Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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
Handmade Crosses (CH0299)



I have just come across these old photos I took.  I can't say I remember how I made every one of them. Having photos can help trigger memories, or even better, new ideas.  So rather than hitting the delete button, I have included these photos here.


A. Swarovski & Chainmaille Rosary Cross

Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross
Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross (A)


This chainmaille Swarovski cross has a solid strong body. The tightness of the jumprings together helps to give it body.  The Swarovski beads and Swarovski rose montee are wire woven on (which helps with the rigidity as well).

Via the detailed photos from the photos, you can see that I have also attached Swarovski chaton montees at the arm and foot ends of the cross.
Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade CrossSwarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross


Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade CrossSwarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross


Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade CrossSwarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross


Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade CrossSwarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross


Swarovski and Chainmaille Handmade CrossSwarovski and Chainmaille Handmade Cross





B. RAW Handmade Cross

RAW Crystal Handmade Cross
B. RAW Crystal Handmade Cross

RAW (Right Angle Weave) is a very useful beading weave for creating crosses.  A number of the crosses on this page has been done in this weave.

B. RAW Crystal Handmade CrossB. RAW Crystal Handmade Cross


RAW Crystal Handmade Cross

RAW Crystal Handmade CrossRAW Crystal Handmade Cross


Both of these handmade crosses below have also been made with RAW.
F. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross
F. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross

G. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross
G. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross

G. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross (Back)
G. Right Angle Weave Handmade Cross (Back)



C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross

C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross
C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross

This is a very nice looking kind of cross and one of the easiest to make - as long as you have the appropriate rod findings to give it structure and support.

I love the cross bar here which is a finding imported from BeadSmith (America). It goes very well with the hematite gemstones - which always feels very good in rosaries.

ADDITIONAL HOW-TOs:
See Handmade Hematite Rosary for all the details on the making of this cross into an elegant rosary.

Rosary Crystals and Pearls shows an alternative use of these cross bar rods - producing a similar but different style.


C. Chainmaille Cross

This chainmaille cross is not only fun to make but a very interesting cross.  It is fully "floppy" - i.e. not rigid and provides a very tactile, kinesthetic experience that is, in itself, very satisfying and comforting.
D. Chainmaille Cross
D. Chainmaille Cross

D. Chainmaille Rosary Center
D. Chainmaille Rosary Center


This was made into a Hematite and Moonstone Rosary, where you can view many more photos and links to even how it was made. (Yippee! I had forgotten I actually had written up those notes.  What a good girl I was!)


E. Swarovski, Rod, and Wire Wrapped Cross

This handmade cross was and remains one of my favourites.
E. Swarovski and wire wrapped cross
E. Swarovski and wire wrapped cross
Swarovski crystals are clustered and wrapped around a 5-hole, high grade metal rod.  Beads are wound around to create the cross using fine wire.

E. Swarovski and wire wrapped cross
This particular cross was made into a Rosary for Mommy. It was complete with gemstones, Sterling Silver, more Swarovski, and even if I do say so myself, it is lovely and lovable!

Even though I have not provided a lot of written instructions (which in truth is so lost in foggy memory), I hope that the detailed handmade cross photos will provide usable clues to making your own handmade crosses.


I just found one of my old writings which will prove useful reference for how to make handmade crosses.













Created: 2011
Materials:
  • various

    Some Handmade Crosses & Rosary Stuff