Sarah Millsop's Crystal Weave Bracelets

This weekend I've been making these bracelets from Beads Direct's Take A Make Break.

 I pretty much had all the components to make the "Blueberry" version - apart from the catseye, but seeing as working with beads with chatoyance gives me a headache - it worked in my favour.  It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I did, I kind of got excited about seeing what else I could create.  So I did a "Salsa" and a "Punk Princess" version too.

Which version do you like best?

For the Salsa, I used these multicoloured drawbench beads I bought from one of my trips to Beading Amazing.  Instead of the Chinese crystal rondelles, I used 4mm Chinese crystal bicones instead  - Amethyst with an AB coating.  For the seed bead weave, I used matte rainbow siam Tohos, to match the colours in the drawbench beads.

For the Punk Princess version, I used pink drawbench beads, silver Chinese crystal rondelles and the matte jet Tohos I used for the Blueberry bracelet.  Looking at it now, I think maybe silver would have looked better?

I'll definitely be making more of these, I think I want to make a necklace version next time using gemstones.  So look out for that maybe later in the week!

=:x

If you would like to make these yourself the video can be found here: TAMB - Crystal Weave Bracelet
And you can still get the kits from Beads Direct for £14.99 each.  Choose from the Blueberry Ripple or the Raspberry Ripple.

Wrong Side of the Tracks Bracelets

Today I have not one, but two bracelets to share with you.  I'd never used two-hole beads before and I didn't really know what to do with them.  Then I came across this tutorial from Inspirational Beading using Chevron Chain with Tilas.

I'd bought some beautiful marbled rose tilas which I paired with Ceylon Ivory seed beads.  When I showed it to my mom, she told me it looked very bridal style.  I was actually trying to create an antique lace effect, but whatever.

I beaded the toggle clasp and loop, so it's another metal-free bracelet.

I made another, but this time I used all black beads.  Instead of using two size 6/0 beads on the edges, I used 3 size 8/0s.

I also changed from using beading thread to using elastic instead, so this one is clasp-less too.

I had fun(!) trying to figure out how to connect both ends together without leaving a seam, but I finally managed it!  I'm thinking of making another one of these and attaching it to a ring.

=:x

Butterfly Catcher Bracelet

I seem to be making a lot of bracelets lately.  In fact every post this week (bar yesterday) is a bracelet, so let's call it Bracelet Week!  I really enjoyed doing the Ogalala Netting for the Passion Necklace.  So it manifested itself into this:

I've been buying a lot of pastel and candy colours recently.  I hardly ever purposely buy a particular shade - unless I'm in the middle of a project and I've run out of beads - but it's like my mind unconsciously knows exactly what colours I'm going to need for each season.  I don't know if I've mentioned, but I'm not exactly fashion-conscious and many of the ideas recycle themselves anyway.  On one of my trips to Beading Amazing, I found these ceylon yellow and green seed beads and thought they'd be perfect for a Spring/Summer project.

I just kept adding more layers, alternating colours, building it up - however I could sense there was something missing.  Then I got the idea of adding these 4mm pink/clear crackle glass beads.  It added another dimension and the finished article kind of reminds me of the Rosy Apples sweets!  Why does nearly all my jewellery seem to be influenced by sweets in some way?

I knew I wanted to make a beaded clasp and have it metal free, but for some reason a toggle clasp didn't look right in my mind and I hate making beaded ball clasps.  So I decided to use something else I got on my trip to Beading Amazing...

Not original (what is?), but it makes it look so cute!

=:x

Neon Punk Bracelet

I've been taking on many complex projects lately, so every now and then it's nice to just create something simple.

I Heart...Sweetness Necklace

Sorry this is late, I've got a bit behind this weekend thanks to some kind of stomach bug, so the posts this week might be  bit scattered.
Today's item from the I Heart...Collection is the ...Sweetness Necklace.  So-called because it reminds me of strawberries and cream.

I Heart...Passion Necklace

Here is the second piece in the I Heart...Collection - The ...Passion Necklace.

Woven Diamond Earrings

My first post this week is this gorgeous pair of earrings I made for myself that I haven't been able to stop wearing.

The earrings feature black and bright pink fuchsia Delicas beaded in brick stitch to create this cool diamond within a diamond pattern.

 It's finished with a round gunmetal bead and silver fishhook earwires*.

My mom loved them so much that she she asked me to make her a pair.  Hers feature transparent grey Delicas with an AB finish.

The earrings will be available to buy soon in a range of colours.  I'll also be making ones with other designs which I'll post separately.

=:x

*They'll also be available in clip-on style!

Swarovski Ombre Cuff Bracelet

So this is the last in the set of the Swarovski Ombre.  This was also my first attempt at a wire wrapped cuff/bracelet.  The design was inspired by a tutorial for a watch in one of my beading books.

Swarovski Ombre Earrings

 I had a few crystals left over, so I decided to make some earrings to go with the Swarovski Ombre Necklace. There's also a cuff bracelet, which will be featured in tomorrows post. Both were designed in my head as I was working on the necklace.

I knew the earrings had to be simple so as not to detract from the visual effect of the necklace.  I continued the ombre theme, however, with graduating colour and size to create these drop-style earrings.  I didn't use as many colours as I used in the necklace, preferring to stick to the pinker end of the red spectrum.

These along with the necklace and cuff will be available for purchase soon.

=:x

Swarovski Ombre Necklace

This is probably one the ones I've been most excited to share out of the new things I've created over the holidays.  I bought a Swarovski mix containing various shapes in shades of red.  I played around with them on my design board and was inspired to create an ombre necklace.  I instantly began sketching, however the ombre effect on its own didn't seem enough.  I really wanted to catch the eye.  I began adding strands to add to the effect, but there was still something missing.  Going back to my mixed bag, I noticed the the different sizes and the idea of a 3D ombre came to me.

More Decorations

I have more decorations to show you before I sign off for Christmas.  I've made a couple of new snowflakes and some wire trees.

Rose & Violet Crème Set

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement is intended.  These are my own interpretations of various sweets and candy using various beads.  Nothing in the Sweet Tooth collection is edible.  Please try to refrain from eating!

Rose and violet are such delicate flavours, I thought it best to keep this set simple.

Rose & Violet Crème Set

The necklace is comprised of alternating pink and parma violet coloured glass pearls.  Then there is the pink glas flower for a pendant.

Pendant

The earrings are just two of the pearls hanging from nickel fre earwires.

Rose & Violet Crème Earrings

The bracelet is on a coil of memory wire, with flower spacers.  Please note: In future versions, the "rose" pearls may differ than those shown. :)

If you would be interested in this set or would like me to make you something similar, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Rose & Violet Crème Set" in the subject line.

Sugared Almonds Set

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement is intended.  These are my own interpretations of various sweets and candy using various beads.  Nothing in the Sweet Tooth collection is edible.  Please try to refrain from eating!

I found these pastel colored, drop shaped glass pearls and thought they'd be perfect to represent sugared almonds:

Sugared Almonds Set

 I attached the glass pearls to four lengths of gold and silver cable chain.

Sugared Almonds Necklace

 The earrings are the glass pearls on gold chain hung from oxidized brass filigree connectors.  The earwires are gold plated so they should be suitable for those with nickel allergies. If you do find them uncomfortable, however; try coating the earwires with clear nail varnish. :)

Sugared Almonds Earrings

 The bracelet is a bit different, as the glass pearls are spaced by gold beads on silver chain.  The bracelet will require measurements. :)

If you would be interested in this set or would like me to make you something similar, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Sugared Almonds Set" in the subject line.

Strawberries & Cream Set

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement is intended.  These are my own interpretations of various sweets and candy using various beads.  Nothing in the Sweet Tooth collection is edible.  Please try to refrain from eating!

Strawberries are my favourite fruit and there is something quite British about a bowl of strawberries and cream in summer.  This set is going to be like the Jelly Bean Set, each one will be different because it's a mixed bag of beads. :)

Strawberries and Cream Set

The necklace is a mixture of glass beads in shades of red, white and pink, with white pearlised seed beads spaced between them.  The seed beads are donated from a beaded bag belonging to my mom.  The "pendant" was a clip-on earring and the ribbon ties were from candles from my friend Maryann at the One Stop Pamper Shop.

Ribbons

The earrings are a mixture of shapes, diminishing in size.  The earwires are nickel free.

Strawberries and Cream Earrings

For the bracelet I decided to try a charm bracelet style.  I'll probably need wrist measurements, so it doesn't end up falling off your wrist! :)

Strawberries and Cream Bracelet

The ring is another bling ring style so it matches the charm bracelet.

Strawberries and Cream Ring

Strawberries and Cream Ring - worn

If you would be interested in this set or would like me to make you something similar, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Strawberries & Cream Set" in the subject line.

Turkish Delight Set

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement is intended.  These are my own interpretations of various sweets and candy using various beads.  Nothing in the Sweet Tooth collection is edible.  Please try to refrain from eating!

This is a one-of-a-kind set, because I've used a lot of recycled materials and I don't know where I get them again.

Turkish Delight Set

 The pendant on the necklace used to be a clip on earring that was donated to me.

Clip-on earring transformed into Turkish Delight Pendant

  I used glass cubes, coloured sparkling amber - for the chocolate - and transparent yellow - for the lemon Turkish Delight.  On either side of the glass beads are amethyst coloured glass rondelles and copper spacer beads.

Turkish Delight Necklace

The earrings are also no problem.  Please note the the earwires are copper plated and are not suitable for those with nickel allergies. (Tip: If you do have a nickel allergy and still want these earrings, try coating the earwires with clear nail varnish.)

Turkish Delight Earrings

Apart from the clasp, everything on the bracelet is recycled.  The focal is the other clip-on earring and two buttons that I've sewn onto organza ribbons.  I think we can agree that despite it being made from recycled bits and bobs (including the thread I used) it's a stunning bracelet:

Turkish Delight Bracelet

 The ring was a chipped glass stone, which I sanded and polished.  It has an AB (Aurora Borealis) coating, which reflects many different colours when held up to the light.  I think it also might have been a clip-on earring, but I'm not sure.  The ring is adjustable, so should fit most fingers.

Turkish Delight Ring - worn

If you would be interested in this set or would like me to make you something similar, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Turkish Delight Set" in the subject line.

Bubble Gum Set

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement is intended.  These are my own interpretations of various sweets and candy using various beads.  Nothing in the Sweet Tooth collection is edible.  Please try to refrain from eating!

As a child, I loved getting a piece of gum or a gobstopper from gumball machines when I'd finished swimming.  That was what inspired the Bubble Gum set:

Bubble Gum Set

 The necklace is a simple strand of alternating pink and blue acrylic marble beads.  Simple but effective.

The earrings are the beads threaded onto a coil of ring memory wire and connected at the top by the nickel-free silver earwire.

Bubble Gum Earrings

 The bracelet is on memory wire also, so again it should fit any size wrist.

Bubble Gum Bracelet

If you would be interested in this set or would like me to make you something similar, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Bubble Gum Set" in the subject line.