Summer Necklace

I've had this nice turquoise wood focal for awhile. I wanted to put a red bead on it, but there just wasn't anything right in my stash. So instead it got a purple bead and a tassel.  The purple bead is "Mountain Jade" and the little turquoise ones are magnesite.

Arizona Green Tea Necklace

This is the can that started me on the pop can series.  I love the graphics on it. The little blossoms against the blue-green background would make lovely art or a great wall paper.

This time I mounted the pop can pieces in bezels.  They look much more finished that way.
I got stuck on the larger bezels. The outside dimension is 3/4 inch. I thought 5/8 inches would work as the inner dimension. Nope. I had to cut them down by hand to make them fit.  I still have enough left from one can to make some more stuff.

Bamboo Tile Necklaces

You can find these bamboo tiles here and there. Mine are from a place mat where they were all strung together.  The tiles are about the same size as a domino and have two holes drilled top to bottom.
I decorated the tiles with paper or stickers and ran a narrow cord through the holes to make a pendant.  The only jewelry findings I needed were jump rings to hang the dangles.  Easy Peasy !

Matchbox Necklaces

I got this idea from a book quite awhile ago. Enhance a matchbox and wear it as a pendant.  An advantage is that a matchbox is soft cardboard that is easily manipulated with a paper punch or even a sewing needle.  To me, the most intriguing question is : what is in the matchbox ?  You can put in a special keepsake, image, or even a tiny booklet. Naturally, you don't wear it open, but the item is there, close to your heart.  I made one for myself with my Father's picture inside.

 

Paper Beads Necklaces

I started this project way back here  with my paper bead tutorial.

Now I have completed necklaces to show you.  Because the beads have nice big holes I used mostly twine for stringing.

Orange Soda Necklace

This piece marks the start of a series for me. I have always been impressed when artists say something like that.  Now I got to say it. What a series means in this case is that I haven't done all the stuff I want to yet.


This is the pop can series.  I have been wanting to try metal work for awhile, but I'm reluctant to mess up the expensive  bits of metal that I bought. Instead I am going to experiment on the humble aluminum can and see what I can do.  It is also *way* more crafty to make something out of a pop can.

Cool, refreshing, bright, bubbly  and very very summer.

Spiky Necklace

Sometimes a project comes from within. Other times it is the material that calls out to me.   This is not my style at all, but these acrylic spikes just called my name.  I can see someone wearing these with a hot black dress while they are out clubbing.


The materials all come from Fire Mountain .

Simple Flower Necklace

I bought the focal flower for this so long ago I don't even remember what it is made from.
Anyway I strung it up for my Mom and here it is.

St Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day usually sneaks up on me. One day I'm out and oops !  I am not wearing my green.   I seem to remember from childhood that some people would pinch you if you weren't wearing green.

Here is a bunch of easy St Patrick's Day jewelry that will keep you out of trouble.


First, an emerald green bracelet.

Next, a charm on a green ribbon.

Last, little charms on a bit of chain.

Wooden Bead Necklace

This necklace has ethnic wooden beads and a few antiqued metal beads  strung on a leather cord.
It is in the casual jewelry category.  You can't see it in this picture, but the necklace is adjustable. I found a wooden bead that the two strands of leather fit just perfectly. Just pull on the bead to lengthen or shorten your necklace.

Belated Valentines Day

Actually, I got these out on time, but didn't get the post done.  I had several of these Swarovski heart pendants around.  It was the work of just a few minutes to add a jump ring and chain. They are a little gift for my favorite waitresses.

Book Page Paper Beads

I was being read to before I could sit up. I was "reading" (actually reciting while turning pages) by age three.  Books to me are almost sacred. They are treated with care, never torn or dog-eared.
So, when I saw books and book  pages used in crafts, I immediately wanted to use books, but I just couldn't mess up a book. Any book.  After long soul searching, (really !) I finally bought a big, old, book that was clearly past its useful life.   Just to be sure, and to honor the book one last time I read a good bit of it.  Now, I have hundreds of book pages to use any way I choose, plus a lot of interesting pictures, maps, and illustrations.

This old book was published in 1911 as a combination encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, and guide for home schooling. It is nothing if not ambitious. It is also a remarkably thrifty item destined to be a family's perhaps only book. I just love the concept, if not the execution.

Here are some book page beads. I love to read the few words that show up on a bead and imagine the rest of the sentence.

Here is the necklace I made with them.  It also has dumotierite and brass beads.

Paper Bead Necklace

With beads already made, stringing up a necklace is quick and fun. I made these for a friend.

I am working on a new batch of paper beads and I can hardly wait to share them with you.

Bead Necklace

Just a quick post today. The large green beads are wood. they are strung on a black cord along with brass beads and black rubber Oh rings.

Ribbon Neckaces

I was delighted to find these large hole cultured pearls at Fire Mountain . The knotted organza ribbon and the pearls make a nice contrast.

The rosettes are aluminum.

The last two are acrylic beads