12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 - Moving Forward Disk Bead Bracelet

It's time to put 2016 to bed and move forward with bigger and brighter things for 2017! This funky asymmetrical bracelet balances out a row of polymer clay disk beads with three strands of chain. I used geometric findings to give the design a modern edge. 

Supplies:

9 12mm polymer clay disk beads

Pewter arrow button

2 3/4" brass flat cable chain

2 3/4" gunmetal or arte metal oval chain

2 3/4" large copper oval chain (with patina)

10mm brass etched jump ring

2 8mm brass jump rings

3 2.5 faceted brass beads

10 11/0 nickel seed beads

21 mm brass hammered ring

35mm brass rectangle bar

4" 19 gauge blackened steel wire (treat wire with steel wool and Renaissance Wax before using) 

Use whatever leftover chain you have on hand for this project - make sure to mix colors, texture and size for variation. 

Bracelet size: 8 1/2" long. (Shorten the chain and use 8 disk beads to adjust the size of your bracelet.)

Directions:

1. With round nose pliers create a simple loop at the end of the steel wire. String on one seed bead, one disk bead, repeat 8 more times. String on one more seed bead. Create a simple loop on the other end of the wire. 

2. Use chain nose pliers to open the end of the loop and string on the hammered loop, close the wire loop. 

3. Attach the ends of the three chains with an 8mm jump ring to the arrow button. 

4. Attach the other end of the chains with the etched jump ring. 

5. Use an 8mm jump ring to attach the etched jump ring to the brass rectangle, string on three faceted brass beads on the jump ring before closing.

6. Attach the other side of the brass rectangle to the end wire with the disk beads. 

Resources: Disk Beads: Humblebeads. Wire: Ace Hardware. Chain, arrow, hammered ring, jump rings and seed beads: Lima Beads. The rectangle piece was purchased many years ago and I can not remember where! Use any geometric piece for the focal: Color Square Findings,

12 Days of Christmas: Day 11 - Hollow Clay Beads

Hi There!  I'm Terri Del Signore from artisticaos.  I am a ceramic bead artist and I'm looking forward to sharing a tutorial with you! This is something that I have been experimenting with, and I am quite excited to show you what I've learned so far! Hollow clay forms using paper.

I work with ceramic clay but this concept could also suit polymer and metal clay projects.  In fact, somehow, somewhere, I came across paper beads used to make hollow polymer beads.  I don’t make polymer beads, but round paper beads are sold on Etsy for this purpose.  The idea is that you wrap your polymer clay around the paper bead, bake it, drill holes, and soak the bead to soften the paper pulp. Then remove the paper pulp with fine tip tweezers. You are left with a hollow polymer bead.  Even though I don't make polymer beads that idea sparked a different idea for me.

This seemed like something I could try with ceramic clay because extreme temperatures in the kiln would completely burn away paper, leaving only a hollow ceramic bead.  I wanted to play around with this idea because I have a background in papermaking (as we artsy folks tend to dabble in more than one medium;).  I figured this way, I could make various shapes to be used for hollow beads, and not be limited to just round beads. Who wants limits right!!??

I always have tons of ideas, and many that don’t work – but not this time! It worked! Here is a completely hollow bisque bead that I made using a paper bead.  The paper is completely gone, and all that is left is a hollow ceramic bead!

I will share what I did and some things I learned.
And the best part is that it is really simple!!
Making paper shapes to use to make hollow clay beads.

Materials needed
Cotton paper pulp and warm water

Equipment needed
Blender and dehydrator 

See that is not a long list of materials! If you don't have a dehydrator you could improvise with an oven, on the lowest setting, left open - or a heater even!  Cotton paper pulp is purchased through paper-making supply places. I have had mine for a very long time.  I bet you a good quality cotton toilet paper or paper towel would work too!  If you try it - let me know how it turns out!

Add warm water to your blender and add some ripped cotton paper pulp. Exactly how much is difficult to tell you, but, it's better to start with less and increase as needed. I say this because I once killed a brand new blender by adding too much pulp.  Now I have a Ninja, and it would take a lot more than paper to kill this beast!!  I love this machine!!  The left photo is paper pulp sheet.

Blend to a pulp (literally)!

When done, slowly lift out an amount in your hand that would suit your size and shape for your design.  Try to get the correct amount the first time, because adding to it is not ideal. You will learn this as you go and get better at it. Gently squeeze water out while forming your desired shape.  Don't try and get all the water out to the point you distort your shape. You will get a feel of what I mean. Working gently is key to maintaining shape. A little practice will help but I promise it is really easy!!

To remove the remaining pulp, you will need to use a fine strainer once the pulp starts getting low and hard to grab.

Once you have your wet paper shapes. Put them in your dehydrator to dry. Does anyone see my winking emoji;) in the photo below? I got my husband’s smaller dehydrator when he upgraded to a commercial one.  I snuck these into my husband’s, while he was making jerky. I kind of expected him to ask – but he is so past asking questions about my seemingly strange art projects about the house – even when they end up next to his jerky!

Once dry - they will be ready to use for your clay creations!! 

The clay you use to put over the paper will naturally want to take on the shape of your paper shape.  If your paper shape is really rough and bumpy texture (as thick handmade paper tends to be)  you will have to compensate by how you shape the outside. Either go with the rough texture and work it into your design or spend the time smoothing it out.  I did come up with a way to make your round beads smooth so that you can easily make nice smooth, round, hollow beads.  

The technique is to gently roll your rough round beads between two perfectly flat surfaces.  As you can see I am using really advanced equipment for this;) A plastic plate and a flat table top. The important thing is that both have a smooth, flat, textureless, surface!

Here is a pic of the difference it makes.

Now wrap clay around your paper shape and let the creative juices flow!


Important to remember is that there needs to be a hole that reaches into the hollow part of the clay for ceramic and metal clays (can't say for sure about polymer but my guess would be the same) - otherwise air can't get out and that is when things explode in the kiln.

You will see with my elephant head- that my design idea did not allow for air to escape, so I actually put a hole at the back.

Here is another hollow designs I made using this technique.

GIVEAWAY!!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!

And this hollow hummingbird bead is for one you readers who are still reading, and leave a comment. Winner will be chosen using random number generator. The winner will be picked next Thursday. 

I look forward to exploring with this technique much more and I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial!


Terri Del Signore – artisticaos.com

12 Days of Christmas: Day 10 - Owl Forest Knotted Necklace

This has been my favorite necklace for the last few months. It matches all my winter clothes, it feels great to wear and I just love anything with an owl on it. The design is a breeze to whip up and I made several variations.

Supplies

Pewter owl charm

Polymer clay oblong bead

12mm lampwork bead

10mm ceramic round bead

8mm polymer clay wobble

66 11/0 nickel seed beads

200 4mm cube seed beads

48" Irish waxed linen

22mm leaf button

I always over estimate how much linen to use, better to have too much than not enough!

For this project I used 8 different colors of cube seed beads with different finishes like metallic, matte metallic and transparent. 

Necklace length: 28" long 

Directions:

1. Fold the linen cord in half, insert the end loop through the pendant. Open the loop and pull the cord through the loop to create a lark's knot. Create a knot above the pendant.

2. String on the oblong bead, create an overhand knot. String on the ceramic and wobble bead, knotting between each bead. Create a knot on top of the wobble.

3. Separate the two cords. On one cord string a nickel seed bead, 10 square beads, one nickel seed bead. Knot the cord. Repeat the pattern 9 more times. 

4. String on 26 seed beads, form into a loop and tie the loop with a simple knot. Knot the cord 2-3 more times to create a secure loop. Trim excess linen cord.

5. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the necklace. String on the button and loop the cord 2-3 times through the button before trying a knot under the button, securing it tightly to the necklace. Tie 2-3 more knots under the button. Trim excess cord.

Resources: Owl, waxed linen, cube seed beads, nickel seed beads and leaf button: Lima Beads. Lampwork: Julie Miller. Ceramic: White Clover Kiln. Polymer Clay Beads: Humblebeads. (I'll have more soon!) 

Deer pendants from Allegory Gallery. 

12 Days of Christmas: Day 8 - Feather Earrings

Use artisan headpins to whip up earrings in minutes! These lovely ceramic feathers are from Artisticaos. They can be hard to find as Terri works in small batches, but you can adapt this project with any artisan headpins.

Supplies:
2 ceramic headpins
2 brass flower bead caps
2 8mm faceted rock crystal rondells
2 6mm rhinestone rondelles
2 6mm faceted pearls
34 11/0 nickel seed beads
2 brass earwires

Directions: 
1. On the headpin string on one seed bead, bead cap, stone rondelle, rhinestone rondelle, pearl.

2. Bend the wire on the headpin over at a 45 degree angle from the headpin. String on 16 seed beads. Form the wire into a loop and create and wrap the wire under the seed bead loop 2-3 times. Trim off access wire and tighten the end with chain nose pliers.

3. Attach earwire in the center of the seed bead loop. 

Supplies: Ceramic feathers: Artisticaos. Bead caps, earwires and rhinestone rondelles: Hobby Lobby. Pearls and stones: Rings & Things. 

12 Days of Christmas: Day 7 - Stag and Vines Necklace and Earrings

Do you love a bead soup mix as much as I do? I'm kind of a lazy beader and I'm not the best at picking up after a project, can you relate? So after things are at the breaking point I have three boxes that I sort my leftovers into: one stones and pearls, one glass in warm colors and one glass in cool colors. 

I pulled together a muted color palette of pink, gray, rust and cloudy blue. I wanted something that was subdued and could be worn with a wide variety of outfits. Use your bead soup leftovers to create a stunning art bead necklace by mixing pops of color with a mostly neutral color palette. Use any beads you have on hand for this project, this is the perfect way to use up some of those strays!

Supplies:
Pewter Deer Pendant

18 8-20mm stones, pearls and glass

6 6mm Czech glass flowers, pearls and stones

6 copper ball headpins

6 8mm brass jump rings

4 4mm brass jump rings

20" 22 gauge blackened annealed wire* (use gauge darkened copper wire as an alternative)

16 gauge vintage chain with clasp, cut in half. 

*treat steel wire by wiping it first with paper toweling, then rub down with extra fine steel wool and seal with a light coat of Renaissance Wax.

Directions:
1. On a headpin string one of the 6mm flowers, create a wrapped loop with the remaining wire. Repeat with all the 6mm beads to create 6 small dangles. Set aside.

2. Create a simple loop on the 22 gauge wire, string on a larger bead, trim wire to 1/4" tail and create a simple loop. Repeat with all remaining beads.

3. Arrange the large beads in a balanced fashion on both sides, balance size, colors and textures to create an interesting pattern for your necklace.

4. Attach a 5mm jump ring to the pendant. Attach an 8mm jump ring to the 5mm jump ring, string on three of the small bead dangles, string on the first bead from your arranged pattern and close the jump ring.

5. Add on two more beads by opening the loop, slip on the bead, close the loop. Repeat one more time and add on 8mm jump ring.

6. Repeat adding three large beads and one jump ring.

7. Add three more beads and 5mm jump ring, before closing the 5mm jump ring add on the end of one side of the chain.

8. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the necklace.

I created these matching earrings using Vine pewter charms. Five 6mm crystals and one 4mm faceted glass and one 4mm crystal on copper ball headpins. I attached two 6mm crystals to an 8mm jump ring, attached another 8mm jump ring with two more 6mm crystals, one more 6mm jump ring with one 6mm crystal and one 4mm faceted glass bead. I attached the earwire and include one 4mm jump ring on the earwire to dangle in the front. I attached the charms to the bottom with 5mm jump rings.

Resources: Pewter pendant and earrings: Invicti. Jump rings and headpins: Yadana Beads. Stones, pearls and glass visit your bead supplies and use what you have on hand!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6: Frosted Evergreen Necklace

Mary Harding offered these mini tree ornaments a few weeks back and when it arrived I couldn't help but think it would make a great pendant and plan to wear it through the winter season. I mixed the evergreen pendant with a collection of ceramic and polymer clay beads paired up with matte amazonite beads and a small jasper rounds beads. To open up the strand of rondelle beads I added tiny 11/0 antique copper seed beads and the whole create is knotted on sage green Irish waxed linen.

Supplies:
ceramic pendant
15mm ceramic round beads
20mm polymer clay disk
81 8mm matte amazonite rondelles
16 6mm round jasper beads
1 6mm bronze electroplated hematite
2 4mm copper flat spacers
96 11/0 antique copper seed beads
8mm copper jump ring
15mm brass jump ring
6" 19 gauge steel wire (or 18 gauge copper wire)
22 x 18mm large hole clasp
52" waxed Irish linen*

Length: 26"

*I have a terrible habit of underestimating how much linen I use. I would rather have extra than not enough for a project. You can always use the tiny bits for accents on earrings.

1. Create a large loop 2" from the bottom of the wire. Open the loop and slide on the pendant. Close the loop and wrap the wire around the top of the loop two times. Trim excess wire and tuck in the tail. 

(If using steel wire be sure to treat it first by rubbing it with paper toweling, then rub the surface with extra fine steel wool and a very light coat of Renaissance wax.) 

2. String on a rondelle, spacer, ceramic round bead, spacer and hematite bead. Create a wrapped loop on top of the last bead, trim extra wire and tuck in the tail.

3. Attach the jump ring to the top of the pendant. Fold the the waxed linen in half and slide the center through the jump ring, open the loop of linen and reach down to grab the other cords, pull them through the loop to form a lark's knot. 

4. On one side the linen string on one seed bead, one rondelle. Repeat four mores. String on one seed bead. Create a simple knot. String on one jasper bead, knot. 

5. Repeat step 4 six more times. And repeat the pattern on the other side of the waxed linen. 

6. Attach the clasp and jump rings with simple knots, knot the cord several times to secure them. Trim off the excess cord.

Resources: Tree Pendant: Mary Harding. Ceramic Round: Gaea. Polymer clay disks: Humblebeads. 15mm jump ring, stones and waxed linen: Lima Beads. Clasp: Stink Dog Beads. Copper seed beads: Fusion Beads.

Mary sent me two teeny tiny charms as a gift and I had to make holiday earrings with them! I used a brass eyepin with a spacer, polymer clay disk bead, Vintaj flower bead cap and pearl. A wrapped loop finishes the top. The tree charms are attached with an 8mm jump ring and brass earwires are attached to the top.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5: Dove Earrings

I wanted to showcase these tiny charms by giving them a pop of color for a backdrop. Enameled leaf charms offered the perfect touch of color for these holiday dove earrings. Adapt this design with any combination of small charms and leaves to create a sweet pair of earrings for any season.

Supplies:
2 dove charms
2 enamel ivy leaf charms
6 8mm faceted dyed pearls
4 5mm brass jump rings
4 7mm brass jump rings
6 2mm copper headpins.
2 brass earwires

Directions:
1. Attach 2 5mm brass jump rings to an enamel ivy leaf charm.
2. Attach the last jump ring on the leaf charm and the dove charm to a 7mm jump ring.
3. String a pearl on a headpin, create a wrapped loop. Repeat with all 6 pearls.
4. Open a 7mm jump ring, string on the charms, a pearl on each side. Close jump ring.
5. Open earwire, string through the last jump ring. String on a pearl dangle. Close earwire.

Resources: Charms: Gaea. Leafs: Gardanne Beads. Pearls: your local bead store.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 4 - Silk Wrapped Beads Earrings

We are really taking our time here with only 4 days left to Christmas and on Day 4 of our 12 Days of Christmas. I have a 8 more awesome projects to share with you and will be sharing one a day over the next 8 days! 

Today to go with my Bead Table Wednesday demo today I'm sharing these fun silk wrapped bead earrings.

Supplies:

Two lengths of 1 1/4" 18 or 19 gauge wire (I recommend steel or copper)

12" 26 gauge craft wire

11/0 seed beads

8-12" sari silk ribbon

2 artisan headpins

2 5mm copper jump rings

2 brass earwires

1. Create a simple loop on each end of the 19 gauge wire. 

2. String on 2" of seed beads on the 26 gauge wire. 

3. Wrap the ribbon around the wire, twisting it over as it's wrapped around the wire. When you reach the end of the wire, wrap the ribbon back over the middle. (See the video.)

4. Wrap 1" of the 26 gauge wire under the loop, wrap the ribbon with the wire to secure it, letting a bead or two fall on the wire as you turn it around the ribbon. Wrap the wire around the other loop 5-6 times.

5. Create a messy wrapped loop with the wire on the headpins. 

6. Attach the wrapped headpin to the silk bead with a 5mm jump ring.

7. Attach the earwire to the top of the silk bead. 

Video Resources:
Beautiful Elements Book

Sari Silk Ribbon: Design Talented One

Headpins: Humblebeads VIP Party Facebook Group

12 Days of Christmas :: Day 3 - Merry & Bright Bookmarks

Hello bead peeps!

Welcome to my first ever "Late Night in the Studio with Erin" video! I am not a very tech savvy person but I thought I would give a live video a shot, inspired by Heather's Bead Table Wednesday and all the fun the Miss Candie Cooper shares with us on her page. This was totally impromptu... like it was 10pm and I realized I hadn't written this project up as promised, I was beyond tired and shivering all the way in this deep freeze we are in in Wisconsin, I had no makeup on and the worst lighting in a studio anywhere and more loot than I know what to do with, but I thought, why not? I have to apologize for the state of my studio, but to pretend it isn't always like this would be a lie (and if you saw the mess that was just at my fingertips, or to my right or left, or even on the floor right behind me, I am sure you would be appalled!) I promise that this is at the top of my very long to do list for the new year (which might make for an entertaining, if not downright embarrassing video subject!) If you like the idea of videos, let me know. I would love to do more of this sort of thing, so if there is anything that people want to learn from me..........or if you hate the idea of videos, just be kind to me in the comments! ;-)

So here is my project - Merry & Bright Bookmarks - and the instructions are below in case you don't want to listen to me blather on and on and on........

Merry & Bright Bookmarks

Materials:

• Metal tags, 4 x 1 1/2" (the ones I used were etched gift tags from Target but you could use copper or brass sheet metal, or how about pieces of old cookie tins for a colorful alternative)
• Colorful cord, about 14" (I used silk cords from Marsha Neal Studios, but you could use baker's twine or waxed linen)
• Assorted art beads with larger holes
• Craft wire, 6", 22 gauge

1. Fold the cord in half and pass through the hole on the top of the metal tag. Tie a lark's head knot.
2. Fold the piece of wire in half. 
3. String the bead onto the wire, holding the tail end so it doesn't slip out. Open the wire a bit to allow the cord to pass through. Pull the wire with the cord through the bead.
4. Repeat Step 3 for the remaining beads.
5. Tie an overhand knot at the top of the beads to secure. OPT: if the hole is too large you should tie an additional overhand knot on top for a larger knot to prevent the bead from slipping. 

Tuck in your favorite reader's book gift for them to enjoy the whole year though!

I am feeling generous so in the spirit of giving.....I will send one of these bookmarks to a lucky reader just for answering one of these two questions....

If you think that you might like to see more "Late Night in the Studio with Erin" videos, what would you like to learn from me? ;-)
or
If you don't want to be treated to any more "Late Night in the Studio with Erin" videos, tell me what is the best handmade gift you ever received? *<]:-}}}

Winner will be announced after Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 2 - Leather and Screw Rivet Bracelet Tutorial

Bracelet measures 8”

Supplies:
Bracelet cuff
8" 18 or 19 gauge wire
2 15mm brass jump rings
10” leather strap ½” wide
18mm x 20mm copper E hook clasp
4 micro 1” screw and nut sets
Metal punch
Wire cutters
Scissors Bench block
Ball peen hammer

Instructions:

1. Cut the leather strap into a 3" and 3 1/2" lengths. Fold the end of the leather strap over at 1/2” from the end. Punch a hole through the overlapped leather pieces ¼” from end. Turn the leather piece over and punch threw the hole on the back of the piece one more time. Tip: Always punch the hole from the top of the leather strap.

2. Thread the screw half way through the leather strap with the finished end facing up on top of the leather straps. Insert the clasp on the leather and fold the leather over. Push the screw through the back of the leather strap.

3. Thread on the nut on the screw on the back of the leather.

4. Use chain nose pliers to tighten the nut securely.

5. Trim off the end of the screw with wire cutters, flush to the nut.

6. Place the bracelet with the nut side up on top of the bench block, lightly tap the cut off end of the bolt with the ball peen hammer to flatten the end slightly.

7. Repeat on the other side of the leather, without adding the clasp.

8. On the longer piece of leather, make a loop that's 3/4” long that will be the loop for the clasp. Repeat the steps to rivet this side of the leather. Create another 1/2" loop on the other end of the leather and repeat the steps to rivet this side

9. Cut 4" of wire, insert wire half way through the hole on one side of the cuff. Fold both pieces of wire over the edge of the cuff and with round nose pliers create a wrapped loop with one side of wire. Wrap the other side of the wire around the wrapped loop. Trim off excess wire and tuck in the end of the wire with chain nose pliers. Repeat on the other side of the cuff.

10. Insert a 15mm jump ring though the smaller loop on the leather piece, add loop of the cuff and close jump ring. Turn the end of the jump ring so it's inside the leather loop. Repeat on the other side.

Resources: All materials can be found at Lima Beads. Bracelet cuffs can be found at Humblebeads.com.

Watch a live video demonstration of the project here.

Video Resources:
White Clover Kiln and SuzieQBeads
Humblebeads VIP Group

Join me every Wednesday at 2pm for a live video chat on Facebook for Bead Table Wednesday. Like my Humblebeads page to catch the videos every week.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1: Artist Spotlight Juli Cannon

I have gotten to know many friends and talented artists through Facebook that I haven't yet had the chance to meet in person.  I know when I get to meet Juli Cannon either in her home state of Alabama, my home state of Florida or maybe at a bead show, we will have an amazing time! Not only is she one of my favorite lamp work artists, she is really funny!  Juli started the Facebook Group, Art Beads, which is a trunk show selling format for lamp work artists, ceramic bead artists, metal clay artists and special events open to all group members.  She carefully selects her trunk show artists for the over 3,000+ members to shop with.  There are games, giveaways, friendship - Oh and amazing art beads!  Here is the link if you haven't discovered this fun way of shopping:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtBead/

Yes - I became a customer and friend of Juli's through Art Beads.  I have a collection started and when I pulled them all together for this post, I have proved that shades of blue are my favorite!
Here's my stash:

Aren't they yummy?!  Her earring pairs just scream to me to make something, like NOW.  When I shop for beads, I am thinking of what ceramic beads and glazes I can use to create something wonderful.  Juli's beads have dimension and character, and I love that!

I made a pair of beachy turtle earrings and a wax linen based bracelet with the purple disc strand.  For the earrings, the base is a 4" piece of silver plated 20g wire.  I twirled the bottom and bent it behind the turtle to keep the charm in place.  Then I stacked some silver spacer beads and Juli's amazing lampwork and finished it with a wire wrap loop.  So cute!

Waxed linen is my favorite stringing material.  The endless colors add to the jewelry design. I like the element knotting adds and it is strong!  Another plus is the wax seals around the knots and I don't have to put messy glue on my jewelry.

I used lilac waxed linen and started with an overhand knot at the round toggle end.  (measure out 48" of waxed linen and fold them in half, twice, so you will have 4 strands).  Juli's beads have a generous hole size, so it was easy to string 4 pieces of waxed linen through them.  I chose 10 of the purple tone discs and separated them with a daisy spacer.  After the 10th bead, I did another overhand knot.  Here you string small beads on the 4 seperate pieces of waxed linen.  I twisted them for an added impact, attached the other end of the toggle and made some cute dangles instead of trimming the waxed linen up close to the end knot.

Juli has been making lamp work beads since 1999 and it is her full time job, if you can call creating beautiful art a job!  Juli has a web site where you can also start building a collection of her beads:
http://www.studiojuls.com

and she has a Facebook page you can join, but I have to warn you - wear a bib because you are going to be drooling over the amazing eye candy there!
https://www.facebook.com/Studiojuls/

Thanks Art Bead Scene readers and team members for a fun 2016!  I am looking forward to next year.

Michelle McCarthy, Ceramic Bead Artist
Firefly Design Studio

12 Days of Christmas: Snowy Mountain Top Pendant

A snowy mountain made from sheet copper? Yep! I wanted to create a fun and playful winter pendant. This is a basic metal work project, it's great for a beginner but I do recommend a little practice before you dig into a finished pendant.

Supplies
.016" or 22mm copper sheet
10mm polymer clay bead
5" 19 gauge steel wire
15mm gunmetal jump ring
4mm copper jump ring
24" copper chain
Live of sulphur gel
fine steel wool
Swellegant Tiffany Green Patina
Vintaj Patina Paint (marble)
Renaissance wax
Packing tape

Tools:
Sharpie marker
Metal Shears
Metal file
Steel bench block
Riveting hammer
Metal hole punch
Wire cutters
Chain, flat and round nose pliers
3 paint brushes
Small plastic container

1. Draw a triangle on your metal with the Sharpie marker that is 1 1/2" wide at the base. With the metal shears cut out the triangle. Never cut with the tips of the shears, always in the center.

2. File the edges of the triangle with the metal file.

3. Tape one end of the triangle to the bench  block. Use the tapered end of the riveting hammer and strike on the metal with the hammer hitting flat on the metal. Hammer the lines vertically on mountain on 2/3 of the piece, leaving the top 1/3 plain for the snowy cap.

Note: If you hit on with the edge of the hammer it will leave a small mark instead of a long line. You may want to practice this technique before trying it on your finished piece.

4. Punch a hole at the top of the pendant.

5. In a small shallow dish, add a few drops of water and the pendant. Brush on the liver of sulfur gel to darken the copper. Turn over and brush the back of the pendant. Rinse in clean water. Dry with a paper towel.

6. Place the pendant on paper towel. With the other paint brush, brush on a light, even coat of the Swellegant patina on the textured half of the pendant. Don't brush on a thick layer.

Set a timer for 4 minutes. Rinse the patina off in clean water as soon as the timer goes off. Carefully pat dry with a paper towel - don't rub!

Note: The patina doesn't show hardly any color until it's rinsed off and dried. If you leave the patina on for too long or have too much of it on the metal it will turn bright green instead the blue/green patina.

7. Pat on a very thin layer of wax. Don't rub. the color will darken and then lighten again when the wax dries. Let the wax dry completely.

8. Shake the patina paint well, add a drop on top a plastic lid or piece of wax paper. Paint on patina paint on the top of pendant, overlapping the paint and blue/green patina slightly. Repeat with another layer if needed. Let dry completely and pat on a thin layer of wax.

9. With the 19 gauge wire, use the round nose pliers to form a large loop 2" from the bottom of the wire. Open the loop and slide on the pendant. Close the loop and create a wrapped loop above the pendant with the rest of the wire. Add on the polymer clay bead, create a wrapped loop above the bead.

10. Attach the 4mm jump ring to the bottom of both ends of the chain, close jump ring.

11. Attach the 15mm jump ring to the pendant and slide on the jump ring with the chain. Close the jump ring.

Resources: Jump rings, copper and Vintaj patina paint: Hobby Lobby. Liver of sulfur gel and Renisannce Wax: Fusion Beads. Wire: Ace Hardware. Chain: Yadana Beads. Polymer clay bead: Humblebeads.

11th Day of Christmas: Holiday Lighted Earrings

I was so excited to find these stand alone LED lights on Amazon.  I had only seen them on strings with a little battery before this.  I was doubly pleased when I noticed the little hanger built right into them.  I was sure they would be perfect for fitting inside some art beads I have by Margit Boehmer

Art Beads by Margit Boehmer

Once the lights arrived I was surprised by their large size.  Apparently I had not read the measurement part carefully!!  Have you ever done that?  So I had to come up  with a different plan.

I thought I would like to combine them with my newly fired ceramic fir tree charms. 

Ceramic Fir Tree Charms by Mary Harding Jewelry

I tired quite a few ideas around  hanging them from their built in loop but none of the ways I did it looked right to me.  What I really wanted to do was have the trees hanging from the bottom of the light so it would reflect nicely on the shiny ceramic surface.  Finally, I realized what I could do. I could drill a hole in the bottom of the light and drop in a head pin and make a loop for the tree to hang from.  And that is what I did.

1.  I took the light apart by unscrewing it and dumped out the insides which consists of 3 LED batteries, a circuit and an O ring. ( there is also a plastic wrap tube around the batteries but I did not put it back in when I reassembled the parts and they worked fine anyway.)

                                       Contents of a stand alone LED Light

2.  When I looked at the plastic tip of the light I saw that I could easily drill into it with my pin vise and a 1/16 inch drill bit. ( You could also use a 1/16 inch drill bit in a hex shank.)So I marked the spot and began drilling the hole by hand.  I was leery of using my dremel for fear it would be hard to hold onto since it was so small.  With a few turns of the drill bit I was able to make a divot and then with quite a few more turns I had a hole.  It was a small enough hole that my head pin did not drop through.

3.  Then I began the wrapped loop and added the fir tree charm before I closed it up. I had to make a fairly large loop to accommodate the pointed top of the charm.  I could have also made a much smaller loop and then added the tree with a jump ring.  

4.  Now you have your lighted fir tree earrings to wear for a Holiday occasion or just for fun anytime. The batteries in these lights don't last very long but you can control when the lights come on by turning the top back and forth.  But sometimes they come on anyway!! 

I wore mine for the first time when we visited my grandchildren for an early Christmas get together.  At dinner I was wearing them but had not turned the lights on yet.  Out of the blue my older grandson said I like your Christmas light earrings!!  I was so surprised that he had noticed them.  I asked how he knew they were lights and he said they were flashing!! 

With these basic directions, you can come up with all sorts of ideas for adding your own art beads and more!! Enjoy!!

Happy Holidays to all!!

Mary

10th Day of Christmas: Dancing Snowflake Knotted Bracelet

This is an easy knotted design that offers a playful element by alternating which side the beads are strung on before knotting the cords. 

Supplies:

Polymer clay snowflake

10mm ceramic round bead

8 8mm bronze plated hematite

11 matte crackle agate

2" copper headpin

8mm copper jump ring

40" green waxed linen cord 

1. Fold the linen in half, Start at the center an tie a knot, repeat on both sides of the first knot until you have an 1 1/2" long knotted center. (Make sure the knotted area easily slides over the 10mm but isn't too much larger). Make a loop with the knotted section of the cord and tie together. 

2. On one cord string an agate bead, pull the two cords together above the bead and tie a knot. String the next agate bead on the opposite cord and pull the two cords together above the bead and tie a knot. Repeat alternating which cord the bead is strung on and knot between each bead. Repeat with the other 9 agate beads. Repeat with the 9 hematite beads. 

3. Tie both cords together to form a larger knot. String on the ceramic bead, tie a knot with both cords. On each cord tie knots as in step one for a 1/2" on each cord, trim excess cord.

Resources: check your local bead store for stones or try Etsy. Ceramic bead: White Clover Kiln. Snowflake bead: Humblebeads. Jump ring and headpin: Yadana Beads. Waxed linen: Hobby Lobby or White Clover Kiln.