Anthro Knock-Off - Cameo Collage Necklace

Anthro Knock-Off
Cameo Collage Necklace Photo and Project by
Flamingo Toes

What's not to like about this Anthro knock-off created by Bev at Flamingo Toes? It's part charm bracelet, part necklace and a whole lot of whimsy.

Gather up all your charms (I would include some of my vintage ones), some jump rings and ready made chain and you are ready to go.

But wait -- there's more! You could make this a two in one project simply adding closures to the end of one of the chain segments so you could attach it to the rest of necklace and Voila! -  a double strand necklace or a single strand necklace and a charm bracelet.

So many possibilities with this one.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Necklace Length Chart

Did you know that a collar length necklace is 14 to 17 inches long? Or, that a rope is 37 inches or longer? Well, now you do and you can also learn what the lengths of other necklaces are with this handy little chart from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Necklace Length Chart
by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Click HERE to get an easy to print version that you can print (and laminate) to put in your studio for easy reference.

Now go bead something.

Carnelian

Carnelian (not cornelian as is so often spelled) is a semi-precious gemstone ranging in color from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration. It is most commonly mined in Brazil, India, Siberia, and Germany. Considered a variety of chalcedony, most favored pieces are a deep red to red-orange hue.

Carnelian has a long and storied past and was once considered strictly the property of the noble class. In fact, people holding a high social status were often buried with this treasured gemstone. 

Photo by the Crystal Vault

It is a pretty sturdy stone - in Roman times, it was often used to make signet rings - and rates a 7 on the Moh's scale, so you can use Carnelian to create pieces that will get some wear.

Metaphysically, Carnelian is an energy booster. It also helps the insecure person to find strength within them so they can come into their own. Carnelian also -

• protects from bad vibrations
• guards against poverty
• helps give a sense of humor
• calms the temper
• increases your appetite

So if you need some pep in your step - consider carrying a piece of carnelian with you - or even better, make a cool little bracelet and wear that.

For more information about Carnelian and other gems, click HERE.

Now go bead something.

May 2014 Meeting Happenings

So what goes on at the monthly HBS meetings?

Speakers like artist Selven O'Keef Jarmon, an artist who lived in South Africa for seven years and is responsible for starting a huge art installation named 360 Degrees Vanishing at the Art League of Houston. According to Art League's website, 360 Degrees Vanishing "addresses the gradual disappearance of the beading culture within South Africa in particular, as well as the vanishing parts of various cultures that are taken for granted but have been disappearing from our everyday lives. 360 Degrees Vansihing re-imagines the possibilities of how a traditional medium, such as beading, can be re-visioned and re-activated by placing it in a new context and landscape. This project is an international cultural exchange with South Africa and ALH is working with the South African Government as well as the Craft and Cultural Hub of the Eastern Cape and the South African Cultural Minister's Office." For more information about this installation, click HERE to visit the Art League's website.

HBS President Lillian Skogsberg and
Artist Selven O'Keef Jarmon discussing plans
for his huge public bead art installation at the Art League of Houston

HBS Vice President Patti Berg
Teaching Right Angle Weave  (RAW) to members

HBS Members learning Right Angle Weave (RAW).
Most members got a great start on a really
lovely RAW bracelet.

HBS Librarian Diane Mayes and
HBS Newsletter Editor Katy Edwards are
up to some beady something or other.

And, of course, there's always shopping for beads, tools and other bead necessities from our monthly member vendors.

Want to join in on the fun? Our next meeting is on Saturday, June 21, 2014. Check out our website or this blog for information on location and the program.

Now go bead something.

Loft Inspired Rings and Pink Beads Necklace

Not too long ago, I post a project where someone had created a bracelet using this same technique. Now, one of my favorite creative bloggers - Bev at Flamingo Toes has come up with the necklace.

Check it out!

Loft Rings and Pink Beads Necklace
Project and Photo by Flamingo Toes

Like the bracelet, I love that this necklace has a biker chic, yet feminine look about it. And, you can change up the look simply by changing the beads - round beads, square beads, glass beads, gemstones, pearls - the world is your oyster when it comes to making choices.

Click HERE to get all the instructions and make it your own.

Now go  bead something.

Crocheted Beaded Bracelet

Before you go off saying you can't do bead crochet - and, believe me, I hear you because I have tried and tried and have been able to crochet only two ropes, you have to check out this project.

Bead Crochet Bracelet and Photo by
by Alice at Futuregirl

You only need to know how to single crochet and Alice has some good close-up pictures of the technique. If you don't know how to crochet, there are plenty of videos and tutorials out there for you to check out.

This bracelet is way easier to do - provided you already know a little crochet - than the intricate bead crochet ropes you've seen. If you're not particularly fond of this color combination (me neither); you can try creating this project in your own favorite color combination.

Click HERE to see how to do it.

Now go bead something.

Leather and Lace Bracelet

Love and marriage, chocolate and cake, boots and pants all go together. And, now you can add leather and lace to the list - like in this cool biker chic bracelet by Flamingo Toes.

Leather and Lace Bracelet
Project and Photo by Flamingo Toes

Sweet and innocent, yet kinda wild is what this project is all about. And, although, Bev of Flamingo Toes uses glue to put together her ready made leather bracelet with lace and a word blank, I would bring out my hammer and rivets and rivet it on. But, you do what you do best and just make one. If you are handy with a jeweler's saw you could also customize it with your beloved's or one of your children/grandchildren's names or your favorite inspiration word.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

MAY MEETING - NEW LOCATION

May Meeting - New Location:
Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 10:00 am
Independent Bank Building
750 Bering Drive

First Floor Conference Room

Directions:

Driving South on 610 (towards Galleria), take the Woodway/Memorial Dr. exit and make a right on Woodway (away from Memorial Park). Take Woodway for about about 1 to 1.5 miles to Bering Dr. and make a left (Bering is the next light after Chimney Rock). Then drive about one half mile to 750/800 Bering Dr. which is on your right. If you pass up Kelsey Seybold Clinic on Sugar Hill Road you just barely missed it. The conference room is located on the 1st floor, 750 Bering Dr. When you enter the building, go left and you will see the conference room on your left hand side.

Parking:
You can park in front of the 800 Bering building which is immediately next door to 750 Bering Dr. If it is full, you can park on the 2nd floor of the parking garage located in the back of the 800 Bering building (use driveway on the left side of the building), then walk over to 750 Bering Dr. which is the Independent Bank building next door. The numbered spaces are fine, but please do not park in a space marked "Reserved."

Program: Right Angle Weave (RAW) with Patti Berg:
Supplies to bring:

• Size 11 seed beads
• Small beads: 3-4mm crystals
• Button for the clasp
• Size 10 or 12 needle
• Beading thread of your choice, i.e., Nymo D or Fireline 
• Beading mat

DIY Jewelry Pouch

Yikes! Summer is almost here - which means good news (vacations) and bad news (hellish weather). I'm definitely okay with the vacation part, the hellish part - not so much. In fact, not at all.

But, if you're planning a vacation (or even starting to pack for one already), what do you do with the jewelry you plan on taking with you to wear? Do you just toss it in plastic bags and throw in a suitcase? Yeah - probably. But, why do that when there are much more simpler, elegant and safer ways of packing your bling?

Why carry around all your handmade beaded jewelry in plastic bags, when you can make this lovely Jewelry Pouch from Make It Handmade and then pop it in your carry-on or even your purse.

The Perfect Pouch
Project and Photo by Make It Handmade

So many of you bead and sew or quilt, so I'm sure many of you already have everything you need to create you own.

Make it sophisticated (think silks, satins) or as whimsical (think cottons, etc.) as you like, but go make one.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Free Until Sunday - Garden Bracelet Pattern

Check out this gorgeous Garden Bracelet by Around the Beading Table!

Garden Bracelet
Photo and Project by Around the Beading Table

Best of all - the pattern is free - until Sunday, May 11th that is.

So click HERE to get your free pdf pattern (remember you'll need Adobe Reader to download the document).

Now go bead something.

Crochet Wish Bracelet

I really adore the sentiment behind this Crochet Wish Bracelet by Chilly Dog!

It appears that the idea behind this project is that you when you tie the bracelet onto your wrist, you make a wish. And since it is made with hemp, over time the hemp naturally weakens. When it wears through and the beads fall off, your wish is released and will come true.

Crochet Wish Bracelet
Photo and Project by The Chilly Dog

But - guess what? You don't really need to know how to crochet - just how to chain (and that is super duper easy). Best of all, Chilly also includes video instructions on how to create your own. I just love video tutorials.

If it was me...I would add a large bead for myself in the middle, a smaller one for every child (and/or grandchild) in the color of their birthstone on each side; then, I would make a wish for each one of them. Hey, come to think of it that would make a pretty sweet Mother's Day gift!

You're welcome.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Easy Wire Wrapped Ring

Wire Wrapped Ring
Project and Photo by Jewelry From Home

I don't usually wear a lot of rings, but sometimes I see a cute ring project that I just might not only make, but wear too.

This super simple, wire-wrapped ring by Jewelry From Home is just one of those projects. Best of all, it uses a ready made ring blank to begin with and some already bezeled stones. In fact, if you're a collector of vintage jewelry, you can probably nab a stone or two from your stash to use in this project.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Oceanside Opulence Earrings

Sometimes you want the blingity, bling, bling and sometimes you want a simple pair of earrings. Most of the times, I opt for simple and this lovely pair of earrings, in one of my favorite color combinations, fits the ticket.

Ocean Opulence Earrings by Margot Potter for Beadalon
Photo by favecrafts.com

Simple wire wrapping techniques using a large focal bead, some pearls and branch coral (and who doesn't need some inspiration to work with branch coral?) are all you need to create your own pair of Oceanside Opulence Earrings. However, this is such a basic technique that you could add any combination or type of beads that you want. How about a large, black crystal and creamy pearls, omit the branch coral and repeat the crystal bunch from the top for a pair of over the top earrings that you can wear with your simple black dress. Or, how about some resin bezels as your focal bead or a large white pearl or .... the possibilities are endless with this design.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Cluster Drop Earrings

I love making charms - mostly because they are just plain easy to make; but, also because they are a good way to use up leftover or orphaned beads and pieces of wire, eye or head pins.

Cluster Drop Earrings by Beadstudio
Photo by favecrafts.com

And, these Cluster Drop Earrings created by Beadstudio are the perfect opportunity to use up all those orphaned charms. Sure, they used all the same beads for a more uniform, sophisticated look; but, you could just as easily substitute all those one of a kind dangles for a completely different and unique look. No large crystal focal beads? No, problem - just use a large resin bezel or any other large bead instead.

All it takes is a couple of rings, eye pins, ear wires and, of course, beads! Everything you should already have in your bead studio.

Click HERE to get all the easy how tos.

Now go bead something.

How to Bead a Round Rivoli to Make It Look Square

I have to admit, this technique is pretty clever. Sidonia shows you how to create a square out of a circle - a square beaded rivoli out of a round rivoli that is.

How to Bead a Round Rivoli to Make it Look Like
a Square Rivoli by Sidonia
Still Shot from her YouTube Video

And, the results are pretty spectacular looking too, don't you think? Best of all, the directions are in a video with close up shots that is over 30 minutes long.

So, what can you do with this lovely now square beaded rivoli? Make it a focal in your next necklace, attach it to a peyote band and wear it as a ring even make a number of these for a spectacular bracelet.

What would you do with this piece?

Click HERE to get all the directions.

Now go bead something.