Cousin Corporation of America (CCA) sent me a lovely box full of Swarovski crystals from their new Create Your Style with Swarovski™ line due to hit A.C. Moore Crafts this month.
These pieces are so versatile you can mix them with so many different things. I love all things Swarovski. :) I'm partial I guess.
Well.....I really fell in love with the Swarovski Heliotrope heart pendant that was in the box. Each time I looked at it, I really felt drawn to pay homage to the Purple Heart medal. I did my research and found that the ribbon of the medal is purple with
white trim and has gold accents. So I decided to create a lovely "ribbon" using TOHO seed
beads in Heliotrope and Matte Opaque White. I wanted gold somewhere, so I decided on a gold chain necklace.
I found these lovely pavé beads with purple crystals from CCA's Jewelry Basics line. I wanted to incorporate them somehow, but the pavé beads didn't quite make it to the final design.
It was a definitely a learning curve since I had never done a decrease Peyote stitch before....How hard could it be, right? Apparently harder than it looked. I think I had to rip it apart about four times before it would come out right. The beauty of using TOHO beads is the large opening that allows for jump rings to slide in even with a ton of thread already in the bead.
After I got the first part done, I had to make a second flap so it would be able to slide on a chain. I stitched it all up along the sides leaving an opening for a thin chain to slide through.
I chose a thin 14 kt gold plated copper chain from CCA's Elegance Metal Line. I also put two of the purple crystals from the pave beads at the back connecting to a 14kt gold plated copper heart toggle also from the Elegance Metal line.
I have to say, I am very pleased with the way it turned out.
Jump rings are very important jewelry findings. They provide a means to connecting pieces that wouldn't ordinarily be able to connect. They can vary in sizes, gauges and styles. Your design will dictate which jump ring to use for each project. It can be confusing when trying to pick the right one especially when you are looking at Open, Closed, and Split jump rings. Hopefully, this post will help you choose the right one for your project.
Open Rings
Open Sesame: An open jump ring is one that has a cut in it that allows you open and close it as to connect pieces together. Open jump rings are used in Chainmaille designs and can be grouped in clusters.
To open a jump ring, use two sets of pliers (chain or flat nose). If you only have one set, you can hold the other side with your fingers or use a jump ring opener. When opening a jump ring, open with a twist. It's like a push/pull action. Push in one direction and pull in the other. Never open a jump ring by pulling the sides apart. It will warp the ring. To close it back, just twist. You should hear a slight grading of metal on metal when you close the jump ring correctly.
To use the Jump Ring Opener, slide it onto a finger on your non-dominant hand. Insert the jump ring into the closest fitting slot on the jump ring opener. Using
your chain nose pliers or fingers, gently open one side in a downward direction.
The tool will help you stabilize the jump rings while you work on them.
See the video below for more technique.
Closed Rings
Closed Up Shop: Closed jump rings have been soldered shut and have no way of opening them. These are perfect for adding dimension to dangle earrings. Use them as a connector for your eye pins and head pins to connect to. I use them as the an "eye" for clasps. When I have finished my beading, I slide the wire through the ring and crimp. It provides a more secure connection for the clasps. These can come in various styles and shapes and are often referred to as connector links.
Split Rings
Split Personality:
A split ring resembles a miniature key ring. Split rings provide a
stronger connection than open jump rings and offer an opening that
closed jump rings cannot. You can also use these for more secure
connections of charms on a charm bracelet. I find it has more stability and security than regular jump rings when attaching beading wire to a clasp.
There are a few ways to open them. The first way is to insert a fingernail to open a split ring and slide a head or eye pin
shaft to help you hold the spring ring open a you thread on your clasp, bail, or connector.
Once started, pull the pin out of the way, then finish twisting the split ring
on. The second way to open them is using a set of special pliers for split rings or a set of split ring tweezers.
To use a pair of split ring pliers or tweezers, place the split ring on the flat side. As you close the
pliers or tweezers, press the pointed side between the rings of the split ring.
Once you have a grip on the split ring, you can slide it around until
the end is securely open with room to add your charm, clasp, or whatever
else you may be attaching. Slide
the object that you are attaching to the split ring onto the open end.
Hold the object in your fingers and use flat nose pliers to work the
split ring around to the other side, where the object will dangle
freely.
Check out the video below. For more information.
My hope is that this information will help you choose the right jump ring for the right project. Happy beading!
As in a previous post, I have begun bead embroidery. I have to say, I AM TOTALLY ADDICTED! After I made my mom's lovely for her birthday (she totally cried by the way when she opened it), I have made two more pieces.
I love the earthiness of Tiger's Eye and decided to use it in my next two pieces.
I did a little different bezel for the stone on these pieces than the first one. On the first one, I did a back stitch method. On these pieces, I used even count Peyote stitch. I can't decide which one I like better. I can see flaws in this photograph. I didn't have any obvious flaws showing in the back stitch method.
Attaching those spines was an interesting adventure to say the least. :)
I love the design I came up with for the "chain" part of the necklace. It is a combination of ladder and brick stitches. I like how these oval Tiger's Eye beads look like candy.
On this next piece, I went simplistic. I again used the Even Count Peyote stitch for the bezel. Instead of a basic beaded edge, I went with a picot edge which turned out very lovely. I woven a bail for it as well so I could put it on a chain.
The stitching is much better for this one.
Still a few wobbles around the edge, but all in all a very lovely piece.
Materials used were:
Toho 11/0 Round in Galvanized Gold and Matte Opaque Soft Brown
Toho 15/0 Round in Matte Opaque Oxblood
Toho 6/0 Round in Bronze
Cousin Bead Basics 11/0 Matte Brown and 6/0 in Amber/Bronze
Toho 9mm Bugle Beads in Antique Bronze
Bead Treasures Tiger's Eye 6mm rounds and 25mm x 17mm oval
Bead Treasures 11/0 Czech Glass in 14 kt Gold Plated Crystal
Tiger's Eye Cabochons: 30mm x 40mm and 25mm x 18mm
Tiger's Eye Bead Chips
Cousin's Elegance Metal 14 kt Gold Plated Jump Rings, Link Chain, and Clasp
Nicole's Bead Backing
Suede Leather
22 gauge Red Brass Wire
Beadalon's Wildfire Braided Beading Thread in both Crystal and Smoke
NYMO thread in Peach
Size 12 English Beading Needle
White Craft Glue
iLuv
provides ready-made jewelry with an attitude. Whimsical stretch rings
add fashion flair. Colorful chain and rhinestone necklace and bracelet
sets are paired with charms to show off the current pop culture trends.
iLuv has a sense of humor and is great for self-expression, party
favors, or gifting.
As I promised in a previous post, here are some lovely project ideas using Cousin Corporation's 'Tis the Season line that will come available on October 4th at your localA.C. Moore. You can also find these items now at Prima Bead.
We are half way to Christmas already. The holiday season is about to smack us square in the face. There is some wonderful crafting new to share about Christmas. Cousin is about to roll out a new line to stores in just a few days called 'Tis The Season. It is filled with lovely Christmas themed charms, glittery beads, tiny jingle bells, and tons of ideas. There are rings specifically made for wine glass charms too with this line. It's enough to get your creative juices flowing and be ahead of the game when Christmas parties comes around.
The Creative Circle Ambassadors were the first to receive the line so we could play around with it. Delving into this lot really got me in the Christmas spirit. And yes, I got a bit carried away. Below you will find a video tutorial for some really simple and cute ornaments using this line as well as a few pictures of the items I made.
Received this just a few moments ago and wanted to share the excitement!
INNOVATIVE CONCEPT IN JEWELRY KITS DEBUTING ON HSN’S “24 HOURS OF CRAFTS”
New Approach Lets You Create a Style Then Interchange Pieces for a Different Style the Next Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LARGO, Fla., September 10, 2012 – Imagine instantly changing your jewelry to fit your mood, style or wardrobe with just a few pieces at your fingertips. The Make the Connection line, a new approach to customized jewelry, will let you effortlessly switch up your look when two exclusive kits premier on HSN, HSN.COM and via HSN mobile on Thursday, September 13, 2012.
The Make the Connection kits contain several different jewelry components with a simple ring clasp on each end that instantly connect the components, creating a seamless necklace or bracelet that can be changed again and again, reflecting your personality, style or outfit.
The two Make the Connection kits making their debut on HSN and hsn.com are Everyday, designed to be colorful and on-trend, and Formal, designed to have a timeless, elegant feel. More than 30 combinations can be created from each style kit for only $19.95 each kit.
Make the Connection designer Michelle Simpson knows being stylish can be time-consuming and expensive and created the kits for HSN to help solve the ongoing fashion dilemma.
“Imagine putting on an outfit and knowing you can create a complementing piece of jewelry in seconds, and then creating a different piece every day for a month, all from the same kit. Make the Connection is about simplicity and variety at a value,” says Simpson.
Make the Connection will inspire jewelry lovers of all ages who want to complement their wardrobe with personalized jewelry without the expense of buying multiple bracelets and necklaces. For more information about Make the Connection on HSN, join the conversation on Facebook at Make the Connection on HSN.
This week I am featuring author, jewelry blogger, and bead enthusiast Lisa
Crone. Lisa is also a Cousin Creative Circle Ambassador for this
2012-2013 session.
Meet Lisa:
"I've been happily designing beaded jewelry for over 20 years. Yes, I'm a
serious bead fanatic and enjoy learning new techniques from other bead
enthusiasts through books, magazines and classes or improvising as I go!
I've started this blog as part of writing my jewelry making book, A Bead in Time,
as requested by the publishing company, F+W Media (North Light Books). I
never knew it would lead to years of daily blogging and so many
wonderful new relationships! I'm eternally grateful!
I love sharing in the fun of the online beading community! I typically
showcase beads, techniques, projects, bead artists, designers and
crafters."
A Bead in Time is perfect for beaders of all skill levels who want to make their jewelry more personal.
A wealth of step-by-step projects offers clear instruction on a wide
range of beading and jewelry techniques, including wire wrapping, peyote
stitch, using memory wire, macrame and more!
Each project begins with a discussion on the inspiration for the piece, including a photo depicting that specific inspiration.
Tips and tricks will show you how to design pieces based on your own
life - a unique twist to most beading and jewelry making books.
Patty lives in New York with her adoring husband Anthony. She is the proud mom of two children and ecstatic grandmother to four grandchildren. Her family is her biggest supporters. Patty's fascination with jewelry began when she was a child. She would played with her mother's costume jewelry all the while wanting it all apart to make something new. At
that moment, her love for jewelry making was born.
Jewelry making is very uplifting to her, providing a greater sense of purpose. Beading
and instructing are her passions. Patty teaches at her local Michaels craft store as a Certified Bead Corner Design Academy Instructor. Her mission is to demonstrate to others that making
jewelry is rewarding and ever-evolving. Patty is grateful for her students because
they allow her to share her passion with them.
Patty's style and technique is ever evolving. She is a wire wrapping artist as well as venturing into resin and crystal clay jewelry making.
Recently, Patty Squillante was chosen by Cousin Corporation of America as on of their Creative Circle Ambassadors. As an ambassador, Patty will have the opportunity to share her unique take on jewelry designs with the product development team at Cousin, preview upcoming programs and and provide feedback on products before they are available to the public.
This week's featured designer is Dr. Gail H. Devoid, Ph.D. of Need for Beads. Let's meet Gail:
Gail began jewelry making by learning to loom with beads. She is proficient in a variety of seed beads stitches as well as bead crochet, chainmaille weaves and wire wrapping. Gail has had one of her patterns published in Issue 4 of Bead-patterns.com magazine. Bead-patterns.com also recognized Gail as a designer in May 2006 by naming her Designer of the Month. She has also co-hosted a live Internet radio show called The Jewelry Connection.
Dr. Devoid teaches techniques at the Bead Society of New Hampshire and has taught classes at Michaels as well as private classes. Gail not only offers designer jewelry on her website, but includes beads, beading supplies, and patterns. She also has free tutorials on both her website and YouTube.
Gail was chosen as a Cousin Corporation of America Creative Circle Ambassador this year. Her place as an ambassador has positioned her to have a platform in which she can share her knowledge and expertise with the Cousin product development team. Gail will also be able to preview upcoming programs as well as provide feedback on new products before they hit the market.
You can connect with Dr. Gail H. Devoid with the following links: http://needforbeads.blogspot.com/
