Work smarter, not harder when making seed bead jewelry. The tiny beads can present unique challenges, so here are specialty tools and templates that make all the difference.

Animal print is one of the most enduring patterns of all time. Explore their history and how to incorporate them into your jewelry designs.

Ready to take on a different kind of beading project and make a fashion statement? Embellished purse handles are glitzy and fun for evening wear. Here are some ideas to get you started.

(also called rosetta beads or star beads) Glass bead style first created in Italy in the late 1400s. Chevron glass is composed of a varied number of consecutively-laid layers of colored glass. In between layers, the glass is pressed into a mold, to create the patterns within the beads. The glass is stretched to create a long tube, then cut into beads. Individual beads are then beveled or rounded at each end to reveal the chevron or star patterns in the glass. Only those beads with the internal structure exposed by beveling, cutting or grinding the end surfaces away are called Chevron Beads. All others are called rosetta or star beads.

Add depth and complexity to your jewelry designs with custom connectors. The step-by-step instructions for using the Artistic Wire® Connector 1:5 Jig will walk you through the process of shaping wire into two distinct patterns.

To make a seed bead ring, choose your colors from Fire Mountain Gems' vast seed bead selection.

Expand your bead-weaving skills by learning how to make the flat chenille stitch. This complex beading pattern uses little seed beads, but don't fret, large images accompany the instructions to help you form each row correctly.

Learn how to change the width of flat peyote seed beading work with these tutorials. Easy step-by-step instructions show how to increase and decrease this popular off-loom stitch. The clear graphics illustrate stringing patterns and directions.

Verdite, sometimes mistaken for jade, can resemble an abstract canvas with varying earthy color patterns, making the gemstone a beautiful and unique addition to jewelry.

Find out with step-by-step instructions how to make your own version of this impressive looking stitch pattern.

Created by fusion of several glass rods arranged so that the cross-section creates a flower or pattern with a mosaic-like appearance.

(see also Bead Weaving, On-Loom) The process of using seed beads woven between the warp threads on a Beading Loom, to create a design or pattern.

(also lampwork glass, lampworking, flameworking or torchworking) A type of glasswork, commonly seen in beads or focal components, which uses a gas-fueled torch to melt glass rods and tubes of glass to create patterns and designs.

A pattern made by cutting away the surface of metal, wood or other surface.

An image or pattern created by using small colored pieces set in mortar.

Patterns or decorations achieved with punches or chasing hammers.

The intricate ball patterns are created through a process called granulation. Tiny uniform ball shapes are fashioned into precision patterns, heat fused onto the surface, then carefully antiqued and polished, creating a visual masterpiece.

Subtle patterns of safari jasper combine with antiqued brass chain and components for vintage style. This jewelry set includes full instructions for creating both necklaces as well as the coordinating earrings.

In this jewelry-making tutorial, see how to securely finish round and square kumihimo braiding patterns.

Experiment with seemingly complex, eye-catching knot patterns as you work your way through this macramé necklace and matching earring project.

Long tassel-style necklace in a rhythm of bronze and red patterned acrylic and metallic fire-polished beads. Small gold beads punctuate the design.

Take your flat peyote stitch pattern to another dimension with this earring and necklace set. The graduated bead sizes give this design a 3D lift.

A glass material containing ultra-thin layers of metal oxides. The micro-layers of metals and metal oxides create different layers and patterns of light refraction within the glass, causing a variety of colors to be displayed. Different angles of view alter which colors are displayed within the glass.

A shell, commonly white but also available in colors and patterns, which is smooth and glossy with a long, narrow, slit-like opening. Historically, cowries of different species have been used as a form of money. Additionally, the cowrie is used in a number of cultures as a symbol of childbirth, femaleness or womanhood.