Bead Table Wednesday - Painting Chain and Beaded Clusters

In today's video I share how to alter chain with Vintaj Patina paints. With a few tricks you can quickly transform a plain chain with a pop of color. The second half of the video is demostration on how to embellish chain with wire and keishe pearls.

Video Resources:

Vintaj

Nunn Designs

Lima Beads

Bead Cruise

Current Monthly Challenge

Muffin Tin Challenge

Humblebeads Vip Party Group

Supplies Used for Chain:

Vintaj Patina Paints

Nunn Designs Round Chain in Antique Silver

Liver of Sulfur Extended Life Gel

400 grit wet/dry automative sandpaper

Beaded Clusters:

Keishe Pearls (Rings & Things) 

5mm oval copper chain (soldered rings)

26 gauge brass colored wire

Birds and disk beads: Humblebeads

12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 - Moving Forward Disk Bead Bracelet

It's time to put 2016 to bed and move forward with bigger and brighter things for 2017! This funky asymmetrical bracelet balances out a row of polymer clay disk beads with three strands of chain. I used geometric findings to give the design a modern edge. 

Supplies:

9 12mm polymer clay disk beads

Pewter arrow button

2 3/4" brass flat cable chain

2 3/4" gunmetal or arte metal oval chain

2 3/4" large copper oval chain (with patina)

10mm brass etched jump ring

2 8mm brass jump rings

3 2.5 faceted brass beads

10 11/0 nickel seed beads

21 mm brass hammered ring

35mm brass rectangle bar

4" 19 gauge blackened steel wire (treat wire with steel wool and Renaissance Wax before using) 

Use whatever leftover chain you have on hand for this project - make sure to mix colors, texture and size for variation. 

Bracelet size: 8 1/2" long. (Shorten the chain and use 8 disk beads to adjust the size of your bracelet.)

Directions:

1. With round nose pliers create a simple loop at the end of the steel wire. String on one seed bead, one disk bead, repeat 8 more times. String on one more seed bead. Create a simple loop on the other end of the wire. 

2. Use chain nose pliers to open the end of the loop and string on the hammered loop, close the wire loop. 

3. Attach the ends of the three chains with an 8mm jump ring to the arrow button. 

4. Attach the other end of the chains with the etched jump ring. 

5. Use an 8mm jump ring to attach the etched jump ring to the brass rectangle, string on three faceted brass beads on the jump ring before closing.

6. Attach the other side of the brass rectangle to the end wire with the disk beads. 

Resources: Disk Beads: Humblebeads. Wire: Ace Hardware. Chain, arrow, hammered ring, jump rings and seed beads: Lima Beads. The rectangle piece was purchased many years ago and I can not remember where! Use any geometric piece for the focal: Color Square Findings,

12 Days of Christmas: Day 7 - Stag and Vines Necklace and Earrings

Do you love a bead soup mix as much as I do? I'm kind of a lazy beader and I'm not the best at picking up after a project, can you relate? So after things are at the breaking point I have three boxes that I sort my leftovers into: one stones and pearls, one glass in warm colors and one glass in cool colors. 

I pulled together a muted color palette of pink, gray, rust and cloudy blue. I wanted something that was subdued and could be worn with a wide variety of outfits. Use your bead soup leftovers to create a stunning art bead necklace by mixing pops of color with a mostly neutral color palette. Use any beads you have on hand for this project, this is the perfect way to use up some of those strays!

Supplies:
Pewter Deer Pendant

18 8-20mm stones, pearls and glass

6 6mm Czech glass flowers, pearls and stones

6 copper ball headpins

6 8mm brass jump rings

4 4mm brass jump rings

20" 22 gauge blackened annealed wire* (use gauge darkened copper wire as an alternative)

16 gauge vintage chain with clasp, cut in half. 

*treat steel wire by wiping it first with paper toweling, then rub down with extra fine steel wool and seal with a light coat of Renaissance Wax.

Directions:
1. On a headpin string one of the 6mm flowers, create a wrapped loop with the remaining wire. Repeat with all the 6mm beads to create 6 small dangles. Set aside.

2. Create a simple loop on the 22 gauge wire, string on a larger bead, trim wire to 1/4" tail and create a simple loop. Repeat with all remaining beads.

3. Arrange the large beads in a balanced fashion on both sides, balance size, colors and textures to create an interesting pattern for your necklace.

4. Attach a 5mm jump ring to the pendant. Attach an 8mm jump ring to the 5mm jump ring, string on three of the small bead dangles, string on the first bead from your arranged pattern and close the jump ring.

5. Add on two more beads by opening the loop, slip on the bead, close the loop. Repeat one more time and add on 8mm jump ring.

6. Repeat adding three large beads and one jump ring.

7. Add three more beads and 5mm jump ring, before closing the 5mm jump ring add on the end of one side of the chain.

8. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the necklace.

I created these matching earrings using Vine pewter charms. Five 6mm crystals and one 4mm faceted glass and one 4mm crystal on copper ball headpins. I attached two 6mm crystals to an 8mm jump ring, attached another 8mm jump ring with two more 6mm crystals, one more 6mm jump ring with one 6mm crystal and one 4mm faceted glass bead. I attached the earwire and include one 4mm jump ring on the earwire to dangle in the front. I attached the charms to the bottom with 5mm jump rings.

Resources: Pewter pendant and earrings: Invicti. Jump rings and headpins: Yadana Beads. Stones, pearls and glass visit your bead supplies and use what you have on hand!

Tutorial Tuesday: Earthy Momma Multi-Strand Bracelet

Supplies

- 1 polymer bird or nest charm (www.Humblebeads.com)

- 1 pewter nest or bird charm (www.Greengirlstudios.com)

- 7 Rich Kibbons wood beads, petite (www.Stinkydogbeads.com)

- 23 6mm Picasso luster finish Czech glass rounds

- 25 brass colored seed beads, size 11/0

- 8 thin brass heishi spacers and 2 thick brass heishi spacers, both 6 mm

- 2 8”x1” batik ribbon, one blue or green, and one brown

- 1 8” piece of leather lace

- 2 brass swivel lobster clasps 9x17 mm

- 4” of 6x9mm open link cable chain

- 2 long brass headpins

- 20” of 3 or 4 ply waxed linen cord, brown

Finished bracelet is 7" long with a 1" tail. 

Steps

Braided Bracelet:

1.  Insert headpin through the bottom of one czech glass flower. Make a wrapped loop on top. Do the same with the other flower and headpin, set aside.

2.  Separate your chain into, after opening the rings you need to do not close them, set them aside:

two 1” sections

two single links

one section of 3 links

3. Roll all three ends of the ribbon and leather together tightly and attach one of an end clamps.

4. Braid the ribbon and leather until it's 6” long. Trim the end, roll your ribbon and leather together again and attach the other clamp.

5. Attach one of the single chain links to a clasp and also one end of the clamped braid, close the link. Attach the open end of one of the 1” chain sections to the other end and close it, opening the last link on the section, add one of the Czech glass flowers you wrapped, close the link. This bracelet is done, set aside

Beaded Bracelet:

1. Attach the other clasp to the other single link and close it. Fold your waxed linen in half, thread the looped end through the link about 3/4” and slide the two cord ends through the loop, connecting the cord to the link by pulling firmly to tighten.

2. Add one of the thick brass heishi, make a overhand knot and begin stringing the seed beads and 6mm rounds alternately on ONE of the cord strands, beginning with a seed bead and about half way through add 2 seed beads just once and continue the pattern. Do not tie off, set down.

3. Begin the other strand with a thin brass heishi spacer and then alternate them with the wood beads. 

4. When finished stringing them, bring both strands together and make an overhand knot. Add the second thick brass heishi and using a slip knot, tie the ends of the linen to the closed end of your other 1” chain section. Pull each strand tightly individually, this will help to ensure your knot is good and tight. 

5. Add your other wrapped flower to the open end, close link.

6.   Attach the open end of the 3 link chain section first to the 2 seed beaded section of the bracelet, then slide on the polymer charm, close the link. Open the other end of the chain section and add your pewter charm, close the link.

7.   ENJOY!

Resources:

Waxed linen cord and batik ribbon: Jewelry Accord, www.jewelryaccord.etsy.com. 

Czech glass flowers, round beads, seed beads, findings, and chain : ShipwreckBeads,  www.shipwreckbeads.com. 

Leather lace: www.classicelements.etsy.com.

Today's guest designer is Mary DeTray of Brass Rabbit Studios. Visit her website to see more of her amazing work. Join Mary tonight for a fun supply destash event in her Etsy shop, she'll have batik ribbon along with other goodies! 

5 Free Art Bead Jewelry Projects

Today I'm bringing you a preview of the projects featured in the 2015 Bead Cruise Program. We celebrated our 10th anniversary of the Bead Cruise when we set sail in February. One of the highlights of the cruise every year is the awesome gift bags with items donated be our fab sponsors. I love using their beads in our projects for the booklet year after year.

Briny Sea Bracelet

• Lampwork: www.suebeads.etsy.com
• 15mm ceramic beads: www.suburbangirlbeads.etsy.com
• 10mm ceramic beads: www.whitecloverkiln.com
• Pewter octopus: www.greengirlstudios.com
• Pewter button: www.mamacitabeadworks.etsy.com
• Faceted ceramic beads: www.potterybeads.com
• Peanut seed beads: www.whimbeads.com
• Waxed linen: www.ornamentea.com

Fiesta Bangle

• Cord: www.stinkydogbeads.com
• Czech flower bead:www.thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com
• Bead caps: www.rings-things.com
• House charms: www.claybuttons.com
• Steel wire: www.acehardware.com

Did you know our very own Tari Sasser makes theses adorable house charms - I think you need one right now! 

Island Life Pendant

• Starfish charm: www.tesoritrovati.com
• Beach house: www.humblebeads.com
• Ceramic bead: www.whitecloverkiln.com 

Sail Away Bracelet

• Ceramic charm: www.suburbangirlbeads.etsy.com 
• Ceramic bead: www.whitecloverkiln.com
• Rizo beads: www.whimbeads.com

My favorite project in the Bead Cruise Program this year is this super fun cuff bracelet featuring stamped Vintaj blanks and one of Bandana Girl's new multi-strand leather bracelet clasps. These clasps are the bomb!!! I have another one that is calling my name, I love a component that just offers unlimited possibilities.

Drink the Wild Air Bracelet

• Leather clasp: www.bandana-girl.com 
• Metal blanks, Patina paints, jump rings and heapdins: www.vintaj.com 
• Glass beads: www.fusionbeads.com 

• Download your free copy! You can find the step-by-step directions for all these projects and several earring ideas in the 2015 Bead Cruise Program.

• A handy list of our sponsors can be seen here. Great place to bookmark and visit the next time you are in the need for beads! 

• Our 2016 Bead Cruise details will be out later this month. Until then feel free to join the Bead Cruise Facebook group. 

Lighthearted Valentine Necklace

This playful pendant from Andrew Thornton is the perfect focal for a Valentine theme that can be worn all year long. Opting for an earthy, darker color palette gives the design more versatility and let's the heart focal take center stage. 

Supplies

Ceramic pendant

4 8-10mm ceramic beads

2 Czech bell flowers

2 Czech flowers

6 6x9mm Czech glass rondelles

2 4mm crystals

15mm brass jump ring

10 7.25mm brass jump rings

10mm brass jump rings

30mm brass leaf creative bar (toggle)

22mm brass hammered ring

12" 5.5mm Arte Metal elongated oval brass chain

6 1" brass headpins

2 7mm black jump rings

12" 19 gauge steel wire

Necklace length: 18"

1. Add a glass flower to a headpin, create a wrapped loop (optional, if your headpins are thicker create simple loops). Repeat with each glass flower and crystal beads. Set aside.

2. Cut a 1" length of steel wire, create a simple loop on one end, add a glass rondelle, create a simple loop on top. Repeat with the other 5 glass rondelles. Set aside.

3. Cut a 1.5" length of steel wire, create a simple loop on one end, add a ceramic bead, create a simple loop on top. Repeat with the other 3 ceramic beads. Set aside.

4. Attach the 10mm jump ring to the pendant.

5. Open the 15mm jump ring, string on one rondelle link, the pendant and another rondelle link, close jump ring.

6. Open a 7.5mm jump ring, attach to the ceramic bead link, string on the small glass flower dangle and a glass rondelle link, close jump ring. 

7. Repeat step 6 alternating the beaded links, add the bellflower dangle. Repeat again adding crystal between beads.

8. Attach glass rondelle link with 7.5mm jump ring. Divide chain into two 6" lengths. Attach one length to the last rondelle link with a 7.5mm jump ring.

9. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the necklace.

10 Attach the clasp to the end of the chain with 7mm black jump rings.

Resources: Ceramic pendant: www.allegorygallery.com. Ceramic beads: www.whitecloverkiln.com. Brass findings, clasp and chain: www.vintaj.com. Black jump rings and crystals: www.michaels.com. Steel wire: www.acehardware.com.

Inside the Studio - Humblebeads

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

Congratulations Erin S.! 

You have won a $20 credit from Something To Do Beads.

Please send Claire an email with your information.

Welcome to the Humblebeads studio this week. Grab a cup of cocoa and put on some holiday music, it's going to look a lot like Christmas here today! 

A few weeks ago I launched my holiday line of beads inspired by cozy cabins, handmade goodness, sweet woodland animals and other wintery woodland inspirations. These adorable cabin beads have been on my bead table just waiting to became holiday jewelry. I knew I wanted to keep it simple and let the beads shine bright. But sometimes keeping it understated can be a challenge too, every part has to be just so. 

So to kick off the holiday season here is the project, sweet and simple - you can became a little elf and whip up whole village. 

Supply List:

House bead

8mm faceted rock crystal

4 or 5mm accent bead (use crystal, Czech glass or a faceted stone)

4mm copper spacer

15mm jump ring

26" copper chain

6" 19 gauge steel wire

1 2" copper ball headpin

2 4mm copper jump rings

1 6mm copper jump ring

12 mm copper bead cap (snowflake charm)

I didn't have snowflake charm on hand, so I created one by hammering a six-sided bead cap flat. When hammering bead caps, go very slow and gently to avoid breaking the cap which can happen on items that are plated.

Directions:

1. Add 6mm jump ring to the flattened bead cap.

2. Create a loop 1 1/2" from the bottom of the wire, open loop, slide on snowflake, close loop, wrap wire to create a wrapped looped.

3. String on crystal, copper spacer, house bead. Create wrapped loop on top of house bead.

4. Add a crystal to the headpin, create a wrapped loop.

5. Attach 4mm jump rings to the ends of the chain. Add house pendant, crystal dangle and both ends of chain to the 15mm jump ring.

Resoucres: House beads: Humblebeads. Crystals, headpins, jump rings: Hobby Lobby. Chain: Yadana Beads. Stones: Rings & Things. Bead caps: Gift Bearer Supply (I found mine at a local bead shop)

So my question for you today - what is a clever way you have used a finding? (Like my bead caps becoming snowflakes.) One random winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to my Humblebeads Etsy Shop. Can't wait to read your clever responses!

Adjustable Leather Knot Necklace Tutorial

I shared this project on my blog recently and thought the ABS readers would love it too. I've been wearing the ones I made almost every day.  They are perfect for those hot days when you don't want to wear anything heavy or have metal sticking to you!

Materials:

Blooms & Birds set from Humblebeads

Ceramic round bead from Firefly Designs

Pewter nest from Green Girl Studios

36" 1mm leather cord from Primitive Earth Beads

Use any round beads for the project, just make sure the holes are at least 1mm.

Directions:

1. Find the center of the cord. 2.5" from the center tie a knot, add the bird bead, tie a knot, add a bead, tie knot. Repeat adding a bead and tying a knot for the remaining 6 beads.

2. Adjustable knots: overlap the two ends of the cord with about 6" of cord on each side of the necklace. Create a loop with one end of the cord, leaving a 2-3" tail. Wrap the end of the cord around both strands of leather and around the loop, keep wrapping the cord around all three cords two more times. Slide the end of the cord into the loop and pull tightly. 

This is a budget friendly version with a raven and round art bead from Humblebeads and wood, ceramic, bone and metal beads from the arts & crafts store. 

Here is a video tutorial so you can see how to make the adjustable knots on this necklace.

Tutorial Tuesday: Totem Earrings

I found Tari's Inside the Studio post on Friday super inspiring.  She shared her pin board of ceramic totems and that got my brain whirling around totem jewelry which led to these springing to life on my bead table.

Supplies:
4 polymer clay spacers
2 pewter bird beads
2 6mm pyrite beads
2 faceted brass beads
2 15mm brass jump rings
2 brass earwires
2 2" copper headpins
6 11/0 copper seed beads

Directions:
1. On a headpin string one pyrite bead, seed bead, polymer clay bead, seed bead, polymer clay bead, seed bead, bird and faceted bead.  Trim wire and create a simple loop.
2. Open jump ring, string beaded dangle and earwire on, close jump ring.

Resources:
Polymer clay beads: Humblebeads. Birds: Green Girl Studios. Seed beads: Fusion Beads. All other materials: Rings & Things.

Tutorial Tuesday: Shibori Ribbon Necklace

Feast your eyes upon the glory of hand-dyed Shibori ribbon!  The color is amazing, the texture is petal soft silk, it's pure luxury and it's been sweeping the beading world over the last few months.  Brought to us by Lisa Kan over at Aria Design Studio, this ribbon goes through a labor-intensive dying process that is true artistry.

I've created several projects with this amazing new ribbon for those who use art beads. I'm happy to present this tutorial featuring a simple way to finish of the ends of the ribbon to create a quick and easy necklace.

Supplies:

22" silk shibori ribbon - Dark FireFall 

40mm pewter bird pendant

35mm acrylic leaf pendant

5 15mm arte metal jump rings

8 7mm gunmetal jump rings

7 peanut seed beads

2 8mm Czech glass faceted beads

2 8" lengths of 22 gauge gunmetal wire

2 2" eyepins

2 4mm copper spacer

Copper toggle bar

Directions:
1. String the copper spacer onto the eyepin, poke the eyepin through the center of the ribbon at 1/4" from the top. Pull the eyepin until it reaches the copper spacer.
2. Gather the ribbon around the eyepin, hold firmly while wrapping the wire around the ribbon until it is secure.
3. Continue wrapping the wire until you have a messy wrap, trim the ends and tuck the ends of the wire in with chain nose pliers.
4. String the glass bead onto the eyepin and create a wrapped loop.
5. Repeat 1 - 4 on the other side of the ribbon.  Add a 15mm jump ring to one eyepin and attach the copper toggle to the other eyepin with a 7mm jump ring.
6. Open one 15mm jump ring, slide it through another 15mm jump ring, close ring. Open and slide another jump ring through both of the two jump rings to form a 'rosette'.
7. Attach the two pendants together with a 7mm jump ring.  Add a peanut seed bead to seven 7mm jump rings.  Attach one beaded jump ring to jump ring attaching the pendants.
8. Open a 15mm jump ring, slide on pendants and 3 beaded jump rings on each side, add the jump ring to the 'rosette', close jump ring.

Resources: 
Pewter pendant: Green Girl Studio.  Leaf Pendant: Vintage Meadow Artworks. Jump rings: Rings & Things. Shibori ribbon: Aria Design Studio. Peanut seed beads: Out on a Whim Beads.

Tutorial Tuesday - Wire Heart Pendant

 

For this simple heart pendant, gather together orphaned art beads and copper wire to add a little love to someone's day this week!

Supplies:
5" 18 gauge copper wire
8" 22 gauge steel wire
polymer clay disk
lampwork round bead
lampwork spacer
polymer clay wobble spacer bead
15mm arte metal jump ring
13 4mm copper spacers
28" gunmetal chain

Tools:
Round and chain nose pliers, wire cutters, bench block, ball peen hammer, riveting hammer, liver of sulfur gel, paint brush and fine steel wool.

Make the Heart:
1. Bend the 5" wire in half at a 45 degree angel.
2. With the round nose pliers, bend the wire into a spiral on one side on the wire. Repeat on the other side.
3. Hammer the heart flat with the flat side of the ball peen hammer.
4. Texture the wire with the skinny end of a riveting hammer.
5. Brush on the liver of sulfur gel with a paint brush, rinse with water, dry. Rub steel wool or a scotch brite pad to bring out the highlights of the texture on the heart.

Finish the Pendant:
1. Leaving a 1 1/2" tail create a double loop at the bottom of the steel wire. Create a messy wrap above the loops with a tail of wire.Slip the loops through one end of the heart by opening and closing the heart pendant very slightly.
2. String on the polymer clay disk, copper spacer, lampwork bead, copper spacer, lampwork spacer, copper bead, polymer clay wobble. Repeat step 1 to create a double wrapped loop at the top of the pendant.
3. Add the pendant to the 15mm jump ring, string on 5 spacers on both sides of the jump ring.  Add the two ends of the chain, close jump ring.

 

Resources: Polymer clay beads: Humblebeads. Lampwork spacer: Thornburg Bead Studios. Lampwork Bead: Sea of Glass. Steel Wire: Ace Hardware. All other supplies and materials: Rings & Things.

On the First Day of Christmas: Flight of Fancy by Lorelei Eurto

Supplies:

1 Riveted Tin 1-5/8" Bird connector
2 Wood branch beads
1 Enameled Yellow connector
4 Brass tube beads
4 Swarovski Crystal bicones
4 inches Brass cable chain
1 Brass 15mm lobster clasp
2 Brass 15mm split jump rings
4 Brass faceted beads
5 Brass 7mm split jump rings
4 inches of steel or brass 19g wire
4 Brass 2 inch head pins




Instructions:

1. Attach the yellow enamaled connector to one side of the tin focal using 2 brass 7mm jump rings.
2. Split the chain into 2 pieces, each about 6 links long. Open one end of one chain section, and attach to one hole of the yellow enameled connector. Do the same with the other chain section to the other hole of the connector.
3. Use one 7mm jump ring to attach the lobster clasp to the 2 chain ends.
4. Cut the steel or brass wire into 2 pieces, each at about 2 inches long. Form a wrapped loop on one wire. String 1 branch bead. Form another wrapped loop and attach the loop to one of the rubber o rings on the tin focal. Do the same for the other wire, and branch bead, and attach it to the other rubber o ring on the tin focal.

5. Making sure the wrapped loops are facing in the same direction, open a 15mm jump ring and attach the two wrapped loops.  String 2 faceted brass beads. Close tightly.
6. Attach two 7mm jump rings to the 15mm jump ring, Open the 2nd 15mm jump ring and attach the two 7mm jump rings, thread on 2 faceted brass beads and close tightly.
7. Using the 4 headpins, string 1 Swarovski bicone, and 1 brass tube bead. Form a wrapped loop and attach it to the top hole in the yellow enameled connector.  Repeat with the other 3, attaching 2 to the top hole and 2 to the bottom hole.

Resources:

Tin Connector: Tin Snippets by Lorelei Eurto
Wood Branch beads: Rich Kibbons
Brass findings: Vintaj Brass Co. www.vintaj.com
Enameled Yellow connector: C Koop Beads
Brass tube beads and faceted brass beads: Hand of the Hills
Swarovski crystals: Fusion Beads www.fusionbeads.com

Tutorial Tuesday - Sly Fox Pendant

Supplies: 
Humblebeads Fox Bead 
36.5 x 25 brass oval connector
32mm brass leaf charm
15mm jump ring
3 12mm wood beads
4 3mm brass faceted nuggets
2 7mm brass jump rings
1 5.5mm brass jump ring
1 4mm brass jump ring
2 2" brass headpin
2 30" lengths of waxed linen

Tools: 
Chain nose
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ball been hammer
Bench block
Metal letter stamps
Paint or patina (I used Swellegant, but any patina paint will work.)
Buffing block

Instructions: 

1. Hammer the word SLY onto the brass connector and use the round end of the ball peen 

hammer to create texture. Use a buffing block to bring out the highlights of the metal. 

2. Paint the feather with either a patina system or with acrylic paint, seal with matte 

finish. 

3. String the fox bead onto the headpin, create a loop. 

4. Open one 7mm jump ring, add on the brass connector and three brass nugget 

beads. Close jump ring. 

5. Add a 7mm jump ring onto the last one and slip the fox onto this ring and close. 

6. Add the first jump ring onto the 15mm jump ring. 

7. Add the 4mm jump ring onto the feather. Attach the feather jump ring to the connector 

with a 5.5mm jump ring, adding one brass nugget bead to the ring before closing it. 

8. With the 2 strands of linen create a Lark Heads Knot around 15mm jump ring. 

9. Knot all four strands together and string on a wooden bead. Knot all 4 threads at the 

top of the bead. 

10. Separate the strands so two are on each side. Create knots an 1" apart to the desired 

length. Leave 2" on both ends 

11. String a wooden bead on the end of the linen, knot and trim the ends. Repeat on the 

other side. To secure the necklace, thread the bead through the last two knots on the 

linen. You can wear the necklace long or short depending on where you thread the beads 

through on the knotted cord. 

www.humblebeads.com 

Resources: 

Nuggets: Rings & Things. 

Patina: B'Sue Boutiques. 

Fox: Humblebeads. 

Everything Else: Hobby Lobby

 Print out the instructions here. This project was original published at Humblebeads.com

Studio Saturday with Erin Siegel

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard.
The following week we choose a random winner.

This week's winner is Erin S. Congratulations, Erin! You have won a hydrangea pendant from Heather Powers of Humble Beads.
  Send Heather an email with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week we visit the studio of
Erin Siegel of Erin Siegel Jewelry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Next weekend I'm taking my 2 1/2 year old daughter to her first Native American Pow Wow. I hope she enjoys the flute music, drumming, dancing, storytelling and crafts. She's already familiar with dream catchers. Before she was born, I was gifted a beautiful dream catcher handmade by a Native American woman I know. It hangs above her bed now.

As long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by the Native American culture. From their deep respect and reverence for nature, to their great spiritual teachings, to their beautiful handcrafts and beadwork. One Native American tradition I have always loved and gravitated towards is the dream catcher.

Today, I’m going to be sharing with you how to make your own dream catcher-inspired pendant to capture the dreams, goals and positivity you want to bring into your life! You will learn the traditional weave to make the web of the dream catcher, then you can embellish your pendant with a variety of beads, feathers and/or charms to represent those dreams, hopes and wishes you want to catch. The finished pendant can be worn on it's own or you can incorporate it into your own beaded jewelry design. The act of making this pendant is a hands-on, creative way to realize your dreams, while making a keepsake with special meaning that you can wear and keep as a reminder of the things that are important to you. But, before I get into showing you how to make your pendant, I want to share with you a little bit about the origins of the dream catcher and a Native American dream catcher legend. I hope you will find this to be fun, informative and inspiring!

Origins of the Dream Catcher:

The Ojibaway or Chippewa were the first to design these decorations to protect their babies against bad dreams that might come along in the night. Both good and bad dreams would be caught by the web, but only good dreams could find their way through the hole and slide down the feather to the baby’s head. The bad dreams, not knowing the way, would get caught in the web and dissipate with the first rays of morning light.

Since the beginning, many Native American tribes have adopted the dream catcher and incorporated it into their heritage. The Lakota are one such group that have done this. The following is their story of the dream catcher:

Legend of the Dream Catcher (Lakota)

Long ago an old spiritual leader was high on a mountain and had a vision. A teacher of wisdom appeared in the form of a spider. The spider picked up the elder’s willow hoop and began to spin a web. She spoke to the elder about the cycles of life. She said, “In each time of life there are many forces, some positive and some negative. If you listen to the positive forces, they will steer you in the right direction. If you listen to the negative forces, they will lead you astray.”

When the spider finished speaking, she gave the elder the web and said. “The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the center. Use the web to help your people reach their goals, making good use of their ideas, dreams and visions. If you believe in the Great Spirit, the web will catch your good ideas, let them float through the hole and down the feather upon you.” The elder passed on the vision to the people. Now, many hang a dream catcher above their bed to sift their dreams and visions. The good thoughts are captured in the web of life and dropped down to the person, the negative thoughts are caught in the web and perish at daybreak, never to be a part of their lives.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I would really like to adopt this concept! Who’s with me? Okay, let’s make some dream catcher pendants to wear to catch those good dreams from the air and let them float down into our hearts!

Materials needed:

 1 metal 25mm ring
(I use handcrafted copper rings by Miss Fickle Media)
1 gemstone 4mm round

3 size 8 seed beads in assorted colors

1 feather charm

2 metal 4mm jump rings

18” of 4ply Irish waxed linen cord (color of your choice)

A kit containing all the materials needed and instructions can be found in my Etsy shop here.

Tools:

 Scissors

A pair of chain nose pliers (to attach the jump rings)

Instructions:
1. Use the cord to make a 1” fold at one end. Use the folded end to form a lark’s head knot around the copper ring as shown in photo 1.

 2. Using the long end of the cord, form a half-hitch knot around the copper ring and the 1” tail as shown in photo 2.

3. Trim the tail. Pull the cord down so that it sits on the inside of the copper ring as shown in photo3.

 

4. Bring the cord around the copper ring and through the loop as shown in photo 4. This is called looping. Continue making loops around the ring 5 more times. Add seed beads as desired.

5. Bring the cord around the first loop created in step 4 and through the loop as shown in photo 5.

 6. Continue looping in the same matter adding seed beads as shown in photo 6. Loop around the inner diameter of the ring twice.

7. Use the cord to string one 4mm bead; tie and overhand knot and trim cord as shown in photo 7.

 

8. Use 1 jump ring to attach a feather charm to the pendant. Use another jump ring to attach a chain or necklace cord to the pendant and enjoy!

How about you?
Do you feel inspired by the dream catcher? or Do you find inspiration in the traditions of another culture other than your own?

Please share and tell me all about it. I want to know!

 Leave a comment answering any of the above questions and you will be entered for a chance to win one of my Dream Catcher Pendant Kits!

Thanks for joining me today!

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry.