Lauren's Blog - Another finish!

Lauren's Blog - Another finish!: "Well, it's done! It's a little crooked - the wreath's off-center, because I miscounted and didn't feel like ripping out most of the border. I love beading so much - the scan just can't capture how much the beads sparkle in the light. I really enjoyed working on this, even if the beading needle pricked me 5,000 times "


Another fabulous way of using beads. I think we've all experienced the old pricking of the fingers with the beading needle! Ouch...
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Heather's Little Haven: Some Finishes

Heather's Little Haven: Some Finishes: "I did this last night around 1am, I couldn't sleep

I had to keep taking the thread out the needle as I haven't any beading needles (well I do, they're just AWOL). I've done this one many times in the past, so it didn't take me long to do at all. "

Wow, another great use of beading techniques, I've definitely NEVER thought of something like this.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

yuliacrystal: it's all about beads now, apparently

yuliacrystal: it's all about beads now, apparently: "but, heck, beads! anywhere you'd look they were twinkling with all imaginable colours in places you wouldn't have seen before on a piece of clothing, even in a costume shop. I actually saw garments that were made completely out of beads and sequins, attached to a finest shadow of a material you won't really call fabric.
in a daze, I walked through three levels of clothing, touching things here and there. it will probably sound funny coming from me (and I hope that none of my beady buddies would read this), but it was all a bit too much for me. the sparkle, the colours, the sizes, the amount of beading on a square centimetre of a fabric... I tell you, they've gone mad! =) "


I have to say I've noticed the same thing!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Dolphinately Delightfully Designed Doodads: Welcome to My Beading Blog . . . .

Dolphinately Delightfully Designed Doodads: Welcome to My Beading Blog. . .: "Here is the first triple grouping of necklaces for layering I've designed. I call it Winter's Crystalline Nightfall."

This is a great effect. Pretty colours, too.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: "First Holiday Snowfall" Necklace

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: "First Holiday Snowfall" Necklace: " I call this necklace, First Holiday Snowfall. The white Howlite beads scanned a bit bright, some have some pretty grey veining. And the silver beads were kind of reflecty. And some of the pinks ended up twice as saturated as they actually are. Being glass beads, it scanned them and picked up not only the surface color, but added in color all the way in to the core, being a translucent bead. I tweaked it some in Adobe, but I'm no expert. So it's not a bright or deep pink. Well it's kinda bright, definitely not pale, but not intense or shocking . . . a pretty translucent Christmas berry color. See the beads on the lower left side? It's more that pink berry color. And some are even paler than that. But somehow most of the rest kinda turned out way intense, tho they aren't. The glass beads are called Christmasberry anyway, and they are crackled."

Just in case you hadn't realised there's less than a month to Christmas... gulp....
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Red Instead BLOG : Adventures in Beading

Red Instead BLOG : Adventures in Beading: "I have been enjoying beading and find it's a great activity to do while watching TV. Nothing like a bit of multi-tasking to keep a busy crafter happy!"

How true is this! Some great photos of finished pieces at this blog - take a look. Of course my favourite is green... hehehe
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Victorian Beaded Lampshade

Victorian Beaded Lampshade: "Beaded Fringe Adds Life to a Plain Lampshade
Lynne Quinn posted some pictures of her Victorian Beaded Lampshade a while back that have brought a ton of e-mails asking her to share her beaded lampshade secrets. Not surprising seeing as how it's absolutely gorgeous! She has very kindly allowed me to help her share her knowledge of this beading technique with you. Here are the Complete Instructions for making your own Victorian Beaded Lampshade."


If this sort of beading takes your fancy, this is a great opportunity to grab the instructions on how to make a beaded lampshade.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Make Time to Bead

Make Time to Bead: "Some days it's bedtime and you feel like you've accomplished nothing. Housework need to be done, errands run, meals prepared, bosses appeased, etc. Of course there's no time to pull out your beads, let along spend time in bead contemplation and serious work.

Here are some creative ways to find just a little more time to enjoy your beads and beading. Who knows, maybe you'll create your own beaded masterpiece over a series of lunch breaks at work! "


This article contains some clever ideas to help you find time to bead. Of course, my personal favourite is just to forget the housework! hehehe
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Craftapalooza: Insert witty title here

Craftapalooza: Insert witty title here: "I came across some ring findings at a local bead store recently and even though they're not made of sterling silver or gold plated (I think they're nickel) they look quite nice. They are 'one size' ie the band is flexible. So I had a play last night and came up with these, probably the happiest I've been with any of my bead work for ages."

Yet another fascinating way to use beads. If you go to this website you'll see lots more photos.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

A Crafty Bookworm's Coffee Nook

A Crafty Bookworm's Coffee Nook: "Well, one of the things I'm working on is a metal and jet fringed necklace with matching earrings. This was inspired from a spring necklace done in blue, but I'm doing it in black so it can easily match up for a night on the town.
This is a fairly simple project (I'd say advanced beginner). Since I finished the earrings (I hope I can do pics soon) I'll write about those. I haven't started the necklace yet, but it is done very similarly."

This sounds like it could be a very dramatic necklace. If you click on the title and go to the blog, there are instructions on how to make this.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: Yet another Beading post!

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: Yet another Beading post!: " These use some black and clear Czech firepolish beads on the one, and Smoke Czech firepolish beads on the other, with light grey Swarovski 4mm crystal pearls on both, and small button shape cultured freshwater pearls on the Smoke necklace.

The Smoke one is about 42' long. You can wear it that long (some do) or wrap it around twice to wear it at two different shorter lengths. Like 24' and 18'.

The Black/Clear one is about 24' or so long, and will have a rock crystal pendant hanging from it (although the bail will be hinged, so you can wear it with or without). "


These are very elegant, would look great with evening or formal dress.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

luvfairisle: Inviting vine

luvfairisle: Inviting vine: "Tami: this is because of you. Thanks for telling me to keep on beading. The bracelet is from Bead and Button, Dec. 2005 by Donna Graves. It was quick and fun to make and I love it because it's not bombastic (I'm only 5'2'). I think this particular issue was very good so I will probably make a few more. "

Another green bracelet! Very pretty design.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Sha-sha Handcrafted Jewelry: Time Flies!

Sha-sha Handcrafted Jewelry: Time Flies!: "This first one incorporates a technique I learned in my beading group (not sure if I can post the name here...). Anyway, I used to do a brick stitch ions ago with college names in them when I was a kid. I sewed little snaps onto the strips of beadweave for a clasp! I love this way of 'zipping up' the strip into a tube!"


These are really interesting bracelets. As I love green, naturally Froggy Friends is my favourite!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Watergirl Studio Four Seasons of Jewelry: Something New From Something Old

Watergirl Studio Four Seasons of Jewelry: Week 5 Something New From Something Old: "The theme for this week is 'Something New from Something Old'. Soon after I started beading seriously but still in my stringing phase I bought the three lampwork beads featured in the focal of this necklace and made a bracelet. I later bought more beads form the same artist, Dana Ivory McLean, and decided to make a necklace. I wire wrapped the necklace with red fun wire and hated the result. This last summer I reworked the neckalce with sterling connectors and was much happier with the results. But still I had some issues I didn't like one of the connectors I made with a bali bead so this week I replaced it with a mini-tornado bead. I'm liking this even better but now I'm thinking maybe the flat bali beads should be replaced too, maybe with a small cuchi bead."


This is a great idea - making something new from something old. Maybe it's time to pull out those old, unloved pieces of beaded jewelry and give them new life!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Creatif: $3 or $14?

Creatif - $3 or $14?: "I have spent the last couple hours or so working on some new things. I used some turquoise and coral in a necklace and a matching pair of earrings. I also used SoftFlex beading wire.

I used some aqua-colored glass pearls and metal spacers in another necklace. I used Beadalon beading wire.

What's the difference?

Beadalon is thinner, better for smaller holes, such as with the pearls. SoftFlex is thicker.

Beadalon is $3 at Hobby Lobby. SoftFlex is $14.

The last time I got wire, I got three of each. I'm honestly not going to use any more of the Beadalon. This spool has never held the crimp, breaks easily, and is generally not worth the money I paid for it. It's turning out to actually be more expensive in the long run.

I'll stick with the SoftFlex. And Acculon, when I can find it."


It's always great to get tips from people using various products and giving feedback.
I can't say I've seen either brand here in Australia, but hopefully this will be of value to some USA readers.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

I've gone crazy!

Hello everyone!
Okay, well not COMPLETELY crazy, but I was wandering around the internet looking for stuff on beading - and... well.... I've just added half a dozen articles to this blog!
So I hope you find something of interest there, I know I've had a great time finding it all.
Happy beading!
Felicity 8-)

Beading for Fun and Profit: Bracelet Beading Birthday Parties

By Rena Klingenberg

A birthday bracelet beading party for girls age 5 and up is guaranteed to be a big hit. Most girls are thrilled with the opportunity to make jewelry, and parents appreciate that you're providing both the party favors (the bracelets the girls make to take home) and the party activity (making the bracelets).

I discovered this profitable home beading party niche by accident a few years ago when I was asked if I could do a jewelry make-and-take craft at a 9-year-old girl's birthday party. The girl's mom and I decided on gemstone bead bracelets because necklaces would be too expensive, and not everyone has pierced ears for earrings.

So I came to the birthday party with my bead boxes, bead boards for everyone, a tape measure, accuflex beading wire, little sterling silver toggle clasps, velvet pouches for everyone, and a couple of example bracelets.

I couldn't believe what a huge hit it was! The girls absolutely devoured the project and were thrilled to have real pearls and gemstones on their bracelets.

Now I get calls regularly asking me to come do a bracelet birthday bead party for another girl, and every time I do one, more parties get scheduled from it because the girls enjoy it so much.

Bracelet birthday parties are very easy to do, and they can also earn you a nice profit. I charge $15 per girl for parties of 9 or fewer girls, and $14 per girl for parties of 10 or more. I include a small velvet pouch for each girl to store her bracelet in.

I bring bead boxes that are organized by bead color - and as you might guess, pink and purple are DEFINITELY the most popular beads every time! Fortunately, rose quartz is very inexpensive! :o) Blue beads are the next most popular color. My birthday party beads all cost me $6 or less per 16" strand, and my average profit is around $10 to $12 per girl.

It usually takes me about an hour to get things ready to go to the birthday beading party, drive there, and set up; about another hour to do the bracelet activity with the girls; and another hour to put everything away, chat, eat a piece of birthday cake, give out bracelet birthday party flyers and business cards, and then drive home. So for 3 hours total, I usually net anywhere from $70 to $200 and have a lot of fun with the girls.

Birthday party activities are a very hot market niche, I've discovered, and I recommend trying it out if it sounds at all interesting to you. For successful birthday bracelet beading parties, the keys are to:

• enjoy kids,
  
  
  

• have a sense of fun,
  
  
  

• bring a lot of pink and purple beads (along with other colors), and
  
  
  

• wear comfortable clothes because you'll be sitting on the floor.
  
  
  

While I'm helping the girls make their bracelets at the party, they always want to know how I got into making jewelry. So I tell them about how doing something I love turned me into an entrepreneur, that I build my own websites, and that I invent my own job for myself every day by following opportunities that come up and thinking creatively about things. I can tell they're inspired by that, and I'm glad to plant seeds for future entrepreneurs!

To reach the bracelet beading party niche, I recommend making a nice flyer with a few enticing bracelet photos, a photo of a selection of beads, a brief party description, and your contact info.

Include a flyer for each birthday party guest to take home (most of the girls who are guests at one of my birthday beading parties want to have their own parties). Also inquire at your local elementary schools about including one of your flyers in students' weekly take-home folders. Many schools are happy to do this if you provide the flyer copies.

Other likely places to distribute birthday bracelet beading party flyers (with permission) include ballet / dance / gymnastics studios where girls take lessons; soccer / softball games; craft stores; and pottery painting stores.

About The Author

Rena Klingenberg is a jewelry artist and the publisher of http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com, a collection of thousands of tips on marketing handcrafted jewelry. She also publishes http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com, tips for trade show success on a small budget.

rena@home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

I can see me holding one of these parties for my own little princess before too much longer. Santa is bringing her a magnetic beading set for Christmas, so I've already started getting her addicted!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do

By Sam Serio

Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that nearly anyone can do. The materials needed are readily accessible and cost very little money. Aside from the requisite thread, needle and the beads, there are also some other materials that the hobbyist can use in making beaded jewelry. Hobbyists can also experiment with various beading techniques to make interesting and unique creations.

There are several techniques involved in making beaded jewelry. Stringing is one, and wire-working with beads is another. Various types of string are available: cords, plastic, twine. Additionally, silk and nylon threads can also be utilized in making beaded jewelry. Using hemp fiber in beaded jewelry making is a nice touch – it makes for an unusual product and would also be a great topic for conversation. Wire of various thicknesses is another popular option. Additionally, wire is used to make beaded jewelry items such as necklaces, hairpins and earrings, and to attach clasps.

Beads for jewelry come in all shapes and forms as well. In spite of beaded jewelry’s reputation for being inexpensive, a person can also use precious gemstones like pearls and precious metals, such as gold and silver, to make beaded dress accessories. For beginners, however, less costly materials are widely available for making beaded jewelry: glass, crystal, coral, to name a few. Whatever materials the artist uses, he or she is easily able to customize the type of beaded jewelry to be worn personally, given as a gift, or sold to beaded jewelry enthusiasts.

To enhance the overall visual effect of the beads, a number of knotting and stitching techniques are recommended. There are simple knots and stitches for beginners, and with practice, they will be able to progress to the more complicated and fancier methods used in making beaded jewelry. It’s interesting to note that knots have mystical connotations in some cultures. For some East Indians, knots can be used to curse a person. In Gypsy lore, it is important to untie knots in the clothing of a woman in childbirth. And the expression ‘tying the knot’ derives from the ancient Romans, when the groom would untie the knots of his bride’s girdle before consummating the marriage. In which case, it should be ‘untying the knot.’

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Beaded Medical Alert Bracelets

By Richard Romando

If medical bracelet shoppers are looking for a stylish, fashionable medical alert bracelet, they may want to get away from traditional metals and go with beads. Owning a beaded medical alert bracelet is not only nice to wear, but can save your life in the event of a medical emergency. These bracelets, stylish as they are, are imperative for anyone with a medical condition to relay their personal medical information in the event that they cannot do so.

There are many websites on the Internet to help you find a beaded medical alert bracelet that suits you best. From nonprofit organizations that make beaded medical alert bracelets specifically for children to jewelers who make gemstone bracelets that look elegant, there are all sorts of beaded bracelets to suit personal needs and tastes. There are all sorts of beads to choose from in order to make a beaded medical alert bracelet look attractive.

From lamp-work beads and sapphire crystals to turquoise and coral, there are many materials and colors to choose from. Buying a beaded medical alert bracelet is ideal for anyone who wants to remain trendy and colorful, yet still keep authorities informed of their medical condition in the case of a medical emergency. Beaded medical alert bracelets bring a new style to the ever-growing number of designs. They bring an element of color to the medical alert bracelet industry, and offer a creative solution for those who want to discretely wear a bracelet, yet maintain style.

These bracelets are imperative for anyone with a medical condition from diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease to lymphedema and allergies. They not only give live-saving information on behalf of the person wearing it when they cannot speak for themselves; they act proactively to prevent any medical mishaps. Beads provide a classic look that never goes out of style, and can be worn by men, women and children.

Medical Alert Bracelets Info provides comprehensive information about gold, beaded, designer, lyphedema, diabetic, child, senior, and free medical alert bracelets. Medical Alert Bracelets Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

What a great idea!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Beads – Size Matters

By Felicity Walker

Picking out beads is one of the most enjoyable parts of making your own jewelry. There are so many color combinations, complementary beads, beautiful handcrafted beads and unique beads; it’s easy to get lost in the process of looking at beads.

As easy as it to get lost playing with beads, there are a few facts that are helpful to know about beads. When you are armed with a little knowledge about beads, you’ll have an easier time reading instructions or have a conversation about beads with a sales person. So let’s look at one of the basics of beads – their size.

One of the best things about beads is that they are consistent in sizing. Not all the beads are the same size, but most use the same method of sizing. Most beads are measured using the metric system; they are sized in millimeters.

For Americans who have desperately been trying to avoid converting to the metric system, this may seem a little intimidating. But before you know it, you’ll be thinking in millimeters.

Most bead stores lay out their bead inventory in small individual compartments. Usually, the compartments are labeled with the size of the beads and the type of beads. For instance, you’ll see a compartment labeled “4 mm blue agate”.

· Small round beads are sized generally from 2mm to 10mm. These beads increase per millimeter size – 2, 3, 4mm, etc.

· Medium to large round beads begin in sizes 12mm to 32mm. Generally, at this size, the beads range in even sizes 12mm, 14mm, 16mm.
Another popular bead shape is oval beads. These beads are measured by their length and width. So, oval beads range from 8mm x 6mm, 10mm x 8mm, up to 40mm x 30mm.

Generally when beads are extremely large, they are referred to as cabochon. A cabochon is a large stone or glass bead. These beads can be a beautiful centerpiece to a necklace or bracelet. Many jewelry designers opt to use cabochons as a setting for wire wrapping, for beading around the cabochon with seed beads, or the cabochons are used in a bezel setting (a metal setting that holds the stone and has a bale attached – a fixture at the top of the setting that makes it easy to use in stringing).

Most of the time, the cabochon is an oval cut, but there are some beautiful glass and stone cabochons that are other shapes. In the case of an oval cabochon, the front of the cabochon is rounded, while the back is flat.

There are far more shapes of beads than merely round or oval, but these are certainly the most common. Now that you have an understanding of how a bead’s sizing is described, you can have more confidence mixing and matching different colours and styles of beads.

The author recently released “The Ultimate Bead Lover’s Guide”. To find out more, check out The Ultimate Bead Lover’s Guide for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Beaded Lanyards: Quasi Jewelry

By Seth Miller

The typical lanyard is a length of basic rope, wire, or cloth that is designed to secure a small object. They are often purchased in large quantities and are fairly inexpensive. Many employees wear lanyards around their neck to secure identification badges while on the job.

Beaded lanyards can be as basic as an inexpensive metallic, beaded chain. They can be ordered through most typical lanyard suppliers and feature a variety of hardware attachments to secure small objects. These lanyards are often in several different lengths and an array of colors.

Other beaded lanyards are quite unique and are referred to by some as jewelry. They are designed by skilled artisans and can be extremely expensive depending upon the type of materials used. The cost of a beaded lanyard depends on the type of beads and wire used in its design. Beaded lanyard patterns may consist of colorful patterns of seed beads, glass beads, crystals, or even gemstones.

The most popular beaded lanyards are used to secure eyeglasses or sunglasses around the neck. They attach to the temples of the glasses, allowing them to hang around the neck when not in use. These exquisite neck lanyards are often referred to as eyeglass necklaces or eyeglass holders. They are a fashionable way to keep track of an item that can be easily misplaced or damaged. Beaded lanyards allow the wearer the freedom to easily put on and remove glasses frequently throughout the day.

Many bead artisans also offer jewelry pieces to coordinate with beaded lanyards. The beaded lanyard patterns are often duplicated in a bracelet, anklet, or pair of earrings.

One drawback of the beaded lanyard is that they are often fragile. They may look elegant but also may not have the durability of a nylon or cotton lanyard when worn frequently.

Lanyards Info provides information on printed, custom, beaded, badge, neck, key lanyards, and cell phone accessories and jewelry. Lanyards Info is the sister site of Lapel Pins Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Wholesale Beads: How To Find The Best Wholesale Bead Deals For EBay

By Donny Lowy

Wholesale beads offers resellers high profit margins along with high volume sales, when done right.

Resellers, whether flea market vendors, eBay sellers, or dollar stores, will be faced with competition from online and offline retailers who can buy wholesale beads at a lower price.

To outmaneuver this competition in the wholesale beads business, resellers need to have a strategic plan in place.

Part one of their plan deals with finding the best sources for wholesale beads at the lowest possible prices.

For this reason I would recommend resellers to stay away from drop shippers when looking for wholesale beads.

Since the drop shipper is set up to offer his products to thousands of other resellers, you will not be able to compete based on price. All the resellers are paying the same price to the wholesale beads drop shipper, so how can your prices be lower?

When looking to buy wholesale beads you want to get as close to the source as possible.

Since you will not be able to buy brand name wholesale beads for a lower price than major retailers can, you will want to look for lesser known wholesale bead sellers.

For instance, ABC Beads might not have the name recognition that Party Shop enjoys, but you can show customers that the quality is the same, and as long as your prices are lower some customers should buy the wholesale beads manufactured by ABC Beads.

When you contact these companies looking for wholesale beads ask them for their overstock, overrun, and closeout deals. You would be surprised at the wholesale bead deals you can find from small manufacturers that are looking to move merchandise out.

You can find great wholesale bead deals but it will take some solid leg work.

Donny Lowy is the CEO of http://www.closeoutexplosion.com, an online wholesale and closeout business, and http://www.wholesalecloseoutforum.com, an educational site for the wholesale and closeout business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Thought this might be useful.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Christmas Ornaments - Make Your Own with Beads and Pipe Cleaners

Christmas Ornaments - Make Your Own with Beads and Pipe Cleaners
By Brigitte Smith

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are the metallics and Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.

Find out more about Christmas ornaments, Christmas gift ideas and more at Christmas Craft Ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Yet another creative use of beads!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Cat's Craftyncer Corner: Candles

Cat's Craftyncer Corner: Candles: "One of the things I made today were these candles.
It was really easy. The brown one is a Fleischmann's Yeast jar, I used glue and made the dots around the jar and let that dry. Then I put on etching cream and let that sit for about five minutes. I washed off the cream and glue, put beading wire around it and a decorative bead.

The other jar was Hormel dried beef (oh my SIL has the best dip recipe using that, cream cheese and other things YUM, maybe she'll make it when I'm up there). I cut out star shapes; big and small, glued them onto the jar and then put the etching cream on. When everything dried I spray painted the inside, used beading wire and decorated beads.

I have a honey jar that is in the shape of a beehive. If I can find yellow paint and etch the jar with little bees or a bear and then I have a little bee and hive in wood I could glue on. Hmmm that sounds like a plan."


These are a really different way of using beads - they'd make great gifts!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)