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DIY Jewelry Drive: Results and Winner Announcement!

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We all know the age old adage, “It is greater to give than to receive,” but the past two months you’ve all proved it to be true with your generous donations to our DIY jewelry drive! We here at AllFreeJewelryMaking.com have been collecting charitable handmade jewelry donations on behalf of the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project from readers, fans, and anyone who wished to get involved, and we’ve been blown away by your astounding generosity (as well as your impressive jewelry making skills and creativity!).

We collected hundreds of donated accessories from readers across the country that will now be sent to the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project to be distributed among various women’s shelters. The pieces you have all so kindly contributed will be going to women in need who have often arrived at these shelters with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Your handmade jewelry will be a bit of light in a time of darkness and will help them in beginning to build a better future for themselves.

We can’t thank you all enough for helping us to help these women! Having never run a charity drive like this before, we weren’t sure what to expect and didn’t know if we’d receive  more than a few donated pieces. However, we are happy to report that we have received hundreds of gorgeous handmade pieces of jewelry to send to the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project thanks to your generosity. We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you, and we are incredibly grateful.

We gave you a look at some of the handmade pieces we had received last month in this update blog post. Now let’s take a look at all of the beautiful pieces we have received since then!

Donation14Donation15Donation16Donation17Donation18Donation19Donation20Donation21Donation22 Donation23 Donation24Donation25Donation30 Donation26 Donation27 Donation28 Donation29Donation34 Donation31 Donation32 Donation33

Pretty fabulous, huh? We certainly think so! OK, and now the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winner announcement! Part of the deal was that each person who donated at least one piece to the DIY jewelry drive would be entered for a chance to win an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit, complete with all the tools and supplies needed to get started making stamped jewelry and other crafts. From all the people who sent in a donation, we have selected one winner at random, and the winner is…

Susan B. from Lockport, NY!

Congratulations, Susan! You are the lucky winner of the ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit. We will be contacting you regarding your prize. Thank you for your beautiful donation!

And thanks again to all who participated. We know the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project will be so thrilled to receive all these donations for their cause. And remember, our jewelry drive may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get involved! Find out where you can donate locally and keep giving back whenever you can.

If you donate any jewelry to a local shelter and want to share your story, you make a new project you’re particularly proud of, or you just want to chat, be sure to stop by our AllFreeJewelryMaking Facebook page and leave a comment! You can also talk to us on Twitter or Google+; we’d love to hear from you! And if you don’t already, feel free to subscribe to our eNewsletter to receive new jewelry projects as well as find out the details on all our upcoming events, giveaways, and promotions.

What are some ways you like to give back?

 

AllFreeJewelryMaking Giveaway: Nunn Design Winter 2013 Collection

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Warm coppers and golds, a pop of turquoise, floral embellishments, organic engraving…all of this and more is incorporated into the Nunn Design Winter 2013 Collection of findings and jewelry components. If you thought you had to shy away from bright colors and flowery motifs in the winter, think again. The latest collection from Nunn Design proves that these seemingly summery design elements are never out of season. We were lucky enough to get our hands on the new pieces, and we’re giving away an assortment of jewelry components from the Nunn Design Winter 2013 Collection to one lucky winner!

The latest in their beautiful line of artisan jewelry components brings a bit of warmth and color into this usually drab time of year. As always with Nunn Design, this fresh collection is a delicate balance of soft organic and edgy industrial design elements. The materials are of the strongest quality without sacrificing delicacy and femininity, a mainstay of the Nunn Design aesthetic. Geometric bezels are tempered with floral engraving, and the metallic color palette ranges from antique silvers to warm golds to rosy coppers without clashing in the least.

A bit of a new twist this season is the addition of the turquoise birthstone chatons, adding a fresh pop of color to the latest collection. These embellishments combined with the various bezel options make this collection perfectly suited for mixed media pieces, lending themselves well to crystal clay creations. Yet even as the Nunn Design aesthetic continues to evolve and expand, it still maintains that classic, vintage appeal that is so definitive of the brand. This is one thing (at least we hope!) that will never change about Nunn Design.

Want to get your hands on this beautiful collection and bring a bit of vintage romance to your own jewelry designs? Then enter to win the Nunn Design Winter 2013 Collection giveaway! The contest ends April 8, 2013, and you can enter once a day, so keep coming back to improve your chances.

What do you think, are florals and bright colors okay in winter?

 

Instant Antiques: 16 Vintage-Inspired Free Jewelry Patterns

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They say fashion repeats itself, and that has never been more true than today. Vintage style is all the rage, and modern day fashionistas are borrowing from any and every era, fom the Roaring ’20s to the psychedelic ’60s. But vintage items can be expensive, as any antique-shop-frequenting fashionista will tell you, and not all of us have an attic full of grandma’s old duds to pull from. Well lucky for the vintage-loving fashion maven of today, there are plenty of DIY projects to help you imitate the hot looks of yesteryear, especially when it comes to DIY jewelry. Check out these vintage-inspired free jewelry patterns and create instant “antiques” without the wait!


Fans of Downton Abbey will go head over heels for this refined necklace design. Inspired by the high necklines of the era, this Downton Abbey Lace Choker is an accessory fit for the most elegant aristocrat. Bring a bit of the Downton drama into your wardrobe with this stunning necklace pattern.

 

DIYVintageInspiredPearlEarrings

If there’s one jewelry statement that has stood the the test of time, it’s pearls. That’s why I love these DIY Vintage-Inspired Pearl Earrings from Delightfully DIY. They’re classic, sophisticated, and can never look outdated. Every girl needs some classic pearl jewelry in her collection; why not make your own with this tutorial?

 


You’ll be ready to rock the jazz club with this ’20s-inspired Art Deco Flapper Necklace. The “roaring” red strand of glass beads combined with the deco-style charms make this the essential accessory for any “new woman.” Pair this piece with a fringe dress and a feather headband (or a Royal Blue Flapper Hair Clip), and you’ll be good to go!

 


This one’s for you thrift shop junkies. Put those retro brooches and pins you’ve been collecting to good use with this Recycled Brooch Bib Necklace. You can easily pick up a whole slew of these on the cheap at your local second-hand shop and then transform them into this fashion-forward statement necklace.

 

VintageDoilyNecklace
Who would have thought that old doily on your grandmother’s end table could become gorgeous vintage-inspired jewelry? Rebekah Murray of Pretty Things did, which is why she created this jaw-droppingly gorgeous Vintage Doily Necklace tutorial. This piece is a perfect marriage of old and new, bringing that antique vibe into the contemporary fashion world.

 

Still feeling nostalgic? Do some more DIY time traveling with these vintage-inspired jewelry designs:

Find even more DIY jewelry tutorials and inspiration, both modern and vintage, at AllFreeJewelryMaking.com!

So, which is your favorite fashion era?

 

Win an Assorted Bead Storage Tray from AllFreeJewelryMaking!

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Sick of storing your beads in a hodgepodge assortment of mismatched jars, bags, and containers? Then the new Assorted Bead Storage Tray from Bead Storage Solutions is the answer you’ve been waiting for! The latest and greatest in organizing solutions for jewelry hobbyists and designers, this efficient bead storage system is designed by beaders, for beaders, so you can spend less time searching for supplies and more time making fabulous jewelry. And it’s your lucky day, bead hoarders, because we’re giving away an Assorted Bead Storage Tray to one lucky winner!

The Assorted Bead Storage Tray comes equipped with 45 transparent boxes of various sizes, so there are containers small enough to hold your seed beads and large enough to contain your chunky gemstones. Both the tray lid and the individual boxes are transparent, thus saving time in searching for the items you need and saving money by avoiding duplicate purchases. Plus, this convenient kit also comes equipped with removable bonus labels so that you can easily mark containers to track purchases.

The 45 individual boxes are all designed to fit neatly and snugly in the larger containing tray, so you save space and stress by keeping all your materials organized in one compact container, and each compartment has been designed with special concave finger grips for easy accessibility, so getting the individual boxes out is no problem. And since cleanup is so quick and easy, you’ll be that much more likely to actually sit down and spend some quality time doing what you love—making beautiful beaded jewelry!

Enter for your chance to win the Assorted Bead Storage Tray and kiss runaway beads goodbye! The contest ends March 11, 2013, and you can enter once daily, so return often to improve your chances of winning!

How do you keep your beads and craft supplies organized?

 

Tutorial: How to Make a Beaded Bead

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Want to add some extra depth and dimension to your DIY jewelry designs? Learn how to make a beaded bead and bring your jewelry creations to life! Simple strands of beads will seem a snore once you learn how to make a beaded bead with these free jewelry patterns. We’ll show you five different ways you can make beaded beads to take your jewelry projects to the next level.

These beaded bead instructions will add so much detail to your jewelry designs, instantly taking them from “flat” to “dynamic.” If you’ve never tried learning how to make a beaded bead, don’t worry! The beaded bead patterns here are easy to follow; you’ll be a pro in no time.

How to Make a Beaded Bead: 5 Beaded Bead Patterns

  1. Quick and Easy Beaded Bead – Perfect for beginners! Turn a plain bead into an intricately stitched bead with this tutorial.
    Quick and Easy Beaded Beads
  2. Peyote Beaded Bead – Fans of peyote stitch patterns will find this tutorial more than a little enticing. These beaded bead instructions incorporate a mix of beads for a fun and eclectic look.
    Peyote Beaded Bead
  3. Peyote Tube Bead Tutorial –  Different from the two previous beaded bead patterns, this tutorial is for a more cylindrical look. A strand of these would make a great necklace or bracelet!
    Peyote Tube Bead Tutorial
  4. Two-Drop Peyote Beaded Beads – This pattern is similar to the previous one but uses two-drop peyote stitch. These beads look incredibly intricate but are actually super easy to make, so don’t be intimidated!
    Two-Drop Peyote Beaded Beads
  5. Jellyfish Beaded Bead – If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and like quirky jewelry designs, try these beaded bead instructions on for size. You’ll definitely never see someone else with the same piece!
    Jellyfish Beaded Bead

Simple strung jewelry patterns will never do for you again once you learn how to make a beaded bead! If you’ve still got the itch to stitch after you’ve tried these beaded bead patterns and you’re looking for more, check out our collection of the 20 Best Free Bead Weaving Patterns on the Web!

What are your favorite bead crafts to make?

14 Dreamy DIY Jewelry Designs for Valentine’s Day

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OK, fine…Valentine’s Day may be a “Hallmark holiday,” but we DIY types will use any excuse or occasion to craft, right? Whether you’re looking to bag a beau, you’re celebrating with your sweetie, or you’re having a girl’s night out, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to create some new swoon-worthy accessories to help you break some hearts this holiday. If making jewelry is your one true love, you’re about to get lucky, because we’ve rounded up some of our most fabulous free jewelry patterns that are perfect for the occasion, no matter how you’re celebrating.

Our Favorite DIY Jewelry Designs for Valentine’s Day

You’re sure to ensnare a heart or two with this to-die-for Dreamcatcher Heart Pendant project. This design idea uses innovative wire jewelry techniques to create a wonderful web of wire and beads that will have more than a few admirers mesmerized by your skills.

Dreamcatcher Heart Pendant

If you want a soft and feminine look that isn’t too over-the-top, try this Easy Lace Earring Tutorial. These delicate and pretty earrings are the perfect subtle celebration of the heartfelt holiday (if red and pink aren’t really your thing) and can definitely be worn year-round.

Easy Lace Earring Tutorial

For all the single ladies out there, use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to celebrate your best gal pals and make them festive Valentine’s Day Friendship Bracelets. Be sure to make a matching one for yourself so you can each wear your heart on your sleeve!

Valentine's Day Friendship Bracelet Pattern

Have a hot date for February 14th and want something a little more elegant? This Hammered Wire Heart Bracelet is the perfect date-night DIY jewelry project. He won’t be able to resist holding your hand with this pretty piece glinting around your wrist.

Hammered Wire Heart Bracelet

 

If none of these adorable accessories have captured your fancy, check out our collection of 12 Jewelry Making Designs for Valentine’s Day for even more inspiration. These super sweet jewelry projects will have you falling in love with jewelry making all over again!

So do you get all decked out in red and pink for Valentine’s Day, or do you celebrate more subtly?

18 Merry and Bright Beading Patterns for Christmas

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You spend so much time adorning the tree and decking the halls for the Christmas season, but what about decking yourself out in festive and fabulous “decor”? Don’t let ol’ tannenbaum have all the glitzy glory this year. Decorate yourself in gorgeous handmade jewelry! With these free bead patterns for cute Christmas jewelry, you’ll twinkle like tinsel and show your spirit all season long.

Free Seed Bead Patterns for Christmas


You’ll glow as brightly as a Christmas bulb when donning some adorable Christmas Light Seed Bead Earrings. These dazzling dangles are like little ornaments for your ears!

These Beaded Christmas Tree Earrings are too cute not to make a pair of your own. This tiny little tree is even decorated with its own mini bead baubles.


Make some jolly Santa Claus Seed Bead Earrings to bring joy to your jewelry this Christmas season. With rosy cheeks and a fringe-y beaded beard, St. Nick has never looked more fabulous.

Glimmer just like a Christmas tree with these fun Twinkling Christmas Tree Earrings. You’ve been nice all year long; gift yourself some super sweet seed bead earrings as a reward!

 

Super Easy Christmas Jewelry Patterns

Between decorating and buying gifts, it can be hard to find a spare minute during the holiday season. Luckily, all of these super simple Christmas jewelry patterns take mere minutes to whip up! Make them for yourself or as stocking stuffers for your friends and family.

With these fun and festive Christmas patterns for holiday accessories, you’ll be the shining star of every holiday gathering! If you’re looking for even more beading patterns that would make great homemade Christmas gifts, check out 37 Last-Minute, Inexpensive Christmas Gifts to Make for all your homemade holiday gift-giving needs.

What crafts are you making to celebrate this Christmas season?

AllFreeJewelryMaking Giveaway: Earrings VISUAL Project Guide

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Harness the knowledge of a jewelry-making class from the comfort of your home with the help of Earrings VISUAL Project Guide. This awesome new jewelry making guide book, just available as of last week, includes step-by-step instructions for 30 gorgeous earring designs, with crystal clear photos to guide you along every step of the way. Want to get your hands on this brand new project book? Then you’re in luck, because we’re giving away a copy of Earrings VISUAL Project Guide to one lucky winner!


This innovative project book takes you on an aesthetic journey into the world of making your own eye-enchanting earrings, exploring various techniques, styles, and design elements along the way. Whether you’re looking for Long and Linear dangles or Embellished Hoops, Boho Inspirations or Rugged Details, you’ll find it all among the photo-intensive pages of this gorgeous guide book.

Every individual project in Earrings VISUAL Project Guide brings something different and exciting to the table. Not only will this book help you in producing your own replicas of the earrings you see featured, but it will help inspire your own unique creations and push your jewelry-making imagination to new heights.

Enter now for your chance to win a copy of Earrings VISUAL Project Guide! The contest ends December 3, 2012, and you can enter once a day, so keep coming back to improve your chances!

Hoops, dangles, or studs: What’s your favorite style of earring?

 

14 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

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Remember when a cardboard box wasn’t just the packaging for the latest gaming system, but a rocket ship transporting you to another galaxy, a race car speeding down the track, or a pirate ship sailing the high seas on a mission for sunken treasure?

Toys and activities for kids are more often store-bought than homemade these days, but there’s no reason you have to spend a fortune on video games and MP3 players to keep your kids entertained and stimulated. With a bit of creativity, a common cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper can become an awesome new toy your kids will love! Check out some of our favorite ideas for toilet paper roll crafts you and your kids can make and enjoy together.

Teach your kids about Native American art and culture with these Toilet Tube Totem Poles. Kids can have fun choosing which animals they want to feature based on their different meanings. Then they can proudly display their artistic creations on a dresser or bedside table.

 

 

Holy recycled crafts, Batman! These Batman and Robin Tube Toys are better than any store-bought superhero action figures, because they’re just as fun to make as they are to play with afterward! Make a whole army of crime-fighters to ward off evil villains that may be lurking in the toy bin.

 

 

I spy with my little eye a super cool recycled craft! Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars are the perfect accessory for adventurous little spies. With a bit of imagination, this thrifty recycled craft can spark the inspiration for endless games and stories.

 

 

Who knew cardboard could be so chic? With a bit of felt, glue, and gems, your little fashionista can turn a toilet paper roll into a fabulous Cardboard Tube Princess Bracelet. Go green and glam at once with this creative recycled kids’ craft!

 

 

Create a beautiful eco-friendly bouquet with these Delightful Recycled Daisies! These cute cardboard flowers are a great way to brighten up a windowsill or countertop. Plus, they’ll never wilt, so you can keep these fanciful flowers on display year-round.

 

 

 

Check out these other toilet paper roll crafts for ideas and inspiration:

 

Want even more budget-friendly and Earth-friendly kids’ craft ideas? We have tons of recycled crafts for kids at AllFreeKidsCrafts.com! Check them out and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to have new projects delivered to your inbox every week.

What’s your favorite recycled material to craft with?

 

AllFreeJewelryMaking Giveaway: Nunn Design Fall Collection

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Have you ever seen jewelry that could transport you to another place and time? The whimsically romantic yet elegantly industrial aesthetic of the Nunn Design Fall 2012 Collection does just that. Varied yet cohesive, this beautifully ornate collection of jewelry making components allows you to transform contemporary creations into instant antiques that speak volumes in charm and character. Want to get your hands on some of these stunning pieces? Enter our Nunn Design Fall Collection Giveaway for your chance to win a free prize pack!

The various findings, accents, and embellishments of which this collection is comprised are named for Italian and Latin words, and that is exactly the kind of aesthetic these pieces evoke. From the Patera (pendants) to the Accenti (accents), each individual piece has been carefully and meticulously designed to be reminiscent of a certain era, an era that may or may not have ever existed.

Incredibly delicate yet of substantial quality, each individual component of the Nunn Design Fall 2012 Collection brings a different element to the table, and when these elements are brought together, they weave a beautiful tale. The enthralling thing about this collection is that the intention of the pieces is left very open-ended, challenging the user’s imagination and allowing freedom of creation. You are given the canvas, but what you choose to paint upon it is left completely up to you.

Enter now for your chance to win a prize pack of findings and embellishments from the Nunn Design Fall Collection! The contest ends November 5, 2012, and you can enter once a day, so keep coming back to improve your chances!

Do you get a vintage vibe from this collection as well? What words would you use to describe these pieces?

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