The Sage's Cupboard Beaded Jewelry

Beads have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've been collecting and using them for crafts and jewelry for many years. In 2005, I purchased a calendar featuring a huge variety of beadweaving and jewelry making tutorials. From then on, I was hooked on beadwork.

After a lot of work, research and planning, my Etsy shop was opened in the spring of 2009. Towards the end of 2010, I started focusing on the up and coming handmade marketplace, ArtFire.com.

Long chain and lariat style necklaces are my specialty, though I also offer a variety of items that use custom beaded clasps. Metal free designs are not only more eco-friendly, they are also lightweight, hypo-allergenic, and easier on the budget.

Much of my inspiration comes from nature. Living on the west coast of Canada provides plenty of ideas for ocean-themed jewelry and rain forest inspired beadwork. I really enjoy making my own beaded flowers for embellishments - fiber optic cat's eye beads are one of my favorite materials to use for creating tiny flowers. I also love working with Swarovski crystals, wood and bone beads, and even recycled beads.

You can browse a gallery of unique jewelry designs below, along with some more information about the types of materials that I select for my work. Some of my current pieces include beaded collars, clasp-free bangle bracelets, pendants and scarf necklaces.

To see the latest creations, visit
The Sage's Cupboard on ArtFire or Etsy.

My "Mother Nature" birthstone pendants are made without pit-mined precious metals and gemstones. Sparkling glass and crystal in a unique nature inspired design give these pretty pendants an heirloom look without the high price tag or environmental impact.

Made with your choice of gold or silver colored beads, each birthstone will be used only once, so each pendant is unique!

Traditional and some modern birthstone variations are available, all in gorgeous Swarovski colors that closely match the real thing. Each pendant features 3 faceted bicone crystals that sparkle and flash in the light.

One of my favorite techniques to use is the spiral rope stitch. It's simplicity is beautiful, and it's versatility is endless.

The spiral rope stitch is very durable. These necklaces will stand up to plenty of wear, and because of the many style options, they're great as every day accessories.

If you like this style of necklace, you can request your own personalized piece made with your favorite colors. For more details, visit my Custom Request Guide.

My assorted "chain necklaces" are made extra long and require no clasp. They can be worn long, or wrapped for a multi-strand appearance. These necklaces are excellent for layering with other light pieces for a fashionable look.

Each color pattern is unique. This simple design allows for endless possibilities, including those you see here. These necklaces can be paired with casual or formal outfits - they are great with jeans or your little black dress.

Eleven times a year, the Etsy BeadWeavers team challenges its members to create a piece of jewelry or beaded art work based on a specific theme. Members create items that are inspired by the chosen topic, and submit them for voting by team members and fans.

The winner of each challenge gets to choose the next theme, and inspire another round of amazing bead creations. If you're ever having a craving for some exceptional eye candy, drop by the EBW Team Blog between the 9th and 15th of the month to see the current entries. You can even vote for your favorite challenge creation!

Dream Medallion

My first entry into the EBW Challenge was in December 2009. The theme was "Peace and the Winter Olympics". Team members were asked to create a piece that embodied the spirit of teamwork and cooperation that world athletic competitions can inspire. My Dream Medallion is a tribute to Olympic medals, with elements of peace, harmony and diversity.

The Mermaid Path

For January and February 2010, the EBW Challenge theme was "The Ocean". Members were encouraged to use their own experiences and feelings about the ocean to create a piece with aquatic elements. My entry, The Mermaid Path, was inspired by the brightly colored starfish that can be found along the Nanaimo waterfront in British Columbia. I was inspired to create an ocean scene that was pure and unpolluted - something that is rarely found in today's waters.

Little Goat Tree Bangle didn't quite make it into the March "Fairy Tale" challenge. Instead, it was featured on a fellow EBW Team Member blog, the wonderful Christine's Beadworks.



Sky Blossoms Necklace was my first entry to receive 'runner-up'. This piece is clasp-free, and features 11 hand stitched peyote ring accents. "Sky Blossoms" was created for the April "Light as a Breeze" challenge.

If you love handmade, eco-friendly art, clothing and everything in between, you will enjoy these great sites that support emerging artists and designers. If you have yet to experience the joy of handmade, I encourage you to visit Etsy.com, ArtFire.com and Zibbet.com, to see what you've been missing!

You can also find The Sage's Cupboard on Facebook! Follow my fan page for exclusive sales and product updates.

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