4th Day of Christmas :: The Hoots Family Reunion

I went a little nutty making owl pendants last weekend. Every so often I revive the owls and try to add something new. This time I added a whole family of owls to the collection!

I call this the Hoots Family Reunion.

I decided to give them all names, because every time I make one, no two are alike, and the each have distinct personalities that I have no idea who they will be until I put my hands to their little bodies. The only thing I wanted to be sure is that they each got some winterwear, scarves and hats.

I had been playing around with a Stroppel cane this fall that uses up scrap cane clay. I really enjoy making that. So much so that I find myself purposely creating 'scrap' clay to do it! It looked a lot like knitwear, so that is what inspired me.

Then I decided that different branches of the Hoots family would be swooping in for the festivities. First came the Jingle Bunch: Merry, Joy and Pax. They came all the way from the frozen tundra. They have a slightly different look (as they are distant cousins) and are snowy owls, of course, all bundled up in their brightly colored hats and scarves.

And finally came the Northwoods brothers: Fraser, Balsam and Noble. These great grey owls are burly and large with booming hoots that announce their presence. They hail from the northern Rockies and live in tallest fir trees. Their lumberjack buffalo check hats and scarves keep them toasty and they each have a different personality.

Wouldn't these look cute all nestled in the branches of a tree? I thought that with the addition of some wire and some leftover beads they would make a great tree ornament. And of course, once the holiday is over, they can easily be strung on a necklace for a gift that keeps on giving.

Do you have a bin of old jewelry that never sold, or didn't work? If so, you have a great start to ornaments! Earrings and pendants easily translate into adornments for your holiday tree. Last year I made some necklaces with my favorite little Humblebeads houses. These remaining necklaces that didn't sell were languishing in a box... until I removed the pendants and turned them into ornaments. I am sure that you have a box like that in your craft room that has a lot of potential for ornaments. These deserved to be loved and I hope they find a new home on someone's tree this Christmas.

If you are interested in welcoming your own Hoots Family Reunion, the pendants are available in my shop. I have various ones available for immediate shipping (PM me), or I will custom make them for you! They would love to fly in to keep you company over this long cold season. But they are limited edition for the winter and will fly away come spring!

P.S. The free shipping is still on in my shop! (Don't let the 12/4 deadline fool you!) Get your bundles while you can!

1st Day of Christmas: Victorian Ornament

This year we are bringing back our popular 12 Days of Christmas series! This is 12 free projects from our stellar Art Bead Scene contributors with jewelry and craft projects featuring art beads.

Some will be holiday or winter themed and others are just great gift ideas or projects you'll want to try. Our series will run between our regular features from now until Christmas day. 

We hope you enjoy them. Happy Holidays!

A simple wrapping of the bonbon bead onto a piece of filigree gives your bead instant Victorian charm. Makes these as holiday ornaments or on a longer chain as a pendant. Use a bead in floral colors for a necklace that can be worn year around. 

Skill Level: beginner, wire work

Supply List:

Bonbon bead

40mm Garden Trellis brass filigree

2 7mm brass jump rings

2” brass ball headpin

10mm pearl

7” brass cable chain

4” 22 gauge brass colored wire

Necklace option: 3 7mm brass jump rings and 24” brass cable chain

1. String the bonbon bead on the center of the wire, string the wire through the filigree. Twist the two ends of the wire tightly several times to secure the bead to the filigree, trim wire and bend flush to the filigree.

Necklace option: tuck the wire so that it’s inside the open area of the filigree and not sticking out at all.

2. Position the filigree so the long center pieces are vertical. Add the pearl to the headpin, form a simple loop. Add to the bottom of filigree with the jump ring.

3. Attach the chain to the top of the filigree with the jump ring.

Necklace option: Attach one end of the chain just off center with the 4mm jump ring, repeat on the other side of the chain.

Supply List:

Bonbon Beads: Humblebeads. Filigree: Vintaj. All other materials: Hobby Lobby. 

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: Holly Ornament by Jennifer Jangles

You will Need:

1 Ceramic Holly Leaf
1 Ceramic Round Bead Red
10" Gingham Ribbon
12" of 18 gauge Silver Craft Wire

Instructions:
1. Make a simple wire loop and connect it to the loop of the holly piece and close. Trim the excess wire.
2. Slide the round bead onto the wire and make a second simple wire loop just above the bead. Trim the excess wire.
3. With the remaining wire (approximately 6-8 inches), make an ornament hook.
4. Tie a bow with the ribbon onto the ornament hook and trim any excess ribbon.

If you need help with simple wire loops or ornament hooks here are my Pinterest Friendly Instructions.

Happy Holidays!

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On the 8th Day of Christmas: J-O-Y To The World

1:: Gather some leaf beads and some red berry beads. Oh, and some 24 gauge wire.

2:: Spell out the word J-O-Y with Simple Truths Simply Charming charms. (Or how about L-O-V-E? or initials of your children?)

3:: Cut the wire into three 3" lengths. Add three red berry beads alternated with two leaf beads on a wire. Twist to close and wrap the wire ends around the beads, tucking in any stray wire with a pliers.

4:: Attach to the letter charms with jump rings. Attach a pretty ribbon for a hanger. Voila!

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

On the 7th Day of Christmas: Bring Joy Felt Ornament