Two More Spiral Necklaces and a Button Bundle

Busy, busy, busy. That’s been me for the last 2 weeks.

First, I had to take a time out for hubby’s family reunion which was two weekends ago. Friday through Sunday. Of course, the Queen Procrastinator that I am, I had lots to still do on the days leading up to it. So, hard as it was to neglect my beads, no crafting got done.

I had been working on the lavender spiral necklace I told you about. And was just about finished when I felt the urge to rip it apart. Something just wasn’t right. I liked it when I started. I hated it when I was near the end. I think it was the color. Too much lavender.

Here’s the old one. The one I took apart.

Here’s the 2nd version. I am happy with this one.

Using the dark plum (almost black) iridescent core beads also as spiral beads balanced the lavender color. And I added a separate strand of black Swarovski crystals. Large rondelles and smaller round crystals. With lavender seed beads as a filler.

Both necklaces measure 54″. Over the head style for the spiral rope and a silver clasp on the crystal strand.

I created this “Button Bundle” to gather all the strands together. Button can be worn anyplace on the necklace. I took photos of the button at the bottom and on the side.

To make the Button Bundle, I strung 8/0 seed beads in the back and through the button holes. And sewed them to a silver magnet.

Easy on, easy off. Move it wherever you want. Cool, huh!! Just one of the many ideas floating around inside my head. It probably works best with huge buttons. To hide the magnet.

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I also made this lime and plum spiral necklace. Using 8/0 seed beads. Core beads are plum. And lucky me!! I had round glass plum beads which matched perfectly with the plum seed beads. So I made a separate strand with the glass beads.

Both strands measure 46″. Over the head style for the spiral necklace and a silver clasp for the strand of plum glass beads.

You would think I’d be tired of the spiral stitch about now. Nope. Not. I am going to make up more. As soon as I decide which color will be the core and which colors will be the spiral.

Meet ETERNITY: My 1st Recycled Watch

Eternity. That’s the name on the watchface. Ironic, huh? Eternity, and it no longer works.

Sorry, I didn’t get a Before photo. I had already taken it apart. I pieced this together for you. It had a REALLY well worn lavender watchband.

Isn’t this pretty?

Too pretty to just toss in the trash. I had an idea on what I wanted to make. A necklace using the main colors. Blue and pink.

I took the watchface with me to Munro’s last week and picked out one strand of blue glass beads and one of little pink round glass ones with flowers.

Here’s one of the reasons it takes me so long to create something. Right in the middle of working on a design, I change directions. You can see in this picture, one side already connected to the watchface. I took this all apart so it could connect with a lobster claw clasp instead. Undo, restart.

Moving on…. Another couple hours trying to get the correct size beads inserted into the giant keychain ball the way I wanted. And then deciding on how many strands of seed beads. For balance.

Hubby went out to Ace Hardware to get me these chains. Wasn’t that sweet of him!!

And the final look. It isn’t much Steampunk. More fashionable. I just didn’t see the point of adding gears and other parts. The chains are enough.

So…. what do you think?

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?

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. 😀

Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day

Not a lot to do. Just dusting off some of my favorites.

All handcrafted by me…

Got Hearts On My Mind

Monday, January 12

Usually I decide to make Valentine’s Day stuff around the 3rd week of February. 🙂

But this year, I am a few weeks ahead. I dug out some heart supplies I have had for years and bought a few red heart shaped buttons at JoAnn’s when I was there for crochet class.

I made several bracelets like this one. Used up all of my heart buttons.

Notice anything. Are my pictures any better? I have been using the bells and whistles on my camera. I am stealing the background idea from my friend Sue. She recently posted some photos using newspaper as the backdrop. I liked it so much, I told her I planned to steal her idea. I used a calendar page.

Here are the supplies I used for the bracelet.

And I also made this necklace and earrings.

Button Photos Tell THIS Story

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