Other Hobbies

Like most other jewelry makers, I have other crafty hobbies (several other crafty hobbies).  Over the holidays, knitting was my thing.

My niece is very much into Harry Potter, so I made her a Harry Pottery scarf.  Unfortunately, it took me until a month after Christmas to finish it. 

The lighting is not very good because I was trying to package it up quickly after finishing it or I was afraid it would never go out in the mail. 

With this scarf, I liked that there was no front and back.  It is a great thick scarf for the cold winter.  But if you are making it for a kid, I would suggest casting on less stitches.  Here's the pattern:  http://www.sumoftheirstories.com/2013/10/harry-potter-scarf-pattern.html

In the fall, I also filled the request of my youngest kid, for a minecraft hat: 

The pattern is a purchased download in Ravelry:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minecraft-inspired-steve-hat

And how many times has it been worn?  Not very often, because it soon got replaced with a Target-purchased Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hat.  And that is why I have a love/hate relationship with knitting anything for my kids. I love that they want something their mom made, but hate that they don't have any appreciation for the time it takes.  I guess that sums up most of motherhood.  😖😜

Handmade Polymer Clay Beads

Those titles - I have no original ideas for them so they all seem come out a little boring.

With a little extra time last week, I finally delved into the fun world of polymer clay bead-making.  I've had Erin Prais-Hintz's Fabulous Facets tutorial for well over a year and was able to take the time to use it.

First, it's a great tutorial.  She's very thorough and for someone who has never worked with polymer clay before, it was all useful knowledge.   And even more important than working with the polymer clay, I thought the painting tutorials were very helpful.  I've had the alcohol inks and patinas for awhile but never used them with such great results. 

The end results were very 'fabulous'.  The beads have a lot of depth.  And some look like rough cut stones.  I used different size metal space to make different sized beads, since I'm more partial to smaller beads. 

Some learnings: - first, my hands must have been pretty warm when working with the clay and kept softening the faceted cuts.  And they are so hard to see until after you bake and paint them.  And some of the cuts were a bit wonky, so I had to sand some of the edges down after they baked (which I also learned is better to do before painting them or it creates a lot of rework. =} =}

All in all, more beautiful and unique beads to make jewelry with.  Can't wait to include them in some designs! 

Bead Hoarder's Blog Party Partner

Introducing Annita Wilson - she's my Bead Soup Blog Party partner for this Bead Hoarder's Edition.  Here's her blog:  http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/

I received all of her awesome beads last week. 

Look at that awesome slab of green/yellow/black stone and beautiful purple and blue stones - love the colors. 

The heart was the main hoarded pendant.  It is a lovely mossy sea green ceramic pendant. 

And the detailed butterfly pendant - so many choices.

I have so many ideas percolating - just hope I can pull them off.

Thank you for these beads!!!  Come back on March 25th for the reveal.

Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop

It's time for the Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop.  I'm so thankful that Lori Anderson has started another blog hop.  The ones in the past were always fun and I've met some other beaders that way.


My partner this time around is Annita Wilson.  (www.awjewelryandbeadwork.com)
I sent out her beads yesterday - here's the preview:

I hope she likes them and makes something awesome with them!   And I can't wait to see what she sends.