On the 11th Day Of Christmas: All Season Beauty

This season, I've had it on my mind to find ways to create designs that can be ornaments, home decor and wearables, depending on their setting. 

Here's one of those designs, inspired by the Christmas Tree with all its lights and decorations.

I used one of my large cast crosses, and combined it with an ornate crown medallion.

I wanted it to be very luxurious looking, so I added faceted glass baubles with wire wrapping, to let it have movement and a lot of bling.

Here is is hanging on the door of an antique desk, and when the holidays are over I think I'll put it there instead of packing it away with all the other holiday decorations. 

I'd love seeing it hanging there every day.

Here is is nestled into the holiday tree, very festive and ornamental. But if I slip a chain through the hanging loop at the top, I can wear it as jewelry, too. Multi-purpose!

So as you're designing this season, you might consider putting things together that can be worn as a personal adornment, as a holiday decoration and also used to decorate or ornament your home decor.

Get out those art beads, combine them with your favorite copper or brass wire, and let them show their beauty all year long and not be hidden away in their down time! 

Think outside the JEWELRY box ...

On the 10th Day of Christmas: Bead Bravely Ornament

Difficulty:  Easy/Beginner

This is an easy, personalized, stamping project for the beginner. You'll stamp the spoon flat and measure where to place the letters of your chosen phrase. Then you'll create a loop in the spoon handle, decorate with glass double dip art beads by Cindy Gimbrone and finish off with a wire spiral ornament hanger.

Inspiration for the project

(Picture of Cindy's Grandmother at age 14)

Several years ago, my mother handed me a container full of odds and ends silverware owned by her mother. Since my grandmother had died when I was very young, I've always cherished the small things passed down to me that were hers.

My heirloom of mismatched tableware isn't particularly valuable. There isn't a full set of any pattern and it's inexpensive silverplate. So for years I carried around the silverware wondering what I'd really do with it. This is the perfect project. I have a memento from her yet don't feel like I'm ruining something of value. If you don't have a set of grandmother's mismatched silverware lying around, you can pick some up at garage sales and flea markets.

Materials:
vintage silverplate spoon
3 crimson double dips from Cindy Gimbrone Beads
3.5 inches of 18 gauge copper wire

Tools:
1/4 inch steel letter stamps
brass hammer
steel bench block
chainnose pliers
stepped jaw pliers
steel wool pad
cotton cloth
liver of sulfur
12 inch ruler
fine point marker
kiln or torch
metal tongs
large container for water
safety glasses

Step by Step Directions

1.  Softening/Annealing the silverplated spoons:

Hammering metal causes it to become brittle after awhile, if you don't have a torch to anneal the metal,  you can use a kiln.  I anneal the vintage silverplate spoons at 1000 - 1050 degrees F for about 20 min or until they look white - like in the picture below.

I take them out of the kiln with metal tongs and drop them immediately into water then they're able to be handled. 

2.  Using the brass hammer, hammer the bowl of the spoon flat:

3.  I annealed the spoon again after I pounded it flat, just to be sure it wouldn't get too brittle when I started to stamp.

4.  Measure the flattened bowl of the spoon, this will give you the "stampable" area for the phrase you choose. I chose, "Bead Bravely" to encourage one to follow one's own voice boldly.

I found the middle of the spoon and drew lines. You might be tempted to skip this step but believe me, it's important to measure especially if you're a beginner. Work from the center of the phrase out to the end. If you have a copy of Stamped Metal Jewelry by Lisa Niven Kelly, pages 36-37 have the best directions and tips for stamping and is where I learned to stamp for this project.

5.  Patina your spoon to highlight the stamped phrase/design. I used liver of sulfur from Cool Tools which has a video tutorial right on the website.  Liver of sulfur is available from many jewelry supply companies.  Immersing the spoon into the patina solution will darken the whole bowl of the spoon. Remove some of the patina by gently rubbing with a steel wool pad. Don't rub too long because the spoons are silverplate and you don't want to remove too much of the silver. Wipe with a clean cotton cloth.

6.  Create a loop in the handle using the chainnose pliers. It doesn't have to be a perfectly round loop, you just need a secure place to put the wire spiral ornament hanger.

7.  Wrap crimson double dips around the spoon handle.

8.  Make the wire spiral ornament hanger. Using the stepped pliers, make a loose spiral on each end of the 18 gauge wire.  Then, using your hands, make a large "S" out of the spiral wire with one end smaller than the other.  Attach the smaller end to the loop on the spoon.  Now your  Bead Bravely Ornament is ready to hang!

Enjoy your new heirloom ornament and Bead Bravely my friends!

Happy Holidays!

On the 9th Day of Christmas: Favorite Things Pendant

Here is another gift idea that is meant to use up left over beads.  Find what you have on hand for the accents and charms.

1. Create 3 dangles using glass beads on 1" headpins. One a large (13mm) jump ring add 3 glass dangles. Use 5mm jump rings to attach 2 Vintaj Arte Metal charms.

2. On a 2" eyepin string a disk bead, flat spacer and a glass rondell, create a wire loop.  Attach a 10mm jump ring.  Slide on an 18" chain.

Cluster woodland charms, glass and your favorite art beads.

Matching earrings using Vintaj's new leaf charms.

A variation with a floral theme.

Vintaj has a new line of brass and Arte Metal charms exclusive to Hobby Lobby.  They are so cool. If you don't have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can shop online. Here is a photo of some of the ones I'll be designing with this winter:

 And here are some that Vintaj sent for a giveaway for one lucky winner!

To enter leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite symbol for charms or pendants?  For me, it's a tie between birds and leaves.  One random commenter will be picked on December 28th.

Thanks to Vintaj for sending along these new charms and pendants for our giveaway!

On the 8th day of Christmas: Book Tales

Book Tales

When my son was in 2nd grade we made these Book Tales using waxed linen thread and leftover beads for his classmates for Valentine's day in lieu of the traditional store bought cards and candy attached. This is a great project to make with your kids and you can use just about any beads you have lying around to clear off your beading table (and I know you can use the room!). These make great teacher gifts and are super to have on hand for anytime that you need a quick thank your for someone.

{Find beads with holes that fit the stringing material you will use!}

Start with a handful of beads. 

They can be any type from wood, resin metal or even art beads.

Don't forget spacers, charms and bead caps, too!

Gather a few yards of some stringing material, 

like suede cord in fun colors or waxed linen thread. 

You will need about 15" per Book Tale.

Start by stringing beads in any pleasing order you like onto your stringing material.

Tie knots in between the beads to secure them. End with a knot.

Leave about10-12" in between the beads and 

string a smaller section of beads for the opposite end.

Be sure to test that your knots are large enough 

so that the beads don't slide off!

{A variety of beads...lampwork glass, marbelized wood, ceramic, glass and stone}

Tuck these Book Tales into a favorite book, or add it to a gift certificate to your favorite local bookseller.

{Lampwork bead from Julsbeads on Etsy}

If you know someone who is matchy-matchy, or someone who doesn't read,

tie a shorter length of cord onto a jump ring and add that to a key ring for an instant gift!

 Enjoy the day!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com. Check out her brand spankin' new website at Tesori Trovati.

On the 7th Day of Christmas - Candy Cane Earrings

This simple and fast earring makes a great last minute gift.  

Who's been nice on your list?

Supplies

2 polymer clay disk beads

2 nickel seed beads 11/0

8" Sterling silver 20 ga wire half-hard

Round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, bench block, ball peen hammer, de-burr tool 

Directions

1. Cut two 4" lengths of wire.

2. Create a loop at one end of the wire with round nose pliers.  Grasp the loop with flat nose pliers and turn to create a spiral

3. String on disk bead and seed bead.

4. At 1 1/2" bend the wire with your flat nose pliers to create the hook. 

5. Strengthen the earwire by hammering it on the bench block.  Hammer more on the spiral and length of wire above the bead, leaving the back of the earwire slightly rounded.

6.  Use the de-burr tool to smooth the edge of the wire.

*Hint: Do step 4 with both wires for a more uniform pair.

On the 6th Day of Christmas: Sleigh Bells Bracelet

One of my favorite old fashioned images of Christmas is the horse drawn sleigh. Using the imagery of the bells to kick off some inspiration, I created special brass bells from vintage components and treated them to a red patina. Once I added the leather strapping, the inspiration was complete for a bracelet that brings to mind a horse’s special harness with Christmas sleigh bells!

Tools & Materials

1 - Christmas Bell

2 - 6” pieces - 3mm to 5mm Wide Leather Strapping

1 - 6" piece - Open Link Red 7mm Chain
2 - 6" pieces - Bright Brass Chain
2 - 6" pieces - Antiqued Brass Chain

12 - 5mm Siam Swarovski Simplicity Crystals
1 - 10mm Brass Jump Ring 
15" - Brass Wire

1 - 1" Brass Headpins
1 - 6mm Brass Bead Cap

1 - Scroll Clasp with open jump rings or other 2" long clasp

Awl

Chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers
Flush cutters

Step 1 - To work with patina-ted goods, it is best to prepare your chain nose pliers with bits of masking tape over the tips to prevent the steel tips from scratching the finish.  Remove 1 open link from the red patina-ted chain and set aside.

Step 2 -  Using your round nose pliers, wire-wrap each of the Siam Simplicity crystals together to form a 6" section of beaded chain.

Step 3 - Pierce both ends of each 6" piece of leather with the awl. Leather heals when it is pierced, so you may need to be aggressive while you widen the hole, widening the hole by stretching the leather with the awl.

Step 4 - Open one of the red jump rings from the patina-ted red "S" clasp and layer 1 - 6" piece of bright brass chain, 1 - 6" piece of antiqued brass chain, 1 - 6" piece of leather, the patina-ted red chain, the wire-wrapped crystal section, 1 - 6" piece of bright brass chain, 1 - 6" piece of antiqued brass chain and the last 6" piece of leather onto the red jump ring. Close the jump ring and slide it onto the "S" clasp.

Step 5 - Repeat the above step with the opposite side of all the 6" pieces on the other red jump ring, this time close the jump ring onto the 10mm brass jump ring and slide it onto the "S" clasp. This will be the side you you use to open the bracelet and close it over your wrist.

Step 6 - With the removed open link of the red patina-ted chain, attach the Christmas Bell to the "S" clasp by inserting it into the top scroll, over the middle bar of the clasp. Slide the remaining Siam crystal onto the brass headpin and follow it with the brass bead cap, form a loop with the round nose pliers and insert the loop into the top wire-wrapped loop of the Christmas Bell. Continue the wire-wrap to close the loop onto the bell.

Now all you need is a blanket and some cocoa! Schooch over, I've got marshmallows!   

On the 5th Day of Christmas - Snow in Forest Earrings

Snow in the Forest

2 – 10mm Erinite Swarovski 3700 margarita beads

2 - 8mm Emerald Swarovski 3700 margarita beads

2 – 6mm Peridot 5305 spacer beads

2 - 4mm Siam 5301/5328 bicone beads

2 - sterling silver snowflakes

2 - sterling silver ear wires

2 – 3” pieces of sterling silver 22ga wire

(all beads available at ArtBeads.com)

1. Make a wrapped loop.

2. Stack the Siam bead, then the 6mm, 8mm and 10mm green beads.

3. Make another wrapped loop, capturing the loop in the snowflake charm.

4. Open and close the loop in the ear wire, capturing the loop above the Siam bead.

It's that easy!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for Lori Anderson Designs and writes the blogs Pretty ThingsAn Artist's Year Off. She lives in Maryland

Note from the Editor: Lori's project would also look awesome using a pair of silver snowflake charms from Hint.

On the 4th Day of Christmas - Holly Pendant

Holly Pendant
Supplies Needed:

• 1 Jangles ceramic red 3/4" ball
• 1 Jangles ceramic 1 1/2" holly leaf charm
• 24" gunmetal chain
• 2" gunmetal eye pin

Instructions:

1. Slide the red ball onto the eye pin.
2. Make a wire loop with the end of the pin. Slide the loop onto the chain and close.
3. Open the remaining end of the eye pin and slide the loop of the leaf charm on and close.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: Peace Bracelet

A bracelet to celebrate the peace of the winter season.

Supplies

Word Bead - Diane Hawkey

4 disk beads - Humblebeads

Owl toggle clasp - Green Girl Studios

1 ceramic leaf

16 wood wobble beads

12 nickel seed beads

2 2mm crimp beads

1 6mm gunmetal jump ring

10" beading wire

Size: 8" long 

1. Attach the toggle clasp/owl with a crimp bead to 10" of beading wire.

2. String on 2 seed beads, 3 wood beads, 1 seed bead, disk bead, 1 seed bead, 3 wood bead, 1 seed bead, disk bead, 1 seed bead, 2 wood beads, 1 flat spacer.

3. String on the peace bead and repeat the pattern in step 2 to finish the bracelet.  Attach the toggle bar with a crimp bead to the end of the wire.

4. Attach the leaf charm with the jump ring to the bracelet near the owl side of the toggle.

Wood beads and findings: Hobby Lobby.  Nickel Seed Beads: Charlene's Beads.  Ceramic leaf: find similar ones at Chinook Jewelry.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: Woodland Ornaments

Woodland Ornaments
Supplies:Jangles Ceramic Woodland Bead Set
18 gauge copper craft wire
4mm copper jump rings
assorted accent beads

These ornaments are put together with a few jump rings and some copper colored wire. The wire I fastened to the top of the ornament with a simple wire loop. I strung on a few beads for added color next. With my hands, I shaped the wire into a small hook. I used my needle nose pliers to make a small loop at the end to finish it off.

On the 1st Day of Christmas: Jingle Berry Lariat

Jingle Berry Lariat

Add a bit of festive to your everyday wardrobe with this simple necklace. When I spied this perfect evergreen toggle clasp from Mary Harding I immediately knew that this would have to be used front and center in a lariat style. The key to making a lariat work is thinking long and lean and making whatever comes through the hole in the toggle fit through but not so easily that it falls out. This cluster of pearls and copper leaf dangles works perfectly.

Supplies:
21 1/2" antique copper plated cable chain
2 branch connectors, one each in sizes 2 1/4" and 1", antique copper
3 jump rings
24 gauge wire or head pin
assorted green baroque and cranberry seed pearls
(opt: small copper tabs left over from a fringe chain or even some tiny bells!) 
1 ceramic toggle clasp (save the bar for another project)

Directions:
1. Cut off a 1 1/2" piece of the chain. Attach that to the larger branch connector. Use the wire or head pins to create pearl dangles. Open the links on the chain to add them, alternating between the baroque shape and the seed pearls. Add the optional copper tags to the pearl groups.

2. To the top of the large branch, attach a jump ring and the 20" of chain. Add two pearl dangles to the jump ring.

3. To the other side of the chain, attach a jump ring and a few more pearl dangles, and add the small branch connector.

4. Use one more jump ring to attach the ceramic toggle to the small branch.

5. Pass the pearl dangles through the hole on the toggle for a festive look.

Suppliers: chain and pearls (Rings & Things); branch connectors (Nunn Designs); wire, head pins and jump rings (Vintaj); ceramic toggle (Mary Harding Jewelry on Etsy)

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com. Check out her brand spankin' new website at Tesori Trovati.

12 Days of Christmas

The contributors of the Art Bead Scene would like to thank our readers for another year of support! Thank you for joining in our monthly challenges, sharing your thoughtful comments on Studio Saturdays and following along with us every day as we celebrate art beads and inspire those who use them.

As a thank you, we present to you the Art Bead Scene's 12 Days of Christmas. We have a new batch of free projects from our contributors to offer over the next few weeks.

So no matter what holiday you celebrate this season, we hope you do it in style - adorned with art beads!