Wendy Ellsworth Beadwork Favorites

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Wendy Ellsworth is an expert when it comes to fun and colorful beadwork, as she has been mastering the craft since the 70s. Her designs are eye-catching, and every piece is a work of art. Many of Wendy’s designs have appeared on the cover of Beadwork magazine. We’ve compiled five of our favorite projects to spark your creativity.

Above: Agave Cuff

Statement Necklaces

Unity Collar

The Unity Collar is Wendy’s interpretation of the colorful collars made by the Samburu women of Unity Women’s Village in Archers Post, Kenya. The Unity Collar is stitched with Japanese seed beads, drop beads, and daggers, among other beads. Wendy combined St. Petersburg chain and chevron chain methods to make this dramatic collar. The Samburu women prefer to make beaded jewelry in solid colors that have meanings, such as blue for water. Wendy continues to work with tribal women to help them raise funds through their artistry.

Related: Wendy Ellsworth: Creative, Artistic, Generous, Spiritual

Steelstack Pendant

Wendy has participated in Kate McKinnon’s ongoing Contemporary Geometric Beadwork (CGB) project, which prompted her to create this Steelstack Pendant. Two warped squares combine into one to form the dimensional aspect of the pendant. You can create this angular pendant by using flat and tubular herringbone stitch, as well as peyote stitch and fringe. The beaded rope of the necklace is made by combining Russian Spiral and beaded ropes techniques. Wendy has taught beadwork classes in Kenya, Australia, and the U.S. and enjoys sharing CBG techniques.

Inspired by Nature

Monet’s Garden Lariat

The Monet’s Garden Lariat was inspired by Wendy’s trip to Monet’s gardens and lily ponds in Giverny, France. The gorgeous, rich colors of Monet’s garden inspired Wendy’s choice of beads. The lariat combines fringe beading, tubular herringbone stitch, and ladder stitch that allows for the fringed floral design to take shape. Wendy has been exploring three-dimensional beadwork for at least half of her beading career and this lariat brings to mind her floral sculptures.

Hawaiian Dream Song Necklace and Earrings

The Hawaiian Dream Song set pays homage to the beauty of nature in Hawaii’s islands. Combine colorful seed beads with tubular herringbone stitch, ladder stitch, right-angle weave, along with other techniques to create this playful set. Wendy’s passions frequently find their way into her beadwork, from bringing awareness to the warming oceans to experiencing beading as a spiritual journey. This suite graced the cover of Beadwork April/May 2019.

Agave Cuff

The Agave Cuff is a tribute to the famous spiky plants found in the American Southwest. Wendy used flat peyote stitch and herringbone stitch to create this cuff. She selects colors intuitively, resulting in lively combinations that play well with three-dimensional geometric beading techniques like the ones in this bracelet. One beader says, “If you’re looking for a unique statement piece, this is it.”

Get Creative

Wendy Ellsworth’s beading skills are top-notch, and these beading projects that we’ve compiled are just a handful of her amazing patterns. Inside each PDF, you’ll find expert instructions and illustrations to guide you through making each beaded jewelry project. Leave a comment and let us know what you’re making and how it’s going. We hope you enjoy these beading projects as much as we do!

Happy Crafting!
Gabby Axner, Editorial Coordinator

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Explore more beautiful patterns from Wendy Ellsworth!