So a couple of years ago, I wrote a blog telling you I was back. When I wrote it, I meant it! But again, life got in the way, and Craftaholique had to take a backseat. Not just the blog but all the creating and crafting I did in my spare time too. I had a lot going on in both my personal life and at work. In November 2021, I lost my lovely mum to lung disease (COPD), and my world stopped turning for a while. I just couldn’t think straight or get my head around the activities I used to do. Mum was the first person I was really close to who has passed away. The pain of losing her was indescriba ..read more

Hello! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here so apologies for that! I’m blaming the pandemic. It really made me lose my blogging (and crafting) mojo for a while. I spent a lot of time worrying about everything and looking for new clients for my day job – as work tailed off significantly. Even though I had extra time available, I just didn’t feel in the right place to blog. Now though, I’m happy to say, I really want to resume blogging and embracing my creative side again. So, I’m going to kick off with this bead loom bracelet project that I started last May – yes more than a year ago ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. Here’s a funky beaded bracelet I’ve been working on – and the pattern for it is now in my Etsy shop here! This vibrant tubular peyote pattern has been designed to be seamless; you can simply join the ends together to make a bangle, no clasp required. Chevron tubular peyote bracelet pattern The pattern file actually includes three different-sized patterns, so you can make the bracelet to fit a 6-inch, 7-inch or 8-inch wrist. Each PDF pattern includes a word chart, a bead chart and a bead legend showing the exact beads used and the quantities needed ..read more

Today, I’m sharing with you a tutorial on how to make a DIY beadwork storage case, that also functions as a beading mat. This will hopefully be of interest to the beaders among you, but also to any crafter that wants to store small crafting materials and transport them around easily! I got the idea for this project after seeing a rather fabulous ‘bead board’ from one of my favourite beading suppliers, Stitchncraft Beads. You can see one via the link above; it’s a type of beading mat that also works as a case, so you can keep all your beads together and everything is in exactly the right place ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. I recently bought a bead loom from Amazon, something I’d wanted to buy for a long time! Mine is a simple contraption (it’s the Darice 12-inch by 2.75-inch bead loom from Amazon), but it really works well to create some lovely loom beadwork! If you’re not sure how to use a bead loom, I recommend watching this Beadaholique YouTube video – the bead loom used is very similar and the video is nice and clear. I’ve created a set of two stacking bracelets with my bead loom and have listed the patterns in my Etsy shop in case you want to make the same. I ch ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. After all the bad coronavirus news of the last few weeks, I fancied making something really beautiful and colourful to cheer myself up. Introducing my latest beaded bracelet (and pattern): Colour Fusion! This is the first seamless peyote pattern I’ve created. The finished bracelet doesn’t require a clasp. You can simply sew the ends of the beadwork together to join them and make a bangle. Colour Fusion tubular peyote bracelet pattern You can find this tubular peyote pattern in my Etsy shop here. The pattern itself includes three PDF files ..read more

In this post, I’ll be showing you how to bezel set a 7mm crystal rivoli using Miyuki Delicas and seed beads. You can create some really awesome pieces of jewellery by making some of these. Check out my step by step tutorial below! Materials required For this project, you’ll need: 7mm crystal rivolis in the colour of your choice. Miyuki Delicas in size 11/0. Miyuki round seed beads in size 11/0 and 15/0. Beading thread, such as Nymo. Beading needle in size 10. *Affiliate links above. Step 1 – creating a circle of beads Thread your beading needle with 2 feet of thread and p ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. I’ve just finished another beading pattern, which you can see in my Etsy Shop! This is my second tubular peyote pattern, and I’m thrilled with how it’s turned out! I absolutely love the colours used for this pattern. Two delicate shades of blue, combined with pink and gold, put together in a swirling pattern than creates little windows of diamond shapes throughout. Pastel Swirls tubular peyote bracelet pattern This tubular peyote pattern includes a word chart (row by row), a bead chart, a bead legend and details on how you can make the p ..read more

Right angle weave is a beadweaving stitch that every beader should know about. It’s a versatile stitch that lends itself to a plethora of jewellery making projects, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings! In this post, I’m sharing a few samples I’ve made up to show some of the things you can do with right angle weave. How to do basic right angle weave When doing right angle weave, you’ll start with one unit of beads. In this example above, there are four beads to start with (top left of the image) for the first unit. The next unit that is added consists of three beads ..read more

*Affiliate links are included in this post. Today, I’m sharing my latest beading pattern, which is now available in my Etsy Shop! This one uses the even count tubular peyote technique. I’ve been wanting to do tubular peyote patterns for a while now, because this technique makes really fun, chunky rope bracelets and necklaces! This particular pattern has a stripe that flows all the way around the bracelet. The colours used, black, white, pink and gold, make this bracelet contemporary and eyecatching. Classic Stripe tubular peyote bracelet pattern My pattern for this bracelet include ..read more