Hammered rectangular links aren’t just connectors; they do double-duty as spacer bars. As such, they don’t hold the strands in place very firmly — which was exactly the look I was going for in this organic bracelet. If you want a more fixed arrangement, substitute a traditional three-hole spacer bar. By Naomi Fujimoto

Brighten up metal rose beads with seed beads in a fresh shade of blue. These budget-friendly supplies are available at any major craft store or your local bead store. Plus you can use the techniques from this necklace with other tiny beads to make all sorts of pretty, dainty jewelry. By Emily Clayton

I love working with wire jigs so much I designed my own. It’s called “Now, That’s a Jig!” Since then, I haven’t stopped experimenting with it. This bird pendant — with a kinetic wing — is one of my favorite creations. For these versions, I added some crystal plumage. By Brenda Schweder

I saw a decorative ponytail holder in a high-end catalog years ago, and it stuck in my mind as something I’d like to create — but how? When we developed the ponytail holder finding and paired it with Crystal Clay as a stacking adhesive, I was finally able to figure it out! By Becky Nunn

I love the versatility and accessibility of bead chips. And, unlike with the tasty potato variety, I can indulge without feeling guilty. The beads for this necklace cost around $10, but by stringing them onto short segments and then creating a series of loops, the look says anything but “budget.” By Karen Harris

To play up the many weather moods of spring, I combined a fun, bright yellow flower pendant with elegant etched pearls and glass beads in shades of gold and brown. I love the collection of pearls and glass you can find in Michaels’ Bead Gallery line — it’s easy to put together just the right budget-friendly materials. By Danielle Luczak

In this necklace, tandem patterns swell and retreat until they meet in the middle. Waves of alternating bead sizes create an easy rhythm, beating in time with the increasing intensity of a rich palette. By Lindsay Burke

For this “rhythm” design challenge, I thought of the movements of ocean waves. I love the ocean! I can sit on the beach for hours watching and listening to the water. Even the splashing has its own sound and rhythm. I tried to recreate that feeling — the relaxing and re-energizing experience of the ocean — in these projects. By Monica Han

When designing pieces to layer, try combining gemstones, double-drilled beads, and rivolis in the same hue throughout each. Gunmetal is a fit companion to play up the dark inclusions in prehnite gemstones. By Jane Konkel

This lariat is a splurge to make, but it’s a piece that will proudly be passed down and treasured for generations. Between the glow of pearls and the sparkle of pavé components, this necklace definitely says “special occasion.” By Bethany Eddy