Three Earring Patterns

As promised

Here is a sweet angel pattern to work up for Christmas.  I am going to try and post a couple more angels for Christmas this year. 

With a bit of thought, she could be turned into a free form ornament.  The only hard part would be to attach the flame.  Perhaps a flame coloured crystal, attached with a piece of wire? She would definitely be beautiful worked in translucent beads - especially if her gown was worked in a brilliant jewel tone. 

Candys card keeper

Candys is definitely keeping me hopping, as she just pointed out in an email!

 photo by Candys

I got some pics, just a few minutes ago from Candys of a card keeper, created from the raven bracelet pattern.  I like the way the holder has the points along the upper edge.

photo by Candys

Two pins by Candys

Candys has been busy the last few weeks and worked up two pins from my patterns.  She has been patiently waiting for me to post these - she sent them to me last week!  I have to confess that I have times when I don't where my days go.  I go, go go, and still haven't caught up!  I'm pretty sure we all have times like that.

photo by Candys

This lovely fox pin is from this post.  I especially like the way Candys edged this piece in the brown and bronze-ish beads. So pretty!  It gives a nice dimension to the piece and defines the edges nicely.

She also combined the two patterns to make one piece.  This is the sort of thing I like to see people do.  When  you take a pattern and make changes to it, you make it more personal and participate in all the wonderful variations of art.

photo by Candys

This piece is from one of last years breast cancer awareness patterns I posted.  Again, I really like the edging. It gives the piece a nice finished touch.

Anytime, anyone makes up one of my patterns please contact me and share!  I would love to post your work here.  Beady hugs to everyone! - Ginger

Cute Foxes!

These cute little foxes would also be adorable worked in free form, without the back ground.

small, free form beetle scarab

I've been doing a lot of looking at Egyptian jewelry lately for inspiration.  This is based on a large pendant of gold, lapis lazuli, and enamels.  The colours are every bit as rich today as they were 1000's of years ago. 

This is a small piece that would make a very nice pendant or pen.  It would also look very pretty in your hair, attached to a small hair clip or bobby pin.

Bead Quilt 2011

Jeanette Shanigan has announced the new theme for the 2011 Beaders Against Cancer Bead Quilt on her Yahoo group, BeadyShanigans.

Jeanette wrote:

"Yes, the theme for 2011 will be hand or hands, so those of you who are eager to
get started, may do so. Remember that the guidelines for 2011 will not be
posted on my web site until late September, though."

So it's time to get busy with our hands and do some beady hand work depicting hands.

I jumped the gun a little bit and did a few patterns already.  Hopefully over the next few weeks I will be able to add several more.

fast felted fun and bright colours!

I just recently went to the Fiber Festival nearby, and had to step out in style while I was there.  This easy and fast Bracelet was just the thing!  I used Needle felted beads; glass, matte finish, black beads; Fireline, and a magnetic clasp.

easy earrings with a bit of sparkle

image copyright 2009 Ginger L.A.

I'm trying to get geared up with some pieces for holiday pressies. -- It's definitely that time of year!

This easy set of earrings uses two pieces of silver wire, a pair of earring wires, two dangle charms (mine have the messages "hope" and "dream"), 12 (size 11) siver seed beeds, 4 (6mm) bi-cut crystals, 2 (6mm) turquoise fossil beads, 4 (4mm) turquoise fossil beads, and 8 (6mm)jump rings.

A couple pairs of needle nose pliers, and a pair of wire snips were used to assemble the pieces.

Gypsy Jingles

I love "OOOh Shiny!"

The only thing I love more is when the shiny jingles!

This charm bracelet was quick and easy. A handful of jingles, some jump rings, and a purchased charm bracelet is all you need to recreate this look. Make sure you have a couple of pair of either chain nose pliers or needle nose pliers for opening and closing your jump rings.

In thirty minutes or so, you will be ready to flash and shine!

NOTE:

The key to success with this project is to not rush, and just make sure you take your time. Otherwise you will end up with one jingle hanging all by it's lonesome on the wrong side of the bracelet.

stitch markers

I have to confess I am a fiber nut.

I got into beads the round-about way from bobbin lace. Seriously.

I found that I was much more fascinated by the beaded anchors on the English Bobbins, than I was in making the bobbin lace. Finally I admitted to myself that I was truly hooked and had crossed over to the beady side!

Even though I never really got into bobbin lacing, I still love to crochet, knit, felt, tat, needle lace, embroider, hand sew, machine sew, quilt, hand dye fabrics, yarns and threads ... pretty much you name it, and I probably have tried and love it -- if it involves fibers. (Let's face it: My first born teethed on a Tatsy!)

To that end, I went to a fiber show last weekend, and picked up some glorious stuff. I also had one of the wool suppliers (Puff the Magic Rabbit) suggest that I make some beaded stitch holders.

So, without further ado I want to share some of the ones I made over the week in little minutes here and there.

These are pretty quick and easy to make:

I used fossil beads in 4mm and 6mm, glass pearls 6mm, and black enameled glass beads 4mm for the first set.

I used some of my torch worked beads for the next two sets. I purchased the cat bead at a local store: Stones and Bones.

For the jump rings I used 6mm split rings. The larger stitch markers are 10mm jewelry links with decorative work on the face. (The jewelry links are normally used as elements in necklaces or bracelets, but work great for this.)

I also used a couple of sizes wire - mostly 20, 22. (The exception: size 18 for the projects worked in blue wire. Be sure to check if it will fit through your beads, if you use this grade wire.)

NOTE: The awesome buttons are from Wild Hare Fiber Studio. I love these!!

Be sure to check out some of the scrumptious fibers and yarns supplied at Wild Hare Fiber Studio and Puff the Magic Rabbit: Both ladies have awesome products, fleece, yarn and colours to dye for!!!

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!

Princess Preztels Bracelet

I found a fun and nifty tutorial for a felted Celtic bracelet. I had to try one for myself, and it came out really well. I was pleased that it worked up quickly as well. I'm very much an instant gratification kind of gal.

The original tutorial is here:

http://www.owning-alpaca.com/celtic-knot-bracelet.html

I came across another reference to this same tutorial as well. (Warning! Lots of other crafty stuff at this site - so be prepared to spend some time poking around):

http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/03/24/felt-celtic-knot-bracelet-instructions/

I didn't follow the directions exactly. I admit to skipping the wet felting altogether, and just rolling it around in my hands.

I also used braided picture wire - it was sturdy and I thought the braid would help "grab" the fibers. (It seemed to work fine, but picture wire does have a bit more personality than most kinds of wire.)

I used merino wool roving for the brown, and silk roving for the white. (It was what I had handy.) I like the contrast between the two different fibers- the merino is a bit softer, with less sheen, and the silk has a bit of a satiny finish to it. Each fiber plays with the light a little differently, which is good to know.

I also used Miyuki size 11 seed beads in a purple matte AB, and Jablonex crystals in a purple AB to add a bit of texture and sparkle. I really love how the wool and silk nestle the beads and crystals.

All in all, this was a fun project - I'm even be tempted to make another one soon (which is very unusual for me).

One of my girls decided this bracelet looked like white and dark chocolate covered pretzels sprinkled with sugar. I have to agree!

more stuff finished!

I finished a few more things for the gift shop re-opening.

I have a couple more that are really close to finished - I hope to post them in the next day or so as well.

earrings

I am not an earring wearer - I don't even have holes for them. That means I forget most of the time that most of the world does wear earrings.

So, I gave myself the challenge to come up with an earring design, and came up with four. I have to confess: once I got started, it was fun!

Please enjoy, and if anyone makes these up, I'd love to see some pics. With all of the Bead quilt patterns - I couldn't help but still be in the heart motif mode.

note: I only show every other row of fringe - it makes it easier to see on the pattern that way. Or you can do just the fringe shown - up to you!

patterns for kids

I recently came across a blog by Jonna, named Very Simple Patterns. (There's a link to her blog under the "beady Blogs" links, in the side bar.) Seeing her blog reminded me that even though I more often than not design patterns for more advanced beaders, that all beaders start out as beginers. And when it comes to that first pattern, less really is more.

I sometimes also get caught up in thinking "I need to make this blog impressive.... or I need to do a pattern that is really artsy, or technical." I forget to share some of my patterns I have designed for teaching my kids peyote stitch with pony beads.

One of my favs is a pattern I named a Frog for Becca. It was her first peyote piece and hangs on her door. Even though it was designed for pony beads, this would work up really cute in size 11 delicas - repeat a couple of times for a bracelet.

Charm Necklace ( cooking something new with old "left overs!" )

Here's a charm necklace I have been wanting to work up and finally took the time to sit down and do. I've been seeing similiar things in the stores lately and knew I could do one more to my color preferences.

It's a great quicky project. This took me a couple of hours (including deciding what beads I wanted to use!) total.

Materials - you need some chain, wire working tools, a clasp, various beads (I ended up using left overs from the jasper dreams necklace), beadalon (12#), jump rings, wire (I used 20 an 24), crimps (#0) and crimpers, Metal connectors by Blue Moon (square and round)

I started by putting the clasp on in the middle of my chain -- this let me attach the magnet clasp to a metal pair of pliears to "display it" while I worked.

Then I began creating the dangles and charms, using wire, jump rings, metal conectors, and extra chain (again left over from another project). I used jasper, mother of pearl, metal links, a metal charm, and moonstone.

I really like this combination and use it pretty often. Doesn't hurt that I'm a June baby, and Moonstone and Pearls are my birth stones!

When the dangles were dangly enough, I then went back to the necklace part and cut an opening into the chain where I wanted the strung portion to go. I strung on Beadalon several pieces of jasper, mother of pearl and pearls. I used #0 crimps with the light weight beadalon (12 lb) to attach the strung portion to the chain on each end.

Just to be asymetrical, I included an extra metal connector near the top.

I may go back and make a small dangle to go on the back, but for now, I happy with this quick and easy project.