Frayed Ribbon Necklace

We have these lovely new colors of silk dupioni ribbons in right now that are putting me in a very Springy mood. I know, winter is just getting started (unless you are on the other side of the Equator) but somehow these colors make me want to get out a crisp white shirt and slip on a pair of espadrilles. Since the temperature is somewhere around twenty degrees, I may just wear this with a warm sweater dress and some dark tights instead.

This adjustable necklace design features a double-strand section of silk dupioni ribbon that will fray with wear until it is lively and fringed. The assorted shapes and bright colors are happy and cheerful, but the design could also be made with muted ribbon and a less eclectic bead assortment for a more restrained look.

Ingredients:
2-16 inch pieces of peacock silk dupioni ribbon, 3/4 inches wide
2 antique brass Basket Weave Ribbon End Bars, 1/2 inch
5 inches of antique brass Really Round Cable Chain, 5x6 mm links
11 antique brass Rectangle Jump Rings, 9x12 mm
12 antique brass Headpins, 1 1/2 inch
12 assorted Elaine Ray Ceramic Beads, 6-25mm
24 antique brass Teeny Weeny Posey Caps, 6mm
1 antique brass Spring Clasp, 12 mm

Tools:
Chain nose pliers
Scissors
Round nose pliers

1. Place the very end of both pieces of ribbon inside one of the ribbon end bars. Using the chain nose pliers flatten the end bar until it is closed securely on the ribbon. Repeat with the remaining end bar on the other end of the ribbons.

2. Thread a head pin through a posey cap and then through one of the ceramic beads. Add a second posey cap and then use your round nose pliers to wrap the head pin and form a wrapped loop. Repeat with all beads and posey caps until you have 12 bead dangles.

3. Using your chain nose pliers to open the links separate a four-link section of chain. Set aside. Open the end link on the longer section and thread it through the loop on one of the ribbon end bars. Close the chain link securely. Open the link on the other end of this section and thread it through the loop on one of the smaller bead dangles. Close securely.

4. Attach the remaining section of chain to the necklace in a similar manner. Attach the spring ring clasp by opening the link at the end of the chain section with your chain nose pliers. Close securely.

5. Use your chain nose pliers to open one of the rectangular jump rings. Thread the ring through one of the bead dangles and then around the ribbon strands. Close securely. Repeat using remaining jump rings and bead dangles until all beads are attached to the necklace.


Need more how-to instructions? Visit our Tutorials page for lessons on Wrapped Loops, Opening and Closing a Jump Ring and lots of free beading project ideas.

We love patinas!

Don't you? I love the sheen that an old bit of metal gets after sixty or so years. Sometimes, however, I just can't wait sixty years for a nice glow to my metal. We sell findings and charms in four custom finishes that are durable and look great. We have also begun selling quite a bit of naked brass and other metals. The naked metals can be admired as they are or they are perfect for a bit of extra doodling. The heart charm on the right had a bit of acrylic paint applied and then wiped off so that the letters are much more visible. This is a really simply treatment that is very effective on any metal with a stamped-in phrase or design. Think about how a piece of filigree would look with a bright color accenting the curves. Mmm...nice.

If you'd like to see some step-by-step photos and directions for adding painted treatments to metal this old blog post will show you the details.

The love detector heart charms are available here.

We have a few classes on achieving proper patinas coming up at Panopolie, click for details. We also have a Slumber Party coming up on February at Panopolie where you can learn a few quicky patinas. Sign up for our store newsletter here so I can let you know when the registration opens for that event.

Bright new Earrings...

look what I found on Elaine Ray's blog...pretty...

Something new...

We have some exciting new things planned for 2010 here in craftyland but one of them sounds kinda naughty to my good-Midwestern-girl-ears. Naked Brass.

Shh, say it kinda quiet. Naked Brass. Ohh, think of the possibilities!

Look for more chains like these and findings, too. All naked. All ready to solder or patina or stamp.

the Steampunk book is here!

The lovely Steampunk Style Jewelry book is here. This book is filled with inspirational projects in mixed-media jewelry, all with that cool steampunk look. If you don't know what Steampunk is, the chapters and sidebars are filled with up-to-the minute info on Steampunk bands, architecture, fashion and more. The Steampunk films list reminded me of some of my favorite movies and directors and added a few titles to my 'need to see' list.

Fashion trends are odd in that you can sometimes be part of a trend without knowing it. Here at Ornamentea we've loved Victoriana and machinery, lace and gears, sparkle and patina for a long time. We didn't know it was a look, we just knew we liked it. It turns out that North Carolina is the home of several Steampunk artists in jewelry and other crafts.

Look for several local artists in this book; Tracy Thomason, Jane Mormino, Madelyn Smoak, Jen Hilton and me, Cynthia Deis, all have projects in the book or in the gallery section.

Gift ideas...

Yeah, you could have made all your gifts this year but you didn't get started early enough, or you got distracted or you got snowed in. It happens to all of us. Why not give the gift of crafting? A kit made up for a friend could inspire them to try something new, plus if you are like me you have a lot of crafty parts in your studio that could be gifts. Shh, I won't tell!

Here are several great kit gift ideas that you may be able to pull from your crafty stash and a few that could be picked up, lickety-split, at our stores. Oh, we gift wrap!

• Create-A-Pendant-Kit-put a small amount of Amazing Glaze into a tiny bag or glass bottle and package with a few do-dads (buttons, crystals, beads.) Make up a chain with a clasp and bezel setting. All the recipient needs to do is print out a favorite picture and make their own pendant. You can add our how-to sheet (it is right here) to make it even easier. Best for teens or adults.
  
• Stretchy Bracelet Trio-put a mix of beads into a round tin or other container and add 1 yard of stretchy cord like Opelon or some waxed linen. The recipient can make up at least 3 bracelets with the cord and depending on the beads you put in the kit this is great for many ages.
• Decopage Monogram-put together the recipients initials and some Decopatch paper for a make-it-yourself decorative accessory. You could also choose a favorite animal or inspirational word. This is great for age 5 plus.
• Favorite Color Crafty Kit-if you have a crafty friend who loves a certain color why not put together a mix of items from your stash in that palette? Fill an Art Bin or other storage container with beads and ribbons in hues of blue or shades of brown that you know the recipient will love. Be generous. That fab blue pendant you have been hoarding for years will make a friend's day.
• Make-A-Book kit-stack a blank 7Gypsies book and some squares of paper you've already cut to fit the pages. Top it with a glue stick or a roll of washi tape and let your friend make their own book.

Now I am off to raid my own stash...

Nice idea!

Check out this new project from Heather Powers that uses a sweet Elaine Ray beadcap as a bird's nest...I love this idea! Read the original post on Art Bead Scene here.

Lost and Found

Folks lose stuff in our stores all the time. Car keys, toys, water bottles, jackets and even prescription glasses. We have Lost & Found boxes and we put the items in the box, labeled with the date we found them on the work table, or in the bathroom, or in the parking lot. The items remain in the box for about a year and then we take them to the local thrift store or throw them out, depending on their re-use value. I think this is okay. I haven't ever researched the legality of donating junk people left at my place of business. I don't claim the donated Happy Meal toys on my taxes as a Charitable Contribution.

I find the car keys to be really odd. I always think, gee, you had your keys when you DROVE to the bead store, wouldn't you remember to look around the bead store at least once? We have a set of keys from a Nissan at Ornamentea we've had for two months. We found them in the bathroom. Personally, if I spend enough time someplace to use the bathroom I might remember that event when my car keys came up missing. At least, I hope I would.

So, what do you lose? An American Eagle jeans jacket, size small? We have it. Black-framed sunglasses, cute but they look like you got them on the rack at Wings? Right here. Library books from the local library? Well, actually we take those back to the library since the books weren't yours to begin with but I think you get my point. The next time you are in your local bead store or coffee shop or nail salon ask them if they have that jeans skirt from Forever 21 you can't find. You never know.

(and what do I lose? mostly I lose things in my house; my phone, the book I am reading, my slippers, my drink. Stop laughing. You do it too.)

Um, those keys at the top are not in any of our Lost & Found bins and I am pretty sure they won't unlock a vehicle of any kind. The do make nice adornments, though.

Coffee Cardboard Wreath

there are no words, just click on the picture to visit the project at Cut Out And Keep.com.

oh, I'd use this ribbon.