Inspired by Nature: 7 Fast & Fabulous Jewelry Designs

Nature is a powerful source of inspiration for people who love making jewelry, whether it’s a trip to the beach, a walk through the forest, taking in a desert sunset, or visiting your favorite spot in the great outdoors. Plus, many beading supplies are made from natural materials that help convey the sensibility of their origins, such as wood, gemstone, shell, and more. The Fast & Fabulous: Inspired by Nature pattern pack will take you on a journey through many inspiring landscapes with stylish, easy-to-make jewelry designs.

This Fast & Fabulous: Inspired by Nature pattern pack includes projects from frequent Beadwork contributors Terry Ricioli, Sandra Lupo, Debra Floros, Debbie Blair, Kristina Hahn Eleniak, Michelle McEnroe, and Anne Perry. Their designs take inspiration from some of their favorite places in nature and will jumpstart your jewelry making with style. Simple techniques include: cone-making, crimping, drilling, glass etching, knotting, painting, simple wireworking, and stringing.

Beachcombing Necklace

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.” –Anne Morrow Lindbergh

The Beachcombing Necklace in shades of blue by Terry Ricioli uses simple knotting techniques to create a focal section that spotlights pretty little treasures. A snapshot of the beach, this freeform necklace will remind you of trips to the ocean, collecting driftwood, shells, and sea glass along the shore. You can use etching solution to give glass beads the look of sea glass, or leave them shiny to attract a mermaid’s eye.

Monarch’s Destination Unknown

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” –Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sandra Lupo’s Monarch’s Destination Unknown Necklace represents the migration of the Monarch butterfly, which, for reasons unknown, has become a changing and uncertain journey. Historically, the winter migration has ended in the mountains of central Mexico, but the insects’ destination in recent years has become southern Florida. The color palette and beads are inspired by nature, taking their cues from Monarch butterflies, and the tassel pendant expresses their fluid movements.

Sonoran Desert Necklace

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A lot of visitors look at the desert and see a moonscape, but the nuances of the desert reveal themselves to people who live or spend a lot of time there. The Sonoran Desert Necklace by Debra Floros was inspired by nature and the splendor she sees in the Sonoran desert. Combine copper elements with jasper and green glass to represent the colors and textures of the landscape.

Woodland Patina Necklace

“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. –A.A. Milne

Debbie Blair lives in the mountains, and her Woodland Patina Necklace reflects her whimsical take on the flora and fauna near her home. Personalize your version with charms that are meaningful to you, and easily change the sides of the necklace to make it your own. Ribbon straps keep with the light-hearted theme, or chain would make the necklace feel a bit more formal.

Timberline Wrap Bracelet

“I love to sit on a mountain top and gaze. I don’t think of anything but the people I care about and the view.” –Julian Lennon

The Timberline Wrap Bracelet by Kristina Hahn Eleniak pays homage to mountain peaks around the world. Kristina says this rustic Bohemian wrap bracelet is “perfect for those seeking adventure, or in need of a reminder to keep climbing toward their goals.” The technique is very versatile, too. You’ll be making wrap bracelets for everyone!

Nature Walk Necklace

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” –Albert Camus

Inspired by nature, Michelle McEnroe created this Nature Walk Necklace to remind herself of her morning walks. She says, “The warmth of sunshine yellows and the strength of tree wood browns comfort me through the brisk morning air.” Michelle’s color palette lends itself to a variety of designs and just might be the beginning of your autumn color palette.

Rainforest Necklace

“Trees are poems that the Earth writes upon the sky.” –Kahlil Gibran

Anne Perry’s Rainforest Necklace features a stylish bib focal section. Create a unique focal by inserting beaded head pins through a series of chain links, then add contrasting dangles and a large central pendant for extra drama. Anne’s designs frequently feature a different take on how different elements can blend together to create a beautiful, harmonious design. This playful necklace is quick to assemble and makes a fun statement.

Make Fast & Fabulous Jewelry

“This land is your land, this land is my land; From California to the New York Island. From the redwood forest, to the Gulf Stream waters; This land was made for you and me.” –Woody Guthrie

These words are just as true today as when they were first sung so many years ago. Our natural world provides so many sources of inspiration! Whether you travel to different landscapes through these projects or in real life (or both!), let the scenery you discover be your guide to creative, fast, and fabulous jewelry.

Happy beading,
Katie Hacker
Interim Managing Editor of Beadwork

Jumpstart your jewelry making with these chain jewelry ideas: