Beading Pattern Sources

I don't consider myself a designer in any way at all but I can follow just about any pattern so I'm always looking for new and interesting sources.  I like rather complex and unusual designs whether they be jewelry, beaded beads or other objects.  Here's a few of my favorites:

http://www.thatbeadlady.com/ (aka Cathy Lampole)
Cathy's work is very elegant and expensive looking but her designs are easy to make and the instructions are well written and illustrated.

http://www.beadpatterncental.com/ (sister site to beadseast.com run by Ann Benson)
This site has been around for a few years and is pattern home to designers like Laura McCabe, Melissa Grakowsky, Ann Benson, Sherry Serafini and a few others.  The designs are complex but well written and illustrated and you get to instantly download your patterns. 

http://schoolofbeadwork.com/  (aka Melanie Potter & Carol Wilcox Wells)
Patterns are relatively new at School of Beadwork as previously only kits were available.  New designs are not available as pattern only but a lot of their older designs now are available as patterns.  They are hard copy patterns so you have to wait for them to arrive.  They are full color and very well illustrated and written.  Their kits are also great with everything being in a compact box and well labelled.  Service is also good with questions being answered quickly by either email for phone.  There are even a few kits available that are not posted on the site yet so if you find one of their designs you like but don't see it on the site, just ask.  They are also good at letting you know when it becomes available if it's not at the time of you query.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeatherCollin?ref=pr_shop_more (aka Heather Collin)
This is a new discovery and I love some of her designs.  I have not ventured to purchase any patterns from her yet so I don't know what they are like but I'm considering it.

http://www.bead-patterns.com/
If you are into simpler patterns, then this is a good source.  It's home to ornament guru Deb Moffatt Hall and also Canadian Designer Sandra Halpenny.  Cathy Lampole also sells her patterns there.

http://www.beadcave.com/julia/ (Julia Pretl)
This is Julia's site.  She sells patterns for her boxes and a couple of vessels here.  The patterns are well illustrated and are available for download.  You get an email shortly after you pay for your order with the links to your patterns.

The above are our groups main source for patterns but we've also used patterns from foreign designers as well.  If you are an experienced beader, don't be intimidated by the language.  If you love the design and want a challenge, these are great sources.  These are a few of our favorites:

http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/ (aka Sabine Lippert)
Although her patterns are written in German, they are well illustrated and relatively easy to follow for the experienced beader.  You may need a bit of help from bablefish to translate a few key things.  She currently offers 5 free patterns on her blog so you can try before you buy.

http://perle4u.blogspot.com/
Patterns are written mostly in German but some have been translated to English.  There's few freebies there too so you can try before you buy.  They are also well illustrated and an experienced beader could easily handle the projects.

http://happylandblogpattern.blogspot.com/
Offers patterns in Italian with many being translated to English. Worth a look at.  I've made one of her bells and it was surprisingly easy to do.

http://mariposa8000.blogspot.com/
Mariposa has some unique designs as well. While her patterns are also in German, they are relatively easy to follow but again experience is required.

There are of course many others but these are my addictions.  If you visit their blogs and have some time, do a little blog hop from the links on their sites to other designers.  Foreign designers tend to have a lot more free patterns available than North American designers.  I find alot of them start with some great freebies, then progress to selling their work.

I hope you find this helpful.

Happy beading!