Weekend Activities

 

 FUN!

 

 

This weekend was a busy one. It started with the Science with a Mission Quilt show and Craft Fair on Saturday. It was a great day! Saw many friends and made some new ones. The other vendors near by were friendly and I made some new "connections"

 

 

I now need to make a trip to Two Guys Fossils to purchase some more gemstones. ;-)

 

 

On Sunday, I went to Auntie Zaza's Fiber Works here in North Easton. Leslie Wind, expert silversmith, was there and demonstrated how to make her shawl pins and other items such as tea stirrers, hair pins and cable necklaces (A necklace that has a decorative cable needle you can't loose while knitting).

 

 

 

 

Leslie took one person at a time and made or helped them make a piece chosen from the many examples she had there. Here is the one she made for me as I watched and asked questions.

 

 

 

 

 

It can be used as a book mark or as a scarf "pin" as shown here. It is made from copper wire, shaped, hammered then polished if you like the shiny look.

 

 

 

 

This is polished but doesn't show in the picture. I'm sure I will find other uses too. You can see more on Leslie's website.

 

 

 

A busy but fun weekend. Now to get back to the regular routine.

 

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

 

 Combining Techniques 

 

 

 

 

Last week I showed you some new gemstone pendants, including this one. A picture Jasper stone that I wire wrapped. However, the usual silver necklace I add to those pieces wouldn't work. I suggested leather as a possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                Several of you agreed. But, the colors/size of leather available just didn't work. I did find some chain that would work. But then, I got to thinking about fiber Kumihimo.

 

 

Then a nice thing happened, I found I already had some on hand to use in a new piece. I've made several Fiber Kumihimo necklaces in the past and had some fiber left over. So, I pulled out the left overs - eliminated the blues and greens and had a nice pile to choose from. You need eight different cords and I found eight different strands that were nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I loaded up my Kumihimo disk and started weaving away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is what I have finished so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I slid the pendant on and here is what it will look like. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chain will not go to waste because I have another stone to wrap. That way customers can have a choice. I really haven't made up my mind which one I like best yet. Opinions?

 

Bev, I think...

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who live here in MA I'll be showing my wares on Saturday, March 23 from 9 AM - 3 PM at the annual Quilt Show for the benefit of Science with a Mission.   Come see over 100 quilts (all different from those you may have seen before) have a nice lunch, and browse over 18 different vendors that will be there.

 

The event will be held at

Covenant Congregational Church

204 Center Street

North Easton, Massachusetts

from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

 

 

You can see most of the new pendants on my website as well as read more about the individual stones. Pendant, Various

 

 

As usual, I like to know what you think about what I show to you. Click on the link below rather than using the reply button. That way it comes directly to my email address which works better for me than the one associated with this email. Thanks.

 

Bev, I think...  

 

.

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

New Earrings

Earrings

 

I really used to enjoy the "A Team" and especially when John "Hannibal" Smith would say "I love it when a plan comes together."

 

Last week I gave you a hint what I was up to. (Making new earrings). One of you even purchased the ones I showed on Facebook.

 

 

These are really nice, aren't they?

 

Now I know many of you do not like long dangly earrings. These are 2 inches long BUT they are very light.

 

 

 

You will not know they are on.

 

So, what's this about a plan coming together? OK, I'll tell you.

 

I took a class at pflora beads awhile ago and learned how to make an earring design called "Twist and Curve" I made several pairs in that style.

 

 

 

Including this one:

 

Do you see the difference/similarity?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One more piece to the pie is another pair of earrings I made using a pattern from pflora beads. They are called "Balloon" earrings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were away on vacation 2 weeks ago, I took my drill and wire with me. I love twisting wire with my drill. mrooommmm....mroommmmm....  While away I twisted lots of wire and turned some into the above "balloon" shapes. Probably more accurately a "tear drop" shape.

 

After we got back home I was showing my friend what I had made so far. We played with the twisted pieces and some beads I had on hand. (This is the way new designs are made) The "what ifs" flew. And we came up with the top picture. It combines one of my Twist and Curve earrings and one of my twisted balloons aka tear drop shape. The plan came together!

 

 

While on a roll. I decided to make a different pair.

Even now, as I look at it, I'm thinking I would like the bead to be on the little longer curve. I'll have to try it.

 

 

 

How would you change it?   The choices are endless. There are blue stones, green ones, black ones, round ones, bigger ones and so on and so forth.

 

Do you have a favorite color or shape???

 

Would you like them a bit shorter, longer? What would your choice be?

 

I'm thinking I could make some square wire shapes too.

 

 

I've made some round wires and even a single tear drop that is only an inch and has no beads, just the tear drop shape. I like it.

 

 

 

OK, I've shown you some new designs. What do you think of them? Do you have a favorite? Would you like something different?

 

 

Check out the earrings on the Ring by Ring Designs website.Then:

 

 

Let me know what you would like and I'll do my best to make what you want.

 

 

Wire Wrapped Pendant

 Finally!  

I've been sharing my "struggles" with learning to wire wrap a gemstone for a Pendant. I realize it is hard to tell from pictures just what it is I don't like.

Well, I finally made one that I'm (relatively) satisfied with. I like both the design and the way the wire looks. 

The picture could be better but here it is:

Here is one of the things I've improved. 

The wire I use is "half round". Just like the name says, half of the wire is round. The other half is flat. Now, when I was working before, I was not always able to get the rounded side where it should be, round on top.

I realize that is a hard thing to see (even if the piece is in your hand)  but if you are going to use nice half round wire, it should show it is nice half round wire! Standing on edge, as in the others, really doesn't cut it. 

Here is a picture of wire on its edge. See the top middle wire is on edge? The bottom middle wire is round as in the good one.

The other thing I like about this one is the three coils on the top. (Reminds me of the three rings in my Ring by Ring Designs' logo)

I expect that I will have more improved pendants to show you in the future. See it on the website.

You can help me, if you would, by letting me know if you like this type of jewelry. I won't feel hurt if you don't like it because, I do not really love it myself but it is growing on me. Click here:  Bev, I think...  

I discovered another thing I'm going to work on this week. Dangly earrings.

I know many of you prefer smaller earrings, but not all of you, I've found out. So, I'll have something new for next week in the earring line. Stay tuned.

Let me know if you like dangly earrings or not.

Click here: Bev, I like .... earrings.

Thanks for taking time to let me know what you are thinking, what you like or don't like. I really appreciate it.

Until next time,

Bev

Blizzard 2013

http://www.ringbyringdesigns.com/shop.html#!/~/product/category=3110416&id=19447019

Blizzard 2013

February

 

Many of you are also in the northeast and probably had as much snow or more than we did. It has been awhile around here, in south eastern MA, since we have had this much snow.

 

 

This is the view from our door on the driveway. Fortunately, our cars are in the garage. My daughter and son-in-law's cars were out. The official snow fall in our town was 23 inches but many around us got more. We are just down the street from the DPW and get our street plowed regularly. In fact, on Friday when it started snowing, I counted 15 plows going by our house before I stopped counting. We were, also, very fortunate to not loose electricity. Many are still without. They are cold and some have no water. Though there are warming places,  they still are hoping for lights soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Pathway started from our house to the  cars in the driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With it snowing hard on Friday, I decided it would be a good time to practice my wire wrapping. Boy, I'm still learning. Here is one piece I'll even show you.

  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not a fan of swirls and curly cues in wire wrapping but I did some anyway. While my wire wrapping skills are getting better, I need to work on my design skills for wrapping. At least to make me happy with the results

 

 

I have one Amethyst button left, the darker colored one. Of course, I can always take a short trip to my buddy at Two Guys Fossils for more.

 

Amethyst,

Malachite, or

Lapis Lazuli. 

Bev

Two Guys Fossils

Part 2

 

Friday, one of my beading buddies and I went to visit Al at Two Guys Fossils again.

 

 

The pieces I showed in last week's post have been quite popular. The Amethyst button sold as a gift for a person with a February birthday. That of course gave me the excuse to purchase some more.

 

 

 

I also, tried to wire wrap several of the stones I had purchased before. Well, as with most new techniques, the results were not great but with each try I learned something new. I won't bore you with the details (plus it is too hard to explain) but I needed to get more stones to try again. I did learn what kind of stone to look for in shape and probably more important, had a better idea what not to purchase.

 

 

 

Here are some pieces I found. They are fairly flat and have some interesting shapes with out being extremely odd shaped.

 

 

 

I've been thinking about something to add to the cross but it is still percolating. So when I find some time, my next project will be to wire wrap one of these stones. Haven't decided which one to start with. It seems I really like hematite ... One lonely lapis lazuli sits there too.

 

 

 

 

Since the Amethyst was sold, here are some replacements. Each one is a little different in shape and in depth of color. The one on the right is the one sold but the other two are available if anyone is interested.

 

You can check the pieces available here:

 

Amethyst,

Malachite, or

Lapis Lazuli.

 

 

Pantone color of 2013

Pantone Color of 2013

 

 

 

 

I've featured Spring and Fall Pantone color before. I've shared the colors with you. Some are good and some are not to my liking. The Pantone color of 2013 is Emerald.

 

Emerald has always been a favorite of mine, so as far as I'm concerned, this is a WINNER.

 

With St Patrick's Day coming in March, Emerald is a great color to feature. (I know Valentine's day comes first but I have to plan ahead)

 

 

 

 

Here is a great start with an Emerald Kumihimo bracelet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there is a Four leaf clover necklace

 

You have to click on the clover picture to see it rather than the cute Panda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some nice green earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made a quick video of all the "green" pieces in stock. Let me know what you like best. Just click to see the video.

 

 

How do you like the new newsletter design?

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

New Ring Design

New Ring Design

 

 

 

 

Here is the start of the new ring design. It is a new chain maille weave for me. After getting over the new weave bumbling thumbs, I was able to get a piece started (above) The next problem is joining the end and forming a ring.

 

 

 

 

That is usual for new designs but still frustrates a bit. However, I was reminded (several times) of the word of caution I give students in my chain maille classes. The ring you close the best, it the one you need to open again. I finally got it together in a form of a ring to wear. Anyhow, how do you like the new ring design?

 

Never satisfied with one design, I tried another variation. It looks good but is not as comfortable to wear as the one above.

 

 

Now for some information on the ring, specifically.

 

It is a design from Urban Maille where I purchase most of my rings. Aislyn is a great teacher and helper aside from providing great rings. It has taken her a long time to come up with a pattern for a ring that would satisfy her. She calls it "The Perfect Ring"

 

The first great feature is

 

Comfort -- This ring is extremely comfortable and effortless to wear because the chain is flat and makes it cling to the finger. The finger is not perfectly round, like a rigid ring. This ring conforms perfectly to the finger so after a very short time (hours) you don't feel it at all. It's like having a strip of soft fabric wrapped around your finger. When you've been wearing this one for awhile, other rings seem unnecessarily restrictive by comparison.

 

The second feature is

 

Durability. I've been wearing mine all day and all night including showers and washing dishes. It still looks shiny and bright. I would take it off if I were to start mixing meat loaf with my hands. I take my engagement ring off when I do that, too.

 

 

Close ups of hands are usually not pretty! Look at the ring!!

 

This ring can be made with different metals. I used Silver Filled (like gold filled) because it was a little cheaper to do. I've been extremely pleased with silver filled vs sterling.

I've ordered some Argentium Sterling silver rings, some bronze rings and some gold filled. I plan to mix the metals in some new rings. Specifically Argentium Sterling Silver and Gold filled. Looking forward to that one.

 

I'm thinking of calling them "Ring of Rings". I've only made a few and have discovered several things I need to know to proceed effectively.

1) What is your ring size?
2) Do you like sterling silver or silver filled?
3) Would you like to see a mixed metal ring? (silver and gold or silver and copper, bronze or....)

 

Looking forward to hearing your opinions.  Comment below

 

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Birthstone Gifts

Birthstone Gifts

 

 

One of the things people like to give as gifts is jewelry with birthstones. It is a more personal gift and usually very appreciated.

If you do a "Google" search for Birthstones, you will get many choices. With in the choices you will find some disagreement in what specific Birthstone that fits each month. To simplify things, I chose the list of Swarovski crystals. That fits better into my jewelry making anyhow. Most months are pretty much the same in each list. April isn’t a diamond but (clear) crystal. October has a few choices as does December and June. Other choices for October are Opal, Light Rose and Green Tourmaline. For December other choices are Turquoise and Light Sapphire. For June, Pearl is another choice.
 

 

Most chain maille jewelry can have Swarovski crystals added to make a birthstone piece. Of course you can make a bracelet or necklace of just Swarovski crystals with some spacers

Another idea is Family, Grandmother or Mother's bracelets. Having the color of each birth month of each child. Here is an example of one with the child's name and October birthstone, sapphire.

 

Think of the people on your gift list. Would someone appreciate birthstone jewelry? You can design one of your own that will be special to the recipient.

You can see some suggestions of Angel Birthstones on my website. Actually, almost any angel will make a good gift. Do consider birthstones as gifts.

 

Let me know what you want to design for your gift(s).

 

Until next week,

Bev

 

New Video Magatama Kumihimo

New Video

Magatama Kumihimo

 

If you have been following my posts, you probably know what I mean by Magatama Kumihimo.

 

But if it is new to you: Magatama is a type of seed bead. Seed beads usually are small beads (seed like) Magatamas are not your normal seed bead.

 

 

 

 

They have a very distinctive shape. The holes are slanted rather that going straight through the bead. There are smaller magatama beads, too, however.

These are 4 x 7mm in size.

 

 

   

 

 

And they come in hundreds of different colors. It is great fun trying different arrangements of the magatama beads as well as using different colors. They can be strung all in one direction to have a "pine cone" effect or in a random fashion. Then you can add other seed beads and come up with an entirely different look. And of course, the colors can be in a pattern or completely mixed.

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, I made a video of the various Magatama Kumihimo bracelets I've made. It shows the different patterns that can be made and many of the different colors and color patterns. As you watch the video, see if you can pick out the ones that are the "pine cone" pattern (strung in all one direction) or the ones with random stringing. You've seen them all before but having them all in one place may help understanding how they really look. (Unless you have seen them in person, it really isn't clear.) This doesn't even touch the many variations that can be made.

 

 

 

 

 

The Kumihimo part is how the magatama beads are woven together. Kumihimo is Japanese braiding using (in my case) a foam disk. This is a picture of the disk and how it looks in progress.

 

 

 

 

 

Fibers and not beads are shown here - in case you are looking closely. But the idea is the same.

 

  

So, click on the picture below or here to view the video. Enjoy. (I really like the music that I was able to add even though it stopped before the end of the video.)

 

 

 

You can purchase or find more information on these Magatama and other Kumihimo bracelets on my website by clicking here.

 

You can feel like a "Devil Woman"  while watching   ;-)