The Sage's Cupboard Beading Calendar

Birthstone: Emerald

Emeralds have been prized gemstones since Ancient Egyptians times, and are still valued today for their beauty and rarity. In addition to being the birthstone for May, emeralds are also a traditional gift for a 55th wedding anniversary.

You can use glass beads or crystals to represent this deep green gem. Because emeralds are more brittle than many other precious stones, perfect emerald cuts are rare. For an antique style project, you can use frosted or crackled glass beads in deep green hues.

Try pairing your 'emeralds' with gold seed beads in a chunky multi-strand necklace.

Flower: Lily-of-the-Valley

These bell-like white flowers are a beautiful introduction to summer. In France, it is common to see them being sold on the first day of May. It is said the the Lily of the Valley was created by the tears of Eve as she left the garden of Eden. It is also the official flower of Finland.

You can use centre drilled white beads or bells to make your own lillies of the valley. Or stitch some with tubular brick stitch.

Try making a pin with a green tubular herringbone base and dangling white flowers.

Western Zodiac: Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Taurus is a feminine astrological sign ruled by Venus. People born under this sign are known to be loyal, level headed and terribly stubborn. The symbol for this earth sign is the bull.

Try using seed beads to stitch a tribal bull design into a wallet or handbag.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for Beaded Handbag instructions.

Holiday: Mother's Day (Second Sunday of May)

The North Amercian holiday, Mother's Day, is a fairly modern tradition created by Anna Jarvis. In some other cultures, a similar holiday to honor mothers is celebrated based on more ancient traditions such as the festivals of Cybele, Juno and Gaia, the Earth Mothers.

You can honor a special mom in your life with a one of a kind beaded gift. A bouquet of beadwoven flowers is a great traditional gift, or make her some jewelry in her favorite colors.

For a quick project, use metal alphabet beads to make a "Mother" or "Mom" necklace. Use her favorite color for additional beads and use a flower clasp.

Color Ideas for May"

Birthstone: Alexandrite

Use pale purple crystals to imitate this stone. Try making name tags in metal clay and use them ID bracelets for the whole family to wear on vacation. Embellish with purple crystals.

For instructions on making Metal Clay Tags, visit Art Jewelry Magazine

Flower: Red Roses

There are many techniques for making beautiful beaded roses. Try making your own bouquet with wire using the French flower technique.



"Red Rose"


Western Zodiac: Gemini (May 21 - June 21)

This air sign is represented by the twins. String coral chips and a twins charm for a summery Gemini necklace.



"Gemini"


Holiday: Father's Day (Varied)

Make a beaded keychain for dad using his favorite colors, or create a pattern of his favorite sports team.

To make your own patterns, try the free Beading Graph Paper from Bead and Button Magazine



"Father and Son"

Birthstone: Ruby

Translucent or transparent red glass beads are a great way to represent this month's birthstone. String them with gold seed beads for a chunky necklace.

Find a great necklace project at Bead Style Magazine

Flower: Larkspur or Delphinium

Use shades of violet, indigo and purple to represent this month's flower. Create leafy purple fringe to accent a lariat necklace or belt.



"Larkspur in Blues"


Western Zodiac: Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

This water sign is represented by the crab - an appropriate theme for a summery project. Use shells in addition to a crab focal bead to embellish a necklace.



"Sally Lightfoot Crab"


Holiday: Canada Day (July 1) - Independence Day (July 4)

Make a cuff bracelet in patriotic colors or stitch a flag brooch with delicas.



"Maple Leaves"

Birthstone: Peridot

Pale green crystals are an easy alternative to peridot stones. Use flexible beading wire to stitch a chunky crystal bracelet with right angle weave.

Get a pattern at Bead and Button Magazine

Flower: Gladiolas

Bright yellow is the color for August flowers. Stitch yellow lucite flowers onto a
herringbone base of green 8o seed beads for a garden bracelet.



"Gladiolas"


Western Zodiac: Leo (July 23 - August 22)

This Fire sign is represented by the lion. Make a polymer clay lion face with a seed bead mane for a pin or focal bead.



"African Lion"


This Month's Color Forecast:



Beading Challenge!

Create something with beads using this month's theme. It can be jewelry, art, or anything you like! Post your creation in The Sage's Cupboard's
Beading Challenge Forum

August Theme: Smooth Sailing

Have fun!

Materials:

Souvenir charm
Assorted seed beads
Thread
Eye-pins (2)
Bead Cones (2)
Needle
Pliers
Wire-cutters
Glue, nail-polish or adhesive cement

You May Also Need:

Jump Rings (2)
Clasp (1)
Scissors
Bead Cups
Ruler

1) Determine the length of thread you will need with the following equation:
(Desired length of the necklace + 12 inches) X 2

2) Thread your needle, and double the thread over so that the ends meet. Attach a stop-bead with a 6 inch tail.

3) Add beads to the thread as desired until 6 inches of working thread remain. Stitch back up through the last bead and pull tight.

4) Trim the thread as close to the needle as possible. You should now have one bead strand that is the desired length of your necklace, with a 6 inch tail on either end.

5) Repeat steps 1-4 until you have the desired number of strands for your necklace. Pull each strand through the ring of your charm, making sure that there is enough room for each. Three to six strands total is ideal.

6) When you have enough strands and all are threaded through the charm, line up the stop-beads on one end and gather the threads together. Tie an over-hand knot and slide it down as close to the bead work as possible.

7) Open an eye-pin and insert it into the threads so that 1/2 of the threads are enclosed in the eye. Close the eye-pin.

8) Tie another over-hand knot and slide it down as close to the eye-pin as possible. Dab a bit of glue or clear nail-polish on the knots.

9) Repeat steps 6-8 for the other end of the necklace.

10) When the glue has dried, trim the threads above the second knot. Slide a bead cap onto the eye-pins, and add a spacer-bead. Create a wrapped loop and trim the excess wire.

11) To complete the necklace, attach a jump-ring to each wire loop and a clasp of your choice.

12) Wear your necklace to a family barbeque!

Birthstone: Sapphire

You can use blue crystals to imitate this birthstone. Try stitching a ring for your finger with crystals and seed beads. Get a pattern at Bead and Button Magazine





Flower: Aster or Callistephus

These tiny purple flowers can be mimicked with daisy chain stitch, or use small flower beads to embellish a spiral rope.





Western Zodiac: Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

This earth sign is represented by the Virgin. Try using a face cabochon as the focal point in an embroidered bracelet or necklace. Use blues and purples to highlight the feminine quality of the sign.




September Color Ideas:

September Beading Project:

For the September 2008 beading project pattern "Pencil Bracelet", visit Beading Tutorials: Herringbone Weave

Birthstone: Opal

This pearly white stone is similar to pearls and mother of pearl. Opals are a form of silica, formed in the earth by ancient hot springs. These stones are mined in areas of Australia and Central America. In addition to being the birthstone of October, Opals are also the traditional gift for a 14th wedding anniversary.

If you prefer to use a more eco-friendly alternative, pale colored dichroic glass beads may do the trick. Like opals, they reflect light in various ways, creating a changing spectrum on the surface of the bead.

Try a Dichroic Glass Necklace project from Bead Style Magazine

Flower: Marigold

These vibrant orange and yellow flowers have a rose-like shape. Marigolds are known for having healing properties, and can help improve the skin. In addition to being the offical flower for October, Marigolds are also used in Southern Asia to decorate religious buildings and statues, and are an important part of weddings and other ceremonies.

Try stitching a 3-D flower in peyote and attach it to a cuff bracelet for a long-lasting corsage. Get a pattern at Bead and Button Magazine

Western Zodiac: Libra (September 23 - October 22)

The symbol for this air sign is the scales. Libras are very harmonious, seeking balance in all aspects of their lives. They are known for being kind and generous, good listeners, and very artistic. People born under this sign are careful to consider the thoughts and feelings of others, and prefer to surround themselves with joyful, relaxing things.

For a Libra, try making a polymer clay bead in the shape of scales and suspend it from a crystal and chain necklace.

Holiday: Hallowe'en (October 31)

The colors white, black and orange are often associated with this family holiday. You can string spooky bead necklaces with the kids, or make a witchy necklace with wooden beads and hemp cord.

Visit Handmade Hallowe'en for a Gypsy Necklace project.

The October Beading Project for 2008 - Pirate Necklace - is now available on That's Creative: Handmade Hallowe'en.

This Month's Color Forecast:



Beading Challenge:

Create something with beads using this month's theme. It can be jewelry, art, or anything you like! Post your creation in The Sage's Cupboard's Beading Challenge Forum.
This month's theme is "A Dark Dark Wood". Wherever your inspiration takes you, create something with beads and have fun!

Birthstone: Topaz

Although the word topaz once referred to any precious stone of yellow color, the term now refers to a specific crystal made of silicate minerals. The crystals themselves are colorless, but different impurities can cause changes in color. The most common variety of colored topaz is yellow, and it is this type that represents a November birth month. It is normally found in mountainous areas of Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

This golden hued gemstone can be mimicked using a mixture of yellow and brown transparent beads.

Try stitching a tubular herringbone lariat with yellow crystal fringe.

Flower: Chrysanthemum

These prized flowers are the most common next to roses, and are often grown for competition by gardening enthusiasts. There are many different varieties of Chrysanthemum, which range in color, size and shape. The Chrysanthemum bloom is actually made up of many small flowers, which makes up the unique shape of each of the nine categories of Chrysanthemum. For November, the most common colors are yellow, red or white.

Make your own flowers by with pearls and wire. Try it on a choker or as a charm for a chunky bracelet.

Visit BeadingDaily.com for a pearl flower pattern.

Western Zodiac: Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

The symbol for this water sign is the scorpion, though it is sometimes also represented by a snake or phoenix. People born under this sign are considered to be confident, passionate and unrelenting. Like Ares and Hades - Greek gods associated with the constellation- Scorpios are not easily intimidated. They are often strong willed and goal oriented people.

Stitch a tribal scorpion keychain or wall hanging in brick stitch or peyote stitch.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for a Scorpion Pattern

This Month's Color Forecast:



Beading Challenge:

Create something with beads using this month's theme. It can be jewelry, art, or anything you like! Post your creation in The Sage's Cupboard's Beading Challenge Forum.
This month's theme is "Distant Memories". Wherever your inspiration takes you, create something with beads and have fun!

Materials Needed:

Seed beads in 7 fall colors
Beading thread
Beading needle

1) Place each color of seed beads in a separate bead cup or tray. Arrange the cups in a row, from lightest to darkest, or so that each color flows into the next. In the example piece, the colors used are: golden yellow, orange, beige, auburn, brown, copper green, and gold.

2) Attach a stop-bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving an 8-inch tail. Pick up 16 beads in the first bead cup and slide them down to the stop bead.

3) Stitch through all 16 beads again, and through the next 4 in the ring. Pull tight.

4) Pick up 4 beads from cup 2, 4 beads from cup 3, and 4 more beads from cup 2. Slide them down to the beadwork.

5) Stitch through the 4 beads from step 3 again, and through the first 8 beads just picked up.

6) Continue adding squares using Right Angle Weave, alternating the colors as you go. When the chain is the desired length, complete the final square by stitching into the opposite end of the chain. Secure the tail threads and trim.

The pattern below is an example of how the colors will alternate between squares and connectors.

Birthstone: Tanzanite or Blue Zircon

Tanzanite is named for Tanzania, the area in which it was discovered. These mineral stones are a reddish brown color until heated, which brings out a blue or indigo hue. As an alternative, zircon stones can also be used for December's birthstone. They are also heated to achieve a blue shade.

Use dark blue crystals for this month's birthstone. Try making a chainmaille and crystal bracelet.

Flower: Paperwhites

Paperwhites are a winter daffodil from the Narcissus tazetta family. These pretty white flowers have a delicate appearance and very sweet fragrance. Unlike most daffodils, they have blue-gray foliage instead of green.

Try making wire flowers using yellow seed beads and white briolettes. Use it as a brooch, or glue magnets to the back and brighten up the kitchen for winter.

Visit Bead Style Magazine for a wire flower pattern.

Western Zodiac: Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

This fire sign's symbol is the archer, or hunter. Sagittarius is also associated with the Satyr or Centaurs of Greek mythology. Personality types of people born under this sign can range from strong tempered and ambitious, to cheerful and spontaneous.

Try using metal clay to stamp arrow charms. Attach them to a bracelet and add red and white beads.

Holiday: Christmas (December 25) - Hanukkah (December 22-29)

There are many things that come in red, green and white at this time of year; from snow and mistletoe, to pine trees and holly boughs.
Make a spiral rope necklace with a mixture of red, white, green and gold beads. Or use crystals and wire to make tiny snowman charms.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for a Beaded Ornament project.

The December Beading Project for 2008 - Holly Berry Bracelet - is available on Variety Beading: Christmas Projects

This Month's Color Forecast:

Birthstone: Garnet

Birthstone garnets or carbuncle stones are red in color, though there are many other varieties of garnets used by jewelry makers. They are most commonly found in the United States and Europe.

Although garnets are inexpensive due to their abundance, you can use an alternative in your beadwork such as red crystals. You can also use wine colored seed beads to represent this birthstone.

Try making a curving herringbone necklace with assorted sized red beads and add gold bead fringe.

Flower: White Carnation

Although considered to be an inexpensive or 'cheap' flower in North America, the carnation is a cherished flower in many parts of the world - even more so than roses. The carnation has been a symbol of love and devotion for many centuries. White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and are also the flower for January.

To capture these flowers, draw a bouquet and embroider the image with seed beads onto a sturdy fabric. Frame your beaded artwork - you can add beads to the frame too - or applique your masterpiece to a pillow or handbag.

Western Zodiac: Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

The constellation Capricornus is home to the Greek goat Amalthea, who nursed Zeus as an infant, and was rewarded with a place in the stars. A sea goat, or half fish-half goat creature, often represents the Capricorn, because of the Babylonian contellation suxuru, or fish.

This month, try making goat beads with polymer clay and using them in a memory wire necklace with seed beads.

Holiday: New Year's Day (January 1)

This holiday is all about reflecting on the year past, and planning for the year ahead. Try making a chainmaille bracelet, and attach charms that remind you of your resolutions.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for a Chain Mail Bracelet pattern.

This Month's Color Forecast:

This delicate chain necklace is made with a six bead variation of St. Petersburg chain. Use your favorite shades of white and blue to create an icy accessory for January.

Materials:

Seed beads in white, blue and clear silver lined
White beading thread
Beading needle

Assembly:

1) Attach a stop bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pick up one white bead, two S/L, one white, one S/L and one white bead. Slide them down to the stop bead.

2) Stitch back up through the middle two beads and pull tight.

3) Pick up one blue bead and stitch down through the top 3 beads in the first row. Pull tight.

4) Pick up one blue bead and stitch up through the two beads of the next row.

4) Pick up one silver-lined, one white, one S/L and one white bead, and slide them down to the beadwork.

5) Repeat steps 2-4 until the chain is the desired length. On the final row, pick up one silver-lined, one white, and one blue bead. Stitch back down through the white and silver bead, and through the row.

Attach a clasp if desired, or connect the ends of the chain together by mimicking the thread path between the first and last row.

6) Wear your necklace to a New Year's brunch!

Birthstone: Amethyst

The word amethyst comes from the Greek "amethystos", which literally means "not drunken". It was once believed that these purplish quartz stones could protect people from the intoxicating effects of wine and other spirits. Wine was often stored in containers made from amethyst.

For an inexpensive and eco-friendlier alternative, you can use different shades of purple and violet glass beads to mimick this birthstone. "Purple Velvet" Swarovski crystals make an excellent facsimilie for amethyst.

To make a February birthstone project, try stringing different sizes of round glass beads for a graduated chunky necklace.

Flower: Violets

The common or "sweet" violet is a member of the viola genus of flowers. This purplish blue species is a favorite in gardens across the Western world. It is one of the most pleasant scented varieties of violet.

To create a violet project for February, try making peyote Beaded Beads in shades of green. Attach center-drilled purple flowers, with a sprig of yellow seed beads in the centre. String these beaded bead with crystals for a necklace or bracelet.

Western Zodiac: Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Although the word Aquarius makes one think of water, this zodiac is in fact an air sigh. People born under Aquarius tend to be friendly, outgoing, curious and very tolerant. This sign is represented by the water carrier, or a water vessel.

To make a project for an Aquarian, try suspending a lampwork vessel and bail over a multi-strand necklace in blues and whites.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for instructions on making a Beaded Bail

Holiday: Valentine's Day (February 14)

This holiday is all about love and romance. Images such as hearts, cherubs and roses are common ways to represent Valentine's Day. Choose pinks, reds, whites and peach colors for festive creations.

Try making heart dangles with brickstitch and make your own custom earrings.

This Month's Color Forecast:

This heart-covered cuff bracelet is great for Valentine's Day, or to wear year-round. You can use a traditional color scheme such as red, white and pink, or mix up the colors and give it your own personal touch.

Materials Needed:

Seed beads
Beading thread
Beading Needle
Scrap Paper - optional

Assembly:

1) Use the pattern below to create a band of daisy chain that is 9 rows across and about 6 inches long. The clasps will make up about 1 inch of the bracelet. Adjust the measurement for your desired bracelet size.

2) To create a custom clasp, exit one side of the beadwork and pick up enough seed beads to create a loop. Stitch back down into the beadwork. Weave through the loop again, or reinforce it with peyote stitch.

3) Create a second beaded loop next to the first. Secure the excess thread and trim.

4) Make two small peyote toggles to fit your beaded loops. Attach them to the opposite end of the bracelet. Secure any remaining threads and trim.

Give one to your favorite Valentine!

Birthstone: Aquamarine

The birthstone for March is the common blue or turquoise shade of aquamarine. Closely related to emeralds, this mineral is associated with the ocean because of it's sea-like color. Sailors often carried them as good luck charms. Aquamarine is also the traditional gift for a 19th wedding anniversary.

This pale blue birthstone can be immitated with crystals. Try using silver chain to create a necklace with rainy blue crystal fringe.

Visit Bead Style Magazine for a Chain and Crystal Necklace project.

Flower: Daffodil or Narcissus

This sweet smelling spring-time flower has many roles in various cultures. It is a symbol of wealth in Asia, as well as a traditional Chinese New Year flower. In Europe and North America, it is associated with vanity, because of the Greek myth that these water plants grew from the place where Narcissus died staring at his reflection.

You can create beaded versions of these bold flowers using brick stitch, peyote stitch and tubular herringbone. Choose delicas in yellow and orange for an eye-catching daffodil.

Western Zodiac: Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

This water sign's symbol is the two fish. They are often depicted with a cord or rope connecting them by the mouth or tail, to represent Aphrodite and Eros. People born under Pisces are considered kind and shy in nature.

For a Pisces project, try painting a fish onto a ceramic bead, then use it as a focal on a pearl and cord necklace.

Holiday: St. Patrick's Day (March 17)

Though traditionally an Irish Christian festival, St. Patrick's Day is a popular celebration in Europe and North America. The original color of the festival was blue, but green is now the most common color used to decorate for St. Patrick's Day. The clover is a common Irish and St. Patrick's Day symbol.

To make a festive piece for March, try a wire wrapped bracelet or necklace with different shaped bottle-green beads.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for a Wire Wrapped Necklace project.

Color Ideas for March:

March Beading Project:

Use a variety of dark purple, bright yellow and green seed beads to create a violet daisy chain necklace for spring. Make a second necklace and give it to a friend.

Birthstone: Diamond

Diamonds are not only very expensive, but they are also very unfriendly for the environment. You can still use the April birthstone for beading however with some affordable alternatives.

White crystal is the way to go for this birthstone, or use clear silver-lined seed beads for stitching projects. Try making dangly earrings with crystals and jump rings.

Visit BeadingDaily.com for a Crystal Earring pattern.

Flower: Sweet Pea

These pretty purple and white flowers are a sure sign of spring. The variation grown by many gardeners today was cultivated by Henry Eckford, once head gardener to the Earl of Radnor. Although sweet peas have a very delightful fragrance, the seeds are very poisionous to humans and livestock.

Try using leafy fringe with different shades of purple and white to make a sweat pea necklace.

Western Zodiac: Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Aries is the first sign of the astrological zodiac. The symbol for this fire sign is the ram, and it is also associated with Mars.

People born under the sign of Aries are generally confident, curious and energetic. Leonardo Da Vinci was an Aries, known for his creativity and short attention span.

This month, try making twisted rams' horns with polymer clay to use in a hemp cord bracelet.

Holiday: Easter (Varied)

Historically, the Easter holiday is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many of the traditional Easter symbols represent new life, such as flowers and eggs. Many non-denomination families also celebrate Easter as a welcoming of Spring.

Whether this holiday means bunnies or crosses for you, there are lots of ways to make festive beaded items. Try using pastel colors: pink, yellow, green, blue and purple in an embroidered cuff bracelet.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for instructions on making an Embroidered Cuff

Color Ideas for April:

For some great bead color ideas, visit this month's Bead Bazaar!

April Beading Project:

Use your favorite bright colors in a laddered herringbone bracelet or cuff. Create a rainbow pattern or graduated rows of pastels and vibrants for an exciting spring accessory.

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