Keepsake Crafts - Sharing the Love of Crafting and Sewing

A Honkin’ Big Beaded Ring – Plus A Free Tutorial

Jan 182013

Hey all!

Sorry I’ve been mia for the past week. I got a new camcorder, the better to make ya’ll videos with, dearies. However, said camcorder led me on a merry chase of technical difficulties.

The good news is all the problems are solved but one, and I’m sure I’ll figure that out soon.

In the meantime here’s a project one could (and DID) make while waiting for programs to load.

Click on the photos to get up close and personal.

Um, yeah, it’s a ring.

Lest you think I used really tiny beads and made a reasonably sized ring, I did not.

See? Tolja it was honkin’ big.

Even though it’s humongous, I kinda love it. However, I think I’m going to redo it only cuz I used elastic thread in the band and it came out too big. I don’t mind the hugeness, but its flopping around is bothersome. I’ll be sure to show you HonkinBigRing 1.2.

You can find the tutorial at the Tiny Apartment Crafts blog. She’s got a lot of cute ideas over there.

Happy creating!

Beaded Spiral Wire Bracelet Video Tutorial

Jan 102013

I just love finding new ways to use supplies, don’t you?

Instead of the usual beading wire, or eye pin links, I made my own links with spirals of wire. This technique would work great for a necklace, too.

One tip: After wearing this bracelet, I realized that the jump rings don’t need to be quite that big. The bigger they are, the more easily they can catch on things and then open. So experiment and find the smallest size that will work for your coils.

Happy creating!

Materials:

six medium-size focal beads
12 metal spacers
five-six 5-inch pieces 20-gauge wire
8-inch piece 20-gauge wire
clasp
1-inch length of chain (optional)
¼-inch dowel
metal file
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions:

Lightly fold a 5-inch piece of wire in half. Use round nose pliers to begin a loop on one end of wire. Use chain nose pliers to spiral wire around loop until it’s ½ inch from center bend of wire. Straighten out remaining wire.
Slide a spacer bead, a focal bead, and another spacer bead onto wire. Use chain nose and round nose pliers to make a loop and spiral the same way as with other end of wire. Face the spirals in opposite directions.
Repeat to make four or five more spiral links, enough to make length of bracelet needed.
Coil wrap 8-inch length of wire around ¼-inch dowel. Remove wire from dowel and cut coils apart to create large jump rings. File ends of jump rings smooth, if necessary.
Use large jump ring to connect center holes of two spiral links together. Repeat to connect all spiral links. Use a jump ring to attach clasp to one end. Attach a jump ring and, if necessary, a 1-inch length of chain to opposite end.

No Chain Charm Bracelet Video Tutorial

Jan 092013

It’s always fun to find new and different ways of using your supplies. This bracelet uses eye pins, with an extra twist, to make the links of a charm bracelet.

The best part of making your own jewelry is that you make it with your choice of metal finishes, beads, charms and, of course, any and all colors you desire!

Happy creating. :-)

Materials:

seven eye pins
seven head pins
seven beads
clasp
two jump rings
1-inch piece chain (optional)
chain nose pliers
round nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions:

Grasp eye of eye pin in flat part of round nose pliers; bend remaining wire into 90-degree angle. Position eye of eye pin between jaws of round nose pliers; wrap wire around one round jaw to create a second loop at a 90-degree angle to first loop.
Trim wire to 1 inch long from loops.
Bend cut end of each eye pin to 90 degrees ¼-inch from end. Use round nose pliers to create loop with ¼ inch of wire. Repeat to make total of seven links.
Slide a bead onto a head pin. To make head pin into a dangle, grasp wire with chain nose pliers just where it exits bead and bend wire end at 90-degree angle. Grasp bend with round nose pliers and begin to form a loop. Reposition round nose pliers and complete loop. Trim wire where wires cross with wire cutters. Repeat to make seven bead dangles.
Connect single loop of an eye pin to top of double loop of another. Repeat to connect all eye pins together.
Connect each bead dangle to a remaining loop of each eye pin link.
Use jump rings to attach lobster clasp to one end and chain to other end to complete bracelet.

Silver Paths – The Art of Filigree

Jan 062013

I came across this video on how they make filigree jewelry and was utterly fascinated. It’s in Spanish with English subtitles. The translation is a bit wonky in places, but you’ll get the jist.

Enjoy!

My apologies to those who read this earlier but found the video missing. These seems to be an issue lately with my scheduled WordPress posts. I’m working on it!

Wire Wrapped Crystal Necklace Video Tutorial

Jan 052013

There’s something about this bead dangle cluster style of necklace I just love; I can’t stop making and wearing them.

In fact, I have a hard time deciding every day which one of many to wear (which tells me I probably have far more than I need!)

This one is extra fun because of the wire wrapped crystals along the chain. And, of course, it’s purple. How can it possibly be wrong? ;-)

Anyhow, enjoy the video and make yourself some jewelry in your favorite colors.

Materials:

three charms
two large beads for dangles (plus bead caps, if desired)
eight crystal bicone beads
10 head pins
eight split rings or jump rings
24 inches of chain for necklace
toggle clasp
two 1-inch rings
chain nose pliers
round nose pliers
wire cutters
split ring tool, if needed

Instructions:

Arrange large beads and bead caps on two head pins in pattern of your choice.
To make each head pin into a dangle, use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits last bead. Bend wire at 90-degree angle.
Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop. Reposition pliers to finish loop.
Use wire cutters to trim wire where it crosses beginning of loop.
Attach split ring or jump ring to center link of 24-inch chain. Attach 1-inch rings to this split ring.
Attach bead dangles and charms to 1-inch rings with split rings or jump rings.
Slide a bicone crystal onto a head pin. To make head pin into a dangle, use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits bead. Bend wire at 90-degree angle.
Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop. Reposition pliers to finish loop.
Use pliers to slightly open loop and slide through a link of necklace chain ½ inch from split ring at center. Close loop and wrap excess wire around wire coming out of bicone crystal. Use wire cutters to trim excess wire.
Repeat to attach another three bicone crystals, each ½ inch apart along necklace chain.
Repeat steps 7-10 to attach four bicone crystals to other side of necklace chain.
Attach half of clasp with a jump ring or split ring to each end of chain.

Make Your Own Tangled Wire Beads – Video Tutorial

Jan 032013

A couple weeks ago I shared a video tutorial showing how to make this necklace.

In the video I promised to show you how to make your very own tangled wire beads.

As promised here they are, made up into earrings.

You can make your wire beads as large or small as you like, in any color wire, with any color or colors of seed beads. Imagine the possibilities!

Materials:

two ear wires
two head pins
spool of 22-gauge craft wire
24 glass seed beads
two shell beads
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions:

Leaving wire on spool, string 12 glass seed beads onto wire. Use round nose pliers to make a loop with end of wire. Use chain nose pliers to make a bend after loop. Use chain nose pliers to make a 90-degree bend ¼-inch from first bend.
Use your hands to freeform wrap wire around ¼-inch piece, forming core of bead. Continue freeform wrapping, occasionally sliding down a seed bead, until you’ve used all 12 seed beads and wire bead is desired size and shape.
Position wire on side opposite loop. Trim wire to 1 inch long. Use round nose pliers to form another loop, tucking end of wire into bead. Trim excess wire if necessary.
Repeat steps 1-3 to make second bead.
To make bead dangle, thread shell bead onto a head pin. Use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits bead. Bend wire at 90-degree angle. Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop. Reposition pliers to finish loop. Use wire cutters to trim wire where it crosses beginning of loop. Repeat to make dangle with second shell bead.
Open loop of bead dangle and attach loop of a tangled wire bead. Open loop of ear wire and attach other end of tangled wire bead. Repeat to make second earring.

Happy Creating!

2012 In Review – Sewing, Crafts and Lots of Jewelry Videos

Jan 012013

Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers, commenters (and purchasers from my Etsy shops.) Your continued encouragement keeps me going! Thank you all so much.

One wonderful thing about having a blog is being able to look back and do a year in review.

We all often feel like we don’t get enough done with the time we have, but an objective look may be surprising!

Posted on this blog in 2012:

a whopping 46 videos! – most of them on jewelry making, thanks for all your appreciative comments, here and on my YouTube channel
24 cards
participation in all 12 of Tim Holtz’s 12 Tags of 2012
40 or so crafts
a measly 8 scrapbook pages (well, I guess there just isn’t enough time to do everything, ya know?)
3 quilts completed
17 sewing projects including

(Click on any of the photo thumbnails to go directly to the original post.)

2 dresses:

4 jackets/coats

2 skirts

5 tops

2 pair pants

Some of my favorite crafts from the year include:

jasper the baby dragon

altered thread catcher

Miss Fine Feathers

Steampunk Flower Pendant

“Create” wall art

Here’s hoping for a happy and creative 2013!

Pattern Review – McCalls 5970, Comfy Blanket aka The Snuggie

Dec 272012

Now that the Christmas gifts have been given out, I can post my review of this pattern. I made one each for my sons, my husband and myself. I was bummed that mine had to sit up in the closet until they opened theirs, lol.

Pattern Description: It’s a snuggie with the added bonus of a foot pocket.

Pattern Sizing: They give the sizes as small, medium and long lengths. I made the medium. You might go with small for children and long only for folks well over 6′ tall.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yup. A blanket with sleeves.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were silly. I mean, really, stay-stitching and mitered corners on a fleece blanket? Seriously?

If the selvedges of my fabric were nicer looking I might not have hemmed anything. However, hemming does make it look more finished.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It’s such a basic design, there isn’t much not to like.

The foot pocket is awesome, everyone loves it.

Fabric Used: Polar fleece from Joann’s. Make sure to get it on sale as you’ll need 3.5 yards for the medium.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t make this change, but I think I would definitely make the front pocket bigger. It’s a little too small to comfortably get your hands into. I’ve toyed with the idea of making the front pocket more like a muff, stitched on the top and bottom and leaving the sides open to slide your hands into.

My husband was trying to tuck it around the back of his neck and suggested making the part above the sleeves longer, with a hole to pop your head through. Then your shoulders and the back of your neck would be covered.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I’ve already made four, one for each family member, but I might make another if an occasion arises.

Conclusion: A quick and easy project that will be greatly appreciated on chilly winter evenings.

A few reviewers mentioned that the “1 hour” designation on the pattern was unrealistic. My first one, while looking at all the directions, took just over 1 1/2 hours. Once I knew what to do, the remaining three all took about an hour and 10 minutes.

Multi Strand Chain & Bead Necklace Video Tutorial

Dec 242012

This necklace is a knock-off of one I bought at my local Fashion Bug. (Which, sadly, is going out of business. Why are all the good stores closing? Boo. Hiss.)

Anyhow, I was happy to get a few bargains and some great jewelry ideas. The layered chain look is very popular right now, and I love the addition of a single strand of beads.

The original was in gunmetal silver with red rhinestone accents, so it seemed like antique gold with purple accents would be a perfect alternate.

Click on any of the photos for a super-duper up close and personal peek. (Yeah, sorry about the cat hair. As much as I try to discourage it, my cat likes to sleep inside my little photo booth. Silly boy, he is.)

Happy creating!

Materials:

74-inch length chunky chain, cut into 45-, 15- and 14-inch pieces
55-inch length fine chain, cut into 12.5-, 12-, 11-, 10- and 9.5-inch pieces
lobster clasp
13 inches of beads and spacers, strung on 17 inches tiger tail or other beading wire
two crimp beads
two split rings
5mm jump rings
two pair chain nose pliers
crimping pliers, if desired
wire cutters
four pieces scrap wire or four twist ties

Instructions:

Mark 45-inch length of chain at 9.5 inches and 13 inches from each end with scrap wire or twist ties.
Attach each end of 15-inch length of chain to a link at the 13-inch marks on the 45-inch chain.
Attach ends of 14-inch length of chain each one link above 15-inch length.
Slide a crimp bead and a split ring onto one end of tiger tail with strung beads. Slide wire back through crimp bead. Flatten with chain nose pliers, or crimp with crimping pliers. String extra wire through ½ inches of beads; then trim excess.
Repeat step 4 to attach split ring to other end of tiger tail.
Attach strung beads to 45-inch length of chain by split rings in same manner as 14- and 15-inch lengths of chain.
Use jump rings to attach lengths of fine chain to 45-inch length of chain in same manner, working up the links, starting with longest length and spacing evenly to place shortest length at mark at 9.5 inches.
Use a jump ring to attach lobster clasp to one end of 45-inch chain.

Jasper, The Baby Green Dragon – Polymer Clay Sculpture

Dec 222012

This little guy was just TOO much fun to make.

Click on any of the photos for a closer look.

Isn’t that the cutest widdle face? ===gah===

The wings took several tries to get right, but I’m really thrilled with how they finally came out.

That piece of quartz has been hanging around for several years. I think it’s absolutely perfect here.

I started the face and body using Christi Friesen’s book Dragons, but then went in my own direction.

Those are chip beads on the base, which gives you a little bit of an idea of his size. (About 2 1/2 inches from the base to the tip top of his wing, and the base is 3 inches across the widest point.)

I used just the teeniest bit of Christi Friesen’s new metallic paints and patinas for accents. Kinda lovin’ those these days.

In fact, I just realized I forgot to give you guys the promised chart of those paints and what the patinas do to them.

I honestly see no difference between the Tiffany and the Verdigris patinas. If you do try these out, make sure to read her Swelligant pdf, it’s very helpful.

The plan is to next make a purple dragon with red and gold accents. She’ll be holding pretty clear crystals, and I’m thinking her name will be Amy. (We’ll see who she turns out to be, though.)

Once the details are worked out, I hope to send a few of these little guys off to good homes through my Etsy shop.

In the meantime, Happy Creating!

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