Category: Making Something New

1. What to do with leftover beads?

   Posted on 1:30pm Tuesday 5th Mar 2013

   I've got a plastic bead container on my workdesk and whenever I finish a project, I pop the leftover beads into it. Sometimes I buy beads in bulk, it all depends on what I'm making, but generally I buy only the beads I need. I hate to waste things, so unless you've planned to make several projects with your stash of beads, those leftover beads are just going to sit there.

   Well, last weekend was my mother-in laws 70th birthday lunch. I had the outfit, black dress, jacket and heels. I wanted to make a necklace with a bit of colour and sparkle, to brighten up my outfit.

   I went to my spare bead container and choose a selection of yellow glass beads, blue AB faceted beads and also added some gold filigree beads and some gold plated chain. I always think the colour gold is a strong contrast against the colour black.

   I got to work, I wanted to make a statement necklace, I had an idea how I wanted it to look and I'm pleased to say, it turned out exactly how I thought it would.

   Here is the statement necklace I made.

   

   

   My necklace received lots of compliments and I love the way it drapes when I am wearing it.

   I've talked about my leftover beads, but I know all you crafters out there must have leftover supplies from a project you have completed, whether it be fabric, card e.t.c.

   Drop me a line and let me know how you made use of what you had spare, I'd love to know.

   x

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2. Bead Woven Earrings

   Posted on 1:30pm Tuesday 26th Feb 2013

   I mentioned previously that I was going try my hand at making a pair of bead woven earrings, well instead of making one pair, I made two pairs of earrings.The first pair was made with 6mm gold glass pearl beads and also green and clear seed beeds. I used a nylon thread to sew the beads into this bead wreath pattern.

   

   I made the second pair of earrings below, using what is called the right angle weave beading technique, as the beads lie at a right angle to each other. I used 4mm Swarovski Red Siam bicone beads and clear seed beads, again I used a nylon thread. Once I made one earring, the next one was fairly easy to make. 

    

   Both of these earrings were not as hard to make as I thought they would be. I will be attemping to try other designs, as I've really enjoyed making these and bead woven jewellery, is something I'd like to continue making in the future.

    

3. Cross Weave Bracelet

   Posted on 3:25pm Tuesday 19th Feb 2013

   I've always want to make a cross weave bracelet and I like to read beading magazines in my spare time, which is not very often. They always have jewellery designs that you can try and make yourself and some of the designs are truly amazing. I'm always looking for my next project to work on, at the moment,  I'm fascinated by bead weaving, if your not sure about what beadweaving is, it's creating jewellery, using small seed beads, small beads, thread or nylon cord.

    

   I'm hoping to go to a beadclub in my local area, not far from where I live, after the Easter break. In the mean time I thought I'd try a to make a bracelet, using seed beads and pearls, I'm not ready for the tiny seed beads projects like the ones above yet. I followered a tutorial I found on the internet and took my time to follow it.

   Here is the result

    

   

   

   It's made with pale blue 6 mm glass pearl beads, clear seed beads, which you can see in between the pearls and on the ends. A clear illusion cord was used for the weaving. It took me roughly about an hour to make, it was a bit fiddly to get the hang of the pattern, sequence and tiny beads at first, but ok afterwards. I really enjoyed beadweaving this bracelet, I think I must of held my breath while making, because I was concentrating soo much.

   I am hoping to make something else soon, maybe a pair of earrings, you'll have to wait and see.

   What new projects have you started recently and did it turn out how you thought it would?  

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