Friday Pick - Rings & Things Heart of Gold Necklace

I wanted to do a mosaic, like I did last time, but the graphics wouldn't work with the mosaic maker tool. Instead, I made the sketch above (I've got a ways to go in my drawing re-education, so no laughing!) and I'll list the products (with links) at the end of the post.

Rings & Thing's 5-Day sale through July 12th (Sunday) has beading thread, stringing wire, chokers and all-purpose cording at 15-25% off wholesale prices. So I matched up a gold pendant cord choker with some charms and a Swarovski Heliotrope colored 18mm heart crystal pendant.

The design idea I have in my head (and tried to show in the sketch) is to take the hanging cord (the two strands that are dangling from the center front of the choker) and tie the charms to them with a simple knot that I'll re-enforce with glue and cover with a crimp cover.

Then I'd put the prong bail over that and pinch it through the Swarovski heart with the pendant cap. The two cords would dangle out either side of the prong bail that is now covering the hanging cord knot on the choker.

Seems like a simple and fairly fast way to make a very nice, adjustable length necklace. Not too expensive, either - I estimate total cost of materials for one necklace at under $10. To purchase the materials costs more - for example the chokers and charms are not sold separately but in lots of 10 and the crimp covers are sold in a package of 20. I put all the items in a cart and it came to just under $44 less the 15% discount (on the chokers, but that's only good 'til Sunday the 12th) that comes up if you complete the order process, plus the shipping and small order fee if your order is less than $50.

For other tips on how to use pendant cords and tie things on them with knots, see the Rings & Things Tip Sheet.

Product list:

Double Cord with Contrast in Antique Gold
Swarovski Heliotrope 18mm Heart Pendant
Prong bail
Pendant Cap
Beadalon Assorted Crimp Covers

Update! July 15th: the product order came in today and I made the necklace:

I really like this, even if I say so myself! (click picture to enlarge)

I got my Rings & Things goodies for July in the mail today - I'll write about them tomorrow, so do come back!

Thursday Feature: Reviews & Interviews - Bead And Wire Jewelry Exposed

Hi again. Sorry to have been away for a week, between my family's visit and changes at the day job, I've been a bit busy and wasn't able to squeeze in the blogging, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find time again now that I've caught up after a few days off.

I bought Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by Katie Hacker, Fernando DaSilva and Margot Potter the other day. In it the authors share design ideas which use beading wire and components in a variety of different ways. The book has 7 different design chapters plus sections on exposing your creativity, materials, tools, techniques, resources and an index.

The book takes you through design ideas with colored wire, metallic wire, coiled and shaped wire as well as some bead-weaving techniques. Throughout there are large, full color step by step photographs and detailed instructions. I'd say someone with just a bit of experience would be able to do any of the projects and anyone can learn valuable new techniques for more complex designs.

The book features use of Crystallized Swarovski Elements and Beadalon products in the creations, but one could use their own beads and alternate supplies from their own stash. They also show how to use things like rubber tubing, bead bumpers, clasps and crimps as integral and exposed (thus the title) design components.

For example, one of Fernando DaSilva's designs uses rubber eyeglass holders to form the links between beads wrapped in Colourcraft wire (page 66). Margot Potter uses half circles from bracelet sized memory wire and E-Z Crimps to make a fabulous necklace (page 90). Another DaSilva design puts a slide-bar clasp front and center instead of hidden at the back of the neck (page 84). Katie Hacker's bracelet design on page 60 uses large twisted wire jump rings you make from colored craft wire to beautiful effect.

I've gotten great inspiration from this book and highly recommend it. If you click on the Amazon link above to buy it, a couple pennies go into my beading fund, too.

Hope you'll be back tomorrow for my Friday Picks featuring Rings & Things products.

Dawno's Friday Picks - Artbeads

Last week I shared a 'Fresh Pick' using the feature on Lima Beads. This week I created a mosaic using the online tool, Mosaic Maker and a wish list of beads, chain, findings, centering around a beautiful painted onyx bead that's on sale right now.

Upper row from left to right: 19x25mm Oval Black Onyx Pink Ornament , CRYSTALLIZED™ 5000 6mm Faceted Round Indian Pink , CRYSTALLIZED™ 5810 6mm Round Pearl Mystic Black, CRYSTALLIZED™ RDS 6mm Silver-Plated Roundelle Jet.
Bottom row from left to right: CRYSTALLIZED™ 5040 8mm Faceted Roundelle Indian Pink, Sterling 6mm Flower Petal Outline Beadcap, 6mm Bright Sterling Silver Roundel, 090 DC Long Rollo Chain.

What I'd like to create with these is a multi-strand necklace with the bead and silver components strung in one strand and then create a second strand with the rollo chain, probably with some bead dangles hanging from it. I really need to get some colored pencils to draw a sketch... I'm really liking this idea!

So what do you think about using the Mosaic tool for spurring creativity? I didn't have anything in mind when I started browsing Artbeads and collecting the pictures for the mosaic, now I have one and a shopping list.

Next week, another one of my favorite suppliers will be featured!

Tuesday Tidbits

The USPS delivered some great stuff today!

Dawno's First Pick (Lima Beads Fresh Pick)

I've got some other charoite (lower right hand corner above) and am looking forward to using the different pieces in something, the ones from Lima Beads are really lovely - haven't quite decided the design. I'm crazy about the faceted citrine ovals (upper left corner) and 'mango dancing drops' freshwater pearls (second from left bottom). The fun thing about Lima Beads Fresh Picks is how other folk can leave comments and you can post a picture of your finished design right on the same page. As I mentioned, I'm thinking about a 'tropical sunset' multi-strand necklace with many of the beads in that pick.

Along with a few lovelies from Artbeads - Swarovski Aquamarine checkerboard & twist and Red Magma twist sew-ons. These I'm thinking about in a chain necklace interspersing the Swarovski's between the links. Not the two colors together, mind you, one necklace in Aquamarine with silver and one pairing the other Red Magma beads I have with the new twists and gunmetal chain.

Then from Auntie's Beads, who were giving a Twitterific deal (and as a Beader's Advantage member I automatically get 10% off, too), I grabbed some Mocca Swarovski briolettes, copper beadcaps and wired rings.

Finally, from The Beadin' Path I nabbed some vintage Swarovski "sunshine" in light topaz and Indian sapphire, plus vintage copper coated steel twisted curb chain and copper neckwires.

I talked about all of these stores and more on Saturday, too. If you missed it, I hope you'll go back and check it out.

Progress on tiding up the workroom - slow. Still can't sit in my chair or use the table, but I'm starting to find the floor again...

Monday Miscellany

Saturday wasn't a very productive jewelry making day, it was very hot, but I did manage to tidy things up and decide on some things I wanted to make - even started the necklace pictured below. Sunday I managed to make new earrings, finish the necklace and another one I'd had hanging unfinished for months, and put the findings on bracelets that had sat around for awhile.

New earrings

Couldn't get all of them in a square pic, so I cropped out a few

Victorian inspired choker with tiny glass pearls with a brass stamping and
Swarovski crystal dangles

Three new bracelets - the one on the right has freshwater cultured seed pearls, the one in the middle has really interesting ornate bead caps.

Temperatures here were in the 90s - makes it hard to focus when it's hot. I ended up watching a lot of last week's TiVo'd shows until it finally got cooler, but since tomorrow is a work day, I had to stop and finish up, get this written up for early Monday a.m. posting and get to bed. Back tomorrow with some Tuesday Tidbits!

Not Going to Be a Lazy Saturday Around Here

I didn't accomplish all that much yesterday - got my workspace tidied up a bit - there were little gears everywhere and bags and piles of beads, but they're mostly corralled now. I want to get as much done this weekend as possible for the show which is now less than a week off.

Even though I spent a lot of time doing clean up work yesterday, I did make something - this is the necklace I worked on for most of last evening. I used gold vermeil spacers, Czech glass spheres with really intricate faceting, some ornate Czech glass I found ages ago at Global beads and hadn't, until last night, figured out what I was going to use them in.

I'm not sure what the larger beads are called (if you know, please leave a comment and enlighten me!) but I'm very fond of the lilac tinting and hints of gold on the ends and the lovely way they're faceted (click on the picture for better detail), tiny lilac glass spacer beads, and gold filled wire eye and head pins for the connections in the draped center section. I'm thinking it needs a name, but I'm terrible at coming up with good ones.

I need to do new tags, set up new display stuff that optimizes the very small space (my table last year was about five feet long, I think) and organize some containers of pre-sorted stuff to work on, because in Artist's Alley, where I'll be, the requirement is that you focus on working on your art, not selling.

Well, as I may have mentioned here or there, I took the plunge and entered a couple pieces in the BeadStar 2009 contest, didn't make the cut, but I really didn't expect to either this early in my learning curve. I'm sure I have a long way to go, but if I hadn't at least tried, I wouldn't have learned anything.

The entries that did get selected are fabulous. Please visit the site and vote for your favorites. I'd be very interested in a conversation about the finalist selections and what sets the finalists apart from the crowd.

Moving on - here's a fun necklace I made just the other day to go with one of my favorite tropical flower patterned camp shirts, that I wore to the bead tour on Thursday. I used the brightly colored shell heishi's from The Beadin' Path May bead club goodies and some other bits I had in my stash.

(click to enlarge)

Here's one of the pieces I entered in the contest and put off sharing until I heard what made the finalist round. I'm almost embarrassed to post that it was an entry, after seeing the amazing and intricate pieces that were selected in the crystals category. I used my best quality supplies - all sterling silver and Swarovskis. The wire wrapped loops are made with very fine gauge headpins and wire - tedious, but ultimately rewarding work. I really love the balance plus the bit of asymmetry in the center, and simplicity of it, personally.

Please come by tomorrow - I've got a wonderful Wandering Around the Beadosphere post prepared!

The 2009 Rings and Things Bead Tour as Seen by Dawno

Tour logo used by permission, © Rings & Things

Yesterday I went to the Rings & Things Bead Tour in San Mateo, CA. I've never been to any gem or jewelry supplier shows before, just seen pictures in articles or on blogs. I know intellectually that this, being a single supplier's venue, is very different from shows where there are multiple vendors, but I couldn't tell you how it's different. At least, not until I finally get to one somewhere. I guess Tucson is a biggie, and I'd like to go there someday.

So, all I can give you is a few pictures and some of my own impressions of the San Mateo stop of the Rings & Things Bead Tour 2009.

The event opened at 1pm and I was there around 1:15, stayed until 3:30 - shopping through 50 long tables full of trays of semi-precious gemstones, pearls and various other types of beads - I focused on the stone, pearl and metal (and a few bags of Swarovski's), so I'm not sure what the other offerings included - I would venture to say bone, ceramic, wood and glass.

Here's the view at about 1:30 from the back of the hall - not many people there yet, did get a bit busier later, but it was never very crowded. I think I saw about 4 or 5 male shoppers, the rest were women.

Here's the first item of major interest to catch my eye - Tootsie Rolls!

Actually by the time I got to that table I'd already put quite a haul in my tray. I should have taken a picture of that, too, but I forgot.

Lots of turquoise - Nevada and Mexican were the two regions I noticed. Didn't get any, was not on my list of 'must haves' this time around, but the prices were good and the quality looked pretty good as well. I just don't use many turquoise nuggets or faceted turquoise stones in my designs right now.

I'm pretty sure this was one of the tables with a nice selection of various shapes, sizes and colors of freshwater pearls. I picked up a few strands as you'll see below. I loved the little top-drilled ones and some shaped like mushroom caps, so I got some.

Big glass pearls at the near end, and I think there were double drilled, large dyed stones at the far end - but I'm not 100% sure.

At the very back were tables overflowing with findings and components in gold fill, sterling, gold and silver plate and basemetals; cords, wire, chain, tools and a pretty good selection of Swarovski colors and sizes and shapes. I picked up some 4 & 5mm Swarovski bicones packages (the one that just looks like a white bag is some opal colored ones that I've been thinking about ordering, so I was really glad to see them there), some gunmetal chain and - oh, heck, let me just show you (not shown, two 100 ft spools of Beadalon 49 strand wire):

Swarovskis, Sterling bails, Bali Sterling caps and spacers, Gunmetal chain,
Freshwater Pearls, Hessionite, Opalite, Amethyst, Dragon's Blood Jasper, Prehnite, Onyx

After reading about amethyst on the Rings & Things blog, I tried to get a good selection in sizes and shapes I knew I'd use, so that's the clump of purple in the middle. I'm very happy with what I found. I'm exceptionally happy with the prices! They also had a good selection of "lab" amethyst - a deeper purple in color and very pretty. I may get some one of these days to use in lanyards that I want the look, but not the expense to pass on, of natural amethyst, but also prettier than amethyst colored glass beads.

All in all, I had a great time - a rather solitary one since my friend, who I met for lunch couldn't come and I didn't know anyone else there - but that gave me the chance to really take my time, examine things closely and make what I think were really good selections. I probably had about half as much again in my tray when I sat down to decide what I really wanted and what I could do without, as I had given myself a budget. I'm proud to say that I stayed in it!

I want to thank Dave for coming here and leaving a comment last October, that first introduced me to a real live person at Rings & Things. I'd bought some Scrimps from them when, via a Google Search they were the only supplier who had the ones I wanted, but I hadn't gone back for other beads or supplies with them yet. Based on his taking the time to come by and comment here, I started using them more and more. I feel like they (through Dave) are a partner in getting my little business growing, not just a place where I shop. The same goes for just a couple other supplier partners, but since the focus today is on the Rings & Things tour, I'll talk about them another time.

And that's it for my Bead Show reflections. Hope to see you back here tomorrow, and especially Sunday, when I'll have a *great* tour of the Beadosphere lined up for you!

Tuesday Tidbits

I'm thinking about putting some structure around my week of posts - I'm already doing a Sunday link round up in Wandering Around the Beadosphere, yesterday I did a Monday Miscellany, which is whatever happened over the weekend that didn't get into my weekend posts.

Today, I just had some little things to show off - and I think what I'll do on Tuesdays is feature little tidbit things like earrings or other accessories - maybe I made 'em, maybe someone else did - like this little gem Smutopia sent me with the lovely rhodonite necklace I bought from her.

Could be used as a zipper pull, or could be added as a charm to a bracelet or necklace, maybe add a couple to a cell phone using one of these cell phone lariats (I call 'em lanyards, but lariat is ok, too). These came in my Rings & Things goodie package. They've got a split ring so you could secure a charm on a wrapped wire loop or through a hole in the charm. The assortment package has many colors, appears to be out of stock at the moment. Individual colors with silver tone metal are available as well as a gold plated cap with black lariot.

Here's a quick and easy cell phone charm I made using Czech pressed glass flowers in rainbow colors on the yellow lariat.

Simple headpin and loop design could be jazzed up with other beads or metal spacers. Here's what it looks like on my phone.

Of course there are endless things you can do with these lariats. Give as party favors, stocking stuffers, thank you gifts with purchase, sell them in craft show bargain baskets or give them as part of the packaging on sold items - and if you did that, I think you'd want to be sure to attach a little business card (a Moo mini-card would be a perfect size) or something with your online storefront URL on it.

I'm getting Moo-mini's, and if they arrive on time, I can put them and a little steampunk-ish charm on some lariats I already had in stock and hand them out. I'll try to remember to show an example here of what I'm thinking of when they come in.

Last little bit, working on some charms for Bay Con - not sure if they'll end up on something else or if I'll offer them as charms - sorry the picture is so big, any smaller and it would be very hard to see - the charms are only 5mm across. In addition to the bits and gears from watches, there are also some Swarovski flatbacked crystals. I hammered them flat because they came rather concave and on some of them I used a nail buffing board to give back a little shine to the finish, which I think makes them look even more like old, distressed metal.

Monday Miscellany

I think Monday posts are the hardest to do. I guess I'll just take a page from Modern Literature class and do "stream of consciousness" - although I think this is more organized than most of the stream of consciousness writing I read way back when.

Although I have a new goodie bag to work with from Rings & Things, I did just use the Indian Pink Swarovski's I got in the last pack in this necklace - aren't they the perfect color to go with the rhodochrosite heishis I got recently from Lima Beads? This is very petite - just 16", the heishis and eight of the Swarovski's are 4mm, so it's quite delicate looking when on.

Below is a piece I worked on last Saturday night, still have some finishing fiddly work to do on it, but (I think) the design is done. Necklace is around 16", the center detail is around 2" long. Swarovski pearls, Swarovski crystals from Global Beads, gold fill wire, gold vermeil daisy spacers from Artbeads. Took about 4 hours to complete. *whew*

Of course the center bit was the first thing I added to the basic strung necklace, then I decided it needed even more bits, and just like Topsy, it growed. I finally resisted all temptation to do anything else to it Saturday night, which is when I took the picture above.

I have Thursday and Friday off this week (yay!). Thursday I go to the Rings & Things Bead Tour (that psychodelic-y banner has me flashing back to my youth and I never even touched LSD...really!) and get to visit with a new friend of mine while I'm there, since it's about midway between where I live and where she lives.

I met her at the SF convention, Potlatch. She's also someone I know online at Live Journal. She asked me if I still had a pair of earrings I'd shown but she didn't buy there -she called them "those orrery looking earings" and you know, the way they move, it is kind of like an orrery. Anyway, I told her they were still available and we're going to conduct that transaction, see the bead show and have a lovely time. I'm really looking forward to seeing her, as well as the beads.

Friday I'm going to have lunch downtown with another friend who I met through work and lives in the same town I do. She's not at my company any more, so I don't get to see her in person as much although we found each other on Facebook, so we try to keep up there. I am so glad for places like Live Journal, Facebook and Twitter helping me stay in touch. I'm terrible at writing chatty letters/emails or making phone calls so those sites are great for letting folk know I'm thinking of them or for sharing little bits of news.

Then it's work work work on my pieces for Bay Con. Tags, display, new stuff - next weekend will be very busy.

Looking Forward to Arrival of Swarovski Tahitian-Look Pearl Order

Don't forget - there's still time left to get great deals at the Artbeads dollar days sale which ends next Tuesday (Apr. 28th) at 9 am Pacific. The reason I was reminded to mention it was yesterday I had a meeting at work and wore a necklace and earrings with beautiful black Tahitian pearls set in gold that my husband bought me from Na Hoku Jewelers for Christmas a couple years ago. (the earrings below aren't shown with Tahitian pearl, but the style is the same)

I didn't have a lanyard or a bracelet that complemented them - I had hematite and silver, but not gold. I ended up wearing my black onyx and gold-filled bead lanyard as a result.

So when I got home, I went to the Artbeads site to order some Swarovski pearls in "Tahitian-look" so I could make a matching lanyard. Actutally, I want to make a couple lanyards and other matching accessories. I need pieces with spacers and findings in both silver and gold, because my DH had also gotten me a silver pearl set the year before the gold one. Anyway, Artbeads had large hole 14mm Tahitian-look pearls on their sale list and I thought those would make a great bracelet, maybe using ribbon, or cord, instead of beading wire. Can't wait to get them and show you!

I also got more black (matte jet) clamshell beads so I can make more pieces like the Black Sand Beach one (modeled here by the beautiful Tish!) and some pearlized light colors for other designs. I'm gonna be very happy to see that box on the front porch!

Speaking of Tish, a while ago I posted about a necklace that needed a clasp (all the way at the bottom of the post is the picture) and I'm pretty sure it was Tish gave me a link (I can't find the link to where she mentioned it though) to a clasp from Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry - which I liked (along with a few other things there), and bought. The package arrived today *yay!* and here's the finished necklace on me:

And, a word from our sponsor -

Dawno

Buy Handmade

Lava, Shells, Coral and Other Stuff, Too

Here's a journey through my work in progress using the Rings & Things goody: Lava Stone. I really loved the idea of using it with some red bamboo coral I had in my stash (Bead Gallery via Michaels). I started by just putting the stones with the coral, but decided it needed something else.

I ordered coral branch bits ( also from Rings & Things) and added them...nope, still not quite there.

Today I had to go to the Post Office to pick up a package from Melanie's Steampunk Supply store on Etsy (will share about those in a later post, when I start using them) and that's just a few blocks from the wonderful Global Beads in downtown Mountain View. I wasn't sure what I needed, just wanted something brown and organic looking and small.

When I found some tiny, brown beads, I scooped up a bunch. I learned they were Indian and made from the rudraksha seed. Also found some red, porus stone nuggets - not sure what they are (and forgot to ask) but they're like lava stone, and thought they'd be a good addition, so I bought a strand of those.

Here's where I am in the unfinished piece so far.

I never had any urge to buy lava stone before - but when I got my sample package, I rather fell in love with it. I ended up with so many ideas - I decided to stock up a bit.

In the picture below on the top left, are some sample bits using the lava stone that may grow into necklaces or bracelets later. I had some dark brown wire that I thought would look really interesting with the lava stones, so I made wrapped loops and a figure eight spacer with the wire. The other sample uses lava stones with drilled spiral shell points I found at Global Beads today, as well.

As for the rest of the pieces in the picture above, in the center are mother of pearl disks (they are thin, heishi-type beads) that I've linked together with 26 gauge Artistic Wire and brass bead. On the lower right is the start of a necklace (I think) using silver Beadalon Quick Links, gold plated 10mm jump rings and 15mm Botswana agate.

I also got some Swarovski beads in new colors that Rings & Things is carrying, and this is what I'm thinking of doing with the Indian Pink ones - they're strung on sterling bead chain between sterling seamless beads. The 4mm bicones are here and the larger 6mm is here:

Today's WIP: Vintage Style Earrings

Haven't accomplished much today - found a TV show on Hulu that I wanted to watch, Damages (shown on FX), and I've been catching up to date online.

I did work on something, now and again, while I was watching. They need a little finishing work - couple drops of E6000 here and there - but I don't think I'll add anymore embellishment.

Filigree, chain and shell earring finding, from Accessories Susan, tiny brass bead from Ohio Beads and some champagne colored (not sure what the official name ofthe color is) Swarovski crystals from the Auntie's Beads "Tucson Mix" I bought almost a year ago.

No photography today - too overcast to get enough good natural light.

Beading Component Review - Artbeads.com Sterling Silver Beadframe with Swarovski Crystals

I always get excited when a new package from a beading supplier arrives, but I was especially excited about today's parcel from Artbeads.com.

First, because I'd signed up for a beta testing phase of a new buying program and the price, order response time and shipping time was excellent. But second, a month ago I received an email from Artbeads' VP of Search Marketing and Customer Service asking if I'd be interested in doing reviews of their products on my blog.

I have already listed them in my blogroll, and I've mentioned them when I blogged about various items I'd made using their products, etc., so it isn't much of a stretch to add some review content as well. I said I was interested and would like to know more.

The next email provided additional details, like "How you decide to blog about these products is completely up to you. Feature an item in your next jewelry design, use as a component or simply write a review. We don’t want to place any limits on your creativity and always expect you to voice your honest opinion - good or bad."

This was very important to me, as they were also going to provide the review product to me for free. While I love free stuff as much as the next person, I also didn't want to be under any pressure to have to be positive if I didn't like the item and I wouldn't be comfortable turning my blog into a paid promotional site, either.

The only other thing they asked me to do, which, again was not problem, was to include a link to the product and another link to either the Artbeads.com home page or another category page. So I gladly accepted the opportunity. Just a few days ago I received my list of products and one of them really caught my eye, as well as inspired a design idea for an eyeglass lanyard. This is the product:

It's a Sterling Silver Spring Spiral Bead Frame with Swarovski Crystals (there are also lovely and Victorian Trellis bead frames - it was hard to choose). The catalog copy says"These sterling silver bead frames have a beautifully ornate floral or Victorian trellis patterns with granulations and spirals. Two Swarovski crystals add color and texture to this antique style. Bead frames make great pendants, earrings and links in bracelets." They also would make great end-piece focals for an eyeglass lanyard, I thought.

I ordered most of the rest of the supplies for my design from Artbeads: garnet colored Swarovski Crystal 8mm bicone beads to make the beaded chain and put in the bead frame (26 are needed - I got some extras), some sterling silver floral links (4 needed - again, I got extras and am planning a bracelet) to embellish the beaded chain, and sterling silver 20 gauge 1" eye pins (24) for the beaded links. I also had a supply of sterling silver rondels (48) that I'd purchased from Artbeads a while back, that I thought would enhance the overall design. I needed two longer sterling eye pins to finish the bead frames, but I had some longer ones already, so I didn't order more.

So, even though I got a discount price (from the beta program) on all my items, and the bead frames were free, this is not an inexpensive project. (I feel should also mention that I used 20 sterling oval open jump rings as links that I got from another supplier, for whom I'll give an "honorable mention" to in another post as this one is specifically about the Artbeads products).

Ok, enough about the materials. What about the featured product, the Sterling Silver Spring Spiral Bead Frame with Swarovski Crystals?

The bead frame is nicely detailed - with tiny veining in the leaves and just the right amount of embelishment. I did find two very small pits on one side of one of the frames - one pit is very slight and really only noticeable with a magnifier, but the other is a bit deeper, although still very small, and has some antiquing in it making it a dark spot that's just noticeable with the naked eye, especially as it's close on the frame to the bead. It doesn't really, for me at least, detract from the product overall - I was looking for something with an antique or vintage appearance anyway.

There are also two round, garnet colored Swarovski crystals set into the piece on each side of the frame. The crystals are free of scratches and set fairly level and flush to the bezels. Each bead frame costs $16.49 for 1 - 2 frames, $14.99 for 3 - 5 and $13.49 for 6 or more at today's online price. The product is made in Thailand.

So, that's the featured bit of my design, here's how I constructed my vintage style eyeglass lanyard with sterling silver bead frames and handcrafted sterling and Swarovski crystal links.

To construct my eyeglass lanyard I used a 3" eyepin through a 4mm sterling bead, the beadframe, an 8mm bicone and another 4mm sterling bead and created a second loop. I had to snip a bit off of the eyepin as 3" was a bit long - a 2" pin would have worked fine with less waste, but I don't have any around at present. Then I created beaded links using a 1" eyepin, 3mm sterling rondel, 8mm bicone, and a final sterling rondel before closing a link at the end. I had to snip about a quarter inch or less from the end of the 1" eyepin to get the proper sized loop. Four of these are joined using the oval sterling jumprings. The last one is connected to the floral link without a jump ring.

A note about the floral link, it is only finished on one side, so the eyeglass lanyard will definitely have a 'right side up' to it. The finished side has some nice antiqued detail, the unfinished side is slightly textured and antiqued. The links in my package came with a slight curve to them - great for use in bracelets, and fortunately easily flattened for the lanyard. It was made in Israel and 1 - 4 of them cost $3.89 each, 5 - 9 are $3.59 each, 10+ are $3.29 each. The pattern (which I really like) detail is fairly sharp and precise and I felt it would compliment the bead frame design while fulfilling it's role as a way to add embellishment to what would be a fairly simple looking chain of beads. Since I'm going for a nostalgic/vintage look, it seemed appropriate.

Now this design has a bead frame at each end, to which I have attached clear rubber, adjustable eyeglass holder components. Another design approach could be to link the two bead frames to a larger garnet colored focal piece, sterling silver pendant, or even something made from layered silver filigree stampings and affixed garnet glass gems, put a clasp nor toggle at the other center-point for a necklace.

I usually make my lanyards "convertable" although I decided not to do that with this particuar design, I am definitely thinking about getting 3 (or maybe more) of the smaller sized bead frames and creating a strung design that I can wear as a convertable badge, eyeglass or necklace piece - and if I use garnets or garnet crystals I'll have a matching set.

There's just one more thing I think this design needs, and that's to solder the sterling jump ring links closed. They really give the design the right look, but I'm afraid one good accidental tug will separate one or more jump rings from their beaded links. Then, if the crystals fall and hit a hard surface they'll chip or break.

I've never tried soldering, but I've read up specifically on soldering sterling silver jump rings. While I do have some concerns about the process, and would definitely need to buy some additional equipment and supplies, I think I could do it.

Well, this post has turned out a lot longer than most, but I've enjoyed it. If you thought it provided useful information or gave you any ideas about something you'd like to make, please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Holiday Jewelry!

I'll be setting up my winter themed Etsy photography soon, and adding some Christmas-y touches as appropriate - for example, for my red and green Christmas badge lanyard necklaces.

Here's a new one, finished tonight. The majority of the crystal beads are Czech faceted glass (some Jablonex, some from Bead Gallery) but the green bicones are Swarovski crystal I had purchased online but turned out to be the wrong shade of green for what I wanted to do. They're perfect for this necklace, though.

It's great to be beading (and blogging about it) again. I missed it even though I was just too tired in the evenings all this week and traveling last week. It'll be a while before I travel for any length of time, again, so I should be posting much more in the next weeks.

I will probably be getting some satin cord tomorrow for my cloisonné beads and seeing if I can do some Chinese knots with them for some necklaces and, perhaps, try out making a satin cord lanyard as well.

I don't like that it's getting dark so early, it limits the time I can have natural sunlight for my photography so I will need to do photographs earlier in the day - and I'm just not that well organized, nor a morning person. Regardless, I'll need to get this and my other Christmas colors lanyards up on Etsy this weekend.