Weekend Watch Surgery

So far, I have taken apart 15 watches. It is slow going.

I am salvaging whatever parts I can.

Here’s what I have discovered….

• half of them have the exact same insides
• to pry off the back, locate the tiny little arrow
• some have absolutely no manufacturer’s name shown
• 3 actually DO work. (Oops)
• one of the working ones talks, a watch for the blind.

These are the working ones.

Also, I know zilch about the “face” value of a watch.  I fell in love with this Pierre Nicol watch. Wore it on my arm for several hours. Getting comfortable with it. Thinking MAYBE it could be repaired. But wanted to do some research first on the brand name. Glad I did. I found one on Amazon selling for 1.99. LOL!! Most were under $20.  Now tell me. Doesn’t this look like it should cost more than that?

There are some interesting watches in the bunch.  2 Gucci’s (though Hubby said they are probably knockoff’s), Kenneth Cole New York, Disney Minnie Mouse, 3 glitter Christmas trees and a Santa Claus.

I have chosen seven watches I wish had been in my jewelry box. One for each day of the week. Wouldn’t it have been cool to wear these!! I love them!!

Click to enlarge.

And not to leave you gentlemen out (if any are reading this), I have a few manly favorites too.

OK, back to the operating table.

Steampunk, Anyone?

OMG!! Look what came in the mail today.

89 watches. I got them on eBay. A really good deal, too good to pass up.

They don’t work.

BUT… I am going to take them apart and try to salvage whatever I can to make jewelry.

Steampunk jewelry. It’s the latest thing. Have you heard of it?

Just what is Steampunk Jewelry, you ask? Check these out.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5082813_steampunk-jewelry.html

http://www.squidoo.com/steampunkart

http://jewelry-business-blog.com/jewelry-making-tips/steampunk-jewelry-the-resource-list/

Green Necklace Finished And 2 Bracelet Glimpses

Lime Ice. Button Spools. Sliding Buttons. Bottoms Up.

Whatever I end up calling this necklace and earring set… it is done. I think.

Right now, it has two looks. The larger beads slide across the seed beads. Separate the copper spacers at the bottom, hold up and the beads slide down. Wear the clasp at top or bottom.

The lobster claw, with beads, buttons and copper, can be removed and connected between the spacers or attached to the toggle clasp.

Or used separately as a keychain charm or purse charm.

The reason I said, I think I am done, is that I may add a string of tiny lime seed beads going in and out of the “open” button holes. Stringing wire is only strung through one hole.

Wow!! Look at those earwires. Way huge. Larger than I usually work with. But I like them. They make a statement.

Well, that’s it for the necklace. I ended up not using the wire cages or the hearts.

BEFORE

AFTER

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Here’s an update on the Bead Soup Bracelets I am making.

Royal Blue Bracelet Glimpse

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Topaz Bracelet Glimpse

If things go as planned, this will take weeks, maybe a month.

I want to go in and out of each hole TWICE with fringe and space the larger glass topaz beads within the seedbeads.

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OK. That does it. One down. 2 to go.

And what have you been making lately?

Naming My Jewelry

This is THE absolute hardest part for me.

I can “see” something and create it. But when finished all that creativity escapes me. I am at a lost for words when the time comes to pick a name to describe my jewelry pieces.

How do you do it?

What inspires your jewelry names?

• beads used
• design or pattern
• colors or textures
• mother nature
• places you’ve been

Or do you just make it up with no thought to the piece at all?

Help!! I need some help. I spend far too much time on this. It is driving me batty.

More Bead Soup… Designs To Follow

Right now, my brain is taking a break. You’ll have to wait until my timeout is over to see what it comes up with.

And this…..

More like a buffet!! Picking and choosing. Can’t have it all. Some of this will be a necklace.

My “What Have I Been Working On’s”

Double Cross.

Doesn’t that sound delicious. Sinister. How about Double Daisy or Daisy Double? Or Double D’s.

What would you name this peyote cuff bracelet?

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For this necklace set, my first thought was Pretty In Pink (and Peach).

Both are original designs by This Year’s Dozen. Thanks for not posting or copying without my permission!!

Making Bracelet Button Closures

Lately, this is how I have been sewing flat bottom buttons onto my peyote bracelets. I didn’t always do it this way and worried about the strain and stress on the beads.

First, I do a test run to see exactly where the button should go. Which means I have needle and thread coming out of both ends of the bracelet. I decide on the numbers of beads needed for the loop at the same time I am selecting the button.

Once placement is out of the way, I reinforce the button-holding-beads.

Next, I build a pedestal.

Depending on the thickness of the beaded loop, sometimes I go with two beads stacked. Sometimes just one. The height allows for easy on, easy off.

I created this bracelet by starting off with “bead soup”, mixing together leftover beads.

Just wanted to show you how I do it. How do YOU do it?

That is, add buttons to your beaded bracelets.

Sea Pebbles Peyote Bracelet

Got these seed beads last week from Auntie’s Beads. Granite Mix. 8/0′s. Lower left and center. As soon as I eyed them, I reached for my stash.

Jackpot!! Ding, ding, ding..

One of the beads in this mix matched PERFECTLY with some I already had. The pretty turquoise ones with a hint of purple. See photo, upper left corner.

I was so excited, I started immediately. In my mind, the bracelet was already on my arm.

SEA PEBBLES seemed like the perfect name for this bracelet. Like what you would see on the bottom of the ocean. Deciding on a closure was hard. I wanted a matching beaded tube toggle. I wanted to use a button from my vintage collection.

This button kept getting my attention. “Pick me, pick me.” And it has a nautical look to it. You can see what won out.

The beads feel so smooth and silky. Bracelet is lightweight and comfortable. Not too tight or loose, just perfect. I love it!!

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Go here for the Granite Mix.  Also check out their other beads.

http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Miyuki-Seed-Bead-Mix-Granite-80_p_344.html

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Original design by This Year’s Dozen. Please do not copy or post elsewhere without my permission. Thanks.

My New Ruffles Cuff Originals

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Original design by This Year’s Dozen. Please do not copy or post elsewhere without my permission. Thanks.

My “4 Days” Peyote Cuff Bracelet

Now, don’t laugh. It takes time to create!! It is frustrating at times. Exhausting even. But when the beads line up correctly, it is emotionally rewarding.

Usually I start off with somewhat of an idea. Then it develops as I go.

Shortly into making this peyote bracelet, I started seeing three layers connected to a beautiful 3-strand sterling silver barrel tube clasp. I couldn’t see beyond that. Hence, the extra time trying to make it work.

It didn’t.

Sorry, I don’t have all the photos to support all the LOOKS I ended up with when it was 3 layers. Or when it was moving down to two. I guess I was too disappointed.

Here is what I ended up with. One layer. Or strand, if you can call it that.

A bit of stringing wire to go with my diagonal peyote beadwork.

Added a button closure and a few beads as dangling charms.

Not bad, for 4 days!!

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This design is a This Year’s Dozen original. Please do not copy or post anywhere without my permission. Thanks.