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
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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!

So many cosy things...

This FREEZING cold weather is making me want to snuggle up inside and make these lovely things...

1. An oh so cosy poncho/coat by Felicia A Paris. I don't think I would ever take it off.

2. A free pattern to warm your tootsies

3. This beautiful quilt by Camille Roskelley over at Simplify

4. These super cute tights for my niece, tutorial over at Made by Rae

Happy blogiversary!

Umm, so I missed my first anniversary of blogging - does that make me a bad blogger?! Please forgive me little blog of mine, my mind has been elsewhere of late - namely cramming for job interviews and planning my {actual} anniversary - which was yesterday...happy anniversary to my wonderful husband! But, hey, this has been a fun year filled with more crafting than any year before it.

I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and share the most popular posts from this last year...so here goes:

1. Lace Overlay Top

 So this tutorial is by far the most visited on this little blog...I love this top and it's so versatile!

2. Transferring ink to canvas

A super easy way of putting your favourite quote onto canvas

3. Ribbon and chain bracelet

A really cute bracelet to brighten up any outfit :)

4. Bow belt and hair accessory

This was part 2 of 'two bows, two ways' posts. I love the colour of this belt, I like to team it with a simple black dress!

Here's to another craft and cake filled year!