be used without twisting.

Small pearls, oats and bicone crystals were used to make a bouquet of beads.!

I had so many emails and messages about how much people are liking the Steampunk design ideas that I thought I would give you some more ideas!

Steampunk is planned for our QVC show on November 15 so I will try to post some more examples between now and then!

Sometimes I like to make a really, ‘in your face’ piece of jewellery and that is what I created here!!

Chips or nuggets are wired in between the beads of this necklace, tiara-style, to give a lightness to this chunky design

Beads floating between chain ties the whole thing together!