Long Leaf

Supplies:

*Leaf strand (2)
*Jump rings (muted gold) (3)
*Needle nose pliers
*Lobster claw clasp

Steps:

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attack one end of one leaf strand and then attach an end of the other leaf strand. Close the jump ring. This attaches the two strand together.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attach one end of the long leaf strand and then attach the lobster claw. Close the jump ring.

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attach the other end of the long leaf strand. Close the jump ring.

-You have finished your necklace.

Falling 2012

I have a wicker wreath that I redesign every season to hang in my room.

I get to enjoy the season in my room all the time this way. I don't like to do the same design as I did last year. I allows me to flex my design muscles. This year I didn't change up my fall design that much, but enough that I don't feel like its the same.

Last year I used two leaf ropes from Michaels.

This year I wanted to do leaves, but with more pops of color and other season items.

I took down my Spring wreath.

I wrapped the wreath in the fall leaf ropes  (new ones from Michaels. Used the old ones outside).

I then added a pumpkin feature and several flower mums.

I had intended to stop at this point. I liked seeing the wicker through the leaves, but it felt bottom heavy this way, so I went all out.

This is my completed wreath. I have my pops of orange and still have features of the season. You can't tell from my pictures, but the leaf ropes have different colors and some are velvet. Gives it a different texture look in-person.

Copper bird bracelet

I have been feeling bored on my days off.... Oh yeah I got a part time job to make some money till I can get another career job. Other wise my parents might seriously kill me. LOL
Anyway I couldn't find a lot to do, so I thought I would try my hand at making some jewelry for myself. I had no trouble learning to make my own flower hair pins. I wanted to make a bracelet that would actually fit my fatter wrists, because not much does.

I found some cute accessory items at Hobby Lobby, which were 50% off (score!), and some copper chain that I wanted to use with it, also 50% off. Took me a little while to figure out how to do the beads that I wanted to add, but it came out pretty well.

Supplies:

1.)wire cutter, rounder, and"squeeze" cramp.

2.) 2'' head pins in copper to match the chain and other items (best to match ALL pieces so one doesn't look out of place)

3,4,5,6.) Bird charm accessory, large rings, clip, and chain. (again all in the same color)

7.) Find some beads that you think would match the theme you have, or just that you like the look.

8.) I used plastic embellishments in the middle.

TO DO:

*I first took the chain and wrapped it around my wrist to figure out the length I wanted. I then marked that spot and plied the next ring off the chain to make it the length I wanted. (This is why I buy the longest chain available because the remaining can be used for other things)
*I wanted to put my two bird charms toward the ends and the plastic embellishments in the middle, so I counted my chain links (less the last two that would be the closer rings) to place them evenly.
*Took a headpin and wrapped one end into a circle, slide the bead on, and then took the other end and wrapped it into a circle as well.
*Take a ring and pry it open, slide in the charm, slide into the circle on the other end of the headpin, now pry close the ring. ***Will need to repeat 2,3 and 4th steps for other end.
*Take a ring and pry it open, slide into a chain link in the middle, slide on the plastic embellishment, pry ring closed. (I did this twice with different sizes)

All done.

This is what mine looked like when it was done. What do you think?

I still want to do a neckless, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I have noticed that the bird charms hang down a little too far. I might have to undo the bead part and just use a ring to hang the charm. I haven't decided if it bothers me enough to change it just yet. Think it might be a good idea?