More Jewellery Makes

At this week's jewellery class we made a different take

on the ever popular Shamballa style bracelet.

It basically consists of 8 large beads simply threaded on the cord

(without knots inbetween) and three clusters of five smaller

beads - each had a headpin inserted into and made into a

jump ring - this was then threaded onto the cord.

The remainder of the bracelet was the usual D knots.

I think this is my favourite so far and one I will wear 

as it isn't too fussy.

So, what did I buy after the class?

Some cord and disco ball beads.

Some lovely glass faceted beads

and cream coloured skull beads -

well, it would have been rude not to!

I couldn't resist making some more skeletons!

Poor Mr Orange Skeleton though, I inadvertently

cut off his left arm with the thread zapper!

I had to re-join it with a knot so he's a little

distorted - he looks cheerful enough though!

I think they're so funny!

Thanks for looking :)

Shamballa and Skeletons!

At this week's jewellery making class we made a

 rather grand looking necklace.

The 'U' shaped links were created with 

0.8 gauge wire shaped by bending the wire

around a little bead container.

The ends of each 'U' were then curled around,

beads threaded on, then the other end of the 'U' curled.

These curls were then used to attach the 'U' to the 'U' above.  

Each of the 'U's in a row were attached with jump rings.

The main lesson learned was measure each link

accurately and try to bend all the 'U's the same

because although the finished article looks fine,

when it's lifted up it doesn't lay flat -

 so when wearing it, I become a Tarzan impersonator -

keep patting my chest to flatten the 'U's - lol!

As the lessons are held in a bead shop I've

been getting into the habit of buying a few things at

the end of each lesson (as you do!!)

Last week I bought a kit to make a Shaballa bracelet.

Once I'd worked out how to do the knots, these

were an absolute breeze to make.

This week I bought some little skull beads and 

made a bracelet for my niece and nephew for Halloween.

Whilst knotting the thread around one of the skulls,

I thought I could make a complete skeleton ....

I only did a few knots as you can see, but added a 

few additional glass beads.

I'm not normally a fan of skeletons or Halloween things,

but I do think he looks rather cute!

Wonder what I'll buy next week!

Jade Ladder Bracelet

Well, it's not Jade and it's not a ladder, 

but that's what I'm calling this bracelet I made

at this week's jewellery class -

Jade Ladder Braclet.

This was rather time consuming and a bit fiddly,

so I finished it off at home.

It started off with two lengths of chain 

(measuring around the wrist plus 3cm)

The two lengths were attached to a

jump ring and clasp.

Some wirework was involved - creating a little

coil at the end of some silver wire (16 gauge)

the wire was then threaded through one of the links

of one of the chains, beads added, threaded through

the other chain and another coil made to finished that 'step'

of the 'ladder' off.

As you can see, I found it a little difficult

lining up the two sides of the chain so each step

looks a bit on the wonky side!

When it's on though, it does look ok (I think!)

Here's the finished article.

Practice makes perfect, so I'll keep at it!

Thanks for looking :)

Jewellery Classes - the good and the bad!

Well, I'm exaggerating about 'the bad', but this

is what I made at last week's jewellery class

and it's my least favourite piece to date.

I don't wear much jewellery at all and this pendant

is something I definitely wouldn't wear.

That doesn't mean to say I don't like it, it's just

not what I'd wear.

On the plus side, I did enjoy making it -

it's a real shell (so I didn't make that - lol),

but I put together the beads on some cotton

and attached it to the shell (which had been pre-drilled

by the tutor) with jump rings.

I also attached the wire to the end of the leather thong

and attached the lobster clasp.

Now onto the good ....

This is what I made at this week's class and I think

it's something I would actually wear.

I didn't make the chain - that was given to us

fully formed (thank goodness!).

We had the choice of making a short necklace or a bracelet,

so I opted for the latter.

We had to prepare all the beads first - by attaching

them to 1.8 wire, forming loops and shapes and 

wire wrapping some of them, 

whichever and however we wanted.

  My shapes are a bit odd, but at least they're

all like it, so that's ok - lol!

All the beads were then attached to the chain -

 I used jump rings for them all although we were 

supposed to have formed the loops and shapes so they

could fit onto the chain without jump rings - oops!!

 

The finished bracelet is quite heavy and I love

the jingly sound of it!

Thanks for looking :)

 

Glow Girl Glow!

Yesterday we were going to a Golden Wedding Anniversary

celebration which didn't start until 4pm and on the way we

had to pass Bluewater - and what should be going on there

at the 'Glow' arena, but a craft show!

 

Prima Homemade - The Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show

Well, it really would have been rude not to pop in

and have a look - don't you agree!

So a couple of hours later out I came with the following goodies!

 Some wooden buttons 

('decorative laser cut embellishments)

from Button-It.

 Craft Pelmet Vilene and some sheets

of 'Tyvek'

from Kim Thittichai

Stamps, paints and tissue paper from

PaperArtsy

and as the show wasn't crowded I watched

a demo by Leandra all by myself -

Usually at AllyPally there is a huge crowd around her

so I was very lucky indeed.

  

 I also stocked up on some glues, ribbons

embossing folders, embellishments and stamps 

from the Portobello Road range by Papermania -

well I had to becase they were reduced and kept

calling me as I walked past - lol!

 Oh, a couple of packs of dried flowers

from the lovely ladies of the

The Pressed Flower Guild

Well, that's my birthday pressies from John sorted out

anyway - now I just need to find the time to play with them!