Stuff Finished, Stuff Working On, Stuff Waiting

I thought I showed you these. Guess I didn’t.

Finished Last Week.

I showed you these buttons but never did show you the finished necklace. I like how it turned out. Especially the clasp area. Those little 3 strand connectors are great. I got them last year at one of the Bead Fest shows. I bought 2 in gold and 2 in silver. Now I wish I had purchased more.

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This set was created from peyote tubes made for another necklace which didn’t work out. So I flattened them.

And turned them into this. A necklace and earrings set. Hot pink and black.

Don’t think I have ever created anything like this before. Hubby likes it. He asked if I was going to make it in another color. Not sure. I might. I have these cube beads in light blue, light peach and dark peach.

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Finished Yesterday.

These photos do not do this button bracelet justice!! It is so pretty. I couldn’t get a good picture of the entire bracelet without shiny parts. Oh well. But at least I can show you how I turn an even count peyote bracelet into odd count. I add a separate row of brick stitch, decreasing the last beads, so the ends on both sides match up. It is so much easier when adding the clasp. Less time trying to perfectly align the ends.

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Stuff Working On.

More bezzeling. Around a watchface. Now I need something to attach it to.

Around a cabochon. I really like this one. Here’s the front and back. When I got to the end of the instructions, I kept on beading. Several more rows.

Somehow I am going to add it to this.

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Stuff Sitting… Waiting Its Turn.

The Klutz Glove, Does It Really Work?

After hearing about this glove from one of my readers, I ordered one. It arrived a couple days ago.

I haven’t used it yet. Just pulled it out of the packaging to inspect it. Looked for the magical stainless steel threads. When moved back and forth in the light, you can see shiny specks. I thought about running a rotary cutter across it to test it. With my hand in it. One of my friends said, oh, no, you don’t!! OK… stupid moment has passed. Hand is safe.

Really though. How safe IS this glove? I am a big-time klutz. I will use it when dismantling watches and for quilting, if I ever get that far.

Do any of you have one? Let me know how you like it.

Learning Netting: My First Cabochon

My first attempt at netting turned out great!! Actually I learned this technique a couple years ago in a class I took using crystal rivolis. But this is really my first time doing it on my own. AND my first cabochon.

Speaking of the cabs…. I have had them forever.

Sitting in a plastic container. Ever since I bought them at Fire Mountain Gem and Beads several years ago. I picked out the larger ones and have been thinking of ideas.

I used the instructions at this site to practice.

http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/NettedCab.html

Directions are clear. Complete with photos.

If you are new to netting (or bezelling), then check out that site. Easy to follow and you could end up with a usable piece on the first try. Like me!!

Cotton Candy: Lime Watchface Bracelet

This bracelet was fun to make and feels great around the wrist.

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BEFORE

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AFTER

Sometimes you have to admit defeat. And move on.

I was determined to see green. I wanted to look down inside the larger lime button and see the green button. But after hours of sewing the pieces several different ways, it still ended up lopsided. I could NOT get it centered like I wanted no matter which way I tried. And I refused to use glue. Had to move on to Plan B.

In fact, I like Plan B better. Better than the original plan. I even brought in a new color. Plum. The picot edging brings the two colors together nicely.

For the clasp, I used a silverplated 3 strand barrel closure.

Here’s the back. You have to admit, I am great at sewing on buttons, huh?

I have a pink bracelet started. About a third finished. The peyote stitching is done. Now the hard part. It needs a clasp on one end, buttons and picot edging.

Think I will call these Cotton Candy.

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

Pink Hot Butterfly, My New Watchface Necklace

Whew!! All done.

Took 3 days on and off to make two necklaces with watchfaces and metal butterflies. I am only showing you this one, Pink Hot, since I need to retake the photos on the other one.

I started off with this silver metal butterfly. I wanted it to be the focal point. I added one of my recycled watchfaces in black. Then I weaved through the butterfly a ball and chain to hang the brass bell. Used gold plated chain links, oval shaped. To balance the left side, I added a couple of black 11/0 seedbead loops and dangled 2 tiny keys.

For the peyote tubes, I made two of each color. Gunmetal gray, hot pink and black. Used 8/0 Dyna-mites from Fire Mountain Gem and Beads. (14 seedbeads across/9 rows) The tubes slide over the chain. Can be grouped together or spaced further apart.

I will probably list this necklace at Etsy. Here are my Etsy-ready photos.

Necklace measures 22″.

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

Calling All Ice Resin Experts…

I have been researching how best to turn my recycled watch parts into paperweights. So far, from what I have read, Ice Resin seems like the best solution.

This is what I am trying to do. Make the beads and items sitting on top of the beads into one solid clear piece. To be used as a desk decoration or as a small work of art, standing on its side or sitting flat.

There are so many do’s and don’t's. I had to bookmark all the information so I wouldn’t get confused. Most of the sites provided the same details. I even watched two video demonstrations.

One question I don’t have an answer for… yet… is whether or not the resin can be poured into a small wood frame.

One concern I have is about the potential for bubbles ruining my crafty work. One site said if using beads, to put a bit of glue inside EACH BEAD. I am guessing each frame has about 400 seed beads, maybe more. That would take a year. There has to be a better way to do this.

And I am wondering if I can’t just pour the resin in the frame and ‘place’ the items on top. Is it absolutely necessary to completely cover the items. Won’t they still stick in the solution?

I got some really good tips. Work in a well ventilated area and use a fan if possible. Wear a mask even though Ice Resin isn’t supposed to be fumey. Place a sheet of plastic, like a large white garbage bag, on top of your work space. Ice Resin won’t stick to plastic. Don’t reuse the mixing cup or stirrer. Always start fresh. I am glad I saw that as I probably would have recycled them.

Have you ever used Ice Resin? Were you happy with the results? Any advice for someone new to this? I have to tell you… I failed gluing. I NEVER get the items glued per the instructions. I am hoping I have better luck with resin.

Buttons Inspire My Designs

Did you know Loops and Threads, the company that makes yarn, also makes buttons?

And some pretty ones, too. They sell them on a card already color coordinated. Usually 3 buttons, sometimes two. I got these at Michael’s.

Here’s a 3 strand necklace I started this morning. Using ivory faux pearls, burnt orange glass beads and bronze 8/0 seedbeads. I’ll stack the buttons and connect them in the center. Where you see the 11/0 bronze metallic (Toho) seedbeads.

I like these black and white buttons a lot. I want to create peyote bracelets using the design. Not sure if I can do it. But will try. Just need to map it out on peyote graph paper.

I Have A Lot To Show You… So Go Get Some Snacks

First off. Here is another beaded collar/cowl I made from the royal blue Bead Soup mix. Believe it or not, there’s still a bit left. And after making that huge bracelet and ring. Now here are matching necklace and earrings to add to the set. And I found a better name. Royal Nights. Ha!! Isn’t that better? Royal for the predominate color. Nights since you wouldn’t be all glammed up before 5pm.

Oh… I forgot to tell you about the earrings. I spent one whole day learning how to make Winged Beads. Yep, I am still teaching myself techniques from that same book. Mastering Beadwork, by Carol Huber Cypher. Pages 198-200. Using brick stitch and a picot edging. Of course, I changed it up and put my own spin to it.

And you know how excited I get when learning something new. I went kind of crazy. First I made the royal blue ones. Then peach.

Then made a peach necklace with a couple of the Winged Beads. And the neat thing. They are reversible. Can wear them with the peach side showing or the ivory side. Cool, huh? I am calling the set Peach Ice.

Steampunk? No, I haven’t forgotten about it. I am leading up to it with all this extra learning. I’ll get there. In fact, I have a bunch of stuff already lined up. I showed you some of it. Here’s something you haven’t seen.

And chain links. Don’t know why I had to buy these coiled ones in every color the store had. It isn’t finished. Just my model modeling it.

I retook photos of my One-Eyed Steampunk earrings. I think these are better.

Well, I think that’s it. I think I am all caught up.

One-Eyed Monster, Steampunk Earrings

I may add a few rhinestones to the backs of the watchfaces. To give the earrings a bit of color. Kind of drab looking. U G L Y, actually.

The bracelet isn’t done yet, still working on it. The other bracelet I wanted to use, the clasp kept opening and the bracelet kept falling off my arm. So.. back to the drawing board on that one.

New Necklace Is A Beaded Cowl or Collar

Just finished this necklace last night. I have to tell ya. I wasn’t sure where I was going with this design. But as I kept beading, the vision became clearer. I knew what embellishments were needed and how to finish off the ends to add the clasp.

The idea for this necklace came from the Fan Earrings I made from the book, Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher. Using the same technique. Stringing wire and brick stitch.

Before Embellishment

After Embellishment

Clasp Added

Here’s how the necklace looks with the fan earrings.

And with the two bracelets made from the same Bead Soup mix.

I have enough of this seed bead mixture left to make a couple more things. I am really liking mixing up seed beads. I never thought to do it until now. Normally I work with solid colors, but I like the variety of the mixed look.