simple and sweet for spring.

This simple little cuff came about as an experiment: I wanted to try an alternative to the purchased cuff blanks normally used to make this type of bracelet.

The purchased blanks are great, but they are one size fits all. They are also a bit wider than I prefer. And even more importantly - now that I live in the wilderness, it's pretty hard to find the cuff blanks, unless I special order them.

I love to poke about in the hardware section, and came across some metal "ribbon" used by plumbers to hang pipes. It is perforated with holes and about one inch in width. It's pretty heavy duty, and has to be cut with extra-heavy tin snips or metal shears.

I cut two pieces the same size. I bent one to fit my wrist, then bent the other one to nestle just inside the original one. I wanted two pieces for extra weight and reinforcement. Then I covered the metal with a piece of heavy pellon. I used a needle and thread to secure the pellon in place.

From that point on, I was making a cuff as usual. I went for something quick and easy and bright. The butterflies are each made from four pressed glass "crystals" and delicas, (size 11). They were stitched on using size D nymo. The printed fabric was a scrap from my daughter's latest skirt, and the inside lined with white handkerchief linen.

If anyone is interested in a more detailed tutorial on how I made the cuff blank, please let me know.

experimenting with alcohol based inks

I have been wanting to play with the alcohol based inks for some time. These inks are quick drying, and easily adhered to non porous materials, and make a great option for custom coloring metals, glass, and plastics.

For just a few minutes of effort (about 30 minutes all told), I was able to make this bright and summery bracelet, using the colours cranberry, lettuce, and eggplant. The scan above, doesn't give the bright colours justice.

I decided to start with something inexpensive - the reasoning that if I messed it up, I wasn't out too much of an investment. I also love cheap plastic buttons of any kind. I decided to use a package of mixed, white, plastic buttons.

I reused an yogurt lid as my palette, and placed very small puddles of ink, one colour at a time. It's important to use small amounts at a time, because this stuff dries incredibly fast. Small amounts helps prevent wastage.

I then dipped an edge of each button in a colour and strung them on a piece of wire to dry. You can also lay them carefully on a piece of newspaper as well.

One or two wanted to stick together, but were easily pried apart. Since only the edges would show, the stuck together areas didn't bother this project. But if the flat areas were to show, I would have redone them - the colour was patchy where it stuck.

If a nice even colour were needed, I think placing the button on a tooth pick first, then dipping, would be a better approach. Then the tooth pick could be seated in a block of foam while the button dried.

This bracelet was quickly strung using several passes of Fire Line. However, were I to make another one, I would definitely use beading wire and crimps. I also strongly recommend building in a bit of slack in the tension to allow the bracelet some movement and curve. Sometimes you have to make mistakes to learn!

Hope this inspires you to experiment!

felted beads

Sample of felted beads, roving, wool yarn, and the felting needle.

The felting bug has bitten me!! I have to admit that I have always had a weakness when it comes to fibers -- wool, silk, cotton, rayon, ... I love all of them!!! (Except 1970's itchy, sweaty polyester!)

Lately there has been a lot of buzz among beaders about felted beads. Of course, I had to get my hands into it just a little bit, to see what all of the fuss is about.

Confession time - I haven't been doing beading as much, because I was off making a felted frog. -- But I'm sure I can bead him somehow!! Keep your eyes on the look out for him. I did settle down and actually make some beads.

I found that in addition to using wool roving, which is made for felting, you can get great results using wool yarns as well. For making a bead, I found the yarn a bit easier to handle.

I also didn't make pre-made holes. I tend to use a size 12 john james needle and FIreline (4lb or 6lb). Really all I have to do is stitch right thru.

Materials to make a bead:

wool, a work surface (squashy foam or a sponge), felting needle, band aids (for just in case!)

Process:

I rolled a bit of the wool yarn between my fingers to create a pea sized wad. I then started punching it with the needle. Rotate the wad of wool very frequently to keep the round shape. Otherwise you will get a flat one.

Once the wad of wool has begun to feel firm, add more of the yarn to it, by rolling the yarn around the bit that is felted. Poke it lots more with the needle - again, be sure to turn and rote the wool lots to keep a round shape.

Keep this up until you get a bead the size you want. Most of mine were pea sized and dime sized.

Be careful not to poke your finger - It really hurts!!!!!

This lady bug is a bit smaller than a dime, so you can get some great detail! The line down her back was created by making extra needle jabs down the line to make it firmer and create definition.

maple wings

Spring has just begun to sneak in upon us - I love all the colours!! Down the driveway, the red maple put out it's seed pods - we called them helicopters when we were little. Now I hear them called maple wings. I couldn't resist making something to evoke the fun I associate with these things.

I plan on making several more for a necklace. I thought it would good to include the pic I took which I used as a basis. Having finished this one, were I to go back and do it over, I would use the darker colour of green on the bottom and the lighter on top to better make it look more rounded. Sometimes you have to make mistakes and get messy to learn something!!

Jewelry wall display

Here's a quick and easy way to display your jewelry at home (you would want something a little heavier and less crowded for selling display.)

you need a foam core poster board,

fabric big enough to cover the front, plus two - three inches extra on each side.

painters tape (It lets you remove the fabric and re use it, when you are tired of it for the display)

thumbtacks

jewelry

Place the fabric flat on a smooth surface (I used the floor). Put foam core poster on top of it. Use the painters tape to tape the extra fabric to the back. Take your time and make sure it is smooth in the front.

Now use three or four thumb tacks to hang the covered board on the wall. Put jewelry up using the thumbtacks as well. use the jump ring or ring toggle to hang by. If the fastener is magnetic - just put the tack in and then let the magnet attach to it.

I mostly forget what I do and don't have in my jewelry box if I can't see it and this is a good way to keep things in sight, without getting all tangled up.

If you want something a bit thicker, go to the home improvement store and get strofoam insulation board - it's great stuff and works well for this also. If you want - you can also order the pins that are shaped like a "U" that are made for pinning jewelry to a display board.

What I like most about this way of storing jewelry - it's like having a constantly changing piece of art on the wall.