Aug 16 2010
Well – I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I got my new camera in January, and I finally did it… I made a video tutorial. It isn’t perfect.. Especially the thirty five seconds or so where none of the action actually takes place on screen. I’ll get better, I promise! In the mean time, I hope you enjoy!
Apr 09 2010
Dhara is a Sanskrit word meaning the planet earth. It is a leap, I know, but Dhara just feels right for these earrings, which have an Indian style bead cap cradling a luminous cats eye bead. These vintage-style earrings use beautifully antiqued solid brass components.
Apr 08 2010
Delissea is a member of the Hawaiian Bellflower family, and although the flower really bears no resemblance to these beads, I couldn’t resist such a beautiful name for these glass bellflower earrings. Accented with metal findings and a hint of sparkle from aurora borealis finished Swarovski crystals, these gorgeous flower drops hang from dramatic, over-sized kidney wires.
These earrings can be made with traditional silver or gold accents and findings, or with vintage-look antique brass or gunmetal components.
Feb 21 2010
My husband is a talented man – Drupal Ninja, CSS Master, PHP Dude and general all around maker and builder, and that is just where computers are concerned! And take a look at what he made for me!
Eric has spent a good bit of the past month building an online Kumihimo pattern designer and planner – an interactive application that lets you design kumihimo patterns, and then shows you exactly how to put together your braid to make that pattern. At present – the KumiPlanner only shows the 8-warp round braid, but now that the application is built, you can plan on seeing other braid styles in the near future.
To try this application – click on the image below.
Feb 21 2010
For a couple of years, I’ve had up a small example pair of earrings that could be made using our Swarovski Crystal Pearl Drops, and every so often I get a message asking how to make them. I don’t know why it never dawned on me before to put up a project for them, rather than writing instructions out every time I get an e-mail, but I finally figured that one out, and the instructions (and a kit) are now available.
My other new project is a pair of bracelets made with new link components from TierraCast’s new Viva Mexicana collection. With lots of metal, accented with sparkling Swarovski crystal, these flashy bracelets are an eye catching delight. These bracelets could also be easily converted into a fabulous watch design, too.
Jan 21 2010
Shortly before Christmas I discovered Kumihimo – the Japanese art of braiding. This technique of creating complex, multi-stranded braids appeals to the middle-schooler in me who still occasionally and unabashedly makes embroidery floss friendship bracelets. The opportunity to play with color that Kumihimo affords makes me giddy with glee.
Traditionally, Kumihimo braids were created on a wooden device called the Marudai. While the Marudai is a more flexible tool, it is also more complicated, and you can’t pick it up and take it with you (Kumihimo makes a long car ride go more quickly!). Fortunately for modern braiders, foam kumihimo looms are portable, versatile, and easy to use.
Kumihimo braids can be created with many different yarns and ribbons. All of my example braids pictured right are made using our 1mm Satin Rattail Cord. You can add silk ribbon, eyelash yarn, hemp cord, and other stringing material as suits. The rattail cord is a nice place to start as it doesn’t tangle easily, and is inexpensive and available in a host of colors.
Many of the recent additions in the past month have been Kumihimo supplies. To start with, I have Kumihimo looms – portable, light weight foam disks designed to facilitate the braiding process. My looms come with printed braiding instructions and design ideas. You’ll also need something to braid with – like my thirty three new colors of 1mm “Petite” satin rattail cord, available by the yard as well as in several pre-cut kumihimo mixes. I have a fantastic collection of new TierraCast large hole pendant bails – just the thing for slipping onto a kumihimo braid. And finally, I have end caps and new adhesives for finishing braids and turning them into wearable art. All these goodies are listed or linked to from my kumihimo page:
Eric and I have great plans on expanding our Kumihimo page with tutorials, videos, and an online pattern predictor application – we hope you’ll keep checking back as we expand our selection for this wonderful, creative technique.
Nov 18 2009
I fell in love with these Czech glass ovals after seeing them in the Jablonex® catalog. After placing my order, I was on pins and needles waiting for them to be delivered! I could not wait to see them, and actually dreamed about them several nights in a row! Would they be as lovely in reality as they were in the photos?
Fortunately for my bead loving soul, they turned out to be just as beautiful than the picture made them look (if not more so). They are perfectly smooth and polished, and glow with warm, vibrant color. Measuring 16mm long and 11mm wide, these beads are ideal for bracelets, earrings and necklaces. They’re made in the Czech republic, by Jablonex® – the premiere manufacturer of Czech glass.
Feb 04 2009
I just added these fantastic TierraCast beaded links, and mixing them with 8mm coiled copper rings really inspired me. I don’t think I’ve ever had a project come together quite this quickly!
The mixed textures – bumpy and beaded, twisted and coiled , and smooth and polished – are an eye-catching combination. They have the feel of minimalist chainmaille, but with more texture.
These earrings are easy to make, and are available as a free project, or in kit form (in silver, gold & copper), by following the link below.
Jan 31 2009
The focal point of these earrings is the luminous, round Swarovski crystal in the center, framed in an incredible, textured metal copper charm from TierraCast. The circular motif is echoed by the lovely copper twisted rope coiled ring, connected to spherical dome earring posts.
These earrings are very easy to put together – a little glue, and a couple of jump rings, and they’re done. Way too easy for such a dramatic look!
Jan 19 2009
TierraCast designed their “Radiant” textured metal links to hold 12mm Swarovski Rivolis opening up a broad range of design posibilities. In these earrings, I paired two pieces with the “Radiant” texture and some gorgeous Swarovski crystal for a unique, layered style earring with the link and drop laying on top of the large textured ring. They’re long, they’re swingy, and they’re raking in the complements for me when I wear them out.
These earrings are super easy to put together, requiring only basic wire wrapping skills, a little glue, and a few jump rings. They can be made in silver, gold or copper with 18 crystal color choices. Buy the parts in bulk for fairs and show, or buy a kit.
Just a reminder, the jewelry you make from my projects and jewelry making tutorials is yours do with as you please without any restrictions. For example, you can make the jewelry for yourself, for friends, or to sell. Although credit for the design is always welcome, I neither require it or request it.
Nov 20 2008
There are a lot of complex wire-wrapped ring designs out there, and I’ll be honest – this isn’t one of them. This is about as “intro” as they come – a basic, simple wire wrapped ring with a single 8mm bead focal. For those of you just getting started, this is a terrific way to get your feet wet. With this design, you can create a colorful bit of bling in just a few minutes with a bit of inexpensive 20 or 22 gauge Artistic wire, an 8mm bead, and the necessary tools. I won’t admit to how many of these rings are in my jewelry box – but a girl just has to have a ring to match, well, anything!
Nov 19 2008
I don’t know why they are so intertwined in my head, but I love chandelier earrings for holiday-wear. They’re so swingy and sparkly – the perfect party earrings!
This year’s chandeliers are made from TierraCast’s “Vine Links” and lots of Swarovski crystal, and are easy to make with only basic wire wrapping skills required. You can purchase all the parts in my bead store, or buy a kit (you pick the colors).
You can also revisit my chandelier designs from previous holiday seasons.
Oct 21 2008
It’s a good thing that everyone in my family loves to read, because this Christmas – they’re all getting bookmarks!
These lovely, beaded bookmarks are easy and quick to make, and each one will be unique. They’re a great way to use mismatched and odds-n-ends beads from your bead box, and as gifts – each can be customized for the intended recipient.
Details for this project are posted here:
Sep 24 2008
Textured metals are so “in” right now, and TierraCast makes the best selection of textured rings, links, toggles and more! And using them in projects is so easy!
Rather than any one specific project, my latest project page contains a collection of easy ideas using the beautiful line of TierraCast Hammertone components. We offer a selection of hammertone mixes to make it easier to mix and match these beautiful components into the design of your fancy.
Sep 24 2008
The bold, 1 1/4″ textured metal “Radiant” ring from TierraCast, mixed with the feminine “Tiffany” bead-capped Swarovski beads give these long, swingy earrings sparkle and excitement! They’re super easy to make, and are available as a kit to save on time and parts. Kits are available in silver, gold and copper!