Merry Christmas (A Tad Bit Late)

I'm a little late saying Merry Christmas because I forgot to schedule a post and have been so busy. I hope you all had a great few days with lots of lovely presents and food and people. We had a great family filled few days and things are slowly returning to normal. So what was your best present? Or your worst?

Also just before Christmas I entered my Swarovski Heart Earrings into the Swarovski Create Your Style contest on facebook and they are up for a public vote so please click here to have a look and see all the entries. I love these earring so I really wanted to show them off a little and thought it would be nice to enter a Swarovski Contest because I haven't ever entered one with them. And its great to see other peoples work with the other available components. 

Swarovski Heart Earrings

Last week I posted about the beautiful Swarovski Patina Hearts I won from JillyBeads and promised to show off what I had made with them so here is my first little piece.

I made a pair of earrings (which will be going into someone's Christmas present) using the hearts and a lovely deep blue pearl. I wanted to add some colour but not have the colour overwhelm the heart. I think they actually look quite festive so they will be a great addition to a gift. 

I still have eight of the Swarovski hearts left so its time to plan a few more pieces now (probably more presents). 

Swarovski Crystal Patina Hearts

Have you seen the new Swarovski Crystal Patina finished hearts? I recently came across a giveaway of some through JillyBeads and I was so lucky to win a pack of 10. They are beautiful, They have the sheen and sparkle you would expect from Swarovski but also a vintage feel to them too. 

The hearts measure 10mm x 10mm and I have decided already to use a few as part of gift I am making as Christmas presents this year. (I'm sure I will be able to share photos of them soon). I feel so lucky to have gotten my hands on so make lovely Swarovski hearts so thank you to all at JillyBeads I'm really going to enjoy incorporating these into my Christmas presents.

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!

Bookmarks

I spent quite a while during last year making bookmarks. I had 3 different types. These ones were named bookmarks using the pewter cubed letters like in the memory bracelets to spell out a persons name surrounded by Swarovski crystals in the persons birthstone colour.

I also made a few by stamping the letters of a persons name onto small round silver-plated discs and attaching them to chain. These go down really well as gifts and for any person who loves to read.

There are so many options when making bookmarks and so many things available to attach to them - I used word beads saying "LOVE" on a few - so you will never get bored putting together different designs.

Memory Bracelets!!

I started making these when I was thinking of something to make for my mam for her birthday a few years back. They are a very popular idea the last few years and most never look alike as different birthstone colours are used in them.

I used Pewter letter blocks and Swarovski Crystals when making these bracelets. Pewter is a great alternative metal as it is not expensive like silver and still has a lovely colour to it. When the light hits the crystals it shines beautifully.