A Look Inside Bronzepony's Creative World

Christmas in July 2025

We’re kicking off our Christmas in July event with a sparkling celebration of one of our all-time favorite designers—Stephanie from Bronzepony Beaded Jewelry! With her signature unique style, warm and relaxed teaching approach, and an eye for color and texture, Stephanie has become the favorite instructor for beaders of all levels, from beginner bead enthusiasts to advanced bead creators. Her YouTube channel is a go-to resource for thousands of beaders, and we’re honored to have partnered with her over the years on beautiful bead Collections and popular kits—including the hit Winter Solstice Ornament Cover Kit, which has made a limited return this week!

Celebrating Talent and Creative Generosity

To celebrate Bronzepony Week, we sat down with Stephanie for a behind-the-scenes look at her beading journey, creative space, and inspirations. Read on to learn more about the artist behind the beads—and don’t miss our Bronzepony’s Favorites Sale where you can stock up on supplies for her stunning designs (up to 30% off), only through July 13, 2025!

 

Bronzepony's Tips, Tricks and Behind-the-scenes

Now, let's take a peek into Stephanie's creative world and learn about her beading space, inspirations, fun facts and more!

Eureka Crystal Beads: Let’s begin with the place where all your designs are born… your beading workspace! What’s your favorite thing about where you bead, and how has your space evolved over time?

Stephanie: Originally, I set up a table in the bedroom for creating. When I began my YouTube channel, I needed more space and privacy to record. We had a small garage attached to the house that barely fit one car, so we decided to turn that space into a studio. Huge thanks to my hubby for giving up the garage for me! I had a great deal of fun designing this space. It’s the perfect place to create my designs and film tutorials. It’s quiet, looks over the garden, and is located right off the kitchen! Snacks are necessary when beading!

(Old bedroom studio)

(New studio)

 

ECB: Beaders love a good storage solution! Have you found any clever ways to organize your supplies, or do you have a trick that helps you manage your beads, tools, or materials?

S: Nothing too fancy; I store most of my supplies in labeled baskets and plastic craft boxes. I keep the supplies I use most such as seed beads, crystals, needles and thread within reach when I am sitting at my table. I also box and label my finished pieces for future reference. 

 

 

ECB: Organization is helpful, but most DIYers have a few essentials they always keep within reach. Do you have any must-have tools or items that are always on your desk?

S: Yes! I have a little wooden caddy that swivels on my beading table. I keep all supplies such as tools, scissors, pens, pencils, and a small ruler in each compartment.  I have a pin cushion with various sizes of needles. I also keep little metal bead trays for scooping up beads as well as my bead mat, snacks, coffee, tea, water!  Once I sit down, I try not to get up for a while!

 

ECB: What does a “perfect beading day” look like for you? Can you show us a glimpse of your ideal setup when you’re in the creative zone?

S: If I’m creating from a Collection, I keep the collection on my desk and pull out the items that speak to me at that moment. It’s an evolving process. If I’m designing from scratch, I usually look at my fancy stones for inspiration.  I’ll pull out a large stone and some smaller ones and arrange them on my mat. I’ll add some two hole beads, fire polished beads, bicones, and seed beads to the mix. Then I play!

 

ECB: Are you more of a marathon beader, or do you prefer shorter beading sessions with breaks?  

S: By nature I’m a marathon beader. When I’m deep in the creative zone, sometimes I don’t get up for hours (not good for the mind or body)! Lately I’ve been limiting my beading sessions and taking more breaks throughout the day. 

 

ECB: What are some of your favorite inspirations? This could be things that directly influence your designs—like colors, shapes, or motifs—or things that spark your creativity in more subtle ways.

S: Vintage and royal jewelry are my main inspirations. I try to create designs inspired by pieces from the past with a more wearable, modern twist. Wearable is the key.  

Sometimes I go minimalist, especially in the summer. Geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, circles, ovals and hexagons for example. I also draw inspiration from nature. The colors and shapes of nature are so inspiring. Just sitting in my garden inspires creativity. Often, I’ll pull out some of my previous designs and draw inspiration from them. Items like patchwork quilts and stained glass windows have beautiful shapes that translate to beading. Inspiration is everywhere! 

 

 

ECB: If there ever were any, can you show us… a “fail”? This could be a project that, for some reason, just would not work out, or one that you know you would do completely differently now?

S: Oh yes! This one stumped me. I was trying to create a Cleopatra style necklace. Looks great on the mat but bunches when I pick it up. It’s been a few years since I’ve worked on it.

 

ECB: Is there a trend, style, or product you thought you’d never try… but ended up enjoying? Or maybe one you’re still determined to avoid? 

S: Yes. I struggle with incorporating stones in metal settings into my designs. I love creating beaded bezels and embellishing them, so I kind of freeze when presented with a metal setting. I’ve done a few that I am happy with but I always go back to beaded bezels. I’m determined to master the metal setting, though, so I’ll keep trying!

 

ECB:If you could ask a beading fairy for one thing—no matter how unrealistic—what would it be? 

S: Move my studio to the beach!

 

ECB: What would you say to a beader who's just discovering your tutorials for the first time during Bronzepony Week?
Which tutorial should they watch if they want to: 

a. get to know your style in a form that most represents you as a designer? 

Estate Necklace. I chose this design because it incorporates several different techniques in one design. Bezels, Cubic Right Angle Weave, attaching components, and attaching a clasp, to mention a few. It’s a true representation of my style.

 

b. make something particularly meaningful or powerful?  

Ancient Ruins Bracelet. We call it the power bracelet; it’s a little Wonder Woman-esque.

 

c. have the most fun creating?

Ornament Covers. Who doesn’t love making sparkly baubles for the holidays! 

▸ The Winter Solstice Ornament Cover Tutorial
▸ The Snowflake Ornament Cover Tutorial (featuring the Baroque Blossom Beadway Box)
▸ The Hearthside Ornament Cover Tutorial

 

Bronzepony's secret helpers

The cutest help a beader could ask for, these two kitties are always on the lookout for loose beads or hanging threads, ready to offer their assistance in Stephanie's creative process.