Winter Gifts

I am blessed with a supportive extended family.  In appreciation I sent earrings to two aunts and a cousin.  Below are photos of what I sent.

Lessons learned:

1. do not take pictures in a hurry; none of them were straight, making one earring look bigger than the other. 
2. every flaw shows when you take a picture, but I bet you knew this.
3. take pictures of the earrings closer together.
4. a folded paper tent for hanging earrings works great, but make sure the holes are not ragged and they align. 
5. making jewelry is still a lot of fun.

Again, let me express my thanks to Nicole Hanna for wonderful tutorials. 

Here is another collage.

Have a great holiday.

Look Ma, No Hands... err... Training Wheels

I almost titled this graduation, but I could not get graduated beads out of my mind.  This is my first wire weave without a tutorial.

Sea Dragon wireweave - my first creation

Nicole Hanna has been a great teacher.  I know I have mentioned that fact at least a dozen times; I am truly grateful.  All boo-boos are my own.  Despite the title, I did just purchase a few more tutorials from her.  She really is that good.

snip-snip

Last month I posted a mermaid necklace.  I picked up the resin sea dragon bead at the same time.  I am not sure I am going to keep this pendant.  Here is a picture of the part I snipped off that was not working.

You can see that the "copper" wire I bought at a local craft store labeled copper is merely copper plated.  *Shakes head, rolls eyes*  Honestly, copper is not that expensive.  It had to be more costly to create plated wire.  I have learned my lesson.  My future wire purchases will come from monsterslayer.com  Not only is the price right, but copper means copper.  Plus I can get 28 gauge copper wire.

Sea Dragon back

Want to see the back?  I always do.  I think it turned out well.  That is, the wires are all neatly tucked away.

One more picture.

Sea Dragon again

Something Old, Something Vintage

Or another appropriate title might be using up that stash.

The mermaid necklace

You may be wondering why is it called the Mermaid Necklace because the picture above only shows a part of the mermaids tail.  I purchased some resin mermaid beads at On A String, now known as Beads, Inc., in Charlotte about 5 years ago.   That is the something old in the title.

A beautiful face

Another view

Tails

Inspiration finally struck as I knew it would.  I visited Ornamentea in Raleigh NC about a month ago which is where I found the vintage beads of the title. They reminded me of sea urchins.

Ornmentea is a friendly store with quite an interesting collection of tempting treats. These vintage beads actually had me pulling out my wallet. 

In addition to the something old and the something vintage, I added a beaded bead with a sterling bead cap. Is there ever a time that is inappropriate for a beaded bead?  Probably, but it went beautifully here.


If you have been following me for a while you know I have been learning wire weaving.  I added sterling woven wire links from a Nicole Hanna tutorial. 

My wire weaving is a work in progress, but I think I am ready to start on my own designs.  I have some additional resin mermaid beads, another orange, a larger one in white, and two turquoise mermaids.  I think they would make a very lovely wire wrapped focal. 

What got me started on the wire weaving quest was the need for clasps.  I was not satisfied with the swan "S" clasps which were quick and simple.  I have a nice stash of sterling toggles that I have picked up here and there, but...  well...  I can't actually say why I grew dissatisfied with them other than to say I wanted something that was all my own.

So, another Nicole Hanna tutorial because despite my efforts I was not quite ready to design my own.

Clasp from Nicole Hanna tutorial

I know I have mentioned Nicole Hanna many times in the past, but let me add a few finer points. 

(1) She is very helpful.
(2) Her tutorials are easy to follow.
(3) She has these really great videos on YouTube under the channel title of Go Art Yourself. 
(4) And, based on my own experience, if you have been doing bead weaving and wire wrapping for a while you will probably learn this new skill quickly. 




One final picture.

The mermaid necklace

Mistakes Were Made- Again!

You would think that once was enough, but I made the same mistake again.  I made both earrings face the same way.

Based on Bottled Bead tutorial by Nicole Hanna

It took me two weeks to finish the second earring; other things just kept getting in the way.  I was pretty near bending the last wire when it struck me that I had both earrings facing the same way.  The problem is that when I follow the tutorial for the second earring I do not stop to think that it should be facing in the opposite direction.  Have you ever done this?  Tutorials and wire weaving are certainly out of my comfort zone.

Earrings based on a tutorial by Nicole Hanna

Maybe I should make a second pair facing the opposite way and in that way obtain a two perfectly good sets of earrings? 

Despite all that these did turn out lovely.  I still swear by Nicole Hanna's tutorials.

2nd Annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

First things first...

Bead Hoarders jasper necklace with hand made clasp and pearl and beaded bead strap

As you can see from the caption, the focal is Jasper.  I bought this at a bead show where I swore I did not need a thing and was not going to buy anything.  Yeah, that did not quite work as planned.

Glass copper colored edge beads

I love this jasper, it has wine, olive sometimes bordering on mustard, and cream colors. What is not to love?  It is a great size, approximately 40 mm x 30 mm. 

The two sides have different colored edging:

Copper Edging


The other side is edged in olive:

Glass olive colored edge beads

Due to poor planning on my part I did not capture enough photos during the daylight hours.  Unavailable is a clear view of the brass cut beads embellishing the edge of the focal.






What I did capture was a picture of the hand made clasp on the bust.

Hand made clasp, based on tutorial by Nicole Hanna

Bead hoarders special

If you have visited me before you will know that my first love is seed beads.  You will also know that I am just learning how to weave wire and my go-to source for tutorials is Nicole Hanna.  I really am just learning.  I have made a couple of pairs of earrings and done a little bit of design exploration.  It is easier than it appears.  I want to design my own clasps and this is a start.

One last picture before you make your way to the other participants of the necklace on a bust.  Again, poor planning, I took the photos in the late afternoon on a day off, and this was the best I had.


Finally, thank you to Lori Anderson for hosting this blog hop and providing the opportunity to share and the push to create.  Thank you for visiting.  The other participants are linked below.

Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com  (Hostess)
Audrey Belanger	esperianterra.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Rebecca Ednie	Http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Lili Krist	http://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com/blog/
Nicole Prince	http://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryan	http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca	http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby	http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson	http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthier	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williams	http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinson	https://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brooks	https://thatnothingbewasted.wordpress.com/
Jo-Ann Woolverton	itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jasvanti Patel	Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa Knappenberger	LIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindell	marylindell.com
Niky Sayers	silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Sandra McGriff	skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuh	thecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz	treasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow	willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding	www.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart	www.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantore	www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephens	www.babblebead.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake	www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnott	www.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prose	www.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak	www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodaca	www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunn	www.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas	www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asbury	www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Roos	www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Divya N	www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussen	www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJ  (You Are Here)	www.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon	www.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp	www.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishop	www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhorn	www.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andrade	www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sue Kelly	www.midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Rachel Mallis	www.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClelland	www.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGraw	www.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Tania Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie Perry	www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Mitzie Crider	www.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole Rennell	Www.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentine	www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchell	www.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adams	www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Miller	www.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medina	www.peru-medesigns.com
Stephanie Haussler	www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendoza	www.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabian	www.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torres	www.shears58.net
Donetta Farrington	www.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman	www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan Walls	Www.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormier	www.thebeadingyogini.com
Heather Otto	www.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodges	www.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson	www.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan Smith	www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Jayne Capps	wwwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com

Robin Kae Reed                                       http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                   https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Learning Curves

It has been a while.  I moved south 550 miles,  I bought a condo that I am planning on retiring in.  I kept my same job but at a new office; then my office moved.  I work enough over-time each and every week that when my neighbors see me they ask me if I have been given time off. I received a promotion on Friday, and will begin training for my new job immediately after the holidays; thank goodness for that thoughtful scheduling.

Adapted from Nicole Hanna's Darling Dangles

I am almost unpacked.  I have studio space and my beads are unpacked, but I still have organizing to do.


All that being said, I have been in love with beads for way to many years to give it up.  I am easing myself back into creating but you will forgive me if my plate remains a bit full for the next half year.
 

When last I posted I was making an attempt to learn wire weaving with the help of Nicole Hanna tutorials.  I cannot say enough good things about Nicole's tutorials.  The price point is good.  The instructions clear.  And, based on the few pieces I have done I think that wire weaving is a skill that I can acquire with a bit more practice.  My skills do not do justice to Nicole's work.








One of the other skills I need to work on is photography.  I think I just live a tilted life.

 

It took me quite a while to make these, but I imagine that I could get much quicker over time.   I will find out, I am planning on making a second pair.  

Darling Dangles Earrings view II

Darling Dangles view III

One final picture. 


If this is something you would like to learn I do encourage you to visit Niccole's site and give it a try. 

It's A Clasp

It's A Clasp

I feel like I cheated.  This is not what I envisioned. However, it works.

Okay, so why do I feel like I cheated? Because I bought some tutorials from Nicole Hanna.  This clasp is a very slight adaptation from her Hang My Heart Earrings.  

Here is a bad picture of my first attempt at her tutorial next to half of the finished clasp:

Side by side results

Alternate hooks

I used larger wires and added a few more weaves to compensate for the larger wires.  I also only used the central element of her earring design.


I fabricated three different hooks for the clasp.  I am not going to keep the hook in the picture at the top of this blog; I think it is too weak.  Instead I will use the hook with the flower embellishment pictured to the right.

I like the hook with the weaving but it is far from smooth when actually trying to hook the clasp.




I have been considering constructing my own findings for years.  I was pushed into doing more than mere contemplation by Cindy Wimmer's The Missing Link book and the lack of a multi-strand clasp for the necklace I am making.

I think I made a mistake when my first attempt at making a wire woven clasp was for a multi-strand necklace.  A simple single strand clasp or a toggle and bar clasp would have been a better choice at this stage.  Nonetheless, I am happy with the results.  Here is the serviceable but not quite so pretty back:

The multi-strand back

One more picture for the blog with a ruler to give you an idea of the size.

Some final thoughts:

• I want more practice- especially with those curls. 
• I want to do more design, but that requires better skills and more practice.  
• Tool marks are like thread, they really show up in pictures more so than to the unaided eye.
• I want to keep doing this.   

Oh, and all errors are my own and not a reflection of the fabulous work and tutorials of Nicole Hanna.