Jewellery gift ideas part 7 - beaded hoop earrings

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace, ribbon wrapped comb

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So it really does not matter that I don't have any step by step photos of this. Mainly because there are only two steps...and they're pretty self explanatory - sometimes I feel that I'm just not needed - sob!

It's always fun to bring a bit of colour to your earlobes and these are an easy way to pack a whole lot of colour onto one pair earrings!

So quite simply open your hoop findings and add your beads. Close the hoop and use the flat nosed pliers to attach the hoop to the earring.

and...that's it.

I feel I need to make up something because that was too simple. But I like you so I won't.

Happy beading!

Jewellery gift ideas part 6 - tassel necklace

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace, ribbon wrapped comb

                                                                      ...................................................................................................................


I have a confession - I forgot to take photos of the steps for both this and the next gift idea. I have another confession - I considered recreating them but I'm writing this on a Saturday morning and I'm really enjoying just looking at this, this and definitely this. I promise I would take photos again if it was tricky but it's really not!

This necklace is lovely even without the tassel - so if your friend isn't a tassel fan then make a few of these necklaces in different colours to give as a set! But I think it adds a fun dimension and I'm always up for a bringing a little fun into my wardrobe!

The easiest way to make the tassel would be to use thread. However, I had this fabric which I loved the colour of, so I spent a little time pulling it apart. If you want to use a fabric then simply pull the threads which are parallel to an edge. (it's surprisingly therapeutic!)

1) For the necklace, cut a length of beading wire that is long enough to slip over your head.

2) Squash a crimp onto one end of the beading wire (approx. 4 cm from the end) and thread on your beads. Stop threading on those beautiful beads about 5 cm from the end.

3) Thread on another crimp and pull the other end of the wire through the crimp as well. Squash the crimp to secure the necklace and trim any excess wire.

4) For the tassel, take your threads and bunch together. Double it over. Taking a piece of wire (you won't need more than 10 cm) add a feature bead and then wrap the wire around the thread.

5) . Cut off any excess wire and flatten the ends into the tassel. Trim the thread to the length you like.

6) Loop a jump ring through the head of the tassel and add another jump ring. Add this jump ring to the middle of the necklace.

All done! Say if anything is not clear or if you would like step by step photos and I'll put some together.

Happy Monday!

Jewellery gift ideas part 5 - ribbon wrapped comb

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace
                               ....................................................................................................................

You can never have too many pretty things to put in your hair. This ribbon wrapped comb is so versatile, and if you get bored with the colours you could just unwrap it and do it again in different colours!

1) Simply take your selection of ribbon and wrap around the comb a few times to secure and conceal the end. Continue to wrap around the comb in whatever pattern you fancy :) I laid the narrower piece of ribbon on top of the larger one and then wrapped them round together.

2) When you've finished, feed the ribbon back under itself and tie a knot, cut the excess ribbon.

This has got to be the quickest idea so far, so there is no excuse not to try it! This is it for this week but I'll be putting up the final three ideas next week.

Have a great weekend!

Jewellery gift ideas part 4 - teardrop necklace

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings
                               ....................................................................................................................

I don't really own many 'sets' of jewellery, I quite like mixing and matching up different pieces. But sometimes it's nice to be able to pick up a pair of earrings that you know goes perfectly with the necklace you want to wear. Whilst this makes a really pretty set, the earrings or necklace also both hold their own ground so it's up to you which of these you make!

1) To make the teardrop you need to cut 3 pieces of wire. The overall size of pendant will depend on how long the base piece of wire is, so make that first. Either using a round object, your pliers or just your hands gently ease the wire into a curve, cut it to your desired length (plus approx 2cm extra for the eyes).

2) Cut two straight lengths of wire for the sides.

3) Make eyes at each end of all three pieces of wire. You do this by using the flat-nosed pliers to bend 1cm of wire at 90 degrees. Then, using the flat nosed pliers and starting at the end of the wire, gradually bend the wire back towards the 90 degree turn until it forms a loop.

4) Next attach the two straight pieces of wire to the base wire.

5) Take a headpin and add your bead. Trim if if needed and create a eye at the top of the pin

6) Join this to the 'teardrop' using a jumpring.

7) Next either thread a necklace chain through or attach to an earring. You're done! (well you'll need to repeat it if you're making earrings - unless you only want one earring I guess).

Happy Thursday!

Jewellery gift ideas part 3 - woven earrings

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace

                               ....................................................................................................................

I love these earrings. I actually made a pair using this design years ago but used thin wire instead of thread. They turned out great, so if you wanted to do that I can assure you it works well! But I love this glitter thread, it makes me feel like I'm wearing triangular snowflakes - perfect for Christmas presents :)

1) Cut two lengths of wire and, using the pliers, bend the wire to create a triangle. Wrap wire around in a tight coil to secure the shape. Cut off any excess wire and squish (the technical term) the end flat against the wire with the pliers.

2) Cut a long length of thread and tie a knot around the wire. Keeping the thread taut, begin to wrap around the wire. Every now again wrap the thread over and under the wire to keep it secure.

3) Continue wrapping the thread until you have thickness you wish, then secure the thread with another knot. Cut off excess thread.

4) Finally add a jump ring and an earring.

Such a simple design but very pretty!

Next up tomorrow is a teardrop necklace and earring set...

Jewellery gift ideas part 2: beaded necklace

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace
                  ....................................................................................................................

I saw this theory necklace on Pinterest and whilst I loved it, I didn't love it's price tag - so I just decided to make my own! I love it with these strong colours but it could also be so pretty in pastel or even crystal and pearl (it's safe to say I'm going to making plenty of these!).

1. Cut five lengths of wire, 6cm in length (or whatever size you like!). Alternatively use 5 eyepins, but making your own allows you to create the size eyes that you wish to have.

2) Make the 'eyes' at one end of each of the pieces of wire. To do this, use the flat-nosed pliers to bend just over 1/2cm of wire at 90 degrees. Using the round-nosed pliers and starting at the end of the wire, bend the wire round, gradually working the pliers towards the 90 degree bend until the loop is formed.

3. Thread your beads onto the wire and close each strand off with another eye.

4. Thread the first beaded wire onto the two headpins and add a couple of 'spacer' beads and thread the next beaded wire on. Repeat until you have added each strand, add another spacer bead to finish.

5. Bend the two headpins over at 90 dgrees and cut off the excess wire, leaving 1cm to create the eye.

6. Next decide on how long you want the necklace to be. I think this pendant works great on a long necklace so cut a generous length of waxed thread and thread each end through the headpins, securing with a knot. Cut any excess thread. Then you can simply lift it over your head with no fiddly clasps needed!

Does this necklace remind anyone else of algorithm beads? and does it reveal the nerd in me that I like that?!

Tomorrow we're going to be making woven earrings so stay tuned...

Homemade jewellery gift ideas...

I've been busy with my beads these last couple of weeks and am excited that this year I thought about Christmas far enough in advance to bring some Christmas gift ideas to your computer!

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

First up is the pretty vintage-inspired pearl and ribbon necklace.

1. Cut three lengths of beading wire (I use beadalon which I finds kinks less than tigertail), each smaller than the last.

2) Create a loop at one end of the beading wire. To do this, thread a crimp onto a piece of the beading wire. Loop the end back through the crimp and pull to create a small loop, then squash the crimp bead with the flat nosed pliers. Cut any excess wire. (see picture in step 3)

3) Thread the beads onto the wire, with the largest beads on the longest length of beading wire.

4) Secure the beads by creating another loop (as above) on each of the lengths of beading wire. Attach these to two jump rings.

5) Take the ribbon and measure how long you want the necklace to be (I did this the technical way of hanging the ribbon around my neck!) and cut double your measurement. Cut this length of ribbon in half. Feed each piece of ribbon through a jump ring and secure with a knot.

And voila! one lovely pearl necklace...

I prefer to tie this around my neck with a bow so that I can change the length of the necklace. But you could always add a clasp and jump ring though if you want a set length necklace.

I haven't been able to resist wearing this so I will have to be making more if I plan on giving it away as a gift!!

Come back tomorrow for the next gift idea :)

Peacock hair accessory...

I have had these peacock feathers for 7 years. I have known what I wanted to do with them for, say, 5 years. Well last week I finally got round to doing what I had been planning....it took me all of about 30 minutes.

I don't always understand myself.

I have a thing about fascinators - they ever so slightly freak. me. out. I'm talking about the ones that stick a half mile out of your head and cause everyone around you to duck out it's way.

It's just not natural.

Even if I changed my mind, I'm married to the one person I know who fears them even more than me. So I think it's safe to say that I'm not likely to be found wearing one any time soon! It does leave me feeling a little bit boring though when it comes to doing my hair for special events ( by this I mean weddings...those red carpet moments are just in my head). So I finally decided to get around to making something pretty with my long-ignored peacock feathers.

I considered adding beads to the base of the feathers but I decided that less was more on this occasion. But this could be adapted in so many ways - so let your creativity flow! Here goes...

1) Trim each of the peacock feathers, following the shape of the outer coloured rim.

2) My feathers were a bit ratty just from being old, most gaps can be eased out by gently easing feathers together. But one of mine had a stubborn split in the middle. One way to easily fix this is to cut a tiny piece of fabric and glue to the back of the feather to hold it's shape.

3) Next roughly cut out an oval piece of fabric. Glue the feathers onto the fabric, overlapping the feathers slightly.

4) Trim the fabric so that it is hidden under the feathers.

5) Line the rim of the comb with glue and affix to the back of the fabric. Leave to dry.

Tip: Before wearing, I spray the feathers with a spritz of hair spray to protect their shape.

p.s. I promise I haven't decided that hyphens should replace a 'space' but when adding font to the photos in Google Plus, it wouldn't recognise my space bar (despite me hitting it very hard multiple times -oops)...has anyone else found this? If so, do you know how to fix it?

Happy Monday!