Saturday, November 24, 2012

Christmas Adornments and some wire work

Hello again,

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving and Black Friday.  Many of my friends and family took advantage of all the sales that were in progress.  Unfortunately, my husband and I didn't feel so hot so we remained home, in hopes of not spreading the virus to family and friends.

So in my time of recuperating, I have been looking through some of my books on beading (and watching Christmas movies, of course).  Which then got me in the mood to decorate.  Since all my home decorations are in the attic and I need help to get them down.  I could focus on working on jewelry which is decorations for us.  :)

Last year I wore a Crystal Tree that I got so many comments on.  I am hoping to design a few of my own holiday adornments.  But if you are not up to or don't have time to design your own, check out Beadin' Mon's saturday class called Christmas Earrings on December 1st, www.beadinmon.com/Classes.htm.  There are also lots of nice Christmas themed and inspired classes available too.

Lately, I have been playing with wire.  I so wanted to make a necklace using the pink ribbon bead that I used in my earring design.  So far, I have not come up with a solution that I am happy with. So I will keep on working on it.

Here is the Ribbon bead, I cut the wire too short, but I think
I'm headed in the right direction.

I originally wanted to dangle a bead from the center loop,
but again I had cut the wire too short.  And maybe add
some beads to jazz it up a bit.

Again, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.  If your hand crafting your gifts this year I hope you are able to achieve all that you set out to do.  

Remember to check out all the Christmas themed classes and the Christmas Earring Class at Beadin' Mon! www.beadinmon.com on December 1st.  I believe all the supplies are part of a kit, and I like kits because it's a great way to try something new without spending a heap of money.  

Until next time, have a great weekend and happy beadin'

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Inexpensive Ornament

Hello again Beading Fans,

It's getting that time of year again.  Thanksgiving is next week - the kick off to the Christmas season.  Over the last few years, my husband and I have been doing more making of homemade gifts instead of buying gifts.

We started doing that because most of our family members really didn't need anything and we thought it would be more special to make it from the heart.  And of course it helps the budget out too. Don't get me wrong, we do still purchase a few items, just not all of them.  Plus I really enjoy making gifts, It just makes Christmas feel more personal.

So here is something you can try.  It's inexpensive, fairly quick and easy to do.  I ran across these simple metal ornaments at the end of last season and picked these up for little money.  Of course I stashed them away for this year.  If I had thought about it, I could of made these up during the summer and be one step ahead for this year.

Anyway, here is what I did.



I picked out some seed beads that I had on hand and cut a length of wire.  I simply threaded the wire through the hole to anchor it.  Then I  randomly put the beads on the wire, twisting the wire together in a few places to hold all the beads in place. Curl the end of wire using the tip of your round nose pliers to finish the end off and keep all the beads in place.   Then I curled the beaded wire around a pencil to add a little movement to the ornament. If you don't have seed beads, you can use any beads you have on hand.

If you are in need of seed beads, stop by the shop and take a look at the selection of sizes, colors and styles.  Remember if you can't visit the shop, stop by our online shop at www.beadinmon.com and check out all the beads available.  

Hope you like my little ornament project and I look forward to seeing you after Thanksgiving.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving  and until next time, Happy Beadin' (gobble gobble) :)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Beaded Ornament

Hello Everyone,

A few days ago my husband asked me to mend a rip in his coat.  So I got out the needle and thread and did my best at making this repair.  Granted it's not as great as my Mom would of done (she was a seamstress) but it didn't look all that bad.  A few days later another repair on a different item needed to be sewn together.  This one at least looked a bit better.

So I got to thinking.  It has been a while since I have done any stitching work.  I decided to look through my unfinished beading projects to see what I could find.  Being that Christmas is just around the corner, I chose a kit that I picked up from Beadin' Mon! last year during the Christmas Holiday Season.

Kits are great.  I like kits because a few reasons, first they usually contain all the necessary beads and instructions needed to complete a project.  Another reason I like kits is that you get to try out or practice a  new technique.  The only problem I can think of is if you get stuck you have to wait till you go into the shop and ask for help.



Here is my ornament that I created from a kit.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I had done this technique before, but it had been awhile, so it became a refresher course for me.  And I got to thinking about my ornaments that I wanted to make for my family members.  I may be able to create my own design instead of looking for a pattern to purchase.  Well, I will think about this a bit longer.

Remember when working on bead stitching projects: make sure your thread is not "hung up" on any portion of your project.  I did catch a few of these while making this, but luckily I noticed pretty early and was able to fix it with no problems.

Well, I hope your liked my Christmas Ornament kit.  Remember to stop by Beadin' Mon! for all your beading supplies.  Or shop our online store at www.beadinmon.com.  So during this holiday season, I hope you take time to create some holiday cheer.  Until next time, Happy Beadin'

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Fixed Earrings

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to write about today.  I have so many projects in the works and waiting to be done it was overwhelming.  So today I decided to do something I have been meaning to do for quite a while. Fix a pair of earrings that I love.

Back before I started doing bead work I went with my step-mom to a craft show where I found a necklace and earring set that I absolutely loved...art deco in design and in a few shades of blue and of course sparkly.  Well, she went back in while I was look at something else and bought them for me as a birthday gift.

 I loved wearing them, but one day they necklace broke, but I was able to fix it with a jump ring.  Then the post on one earring busted clean off. I was so disappointed. What to do, luckily I was at Beadin' Mon! one day and saw posts for earrings. I asked how do I use these and bought  a pair.  I also bought some glue that is used in jewelry making and took them home.

I get distracted quite easy sometimes so of course these got set aside and forgotten.  So today, I figured you know I think I will finally fix my blue earrings and here they are.


So now my problem is.. do I break off the other post and replace it too or do I leave it till it happens naturally?   Thing is I really don't want to lose my earrings.  So I guess that answers my question.  I will clip off the old post as close to the base as possible and glue the new one in place. 

As I mentioned before, I purchased my replacement posts and glue from Beadin' Mon! and I got some valuable do it yourself fix your jewelry tips.  If you need some of your jewelry repaired stop by the shop and see if they have what they need. Or visit the online shop at www.beadinmon.com.   If not I'm sure they will be able to give you an alternate plan of attack or order the parts needed. 

Also remember Holiday season is just around the corner.  I have yet to find my ornament pattern that I want to make for family and friends this year.  I better get it in gear.  And I promise I will show my projects when finished.  Until next time, Happy Beadin'.