Finished another bracelet that I've been wanting to do for some time.
I've been wanting to use cube beads and use brick stitch, since I think those two are a great combination together.
So last week when my order of 20g of 4mm black opaque and 20g of 4mm red opaque AB cube beads arrived I decided on making this one.
Now, I were wondering a bit over the design on how to make it a bit more special, and then it hit me to make a set of different pyramid units and then stitch 'em together overlapping the space, so the bracelet still would follow a straight line.
I do remember that I've seen this particular design a bit here and there on the web, so, no it's not my original idea :)
For the clasp I decided on just adding a pair of 8mm black glass pearls on the top and the bottom of one side, and then on the opposite side a pair of loops where the glass pearls would fit into.
I must say that I like the retro sort of style this bracelet brings. And compared to using seed beads the cube beads really makes the bracelet stiff and also thick and also reminds of a cuff when wearing it.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Bracelet: Tri-po
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Bookmark Finding
Yeh, I just couldn't resist to buy one of these cute bookmarks where you attach a bead or whatever to it. The price for the finding is really great and it also look pretty :)
I worked on these cute little shellfishes this weekend just cause of boredom :o
I really liked how this dark blue one turned out so when my bookmark finding arrived this morning I decided on attaching it together with a little heart bead that I randomly had received in a bead mix some time ago.
Isn't it just adorable? :)
I worked on these cute little shellfishes this weekend just cause of boredom :o
I really liked how this dark blue one turned out so when my bookmark finding arrived this morning I decided on attaching it together with a little heart bead that I randomly had received in a bead mix some time ago.
Isn't it just adorable? :)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Bracelet: Venus
Last night I managed to figure out what I wanted to do with some 12mm twisted bugle bead in amber with a frosted AB finish.
I managed to figure it out by playing around with some other beads, and some two toned 4mm czech glass beads that I ordered last week.
I thought the combination of amber looked so nice together with the two toned beads I wanted to make something with them.
I ended up making a bracelet using both right angle weave and ladder stitch and some fringing.
I know, it can look like the center parts of the bracelet is made separately but it's made with one single thread.
First I simply started out by picking up two 11/0, one bugle, two 11/0, one 4mm, two 11/0, one bugle, two 11/0 and one 4mm. Then I went back through the beads again until I ended my thread from the second bugle bead on the opposite side of where I first started. Here I picked up three 11/0's and began working my ladder stitch; I went back through the 11/0 I ended my thread from + one of the three 11/0's I just added. And so it progressed until I had a full stripe of two 11/0's, one bugle and two 11/0's. In total I worked my units so that I had 6 rows. Then I began fringing the unit and when that was done I began all over again so that I could make another unit :)
When I had the desired length of my bracelet I added a gold plated toggle clasp ^^;
I managed to figure it out by playing around with some other beads, and some two toned 4mm czech glass beads that I ordered last week.
I thought the combination of amber looked so nice together with the two toned beads I wanted to make something with them.
I ended up making a bracelet using both right angle weave and ladder stitch and some fringing.
I know, it can look like the center parts of the bracelet is made separately but it's made with one single thread.
First I simply started out by picking up two 11/0, one bugle, two 11/0, one 4mm, two 11/0, one bugle, two 11/0 and one 4mm. Then I went back through the beads again until I ended my thread from the second bugle bead on the opposite side of where I first started. Here I picked up three 11/0's and began working my ladder stitch; I went back through the 11/0 I ended my thread from + one of the three 11/0's I just added. And so it progressed until I had a full stripe of two 11/0's, one bugle and two 11/0's. In total I worked my units so that I had 6 rows. Then I began fringing the unit and when that was done I began all over again so that I could make another unit :)
When I had the desired length of my bracelet I added a gold plated toggle clasp ^^;
Etiketter:
bugle bead,
ladder stitch,
RAW,
two toned
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Necklace: Amphitrite
I manage to complete the project I've been working with this week on Friday. I know, I know, I'm a bit slow at posting once in a while.
When I were browsing through Marcia DeCoster's book, "Beaded Opulence", I came across a project named "Etruscan Treasure" on page 61 that gave me the idea for this necklace. At least for the pendant itself.
I'm lacking in a lot of things when it comes to this book (the projects in the book calls for a lot of crystals etc.).
I decided to use the idea of shaping metal wire into a shape that I would bead around later. The instructions in the book called for metal wire in 14gauge? which I don't have, so I decided on using the 20 gauge wire I have and make two identical shapes, and then wire them together with a 24gauge wire so the wire would keep its shape.
I used 11/0 seed beads to the entire piece in navy blue opaque and in bronze.
I also used a 14mm swarovski rivoli in saphire that I've been having laying around for some time. To attach the rivoli in the center I first made some peyote straps on the left and right side, which I embellished with some moonstone chips together with 15/0 bronze seed beads. To make the rivoli sit even sturdier I sew through the top and the bottom of the pendant with some seed beads to the rivoli.
I also embellished the center just above the bail with some seed beads and dagger and drop beads n bronze to personalize it more.
The chain I made with circular herringbone stitch.
This was a christmas present for my mother in law as well :)
When I were browsing through Marcia DeCoster's book, "Beaded Opulence", I came across a project named "Etruscan Treasure" on page 61 that gave me the idea for this necklace. At least for the pendant itself.
I'm lacking in a lot of things when it comes to this book (the projects in the book calls for a lot of crystals etc.).
And as you can see I attached a paper bead in the chain, where I ended up writing my initials :) |
I used 11/0 seed beads to the entire piece in navy blue opaque and in bronze.
I also used a 14mm swarovski rivoli in saphire that I've been having laying around for some time. To attach the rivoli in the center I first made some peyote straps on the left and right side, which I embellished with some moonstone chips together with 15/0 bronze seed beads. To make the rivoli sit even sturdier I sew through the top and the bottom of the pendant with some seed beads to the rivoli.
I also embellished the center just above the bail with some seed beads and dagger and drop beads n bronze to personalize it more.
The chain I made with circular herringbone stitch.
This was a christmas present for my mother in law as well :)
Etiketter:
circular herringbone,
pendant,
peyote,
rivoli,
swarovski
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Paper Beads!
I finally received my Diamond Glaze in the mailbox yesterday (actually I had to go to the post office to get the package, but wha-evah :P). I have been planning on making some paper beads since I saw some tutorials on YouTube and that's why I bought some Diamond Glaze :).
To those that doesn't know what Diamond Glaze is, it's a sort of glue that crystallizes the surface they are applied to. It can also be used for some book scrapping or whatever that includes paper. It can be replaced as resin if you want to cover up some pictures or photos in a jewelry setting, since when it's dry it also creates a dome effect.
The tutorials I first saw only showed how to make the beads, and not the strips so I were slightly confused and my brain doesn't really work at the moment with measuring and figuring out stuff where I have to calculate a bunch of shite, lol.
So later I came across this awesome tutorial that showed the whole process from a blank paper to the finish product.
The tutorial is made by "Beyond Bracelet" and can be accessed by clicking here.
She also show how to color the beads yourself if you want any specific color scheme for the paper beads.
For my very first paper beads I decided on recycling. Instead of using fresh white paper I snatched a commercial magazine we've received in the mail some time ago. Then I picked out a page where I liked the colors. My first paper beads ended up being about 2.5cm (1 inch).
After that I wanted to make some that would be smaller. Again I chose to work with the same magazine, I just chose a different page with a different color setting. These ended up being 1.5cm (15mm).
After those, I decided on experimenting a little. I took another commercial magazine, one that was thinner and measured out the size I wanted on the front cover. Then I cut straight through the whole thing. I let each stripe of this magazine still stick together since I wanted to try making some really thick paper beads from them.
The result ended up exactly as I wanted it, and I actually ended up making two of the same.
So what to make with paper beads?
I guess you can do some stringing necklaces or bracelet with 'em. I suppose that you'll also feel a bit awesome, specially if you're using old magazines or whatever that would normally go to the trash, since making paper beads is kinda recycling, lawl.
I decided on using the first beads for a simple RAW bracelet with a toggle clasp, crimps, 2 4mm bicones and some 9/0 seed beads. I tried using 11/0 seed beads at first, but the holes in the paper beads were too big and the beads would just end up inside of 'em.
With the two thick paper beads I made, I made a pair of earrings using some 4mm fire polished glass beads in Capri Blue above and below the paper bead since the head of the head-pin was too small.
Next thing I want to try is coloring my own beads from scratch, but I'll post that as soon as they are done, and when I have some more pretty daylight to work with for photos :)
To those that doesn't know what Diamond Glaze is, it's a sort of glue that crystallizes the surface they are applied to. It can also be used for some book scrapping or whatever that includes paper. It can be replaced as resin if you want to cover up some pictures or photos in a jewelry setting, since when it's dry it also creates a dome effect.
The tutorials I first saw only showed how to make the beads, and not the strips so I were slightly confused and my brain doesn't really work at the moment with measuring and figuring out stuff where I have to calculate a bunch of shite, lol.
So later I came across this awesome tutorial that showed the whole process from a blank paper to the finish product.
The tutorial is made by "Beyond Bracelet" and can be accessed by clicking here.
She also show how to color the beads yourself if you want any specific color scheme for the paper beads.
For my very first paper beads I decided on recycling. Instead of using fresh white paper I snatched a commercial magazine we've received in the mail some time ago. Then I picked out a page where I liked the colors. My first paper beads ended up being about 2.5cm (1 inch).
After that I wanted to make some that would be smaller. Again I chose to work with the same magazine, I just chose a different page with a different color setting. These ended up being 1.5cm (15mm).
After those, I decided on experimenting a little. I took another commercial magazine, one that was thinner and measured out the size I wanted on the front cover. Then I cut straight through the whole thing. I let each stripe of this magazine still stick together since I wanted to try making some really thick paper beads from them.
The result ended up exactly as I wanted it, and I actually ended up making two of the same.
So what to make with paper beads?
I guess you can do some stringing necklaces or bracelet with 'em. I suppose that you'll also feel a bit awesome, specially if you're using old magazines or whatever that would normally go to the trash, since making paper beads is kinda recycling, lawl.
I decided on using the first beads for a simple RAW bracelet with a toggle clasp, crimps, 2 4mm bicones and some 9/0 seed beads. I tried using 11/0 seed beads at first, but the holes in the paper beads were too big and the beads would just end up inside of 'em.
With the two thick paper beads I made, I made a pair of earrings using some 4mm fire polished glass beads in Capri Blue above and below the paper bead since the head of the head-pin was too small.
Next thing I want to try is coloring my own beads from scratch, but I'll post that as soon as they are done, and when I have some more pretty daylight to work with for photos :)
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bracelet: Indigo
I decided to take a little break from my main project that I'm currently working on and make a little simple bracelet that takes about 1-1.5hour to make.
I got my hands on some new 4mm cube beads that I wanted to do something with. I noticed then that I bought a blue fuchsia lined 1.5mm cube beads as well some time ago. So I had 4mm and 1.5mm cubes of the same color type that I could work with.
I decided on making a cuff like bracelet with elastic in it, so I wouldn't have to bother about ruining the design of what I had in mind by adding some finding to the piece.
I ladder stitched the 4mm cubes on each other until I had seven resting on each other. Then I made five more of these. I had a pattern in mind on how I wanted to string the beads which I wanted in-between the 4mm cube ladders. I used 4mm glass pearls in dark purple,gold lined silver 11/0's, 10mm bugles in gold and at last in the center a 1.5mm cube bead and then repeat the first part again.
I used a big eye needle to get my elastic thread through the 4mm cubes. It makes the stringing a lot easier then if I would just have used the elastic thread on its own (I tried). Alas I had some problems with the big eye needle and the elastic thread; the big eye needle turned out to be rather sharp on the inside where the thread goes, and as I threaded on bead after bead, after a while the elastic was cut off. I had to move around the elastic in the opening of the big eye needle once in a while to make sure it didn't break that quickly again.
I'm definitely make more of these in the future, since they go fast and ends up looking so cute and shiny depending on what beads you chose :)
I got my hands on some new 4mm cube beads that I wanted to do something with. I noticed then that I bought a blue fuchsia lined 1.5mm cube beads as well some time ago. So I had 4mm and 1.5mm cubes of the same color type that I could work with.
I decided on making a cuff like bracelet with elastic in it, so I wouldn't have to bother about ruining the design of what I had in mind by adding some finding to the piece.
I ladder stitched the 4mm cubes on each other until I had seven resting on each other. Then I made five more of these. I had a pattern in mind on how I wanted to string the beads which I wanted in-between the 4mm cube ladders. I used 4mm glass pearls in dark purple,gold lined silver 11/0's, 10mm bugles in gold and at last in the center a 1.5mm cube bead and then repeat the first part again.
I used a big eye needle to get my elastic thread through the 4mm cubes. It makes the stringing a lot easier then if I would just have used the elastic thread on its own (I tried). Alas I had some problems with the big eye needle and the elastic thread; the big eye needle turned out to be rather sharp on the inside where the thread goes, and as I threaded on bead after bead, after a while the elastic was cut off. I had to move around the elastic in the opening of the big eye needle once in a while to make sure it didn't break that quickly again.
I'm definitely make more of these in the future, since they go fast and ends up looking so cute and shiny depending on what beads you chose :)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Pendant: RAW heart
I did this piece some time ago, and decided on finish it up yesterday since I finally manage to make up my mind on what I wanted to do with it.
In the end it ended up as a pendant with a chain attached to it, and is now underway to Sweden as a x-mas present for "someone".
The pendant is made with right angle weave. Each side; the front and the back is made separately and then joined together.
I can't quite remember where I found this pattern, cause it's a pattern I used. But if I manage to find it out I'll post it :)
The beads I used were 11/0 seed beads, 4mm violet lustre firepolished beads.
Afterwards I stuffed a handmade head-pin together with some crafting glue inside of the heart, and then I added a jump-ring and attached the piece to a silver-plated copper chain along with a lobster clasp.
In the end it ended up as a pendant with a chain attached to it, and is now underway to Sweden as a x-mas present for "someone".
The pendant is made with right angle weave. Each side; the front and the back is made separately and then joined together.
I can't quite remember where I found this pattern, cause it's a pattern I used. But if I manage to find it out I'll post it :)
The beads I used were 11/0 seed beads, 4mm violet lustre firepolished beads.
Afterwards I stuffed a handmade head-pin together with some crafting glue inside of the heart, and then I added a jump-ring and attached the piece to a silver-plated copper chain along with a lobster clasp.
Pendant: Tree of Life
So yeh. I've been in love with these wire wrapped Tree of Life images that is going on around the web - specially in DeviantArt. I've done a really small piece like this before, but I've been feeling that I've wanted to try it again.
This time I went WAY bigger than my first attempt. I haven't really measured the piece, but it's about the size of a palm ( a woman palm, lol).
Last week I ordered some pretty rose quartz chips, which I used together with some white moonstone chips that have been laying around, that I've been using now and then in different projects.
I took some length from a 20 gauge silver-plated copper wire and used a solid round form that I like as a mandrel. Then I used some 24 gauge silver-plated copper wire to make sure the circle would fit. I also used the same 24 gauge wire to make my branches, and I strung the chips at the top of each branch. When I were happy with how long I wanted each branch I twisted the wires together until they reached the center or base of what would be the tree. When I were satisfied with how I wanted the center, I again separated each of the twisted wires again, and began working them in a way so it would look like tree roots were attached to the bottom of the circle itself.
The second process was slightly painful and annoying, cause the wire would twist pretty much into every direction and sting me, lol. I understand why people work with protective glasses when they work with wire - I wear glasses, but I think those protective glasses would most like have been better, but I can't see a shit without my glasses and I'm not having any lenses at the moment, heh.
After that second precess, I began using some parts of the 24 gauge wire and wrap it around the circle itself, and secure each of the wire at the top and the bottom to make sure they would stay in place.
I added a cute little silver-plated copper chain together with a lobster clasp to make the finished touch.
I would probably work a lot more with wire then what I do at the moment, since I really love working and having contact with metals (besides nickel, cause I'm very allergic to it like a lot of people).
I were browsing the net a couple of nights ago, and metal, specially sterling silver really is way too expensive now days. At the moment I have some copper and aluminum wires hanging around since about a year ago. Al tho copper is also really expensive at this moment - hopefully the prices will drop one day, heh :P
This time I went WAY bigger than my first attempt. I haven't really measured the piece, but it's about the size of a palm ( a woman palm, lol).
Last week I ordered some pretty rose quartz chips, which I used together with some white moonstone chips that have been laying around, that I've been using now and then in different projects.
I took some length from a 20 gauge silver-plated copper wire and used a solid round form that I like as a mandrel. Then I used some 24 gauge silver-plated copper wire to make sure the circle would fit. I also used the same 24 gauge wire to make my branches, and I strung the chips at the top of each branch. When I were happy with how long I wanted each branch I twisted the wires together until they reached the center or base of what would be the tree. When I were satisfied with how I wanted the center, I again separated each of the twisted wires again, and began working them in a way so it would look like tree roots were attached to the bottom of the circle itself.
The second process was slightly painful and annoying, cause the wire would twist pretty much into every direction and sting me, lol. I understand why people work with protective glasses when they work with wire - I wear glasses, but I think those protective glasses would most like have been better, but I can't see a shit without my glasses and I'm not having any lenses at the moment, heh.
After that second precess, I began using some parts of the 24 gauge wire and wrap it around the circle itself, and secure each of the wire at the top and the bottom to make sure they would stay in place.
I added a cute little silver-plated copper chain together with a lobster clasp to make the finished touch.
I would probably work a lot more with wire then what I do at the moment, since I really love working and having contact with metals (besides nickel, cause I'm very allergic to it like a lot of people).
I were browsing the net a couple of nights ago, and metal, specially sterling silver really is way too expensive now days. At the moment I have some copper and aluminum wires hanging around since about a year ago. Al tho copper is also really expensive at this moment - hopefully the prices will drop one day, heh :P
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wish List: December
Some lovely orange frosted tila beads from GJBeads. |
A gorgeous Golem Studio Ceramic disc pendant from Beadaholique. |
This lovely shell carved leaf pendant from E-BEADS. |
These gorgeous 5mm purple jade cube beads from Artbeads.com . |
These stunning lampwork leaves made by Silvia ArtGLass. |
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Necklace: WYB
Yeh, I know... The name I gave this piece is odd, but I couldn't think of anything then white, yellow and black, hence the odd name which is short for the colors, lol.
So the thing with this piece is that I had this palette in mind for some time. The colors hanging loosely but in the same sequence in different strands. That's why I ended up a multi-strand necklace. It's the very first time I make one of these babies, and while I were designing the idea, I were also pondering how I were going to join the strands together smoothly. At first I had an idea of making some bigger pyramids using ladder and brick stitch, where I would attach the strands.
However, the idea quickly turned, and I wanted to try to make a beaded cone, so I did. I made it using herringbone stitch, after looking at some tutorials on how to make those cute flowers using kinda the same technique.
When I completed the cones I picked up some gold-plated head-pins and attached the strands one by one in the eye of the eye-pin. When I had the amount of strands I wanted, and had them attached to two eye-pins, I used some crafting glue and put it around the threads and the eye of the eye-pin so it would be extra secure.
Then I added each strand into the beaded cones I made earlier, and finished each one of them off with a 4mm glass bead and made a wire wrapped loop and attached some gold-plated jump-rings and a gold plated magnetic clasp.
To be honest, this isn't really anything I think I'm gonna be wearing myself. But since the idea and the mental image that I had about this piece kinda haunted me, I knew I just had to go through with it. I picked up some new experiences while making this necklace so I enjoyed it at the same time :)
So the thing with this piece is that I had this palette in mind for some time. The colors hanging loosely but in the same sequence in different strands. That's why I ended up a multi-strand necklace. It's the very first time I make one of these babies, and while I were designing the idea, I were also pondering how I were going to join the strands together smoothly. At first I had an idea of making some bigger pyramids using ladder and brick stitch, where I would attach the strands.
However, the idea quickly turned, and I wanted to try to make a beaded cone, so I did. I made it using herringbone stitch, after looking at some tutorials on how to make those cute flowers using kinda the same technique.
When I completed the cones I picked up some gold-plated head-pins and attached the strands one by one in the eye of the eye-pin. When I had the amount of strands I wanted, and had them attached to two eye-pins, I used some crafting glue and put it around the threads and the eye of the eye-pin so it would be extra secure.
Then I added each strand into the beaded cones I made earlier, and finished each one of them off with a 4mm glass bead and made a wire wrapped loop and attached some gold-plated jump-rings and a gold plated magnetic clasp.
To be honest, this isn't really anything I think I'm gonna be wearing myself. But since the idea and the mental image that I had about this piece kinda haunted me, I knew I just had to go through with it. I picked up some new experiences while making this necklace so I enjoyed it at the same time :)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Bracelet: Frost Flower
Finally managed to get my fingers out of my ass and tidy up my room, and make it look like a working studio where I can make and design my jewelries.
It's still not 100% completed cause I still need some more furniture to get it as I've imagined :)
At the moment it's 100% possible to work there tho. I got this awesome tool case (or mini tool shelf) from my father-in-law just for the reason so I could store findings, tools, beads etc.
I also received my beads which I got as a present from my lovely bf. I had been longing for this since a while, since I've been having in mind what designs I want to fulfill using the beads I've ordered and now with the awesome work space it's like a dreamland! :D (need to get my hands on a radio tho, it's dead silence like on a graveyard lol).
So, the very first thing I made this Saturday was a little bracelet which kinda speaks "snow" or "winter" about it. It was the idea kinda. The moment I saw the silver lined crystal seed beads I ordered I thought they reminded me of ice. Pure ice.
I also intended on adding simple little leaves in, like fringe, which you can see on the photos. I used double spiral rope stitch to make the base itself of the bracelet, and embellished it with leaf fringes, frosted cube beads with an AB finish, and some 6/0 crystal beads also with an AB finish.
The clasp is only made out of beads. And I made the button using an 8mm glass bead, and then I used circular brick stitch. Instead of making the button only white, I had this image in my head; when it get really cold in northern Sweden you can see this pale pink and light blue colors in the sky. That is what I kinda wanted to embed in the piece.
It's still not 100% completed cause I still need some more furniture to get it as I've imagined :)
At the moment it's 100% possible to work there tho. I got this awesome tool case (or mini tool shelf) from my father-in-law just for the reason so I could store findings, tools, beads etc.
I also received my beads which I got as a present from my lovely bf. I had been longing for this since a while, since I've been having in mind what designs I want to fulfill using the beads I've ordered and now with the awesome work space it's like a dreamland! :D (need to get my hands on a radio tho, it's dead silence like on a graveyard lol).
So, the very first thing I made this Saturday was a little bracelet which kinda speaks "snow" or "winter" about it. It was the idea kinda. The moment I saw the silver lined crystal seed beads I ordered I thought they reminded me of ice. Pure ice.
I also intended on adding simple little leaves in, like fringe, which you can see on the photos. I used double spiral rope stitch to make the base itself of the bracelet, and embellished it with leaf fringes, frosted cube beads with an AB finish, and some 6/0 crystal beads also with an AB finish.
The clasp is only made out of beads. And I made the button using an 8mm glass bead, and then I used circular brick stitch. Instead of making the button only white, I had this image in my head; when it get really cold in northern Sweden you can see this pale pink and light blue colors in the sky. That is what I kinda wanted to embed in the piece.
Etiketter:
circular brick stitch,
spiral rope,
toggle-clasp
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Item of the Month: Bead Nabber
I've decided to begin to future an item each month for up to a year. Why? Cause it could be interesting for readers to get a view over how good an item work, and what it is for. The other idea is to get myself to write a lot more then what I've been doing now.
I also have to apology for my absence last month. It's been a bit hectic around here, and I've been having some rheumatic issues in the joint of my fingers, which haven't really made the working easier. They're still coming and going once in a while... I probably have to go and see the doctor if it persists :\
Anyway!
This month's item, and the very first item in this little featuring is a bead nabber. I've been very curious and been wondering if I should get one of these. The reason is that I find it really, really annoying to pick up the beads one by one when the fall all over - I have hyperactive playful kittens in the house that sometimes can sneak onto places they are not allowed on, and make a mess on "sacred" stuff, lol.
The bead nabber is really handy, and makes the bead picking a lot easier and faster then what it normally takes (licking your finger and then pick up the beads, lol... Not the most pleasant thing to do).
This little item is in plastic, with some sticky "stuff" (no idea what it's called in English) on the tip. The idea is that you slide the bead nabber onto your finger of choice so that the sticky thing on the bead nabber kinda ends up on the pointy part of your finger.
The item isn't even that expensive, and I do find the 2€ it costs worth the price.
I bought my bead nabber from GJBeads, but from their Amazon store.
I give this handy little item 4/5 points.
The reason to why it doesn't score a five is that you sometimes have to pick off the beads you pick up with the bead nabber with your fingers since the sticky stuff can be a bit strong.
I also have to apology for my absence last month. It's been a bit hectic around here, and I've been having some rheumatic issues in the joint of my fingers, which haven't really made the working easier. They're still coming and going once in a while... I probably have to go and see the doctor if it persists :\
Anyway!
This month's item, and the very first item in this little featuring is a bead nabber. I've been very curious and been wondering if I should get one of these. The reason is that I find it really, really annoying to pick up the beads one by one when the fall all over - I have hyperactive playful kittens in the house that sometimes can sneak onto places they are not allowed on, and make a mess on "sacred" stuff, lol.
The bead nabber is really handy, and makes the bead picking a lot easier and faster then what it normally takes (licking your finger and then pick up the beads, lol... Not the most pleasant thing to do).
This little item is in plastic, with some sticky "stuff" (no idea what it's called in English) on the tip. The idea is that you slide the bead nabber onto your finger of choice so that the sticky thing on the bead nabber kinda ends up on the pointy part of your finger.
The item isn't even that expensive, and I do find the 2€ it costs worth the price.
I bought my bead nabber from GJBeads, but from their Amazon store.
I give this handy little item 4/5 points.
The reason to why it doesn't score a five is that you sometimes have to pick off the beads you pick up with the bead nabber with your fingers since the sticky stuff can be a bit strong.
Etiketter:
bead nabber,
item of the month
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tilas!
Finally I got my guts together and tried out working with those lovely Tila beads from Myuki. I actually only had enough to make a small piece so I decided on a bracelet.
The color I had laying around was a gunmetal (who could have known, right? lol *sarcasm*) in a matte finish. I've been caressing these tila beads for a while since it's the only ones I have in my stash and aprox. 10g (50-60 beads). I got really encouraged in working with tilas, so I'll most likely build up my stash next time with some additional tila beads.
To make this rather simple bracelet I built up the tilas by using lader stitch. I did two separate ones and then I joined them together by adding a 4mm gunmetal bead inbetween. To add some contrast and also some color I added a picot fringe in an 11/0 seed bead mix.
For the closure I added a gunmetal plated chain and some jump-rings together with a silver-plated lobster clasp. At the end of the chain I added a 6mm gunmetal bead for weight measurement.
The color I had laying around was a gunmetal (who could have known, right? lol *sarcasm*) in a matte finish. I've been caressing these tila beads for a while since it's the only ones I have in my stash and aprox. 10g (50-60 beads). I got really encouraged in working with tilas, so I'll most likely build up my stash next time with some additional tila beads.
To make this rather simple bracelet I built up the tilas by using lader stitch. I did two separate ones and then I joined them together by adding a 4mm gunmetal bead inbetween. To add some contrast and also some color I added a picot fringe in an 11/0 seed bead mix.
For the closure I added a gunmetal plated chain and some jump-rings together with a silver-plated lobster clasp. At the end of the chain I added a 6mm gunmetal bead for weight measurement.
Etiketter:
ladder stitch,
picot fringe,
tila
Monday, November 14, 2011
Tutorial: Fast Spiral Rope
I have been pondering since a while if I should post a tutorial about speedy spiral rope since I've used it a couple of times. I came up with the idea when I wanted to make an opera length necklace using some triangle beads. When I began making it I noticed that it would take ages to get the length I wanted if I would make it the simple way; add 3 beads, pick up 2 beads and the triangle bead and then go back through the 3 core beads and pick up another core bead etc. (see diagram below).
I'm also working with nymo and it's not as stiff as FireLine or WildFire so I had to pull A LOT on the thread to keep it snug.
I thought the thought; what if I would add all the core beads already on a string, and then work my way through them to make the spiral?
Of course I did so, since it would make sense in my logical universe. Now I decided to share my own thoughts and the idea I had :)
This is the way I made my opera length necklace, but you can use it to make bangles as well, or whatever else when you want a whole piece without adding a closure.
You begin with threading on the amount of beads you want. I recommend a bigger bead like 9/0, 8/0 or even 6/0 depending on how many times you're going through the beads.
For this tutorial I chose 8/0's for core beads and 11/0's for the spiral itself. For my Thorn necklace I used 11/0's for the core and then 15/0's together with the triangle beads for the spiral.
Depending on what size you pick, I also recommend you to change your needle to a size 12 or even a size 13.
When you have the core beads on, you simply join both thread end together by doing some knots - I normally prefer to do a surgeon's knot since it's very secure.
After you secured your thread, pass your needle through a couple of the core beads just to secure it a bit more (can never be too careful).
Now we come to the spiral itself. Pick up the beads you want for your spiral; in this case I picked up five 11/0 seed beads. Then I pass my needle through the three core beads that came behind from where my thread came out BUT I also pass through the core bead that comes in front of where my thread was coming out. So all in all you pass through four beads. (You can click on the photos to make them larger to get more details).
Now that your first part of the spiral is done you simply repeat what you did earlier.
You pass your needle through the three core beads behind from where your thread is coming out, and you also pass through the core bead that is in front if where your thread is coming out - you pass through 4 beads in total.
A spiral rope is about moving forward and making a spiral, but do remember to keep the accent beads lined up after each other so you won't end up with a complete mess.
For my Mechanical Moon piece I also used the fast spiral rope technique, but I used a nylon coated wire to add my core beads on.
The nylon coated wire gives a stiffer feeling and also a stiffer look, and it's secure but you need to crimp it - it's also thick lol. I used a size 12 needle but it would probably work smoother with size 13 or 15 since I sometimes had a problem getting my needle in between the beads, sadly I don't have those needle sizes around heh.
The first thing you do with a nylon coated wire is that you measure the length you want since it's not too cheap - you don't want to use more then what is necessary.
The you pick up a crimp bead/tube and run the wire through it and then through your closure and back through the crimp bead/tube again and crimp it. (For those that doesn't know how to crimp, I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna explain that in this post).
Thread your core beads onto the nylon coated wire until you're happy. Then you just do it as you did earlier but with the opposite part of the closure and then crimp again.
Now we get to making the spiral!
You tie your thread in between the very first core bead and the crimp bead/tube. Do some square knots and some surgeon's knots to make sure the thread will sit there.
If you think it looks ugly with the crimp, just go ahead and use a crimp bead cover.
Pass your needle through the three core beads in the beginning.
Pick up five 11/0 seed beads.
I'm working with the same pattern again just to show you how I made this. The sequence can be made completely different then this, and with completely different beads as well. Only your imagination sets the limit on this. You can even do a double spiral rope by doing it this way ;)
Go back to where you came from; three beads back from where your thread is coming out and pass your needle and thread through them and pass your needle also through the core bead that comes after the core bead from where your thread is coming out.
Pull tightly.
Repeat for the next part: Pick up five 11/0's. Pass your needle through the three beads that comes before where your bead is coming out + the bead that is coming after the bead where your thread is coming out.
In total you should pass through four core beads each time.
I hope you enjoyed reading this little tutorial on how to make a fast spiral rope. From my own experiences it saves more then half the time of what it would take to make the spiral rope the traditional way.
I'm also working with nymo and it's not as stiff as FireLine or WildFire so I had to pull A LOT on the thread to keep it snug.
I thought the thought; what if I would add all the core beads already on a string, and then work my way through them to make the spiral?
Of course I did so, since it would make sense in my logical universe. Now I decided to share my own thoughts and the idea I had :)
A Spiral Piece without a Clasp
This is the way I made my opera length necklace, but you can use it to make bangles as well, or whatever else when you want a whole piece without adding a closure.
You begin with threading on the amount of beads you want. I recommend a bigger bead like 9/0, 8/0 or even 6/0 depending on how many times you're going through the beads.
For this tutorial I chose 8/0's for core beads and 11/0's for the spiral itself. For my Thorn necklace I used 11/0's for the core and then 15/0's together with the triangle beads for the spiral.
Depending on what size you pick, I also recommend you to change your needle to a size 12 or even a size 13.
When you have the core beads on, you simply join both thread end together by doing some knots - I normally prefer to do a surgeon's knot since it's very secure.
After you secured your thread, pass your needle through a couple of the core beads just to secure it a bit more (can never be too careful).
Now we come to the spiral itself. Pick up the beads you want for your spiral; in this case I picked up five 11/0 seed beads. Then I pass my needle through the three core beads that came behind from where my thread came out BUT I also pass through the core bead that comes in front of where my thread was coming out. So all in all you pass through four beads. (You can click on the photos to make them larger to get more details).
Now that your first part of the spiral is done you simply repeat what you did earlier.
You pass your needle through the three core beads behind from where your thread is coming out, and you also pass through the core bead that is in front if where your thread is coming out - you pass through 4 beads in total.
A spiral rope is about moving forward and making a spiral, but do remember to keep the accent beads lined up after each other so you won't end up with a complete mess.
Spiral Rope Using a Nylon Coated Wire
For my Mechanical Moon piece I also used the fast spiral rope technique, but I used a nylon coated wire to add my core beads on.
The nylon coated wire gives a stiffer feeling and also a stiffer look, and it's secure but you need to crimp it - it's also thick lol. I used a size 12 needle but it would probably work smoother with size 13 or 15 since I sometimes had a problem getting my needle in between the beads, sadly I don't have those needle sizes around heh.
The first thing you do with a nylon coated wire is that you measure the length you want since it's not too cheap - you don't want to use more then what is necessary.
The you pick up a crimp bead/tube and run the wire through it and then through your closure and back through the crimp bead/tube again and crimp it. (For those that doesn't know how to crimp, I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna explain that in this post).
Thread your core beads onto the nylon coated wire until you're happy. Then you just do it as you did earlier but with the opposite part of the closure and then crimp again.
Now we get to making the spiral!
You tie your thread in between the very first core bead and the crimp bead/tube. Do some square knots and some surgeon's knots to make sure the thread will sit there.
If you think it looks ugly with the crimp, just go ahead and use a crimp bead cover.
Pass your needle through the three core beads in the beginning.
Pick up five 11/0 seed beads.
I'm working with the same pattern again just to show you how I made this. The sequence can be made completely different then this, and with completely different beads as well. Only your imagination sets the limit on this. You can even do a double spiral rope by doing it this way ;)
Go back to where you came from; three beads back from where your thread is coming out and pass your needle and thread through them and pass your needle also through the core bead that comes after the core bead from where your thread is coming out.
Pull tightly.
Repeat for the next part: Pick up five 11/0's. Pass your needle through the three beads that comes before where your bead is coming out + the bead that is coming after the bead where your thread is coming out.
In total you should pass through four core beads each time.
Repeat until you're on the other side of the nylon coated wire :)
I hope you enjoyed reading this little tutorial on how to make a fast spiral rope. From my own experiences it saves more then half the time of what it would take to make the spiral rope the traditional way.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Earrings: Russian Leaves
I finally got my hands out of my pockets and gave the Russian leaves a try, since I've been enchanted by the stitch since quite a while.
To try it I always had a pair of earrings in my mind to kick it off, and then take it a step further to create a bigger piece.
The stitch is basically diagonal peyote stitch. I found the pattern however at MyLovelyBeads, the graphs are tho is Russian (I think) but it's very easy to understand how to work the stitch :)
I've been having a tube of 10g 9/0 hex beads in store for quite a while, and I didn't know what to do with 'em, cause 10g ain't really that much to work with. Of course I could just have done these with 11/0 seed beads, but you get a really shinier and light catching effect when using hex beads and I thought that woudl be more flattering for a pair of earrings like these.
To try it I always had a pair of earrings in my mind to kick it off, and then take it a step further to create a bigger piece.
The stitch is basically diagonal peyote stitch. I found the pattern however at MyLovelyBeads, the graphs are tho is Russian (I think) but it's very easy to understand how to work the stitch :)
I've been having a tube of 10g 9/0 hex beads in store for quite a while, and I didn't know what to do with 'em, cause 10g ain't really that much to work with. Of course I could just have done these with 11/0 seed beads, but you get a really shinier and light catching effect when using hex beads and I thought that woudl be more flattering for a pair of earrings like these.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wish List: November
Everyone is doing this so I thought I would tag along as well since it's fun heh.
A gorgeous hand painted Russian pendant/bead from Artbeads.com. |
|
A lovely 18mm fused dichroic glass cabochons from Pink Glass Palace. |
This stunning reversed glass cabochon by JBJ Supplies. |
These adorable luminous leaf beads from Red Art Production. |
These beautiful handmade lampwork beads from Glass by Sarah. |
Hair Comb: Autumn Fall Colors 2011
This morning I began on a smaller project that I've been having in my mind for a while, ever since I saw the fall colors for this autumn; pink, turquoise and light yellow.
I decided on going a little crazy and use ALL the colors in different shades and make a hair comb using wire and crochet.
For beads I used some 11/0 seed beads in the different colors, some pearls and some Czech glass roundel beads, 28gauge black coated copper wire, 24gauge black coated wire and of course a silver-plated comb which is about 4x5cm (40x50mm - I don't know it in inches, sorry).
For this design, I first made the pieces I wanted to crochet and then I wired them around the holes in the comb in the order I wanted them. Then I began building some little "towers" or whatever we can call them lol.
What I wanted mainly with these towers is that I wanted to be able to twist the crochet ropes around them to bunch 'em up in a nice way.
Also also used some transparent crafting glue here and there, just to make sure the design will forever remain (unless you drive over it with a truck of course :D ).
Personally, I don't really use accessories to decorate my hair and I'm not sure I'm gonna use this either. It was just a fun project which gives some variation to the bead-weaving I'm normally doing. But yeh, if I get any personal requests in the future about more hair combs I won't hesitate.
I decided on going a little crazy and use ALL the colors in different shades and make a hair comb using wire and crochet.
For beads I used some 11/0 seed beads in the different colors, some pearls and some Czech glass roundel beads, 28gauge black coated copper wire, 24gauge black coated wire and of course a silver-plated comb which is about 4x5cm (40x50mm - I don't know it in inches, sorry).
For this design, I first made the pieces I wanted to crochet and then I wired them around the holes in the comb in the order I wanted them. Then I began building some little "towers" or whatever we can call them lol.
What I wanted mainly with these towers is that I wanted to be able to twist the crochet ropes around them to bunch 'em up in a nice way.
Also also used some transparent crafting glue here and there, just to make sure the design will forever remain (unless you drive over it with a truck of course :D ).
Personally, I don't really use accessories to decorate my hair and I'm not sure I'm gonna use this either. It was just a fun project which gives some variation to the bead-weaving I'm normally doing. But yeh, if I get any personal requests in the future about more hair combs I won't hesitate.
Etiketter:
11/0,
comb,
crochet,
fall color,
hair,
montee pearl,
roundel,
seed bead,
wire
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Bead Embroidery: Polymer Clay Cab. Day 2
Yarr!
Been spending this longer weekend together with my bf so I haven't really been able (or wanted) to blog anything for these couple of days :3
♥I also took the freedom of changing some colors and images on my blog just for the fun, and since the season is changing... And yeh, I were a little bored of the old one LOL.
My last post were about an almost finished project were I used bead embroidery (featuring a handmade polymer clay cabochon) - awesome technique by the way!
So yeh, I finished it now and I'm pretty happy about it.
For the chain I wanted to attach the pendant in I decided on making a spiral rope. I just did this spiral rope like I did with the opera length necklace I did in gunmetal with some triangle beads (Thorn); I first strung on the focal beads until I got the desired length I wanted for the necklace. I used a nylon coated wire were I put the 8/0 focal beads on tho, just to give it some more strength. Then I used nymo and a size 12 beading needle, making sure I would be able to get both my needle and my thread through the 8/0's.
For the "bail" I used simple peyote stitch, and then I embellished it a little with some 11/0 galvanized silver seed beads, and again those gorgeous moonstone chips.
Been spending this longer weekend together with my bf so I haven't really been able (or wanted) to blog anything for these couple of days :3
♥I also took the freedom of changing some colors and images on my blog just for the fun, and since the season is changing... And yeh, I were a little bored of the old one LOL.
My last post were about an almost finished project were I used bead embroidery (featuring a handmade polymer clay cabochon) - awesome technique by the way!
So yeh, I finished it now and I'm pretty happy about it.
For the chain I wanted to attach the pendant in I decided on making a spiral rope. I just did this spiral rope like I did with the opera length necklace I did in gunmetal with some triangle beads (Thorn); I first strung on the focal beads until I got the desired length I wanted for the necklace. I used a nylon coated wire were I put the 8/0 focal beads on tho, just to give it some more strength. Then I used nymo and a size 12 beading needle, making sure I would be able to get both my needle and my thread through the 8/0's.
For the "bail" I used simple peyote stitch, and then I embellished it a little with some 11/0 galvanized silver seed beads, and again those gorgeous moonstone chips.
Etiketter:
11/0,
8/0,
bronze,
cabochon,
copper,
embroidery,
gemstone chips,
gold,
moonstone,
peyote,
polymer clay,
silver,
spiral rope
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Bead Embroidery: Polymer Clay Cab. Day 1
I posted last week a couple of polymer clay cabochons that I've made, having in my thoughts that I would do some bead embroidery.
Here is the "almost" finished result. I'm gonna work around the edges after I've cut it out, and then I'm also gonna figure out a chain and how I'm gonna attach it.
I really enjoyed this, and found it extremely fun. And with embroidery you can work pretty much how you want, and experiment with different types of stitches.
I ended up attaching a couple moonstone chips as an embellishment as well and I really, really like it.
I chose pretty much only to work with metal like colors for this one, since I didn't want to run away too far from the theme which the polymer clay cab already had.
Here is the "almost" finished result. I'm gonna work around the edges after I've cut it out, and then I'm also gonna figure out a chain and how I'm gonna attach it.
I really enjoyed this, and found it extremely fun. And with embroidery you can work pretty much how you want, and experiment with different types of stitches.
I ended up attaching a couple moonstone chips as an embellishment as well and I really, really like it.
I chose pretty much only to work with metal like colors for this one, since I didn't want to run away too far from the theme which the polymer clay cab already had.
Etiketter:
bronze,
cabochon,
embroidery,
gemstone chips,
metal,
peyote,
polymer clay
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Stretchy Montee Rings
I looked this morning at the bead channels I'm subscribed to on YouTube and noticed that Off the Beaded Path had put out a new video featuring a ring, embellished with some montees. I wanted to try this one out since I have stacked up on a couple of montees since this spring.
After I made my first ring, I felt that I just HAD to make a second one. The ring is really pretty, and it goes really, really fast to create and are a perfect gift, now when the holidays are slowly beginning to sneak up.
To go directly to the video, click here.
The supplies you need are a couple of montees; mainly size 3.2mm, but for my second one I used a 6.2mm. You'll also need 10 4mm pearls and about 10 11/0's and a few 8/0's. And some beading thread and a stretching cord. I found my Stretch Magic laying around in a box, lol.
The best thing I find about this ring is that it uses the stretch cord; means it will fit most sizes of fingers, and is therefore a really great gift if you don't know what size the person you're giving the ring to has.
After I made my first ring, I felt that I just HAD to make a second one. The ring is really pretty, and it goes really, really fast to create and are a perfect gift, now when the holidays are slowly beginning to sneak up.
To go directly to the video, click here.
The supplies you need are a couple of montees; mainly size 3.2mm, but for my second one I used a 6.2mm. You'll also need 10 4mm pearls and about 10 11/0's and a few 8/0's. And some beading thread and a stretching cord. I found my Stretch Magic laying around in a box, lol.
The best thing I find about this ring is that it uses the stretch cord; means it will fit most sizes of fingers, and is therefore a really great gift if you don't know what size the person you're giving the ring to has.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Polymer Clay Cabs
So, yeah. Having my final dutch exams this week; finished the first four and still got the last one on Thursday.
I took myself some freedom to actually create some polymer clay cabochons this Sunday. The reason was that I've been having a couple of polymer clay colors laying around, I just haven't been in the mood since a little while. The other reason is that I haven't been able to find any cabs in any of the local craft stores - so I have to wait until I'm gonna make my next online purchase to fill my stash even more, Mwahahaha!
The process I went through before I began making my cabs, is that I first measured out some different sizes I wanted to make, on a paper. Yeh, I'm gonna get my hands on some molds in the future as well, lol - will make life a tad bit easier.
Yeh, the inspiration I kinda had when I made the following cab was pretty much a scarab.
For this cab, I wanted to experiment with the bronze powder I bought a while ago. Then I made a little texture print using some different stuff. Then I painted over the texture with the powder... shiny.
For the following little rectangle set, I ran out to the garden and tried finding a perfect leaf that I could work with. Then I put the leaf on the clay and used my roller to get the texture of the leaf. Then I used some silver powder to make it shiiiiny lol
I took myself some freedom to actually create some polymer clay cabochons this Sunday. The reason was that I've been having a couple of polymer clay colors laying around, I just haven't been in the mood since a little while. The other reason is that I haven't been able to find any cabs in any of the local craft stores - so I have to wait until I'm gonna make my next online purchase to fill my stash even more, Mwahahaha!
The process I went through before I began making my cabs, is that I first measured out some different sizes I wanted to make, on a paper. Yeh, I'm gonna get my hands on some molds in the future as well, lol - will make life a tad bit easier.
Yeh, the inspiration I kinda had when I made the following cab was pretty much a scarab.
For this cab, I wanted to experiment with the bronze powder I bought a while ago. Then I made a little texture print using some different stuff. Then I painted over the texture with the powder... shiny.
For the following little rectangle set, I ran out to the garden and tried finding a perfect leaf that I could work with. Then I put the leaf on the clay and used my roller to get the texture of the leaf. Then I used some silver powder to make it shiiiiny lol
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