Willow Fields - Free Project and New Challenge

Whip up this fun little project for a lightweight and easy-going summer necklace.  The design starts with a ready-made chain that is cut in half and the beads are added.  I found some blackened steel wire at a local bead shop when I was on vacation.  I have the hardest time finding it in hardware stores.  If you can't get blackened wire, you can use silver or copper wire and oxidize it before starting your project.  Ornamentea carries a gunmetal wire that is another alternative.

Supplies:

Willow Connector

6 Czech glass flowers

2 Czech glass leaves

6 gunmetal brass 2" ball headpins

1 gunmetal brass 18" chain

22 gauge blackened steel wire

2 gunmetal brass 5mm jump rings

Directions:

1. Cut a 5" piece of wire with heavy cutters.  Slide the wire through the connector leaving about an 1 1/4" of the wire at the front of the connector.  Bend the wire at a 45 degree angle. Form a wrapped loop with the smaller piece of wire.  With the other end of the wire continue wrapping around the wrapped looped.  Repeat on the other side of the connector.

2. Cut another 5" piece of wire, string it through the leaf bead, create a wrapped loop on one side.  *Before you wrap the loop, open the loop, slip in the loop from the connector and close the loop.  Continue to form a wrapped loop and wrap the excess wire as in step 1.  Repeat on the other side of the leaf.  Repeat on the other side of the necklace.

3. Create 6 dangles with the headpins and flowers.  Add three to each side of the connector loop.

4. Cut the chain in half.  Measure the length from the center of your focal bead to the end of the leaf loop - you'll want to trim this much chain off on both sides.  Add the beads to the chain with a small jump ring.  (If you'd like a shorter necklace, trim more of the chain.)

Sources: Willow Connector: Humblebeads.  Czech glass: Dream Girl Beads.  Gunmetal findings and chain: Hobby Lobby.

Are you ready for another challenge?  This one is so much easier, I promise!  Check out my blog for complete details.  To celebrate the release of my book I'm having 12 weeks of nature inspired challenges.  The first one started on Monday.  Hop on over to play along.

Summer Solstice Necklace

It's officially summer, so here is a cute and quick necklace to whip up using a pendant from Golem Studios in their lace design.  Geometrics are hot for summer fashions and triangles are pointing the way to trendy styles.  I teamed this striking pendant with ceramic tabs from Elaine Ray, a hand blown glass bead and Czech flowers, the play of the complimentary color palette makes this a fresh find.

Supplies:

Ceramic pendant - Golem Studios

Hand blown glass bead - Stephanie Ann

4 ceramic 12mm tabs - Elaine Ray

1 copper 12mm round bead

12 Czech flowers (6 of two colors)

12 copper 4mm spacers

12 2" copper ball headpins

6 2" brass eyepins

10 brass 12mm jump rings

brass hook clasp

2 5" lengths of brass chain

Create the elements:

1. Add a spacer, ceramic tab and a spacer to an eyepin.  Repeat with the other 3 ceramic tabs and the glass bead and copper bead for 6 beaded links.

2. Add a glass flower to a ball headpin, create a wrapped loop using the rest of the wire wrapped several times under the loop.  Repeat with the other 11 flowers.

Put the necklace together:

1. On the jump ring, add the pendant and a ceramic tab.  Close the jump ring.

2. Add a jump ring to the other side of the ceramic tab, add 3 flower dangles and the glass bead link, close the jump ring.

3. Add a jump ring to the other side of the glass bead, add 3 flower dangles and a ceramic tab, close the jump ring. 

4. Add the chain to the last tab with a jump ring.

5. Repeat pattern on the other side, using the copper bead instead of the glass bead.

6. Add the hook clasp with a jump ring, add the other jump ring to the other side of the chain.

A simpler variation of this design uses one of Golem's poppy pendants with smokey quartz links and a single color of flowers.  This one reminds me of art nouveau jewelry with the graphic floral elements and geometric design.

Memory Wire Cuff Bracelets - Free Project

Want a fast, easy, affordable and completely trendy item for your summer shows?  Pull out that spool of memory wire that you have stashed away in your supplies and create some fun memory wire bracelets.  Here is an updated version of one of the simplest designs you can whip up. 

What you'll need:
Memory Wire - 3-5 loops depending on how big you want the cuff
Seed Beads - I used 4x2mm peanut seed beads and 11/0 copper seed beads
Decorative headpin - Humblebeads
Pewter charm - Green Girl Studios
3 7.5mm copper jump rings

Tools:
Round and chain nose pliers,  heavy duty wire cutters or memory wire cutters and a Spin-N-Bead bead spinner.

Directions:

1. Form a loop on one end of the memory wire. Use the chain nose pliers to press the end of the loop, so that it is completely flush - you don't want your charms falling off!

2. Add the seed beads to the bead spinner and position the end of the wire to catch the beads as they spin around. (Watch the video below and use the end of the memory wire instead of the needle.)  You should be able to bead the bracelet within a few minutes.

3. Add on your charms to the end of the wires with the jump rings or by opening and closing the loop.  For the headpin, I created a wrapped loop and kept wrapping the extra wire to create that entwined texture. 

4. Add the 3 peanut beads to a jump ring and attach to the loop.  Repeat.

Peanut seed beads can be found at WhimBeads.com, FusionBeads.com or BelloModo.com.

A design alternative using a tiny nest charm, Vintaj brass bird and 3 amazonite rondelles.

Word of caution: Don't use your good flush cutters to cut memory wire - memory wire is harder than normal wire and will destroy them.  Use an old pair of heavy duty hardware wire cutters or pick up a memory wire cutters.

What the heck is a bead spinner?  This is!  Watch the video below to see how it works.  If you hated working with seed beads before because stringing them is so time consuming - well you are just going to love me for sharing this handy little tool.  It took just a few minutes to whip up the bracelets using the Spin-n-Bead from Beadalon.  You can find them at craft stores or online bead shops.

Garden Gate Clasp Tutorial

Create a wire hook and eye clasp to use with a multi-strand design.  I think this would look great on a bracelet with some floral inspired art beads.  Ah, spring - so glad you are here!

Supplies:

9" 18 gauge half hard sterling silver wire

4" 22 gauge copper wire

Tools: Round and chain nose pliers, flush wire cutters, chasing hammer, bench block

Directions:

1. Cut the silver wire into two 4.5" lengths.  Bend the wires around a tube of beads (or a Sharpie Marker), form into two circles. 

2. Use your fingers to bend and form one circle into a slightly oval shape, a little thinner than the circle.  This part of the clasp will need to fit inside the circle. 

3. Create spirals on the end of wires with round nose pliers, keeping the spirals as uniform as possible.

4. Hammer the ends of the spirals with the chasing hammer on a bench block.  Hammer the circle on the round clasp and the end of the oval.  Don't hammer on the part of the wires that crosses over each other. 

5. With the chain nose pliers, bend the oval clasp section in half to form the hook.

6. Cut the copper wire into two 2" lengths and wrap around the center of the clasps.

The last two photos show the clasp in it's natural state and antiqued with liver of sulphur.

Designers note: Use brass or copper wire to practice this design before trying it in silver wire.

Frayed Ribbon Necklace

Tropical, lush with ribbons and an abundance of art beads - what's not to love!

This adjustable necklace design features a double-strand section of silk dupioni ribbon that will fray with wear until it is lively and fringed. The assorted shapes and bright colors are happy and cheerful, but the design could also be made with muted ribbon and a less eclectic bead assortment for a more restrained look.

Ingredients
- 2-16 inch pieces of peacock silk dupioni ribbon, 3/4 inches wide
- 2 antique brass Basket Weave Ribbon End Bars, 1/2 inch
- 5 inches of antique brass Really Round Cable Chain, 5x6 mm links
- 11 antique brass Rectangle Jump Rings, 9x12 mm
- 12 antique brass Headpins, 1 1/2 inch
- 12 assorted Elaine Ray Ceramic Beads, 6-25mm
- 24 antique brass Teeny Weeny Posey Caps, 6mm
- 1 antique brass Spring Clasp, 12 mm

Tools:
- Scissors
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers

Instructions:
1. Place the very end of both pieces of ribbon inside one of the ribbon end bars. Using the chain nose pliers flatten the end bar until it is closed securely on the ribbon. Repeat with the remaining end bar on the other end of the ribbons.

2. Thread a head pin through a posey cap and then through one of the ceramic beads. Add a second posey cap and then use your round nose pliers to wrap the head pin and form a wrapped loop. Repeat with all beads and posey caps until you have 12 bead dangles.

3. Using your chain nose pliers to open the links separate a four-link section of chain. Set aside. Open the end link on the longer section and thread it through the loop on one of the ribbon end bars. Close the chain link securely. Open the link on the other end of this section and thread it through the loop on one of the smaller bead dangles. Close securely.

4. Attach the remaining section of chain to the necklace in a similar manner. Attach the spring ring clasp by opening the link at the end of the chain section with your chain nose pliers. Close securely.

5. Use your chain nose pliers to open one of the rectangular jump rings. Thread the ring through one of the bead dangles and then around the ribbon strands. Close securely. Repeat using remaining jump rings and bead dangles until all beads are attached to the necklace.

Click here for a printable version of this tutorial.  This project has been reprinted with permission from Ornamentea.

Rock Collecting Bracelet - Free Project

Inspired by the rock collection I have saved from my 10 year old son, these bracelets are unique but simple in their construction. I found the double drilled rocks by Stone Me pair up beautifully with patina-ted chain, blending the rustic textures from both in subtle tones.

Supplies:
1 - 4" Section of open link patina-ted chain in your choice of color (shown; violet large link)
1 - 1" Hammered copper clasp with jump rings
1 - Double drilled stone from Stone Me
2 - 15 x 13 czech glass Picasso beads in violet
2 - 8mm 16 gauge antiqued copper jump rings
6 to 8" 22 gauge antiqued copper wire
bead charm
copper head pin

Tools:
Bead board or ruler
wire cutters
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers with masking tape on the tips to help protect your patina chain

Directions:
1.) Center the double drilled stone at 3" on a bead board. Open each of the 8mm antiqued copper jump rings and insert one into each side of the double drilled stone. Leave them open for the next step.
2.) Cut the 6" piece of antiqued copper wire in half and use the 2 - 3" pieces to wire wrap loops on both sides of the Picasso czech glass, so each of the 2 beads are now a connectors. Insert one end of the beads loops into the open jump rings you assembled the stone to in the first step. Close the jump rings with the stone focal and the bead connectors inside the jump so the seam is tight.
3.) Measure the patina-ted chain and find the middle link. Open the middle link and separate the 2 halves of the patina chain, set the open link aside.
4.) Open the end link on each piece of patina chain and insert that open link into the wire-wrapped loop of the connecting beads, close the link securely so the wire-wrapped loop does not come out. You should now have 6" bracelet ready for a clasp.
5.) To finish your rock collecting bracelet, open the jump rings on your clasp and close them over the last link of your patina chain on each side of the bracelet. Add the last link to one side of the clasps jump rings and dangle a wire-wrapped bead off of it as an added charm.

 You can adjust the size of this bracelet easily during construction by adding wire-wrapped beads or taking  away links to make it smaller. The potential variation this style has is seemingly endless so have fun creating yours!

Much Love & respect,
Shannon LeVart
missficklemedia.com

Urban Nest Necklace - Free Project

Inspired by a walk in Central Park, this necklace combines urban elements with earthy themes.  The necklace features birds, nests and trees stamped on resin beads, a Modern Forest Toggle and disk beads from Humblebeads, building connectors from Earthenwood Studios and a lampwork bead from Sea of Glass Beads.  Visit here for directions on stamping resin beads.

Supplies:

Modern Forest Toggle Clasp

9 12mm polymer clay disk beads

14mm lampwork disk bead

2 12mm faceted brecciated jasper beads

2 20mm ceramic building connectors

2 19mm resin beads

1 25mm resin bead

32mm copper ring

2" headpin

4mm copper spacer

14 2" copper eyepins

13 7.5mm copper jump rings

7" copper chain

3 8mm copper chain links

Directions

1. Create a wrapped loop dangle with the flat spacer and lampwork bead on the headpin.  Attach to the bottom loop of the toggle clasp with a jump ring.

2. Attach the 3 jump ring loops to the bar of the toggle.  Use links that open and close or use a small jump ring to attach the bar.

3. Create looped links with each of the beads, one bead per eyepin.

4. Attach one of the small resin beads to the copper link with jump rings (in photo 4)

5. Attach the beaded links and components, working from the right side to the left:

• Attach jasper bead with jump ring to the 3 chain links. 
• Use jump rings to attach the building connector.
• Attach a disk bead to the jump rings on the building connector and copper ring.
• Attach 3 disks beads and jasper bead together by opening and closing their loops.
• Attach the chain to the last bead with a jump ring.
• Attach a disk bead to the other side of the chain with a jump ring.
• Attach 2 more disk beads together.
• Attach a building connector to the disk beads with a jump ring.
• Attach a small resin bead to the building connector with a jump ring.  Attach a disk bead to the resin bead.
• Attach the large resin bead to the disk bead with a jump ring.
• Attach another disk bead to the resin bead with a jump ring.
• Attach the clasp to the disk bead with a jump ring.

Resources:

Toggle & disk beads: Humblebeads

Lampwork glass: Sea of Glass

Ceramic connectors: Earthenwood Studios

Resin: Natural Touch Beads

Copper findings & stones: Rings & Things

Copper Ring: Bello Modo

Chain: Michael's

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!

Bead Cap Tutorial

I've created a video tutorial showing how to make your own bead caps.  They are so easy, you can whip up tons of them in no time flat! 

Check out Ornamentea for the 1/2" brass disks, earwires and chain used in the earrings. Earrings shown with polymer clay branch disks from Humblebeads.

Tools you'll need: bench block, ball peen hammer, 2-hole punch, doming block & punches. 
Optional: brass texturing plates, Phillip's head screwdriver, silver/black solution, steel wood.

Here is the direct link to the video.  Feel free to share it!