Skeleton Leaf Necklaces

This week I played in my bead box!

I came up with a few necklaces to add to our Etsy shop.

 

Check them out here

 

Pinterest Inspired Broach To Necklace DIY

I know I've harped on this before, but Pinterest...it is a pit full of possibilities and pipe dreams. Last week, I saw this necklace and had a 'eureka!' moment. I have a Delft broach that my aunt gave me, and while I liked it, I don't wear broaches and so it sat in my jewelry box. Before committing a crime of sacrilege against this antique piece, I turned to ebay to see if it was worth anything before I cut the pin off the back. Broaches like this were selling from $10 to $15 so I decided to turn it into something wearable.  The bird is a little bigger than I would have liked, and I had to surgically remove a letter from its mouth, but I am happy with the results. The dark beads are really cobalt blue, but they are a little camera shy apparently.

Closet Flashback: Loomed Bracelet

 I was very into beading when I was in junior high. I took some classes and bought all of the supplies and really went crazy with this particular hobby. I made this bracelet during that phase and I just recently found it again. I used a simple loom to quickly weave the beads together and finished it off with a very basic lobster clasp. Green is still one of my favorite colors so I was happy to find another piece that will match almost everything in my wardrobe! I also like that the beads are slightly uneven because it makes it look more unique.    

Closet Flash Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay Back: Hand beaded, Velvet Bag

A very long time ago, probably circa the late 90s, I needed a fancy bag for some event and my sister lovingly made this for me. I just officially finished unpacking a few days ago and found this carefully tucked away.  

 

The outer layer is made from black velvet and the inside is lined with a rich, purple colored satin or taffeta (not 100% sure which).

 

 

 The fringe is all hand beaded with beautiful leaf and butterfly beads mixed with some tear drops, seed beads and tube beads.

 

 

 It has a simple, black, cross body strap and is closed with a loop that goes over a glass butterfly bead.

 

 



Closet Flashback: Christmas Necklace

Meg made me this necklace for Christmas a couple of years ago and I used to wear it to work a lot to remind me that there was life (and creativity) outside of my stuffy corporate job. When I moved, it was knocked into the depths of my jewelry box and I only recently found it again. I paired it with a long lost cowl neck top and some red lipstick! Yay to finding old treasures :)  

Scissors Necklace

As I mentioned yesterday, I accidently found a bead store near my house. I've wanted something with a scissors charm for a while but like the Armadillo necklace I knew I could make one myself. I found everything I needed at the bead store and in less than 10 minutes had a new piece of jewelry to compliment my sewing addiction. I took jewelry/beading classes when I was younger and am feeling the urge to start making more complex designs again. Why not add another hobby to my list!?!

The Crafting Trifecta

 

 This morning I went out to deal with some final moving details which turned into a frustrating boondoggle. As I was grumpily driving home I accidentally found another Hobby Lobby that was nestled between Hancock Fabric and a bead store....I naturally deviated from my GPS directions despite the incessant voice repeating "recalculating" and took a peak inside.

 

As expected, each store was glorious.

 



I have to deal with the moving details again tomorrow so I'll be seeing these stores soon :) This time I'll go prepared with yardage requirements and notions lists!



Armadillo Love Necklace

 I love armadillos....I mean I REALLY love armadillos. I have ornaments, magnets, pictures, drain stoppers, stuffed animals (the plush kind) and t-shirts adorned with them. One day I was perusing Etsy and came across a chain necklace with two armadillos and a heart bead in between them. I didn't feel like spending $30 + shipping from Europe to get it so I did some research and found a vendor that had armadillo beads. I already had the findings, faux-amber bead and leather cording so I went ahead and ordered the dillos. All said and done the finished necklace took less than 5 minutes and cost about $3.    

 This is the easiest necklace I've ever made...It only takes 3 beads, 2 jump rings, a lobster clasp and I used box crimping rings that hold onto the cording ends securely. 

Florida Necklace

A few months ago I was able to go visit my Grandma in Florida. We spent the day in St. Augustine and I picked up this gold-dipped shell in a really cool jewelry shop there. It has been sitting on my craft table since then, waiting for inspiration to strike. I just used beads from my stash: fake freshwater pearls, amethyst nuggets and gold pearls. I also bought a green shell pendant there which is waiting for a similar treatment.

Ruffle Cuff

I have been wanting to make a Ruffled Cuff for myself ever since I made one for my sister in law last Christmas. I'm not going to say it was easy, but it looks more complicated than it actually is. That, and I seem to have an affinity for doing tedious handwork. 

Hipster Wolf Shirt With Beaded Fringe (!!)

My lovely niece just went home after staying with us for almost two weeks. While she was here, we embarked on a project I never saw myself involved with. Apparently wolf shirts are coming back in, which I find to be amusing because I do believe I owned one circa 1993. We found this shirt at Amish Walmart, also known as Goods Store in Lancaster county. I hacked off the bottom and cut fringe all the way around. Each fringe has a few pony beads on it...glow in the dark beads, no less! The awesomeness cannot be stopped!! :) She posted pictures on Facebook and immediately had questions of 'Where did you get the shirt?' and 'Can I borrow it?' I sense a business venture coming on...ha! :)

Ruffled Cuff

First of all, Nikia, if you are reading this.....STOP! :)










OK, now that we have that out of the way....I made this cuff for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I have been wanting to make this pattern for quite some time. Now I must make one for myself. While it isn't the quickest pattern in the world, it wasn't that difficult to do...just tedious. (Wait! Does that even make sense?) The beads are actually a dark purple, but it doesn't really show up in the picture.The buttons are from my stash o' vintage buttons.

Necklaces

There are certain isles in the craft store that I try to avoid. Really, I should avoid the place altogether but that wouldn't be any fun. The bead isle is one isle I just can't get near. I used to do a lot of bead work, but have since moved on to activities which require less intense concentration. (I have three small kids after all) However, I decided to do a few simple projects for Christmas presents. These two necklaces I made for Mom. These are made with wire (eye pins?), as opposed to strung beads. I have never worked with wire, thus the lack of technical terminology.

This necklace is made from beads salvaged from a broken necklace and the chain pieces came from another necklace. The flower was from SnapCrafty.

Back Into Beads

I used to do a lot of bead work when I was in college and before I had kids. I really enjoy it, but some of it is a little tedious to do while being distracted by three kids. However, I made the mistake of walking through the bead aisle at the craft store. Oh, my! They really have some pretty things! I got a handful of strands for making Christmas presents, which I will post at a later date. This necklace I made for myself. I used wire, which was new to me, but I am happy with how it came out. I took apart a necklace I never wore for the chain and clasp.