Falling Leaves Bracelet

I haven't written a tutorial in quite a while and thought it was about time. I just love these little leaf charms and wanted to make a bracelet so here it is.

Don't you just love the Fall colors. I made this one with Copper wire but you could use Gold, silver or bronze and it would be fantastic.

Supplies Needed:

· 20 Gauge copper wire (soft)

· Various crystals or Fall colored gemstones

· Head pins

· Open jump rings

· Premade Copper Chain Bracelet

· Round nose pliers

· Ruler

· Wire Cutters

· Chain nose pliers

· Jewelry Hammer

· Stainless Steel block or anvil

· Wine cork to use as template

1. Gather all your materials.

2. Cut several lengths of wire to 4 1/2” depending upon how many charms you want on your bracelet.

3. Wrap one wire around the cork or 3/4” dowel leaving one end shorter and twist tightly.

4. Remove the wire from the cork.

5. Cut the short end off.

6. Make a wrapped loop with the other wire.

7. Shape your loop into an oval.

8. Using your round nose pliers twist towards the center of the loop twice on each side to form the leaf.

9. Harden the leaf on the stainless steel block with your hammer.

10. Add beads/crystals/gemstones to headpins and make a wrapped loop.

11. Add 3 dangles beads with your leaf to an open jump ring.

12. Attach jump ring to bracelet.

13. Finished bracelet has a total of 9 leaf charms.

I wore this bracelet out tonight as we went to the Museum of Flight in Seattle and it was very comfortable and lightweight. Hopefully I'll have a few pictures to share with you of the museum tomorrow but until then enjoy the tutorial.

New Bracelet for a New Year

Finally a new tutorial for all my great followers. Never fear, I will have another giveaway later this month, but I'm sure you will like this.

I made this bracelet to go with the Leather Fringe Necklace. You can find the tutorial for the necklace also on this site. Great way to use up left over beads or orphan beads. I mixed some of my metals on my second bracelet which is the one pictured in the tutorial. As this bracelet was too long after I had finished the second end I had to tie a knot in the middle to take up slack. I think it turned out pretty good. The last picture is my first attempt and I like it also. Feel free to modify or change it up to whatever you find attractive. This design would also make a great necklace.

Materials Needed:

36” Leather cord either 1mm or 2mm
2 Cones
2 Crimp Beads with loop
Clasp
2 Open Jump Rings
4” 22 gauge wire
Head Pins
Various beads of your choice
Charms if desired

Tools:
Wire Cutters
Pliers
Ruler

Instructions:

1. Cut leather in 3 equal 12” sections.
2. Line up your ends and at ½” – ¾” tightly wrap wire to secure all three pieces of leather.
3. Cut 2 of the pieces close to the wire wrap leaving one long that will go through the cone.
4. Add the cone bead.
5. Measure out your bead crimp and cut the extra off.
6. Insert leather into the end of the bead crimp.
7. Crimp bead tight with pliers to secure.
8. Add one end of your clasp using the jump ring if needed.
9. Start tying knots at various intervals on all three cords.
10. Measure around your wrist to size from time to time. I stopped when it was 8”.
11. Line up the 3 pieces of leather making sure they are equal length.
12. Wrap wire about ½” to ¾” away from the end to secure all three together.
13. Finish this end the same way you did the first end.

Now comes the fun part.

In between each knot on each leather cord add a bead or charm.
If you find that your bracelet is too big try tying a knot in the middle of the bracelet before adding the beads. If bracelet is too small, tighten each knot a little more.
Enjoy your cool new bracelet.

Crochet White Flower Necklace

I was searching for something a little different to share with you today and fell in love with this necklace. Creative Yarn has the tutorial HERE if you are willing to give it a try. I think it would be fun to try in a black with red flower for the holidays.

Decal Penny Pendant

Just found this tutorial via One Pretty Thing to Just Something I Made's blog. I've seen coins made into pendants before, but not quite like this one. I usually just wire wrap mine which protects the coin itself, but since this is just a penny, I could probably handle making these. I still have to find the glaze that Cathe used in the tutorial, but thought I would share anyway.

The decals she used are the old fashioned kind that you soak and slip off onto your project. I haven't seen them in awhile, but I also haven't been looking. Now I'll start looking as I'm sure they are out there in a lot of fun images. I can also see using nickles vs. pennies since you would have a larger surface for the decal and a lot of people like the silver tone vs. copper.

So many wonderful ideas out there and so little time to do them in. Enjoy and visit Cathe's blog HERE.

Make a Ring Display

Found at The Beading Gem's Journal is part 1 of 5 on Showcasing jewelry. Part 1 features tutorials on how to make ring holders. I especially like the one in the cigar box, but check out Beading Gem's blog for the links to the tutorials. Great ideas.

Fun Fabric Earring Idea

Okay, I do have to apologize for not posting my regular daily posts. I thought once we returned from Montana I would have loads of time....well family emergencies do take priority and hopefully those will be settling down soon. I am still reading all my favorite blogs and some have such great ideas like this one from Happy Together. They are fabric earrings. Cool idea and so easy to make.

Here is the tutorial. Enjoy.

Leather Fringe Tutorial

I’ve gotten so many compliments on this simple necklace that I decided to write a tutorial. I used gemstone beads, which can be hard since the holes aren't usually as large as you need, but you could also you lampwork, crystal and glass beads as well as ceramic and clay. Click the picture to make it larger.

Supplies:
18” 2mm Leather
6’ of .5mm Leather
20 Beads, crystals, gemstones to fit on the .5mm leather
2 Large hole silver beads for 2mm
End Crimps and Clasp
Scissors
Flat Nose Pliers
Ruler

Instructions:

1. First make sure all your beads will fit on the .5mm leather cord. I string mine on a leftover piece while picking them out.
2. Cut your 2mm (heavier leather) to 18” or whatever length you choose.
3. Cut 6 pieces of 6” .5mm leather.
4. Cut 2 pieces of 5” .5mm leather.
5. Cut 2 pieces of 4” .5mm leather.
6. Create a Larks Head knot with all your 6” pieces onto the middle of the 2mm leather.
7. Add 1 5” piece with a Larks Head knot to each side next to the 6”.
8. Add 1 4” piece with a Larks Head knot to each side next to the 5”. You should have a graduated look with the leather fringe. Do not worry that the knots are not tight on the 2mm leather. Refer back to the picture if you are concerned that yours may look different.
9. Starting on one end, add a bead to one leather fringe.
10. Tie an Overhand knot to secure.
11. Add another bead to the next fringe and tie a knot.
12. Continue adding beads and knotting being sure to alternate the placement of your beads. Either high on the fringe or lower close to the end.
13. Tighten your Larks Head knots by pulling the fringe down.
14. At this point you may decide to add more fringe. Just scoot your fringe pieces over and add more in between or at the ends.
15. Add your silver beads to the 2mm leather, one at each end.
16. Center your fringe and silver beads.
17. Tie an Overhand knot in the 2mm leather to secure.
18. Add end crimps and clasp.

As I quickly put this together, please let me know if you have questions or if I need to add more information. Please feel free to use these instructions and repost on your blog or web site just as long as credit is given. Thanks, Dana

Dress Form Jewelry Stand

I know in my last post I said I would do a jewelry tutorial for my leather fringe necklace, but as I was trolling some of my favorite crafting sites I found this tutorial for a jewelry stand. Lots of ideas streaming through my head on how to customize it and make it to match your jewelry displays or bedroom to set on a dresser.

Check out Craft Chi's blog for this great idea.

Crochet Bracelet

Futuregirl.com has this great little tutorial for creating this crochet bracelet with beads. I love to crochet and most of you know I love jewelry, so I might have to give this a try. I can see this made with vintage beads and a vintage button. Check out Futuregirl.com blog HERE and give it a try.

Supplies Needed

Crochet Cotton Thread

48 beads

1 button

big-holed needle

size C (2 or 2.75mm) crochet hook

Wig Jig Bracelet Design

Have you ever used a wig jig? I have one but don't use it very often, but may have to try this bracelet design. Looks simple and would be great using sterling silver or copper wire with gemstones as shown.

The instructions for this pattern are found on www.wigjig.com on this page HERE.

Enjoy!

Make a Necklace Display

I found this great idea to make your own necklace display. This was timely as I was in the process of looking at replacing the ones I use for shows and this gives me the option to choose what material background to use. Instructions were found on Rena Klingenberg's web site:
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/necklace-display.html and were written by Bea Graansma. Here you go.

Make a Necklace Display
a cheap and easy way to create a great looking necklace bust
© by Bea Graansma; all rights reserved
I made this necklace display that can be used for showing your work at jewelry shows and parties. It's also a great prop for photographing your jewelry. This necklace bust is very inexpensive, and takes less than an hour to make:

Trace the pattern shown in Figure 2 onto a piece of cardboard and cut it out. The pattern here is 25 cm high x 28 cm wide, but feel free to make your necklace bust taller or shorter than shown here. Figure 2: Pattern for necklace display.The small square drawn near the middle of the patternrepresents 1 square centimeter.

Glue fabric to the front of your display. Imitation leather, velour, or satin can make your display look really elegant. If you choose imitation leather, you have to use a very strong glue, otherwise it doesn't hold at the folds. In Figure 3, you can see the bare cardboard on the back of mine.

Punch a hole in each of the two the bottom corners, as indicated on the pattern.
Run a knitting needle or the back of your scissors over the lines at the top and each side of your necklace display, so they will be easy to fold. (See the lines in Figure 2.)
Carefully fold back the sides and top along these fold lines.
Thread a piece of string or elastic through the two holes and tie the string ends together, as shown in Figure 3, to hold the sides back and make your necklace display stand upright.
Adorn your fabulous new necklace bust with a piece of jewelry!

I'm not sure this display would be sturdy enough for frequent use at shows and fairs; I originally intended it to be used for photographing necklaces. But it's cheap, and therefore easy to replace when it shows wear and tear.

Have fun with your great new necklace display!

Bea has a tutorial available with updated and more detailed instructions and a printable pattern if you would like to purchase, here is the link to that tutorial on her ETSY shop. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21379676.

Crafty Monday - Glass Tile Tutorial

I've been wanting to make some of these glass tile pendants for awhile and have several great images to use, so I ordered some glass and found this tutorial that I would share. When I get mine completed, I'll share those with you....maybe on Saturday.

Here is the tutorial: http://www.flickr.com/photos/riotsqurrl/sets/72157607107845567/

Here is Bridgitte's blog: http://pbrigitte.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/how-to-make-glass-tile-pendants/#comment-3282

I had found another tutorial to making these pendants only using scrabble tiles and here is the link to that blog if you would like the reference. http://crafthowtos.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-scrabble-tile-pendantcharm.html

Crafty Monday - Gold Link Necklace

For our crafty Monday I thought I would find a jewelry tutorial. I will probably keep to that theme from now on since I have the other Crafty News blog where all the other tutorials will be. This necklace and instructions can be found on the Fire Mountain Gems site along with a slew of other projects. They have great ideas and all the materials can be purchased from them....go figure.

I thought this gold necklace with the simple drops was perfect for almost any outfit. You could even change it up by using gemstones vs. glass beads. I love it and may have to put my order in for some of those fancy links so that I can make a necklace for myself.

Enjoy!

Crafty Monday - Ankle Bracelets

Found this great tutorial on making ankle bracelets and since warmer weather is hopefully upon us, now would be a good time to make a few for yourself or friends. They appear to be relatively inexpensive to make with all the supplies available at either Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics. So, head on over to All Things Heart and Home and give them a try.

Have a great Monday.

Crafty Monday - Tissue Box Cover

For our craft day I found this tutorial for a reversible tissue-box cover. A bit of a reminder from the 70's when these were really popular...hummmm, but I bet we could make it better with some of the great fabrics we have available today.

Canadian Living : Crafts : Sewing : Home craft: Sew a reversible tissue-box cover

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