Eagle's beads and chainmaille

Necklace in black colours

2012-02-11T19:14:00.001Z

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.

Some more metal work

2012-01-21T11:42:00.001Z

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"

Spyral with beads

2011-12-17T11:56:00.000Z

New bracelet has been added to my collection.

Maretials used:
- Silver plated wire
- silver plated findings
- Matsuno sead beads

More colours

2011-12-17T11:41:00.000Z

I've made more triangular chainmaille earrings with different beads. They are all available for sale in my "boutique"

Materials:
- Silver plated wire;
- Matsuno sead beads;
- Silver plated findings

Chainmaille Earrings

2011-11-16T20:15:00.001Z

Maretials used:
- Matsuno seed beads #8;
- Silver plated wire 20ga and 16 ga;
- Silver plated findings.

My first order

2011-10-24T13:03:00.000+01:00

I am SOOOoooo excited! I've received my first order to make chain maille choker and earrings. The lady wanted a chunky chain and chose this Turkish round weave. Last night I've ordered loads of sterling silver wire and findings. I can't wait when I can start coiling, sawing and weaving :)

New Dragon weave bracelet

2011-10-20T14:48:00.002+01:00

I've made this dragonscale bracelet to replace the one I've sold last Saturday.

Rings used silver plated 18g 6mm ID and gold plated 20g 3.5mm ID

It is ready

2011-10-06T12:12:00.003+01:00

Please welcome a brand new bracelet.

Byzantine and Helm weave together make a brilliant combination. Thank you Rebeca for this wonderful design.

Last Saturday...

2011-10-02T12:11:00.000+01:00

Yesterday (as usual in last few weeks) I was helping my husband to run the shop. Thid is my yesterday's workplace.

The main idea of having a market stall was to make locals aware of the new shop. It looks like this idea worked very well. I've sold some stuff and gave out a few business cards and leaflets.

It was very nice to see one lady came up to me wearing very familiar earrings. She said she just bought them in our shop. These earrings look lovely on real ears :)

My seed beads and chainmaille craft was noticed. A lot of people were saying that these items will be good as Christmas presents.

During some quiet moments I was weaving this bracelet. I had to stop because I've run out of some rings.

My jewellery making boutique is about to open

2011-09-14T14:39:00.000+01:00

I've got great news!

I am about to open my little jewellery corner in local market. This is Arcade in Brewery Street, Rugeley, Staffs.

My husband bought me this gorgeous display cabinet with lighting and turning shelves. All my work is displayed very nicely in it.

On-line Etsy shop is good to have but nothing compares with te real thing!

On Saturdays I plan to spend some time in the shop making thins. People will be able to see for themselves that the items on display were not made in China. I also plan to do masterclasses.

That's all my news!

A lot of wire

2011-09-06T21:41:00.000+01:00

I had enough buying small packs of wire. 10 packs that I bought not so long ago have already run out. Today I made a coil from the last one.

I decided to get myself a big pack. Yep, 1 kilo to be precise.

Kingsweave bracelet

2011-08-25T22:49:00.000+01:00

I made another bracelet. It looks unusual because of doubled rings.

Wire knot

2011-08-14T22:26:00.000+01:00

I've discovered by accident this YouTube tutorial and I managed to make it

Chainmaille bracelet - braid

2011-08-02T14:00:00.000+01:00

I wanted to make this bracelet for a long time. Now it is finished. The weave used is European 4-in-1

I had to make more than 800 rings. It takes a while but very good for meditation

European 4-in-1 earrings

2011-06-21T11:44:00.000+01:00

Here are 2 pairs of earrings.

They are quick and easy to make.

Materials used: silver plated copper wire.

Full Persian choker

2011-06-08T12:02:00.000+01:00

I've mastered new chainmaille weave - Full Persian. How easy it is to work with large rings!

And here we are - my neck and my new choker.

Lace

2011-06-01T13:04:00.001+01:00

New bracelet. I've used silver plated copper wire 20 gauge. Rings ID are 2.5mm and 5mm.

This picture is almost real size (whn you click on it)

New saw and new chainmaille bracelet

2011-05-14T12:15:00.000+01:00

Thanks to my virtual friend Elvira I now have the jeweller's saw!

Straight away I've coilled some wire and sawed it into many rings for my next gorgeous project.

Some 6mm round Swarovski crystals

And this is the result

Byzantine bracelet

2011-04-28T10:08:00.000+01:00

A long-long time ago my granddad gave my nan a chain with very beautiful pattern. I was mesmorized by it since then. And now, when I started to learn about chainmaille I've found this pattern. It is called Byzantine.

Here is my byzantine chain. I've used 3 colours for the wire - silver, gold and copper.

Daisy chain choker and bracelet

2011-04-23T18:28:00.001+01:00

Here is a daisy choker and bracelet

This is japanese 12 in 2 weave. I only had to open and close large rings.

There are a few more chainmaille weaves to learn - byzantine, persian and elfweave. I am sure there are more weaves I haven't discovered yet...

I am so in love with chainmaille!

Dragon's bracelet

2011-04-16T15:38:00.000+01:00

I've attached the clasp to the bracelet today and ready to show off. I am loving it!

While I was learning this pattern I've discovered an on-line tutorial that shows how to make this dragonscale pattern almost twise faster then in the book I have.

Chain maille bracelet

2011-04-05T14:02:00.002+01:00

Recently I've discovered a new jewellery making technic - chain maille or chainmail. It looks like there is no agreement about the exact spelling.

As my first attempt I've created this lovely bracelet.

Necklace 2-in-1

2010-10-23T14:46:00.000+01:00

One more simple necklace made out of two separate cords.

Materials: Matsuno seed beads #11
Silver plated clamp

Lariat for the winner

2010-08-01T18:39:00.001+01:00

As Alena already received her surprise I can show you what she's got.

This lariat became a present from me to Alena who was lucky and won this blog-candy a month ago.

Materials: Matsuno seed beads #8
Length: 175 cm

Similar lariat is available for sale in my etsy shop

And the winner is.....

2010-07-01T12:43:00.000+01:00

1. Natalija
2. Оля
3. Оксинья
4. Вишенка
5. lenal
6. Нисса
7. ШокоЛапка
8. Ukka
9. Увлеченная
10. Vasilinka
11. Alena
12. HappyBlondy
13. Svetalilu

Congratulations to ALENA

Blog candy!

2010-06-23T13:09:00.000+01:00

There is no particular reason for this candy.

I would love to make a lariat for a lucky winner. The length(up to 200cm), colour and/or pattern the winner will choose on their own. Visit my Etsy shop for some ideas.

If you wish to try your luck leave a comment to this post and create a post to this blog candy in your own blog. I will select the winner on 1st of July, midday, London time.

Lariat 'Autumn leaves'

2010-06-20T16:43:00.000+01:00

This bead soup is called 'autumn leaves'. The colors are just like trees in autumn that's why I decided to make tassels looking like leaves.

Materials: matsuno seed beads #8
Length: 175cm (68 inch)
Weight: about 100g

Fob

2010-05-30T11:53:00.000+01:00

Beadweaving on the loom is my favourite at the moment. Here I've created a strap for security card. I think it's a great idea to have your fob on a beaded strap and not a borring shoe-lace looking thing.

Beading on a loom

2010-04-12T13:00:00.001+01:00

Recently I've bought a new book about loom beading. I could not wait to start something. I had some Delica beads left after one of the cross-stitch projects I've completed. As you my know Delica beads are uniformed and of a very good quality. You do not need to spend time culling.

Using pin loom is a great idea for tiny projects and you can use mashine embroidery thread.

Here is what I made out of my bead leftovers.

I enjoyed working with delica beads on the loom. Most probably I will do it again soon!

Minerva spiral lariat

2010-04-01T13:28:00.000+01:00

I love this type of beadweaving.

It is 120 cm long. The coil is tight enough to create a simple twisted fastening that will hold together.

This lariat is for sale in my Etsy shop

Necklace with real stone.

2010-03-16T14:58:00.000Z

A few days ago we went to Kent to fetch my hubby's new guitar. We were too close to the see not to wisit it. The weather was beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. Walking along the beach covered with pebbles I've found couple of stones with holes. The water drilled those holes.

This necklace uses one of the stones I've found as a focal.

Steps

2010-03-02T12:23:00.000Z

Pattern:
3b, 1AB, 3w, 1c,
1b, 3AB, 1w, 3c,
2b, 2AB, 2w, 2c

b - black, AB - crystals AB, w - white, c - clear crystal. 8 beads in a row.

Black lariat

2010-02-13T11:17:00.001Z

This is another lariat i've just made. This time it is black and has some clear crystal belts.

Material: Matsuno seed beads #8

Pattern: string 40cm of black beads and 8 clear crystal.(it has 4 beads in a row)

Matsuno seed beads table

2010-02-11T17:20:00.003Z

Here I would like to show all available seed beads colours. Colours in this table is are available to the custommers. There is no particular order of the colours here. I use these beads in my bead weaving projects.

First sale on Etsy - lariat

2010-01-26T22:46:00.002Z

I have a reason to celebrate - I sold the first item in my Etsy shop.

This lariat was a custom order from a lady who liked my dark berry lariat. She wanted her lariat to be made of crystal clear beads.

I had to be sure the beads are right. On the photo to the right you can see the difference between clear crystals and crystals with AB coating. I even used invisible thread to keep crystal beads as clear as possible.

Caramel necklace and earrings

2009-12-12T11:56:00.001Z

I enjoyed making the purple haze necklace so much I needed to make another one and I chose caramel mix form GJBeads.

The necklace has matching earrings.

Materials used:
Matsuno seed beads #11
artificial pearls 4mm
box clasp silver plated
nylon thread

It will be on sale in my Etsy shop soon.

Purple haze necklace

2009-11-23T11:35:00.000Z

I wanted to create a necklace like this for a long-long time. Finaly I made it. It took me about 10 hours to complete the piece.

I've enjoied making it so much I bought another bead mix in brown and toffee shades.

Materials used:
Matsuno seed beads #11
artificial pearls 4mm
box clasp
nylon thread

A visit to Hobbycraft

2009-11-16T14:44:00.000Z

I dream about going into "Hobbycraft" shop with unlimited budget and spending there as much time as I like without someone rushing me. Unlimited budget for me is about £300 I think.

I visited this shop last weekend and bought a little kit to make some decorations for our christmas tree. It said on the box one could make 6 icicles but I've discovered I can make 8! What a bargain!!!

Earrings

2009-11-05T11:15:00.000Z

This is a product of the inspiration I had yesterday.

Last August on holiday in St Ives I bought some bits and bobs to make jewelry. There is a lovely shop there on the harbour called GJ beads. I always go in there when I visit St Ives.

Materials:
silver plated findings,
glass beads

Ying-Yang

2009-11-04T09:43:00.000Z

I found the pattern here. This symbol immediately attracted my attention and I decided to have a go at it.

It turned out 2 inches long (5cm). 8 beads base. #11 Matsuno seed beads.

How I am thinking what to do with it. Any ideas?

Lariat

2009-10-30T14:19:00.002Z

This is nothing special at all. You see, I have too much beads of this colour and I like to make these cords.

For this lariat I've put on the thread 9 meters of beads. I've never thought it will be this long. I think it took me only 3 hours to do it LOL.

Finished piece is 175cm long, including tassels.

The cord base has 6 beads. Size #9 - Matsuno glass beads

Small necklace

2009-10-14T16:05:00.000+01:00

I've bought these large beads two years ago. Only today I decided on the design.

I used memory wire, fancy washers and glass cubes.

Something stripey

2009-10-12T11:28:00.000+01:00

Pattern:
1g, 3w, 1g, 3w,
1g, 3w, 1g, 2w, 3b, 2w,
1g, 3w, 1g, 3w,
1g, 3w, 1g, 3b.

g - golden, w - white, b - black. 8 beads in a row.

Black and red spiral

2009-10-10T14:45:00.002+01:00

This type of spiral is very different to crocheted cords. It is made more traditional way, with needle. They are called "Minerva spirals".

Here is my weak attempt to create more intricate design.

Used seed beads size 11 and 9, triangle beads and daggers, silver plated findings.

Earrings

2009-10-05T14:31:00.000+01:00

Once I attended a free taster course on jewelry making. We were told always make a draft chart of what we are doing in case we drop the item we are making and lose all the beads all over the floor.

This was my week attempt to create my own draft.
To be honest I've made one earring, draw a chart of it and then made another one.

The metal parts of these earrings are made of gun metal. We were told that now all metal findings are made out of metal that does not cause allergy.

Squares - diamonds

2009-10-03T13:40:00.002+01:00

Pattern:
Row 1: 9b
Row 2: 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b
Row 3: 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b
Row 4: 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b
Row 5: 4w

Here rows are not exactly equal to 8 beads, it is just to simplify the threading process. I could right the pattern this way, if it makes your life easier:

9b, 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b, 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b, 4w, 1b, 3g, 1b, 4w

b - black, w - white, g - golden. 8 beads in a row

Polymer clay necklace and earrings

2009-10-02T12:13:00.001+01:00

My very good friend Zu gave me some of her magic beads for my birthday. Purple is my favourite colour.

One sunny Saturday I was sitting in my garden and the idea of creating this kind of necklace came to me. I ran into the house to get my tool box and this is what I've created. I like it very much!

Z-pattern

2009-10-01T14:51:00.000+01:00

Pattern:

Row 1: 8r
Row 2: 2g, 2r, 2g, 2r
Row 3: 1r, 1g, 3r, 1g, 2r
Row 4: 1r, 1g, 3r, 1g, 2r
Row 5: 1r, 1g, 3r, 1g, 2r
Row 6: 1r, 2g, 2r, 2g, 1r

r - red, g - gold
8 beads in a row

With a bit of magic I managed to finish the cord as a choker necklace.

100 gram necklace

2009-10-01T09:54:00.001+01:00

I could not stop myself making this necklace. Only when the whole 100 gram packet was over I thought "I must stop now!"

The length of this necklace is 46" or 117 cm, 6 beads in a row, size #8.

This is another long one, only 37" (95 cm) long

Greek spiral

2009-09-30T14:02:00.003+01:00

Pattern:

Row 1: 1r, 1g, 1r, 5w
Row 2: 1r, 1g, 1r, 1w, 3r, 1w
Row 3: 1r, 1g, 3r, 1g, 1r, 1w
Row 4: 1r, 5g, 1r, 1w
Row 5: 1r, 1g, 5r, 1w

r - red, g - gold, w - white
8 beads in a row

For the cord 42cm long I have to thread 3,5 meters of beads. Oh, almost forgot, beads are size #8.

Here is the final result. It is waiting to be assembled into a choker.

A little bead stash

2009-09-30T13:47:00.000+01:00

Here is a glimps of my bead stash. I decided it will be enough to have five colours of beads, 500 grams each. When I received my order I was surprized to find out I've ordered four colours, but dark berry colour was ordered twice. So I have one kilo o f dark berry beads! Well, it will have to do.

The little packet with "bead soup" was a present from the shop.

My new obsession

2009-09-29T14:12:00.002+01:00

Recently I've discovered how to make stunning necklaces using crochet hook. Immediately I bought some seed beads and started to crochet.

Have you ever touched a snake in a zoo (for example)? These necklaces fill just like that. Or like a nice bag or shoes made of snake or crocodile skin. It feels lovely.

You can bend them, tie them in a knot. They look just fab! I love them.

Depending on how many beads are in a row the flexibility of the cord varies. The most flexible are those made on 5 or 6 beads.

Here in the pic I made some samples on 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 beads in a row.

Wellcome to my new blog!

2009-09-29T13:44:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone!

I've decided to create separate blog for my jewelry making hobby. Here I am going to post about my projects, some notes and patterns, maybe master-classes. Well, stuff like that.