Sunday, August 24, 2008
Michaels August Challenge
The gang that hangs out at the
Michaels message boards holds monthly challenges, and the challenge this month was to make something primarily of metal.
Well, I love metal...so I couldn't resist! I actually made two pieces using the same wire wrapping technique.
Challenge rules include that your piece must be made of at least 75% materials available from a Michaels store...for these projects, I used 26g Wild Wire in fuchsia and teal, as well as 18g silver wire for the frame.
Here are my two pendants for the August Michaels Challenge. The first is a version of my Fairy Ladder pendant, using the team Wild Wire. For this piece, I also used 18g Wild Wire in silver color for my frame, but I was not happy with the way the frame flopped around when I wrapped it. Michaels, please carry heavier gauges of wire for folks who don't want to use sterling silver!!! Size on this little pendant is about 1" long, about 1/4" across.
Next up, I decided to use some (shhhh) sterling silver wire for the frame, again in 18g. Shape held up much better with this one. Teal and fuchsia wire are used to wrap...I can see a couple of small errors, but overall, I'm really pleased with the way this turned out!! Size on this one is also about 1" long, 3/8" across the widest point. Lots of wrapping in that tiny space!
These may end up being gifts for a couple of special little girls I know...not sure yet. I think they would like them, however. :-)
Thanks for peeking...if you'd like to join in the fun on the Michaels board, please join us!!!
Labels: challenge, fuchsia, michael's, michaels, necklace, pendant, pink, teal, wire, wire working
Saturday, August 16, 2008
20% off coupon for Michaels!
My friend Cindy on the Michaels message board tipped me off to a great online offer! Michaels occasionally posts a coupon to be used in-store, and there's one available now for 20% off your entire purchase! Some items ARE excluded, so read the fine print carefully.
Michaels
20% off coupon - good through August 23
Beading Help Web's review of MichaelsAnd if you'd like to join in the Michaels August Challenge, we'd love to have you! This month is all about metal - my favorite medium.
Labels: challenge, coupon, michael's, michaels, treat
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
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Moving to Wire Work - Getting Started with Beading!
If you've been following my posts for beginning beaders, you've now figured out what you need to get started, how to make a
stretchy bracelet, and you've graduated to making
jewelry with clasps.Next up, learning a few tricks with
wire! Making
loops or wrapped loops is essential to making earrings, and once you've mastered that skill, you'll probably be itching to try something even more challenging!
Wire is a great medium to play with - even with copper wire you can buy at the hardware store, or craft wire from a floral store, hobby store (like
Michael's or
Hobby Lobby), or fabric store, you can make easy rings. Again, no special tools necessary - if you don't have a ring mandrel, use a wooden dowel or even a marker barrel to shape your ring! I love working with wire because it's so versatile - alone, it can be twisted and turned into so many shapes and designs...add a few beads and you've got a unique work of art!
So to get you started on wire, here are a few projects that even beginners can easily master. Have fun!
Simple Dangle EarringsSimple Wire RingLampwork Wire RingLabels: 30-minute projects, beaded jewelry, beginning jewelry making, earrings, Hobby Lobby, michael's, ring, wire working
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Back To Basics: Opening and Closing a Jump Ring
Some times I'm reminded to talk about the basics in addition to new projects, techniques and exciting jewelry news...like today, when a friend on the
Michael's discussion forum talked about the importance of learning how to open jump rings! A few weeks ago, I'd created a
step by step photo tutorial on the technique, and I hope it helps anyone who may be trying to figure out just what I mean by "twisting" the sides. ;-)
Labels: basics, beginning jewelry making, free instructions, jump ring, michael's
These may end up being gifts for a couple of special little girls I know...not sure yet. I think they would like them, however. :-)
