Creativity In A Nutshell

I am in love with glass beads, especiall Czech glass. There are many ways to work with glass. Check out my African Inspired Necklace , also made with Czeck glass, but with a totally different look and feel than what you might typically expect working with these kinds of beads. Since I started making jewelry, I have admired Bali Silver beads, charms and findings.



What's The Plan, Stan?
I have created a nifty tutorial using products sent by Artbeads.com as part of their blogging program. Try it out for yourself :)


Ingredients:

• Bali S-Clasp with Granulation and Wirework
• Bali Bicone Bead with Wirework
• 4 Sterling Silver Crimp Beads
• 10 Czech Glass Opalite and Alexandrite Picasso Roundels
• 4 Czeck Glass Alexandried Picasso Ovals
• Peacock Iredized Glass Seed Beads
• 3 Sterling Silver Headpins
• 4mm Sterling Silver jumpring
• 11 Lacy Agate 3mm rounds
• 17 Peacock Freshwater Pearls
• 9 Rice Shaped Peacock Freshwater Pearls
• Stringing material

Earrings:

• 2 Sterling Silver Headpins
• 2 Bali Bicone Beads with Wirework
• 2 Czech Glass Opalite and Alexandrite Picasso Roundels
• 2 seed beads
• 2 Sterling silver seed beads

Tools Of The Trade:

• Round Nose Pliers
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Snips

• Flocked Beading Board
  

Process:

• Step One: Create the dangle pendant. Snip off the end of a headpin, leaving a 2" sterling silver wire. Create a wrapped loop on one end. Add a seed bead, then 1 Bali bicone, 1 seed bead. Finish with a wrapped loop. Use the 4mm jumpring to connect the segment to soldered end-ring of the Bali S Clasp.
• First segment: seed bead, peacock freshwater pearl, lacy agate round. End with a wrapped loop, connecting to the end loop of the Bali segment.
• Second segment: 2 seed beads, peacock freshwater pearl, lacy agate round. End with a wrapped loop, connecting to the top loop of the first segment.

• Third segment: 3 seed beads, peacock freshwater pearl, lacy agate rounbd. End with a wrapped loop, connecting to the top loop of the second segment.

• Step Two: Create the first strand. Start in the middle with 1 rice shaped freshwater pearl, then add 12 seed beads to either side. Add 1 lacy agate round to either side. 10 seed beads, 1 lacy agate, 10 seed beads.

• Add 1 rice shaped freshwater pearl to either side. 10 seed beads, freshwater pearl, 10 seed beads. Add 1 glass roundel to either side. 10 seed beads, 1 freshwater pearl, 10 seed beads, 1 glass roundel, 10 seed beads, 1 roundel.
• Add 8 seed beads, 1 freshwater pearl, 6 seed beads, 1 roundel, 4 seed beads, 1 crimp bead, 1 roundel

• String the wire through the soldered jumpring of the clasp. Thread it back through the roundel and crimpbead. Crimp and trim. Do this to both ends. Be careful not to crush a seed bead or two while crimping.

• Step Three: Create the second strand. Start with stringing 10 seed beads. Add a peacock freshwater pearl to either side, 3 seed beads, freshwater pearl, 10 seed beads.

• Add a freshwater pearl to either side, 3 seed beads, freshwater pearl, 10 seed beads.
• Add a glass oval to either side, 10 seed beads, freshwater pearl, 3 seed beads, freshwater pearl, 10 seed beads.

• Add a glass oval to either side, 10 seed beads, 1 lacy agate round, 10 seed beads, 1 lacy agate round, 3 seed beads, 1 crimp bead.
• Sting the wire through the soldered endrings of the clasp and crimp. Unhook the clasp and hold out the second strand, using the end you have not yet attached to the clasp. Wrap the first strand around the second strand as tightly as you can, until both ends are the same length. Loop the wire through the endring of the clasp and crimp.
• Step Four: Make the earrings. Place a Bali bicone, glass roundell and glass seed bead on each sterling headpin. End with a wrapped loop. Connect to sterling silver earwires.

C'est Fin!

*I have recieved these products free of charge from Artbeads.com to honestly review in this blog. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received*

These past two weeks have been crazy busy for me, but I'm finally sculpting out some time for updating my Etsy shop. Here are some of my new treasures, available for purchase on Etsy.

It is such a pleasure to be able to work with Swavorski crystals. They glisten! They shimmer! They radiate! This set of jewelry is inspired by Aztec treasures, in delectable hues of copper and teal.



What's The Plan, Stan?
We're going to use some lovely copper Swarovski beads, mixed with subtle turquoise hieshi beads and delicate fresh water pearls to create an Aztec Treasure of our own.

Ingredients:

• Necklace
  
• 12 6mm Swarovski Copper Faceted Rounds
• 4 12mm Swarovski Copper Cosmic Crystals
• 6 4mm Swarovski Silver Plated Smoked Topaz Ring Channels
• 21 6-8mm Turquoise hieshi Beads
• 12 4-5mm peacock fresh water pearls
• 11 2inch silver plated eyepins
• 24 4 mm silver plated jump rings
• 22 5mm silver plated jumprings
• 2 sections of silver plated chain, about 2 1/2 inches long
• 2 5mm oval silver plated jumprings
  
• Bracelet
• 8  6mm Swarovski Copper Faceted Rounds
• 18 6-8mm Turquoise Heishi Beads
• 2 silver plated crimp beads
• 2 silver plated crimp bead covers (about 4mm)
  
• 1 silver plated toggle clasp
• 16 iris fresh water pearls
• 2 4mm silver plated jumprings
  
• Earrings
• 2 12mm Swarovski Copper Cosmic Crystals
• 2 2inch silver plated eyepins
• 2 silver plated french earwires
  
• 2 2.5mm Swarovski indigo bicones
  

Tools Of The Trade:

• Needle Nose Pliers
• Bent Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire snips
• beadboard (not required but highly recommended)
  

Process:

• First, you want to set out your beads on the beadboard. This necklace will have two main sections, each on eyepins. The first section: freshwater pearl, Swarovski cosmic copper bead, freshwater pearl. The second section: Swarovski copper faceted round, 3 turquoise hieshi beads, Swarovski copper faceted round.
• Over all Pattern: Section 1 in the middle. Either side of necklace: Swarovski Smokey Topaz Ring Channel, Section 2, Swarovski Smoked Topaz Ring Channel, Section 1, Swarovski Smokey Topaz Ring Channel, Section 2, Section 1
• End with a third section: fresh water pearl, Swarovski copper faceted round, freshwater pearl
  

• Take all of your sections and place them on silver plated eyepins. Close eyepins with loop. Do not use a wrapped loop, since it will not match the opposite end.(Note that you will need to be extra careful, making sure that all of your loops are entirely closed so the necklace doesn't fall apart).

• Attach a 4mm jumpring to either end of each section, including the Swarovski Smokey Topaz Ring Channels
• Attach a 5mm jumpring to both 4mm jumprings on each section
• Attach each section together using the 5mm jumprings

• Attach the chain sections to either end of the necklace using two 4mm jumprings
• Attach clasp with two oval jumprings
• For the bracelet, follow this pattern:
• Working left to right: 
• 3 freshwater pearls 
• 2 turquoise hieshi beads, 
• 2 fresh water pearls, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round, 
• 3 turquoise hieshi beads, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round, 
• 2 freshwater pearls, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round, 
• 3 turquoise hieshi beads, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round,
• 2 fresh water pearls, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round, 
• 3 turquoise hieshi beads, 
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round, 
• 2 freshwater pearls
  
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round
  
• 3 turquoise hieshi beads
  
• 1 Swarovski copper faceted round
  
• 2 fresh water pearls
• 2 turquoise hieshi beads
• 3 fresh water pearls
  
•  End with a crimp bead, attaching a 5mm jumpring to either end. Use a silver plated crimp bead cover. Attach small toggle clasp to jumprings
• For the earrings, first place a 2.5mm Swarovski dark indigo bicone on a silver plated headpin. Then the Swarovski cosmic copper bead, lastly the freshwater pearl. Close with a wrapped loop, attaching the silver plated french earwire.
  

C'est Fin!

Bead Artist Showcase
You work could be right here! Submit your own version of Aztec Secrets to Creativity In A Nutshell via email to cagarp@plymouth.edu. Feel free to include pictures, anything new you tried and suggestions you have for improvement.

More Similar Fun Stuff!
Sparkling Wine: Necklace Earrings Set Project 

Have you ever toured a vineyard in the autumn?  The colors are nothing but inspiring. The leaves are still that lovely green, twinged with the gentle turning of yellow autumn. Every vine is heavily hung with clusters of purple and green. This vineyard-inspired necklace is simply stunning.



What's The Plan, Stan?

•  We are going to use Swarovski crystal beads to create this necklace and earrings set, combined with delicate amber chips and soft green freshwater pearls.

Ingredients:

• Necklace:
  
• 12 sage green freshwater pearls 6-8 mm
• 67 amber chips 4-6 mm
  
• 26 4mm Swarovski Olivine faceted Bicones 
• 13 5mm Swarovski Light Colorado Topaz Roundels
• 5 6mm Swarovski Olivine Faceted Bicones
• 1 27mm Swarovski Silver Plated Amethyst Filigree Sunflower
• 1 1 1/2 inch Gold Plated eyepin
• 8 4mm Gold Plated jumprings
  
• 1 8mm Gold Plated jumpring
• 1 8-10mm Gold Plated spring clasp
• 2 Gold Plated Crimpbeads
  
• Earrings
• Pair of ball post earring findings
  
• 2 9x6mm Swarovski Amethyst Teardrops
•  2 4mm Swarovski Olivine faceted Bicones 
• 13 5mm Swarovski Light Colorado Topaz Roundels
  
• 2 Gold Plated 1 1/2 headpins
  

Tools Of The Trade:

• Chain Nose Pliers
• Needle Nose Pliers 
• Angled Needle Nose Pliers (optional, but helpful)
• Bead Designing Flockboard (also optional, but also very helpful)
  

Process:

• First, set up your bead board with all your lovely ingredients. Admire them! There is nothing like the pleasure of working with wonderful beads! The pattern for this necklace is fairly simple.

• We are going to start with the pendant part. The Filigree Sunflower goes in the center. Attach the Gold Plated eyepin to the sunflower. Add first the 6mm Olivine Bicone, an amber chip and a Colorado Topaz Roundell. Create a wrapped loop at the end. 

• Next, lay out the elements for the actual necklace. I am going to list the beads for one side of the necklace. Repeat the same exact pattern for the other side:
• Amber Chip
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
  
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
• 6mm Olivine Bicone
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
  
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
  
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
  
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
  
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
  
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• 2 Amber Chips
• Pearl
• 2 Amber Chips
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
  
• Colorado Topaz Roundell
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• 5 Amber chips
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• 3 Amber Chips
• 4mm Olivine Bicone
• Gold Plated Crimp Bead
• 4mm Olivine Bicone

• Next, finish the strand by looping through a 4mm gold plated jumpring, stringing back through the 4mm Olivine Bicone and crimping. Add 3 more gold plated jumprings.
• Once you have done this for both sides, attach the gold plated spring clasp to once side and the 8mm gold plated jumpring to the other. Now the necklace is done!
• The earrings are super simple. Place the amethyst teardrop beads on the headpins. Next, add the Colorado Topaz Roundell, and the 4mm Olivine Bicone. End the headpin in a loop (or a wrapped loop if you have enough room), attaching it to the ball post earring findings.

C'est Fin!


Bead Artist Showcase
You work could be right here! Submit your own version of Sparkling Wine to Creativity In A Nutshell via email to cagarp@plymouth.edu. Feel free to include pictures, anything new you tried and suggestions you have for improvement.

More Similar Fun Stuff!
Necklace of Intrigue: Project

More Stuff on the Information Highway:
Swarovski Color-Changing Crystals 

Here are some pieces I have made (recently and not so recently)
These pretty feather-like earrings were made a week ago or so - with a gold-plated/enamel finding, burri nut bead and a gemstone bead. All extras I had in my ever-growing kit!

I made this necklace a long time ago. Okay, a year and a half ago. It's crafted with hand-made terracotta beads from Africa. Buying these beads supports African women, and are fair trade. I'd say that's just as good as using recycled beads.

This necklace was made around the same time as the previous one, out of freshwater pears, seed beads and smokey quartz rounds. I love wearing it!

I haven't worn this one in a while, but it is pretty. It's made out of pearls, crystal quartz, peridot, labradorite and a brass dragonfly.
I made this beauty just a week ago, out of mostly fluorite beads (I bought an assortment pack ages ago) and a few lower grade amethyst rounds.
I adore this set. Glass beads with delicate gold spirals, and a slight pink hue, mixed with light rose quartz, and a more intense cherry quartz. There are also some tiny shell hieshi beads in there too. The pendant is made of shell :) Wondering what the difference is between cherry quartz and rose quartz? Well, rose quartz is actually a natural color - the stone comes out of the ground with a soft pink color. However, cherry quartz is generall crystal quartz which has been dyed a darker/more brilliant shade of pink. As with any dyed stone, you have to be careful that the color doesn't rub off. I haven't had any trouble with these beads.