Hair clip bracelet

Last week a friend of mine asked me to make a bracelet out of an old hair clip.  I immediately said yes, then fretted all week over exactly how I was going to do it.  Hair clips are a little wide to actually fit on your wrist properly.  Naturally, I didn't take a "before" picture, but this is a close-up of the hair clip after I finished the bracelet.

When I cut the clip part off the back, I saw that the decorative part was in 3 pieces that looked like they had been glued back together at some point.  That was good news, because I was able to take the 3 pieces apart and move the gold parts closer together, making it fit the wrist better.  

I originally thought about drilling holes in each side of the gold part, but then found a cuff bracelet I had bought years ago and never wore.  It had black beading around the top and bottom, but I was able to easily remove the black beads and replace them with gold seed beads and black and clear crystals.  Then, I simply glued the decorative part onto the cuff, using lots of E6000 glue.  

Here's the finished piece.

Hope she likes it!

Finished project

If you read my last blog post, you'll remember I started a bracelet on my way to Williamsburg a couple of weeks ago.  This is the finished product.

There were many ways I could have finished this bracelet, but I chose these snap closures that I attached with jump rings.  Easy, fast, and they work well.  

I have this afternoon off from work and it's a cold, dreary day.  Sounds like the perfect beading day to me!

Work table Wednesday

I can't believe today is Wednesday.  Actually, I should say I can't believe today is only Wednesday!  Seems like it should be Friday by now.  But...

I've mentioned before how I love beading on the road.  When I went to Williamsburg a couple of weeks ago, this was my set-up.

This was just a plain wooden tray I picked up at Hobby Lobby.  I lined it with a bead mat and that was it.  It's the perfect size for my lap.  

Notice the piece in the upper left corner.  That's my current two-drop peyote project.  I'm using brown, black and cream colored size 11 seed beads.

I've really gotten into the brown/black combo lately, as well as the brown/gray combo.  I have a leopard print skirt I think this will work perfectly with.

Tune in Friday for the finished product!

Unfinished projects

I'm not sure which is worse--having a bunch of unfinished projects or forgetting about the projects you never finished.  I ran across these pendants I put together a while back (most likely a good while back), and some of the components I was working on to go with them.

Judging by the colors, I probably started them in late summer/early fall of some year.  My goal for the week?  Finish at least one of these!  I'm thinking maybe the owl, but we'll see.

Wish me luck!

Beaded bead earrings

I mentioned the other day that I finally conquered the beaded bead (yay!).  Last night I decided I needed a new pair of earrings to wear with this scarf.

So, I pulled out my seed beads, and made these.

I used size 11 seed beads this time, instead of the size 8 I used last time (naturally, I don't have both black and white beads in a size 8.  Really need to stock up on those size 8's).  They're a pretty close match!  I think I've gotten the hang of things enough to make these in solid colors rather than using two colors, as was recommended.  

After a pretty dreary week with cold, snow and ice (but not enough for a snow day), we've finally gotten some sunshine.  I'm not complaining about the snow, though, especially when the mountains look like this.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Pinterest page

I've had my own personal account on Pinterest for a good while now, and I love it.  It's so addicting!  Most nights I look at Pinterest right before I fall asleep--it's so relaxing.  

I decided to create a Mustard Bead Pinterest account.  So far, it's pretty small, but just give me time and I'm sure I'll have much more added.  

http://www.pinterest.com/mustardbead/

Beaded bead - conquered!

I read Rebecca Anderson's Songbeads blog regularly, and lately she's had the most adorable beaded beads featured.  I've always wanted to know how to make cute little beaded beads, but have never managed it for some reason.  Seems like most of the tutorials I've seen are for more complicated beads, which is not what I was looking for.  Finally, I found a tutorial that was easy to follow, and managed to conquer the beaded bead!

Of course, it took a couple of tries to get it right.  (Note to self:  read directions carefully!  Leaving out a step does make a difference!)

I need to make a little partner for it, and I could have a pair of earrings!

New Year

Happy new year!  I have to say, I neglected my jewelry a lot in 2014.  So many other things seemed to occupy my time.  But, now it's a new year and a fresh start.  So, look for more of me in 2015.  I'm determined to create more, blog more, update my Etsy shop on a regular basis...you name it!  

I'm off to Williamsburg, VA tomorrow for a conference, and since I won't be driving, I hope to complete the bracelet I started the other day using two drop peyote.  I'll post pics when I get back--maybe even some from the road.

I hope everyone's new year is off to a wonderful start!