Two years ago, diamond ball burs gave me the creative kick I needed to grow as a jewelry maker. They allowed me to drill pearls and carve swirling patterns in them. I was also able to epoxy faceted stones into beads, cut seats in disk-shaped pearls for cabochon settings, and make large-hole beads out of […]

We have 8 billion people on this planet today, all of whom generate trash. Perhaps some more than others but collectively, trash is a huge problem today. The biggest culprit is plastic. Don’t get me wrong, we do need some plastic for many applications but the throw away culture means a lot of plastic ends […]

Nothing says more about a design being handmade than if as many components as possible are indeed handmade. However,  few of us are masters at all kinds of techniques. So artisanal supplies are sought after for their uniqueness.  One such artisan is French ceramic artist, PoppyBis. Her designs come as charms or cabochons. She also […]

I actually made it! This year on January 4, marks the 19th blogging anniversary of The Beading Gem’s Journal. I’ve bucked the trend as the average lifespan of a blog is just 2-3 years. This blog was and still is a passion project. I have kept it a one woman blog all these years with […]

I love learning about traditions that have been passed down through generations. Mokumé gané is one such tradition. Once nearly forgotten, it now thrives in various forms – including metal clay. ABOVE: Jackie Truty teaches you how to create metal clay mokumé gané from start to finish. Requiring great skill with a fire forge, mokumé […]

This Woodino Golden Covered MDF Jewellery Box is beautifully handcrafted with an oxidised metal (patra) cover that enhances its antique golden appeal. Designed in a 6x4x4 inch compact […]

This Handmade Sheesham Wood Jewellery Box features elegant hand-carved designs that showcase the craftsmanship of skilled artisans. Compact yet functional at 6×4 inches, it offers the perfect space […]

The Woodino Copper Covered Jewellery Box (6×4 inches) is a blend of metal artistry and craftsmanship. Featuring a hand-applied oxidised copper cover (metal patra) on a strong MDF […]

Remember the fabulous stained glass style suncatchers by BanwellDesigns?  I featured their work before here. While they probably used a commercial glass printing technique, you can also achieved the same effect at home using glass paints and texture applications. Check out this fabulous stained glass look butterfly crown tutorial by Sanne which uses not glass as […]

My blog readers will likely remember the first year (2024) of the Teen Maker Program at my local Makerspace in the city of Cambridge in Ontario, Canada.  This is where volunteer mentors as well as the helpful staff at the Makerspace assist and guide young crafters for the city’s annual Holiday Market.  Well, the city […]