Make it Monday // Easy Mixed Metal Cluster Necklace

Every now and then I'll dig into a hobby I haven't done anything with in a long time.  Often that ends up being something jewelry related.  I haven't bought jewelry making supplies in a long, long time and when I recently did my crafty room destash, I gave a lot of it away.  Every now and then I get the bug to make something creative with wire, beads, chain, etc but it's always spur of the moment but not strong enough to go buy more supplies.  

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I've been trying to work through my jewelry stash for a while so I've been big on the mixed metal train.  The last two jewelry DIY posts have been super easy (here & here) and this one will be easy as well!

Supplies :: head pins, large jump ring, needle nose pliers, wire cutters, clasp, two different chains, assorted beads

Once the beads are gathered begin to thread them onto the head pins.  Be sure to alternate the order the beads are put on the head pins.  An assortment of 3 bead styles will give enough variety to create this cluster look.

Trim the extra wire from the head pin using the wire cutters.  Leave a little over 1/4 of an inch to create a loop using the needle nose pliers.  Check out this post for how I gauge how much wire to trim.  Repeat for all the headpins.  

Gently open the large jump ring.  Grasp each side of the jump rings opening with a pair of pliers, pull the pliers in your right hand towards your body and push the pliers in your left hand away from your body.  Do not pull the ring apart, this will distort the ring.  Check out this post for more on the proper way to open a jump ring.

Thread the headpins onto the opened jump ring, then close the jump ring using the similar process to open in - pull the pliers in your left hand towards your body and push the pliers in your right hand away from your body until the ring is closed.

Using the same process, attach the two chains to each side of the clasp.  Measure the chain to a length you prefer.

Because the jump ring is large enough, the end of the chain with the smaller clasp should be able to thread through the jump ring holding the cluster of beaded head pins.  

This fun and simple piece of jewelry can be made super fancy - think crystals and pearls - or casual - think wooden and glass beads - or it can be a way to use up a variety of jewelry supplies currently in your stash.  I like that this necklace is simple to put together but has various interesting elements.  Like I said, I'm all about the mixed metals!

If you'd like to learn more about jewelry making, Crafsty offers a variety of online classes geared towards beginners.  This class seems to cover the basic jewelry making techniques.  If you like working with your hands and even if you're not super detailed oriented, there are still some beautiful jewelry pieces you can make!

How do you use up some of your craft supplies?  Are there any hobbies you pick back up after a while?

xoxo, Moe

Sum Up Sundays: Bracelet Tutorial

So on Monday I posted about my love for some beaded bracelets I saw over on Free People.  I decided to tackle trying to make a few.

Here are the supplies:

- Needle nose pliers

- Beads

- Memory Bracelet wire (you can find this at any craft store & even Wal-Mart)

step one:

cut off enough of the memory wire to wrap around your wrist a few times.

bend a little loop at one end to keep the beads on the wire.

step two: 

string the beads onto the wire.

fill the whole length of the wire with beads.

step three:

leave a little "tail" once you've strung on all of your beads.

step four:

use that tail to make a little loop like you did in step one

to secure the beads on the wire.

this is what you get

add some charms if you want

(I know that silver & gold aren't supposed to go together)

(sue me lol)

For the single bangle:

cut a length of straight wire 

(non-memory, I don't remember what gauge. But your seed beads need to fit on it...so not too big)

repeat steps 1 - 4

to finish, bend around soda can/bottle to create shape. 

open one loop & hook it through the other loop.

close opened loop

now you have a bangle!

Here they are styled together with some bracelets I have.

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Tempted Tuesdays: Jewelery Boxes

If it isn't evident by now I love the Urban Outfitters company.  I love Free People, I love Urban Outfitters, & I really love Anthropologie.  I think I identify with this company because my style changes depending on my mood.  Free People caters to a style that is really earthy, country, & rural (yet chic), Urban Outfitters caters to a style that is more grungy & metropolitan, finally Anthropologie caters to a more feminine, cool, & sophisticated style.

This weeks Tempted Tuesday is from the latter.  Two Anthropologie jewelery boxes that are worth the buy but are also a great inspiration to DIY:

These two boxes found here & here are gorgeous! I love the detail & the femininity of the boxes.

Here's my idea for DIY:
For the first (Blizzard' Bounty Jewelry Box) I'd love to reuse some old denim fabric from some jeans.  I'd cut them into strips about 2" wide, make a running stitch & gather up the fabric. Then, I'd recover the box, padding the top, & sew on the frilly do dads I made with the fabric.  Heck, you could even hot glue them!

For the second (Pearl Essence Jewelry Box) I'd reuse an old sequined top from the thrift store! Find a top with some funky beading & use it to recover the top.  Slip some padding under it for a little cushion, remove some of the beads from the sides where the box would close, & secure.

Both of these are so cute & would look great personalized.  Anthropologie has some wonderful stuff!!