There's something about jewel tones that just feels serious. Sapphire. Amethyst. Emerald. Ruby. These are colours that have been associated with wealth, ceremony, and craft for centuries — and they translate beautifully into beadwork.
June's theme at On A String is Royalty. It's a theme I've been designing around for a while now, and everything I'm releasing this month leans into that rich, saturated palette.
Working with the Royal Palette
Jewel tones work because they have depth. They're not flat — there's a richness to them that catches the light differently depending on your bead finish. A matte sapphire reads very differently from a metallic one, and both are beautiful in different ways.
My go-to combination for Royalty-themed work is a deep jewel tone as the anchor, a near-black or ivory as the background, and old gold as a spark accent. You don't need all four jewel tones at once — pick one or two and let them do the work.
The Free Peyote Crown Pattern
I've designed a simple peyote crown pattern as this month's freebie — it works as an earring or a pendant, and you only need a small number of beads to make it. The pattern is free to download from the shop, and if you make one, I'd love to see it.
Download the free pattern here: https://bit.ly/4u2S1mT
The Studio — Crown Box Class
If you're a Studio member, June's project goes a step further. I've had a Crown Box 3D printed — the lid is shaped like a jewelled crown — and we're beading it together on Zoom this month. It's a Crystal Club exclusive, and existing members are receiving their kit as a loyalty thank-you.
If you've been thinking about joining The Studio, June is a good month to do it. New members this month get the Crown Box class included. Learn more: https://onastring.com.au/pages/the-studio
Royalty isn't about perfection — it's about intention. Choosing colours that feel deliberate, working with a design that has structure and meaning, and making something you'd actually want to keep or give. That's what beading at its best feels like.
I hope you love what I've put together for June.