Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I just wanted to share a few pictures of some Rosary Beads I have made in the past being the weekend that it is.

Bead Soup Blog Party First Reveal

So today is the first reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Party. I'm in the third reveal in a few weeks time but I can't wait to see what everyone in the first reveal group has come up with.

So What Is The Bead Soup Blog Party?:This is the concept of Lori Anderson. Everyone signs up by a certain date and then she pairs everyone together. They then have to swap a pack or "Soup" of beads and make something using these beads to reveal by the certain date they have agreed to. Lori has written a book about the Bead Soup Blog Party that can be purchased here. 

So Who Is My Partner?:
Lori paired me with Natascha makes beautiful jewellery using natural stones and she sent me some amazing pieces (and some chocolate!!). You can see the pictures of what she sent to me here and what I sent to her. I can't wait to see what Natascha has made and I hope she likes what I have come up with using the beautiful pieces she sent to me. 

So the first reveal list has been published and you can see it here and visit some of the blogs participating and see what they have come up with. You can also see all the pieces on the Pinterest board that we will all be posting to. 

Simple Crystal Drop Necklace Tutorial

I have made a few of these over the past few years for different occasions from weddings to everyday wear. They are simple but make a statement as the crystals have such a great shine and come in so many colours you could have one to match everything.

These are very simple to make and need very little materials. They are also a great gift for someone.

What You Need:

1: Slide the largest crystal onto the headpin.

2: Make a simple loop in the headpin (see my tutorial here on making a simple loop)

3: Slide the Middle sized crystal onto the wire.

4: Now make simple loop on either side of the crystal and do the same with the smallest crystal.

5: Using the flat pliers open the loop on the headpin and attach the loop on one side of the middle sized crystal and close the loop. Now open the free loop on the middle crystal and attach the smallest crystal and close the loop. You now have your pendant.

Find the centre of your chain and attach the smallest crystal by opening the loop and linking it into the centre link of the chain. Close the loop.

Enjoy your new necklace!

I love to hear if you have tried my tutorials and how you got on so let me know in the comments below. If there is something I have not explained correctly let me know!

Chevron Pattern Friendship Bracelet Tutorial

My next in what is becoming a series of friendship bracelet tutorials is a simple chevron patterned bracelet that can be done is so many colour variations they hardly ever look the same.


What You Need:
6x 60 inch strands of embroidery thread in the colours you want to use
Scissors
Tape


1: To start you need to cut your thread to 60 inches and holding them all together fold in half. Then tie knot leaving about an inch loop so now you have double the amount of strands of each colour.

2: I find it best to tape down the loop to my work surface so I can get a good tight knot when Im working the pattern.

3: Next you need to sort out the threads so that you have one of each colour on each side and also get them in order of how you want your colours to appear on the bracelet. You will have six threads on the left and a mirror image of the same six colours on the right. So from the left my pattern is Green, Purple, Red, Blue, Yellow and Pink. You can see below how this is exactly the same coming in from the right.

4: So we are starting with the left side and I find it easier at the start to push the right side strings away so as not to mix any into the pattern. After the first row or two the strings sit in place so this wont be necessary.

 5: So taking the green string bring it across the purple like a number 4.

6: You then bring the green behind the purple and back out in front of the purple.

7: Repeat the knot so you have two green knots on the purple string. And then do this across until you have done two knots on the pink string. The green string will now be last.

8: Now push the 6 left colours aside and we are working on the right six starting out on the right with the green string. Bring the green string over the purple in a backwards looking number 4.

9: Like before bring the green around the purple and back out over the purple string.

10: Again do a double knot and work all the way out towards the pink until you now have the two green strings beside each other in the middle.

11: To join the two sides do a backwards number 4 style knot bringing the right hand string over the left. This is your first row done. The bracelet is continued starting back on the left only now using the purple string and so on until you have reached the length you are happy with. At the end you can just braid the loose string and it can be tied through the loop onto your wrist.

ENJOY!!!

Friendship Bracelet Video Tutorial

I have put together a video tutorial of the previous post on how to make a simple 4 colour friendship bracelet. You can see it below or click here to see it on my youTube channel along with my other videos. 

I am putting together the next tutorial to make a chevron patterned friendship bracelet so check back or follow this blog by clicking the click on the right hand side. 

Simple Friendship Bracelet Tutorial

I promised a new tutorial a while ago and I wanted to make something a bit new so I finally came up with making a friendship bracelet tutorial. These are making a real comeback and look great stacked up in a few different colours. I'm sure everyone has had or made one of these when they where younger and the colour options are endless!

For this one I have chosen to make a simple 4 colour design so if its your first one it will be easy to master the knotting before moving on to more complicated designs.

What you need:
4x  28 inch strands of 1mm cotton cord (or embroidery thread)
A safety pin (or selotape)
A scissors
A measuring tape

1: Cut 4 strands of whatever cord you are using in the colours you have chosen to about 28 inches each.

2: Leaving about a 3 inch tail tie a knot to secure all 4 strands together.

3: Starting with the yellow (left) strand make a figure 4 shape over the blue (second) strand.

4: Bring the yellow strand behind the blue and back through the front.

5: Now holding the blue strand pull the yellow to tighten the knot all the way to the top.

6: Now repeat the process on the blue strand again so you now have a double yellow knot.

7: Repeat this whole process again on the purple and pink strands so you have now got yellow knots across the top and the yellow strand is now on the right and the blue strand is now your first strand on the left. It will take the first few rows to get the knots to sit straight so don't mind if they are slightly wobbly.

8: Now you need to start the process again knotting the blue strand all the way across.

9: Now continue this until you have the length you are looking for.

To finish this off you can just plat the loose strands on either end so that you can secure it around your wrist with a simple knot. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Being Irish I had to make something Irish themed for the weekend that is in it. Paddy's day has always been a day to celebrate and is the one day every year the entire country celebrates. 

I have wanted to make one of these bracelet for so long, I remember making them when I was younger so I figured it would be nice to try it out in the Green, White and Orange of our flag! It only took me about 5 minutes to remember what I was doing. 

I made this one using 1mm cotton cord that I had left over from making the macreme and knotted bracelets. 

Fusion Beads 30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Make A Simple Strung Piece

I made this bracelet for my mam. It has the initals of my mam, dad, myself and sisters surrounded by each of our birthstone colours using Swarovski Cyrstals and pewter components. Its a great personal piece of jewellery that she loves wearing.

Follow the Fusion beads challenge on Facebook and Twitter using #FusionDailyChallenge

Fusion Beads 30 Day Challenge: Day 1

Make A Pair Of Earrings

I'm going to try and do as many of the challenges in the Fusion Beads 30 Day Challenge this March. Day 1 is make a pair of earrings to start off small so I made these earrings using red crystal set silver beads simply hanging on an ear wire. I think the bead is so beautiful that I didn't want to overwhelm them with too much fuss.

Follow the challenge or take part on Facebook or Twitter using #FusionDailyChallenge