Favorite Beading Patterns from Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee

---

I am always looking to expand my knowledge of beading, as I am very new to the art. I love to look at designers’ works and see what I hope to aspire to. Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee designed some of my favorite projects, ranging from earrings to necklaces and bracelets. In 2017, Melissa was a Beadwork Designer of the year. Once you take a look at her body of work, it is easy to see why. Melissa will be hosting an Interweave @ Home class for a bead embroidery and bead weaving project very soon, and we hope you’ll join us!

Above: Beam Blossom Necklace by Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee 

In anticipation of this class and to celebrate her amazing scope of work, I’ve compiled my top five favorite projects of hers. 

Crystal Fall Earrings

I am a sucker for earrings, look at my wall and it’s easy to tell that I am out of space to display them, but that doesn’t ever stop me. Melissa’s Crystal Fall Earrings are made by combining dainty chains with pear-shaped stones of your choice. These stones are sprinkled with seed beads and a crystal bicone helps tie the set together. Melissa notes that while you can use any size chain, chains with smaller links will be more proportionate to the seed beads used in the project. 

Moroccan Lantern Pendant

Light up your beaded accessory collection with the Moroccan Lantern Pendant from Melissa. This pendant mixes various beads to make a unique architectural piece. By combining these structural beads with tubular peyote stitch, you can have a light of your own! If spike beads are not in your collection for the armature, no worries, Melissa says that a 10mm round bead will work well in its place. 

Crystal Pendulum Necklace

I am a fan of simplicity with a dash of pizazz in my jewelry pieces. The Crystal Pendulum Necklace is an ideal piece for someone looking for an elegant necklace in their collection. The necklace gives off a vintage flair with its brass chains and jump rings and uses simple bead embroidery techniques to get the beautiful final product. Melissa notes that you can create your own hook clasp if you’d prefer by using 2” of 18-gauge craft wire, wire cutters, and round-nose pliers. 

Brilliant Bangle

I have recently become a fan of bangles, preferring them over classic charm bracelets that I wore as a child. The Brilliant Bangle that Melissa makes is made up of right angle-weave which then forms the tubular bangle’s base. The bangle is embellished with shimmering SuperDuos, pressed glass rounds, and has a center band made up of sparkling crystal rose monts. A note from Melissa, if your thread’s tension is loose, reinforce the thread’s paths as you pull the beads together tightly. 

Beam Blossom Necklace

Is there any jewelry better than a statement necklace? The Beam Blossom Necklace combines many different shaped beads to create a showstopping piece. Three-hole beams are used with Miniduos, English-cut rounds, seed beads, and Demi Round seed beads. Melissa says that because you will be working with larger beads in this project, you want to make sure to reinforce every round until the bead becomes sturdy. You will also want to make sure that you tie at least one half-hitch knot to fasten when securing your thread. Make a statement with this piece and change the colorway to create endless looks. 

---

There are several other amazing projects from Melissa that you can enjoy on our site. I hope you love these projects as much as I do. I also hope you are able to grab your seat for the Interweave @ Home class in December 2022! 

Listen: Jewelry Artist Podcast Live: Unmasked with Bead Artist Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee

---

Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee is a beading designer, instructor, and author inspired by mathematics and nature. She has won numerous awards for her elaborate beaded jewelry and masks. Contact Melissa through her website at www.mgsdesigns.net. 

---

Favorite Projects from Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee