More Eye Candy

Lampwork in blues and greens wire wrapped in sterling silver with fresh water pearls

And I promised more simplistic styles, right?  Rough cut amethyst on sterling silver chain.

Both in Bei Mondi shop shortly!

Can't Wait!

The Beading Gem has a great post about this upcoming classic revisited along with some intriguing jewelry creations!

Necklace Frame Display Tutorial

I've been looking for a tutorial on how to make an interesting necklace display.  I didn't quite find what I was looking for on the internet so it was time to take measures into my own hands.  I knew I wanted to use an idea using a frame but how would I add hooks to hold the necklaces?  Hm...so this is my tutorial on how to make an inexpensive necklace display.

• First go out to Micheals or JoAnne's and buy an 11 X 14 wood frame ($15).  Make sure it is wood because you'll be hammering into it later.  Also pick up some pins to use as your hooks.  I bought these corsage pins ($1.50) because I liked the shiny metal ends.

• Now cut the pins to about an 1 1/4 inch long with wire cutters and mark about an inch or so on the inside edge of your frame to hammer these into.  I don't need to tell you at this point that you should have already taken the glass and back out of the frame, right? 
  

• After placing your marks on the inside of the frame, take a pin and lightly hammer it into place with a rubber hammer.  Make sure to put the pin in the middle of the wood.  If you put the pin in to far to the edge it might split your wood.  If this happens you can always use some glue for repairs.  

•  Hammer each pin into the wood approximately 1/4 inch deep leaving a portion of 3/4 inch remaining.  Oh, and keep your pins straight.  If they start getting all wiggly on you just take them out and straighten them.

•  Now bend the pin over towards the front of the frame with your finger or pliers.  Come on, bring out those muscles.  You can do it!
  

After you've finished hammering in and bending all the pins, add a backboard piece ($2 each) made for frames that can be found in the framing section of the craft store.  Now add the back of the frame to secure it. 

The background pieces come already cut to fit the frame and in a huge selection of colors and textures.  Here's a few I bought.

 

 Khaki brown color with a suede texture - good for copper pieces.

 

 Rich gray color for blues or blacks

 

White with a tissue paper type effect - great for anything!

Now take your finished piece and set it on a frame display ($12) like the one shown in the picture and you are ready to rock and roll!  I originally made this to display my simple necklace designs and hopefully bring them up to the eye in an appealing presentation.  But I added bracelets in these pictures as well to show it can be used for either.

All the jewelry shown can be found at the Bei Mondi website.  Happy crafting!

More Goodies to Show Off

More goodies for the Bei Mondi shop and the I Made It! Mine show in February.

 Lampwork from Java Bead and Norma Brink with lots of Bali silver.  This one has the color changing Swarovski crystals that go from soft pink to gray to light green which are all colors that compliment the bracelet.

Amber onyx rounds with lots of oxidized copper

More lampwork with Swarovski crystals.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  I guess it's what I love to do.  Mostly blues in this one with just a touch of purple.

Ok, I'm spending the day with the kiddo and working on some artsy stuff.  I hope to have a little tutorial for you by tomorrow.  You girls enjoy your Friday!

What I've Been Doing

I'm back at it again.  A sampling of the pieces I've made recently for the Bei Mondi shop.

Green garnets (my birthstone) and mutilated copper heart with oxidized copper

Amethyst and lampwork glass from Blue Seraphim with oxidized copper

Hill Tribe turtle, lampwork glass from Norma Brink, and Swarovski crystals with oxidized sterling silver

New jade, aqua terra jasper, lampwork glass from Blue Seraphim, and copper beads  with oxidized copper

I'm still having issues with the new camera as you can see.  :(

I really appreciate everyone's advice on shows and the table set up.  You gals have some great ideas and I will try to use all the suggestions that I've gotten.  I've been looking towards future shows that require a picture of the table set up so if I can get myself in gear I'll try to take some pictures soon.

And I thought I'd leave you girls with some music today.  I can't get this song out of my head.  You know what they say, "The best way to get a song out of your head is to get it stuck in someone else's."  I hope it works. ;)  Plus, Barbara Lewis needs some new music to listen to besides Owl City.  hehe