Create 365 - The Art Deco Bracelet

The first of a new line coming to the shop!  I just love the romantic, rosy pinks in this one.  I'm also working on a pale green and a lovely golden and brown one.

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Wire Crochet Necklace Tutorial

Every now and again, I stumble across a new technique or project that is just too darn fun to keep to myself.  This is one of those projects.

I love to experiment. There is so much joy in learning to do something new, or trying out something unexpected.  (I currently have a thing for paper cutting as well..I'll elaborate on that in a later post..perhaps something along the lines of a Christmas ornament tutorial ;-)

I've been wanting to try out wire crochet since I created this pendant, which seemed to be crying out for something delicate and whimsical to hang from, so I traipsed down to my local craft store and bought some 26 gauge wire to play with. 

I didn't have a pattern in mind, but I have a working knowledge of crochet.  It seemed to me wire would be pretty much the same as working with yarn, so I just started chaining and this is what I came up with!

Here are the pattern details:

Materials

• Spool of 26 gauge wire in your color of choice
• Handful of beads (I used Swarovski bicones)
• Jump Rings
• Narrow ribbon or necklace clasp
• Size G crochet hook (or any size you'd like to try..each one will give a different result!)
• Pendant (optional)

1.  Begin by sliding all of your beads onto the wire.  You will slide them up the wire as you need them.
2.  Create a loop at the end of the wire and chain until you reach approx 16".  (Here's a video on how to chain.)

3.  When you reach the end of your chain, turn and single crochet across in each of the chains you created.  As you crochet, periodically slide a bead to the top of your wire so it nestles next to the crochet hook and crochet it into your piece.

It should look like this

Here are a few clips on single crochet and adding beads



4.  When you reach the end of your row, turn and add one more row of single crochet without beads.
5.  Snip off the end of your wire, leaving a little tail and weave it into the piece.  Then, using one of your jump rings, catch the ends of the row in the ring and close the ring.  Do the same for the other side.
6.  You should now have a 16" crochet necklace with jump rings on either end.  At this point, you could add a clasp and wear it as a choker, or, you can cut two lengths of ribbon, feed them through the ends of the jump ring and wire about 1/2 inch of the end to itself, creating a loop to secure the end to the jump ring as shown in the picture below.

(Note at the top of the picture, the wire wrapped around the ribbon securing it in a loop to attach to the jump ring.)

7.  You can wear the necklace as is, or you can use an additional jump ring to attach a pendant to the center of the chain.

I hope you'll share with me if you create your own!  Please feel free to post it here on my facebook page.  This pendant will be for sale in the ConstantlyAlice shop this weekend.

Hugs and Smooches,
D

(PS..Don't forget to enter to win a piece of jewelry from the ConstantlyAlice Pick Your Prize Giveaway!  Entries will be accepted until 10/6.)

Guest Post - The Paper Necklace Tutorial

Hey friends!  If you haven't already had a chance, head on over to Caught Frenching (my lovely friend Amber's Blog) and check out the guest post I did with a tutorial on how to make a paper bead necklace.  Funnnn!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Home Ec Tutorial - The May Flowers Necklace

My wee Mum has a birthday coming up on May 31st.  It's pretty appropriate that she was born in the month of "May Flowers" since she has two green thumbs.  Here's a (small) example of her gardens.

So, I decided the most appropriate gift for her would be to make a necklace with a "May flowers" theme.  Here's what you'll need to get started:

• 4 different weight chains (you can re-purpose old necklaces that you don't wear anymore for this, or purchase new chain.)
• Head pins (for beading)
• Jump rings (various sizes)
• Clasp
• Flower shaped beads (I used Laliberi, which I loove, and you can find them at Joann's)
• Bicone beads
• Needle nose pliers and wire cutters
• Flower brooch

First, you're going to take one of your heavier weight chains and cut two pieces approx 9" long.

Next, take the lightest weight chain and cut it to 16.5"

Cut your third chain (preferable one with a little embellishment, like the one here) to 18.5"

Your last chain (this one has some rhinestones on it for visual interest) should be about 20.5" long.

Your next step will be to attach the 3 longest pieces together on each end with a jump ring.  Then add your shorter length of chain to each side.  When they're attached, they should look like this on each side.

Attach the the clasp pieces with a jump ring to the loose end of each of the shorter pieces like this.

Now you're going to add a few clusters of flower beads to the center chain (the one you cut to 18.5")

Start with a head pin and slide a bicone bead onto it.  (You could also use pearls here if you prefer.)

Next, add a floral bead.

Using your needle nose pliers, bend the wire to a 90 degree angle.  Clip off excess with wire cutters, leaving just enough to make a small loop.  (Don't cut too much!  It's easier to make it shorter if you need to, but you can't add length back on.)

Using your pliers, bend and shape the wire into a small closed loop.

Make several of these using different combinations of beads and then attach them in little clusters with a jump ring at even intervals along the center chain.

Attach your brooch to one side of the necklace where the grouping of chains meet the shorter chain and voila!  A May Flowers Necklace :)

If you decide to make your own, I'd love to see your variations!  Post them on my facebook page here.

Hugs and Smooches,
D