DIY Valentine paper freebies

A couple of beautiful Valentine's Day projects you can make with paper: framed papercut hearts at Martha Stewart, and an elegant printable card from Emily Montgomery at Paper Seed. I love the simple design of this card, and that it won't cost you a whole ink cartridge.

(Images from Martha Stewart and Paper Seed respectively)

Winged elephant papercraft

Do you like flying elephants? Of course you do. You can download and assemble your own fantastical pachyderm, or watch him come to life in a little stop-motion video right here. He's a sample of the work produced by the Curiosity Group, a Portland-based marketing agency.

(Image by PaperKraft.net)

What's your IKEA name?

Oh, excuse me, I mean what name would you have if you were a product made by a famous Swedish furniture company whose corporate colors are yellow and blue? Find out here, if you'd like five seconds of Friday silliness.

Pretty Twitter backgrounds

The talented Alma Loveland has created some Valentine's Day freebies, including these sweet tiled patterns you can use as Twitter backgrounds.

Now, I hear there are people out there who loathe Valentine's Day and the merest glimpse of a heart will make them nauseated. If that's you, I apologize for the ongoing seasonal posts, but dang it, Valentine stuff is so pretty. Perhaps you might help yourself to Alma's speech bubble pattern instead, and hunker down until Feb. 14 has passed.

Photo fun

"I love your nostrils."
"I'm a teensy bit concerned about that ceiling leak."

Last week I had the pleasure of a photo session with Anna Inabinet of City View Photography. Anna is completely delightful. We tromped around the aging St. Lukes Church in Logan Square and explored the back rooms and stairwells. You can check out her beautiful work on her website here or the latest photos on her blog right here (where I am talking on my imaginary phone and admiring my favorite shoes). Thank you, Anna!

Blow a Kiss with a Flip Book

Looking for a creative, handmade Valentines gift? Well look no further, blow a kiss to your loved one with a pocket sized flip book. Check out the tutorial on Color Me Katie.

Advent Calendar Tree

Nice Package is a place where you can purchase creative packaging goods and customize them with your own brand. Nice Package also came up with this really neat way to display an Advent Calendar and posted a tutorial using their small manila envelopes. Inside each envelope there is a clue telling the person where to [...]

Thanksgiving Placemats

I remember making Thanksgiving placemats every year when I was in elementary school. One placemat had the hand print on it where you turn your fingers into the turkey’s feathers. Well this apple placemat is easy enough for a kid to do, but it looks so stylish! Instead of an apple you could make one [...]

[me] and goji DIY Cereal

Make your own custom granola mix or cereal, name it and have it sent to you all packaged. Check out [me] and goji to make your very own creation. You can pay $5 to get a picture put on the label. But, I think it would be cool to create your own label design and [...]

Snowman Kit

Looking for a diy gift to give this holiday season? Make a Snowman Kit this year! This is such a cute idea, and would make a great gift for someone who lives up in the snowy states unlike me! I can’t get over what a cool idea this is, all you need are some [...]

Jan 23, yarn doubled

I am attempting my first knitting project. I have to use doubled yarn throughout. I casted on my 95 stitches. Now When I go to knit do I pick up one

Jan 23, shirley

I have been knitting for 45 years and am having trouble with a simple scarf. I am doing a stocking knit pattern. both of the sides have curled up a

Jan 23, seamless knitting

Is there some structural reason for an underarm seam and sleeve seam in a sweater? Can I use circular or dp needles to make sleeves and sweater body?

Jan 23, Loose tension in middle of row

I find that my stitches are looser in the middle of my row than they are on the ends. How can I make them more consistent? YOUR ANSWER Practice.

Jan 23, What length do I make the foot of the sock

I am knitting socks for a friend who wears size 3 Mexican shoes . What length do I make the foot of the sock? YOUR ANSWER I have no idea, I don't

5 Tips for Selecting Your Bridesmaids Jewelry

Finding bridesmaid jewelry that suits every girl’s taste might be a hard task for some brides. Just like their bridesmaid gown selection, the selection of their bridesmaid jewelry could turn into a long and drawn out process that most brides stress over. Use the following tips to help you determine what bridesmaid jewelry is perfect for your bridal party.



Choose Your Color Pallet
A great place to start is finding what colors you will be incorporating into your bridesmaid’s jewelry. Of course by now, you’ve already made your wedding color choices and so let those decisions guide you through your bridesmaid jewelry color selections as well. Sometimes you may need to incorporate more than one color, based on availability and the ability to make a nice color match. Once you’ve decided on a color choice, stick with that throughout the entire bridesmaid jewelry selection.

All Different or Everyone Together
Of course everyone is different and with that, everyone’s style is different too. Not all bridesmaids are going to feel comfortable in long dangly chandelier style bridesmaid earrings. While other bridesmaids may want something more dramatic than a simple drop style earring. These are all things to consider while selecting your bridesmaid’s jewelry. First determine if everyone will wear the exact same pieces of jewelry or if you think it’s acceptable for everyone to wear a more personal piece that reflects their style and personality. After you’ve determined this factor, your hunt for the right pieces will go much smoother.

Consider the Style
There are a large variety of different jewelry styles out there. With necklaces you must consider the neckline of the gown your bridesmaids will be wearing. If it’s a strapless dress, then just about any necklace will match beautifully. However; if your girls are wearing a halter dress, a necklace all together might not be the right accessory option. You need to take into consideration the look you desire for your bridesmaids and carry that throughout your selections process.

Size Does Matter
Finding a jewelry designer and company that can suit your sizing needs is key to making the right fit for each girl. Just as all of their dress sizes are different, so is their bracelet and necklace length sizes. You need to find a designer or company that allows you to make custom size selections for both bracelets and necklaces. Another item to consider is that not all bridesmaids may have their ears pierced. If this is the case, and wearing earrings for all of the girls are a must, then finding a company that offers clip on options is also a great place to purchase your bridesmaid’s jewelry.

Gift Wrap Please
While you may plan on giving your jewelry as gifts, not all brides consider this their only “thank you” gift. Find a jewelry company that takes each bridesmaid’s jewelry pieces and wraps them up individually for each bridesmaid. This is a courtesy service that companies should and do offer. Find the store and company that will provide you with these above and beyond services.

While picking out the bridesmaid’s jewelry they will wear on your wedding day, keep in mind these key points and hints to help you find the perfect piece for each girl. Jewelry is something that is attached to memories of the day it is worn and who gave it to them. Your bridesmaids will cherish their bridesmaid’s jewelry if you take the time to select pieces that they both will love on your wedding day, but love to wear again after the big event is over.

http://www.bonitaj.com/bridesmaid-jewelry-cat.html
info@bonitaj.com
888-430-2623

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How to make jewelry pendants from polymer clay

This how-to video teaches how to use polymer clay to make jewelry. Learn how to manipulate polymer clay to design and craft a necklace pendant.




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Anthropologie Bonheur Necklace Tutorial

Mrs Priss shared tutorial of necklace inspired by Anthropologie. Pretty easy to make. Check this out!

Learn Circular Brick Stitch with Beading Daily

But first, a Beading Daily exclusive invitation
Win prizes! Eat! Drink! Meet new and exciting people! No, not your office party . . . I'm talking Bead Fest Philly in August, 2010. You're invited to our first ever, in-person, Beading Daily Bead Fest meet-up. Yes, we are giving you plenty of advance notice to save the date. This will be an exclusive, free event just for members. (Not to worry if you're not a member yet. Join online any time or sign up at the door. We're easy.)

And speaking of Beading Daily exclusives, here's a special preview of a technique for you. Circular brick stitch is one of my favorite stitches. It's easy to learn and completely adaptable to an infinite variety of bead sizes, shapes, and materials. This is a really basic mini-lesson, working seed beads around a central bead. If you find you like doing it, consider my Green Circle Brick workshop at Bead Fest Santa Fe in March or at Bead Fest Philly in August. Or, consider one of over a hundred other fabulous Bead Fest classes.

Your circular brick-stitch lesson
The trickiest part of circular brick stitch is fitting the right number of beads in a flat circle for each concentric round. Don't try to squeeze in too many beads, or the shape may buckle into a ruffle (which is nice only if you want it that way). For a flat circle, spread out your stitches neatly and evenly around the circle.

1: Pass through the central bead twice, placing the two thread loops on either side of the bead. The brick-stitched beadwork will attach to these base threads. You want them strong.

2: Always start a row of brick stitch with 2 beads. String beads 1 and 2. Pass under the thread loop and up through the second bead strung. Pull the thread and nudge the beads with your fingers to lie snug to the center bead.

3: String bead 3, pass under the thread loop and pass back up through bead 3. Again, nudge the new bead in place and keep your thread tension snug.

4: Repeat around your center bead, spacing the beads to fit evenly. In this lesson, 8 green beads fit nicely around the center round black bead; string bead 8, pass under the thread loop and back up through bead 8. Pass down into bead 1, under the thread loop, and exit out bead 1 again, ready to start a new row. Continue, starting each new row with 2 beads.

Bead Fest Philly classes are online now
Go ahead, sign up to learn that stitch you always admired. Don't wait for all the best seats to be filled by someone else––register for workshops (maybe even mine) today. And stay tuned for more about our Beading Daily meet-up at beadfest.com and right here on Beading Daily.  For the latest information on all upcoming Bead Fest events, sign up for the Bead Fest e-mail newsletter and start planning for your next event today!

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Top Beading Daily Projects from 2009

Beading Daily Readers' Favorite e-Projects from 2009 This is my first post for 2010, so Happy New Year! Before the holidays I buzzed around the forums chatting with you about what projects you like on Beading Daily. It became clear there were leaders of the pack in favorite technique and materials. I’m still fairly new as your editor, so this was a delightful introduction for me, at least to those of you on the forums. I learned that not every Beading Daily member calls themselves a beader, that we are men as well as women, teen to senior, and that we live all over the world, from the Americas to New Zealand. What we all have in common is our desire to be creative and not only learn to be better ourselves but to help others grow, too. Whether we call ourselves a beader or otherwise, we enjoy being online friends through Beading Daily. Jewelry makers of the world, unite! Better still, jewelry makers–unite the world! That's our Beading Daily call to action for 2010. Here are the three most popular designs in each of our major jewelry-making categories on Beading Daily: stringing, beadweaving, and wirework.
Mixed media leads the trend in stringing A common interest in using new materials in stringing designs was and continues to be reflected in which projects you liked best online. You made these the top downloads of all our stringing projects this past year. It’s clear that youthful, mixed-media styles and components continue to be hot. One thing is for sure: however you put your jewelry together, you all love using beads somewhere in your designs!
Brass Filigree Snowflake by Jess Italia-Lincoln	Chirp Chirp by Danielle Fox	October Shore by Cynthia Thornton
We itch to stitch! Seed beads and beadweaving hold us in their power and we love being captivated! Peyote and right angle weave  were our favorite beadweaving techniques in e-Books, but individual techniques with high popularity ratings included brick stitch and caddis weave.
Crystal Radiance by Tina Koyama	Caddis Weave Bracelet by Anne Fletcher	Two-drop Peyote Beaded Beads by Dustin Wedekind
Our wire desires We loved wire spirals, coils, and anything wrapped this year.  I do have to point out that no matter which project you loved best, almost every wire project incorporated beads, especially  artisan-made beads or crystals. Watch for more wire and bead designs to be a strong trend in 2010.
Coiled Gem Drops by Janice Berkebile	Caramel Swirl by Cindy Wimmer	Raindrop Earrings by Jenna Kolyar-Cooper
Look to us for top trends in 2010 All our projects reflect how our magazines, books, videos, and designers are ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping up with the latest materials, styles, and trends. Be sure to browse the Interweave Store regularly so you can keep up, too. And to help Beading Daily bring jewelry-makers closer together, comment below on the trends in materials and hottest jewelry styles showing up in your corner of the world. Again, Happy New Year!

Jean Campbell’s Favorite Beading Daily Projects

It’s not only a new year, but a new decade! Can you believe it? Just think about what you were doing ten years ago. I was the editor of Beadwork magazine with a toddler toddling about, a wild-man kindergartner, a husband getting his umpteenth degree, and a really bad hairdo. Now I look at my deep-voiced 6' 3" boy, my door-slamming hormone-challenged girl, and my professor husband, and think . . . where did the decade go?  But instead of getting too wrapped up in lost time, I think I’ll celebrate instead. For one, I’ve got a better hairdo, and that alone is worth celebrating. I’ll also celebrate this new decade (and my 100th blog!) by perusing all 1,035 projects in the Interweave store and picking out a dozen of my favorites. Disclaimer: This was a near-impossible list to make. Have you been to the store lately? There are lots and lots of wonderful projects there, my friend—you’ll have a hard time choosing, too.
		1: Sky High Ring Janet Kay Skeen’s pancake-stack rings are so whimsical and so wonderfully Janet.				2: Frosted Flower Necklace This sculptural brick-stitch wonder by Kerry Slade is so delicate and pretty.
		3: Jeweled Pea Pods Janice Berkebile’s simple wireworked pods have a contemporary flair, like something you’d drool over at a museum shop.				4: Tribal Shield Copper Earrings Tom and Kay Benham’s copper design is simple enough for beginning metalworkers to do, plus I just love that they are in this store, even though this is a beading site!
		5: Turquoise Couture These right-angle weave earrings are not only beautiful, but Jennifer VanBenschoten’s design is brilliantly and simply constructed.				6: Beaded Victorian Earrings Dale “Cougar” Armstrong’s wire and bead earrings have an elegance in a class of their own.
		7: Waves of Pearls This tour de force necklace by Miwako Nara is amazing; I know—I’ve made it this monster . . .				8: Biker Bracelet Kate McKinnon’s tough-chick bracelet is one of those that would go with anything, but the way it’s constructed makes it incredibly durable.
		9: Nautical Star Purse Scarlett Lanson has outdone herself with this architectural masterpiece.				10: Golden-edged Ruffles Shelley Nybakke’s signature free-form style comes shining through in this elegant and flowing project.
		11: Minnesota Winter Design genius Tina Koyama creates incredible beauty, simply with strung seed beads.				12: Ellipse Necklace Marcia DeCoster shows us once again why she’s the right-angle-weave master with this uniquely shaped double-decker necklace.

Check out all the projects in the store to celebrate this new decade with beads. Let us know your favorites here on Beading Daily.

Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Editors' Picks from 2009

When I was an illustration student at the University of the Arts, one of my pals was a jewelry major. She always had copies of Lapidary Journal around, and they were a great reference for me when I painted anything with jewelry in it. Later, my rendering skills came in handy as a product designer for The Franklin Mint. where I mastered the art of painting a sparkling glint on jewelry illustrations. At the time I never dreamed I'd ever make jewelry. Now, as an Interweave editor, I am surrounded by decades of amazing Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist issues and actually do use metal in my jewelry. Most of my metal pieces don't have a sparkling glint––but I can always paint that on. –Leslie, editor, Beading Daily

Beading Daily welcomes today's guest editors from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist––Editor in Chief Merle White and Managing Editor Helen Driggs, sharing the shining features from the past year that most inspired them.  

Merle White, editor in chief, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist: Brass Mobius Circle Pendant by William Fretz August 2009 When I was in elementary school, I used to wear those stretchy hairbands to keep my hair out of my face. They always became twisted and wouldn't lie flat and smooth. "That looks like a Mobius strip," my father told me, "a circle with no inside or outside." Intrigued by the new word and the paradoxical concept, I ran my finger around the band's in-and-out contour over and over again, amazed that such a thing could exist. I've been fascinated by this form ever since. When we received William Fretz's Brass Mobius Circle Pendant project for the August 2009 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, of course it became an instant favorite: now I know how you can make a mobius strip on purpose! There's also a variation with a beautiful, green-and-brown patina as well as a polished, Rich-yellow brass finish. And while the design is compelling exactly as shown, the project is really an exploration of constantly creating new forms from a flat sheet.
Merle White, editor in chief, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist: Setting Big Gems by Mo Ying Chan April 2009 The cover of the April 2009 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist features a pendant I just adore. The focal is a large, gently sculpted matte-finish agate cut by the master of agate cabochons, Dieter Lorenz. Like me, goldsmith Mo Ying Chan is a big fan of large gems, and in "Setting Big Gems" she describes how she designed four large special stones.  Each one presented challenges of irregular shapes as well as significant sizes which had to be accommodated. She had to make jewelry that would lie comfortably when worn and create a beautiful original setting that would adequately secure the stone without overpowering it. The agate on the cover was beautifully carved on both sides, so she created a two-sided pendant. I needed to get it to her at the Tucson shows, and mailing wasn't a convenient option.  Rather than pack it, I had the treat of being able to wear it on the trip, to bring it to her!
Helen Driggs, managing editor, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist: Cab/Bead Earrings by Michael Boyd September 2009 I’m a huge fan of Michael Boyd because he taught me how to cut stone. We became fast friends during his advanced lapidary workshop at Metalwerx, probably because we are both happy geeks who love rock and metal with equal passion. His earring project is brilliant: most jewelry makers have stone beads they’ll never use. Once you get into metals, you’ve typically got lots of leftover stone beads just sitting there, unused. Michael’s solution? Cut those buggers in half and make cabs out of them. Heck, most of the work’s already been done anyway. You just saw those beads in half, set them, and forget them. You don’t even have to grind and polish!
Helen Driggs, managing editor, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist: The Illustrated Cool Tool Guide by Sharon Elaine Thompson May 2009 The thing I love about this feature is the glorious shots by our photographer Jim Lawson. Those are my tools, and he made them look fabulous. It took us three long days of setup and lighting to get all of those shots, but the results were well worth it. There is a ton of good information in this feature about tool categories, names, and uses. Sharon’s writing style is informative and fun, and I love the quotes from the pros about specific tools they use in their own work. If you are new to the craft, this feature will help you learn the names and uses of most of the basic metalworking tools you need to make jewelry.

There's no question that Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist has everything you need to learn how to make the jewelry designs you dream of! Don't miss a single issue of instruction and inspiration–subscribe today!

Fall in Love with Seed Beads at Bead Fest!

My Metal Seed-Bead Romance I know, I know … you run into beads you love all the time. But I'd like to talk about a different type of love. I’m talking about head-over-heels beady luuuurrrve. The kind of giddy euphoria that makes you spend all kinds of money you don’t have buying every available color. Once you have them, all other beads pale in comparison, and you spend all your time with your new love. That’s the way I felt when I came across my first tubes of metal seed beads.

What are metal seed beads?
Metal seed beads are just that––tiny beads made completely of metal.

		More about metal seed beads They are made with a brass base and coated with different finishes. The finishes are very stable, much like that of metal findings, and the finishes certainly don’t rub off. Since this type of bead is made entirely of metal, they are heavier than other beads of the same size. You can readily find these seed beads in sizes 11°, 8°, and 6°. These beads are very uniform and have a more rounded profile than glass seed beads. Since these beads are pressed into shape from sheet metal, they have a seam along the side.  Be careful as you work with them with thin thread because if the seam is separated at all, your thread can slip into that seam and not only distort your stitch but the thread will be very prone to breakage. It's best to use braided or thermally bonded beading thread with metal beads. These stronger types of thread hold up better to the beads' sharp edges.

		Want to see some beautiful work done with metal seed beads? Look at these breathtaking projects by Shelley Nybakke:  Simply Marvelous, Darling (top) and A Metalsmith’s Match, Version 2. Want to create your own beautiful work with metal seed beads? Shelley’s teaching both of those classes at Bead Fest Santa Fe in March! Registration is open and so easy online! Spend time looking at all the workshops being taught this year. Wouldn’t it be fun to go to Santa Fe just to bead? Taking in the atmosphere of that gorgeous town would be worth it.

And after you sign up for a wonderful class or two, check back here on Beading Daily to let us know your metal bead luuuurrrve stories.

 

Feb 9, Link to How to Make Jewelry and Handmade Results

Feb 3, How to Make an Adjustable Necklace Clasp

Feb 2, How Can I Set Undrilled Briolette Gemstones?

Feb 2, Jewelry Supplies

Feb 2, Where to Buy an Adjustable Ring Mount

Saying I love you with jewelry designs

One thing Debbie (my friend and co-instructor) and I learned from doing workshops is not everyone is enamored of hearts or the color red. So when Art Beads gave me a chance to look at their Valentine collection of beads and components, I went looking for alternatives. These picks will also be perfect for Mother's Day or special gifts.



Their sterling silver script Love slider bead caught my eye. Rather than just slip it on a plain cord, there was enough space in the loops of the L and the E to try a unique triple cord design in two shades of pink. I wire wrapped them together with Swarovski crystals accents. The necklace is now in my store as part of the Life Collection where 100% of the net proceeds will go to cancer research.

For those who prefer daintier designs, Art Beads also have a smaller heart slider. It's not red but is sterling silver. I "dressed" the old gold cord necklace differently with a tube of hand coiled wire to give it a contemporary style look. I also added a round tiger eye gemstone accent. This too is a Life Collection piece recently uploaded to my shop.


Then for individuals who don't like shiny metal, Art Beads' wooden hearts are just dandy. They come in different types of wood like cherry, walnut and purpleheart. I see all sorts of beautiful wood beads or gemstone beads going with these. Don't you?


For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Sue Beads Lamp work Beads Giveaway

Artisans who make lamp work beads have my utter respect. They really help us make beautiful jewelry. So I was thrilled when Sue Beads offered this yummy strand of hand made beads worth $24 retail for today's giveaway. They look good enough to eat!  She calls this design Lily Pond Swirl.


Sue is based in Pittsburgh, PA. She initially took classes at the Pittsburgh Glass Center and as you can see from her Etsy store and her own website, she got hooked and has blossomed into the kind of artisan bead magazines love to feature!  Her work has been featured in three past issues of BeadStyle magazine.

Lamp work bead making is a skill that takes time to master - remember molten glass is fluid and darn hot! Lamp work artisans like Sue form beads around a mandrel adding different colored glass as they go along.  You have to like working with torches and be comfortable with gas tanks. Here is a picture of Sue working in her basement workshop, melting the glass in the flame. Notice she wears special glasses. That's to protect her eyes from the glare of the flame. Ventilation is another safety consideration - see the extraction hood above her. She also has a digitally controlled kiln in the picture. The green gas tank with pressure gauges is peeking out on the left of the kiln.


The beads she makes are just lovely.  Here are a couple of my favorites from her store. Do visit to ogle her current stock. She also does custom work and special large hole beads.


To win Sue's lovely Lily Pond Swirl beads, just leave a comment below. Subscribers may wish to click on the post title to return to this blog to do so. Extra entries can be had by subscribing, following me on Blogger or joining my Facebook fan page. I will be picking a winner via random.org in about a week`s time. The close of this giveaway will be 6 pm EST Monday February 15.

Good luck!

For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Subscribe via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE!
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TUTORIALS - How to make different kinds of chain jewelry

Are you looking for ideas to jazz up your chain work? Sometimes all it takes is to use more than one strand. I just love this gorgeous (and clever) design and tutorial from Ornamentea.


It's called the "How do I love thee bracelet.." - perfect for Valentine's Day. There are red heart charms and numbers for the inspiration came from Elizabeth Barret Browning's famous love poem (#43) among her collection of Sonnets from the Portuguese.


"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

Elizabeth (1806-1861), an accomplished poet herself was literally swept off her invalid couch when the English poet Robert Browning , six years her junior, won her heart. "My little Portuguese" was his affectionate pet name for her and hence the title of her celebrated poetry collection.

 Interrupted chains
There is nothing wrong with using plain chains but if you add short wrapped bead sections, all of a sudden, the necklace or bracelet design become more interesting. Check out the tutorial by A Bead Store to see how it is done.

Braiding chains
Here is a novel idea from Stilldottie - braid your chains! Her multi-colored and multi-stranded necklace tutorial is so easy to do! Clever!

Looping chains
I wrote about this particular tutorial before. Beads Unlimited's elegant crystal and chain tutorial makes for a lovely vision in loops, crystals and tassels.

Body chains
Ever since I came across totally awesome body chain jewelry by  Bliss Lau and Litter SF, I've been keeping my eye out for body harness jewelry tutorials. This how to is by Carlyjcais on Cut Out and Keep.

Did you know the concept of body chains is not new?  Check out my past post on archaeological jewelry for a 5th century Britain version - it was a body chain probably for a girl or a petite woman. 


For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Cubic zirconia fan wire wrapped necklace is finally finished!

Remember the tutorial on how to use large bail forming pliers? The design I showed as an example of how to use this great tool was not complete at the time.  I actually didn't have the right sized sterling silver chain on hand. So I couldn't show the finished piece.  Well, here it is finally complete and in my Etsy store!  (This is a Life Collection piece where 100% of net proceeds will go to cancer research).


The faceted cubic zirconia was such an unusual shape and I have to admit it took me a while to come up with a design.  Sometimes, designs come quickly. At other times, it pays to let your subconscious mull over possibilities.

For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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The all clasp necklace chain

At first glance, this necklace looks like a large link sterling silver chain. Look a little closer and you will see it is made entirely of spring clasps! What a totally cool idea as you can remove chunks to alter the length. There is also no more groping for the clasp to undo the necklace.

Indeed the designer, Ron Gilad calls it the Endless Necklace because there is "no beginning, no end, just closure." The cost is $95.


This idea is similar to the necklace in this post How to stop clasps from moving to the front which used decorative S clasps and short pieces of chain.

Via

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Run Your Car With Wood Chips

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The Captivating Art of Fire Dancing

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Digital Handgun Won't Fire Without Custom Wristwatch

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Homegrown Root Furniture

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Futuristic "Transparent Walls" Could Prevent Accidents

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Are You a Crafty Bastard?

Crafty Nation Gets Hot with Ann Clough Glassworks!

Crafty Nation Meets Catlin Phillips from Rebound Designs

Guest “How To” with Margot Potter

The Summit of Awesome was awesome!!

Crafty Nation spent Saturday with the Hello Craft team at their three-day event Washington D.C. called "The Summit Of Awesome.”  It was "awesome" to see so much creativity and the passion for inspiring others.  Every one that we interviewed was Über excited to learn, share, ...

Turn Signal Bike Jackets

From Leah Buechley's photostream via the CRAFT Flickr pool, Leah shares: "on the steps of Shih Chien U, turn signals prototyped by me w/ parts from the taipei electronics markets & made by (awesome) Shih Chien University fashion students" in Taiwan.

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How-To: Make a Turn Signal Bike Jacket

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How-To: Make a Love Shrine

CRAFT is celebrating love, glitter, and craftiness with the Crafty Chica Love Shrine Challenge. Preserve your memories and tell your love story by building a shrine that creatively reflects your personality and expresses your hopes and dreams.This type of project is all about personal self expression. I began by digging through my collections of postcards and love letters. I sifted through my memories, photo by photo, reveling in the nostalgia of my drawings and notes from days gone by.

Certain things caught my eye, and whatever inspired me was set into a pile. Then I collected all the little treasures that I've gathered over the years — things like old wooden letters from a printing press, the tiny ceramic deer that my grandmother gave me, and a little gift box with a perfect bow. Finally, I went through my craft supplies and pulled ribbons, fabric flowers, pieces of bark, feathers, and seashells. Distill the materials that you've collected into themes. Look for common threads in your items that tell a single story. I didn't have any expectations for an outcome, and I started by just pairing up colors, textures, and associations. I found three distinct stories in my materials, and then selected the core "anchor" pieces for each shrine. Everything went into a big pile on my work surface, and I sat down with a drink and my current favorite playlist on the stereo.

This week I will share each love shrine and my step-by-step process for creating it. I hope that you will join our challenge and make your own individual shrine and add it to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr pool. Be sure to include a little story that describes your intentions. The reward is the beautiful shrine, but winners will be chosen to receive great ilovetocreate prizes too.

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New Mochimochi Pattern: Hugs + Squoze

Anna at Mochimochi presents her new pattern in her shop Hugs + Squoze ($5), a cuddly little duo to make for your main squeeze (or for yourself, of course) for Valentine's Day!

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Clipboard Loom

Franco of Franco's Fiber Adventure, created this ingenious portable loom from a clipboard and a few other simple supplies. [via Craftster]

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Walnut Rattle

Ranjit Bhatnagar is making an instrument every day in February. Some are electronic, some are mechanical, and some are both. This walnut shell rattle seems easy to make with a drill and some string, and makes a pretty satisfying jangle, suitable for weekend sock-clad marching band parades around the house.

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