Ribbons and Pearls Jewelry Set {Mini Tutorial}

I posted the tutorial for the green pearl ring I gave to my friend Lisette for her birthday here. She loved it so much she wanted me to make another set out of purple pearls to be used for a good friends birthday gift! It is very similar to the green one but with a little added bling--and it has matching earrings rather than a bracelet.

 

 

With the leftover pearls I decided to make a jewelry set for myself since besides my charms that I turned into a necklace, I haven't made any new jewelry for myself in a while. Here is what I came up with!

 

I first started with the necklace. I knew I wanted to create that floating-pearl-on-a-long-chain-look but about halfway through I remembered Disney's J.Crew inspired necklace post off my 'Someday Crafts' list and thought that it would be the perfect time to make it--I just love the bows, they are my favorite part of the necklace!...I knew I had everything I needed already on hand and after searching many boxes for the perfect matching ribbon I got to making my set.

::Supplies::

Necklace

Chain

Pearls

Ribbon

Eyepins

Crimp bead covers OR clasp

Bracelet

Pearls

Jewelry stretch cord

Ribbon

Earrings

Headpins

Ribbon

 Earwires

Also a pair of needle nose pliers, wire cutters, a handy bottle of super glue and a lighter 

(don't forget to singe all of your ribbon ends so they don't fray please!)

Disney did a FABULOUS job giving details of the various supplies and directions for making the necklace. If you're a beginner jewelry-maker, please read this! She has fabulous details and pictures in reference to the supplies and tools. For my necklace, the only difference was that I used less pearls and a thinner ribbon--I also secured my bows with a few dabs of super glue rather than a needle and thread. I also used the matching ribbon for the closure of the necklace rather than a clasp attached to the chain. To do this, simply knot a strand of ribbon to each end of your chain. Use a crimp bead cover to hide your knot. Simply tie the ribbon around your neck to wear the necklace!

 

 

For the bracelet:

This one is the easiest! Cut a piece of stretch jewelry cord the length of your wrist plus a good 3-4 inches for room to strand your pearls and tie a knot. Strand your pearls onto the cord. Make sure to have enough pearls to where the bracelet is snug, but not too tight. I used a square knot to tie the cord. Trim your strands and tie on a bow with your ribbon for looks. :)

For the earrings:

Strand a pearl to the bottom of your headpin. Create a loop with your needle nose pliers and trim off the excess wire (the same as Disney does with her pearls on her necklace). Open your loop and strand the pearl onto your earwire. All that's left is to add the bow...I'm not going to lie, doing this took the most time out of the entire set! Tie a bow around the loop you made from your headpin rather than onto the earwire. This will allow for the bow to sway with the pearl while still facing forward. Once you have the PERFECT bow tied, get your super glue and dab some on the back, front and all around your bow to hold it in place! :) All done!

I am beyond pleased with how simple this was, fast it took to make and great it came out!

I bet you'll think twice about purchasing that $30+ set similar to this at Express, Anthro or NY&Co. since you can make one of your own in only 30 minutes! :)

Thanks Rebecca for featuring my jewelry set on My Girlish Whims!!

Brad Charm Necklace {Tutorial}

I stumbled upon a fabulous post from Ashley at Lil Blue Boo on her mini brad charms tutorial. It is beyond simple and you can truly make almost ANY type of charm from this idea. Her tutorial is amazing and perfectly detailed, so I'll just give you a brief run down. :)

:Supplies:

Metal brads--any size or shape

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic (or Embossing Powder)

Jump rings

Embellishments

The idea for these charms is very similar to that of my mod podge dimensional magic bracelet but you first have to "make" your charm. To create your charm out of the metal brad, remove the two prongs from the back by wiggling them back and forth until they fall off. To make the hole for the jump ring, simply use a hammer and nail to "poke" through the brad. It's MUCH easier and quicker than it sounds--just give it a few small taps! Trim and smooth any sharp edges with your nearby nail tools. :) You then decorate the inside of your brad--use paper, fabric, stickers, jewels, photos, embellishments...anything! Once it is all glued in and secured, add your jump ring. The next step is when Ashley used embossing powder, but I went with Dimensional Magic since I already had some on hand. It gave me great results! Keep the charms as level as possible when drying. Every now and then give the jump ring a wiggle so that it doesn't dry into the Dimensional Magic.

For my first charm I used a paper sunflower scrapbooking embellishment. I also wanted to do a summery charm, so I cut the word 'tan' from a summer themed scrapbook page and added a sticker jewel for my second. For my third charm I stuck on a glitter-gold sticker with the letter 'a.' I was a little concerned about the paper flower curling or the glitter from the 'a' spreading but they all turned out perfect once they dried! The hummingbird design was cut from a piece of scrapbook paper. This was made from a bezel-set charm that I found at Michaels on clearance forever ago--I finally found the perfect project to pair it with!

As I first applied the Dimensional Magic

The Dimensional Magic will get more clear as it dries

Once they are dry you are all done! Add them to a bracelet or necklace and show her off.

I got lots of compliments the first day wearing her--people are always so impressed (but not surprised) that I made the charms myself!

They really do look store-bought...but little do they know how simple it is to make!

Happy charm making!

Thank you Kelly from Running With Glitter and

Ginger from Support Blog for Moms of Boys for featuring my charms!

Spring has Sprung Bib Necklace

They're being sold everywhere from Old Navy, to Anthropologie, to Etsy...these beauties are super popular right now and I have been itching to make one for months. I finally scrounged up some scrap fabric and a few jewelry supplies to make one for myself--finally, my first bib necklace!

Here are some details of the various flowers...I thought it would be perfect for spring and summertime to do a variety of different styles and sizes. I made the majority of the flowers into rosettes and had two additional burnt petal flowers. I also added a few pearls, lace, some other floral embellishments, pearl trim and some ribbon for that extra detail. I used contrasting (but complimentary) colors for all the different flowers so that I could be sure to wear it with multiple outfits.

 

And here she is...

I know she seems pretty big and has a lot going on--but that's the point, right? I wore her for Easter with a simple blue linen dress and yellow cardigan. She also looks fab with any solid color shirt or tank. The key is to wear something low-key so that the necklace will really liven up the outfit!

I love her and all her glory...each little flower handmade with love <3

Thank you Tammy from She Wears Flowers
Krista from Thar She Sews 
Chiara from Calico and Cupcakes 
and Katie from Sew Woodsy
for featuring my necklace!

 

Stretch Pearl Ring {Tutorial}

My dear friend Lissette--always dolled up--was showing off one of her favorite rings to me at a wedding we attended at the end of last year. It had a center silver pearl, Swarovski accents and a silver band. It was darling. I tried it on and to my suprise it was a stretch ring! Hm...I questioned when she got it and how much she paid. The money she spent on it seemed a little overpriced to me and I told her to never buy one again; that I would make her any color she liked! For her birthday I made her a similar green pearl ring with a matching bracelet. She went crazy over it and is so impressed that it looks almost identical to her original. I was never a fan of stretch rings as they seem cheapy...but with the pearl and crystals these are timeless and too cute!

Stretch Pearl Ring

:Supplies:

Jewelry Stretch Cord

Pearls, crystals, silver beads
Jeweler's glue/cement

Step 1. Cut the Stretch Cord to your desired length. I always give tons of extra length so that I have room to arrange the beads and still have plenty of cord to tie a knot at the end. I cut mine at about 8 inches or so.


Step 2. Design your ring. Strand the beads however you would like. I usually start with my center stone (the pearl) and work to the outside. I ordered my ring as follows from the center: Pearl, swarovski crystal, silver spacer bead, silver beads


Step 3. Be sure that your ring is snug, but not too tight when determing the size. To finish it off tie a knot as tight as you can without leaving a gap in the beads. I have yet to perfect the best way of tying stretch cord, though a square knot has seemed to be the go-to knot thus far. I've also used a surgeon's knot. Here are two links that do a much better job giving directions to tying than I would!
http://www.netknots.com/html/surgeons_knot.html 
http://www.ehow.com/how_4828697_stretch-nylon-cord-jewelry-making.html
For a little extra security, dab a small amount of jeweler's glue/cement to the knot if you have some on hand. Make sure there is enough stretch in your ring to not have the elastic break; no knot can prevent this from happening!

Enjoy your ring!

I apologize for the low-quality photos as my digital camera batteries were dead--

these are courtesy of my iPhone. :)

Lissette with her new ring--she was SO ecstatic when she opened her new jewelry. She is already placing orders for friends birthday gifts...AND more for herself. :)

With the matching bracelet.

Dimensional Magic {Easy Bracelet Tutorial}

Here is a super cute, fun, cheap and easy piece of jewelry to make 

(for those afraid of making jewelry!)

I stumbled across this nifty bracelet and thought of a perfect project for it! :)

Dimensional Magic Bracelet

This bracelet is totally customizable! 

All it takes is a few simple steps and time to dry 

and you’ll have a cute bracelet in no time! :)

The only supplies you need are:

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic (now found at Jo-Anns!)

Bezel Set Bracelet (purchased at Hobby Lobby)

Mod Podge (or any adhesive)

Scrap fabric and/or paper

Scissors

Step 1. Trace and cut your pieces of scrap paper or fabric into little circles. I used paper AND fabric in different shades, textures and patterns (all black and white). For my first circle, I started off by tracing my circle charm from the bracelet, but made it a little bigger. I then trimmed it until it was a good fit for inside the bezel charm. I then used this as a “stencil” for all of my other fabric/paper. Cut the appropriate number of circles needed to fill your bracelet. (I removed a link from the bracelet seeing as how it was too big, so I had one less circle to fill than what it came with)

(Just a few of my cut-out circles)

Step 2. Figure out the order of your circles for how you want it to look on your bracelet. Play around! If you are doing various patterned paper/fabric, then the order of the circles CAN give it a different look! Once you’ve decided on your order, apply a SLIGHT even amount of Mod Podge (or any adhesive) to your charms and attach your paper/fabric to the inside. Let dry just a few minutes until they are all secured.

(photo is just to represent the amount of adhesive--very little needed!)

Step 3. This is the fun part! Apply your Dimensional Magic. Use a generous amount and fill to the rim of each bezel (for the best effect). Watch for bubbles! They will slowly develop as it dries. I had a hard time getting mine to go away…but with patience you can pop these suckers! I used a sewing pin…a toothpick will work just as well. 

(If this is your first time using Dimensional Magic, 

it WILL be opaque when first applied...but don't fret!)

Step 4. Let it dry!! I let mine dry overnight, but it’s pretty solid after about 3 hours. It will be opaque at first, but over time it will dry super clear and smooth

VOILA! 

Here is the finished product! :)

Shiny and clear! : )

(It is hard to see in the photo, but the white charms have various print on them)

They have many bezel set pieces of jewelry out there…

earrings, necklaces, charms--big and small!! 
Also, with an unlimited amount of fabric and paper choices... 
Your creative options are endless!


Thank you Ashley from Not Just Grannies for the bracelet mention!

On to other jewelry that I have recently made for birthday gifts!
A red, black and silver necklace and bracelet set. 

 

A pink, white and coral necklace and earring set.

The pendant can be removed so that she can wear 

just the beaded necklace by itself if she wishes!

(Please don't mind the faces--Larry was making me laugh while taking pictures!)

Ribbon & Bows Necklace {Mini Tutorial}

I've been sewing a lot lately...which means I've been neglecting some of my other craft loves! So yesterday, while out shopping I picked up some jewelry supplies and beads. For a review on the new Hobby Lobby that just opened up...it was definitely a let down. I guess I just had higher expectations--maybe it was because I went on a Saturday and it was pretty crowded...or the fact that the prices were a little higher than expected...or that they didn't have much of a selection in the areas I was shopping in...and it was A LOT of home decor. There is nothing wrong with this, other than the fact that I would rather MAKE those home decor items, rather than pay $20+ for certain items. They DID have a large selection of Christmas goodies (already!) so I'm sure I'll be there a lot during the holidays. Overall, I guess I will have to go again after they've been open a while and maybe during the week to give it a more fair review...we will see. I'm hoping for the best!

I spent the morning working on some birthday gifts. It seems that I have the longest list of gifts and To-Do's lately, so sometimes I have to find smaller projects for myself to work on and to keep me going! Since I was working on jewelry, I decided to pull up some simple necklace tutorials that I have had my eyes on.

The first one was an interchangeable ribbon necklace from Infarrantly Creative who got her inspiration from Anthropologie. The idea is really nifty!...A clear beaded necklace attached to a colored ribbon that can be switched out according to what outfit you're wearing for the day. Here is her version!

I wasn't too fond of the clear beads, so I went with the next best thing...pearls of course! :) Also, in the tutorial, it calls for lobster clasps on each end of the beaded strand to be able to change out the ribbon...instead of using clasps, I just used jump rings. I knew it would be just as effective but with less "supplies" being used (well for me anyway...I have way more jump rings than clasps!) I also opted to glue on my ribbon--they just seemed to sit prettier that way :) Here is my version! 

I LOVE how it turned out. I only have the blue ribbon for now...but I definitely plan to make PINK and every other color to go with any outift! 

The second necklace I found on Adventures in Dressmaking--the Leather Bow Necklace. The post was actually a blog swap and was created by Alli at One Pearl Button. It is SO feminine, yet structured and classy at the same time. Here is her version! :)

All it called for was scrap leather, a chain and hot glue! I opted to make mine with a silver chain instead of gold. I also knew that I didn't have any leather just laying around for the bow...so I used felt instead, which worked PERFECTLY! I used her tutorial exactly step by step, and it turned out wonderfully! 

 

I definitely plan to make some with a gold chain, as well as different colored bows.
I think fabric flowers would be super cute to use as well!