Ethereal Beaded Jewelry with Melissa Grakowsky Shippee

✓Let the Interweave Knits Winter 2024 issue transport you to a winter wonderland of cozy knits! This remarkable edition features 14 extraordinary projects to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of specially crafted yarns.

Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee is an award-winning beadwork designer, instructor, and author inspired by mathematics and nature. She hits the mark every time in her beaded jewelry, combining unexpected elements, showcasing beautiful focals, and making creative use of shaped beads to create ethereal designs.

We rounded up five of our favorite beaded jewelry patterns designed by Melissa, which will allow you to try out a variety of stitch patterns, beads, and techniques. The patterns are each available individually or as part of our new Ethereal Beaded Jewelry with Melissa Grakowsky Shippee collection.

Shine Bright Like a Crystal

Crystal Falls Earrings

The Crystal Falls Earrings, by Melissa, are the perfect statement piece. Sometimes a statement piece is difficult to style, but these beaded earrings combine eye-catching elements with delicate details that make them so wearable. The pear-shaped bezels and crystal bicones are surrounded by seed beads in tubular peyote stitch. Chains add a fun touch and can be changed in size or color depending on the look you prefer.

Brilliant Bangle

One of Melissa’s most popular projects is the Brilliant Bangle, and it’s clear why. This bangle is timeless and fun to make. Peyote stitch, netting, and tubular right-angle weave variation stitches make up the construction of the bracelet. The edges of this project are embellished with pressed-glass rounds, SuperDuos, and sparkling crystal rose montées. Melissa recommends reinforcing your thread paths to ensure that your tension isn’t loose. This will make sure your bangle is the proper shape.

Crystal Pendulum Necklace

Bead embroidery is a beautiful and versatile technique for jewelry. Melissa’s Crystal Pendulum Necklace is a wonderful project for beginners and advanced beaders alike. The necklace has an overall vintage feel with the brass chain and crystal elements. By using backstitch bead embroidery and brick-stitch edging, you’ll have a classic piece in no time.

Have Fun with Shaped Beads

Beam Blossom Necklace

You’ll be beaming when wearing Melissa’s Beam Blossom Necklace. This project combines three-hole beams with MiniDuos, English-cut rounds, demi round seed beads, and Japanese seed beads for a statement piece. The project uses netting, stringing, and circular peyote stitch techniques. To ensure that your project is sturdy and lasts for years, Melissa recommends reinforcing each round at least once since the beads are larger.

Moroccan Lantern Pendant

Light up your beaded jewelry collection with Melissa’s Moroccan Lantern Pendant. This pendant is made using tubular peyote stitch and tubular netting techniques. This project is perfect for those who love shaped beads and incorporates several types for a unique piece. You will find two alternate colorways in the instructions, and several tips to help you achieve the polished look this project calls for. You can use a round bead instead of a spike for this pendant for a different look.

Whether you are looking for a project that incorporates bright crystals or fun shaped beads, Melissa has a design for everyone to enjoy. You can adapt each pattern to your own taste, either with an alternate colorway or different chains for the projects. I hope you enjoy this collection of Melissa Grakowsky Shippee’s designs as much as we do.

Inspiration from Melissa