DRAGON TREE OF LIFE Hanging Mobile

I know someone who loves Blues and who loves Dragons - so with that guiding compass as my guide, I decided that a double Tree of Life with a penchant for Dragons would be the ticket for him.

DRAGON TREE OF LIFE Hanging Mobile (CH0288)

Freeform Wire Wrap Christmas Ornament

This Freeform Wire Wrap Christmas Ornament just popped out by itself following on the fun making of the Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings in copper.

Freeform Wire Wrap Christmas Ornament (CH0292)

Circular Jewelry Pouch with Multiple Pockets

I made this circular jewelry pouch as a trial piece.  A long long time ago (2011? 2012?)  Anyway, you will be disappointed (as I am) that I don't know where I learnt it from nor where the instructions are.

handmade circular jewelry pouch with multiple pockets (CH0293)

Some Handmade Crosses & Rosary Stuff

These batch of handmade rosaries and rosary accessories were made quite a while ago when I was going through a period of rosary-making.  (Boy, that was fun!)

Handmade Crosses (CH0299)

Sweet Audrey - Freeform Wire Wrapped Gemstone Pendant

There is not a lot of instructions I can give on this as it is freeform wire wrapping.  The thing I find that sets this off and makes it a bit more special is the use of square wires.  With a little bit of twist, they add a lovely extra piazazz to the piece.

Freeform Wire Wrapped Pendant (CH0285)

Snuggly Cat - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant

I am not a clay artist but it sure doesn't stop me giving it a go and having a good time to boot! This Snuggly Cat - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant started off with a lovely round cabochon sent to me from America.  (Thank you Beverly Reynolds!)

SNUGGLY CAT - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant (CH0295)

Swarovski Coleman Beaded Dangle Necklace

This Swarovski Coleman Beaded Dangle Necklace is an unmistakable revelation of just how far back-logged I am.  This was created in 2011 and I have just gotten round to writing it up in 2013! Back-logged or what?!

Swarovski Coleman Beaded Dangle Necklace (CH0289)

Multi-Strand Simple Elegance - Necklace & Earrings

For Sooty's 2012 birthday I wanted to create a jewelry set that was deceptively simple, classically elegant and yet flexible and accomodating of more than one style. This Multi-Strand Simple Elegance necklace & earrings set was the final result.

Multi-Strand Simple Elegance - Necklace & Earrings (CH0298)

Bling & Purity - Swarovski Rivoli Necklace and Earrings Set

Bling & Purity - Swarovski Rivoli Necklace and Earrings Set (CH0279)

Felt in the mood of doing some soothing beading rivolis.  So what could be better than bringing out some super sparkly Swarovski rivolis in the ubiquitous Crystal AB, and just blinging and beading the night through.

As sometimes happen, as I make something, an inkling of who this is meant for came to mind.  (Soot!) And once that happens, the rest of the look kind of has a guide to lead it to completion.

Longevity Necklace and Earrings - Upcycling

Longevity Necklace and Earrings (CH0280)

sku: ch0280

This was made from some old jewelry pieces my mom gave me: Chinese character meaning "Longevity" or "Long Life".

Purple Friends - Swarovski Infused Necklace and Earrings Set

"Purple Friends" - Swarovski Infused Necklace & Earrings (CH0281)

sku: ch0281

So why do I call this the "Purple Friends" set?  It is quite mesmerising when you stare at this.  The delectable purple of the cubic zirconia (CZ) long tear-drop pendant dominants.  And yet, it has such a warmly friendly character when topped with the Swarovski pearls in Gemstone colors. So it does seem to me as if it should be called "Purple Friends"!

Vitrail Fling - Swarovski Rivoli Necklace and Earrings Set

Vitrail Fling - Swarovski Rivoli Necklace and Earrings (CH0282)

sku: ch0282

The "Vitrail Fling" jewelry set features the fairly rare but totally superb Swarovski rivoli stone in Vitrail Light.  It is the centre piece of this set. The Swarovski Vitrail Light is one of their more amazing finishes, capturing light and colors that speaks of sunsets and sparkling wine.

Swarovski Neon - Wire Crochet Necklace and Earrings Set

Swarovski Neon - Wire Crochet Necklace & Earrings

sku: ch0283

This Swarovski Neon Wire Crochet Jewelry Set almost took as long to edit and write up as it did to make it!  As you can see, there is a preponderance of iimages to illustrate the making of this piece.

Revamped Swarovski Ear Cuffs

Revamped Swarovski Ear Cuffs

sku: ch0287

I love ear cuffs. But they don't love me.  I have little cabbage ears that ear cuffs laugh at.

Not to be deterred, this sterling silver ear cuffs have been one of my favourites for over 20 years.  I got it before I knew how to do a lick of jewelry making.  And it broke.  So it has been languishing for a long time, waiting for its time to shine again.

Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings

Freeform Wire Wrapped Pendant and Earrings

sku: ch0291

This Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings is just pure play and experiment.

And it was real fun.  The shapes are as they happen; unplanned. Try it and be surprised :)

I also took this opportunity to try out a new technique of making my own ear wires.  It all turned out pretty well.

Butterfly Clasp Transformed - Necklace and Earrings Set

Butterfly Clasp Transformed - Necklace and Earrings Set (CH0294)

sku: ch0294

I have named this "Butterfly Clasp Transformed" necklace and earrings set even though it is not meaningful nor descriptive for anyone but myself.  Reason: this set was transformed from a pattern I bought (Butterfly Clasp by Heather Collins Etsy Store).

Elastic Chainmaille Bracelet - Balex Second Chance

Elastic Chainmaille Male Bracelet

This elastic chainmaille (aka chain mail) bracelet is called the "Balex Second Chance" because this is the second one of its kind that was made for Balex - which he lost (of course!).  I have a feeling he will lose this as well, as has been his wont, and so this is his second and last chance to keep it safe - as he promised!

Swarovski Crochet Necklace and Bangles - Mix n Match

Swarovski Bangles - Mix n Match

sku = ch0276

This mix and match modular jewelry set includes 3 crochet necklace cords and 3 crochet bangles, with Swarovski crystal beads integrated into the work.

Flat Base Swarovski Crochet Bangles - Multiple Colors

Swarovski Bead Crochet Bangles

I call these "flat based" crochet bangles because the inner side (against the skin) is made flat, without beads - to provide a comfortable easy feel to these bangles.  I have used stretchy yarn (viscose) so that it is much easier to wear.

I have made all of these bangles for Small size.  Apart from some bangles having dangles and some not, the technique is the same.

For the crochet bangles that have dangles, just make the dangles and have them ready for threading.

Bead Crochet Rope Lariat Necklaces

Since I am in the mood for crochet (and always for beads), I have done me up some crochet rope necklaces or lariat necklaces.

Crochet Rope Lariats

CH0316a-c

For more details on how to make these bead crochet rope lariat necklaces ...

Crafts & Jewelry Making - Tips and Notes

General Tips and Notes on Crafts & Jewelry Making

This page is intended to be a collection of general tips with respect to various crafts and/or jewelry making that I cannot quite categorize elsewhere.  So that being said, it will be inevitable that this page will grow over time.  Please come back here for a visit or just bookmark me!

Don't Throw Away your Cheapy Seed Beads

Yes, I love, I adore my precious Miyuki and Matsuno and Toho and Czech seed beads - but I confess I still hang on to my cheap (economical is the word!!!) Chinese seed beads.  I just love them even though I don't use them for precise beadwork.

I always thought that there is really nothing wrong with the economical Chinese and Indian seed beads.  Their colors are pretty darn lovely.  Their glass is robust and edges rounded.  Their colors are long lasting.  Their biggest downside is their irregularity.

But that can also be their biggest advantage.  For example, I use them in some of my crochet beadwork - especially bead crochet ropes and such.  Their very irregularity lends a definite sense of imperfect organic feel to the final product.  For some designs, that is exactly what you want rather than the monotonous regularity of the more expensive seed beads.

So hang on to you cheapy seed beads.  They may delight and surprise you!

Samples of beaded crochet ropes made with chinese seed beads 

(with some Swarovski bicones thrown in)

Notes and Tips on Beaded Crochet

This here is an example of the use of beaded crochet rope (in the First Love Bead Crochet Necklace).

On this page are various notes, tips, and suggestion about crocheting with beads (aka bead crochet).  This page will grow as I come across or think of new things. So though this page may start off small and short, be assured that I will collect more bead crochet notes here as time goes on.

I am assuming that you already know how to bead crochet and even how to make beaded crochet ropes so the crochets notes and tips here will be used solely as reminders or supplements to pre-existing crochet knowledge.

Crochet Stitches and Beaded Crochet Stitches

This is a growing list of crochet stitches and also beaded crochet stitches.  Where possible, I will try to only include the illustrated crochet stitches (so popular in the excellent Japanese magazines) with corresponding English name for the crochet stitches.  I am not as familiar with the English names as I am with the illustrated icons used, so I can't promise I will also have the English crochet term.

Chain Stitch

Crochet Chain Stitch

Earwire Shapes and How to Make Earwires

How to Make Earwires or Earring Findings

For some reason, I find myself with earwires on my mind and just how to make them.  For some reason, their very shapes and variations are inescapably fascinating to me.

To that end, I have been researching and googling and reading up on them.  Here are some of the images I have found. Special note will be given to good tutorials on how to make your own ear wires.

I have also started a separate board on Pinterest: Ear Wire Shapes.

Beaded Batik Cuffs

I have been playing on and off with beading batik for almost  a year now. And most of my efforts are still in the sad WIP (work in progress) incomplete stages.  Except for a few, this Beaded Batik Cuff being one of them.

Beaded Batik Cuff

CH0315

Chainmaille - What is Aspect Ratio and Ring ID

Chainmaille is interchangeably spelt as chainmaille or chain mail.

In Chainmaille, what is Aspect Ratio and Ring ID?

.. both terms which is often seen at their supplies sites.

In normally jewelry making, the size of a jump ring is often the diameter of the outer ring.
In chain mail, more attention is paid to the wire diameter (WD) and its inner diameter (Ring ID).

From this last 2 stats, the all important Aspect Ratio (AR) is calculated:

AR = ID/WD

How to Make Beaded Crochet Earrings

This pair of beaded crochet earrings is photo-detailed in Beaded Crochet Jewelry Set in Deco Style (ch0314).  This article illustrates how the beaded crochet earrings are made including how to make beaded bead cap.

Beaded Crochet Earrings

How to Make Beaded Crochet Pieces

How to make Beaded Crochet Necklace

This brief tutorial refers to Beaded Crochet Jewelry Set in Deco Style (ch0314), and details the making of the beaded crochet that went into the making of the necklace. (The making of the Beaded Crochet Earrings will be in another article.)

Beaded Crochet Jewelry Set in Deco Style

Here I will just display some photos of the finished beaded crochet jewelry set - necklace and earrings.
This work involved a number of different techniques which I will document separately.

Beaded Crochet Jewelry Set in Deco Style (CH0314)

CH0314