Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Some Vintaj Earrings

Have you seen the new Vintaj Artisan pewter?  I like wearing silver jewelry so much more than brass, but I also really like the Vintaj stamps.  What a great marriage of both!  The pewter definitely has a different feel than the brass.  The Vintaj DecoEtch Dies patterns come out much more distinct in the pewter and frankly, I think the embossing looks much better on the brass and copper than the pewter.   

I really like these earrings.  The idea is from Beadaholique.  They used a peacock pattern.
Just a word of caution - if you choose to make these - watch that the pattern doesn't make an 'etch' on the circle loop at the top.  It weakens the tiny bit of pewter in the loop and while mine are okay to wear now, I have a feeling the one loop will end up opening and I'll end up looking the earring.  I darkened the etches with black Vintaj ink.  Swavorski crystals were glued on the front - just used jewelery's cement.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

A little more beadweaving.

 The pattern for this stunning bracelet was actually on the front page of a beading magazine, but I've let my friend borrow the magazine for the same pattern and I can't remember which one.  I'll update when I get it back.  And I finished this in one evening.  Not too bad.  The pattern recommended one of those button clasps, which I did not have (at the time) so I added a SAKI toggle clasp.  It is a little difficult to open and close with the thickness of the bracelet but it'll do for now.  I see why the button clasp is better for this kind of bracelet and will use one next time.
Beautiful toggle clasp that is not too functional with this kind of bracelet.  :(

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Love the Beading on a Shoestring Jewelry Ideas from Stringing magazine

I think this page is probably one of my favorites in the Stringing magazine because I like to make jewelry, but don't  always usually want to spend a fortune on every piece.  This bracelet caught my eye right away.  And I wanted a fun accessory for the holidays.
Here it is - lovely - fits so well.  I made each memory wire 7.5" since my wrist is smallish but really, if you make this bracelet and your wrist is small or big, keep the same amount of memory wire as listed in the pattern (8") so it goes all the way around the wrist.  It shortens up a bit with the braiding of the wires.

 The name of the pattern is 'Memory Lane Cuff' by Lauren Ivy from the Summer 2013 Jewelry Stringing magazine.
I used a bead mix from Wildly Bohemian Czech glass beads in Iron Maiden.