Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Michaels July Challenge
One of the fun things about making jewelry in the 21st century is belonging to online groups who share interests, knowledge and sometimes challenge other members!
In addition to several other online jewelry message boards, social networks, and groups, I am active on the
Michaels message board. I've gotten to know a terrific group of beaders there, and we hold a monthly challenge, which anyone is welcome to enter!
July's challenge was especially fun. Each member assigned a three-color combination to another member, and the challenge was to make a piece of jewelry using those colors.
My challenge came from CrazyKat, an energetic and fun beader who asked me to make something using pink, purple and blue. Not my usual color combinations, but I was up to it!
I decided to use
Swarovski crystals in the three colors, and keep the overall design very simple. Fine silver headpins, and a fine silver link that was fused and hammered. The overall design was organic with some bling, and I was pleased with the end result.
Pendant in an "artsy" pose.
Pendant hanging from a silver Omega chain
If you'd like to join the Michaels message board and one of the challenges, go to the Michaels website and click on the Beads tab, and then on the message board link (bottom of the page). You'll need to sign up (free) to post comments.
Labels: challenge, crystal, dangles, fine silver, message boards, michael's, pendant, Swarovski
Friday, June 27, 2008
How time flies! It's Ornament Thursday!
Wow, the month of June totally got away from me. Between Grand Cities, vacation, and an exciting family announcement (congrats to my wonderful daughter Bree and her fabulous finace, Nick!!!), I've just lost track of time.
Not to be defeated however, here are a couple of fun and easy projects that fit right into the Ornament Thursday theme: Independence...just in time for the US July 4 holiday!
And of course, the other OT Gals are right on top of things, with a great variety of Independent projects that are fun and fabulous! Check them all out:
Strands of Beads Melissa sees stars this month while considering the meaning of independence
Look for RED HOT themed projects in July!!!!
Labels: beads, beginning jewelry making, bracelet, crafts, earrings, free instructions, Ornament Thursday, Swarovski, wire working
Sunday, April 13, 2008
One Pendant, Three Options
My good friend Judy presented me with a challenge a few weeks ago. "Make me a necklace using this pendant."
She didn't want a plain chain, and really didn't have any ideas on what she was looking for...just said she knew I'd come up with something.
When I started thinking about what to do, I first looked for colors. The crystals in the pendant are green, pink and clear AB
Swarovski's...but that green is more of a Granny Smith apple green than anything else.
Peridot stones were close, but not a perfect match, and I couldn't find any colors in
seed beads that were even all that close.
I decided to offer Judy options...anything that she didn't like could be sold, after all! The first thing I tried were some pink 11.0 seed beads interspersed with Peridot chips, and then twisted with another strand of the pink seed beads.
Second try was a tubular herringbone using the same pink seed beads. I love the feel of this snakey chain, and while bead weaving isn't one of my favorite things to do, it worked up pretty quickly once I got started.
I got my final inspiration after I posted the first two options on a jewelry making forum...I thought about using a chunky chain and tossing in some peridot and light pink Swarovski crystals. Since I didn't have any chunky pre-made chain, I made my own! The ovals are soldered jump rings, which I then "spread" using my
Wubbers chain nosed pliers. I really like the looks of this chain a lot, and I think it sets off the pendant well - a funky and hip look overall.
I like this chain a lot, and I think I'll make another - it was time consuming, but I think the end result was worth it.
So tomorrow I hope to present Judy with all three options and let her decide which is her favority. How about you? What other options could I have come up with?
Labels: chainmaille, challenge, necklace, pendant, seed beads, sterling silver, Swarovski, wire working
Friday, February 08, 2008
The BIG Announcement!
Wow, I'm so excited!
Beading Help Web's next Big Deal is up and ready for you! If you LOVE our projects, but don't have time to shop, you can now purchase everything you need in a single kit, complete with instructions.
We're starting out with one of our most popular projects -
Amanda Earrings! Sparkly, sexy, fun, and elegant...in trendy Colorado Topaz and Light Rose Swarovski crystals. Special intro pricing for the entire kit is just $9.99, with FREE shipping!!! Simply click on the button at the bottom of the
project page, and you'll be directed to place your order through Beading Help Web's parent company: Consumer Help Web. Within a short time, you'll have everything you need (tools not included) to make these gorgeous earrings for yourself!
Check back as we'll be offering more kits soon...plans are in the works for more of our great projects to take the plunge!
Labels: Amanda earrings, earrings, kits, Swarovski
Pendant in an "artsy" pose.
Pendant hanging from a silver Omega chain
