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.
You can also find some great holiday projects on Variety Beading: Christmas Projects

This Month's Color Forecast:

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

This festive chain can be used for a bracelet or necklace. The base is made with a variation of tubular herringbone weave. Daisy chain stitch and leaf fringe create the look of fresh holly.

Materials:

Gold, red, and green seed beads
Beading thread
Beading needle
Clasp (optional)

Herringbone Base:

1) On about 3 yards of thread, pick up 4 gold beads and slide them down, leaving an 8 inch tail.

2) Stitch through all four beads again to form a ladder. Pick up two more gold beads, and stitch through the previous two again.

3) Stitch through the first stack of beads in the ladder, the last stack, and the center stack to form a ring.

4) Pick up 2 beads, and stitch down through the top bead in the next stack.

5) Stitch up through the top bead in the next stack and pull tight.

6) Pick up 1 bead and stitch down into the next stack.

7) Step up through two beads in the next stack. Pick up two beads, and stitch down into the next stack.

8) Continue adding two beads at a time, and stepping up through two beads after each stitch, until the rope is the desired length. Add and end thread as needed.

9) Attach a clasp as desired.

Holly Fringe

1) Exit the beadwork about 3 beads down from the clasp. Pick up 6 green beads and slide them down to the beadwork.

2) Stitch back down through the fifth green bead and pull tight. Snug up the beads if necessary.

3) Pick up 3 green beads, and stitch through the first green bead from the previous step. Stitch into the beadwork away from the clasp.

4) Stitch over to the next row in the base and pick up 1 green bead and 6 red beads. Slide them down to the beadwork.

5) Stitch up through the first red bead added and pull tight.

6) Pick up 1 red bead and stitch through the fourth red bead from the previous step.

7) Pick up 5 green beads and create a leaf. Stitch back through the three center beads in the red cluster and the first green bead. Re-enter the beadwork.

8) Continue adding leaves and berries in this manner, alternating between the herringbone rows. Space the fringe randomly, or in a pattern of your choice.

9) Secure the tail threads with a few knots between beads and trim.

Wear your new chain to a holiday party!

Birthstone: Garnet

Use wine colored seed beads to represent this birthstone. Try making a curving herringbone necklace with assorted sized beads and add gold bead fringe.

Flower: White Carnation

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)!



"Carnations"


Western Zodiac: Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

A goat or sea-goat is the symbol for this earth sign. Try making goat beads with polymer clay and using them in a memory wire necklace with seed beads.



"Capricorn"


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.



"Happy New Year"

Birthstone: Amethyst

Use different shades of purple and violet glass beads to mimick this birthstone. Try stringing different sizes of round glass beads for a graduated chunky necklace.

Flower: Violets

These little flowers are a favorite in gardens. 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 glass or crystals for a necklace or bracelet.



Violet Flare"


Western Zodiac: Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

This air sign is represented by the water carrier, or a water vessel. Try suspending a lampwork water jug and bail over a multi-strand necklace in blues and whites.

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



"Aquarius"


Holiday: Valentine's Day (February 14)

This holiday is all about love and romance. Choose pinks, reds, whites and peach colors for festive creations. Try making heart dangles with brickstitch and make your own custom earrings.



"Heart Wreath"

Birthstone: Aquamarine

This pale blue birthstone can be immitated with crystals. Use 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

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.



"Daffodils"


Western Zodiac: Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
This water sign's symbol is the two fish. Try painting a fish onto a ceramic bead, then use it as a focal on a pearl and cord necklace.



"Pisces"


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

Green is the color for this celebration. Try a wire wrapped bracelet or necklace with different shaped bottle-green beads.

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



"Lucky Green Clover"

Birthstone: Diamond

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.



"Diamond Ring"


Flower: Sweet Pea

These pretty purple and white flowers are a sure sign of spring. Use leafy fringe with different shades of purple and white to make a sweat pea necklace.



"Cup of Sweet Peas"


Western Zodiac: Aries (March 21 - April 19)

The symbol for this fire sign is the ram. Try making twisted rams' horns with polymer clay to use in a hemp cord bracelet.



"Aries"


Holiday: Easter (Varied)

Whether this holiday means bunnies or crosses for you, there are lots of ways to make festive beaded items. Use 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



"Easter Eggs"

Birthstone: Emerald

Use glass beads to represent this deep green gem. Try pairing them with gold seed beads in a chunky multi-strand necklace.



"Emeralds and Opals


Flower: Lily-of-the-Valley

These bell-like white flowers are a beautiful introduction to summer. Make a pin with a tubular stitch base and dangling white flowers.



"Lily of the Valley"


Western Zodiac: Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

The bull is the symbol for this earth sign. Use seed beads to stitch a tribal bull design into a wallet or handbag.

Visit Bead and Button Magazine for Beaded Handbag instructions.



"Taurus"


Holiday: Mother's Day (Varied)

Use metal letter beads to make a "Mother" necklace for a mom you know. Use their favorite color for additional beads and use a flower clasp.



"Mother and Child"

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

Use blue crystals to imitate this birthstone. Stitch a ring for your finger with crystals and seed beads.

Get a pattern at Bead and Button Magazine



Sapphire Necklace


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.



Aster Flowers


Western Zodiac: Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

This earth sign is represented by the Virgin. Use 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.



"Virgo"


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: Science and Biology

Have fun!

Materials:

Seed beads in the following colors:

White, Blue, Black, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Beige, and Silver.

Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Scissors
Bracelet Clasp

1) Using blue beads, create a bead ladder that is 14 beads long.
2) Working in flat herringbone weave, create the pattern below, repeating until the band is 6-6 1/2 inches long.
3) Add fringe or picots to one side, and attach half of a clasp.
4) Test the fit of the bracelet. Add more rows as needed, then add more fringe and the other half of the clasp.

Wear your bracelet to a new class!

Variations:

Use different colored beads in place of the orange, yellow and black to create a crayon bracelet.

Visit The Sage's Encyclopedia for instructions on making your own beaded clasp.

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.

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!

Materials:

Size 11o Seed beads
Size 8o Seed beads (4)
Assorted colored wood beads
Glass beads
Skull bead
Monofilament or Heavy Thread
Thread
Needle
Bead Tips (2)
Jump Rings (2)
Clasp

You May Also Need:

Scissors
Pliers

Tip: You can also use wire and crimp beads to assemble this necklace.

1) Make 16 peyote tube beads that are 20 beads long.

2) Tie two overhand knots at one end of a piece of monofilament or thread 30 inches long. Trim any excess.

3) String on one of the bead tips and close the jaws over the knots. If the thread is too thin, tie one knot over a seed bead. Close the jaws over the knot and the bead.

4) String 2 8o seed beads, a peyote bead, and a wood or glass bead.

5) Continue adding beads, alternating between beaded beads and wood or glass beads.

6) When you have strung 8 peyote beads, pick up a glass bead, the skull bead, and a glass bead.

7) Repeat the stringing pattern to match the other half of the necklace.

8) String the remaining 8o seed beads and the bead tip.

9) Make sure all the beads are snug, then knot the end of the thread or monofilament. Slide the knot down as close to the bead tip as possible. (Try tying the knot around a stick pin to help push it down. Remove the pin and tighten the knot.)

10) Close the bead tip. Attach the clasp to the bead tips with jump rings.

11) Wear your necklace to a costume party!

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.