9th Day of Christmas: Deck Your Lobes!

It's that perennial 'winterval' problem: how to make festive earrings that aren't too, er, festive. I know there are some who are happy to go for a splash of red, green and gold when celebrating on Christmas day or at a work's do. There is also the popular alternative of something more understated featuring symbols of the season - snowflakes, holly, stars.  But, what if you want something that is striking and (dare I say?) party-ready, while subtly seasonal, and suitable for year-round wear. That's a lot of boxes to tick! But the design I'm sharing today could be an answer. All you really need, aside from your art beads, is some short lengths of chain and some three-to-one connectors. There's a huge selection of the latter available out there - you can go as simple or as lavish as you like.

(l-r: The Paris Carousel; Finding Your Element; Legendary Beads)

You may well already have some in your stash. If you find the ones you have a little plain you could always try adding patina - to co-ordinate with the rest of the earring perhaps?

But what are we making? These...

As you can see, it's a relatively simple construction. I've grunged up my connectors which were some large vintage copper ones. But this is totally optional - you might prefer plain copper, for example. The only remaining consideration is what art what beads to use. Here I've used a pair of Linda Newnham's icicle-like, frosted lampwork headpins, topped with some spacers and tiny sparkly crystals. The size of connectors will determine how wide the central art bead(s) can be. You don't have to opt for long, thin focal beads. You could take some smaller art beads or charms and mix them with other beads to form stacks or columns in the centre. The chain and the centrepiece are all attached to the connector with 4-5mm jump rings. This first pair can serve here as a kind of blueprint. Once you have the basic idea you can be as elaborate as you like.

The connectors in this pair are some very unusual little vintage fairy/angel(?) figures that were linked together in a chain. There's a loop on each hand, but also another on the foot, from which I've hung a winter-y white Scorched Earth drop. I've added more vintage connectors at the bottom of the chain, wrapped round with some pearl-y seed beads, and I've hung a little faceted glass drop at the very bottom.

I think either of these pairs of earrings would be great for the holiday season, however you really could wear them all year round. Such earrings also make for great gifts: how much nicer to get someone something they can feel winter-y in, yet can be worn in all seasons!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Claire

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com

www.somethingtodobeads.etsy.com

www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

Amuse the Muse - Building Beads

I'm filling in for Rebecca today because she's been having a really rotten time looking after some very precious furry ones.  I'm sure, like me, you'll want to send the very best of thoughts her way.  I decided that this month we might look at building beads. It's a popular form for beads, with houses being particularly prevalent.  Let's kick off with what is, to my mind - and many others, I'm sure, the ur-house bead.

(Elukka (of course))

And if there's another contender for that title, then it's surely one of my personal favourites.

(Jubilee)

I thought of the theme of building beads because I've seen some beauties recently. I've been very tempted by this pendant...

... and these earring charms.

 (Both from Thea Elements)

I have also just managed to stop myself - at the final moment! - from snapping up these little wonders:

(Glass Afternoon)

[Edit - Okay, they've gone....]

Unbelievably, I don't actually own one of these shotgun house pendants...

(Scorched Earth)

...and given that I own faaaaaar too many Scorched Earth beads (well, if there can be too many....), that's really something!  Searching round Etsy, I also found this little cutie made by UK lampworker, Joanne Joyce.

(Lampwork Beads by Jo)

Sweet, hey? I don't want to leave Rebecca no beads to share for the rest of the month so I'll finish with just one more - something a bit different:

(Art Incendi)

I don't think I could bring myself to fill that bezel - such lovely colours!

I know there are some obvious contenders for favourite house bead that I've missed out here. Shout them out in the comments! And, of course, we'd love to see any lesser-known gems that you like. Don't feel limited to houses - buildings of any sort would be great, from bird houses to sky scrapers!

Bye for now, Claire

www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com

www.somethingtodobeads.etsy.com

Bead Blogger Links

Art Bead Scene

March Monthly Challenge is Haida Totems by Emily Carr. A Canadian artist, her art took on bright hues and bold brushstrokes of the Fauvist paintings she saw in Paris in 1910.

I Love Resin

A journal can be a walking momento if you add your own molded embellishments to it. Molding video on the blog too!

Carmi's Art/Life World

Why not upcycle your old blanket into fingerless gloves? It is so fast and easy to do.

Cross Stitch for St. Patrick's Day

It's almost time for everyone to be honorary Irishmen and Irishwomen (unless, of course, you are already Irish - then you already have a great excuse to party). Connie has added a new free pattern in the spirit of the season and has suggestions for more great St. Patty's Day-themed projects

Lazertran Inkjet Decals on Wood

See how to piece decals for larger projects and how to "melt" a decal onto wood. 

Peep Bunnies

I list 'em every year but they remain popular! Peep bunnies made from felt.

Beading Arts

Are you anxious for Spring? Cyndi will help you get a jump start on your Springtime jewelry!

YouTube Subscriptions?

YouTube subscriptions are great, but are you really subscribed if you don't receive update notices? 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Here is what's on my workbench right now!  I just finished up a batch of resin raven pendants/ornaments.

Tutorial Tuesday - Collector Necklace

This tutorial is for a pretty simple but endlessly versatile necklace design.

(ceramic tablet drop - Something to do Beads; ceramic spike - Scorched Earth)

The ingredients here may look quite particular but you could work with any selection of harmonious materials you have to hand.  Here is what is essentially the same design but in a couple of different variations. 

The charms/pendants in the one on the left are, mostly, a chance selection of extras that Petra of Scorched Earth sent me, which happened to fall together on my desk. The pieces in right-hand piece were leftovers from a magazine project I did for Beads and Beyond (including more Scorched Earth!).  Just start by arranging your pieces in a fan on your mat. In this piece I've mixed my art beads with some rough and rugged semi-precious beads.

You'll need to be able to string all your items at the top so in some cases you may need to add a bail. A bit of wire will usually do the job.

Then all you do is start stringing. You'll want to use small beads (I've used 4mm glass rounds) so that you can control the distances between your pendant pieces with ease - and you won't always need the same number between each of your drops.  It's really a case of judging by eye.

Once you've added the focal pieces continue beading up the sides for a short way. I've included a stray gold bead to add interest and break up the bronze coloured rounds.

I then added on a couple of little rondelles to give a bit of punctuation. 

You might want to add a clasp at the side here, as I have in the other examples. Also, you may want to switch to even smaller beads and bead around the back of the necklace. However, in this case, I've opted for chain and a hook clasp at the back.  

I've used french wire on the connection points. It's my new favourite thing to use - I've never been entirely convinced by wire guardians.  

And that's your necklace done!

Tutorial Tuesday: Wrapped column earrings

So, today, I thought I'd share how to make these wrapped column earrings. Mine are wrapped with sari silk ribbon and feature a pair of ceramic droplets from Scorched Earth.  However, you could wrap different types of ribbon or fabric offcuts, and you could also use different beads at the bottom. Maybe you have an earring pair - whether beads or charms - and you've been wondering what to do with them? This might be the answer.

The list of other ingredients you'll need is also fairly flexible.  You'll need 26 gauge / 0.4mm wire and 22 gauge / 0.6mm wire. I've mixed the metal finishes here; don't be afraid to do that if you wish. You'll also need at least two pairs of bead caps (around 10mm wide).  However, as you can see, I've used several pairs of caps at the top of these. I've been stacking up bead caps quite a bit recently; it gives extra textural and decorative detail, which I rather like.  Finally, along with some ear wires, you'll need some beads to form the inner columns.  I've used some hematite tubes (approximately 4mm wide) that have been in my stash for an age - perhaps you have something similar?  Alternatively, you could use 4mm seed beads to form the core.

To start, take about 10cm of your 22 gauge wire and make a wrapped loop at one end, attaching your bead or charm before closing the loop. Then, thread on a bead cap, followed by around 3.5cm of tube beads.

Next, take a good length (say, 25cm) of your 26 gauge wire and attach one end to the base of your column by wrapping around the core wire (above the cap and below the tube beads) a couple of times.  

Now to add the ribbon. Cut a piece that is a little bit longer than your column of beads. You'll be wrapping the ribbon lengthways along your wire, folding the edges round, rather than winding the ribbon around like you do with the wire.  Unless you actually want a bulky look, this is the best way to wrap ribbon onto any shape.

To start wrapping, fold the ribbon round the bead column and pull the wire up, making a couple of quick wraps to secure it. Then, continue wrapping, ensuring that the ribbon is fixed at the bottom of the column by wrapping several times. Once it is secured at the base, you will probably need to trim the end of the ribbon there (along with the tail of your wrapping wire), which can be done with flush cutters.  Then, keep on wrapping up the column. Use the wire to tidy and tuck in any loose edges and flatten any little bulges.  Be careful to avoid any gaps forming between your core beads as you don't want the wire to fall between them as you wrap.  You may need to add more wire, which can be done easily, at the top or bottom of the column. Once you have a good coverage of wraps, wrap up to the top of the column, secure with a few more wraps and trim both your wire and any excess ribbon. 

Now you need to add the bead cap(s) at the top. I've layered up three caps at the top of my earrings.

Finally, make a wrapped loop with your core wire to complete your column. Now all you need to do is add an ear wire...

...and, of course, repeat to make your second earring!

Claire

www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com