Monday 24 December 2012

Name necklace

This is my today's completed order. Girl's name is Samantha but as I've only started making name necklaces we've agreed on short version 'Sam'
:)

Materials:
  • Silver plated wire;
  • Silver plated chain;
  • Silver plated findings.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Something new

Here are some new items I've created using Rebecca's book 'Chained'.

I loved making coilled bracelet and pendant!


Materials:
  • Silver plated coper wire
  • Enamelled coper wire
  • Silver plated findings

Thursday 8 November 2012

Lesson learned

You could see this picture on my workbench.
Absolutely necessary tool - cup of tea :)
I've completed my new choker (captured inverted round weave)
I was worried I run out of captured rings but luckily there were just enough (only 8 left)
Here is my new choker and my neck :)

Bracelet out of barrels weave. When I finished this bracelet I realised that I can use my coloured rings to make it more interesting :)

Thursday 25 October 2012

2 chains. Learning process

I have 2 chainmaille WIPs:
  • barrels
  • captured inverted round
I laid my eyes on 'barrels' a while ago. Finally I've put myself together to make it. Ring size for this weave is the same as for byzantine.
I've tried to make inverted round chain a few times before but all the time the ring size was wrong. The chain was terribly stiff. And now it turns out just the way I like. I will make choker if I have enough gold plated rings.

Thursday 4 October 2012

Rebeca's diamonds


I have completed this bracelet a month ago. Design from Rebeca Mojica's book 'Chained'.

Materials:
  • silver plated wire
  • gold plated wire
  • silver plated slide clasp

Tuesday 25 September 2012

"Snake" rope

Extra rope from Judith. The pattern is called "snake". This rope has panerned "back" and clear "belly"

I am not sure what it is going to be - necklace or a very long lariat :)

Wednesday 19 September 2012

African Stripes Poject is Over


Here we are. The project that lasted almost 3 months is over. I decided to make 3 variations. Thank you   Judith for this beautiful project. I definitely plan to subscribe to Judith's future projects!

Designer idea is to wear ropes in pairs. Two-coloured ropes are called "Mud Cloths" and multicoloured ropes are called "Love Letters".


Materials used: Japanese seed beads size #8

Monday 20 August 2012

Centipede bracelets

I've wanted to have a go at this weave for ages. The simple centipede weave seemed a little boring. I've spiced it up with seed beads as shown in Dylan White's book

It will be on Etsy soon. Colours - you choose.

Materials:
  • Silver/gold plated wire
  • Silver/gold plated clasp
  • Matsuno glas seed beads #6

Monday 13 August 2012

3 Love Letters

I am beginning to write crochet ropes called "Love letter". This is second rope in "African stripes" string-along project.
First part is ready

Friday 10 August 2012

Restoration work

I have received this bracelet to repair. The fastener on one side came off. (Or course I thought about taking pictures of the repair process after I've repaired it) . This is my first restoration work (you have to start from something)

I had to re thread it. I added some seed beads #11 where bracelet connects to the clasp. This should prevent the thread from fraying.

Sunday 5 August 2012

African Stripes. Mud cloth is ready

I would like to show you finished "mud cloth" ropes. This project has another rope called "love letter".

Materials:
  • Matsuno seed beads size #8

Sunday 22 July 2012

African stripes - part #4

And now we've crossed the equator. Part #4 is ready. 2 more parts to go.

I keep forgetting to give you the link to Judith's blog. Here it is :)

Saturday 21 July 2012

Choosing colours for "love letter"

African Stripes project has two ropes in it. The one we've started is called "mudcloth". Second rope is called "love letter" and it requires 4 additional contrast colours.

Here are my colours and sample bracelets


Monday 16 July 2012

African stripes - part #3


Here we go, part #3 is ready. We've reached the equator in this project. Next week in part #4 we are promised to have larger beads again. I love making these ropes!!!

Sunday 15 July 2012

Bead rope video

I was asked to video how I crochet the bead rope. It turned out to be a very quick way of bead crochet. Well, I've never known any other way. This is not a tutorial. Also, this is my first ever attempt to video myself doing something, so please, be kind :) Any questions are welcomed.

Saturday 14 July 2012

Necklace "Rondo a la Byzantine"

I've made this necklace because I wanted to make something bigger than bracelet or earrings.

This model is from Rebeca Mojica's book "Chained" which is full of inspirations

All rings I made myself

Materials used:
  • silver plated wire
  • silver plated findings

Sunday 8 July 2012

African stripes - part #2

Finally, second part has been e-mailed out to the participants. Yesterday afternoon I've completed part #2 on two necklaces and this morning 3-d is complete.


... and now I am waiting for the next Saturday or Sunday :)

Friday 6 July 2012

Stripe on a loom

While I am anxiously awaiting for the second part of African stripes I've asked my daughter to give me her beading loom to play for a bit. I am weaving a long thing stripe. The purple beads are almost finished. I am going to weave it until I run out of purple beads. I hope the stripe will turn out long enough.

Tuesday 3 July 2012

African stripes - part 1

Here we go! First part is ready. I was so eager to start this project that I strung and crocheted 3 different colour variations. I use Japanese seed beads Matsuno #8 and #6. Larger beads give necklace very interesting triangular shape.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

African Stripes Necklace - part 0

I am one of the lucky 40 who take part in this string-along.
I've made a couple of samples. I like them both. Although brown and white looks 'properly' like mudcloth.

This String-Along is run by Judith. I've missed the Urban stripes project but didn't want to miss this one.

I am using Matsuno #8 seed beads

Tuesday 19 June 2012

New pattern

Recently I've learned new chainmaille pattern from this YouTube video . Straight away I decided to create something. I made a bracelet out of square fragments. This weave is like crocheting, when you make separate squares and then link them together.

I also would like to show another variation of Turkish round chain which I made to replace the anklet.


Thursday 31 May 2012

Turkish Anklet

I was asked to extend the Turkish round bracelet (only 4 inches) and add some sparkle to it. This now became an anklet. Today I am showing it to the customer. I hope she likes it.

Materials:
  • Silver plated wire
  • Matsuno glass beads #6
  • Silver plated findings

Sunday 29 April 2012

For Diamond Jubilee

Here is my bit towards Queen's Diamond Jubilee - earrings with beads in Union Jack's colours.

Materials:
- Silver plated non tarnished wire,
- Silver plated findings,
- Matsuno seed beads

Friday 20 April 2012

More earrings to choose from

I've made some differently looking chainmail earrings. Triangular earrings are very popular and I decided to make different style earrings.

Sunday 15 April 2012

Temari

This is an ancient Japanese craft. Another hobby of mine. Last week I made presentation in Brewery Street Shoppping Centre. Looking forward to show how to make them to all who is interested.


Tuesday 3 April 2012

New bracelet


I had some leftover crystals and decided to make this little bracelet. This is a cheap version, silver plated wire and findings. I loved this design so much so I decided to order different colours crustals amd make some more... Can't wait to receive a little packet with niceys :))

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Custom order #2

I was asked to make this jewellery set for a wedding for mother-of-the-bride. She chose this stunning set from Scott David Plumlee's books

This is how it all started:
  • I've ordered quite a lot of sterling silver wire and findings
  • I've coilled all wire and made a lot if rings (about 1300 of them) using drill, knitting needles and jewler's saw

After all rings were ready I started to weave and stopped before finishing, to make sure bracelet and necklace fit perfectly. I had to remove one section in bracelet and add 3 sections to the necklace.


Before attaching Svarowsky crystals I've polished all items in special solution. It all became very shiny.

Crystalls are attached with tiger wire.

Saturday 11 February 2012

Necklace in black colours

I've decided to have a go at my stash of seed beads. For a long time I wanted to make leafy necklace using black-and-grey beads. I think it will be gorgeous.

Saturday 21 January 2012

Some more metal work

My handywork is selling much better at the real shop then online.

Let me present you some new things in the season.

  •  Bracelet for charms
  • Variation or the"Rondo" bracelet with black rings
  • "Stepping stones" earrings
I also have a pendant that matches the "Stepping stones earrings"