Turquoise Beaded Necklace

Hi there!  I have been super busy doing some fun crafts, and for some reason I just didn’t get anything posted last week.  Oops!  Sorry about that.  Today I did a giant photo shoot and am writing a whole bunch of posts today to schedule out for the next couple weeks.  So I should be around at least this week.

And as weird as it sounds, this necklace that Cinderella wear is the inspiration for this necklace. 

I

got these beads for my birthday back in June, but with the move, I never used them.  So here I am, in January using my birthday present.  I made a simple necklace with small spacer beads between each turquoise bead.  Because I didn’t have enough beads to fill the whole necklace, I placed them all into the center and secured each end with crimp beads so the beads wouldn’t slide to the back of the necklace.

Here’s a picture of me wearing it, and I don’t normally wear it in this color combo, but I didn’t want to change my outfit just for a blog picture.  Keepin’ it real.  And maybe I’ll wear it like this sometime because I kind of like the contrast! :)
That’s all I’ve got for you today! 
Thanks for reading.
~Lynette~

How to Make Beaded Watch Bands Using Beads as Spacers

Hi there!  I’ve got a non-sewing tutorial for you today.  I needed a bit of a breather, and since beads were my first crafty endeavor, here we go again.

I’m going to show you how I made this watch band. (They were super popular a couple years ago, and still are…I just never made them.  I was given one from my student teaching cooperating teacher, and now I’m hooked!) 

If you’ve noticed most watch bands, they have silver pieces divide each section of the watch band.  They are called spacers.

And I couldn’t find any in my area…or 400 miles away from my home either (although I didn’t look very hard because I was spending over $100 on just fabric…more on that later).

So I decided to improvise.

I used other beads to act as the spacers, and I came up with this fun look.

You’ll need: 

Claw Clasps (I have used small, but I got bigger this time)

Stretchy Cord- I use 1.0 mm, but I think I’d like to go a tad smaller next time I buy it for using smaller holed beads.  I’ve heard that .8mm works well, but I couldn’t find it when I was hastily looking.

Super Glue

Scissors, beads, a brain

Ready, Set, Go!

Cut a piece of string.  I can’t tell you how long, because you’ll have to figure it out according to your wrist size.  And because we’ll be using beads as our spacers, add on several inches to that for safety’s sake.  The first band I made was barely long enough for my husband to tie.

Take two of your clasps, and form a bead sandwich like so.  You’ll want to you either 2-3 small beads, or one kind of short/long one.  Trial and error baby.

This is important.  See how both of the hooky things where you open them are facing the same way?  I didn’t think about this the first time I made a band, and ALL FOUR clasps were set differently…may need to chop that one up and fix it.  So pay attention.

String beads any way you like. 

Big, small, chunky, matchy-matchy, pattern, or spontaneous. 

It’s up to you.

When you’re about 1/3 done with your band, slip on one of the beads you’ll be using for your spacers.  (Pre-test the beads to make sure you can slip 2 pieces of the string through your beads.  Some beads may not have a big enough hole.)

Now take the other string, and slip it through the bead to make a loop.  Confused?  Have no fear, I took more pictures of the process on the 2nd spacer of this band.  Stay tuned.

Pull tight, and you’re 1/3 of the way!

Add more beads until you’re 2/3 of the way.  This middle section should be your longest section by the way.  The other two are kinda short.

 

Slip on that ‘spacer’ bead. 

Then take the other string and put it through the other end of the bead.  Does that picture help?  Thought it might!

Pull those two strings, and you’re 2/3 done with this thing!

Put on more beads until you’ve got it to the size you want.  Then make another clasp sandwich, making sure the hooky things are facing the same side as the OTHER clasps on the other end. (Sorry, forgot a picture of this part!  Oops!)

Then tie a square knot (right over left, left over right).  Then I tied one more right over left, just for fun.  Then I spaced the beads out like this, super glued it, and kept my hands there to take a pic for you. (I was terrified of getting super glue on me by the way!  But I made it.)

Let the super glue dry, cut the ends of your string close to the knot, and wear it out to walk to the mailbox (that’s where I’m headed!)

~Lynette~

TUTORIAL: "Knot" Your Average Necklace

Hello there!  Since I made the Washer Necklace, I've had more inspiration of necklaces with ribbon.  Here's a ribbon necklace with wooden beads, with knots to add color.  I had wanted a pink and brown necklace for a couple years, and finally found the perfect combination.

To make your own, you'll need:

Beads (They can be whatever you want, I used left over wooden ones from this project)

Scissors

Wire (I used 24 gauge from Lowe's)

60 inches Ribbon (give or take a few inches is fabulous!)

lighter

OPTIONAL:  Bead Design Board

 First, take the ends of your ribbon and cut it to taper from skinny to fat, as shown.  Use a lighter to seal the edges so they don't fray on you.

Now we need to make a needle big enough for your ribbon to fit through.  Cut a piece of wire (I didn't even measure it, but I'm guessing about 5-6 inches long).  Take one end to make a loop large enough to fit your ribbon through.  Twist the ends so the loop is attached to the long piece. (See picture to minimize confusion).

Thread your ribbon through your "needle."

 Arrange your beads however you'd like.  

(I used a bead design board to show how on the tutorial, but RARELY use it.  The nice thing about them is that they help you know how long your necklace is before you start stringing.)  

 Now you'll start stringing, starting with the bead(s) in the very MIDDLE.  Make sure you get the middle of the necklace at the middle of your ribbon. (I didn't do this, and had to make a few minor adjustments at the end).

When you'd like, tie a knot to keep the beads from sliding.  I mainly did this for a splash of pink, but it serves many purposes.  You can do it wherever you'd like!  I did one in some places, and three in other places.

Keep stringing and tying knots until you reach the end of one side.  Then thread your ribbon on the other side and follow your pattern on the finished side.

Once your finished, try it on and see how you like it.  I ended up taking several beads off because I wanted more ribbon showing.  Just play with it and get it to be the way you'd like!

There ya have it, your own knotted ribbon necklace!

Let me know if you have any questions, and for sure send me a link if you try it yourself!

I'm linking up with

somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Beaded Napkin Rings

This is a little idea I found at a store and decided that I could make my own.  I am planning on using them for Christmas gifts for some family members.  Here's a sneak peak of a couple types I've made.  I'm planning on 3 sets, and I've got 2 done!  Hooray!

Necklace Bliss!

Last fall, I decided that I wanted to learn how to make beaded necklaces because I was not in school OR working due to us moving every couple of months.  So I learned to do some cool things!  This is the first necklace I made.  

(I'm sorry if the pictures aren't the best.  I'm not a photographer by any means, and you should have seen how high the nail was that these babies were hanging on compared to how short I am!)

  TADA! (yes, I agree it's kind of random)

I kept trying new ideas, and looking at different books and websites and stores for inspiration, and got the hang of it.  My favorite type is to make a necklace out of 3 or more wires, and then braid the wire place a bead on 2 wires while one is left out.  Here's a few that I've made.

 

The necklace below is one of my most recent creations and my current favorite.  (I change favorites nearly weekly). :)

At one point I was entertaining the idea of selling some of these, but I ended up falling in love with so many that I wanted to keep them all  it didn't really work out. :)  If you have any questions on how to make your own stuff, feel free to ask!