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!

Holiday Sparkle - Czech Glass and Art Beads

This year I'm making jewelry for smaller trunk shows and events and trying to keep an affordable price point in mind.  I'm mixing fun holiday pendants with just a touch of sparkle using Czech glass, rhinestone spacers and brass or gunmetal chain.  Here are some of my favorite combinations.

I'm pairing up this vintage image of a pine cone with traditional mix of the ol' red and green with just a bit of pink/champagne color reflected in the greenery.

Czech glass beads from Beads by C.

While some are looking for more traditional holiday gifts, others want jewelry that are winter themed that will last through the season.  I like this winter woodland scene paired with cream and brown Czech glass beads.

Czech glass beads from Dream Girl Beads.

And why not be a little playful for the holidays - I love the idea of using these bright Czech glass bead mixes to mimic holiday lights.  Pair them with a pine tree pendant and mix in the flowers stacked three together and upside down to look like tiny trees.

Czech glass beads from Dream Girl Beads.

And finally back to the winter theme with icy blues and snowball white beads paired up with this sweet Snowbabies pendant.

Czech glass beads from Beads by C.

All polymer clay pendants from Humblebeads.

Holiday Ornament Blog Hop

Jingle, jingle, merry and bright! Join in the 2nd annual Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop.

How to play along:

1. Sign up - email to let me know you are planning to participate. Please use the subject line: ABS Ornament Blog Hop

2. Create an ornament using handmade components or art beads. Here is an example: Little Church in the Woods.  (Click the link to see last year's hop)

3. On December 4th post a sneak peek on your blog and send me the link. On December 5th I'll send you the links of the participating blogs. (You'll replace your sneak peak with the ornament post so that we can have a list of direct links.)

4. December 6th post your ornament on your blog and the list of participating blog links.

This is an inclusive creative challenge - we'd love to see Hanukkah , Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice themed decorations along with traditional Christmas ornaments. Have fun!

Pictured above are some art beads to help inspire you.

From left to right:

1. Donna Millard      2. Lynn Davis

3. Heather Powers    4. Miss Fickle Media

Have questions? Feel free to leave them in the comment section.

Q. What's a sneak peek?

A. You'll post a small preview of your ornament on the 5th and replace it with the full size picture and text on the 7th. So that we have a direct link to use for the hop rather than general blog url. Readers won't have to search for your blog hop posts, the links will go directly to them. Detailed instructions will be emailed to participants.