Black and Green Mermaid Necklace

It's a special time of year - a time of year were it is not only acceptable to play dress up in public, it is rather expected and celebrated. For me - I love playing dress up and embrace pretty much any reason to do so. It also means this girl needs a new costume and all the trimmings (yes, any reason for a new outfit is a good one) and I have been working on the pieces that will make my whole costume complete and will be sharing the process.

I needed a new necklace for to go with my new outfit and decided to use a mermaid charm that I had gotten a few years ago at the Renaissance Faire a few years ago, some green seed beads (yes, the beads from  that package I picked up at the dollar store just keep showing up), and black wire and jewelery making bits.

SNake Bracelet

This was a gift a friend made. She makes all sort of jewelry designs from wire. (The snake was one of my favorites, without question.)

Jewelry Bowls

We are surrounded by things that can be given new life and made into something else. I made these jewelry themed bowls, the perfect size and theme to hold rings, other jewelry or change on your dressing table or dresser (I love little things like this).

One of the best parts - everything was from stuff I already had around the house. (And it's even recycled! How can you not love?)

This is a rather easy project that uses paper mache' techniques to create, with drying time taking up the most of the time. Just a little patience is all it takes.

Supplies
* a glass bowl or other container, any size (to use as a mold) - (for this project I used small glass bowls from our cupboard that are were about four inches across and often used for dips or fruit in out house)
* plastic wrap (to cover the mold)
* white glue or Mod Podge (something that will dry clear and secure everything together smoothly)
* old paint brush (for use with glue) - paint brushes are awesome to use with paint or decoupage
* desired paper such as magazine pictures or newsprint (I used magazine pictures of jewelry and gem stones from magazine ads)
* scissors or craft knife (as needed) 
 * OPTIONAL: desired embellishments (such as glitter, pearl wire, beads, ribbon, or whatever inspires you) and something to attach (such as the white glue from before or a hot glue gun)

(1) Start with laying plastic wrap across the bowl that you are using as a mold. This will keep the finished project and glue from sticking to the bowl. (You can use other types of plastic, but I preferred the clear plastic wrap so that I could see through as I worked.)

(2) Start layering the paper with glue inside the mold, using the paint brush to spread the white glue or Mod Podge evenly across the pages. Using the glass and clear to position the images on the outside of the creation. Build this up to desired thickness placing multiple layers of paper and glue. I positioned the inside with images like the outside to create a design. Using the paint brush with glue make sure there is a nice smooth layer of glue or Mod Podge to secure the outside edges and give a smooth outer layer. (You don't have to worry about the edges being uneven that an be taken care of later after everything is dry.)

(3) Let dry.

(4) Once the bowls are more set up you can remove from the mold and gently peel off the plastic wrap. Let dry completely.

(5) Apply more layers of white glue or Mod Podge as needed to seal securely. Spread glue on the outside to secure and seal outside edge.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO LIBERALLY USE YOUR WHITE GLUE OR MOD PODGE TO REALLY SECURE AND SEAL EVERYTHING INTO ON PIECE.

(6) Trim edges with craft knife or scissors for a lean edge.
 Let dry completely.

(7) One everything is COMPLETELY DRY embellish edge as desired. In this case I used a white glue around the edge then dipped in colored glitter for a couple then pearl wire attached with a hot glue gun. (You could leave plain or embellish with whatever you have on hand such as ribbon beads old jewelry pieces or whatever else.)

Great for gifts or to catch your bits and pieces around the house. The options are endless - you an use any size bowl, attach a few together, add legs or another base. Experiment. Decorate. Share. Enjoy. And never forget to let your imagination run wild!

Bottle Cap Locket Instructions - "Peace is Golden"

I love love love trying new things. Jewelry is pretty high on that list. This love brought me to the Bottle Cap Locket. (In my house, getting my hands on bottle caps doesn't seem to be a problem.) I already have some ideas for variations of this.

Supplies (I used):
2 clean bottle caps
Gold thread (for the "chain")
Small bit of gold ribbon, 1 1/2 - 2 inches
Pearl wire
Paper
Craft Glue

Tools (I used):
Pliers (Oh, look! My pink handled needle nose pliers)
Needle and thread
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors

1) Using pliers (found this works better than a hammer, which does often leave the in weird shapes), bend down the sides of the bottle cap to leave a nice edge. For one locket, you will need two bottle caps.

2) Paint outsides of bottle caps to preferance. I used gold spray paint (it sure has been getting a lot of use!). Just for cleanliness factor I usually spray paint things inside of a box. This keeps the over spray and the colored mist from getting on this I would rather it not. Let dry.

3) While the bottle caps were drying I cut my "chain" from the gold thread, taking three pieces of thread cut to the same length and laying them against each other. I placed a knot in the center of the three, connecting them to each other. I then placed two more knots midway between the middle knot and the end for a total of three knots. I wanted the more loose feeling for this, but I could have braided or used macrame knots here instead if I had so desire.

4) Once the bottle caps were dry I carefully attached one end of the golden ribbon inside one of the bottle caps with hot glue (you could use a craft glue instead). Then attached the other end on the inside of the bottle cap with glue as well, leave a small piece in between, maybe 1/2 inch in length. Make sure these are secure and dry/cool before moving on.

5) Fold the bottle caps on the ribbon in half, so that the bottle cap bottoms meet and line up evenly. Taking the needle and thread hand sew across the top of the bottle cap, making the ribbon piece into a loop to hold onto the 'chain'. Knot and tie off when secure. It will look a bit like a clam here.

6) Using pearl wire I hot glued a ring around the edges of the locket and trimmed a few apart to make a design in the center as well. (You can use any kind of embellishment or use a white craft glue instead, but I like hot glue and the immediate bond with short drying time.) You know have what looks like a locket.

7) For this locket, I chose to include pictures on the inside and opted instead for one side to include a peace sign made from the gold thread a piece of paper cut to size with a clear drying white craft glue to secure. For the other side, I have the message "Peace is Golden" secured with and under a good layer of the clear drying white craft glue.

I found my original inspiration for this project at www.cutoutandkeep.net. Make one for yourself or one as a gift.

Embellished Pirate Patch

Who wants to wear a boring, plain, plastic eye patch when dressing up like a pirate? There might be someone out there, but there is an easy fix.With some glue, scraps of fabric or jewelry, and a little inspiration you can turn blah into something fun.

I took a plain plastic eye patch (the cheap ones you can usually find pretty easily) and gave it new life by cutting a scrap of burgundy velvet-like fabric to cover the entire front of the eye patch. (You can trim the edges for a cleaner look after the glue is dry.) I then glued it securely across the front, making sure not to leave any air bubbles. Using my trusty hot glue gun, I embellished the front with a simple cross using a decorative pearl wire.

It only took a few minutes to fix the boring blah patch into something fit for a Pirate King or Queen. A nice addition to my costume collection and sure to be used soon.


Go! Play dress up. You're never too old. Arg!

Beaded Jewelry Collection

What can you get from an inexpensive bead ring kit that severely lacks directions? With a little creativity, imagination, and a desire to try some new things... a whole collection of beaded jewelry. One kit for $1 (at local Dollar Store) + a few things I already had on hand (equaling only an added few pennies here and there) = a new collection of beaded jewelry. (9 Pieces to be more exact.)


 Three beaded rings. (A Flower, a peace sign, & a cloud burst.)

+

One 'Marie Antoinette *after* the guillotine' inspired choker.

 

+

Two Beaded Slave Bracelets. (Water and Fire inspired.)

+

Bottled Amulet on Beaded Necklace

+

Beaded Rainbow Bracelet

 +

Beaded Twist Ring

+

And with the wire all used up there are still beads to spare.

=

So, to recap - nine pieces of jewelry (with beads leftover) from one box of wire and seeds beads.

Keep your eyes open, you never know what you might find. (Guess what kids, I still have another box that I haven't opened yet.)

Twisted Bead Ring

With the last bits of jewelry wire from the kit I got I made a twisted bead ring using blue and green seed beads.

To form this ring I used one piece of 'memory wire' that I beaded with blue and green seed beads, then twisted. The pearl-like bead in the center is threaded through both wires. The wire ends are secured on the bottom, looping the side with the two ends and the side with a bend securely together.

Beaded Bracelet

With the last bit of wire and beads, I made this rainbow themed wire bracelet. A little color is good for the soul.

Bottle Amulet on Beaded Necklace

Yes, another beaded project from cheap little set of beads and wire I go not long enough. This time it's a beaded necklace with a small glass jar amulet.

I used one piece of wire of desired length, the beaded a small section in the central point to wrap around the top of the bottle. (It's held in place by wrapping it around the narrow point, leaving the wider sections above and below.) I secured with a twist, then beaded the sides of the necklace. Using a small section of jewelry making chain and a clasp I finished off the necklace.

For a little more flair I used extra pink seed beads (like the ones used in the necklace) to embellish the lid, attaching them with my mini hot glue gun. I'm a bit torn on how I feel about the lid, but for now it stays.

It's all ready for perfumed oil or a "secret potion." It is that time of year again to think about Ren. Festivals.

Fire & Water Beaded Slave Bracelets

Water

More projects from that box of beads and wire I got = Fire & Water beaded slave bracelets. (For those who don't know what a slave bracelet is, it's combination bracelet/ring attached by a chain or combination of some other type of decoration.)

I started with one piece of wire about 20-24 inches long, in this case making the entire piece of jewelry out of one piece of wire. I measured approximately by wrapping it lightly around a finger, up my hand (doubling the as I used for this design), and around my wrist, leaving extra length for working on the twists and attaching the closures at the end. (Always make sure you have enough to work with, you can always trim off excess.)

Loosely fold in half. The halfway point will be approximately under your finger.

Start stringing seed beads to create a ring shape at the central point of the wire. (For the water colored one, I used a combination of blues and greens. For the fire colored one, I used a combination of yellow, red, and orange.) Measure around your finger as you go to make sure it isn't too small to go over your finger(s). A little big is better than too snug. When a ring shape was created I gave it a few tight twists (a pair of needle nose pliers to help get it tight). Then I used a slightly larger seed bead down over the twist, wrapping the wire up through the bottom, 'locking' the ring shape in place and making it easier to create the strand down the hand. Check again to make sure it fits your finger before going on. If it doesn't fit right, it's better to have to undo your work here, than later.

Now create a design of equal design down the two wires that will run the length of the hand. (I went for a twisted design, intertwining the bead colors and giving it twice the strength for attaching the bracelet and the ring.) Double check against your hand as you go to make sure it's the right length. (You can use a sharpie marker to mark length as you go. It will be covered by beads and not show in the final project.) Lock the end of each strand with a bead like from the ring shape to keep the beads from falling off the end while you are working.

Twist the two beaded strands together, giving a couple tights twists to combine them together at the end of the beads. Attach one or two of the larger seed beads down over the two pieces of wire and over the twists attaching the two strands. 'Lock' in place like with the other 'joints' to secure beads, shape, and to make it easier to work the next step.

Bead each individual wire from here to create the sides of the bracelet, using desired pattern. You want each of the sides to be about the same size so the latch is located on the central bottom part of the wrist when worn. Measure as you go. Counting and/or marking with a Sharpie to help. Always check, double check, and triple check as you go.

'Lock' the final bead like with the other transitions. (This strengthens the piece for wearing and makes things much easier to work with.) Attach the clasps to the wire, twisting securely with a pair of needle nose pliers, making sure to be mindful of sharp ends of the wire. You can use a short piece of chain on the end of one if desired to make the size adaptable or to give some extra length. (I used a short piece of chain for one and a small ring for the other.)

You can use any selection of colors of your choosing to create whatever design moves you. I love the contrast of water/air with fire. It's hard to say what they will get worn with, but I'm sure I will find something. (I always do!) I do know I love the look of this style and should have no problem finding ways to show them off.

Fire