Video Tutorial

Want to learn how to sculpt translucent clay on glass?   I'm teaching how on Polyform's Polymer Clay Adventure for 2017.  A 3 payment plan is now available.  And think of the holidays - a great gift of over 20 video classes for a beloved family member or a really good friend or......treat yourself - you deserve it!  Read more about it here - http://bit.ly/Brady17!

Icicles In June

The Beads Knees Spiral Icicle pattern (click HERE)

 I made these to hang on my  dining room chandelier (above), but they sure make a statement as a necklace.  Yes, you could adjust the pattern for shorter icicles for earrings or a pendant.  Get creative and stay cool in this summer heat by making beaded icicles.

Free Bangle Tutorial

This free bangle bracelet tutorial (click HERE) is from Anna Gray of Gray's Crafts.  I love this tutorial for a simple roll on bangle.  Anna's photos, supply list and instructions are excellent.  If you are too busy beading other projects, Anna sells her birthstone bangles in various sizes on her Etsy site (click HERE).

Free Beaded Shamrock Tutorial

First you learn how to make a tiny beaded heart, then you put three of them together and you have a shamrock pendant.  Click HERE to go to the HandmadeJewelryClub.com to see the free video on how to make the beaded heart. Eri Attebery is the teacher.  

Wavy Pendant

A cable is threaded from front to the back on the right side, around the back and from the back to the front on the left side.  I will be making more of these because I love the way it hangs.  I used scrap clay from the black and white canes to make jelly rolls.  I took 8 slices from one of the jelly rolls and placed them on a black sheet.  I rolled it through the pasta machine on #2, turned it sideways and rolled it through #3.  I cut out the shape and then used a knitting needle to make angled indentions.  I then curved it and baked it.  Then I drilled the two holes. 

Right Angle Weave and Rhinestones

 I am still practicing jewelry photography and having so much fun.  Above is an old rhinestone flower pin that is 4-1/2" X 2-1/4" which photographs beautifully against the blues and purples of some of my right angle weave beadwork. Inspirational Beading has a free tutorial on flat openwork square right angle weave (click HERE) and Beadaholic has a great video tutorial for flat right angle weave using crystals (click HERE).  I also have free tutorials on my Pinterest board (click HERE) for right angle weave.

Inclusion Cane Beads

 I made some polymer clay inclusion cane beads.  There are some great photo tutorials on the web.  The first one I really like is from the blog Les Ethiopiques by Helene Jean Claude (click HERE) and the second one is from this creative blog (click HERE).  I apologize for not supplying the artist's name and blog.  Translation was not provided, but the great photos are self explanatory.

Wrist Warmers & Smittens

I got this pattern from the BBB Sisters on Design Sponge (click HERE).  The instructions' link is in the 5th paragraph down.  The post is called "Hunt, Gather and Host a Knitting Party".  Everything from the invitations to what to serve is included. 

 I wanted a finished buttonhole for the thumb opening, so I practiced the Tulip buttonhole until "I got it".  It took me a while, but it was worth it.  You can find the written instructions and a great video on Tech Knitting blogspot (click HERE).   The lacy ones in the top photo lasted about a day and off came the lace.  Simple and practical; love them.

I used the vertical Invisible Mattress Stitch for closing the side seams.  Knitting Daily has great instructions (click HERE).  This pair was a fun learning experience.  My next pair is going to be Sonnentaler's "1 Hour Mitts"  (click HERE).   So cute.  Or how about the "Smittens" below?

How cute are these?  Free knitting pattern from Coco Knits  (click HERE).  A great Valentine's gift.

Knitted Scarf

 Size 10 knitting needles, 1 ball Feza Tokyo yarn, cast on 20 stitches and knit each row.  That's it.  How nice is that?  I wanted an uneven edge so I increased every once in a while as you can see, but I never went over 30 stitches.

Then I would decrease back to 25, then up to 30 and then down to 20.  Or you can leave a nice even edge of 20 stitches for the entire scarf, it is just as pretty.  I originally did not fringe the scarf, but then changed my mind and love it.  Just play.

Not Done with Love Knot

 This scarf is 70" long and 10" wide made with Unger yarn, G hook and Solomon's Knot crochet stitch (click HERE).

I thought I would never use up all this yarn, but after the large shawl and this scarf, I only have 1 skein left.  I'm planning on a cowl pattern I found on Pinterest.

A Statement Scarf

I loved making this one!  It is the Solomon's Knot (click HERE) triangle scarf crocheted with Trellis yarn.  Tie it at the back of the neck....................

 Tie it on the side..........................

Tie it in front...............................or how cute it would be tied at the waist over a pair of jeans?

Ongoing Love for Love Knot

A long, doubled scarf crocheted with a cotton blend yarn, a size H crochet hook and using the Solomon's Knot stitch (click HERE).

Love the Love Knot Stitch

 The Love Knot, Lovers Knot, Solomon's Knot or Hail Stone Stitch -- different names for the same fascinating crochet stitch.  I am obsessed with this stitch.  It is so much fun.  I found a free  Rachel Choi pattern for a triangle scarf on Crochet Spot.com (click HERE) and YouTube video instructions from Naztazia (click HERE) on how to do the Solomon's Knot.  I've been collecting Solomon's Knot patterns and pinning them to my Pinterest board (click HERE).  Help yourself.

I added one of my polymer clay magnetic clips and tucked in the edges of the scarf.  Another light weight, warm scarf.

Half Double Crochet Scarf

 

I had exactly enough yarn to finish this scarf.  So cool; love when that happens.  You know where this is going right?  Now I have empty drawers just waiting to be filled.  Want to learn how to crochet a half double crochet stitch?  Here's a YouTube video instruction from HowCast.com (click HERE).  Because I used a very bulky yarn, I used a size K crochet hook.  Most scarves are between 15 and 20 stitches wide, so they work up fast.

Fast Double Crochet

Just simple double crochet using a "J" hook and bulky yarn.  Easy to follow YouTube video instructions from HowCast.com (click HERE).  I have been using up quite a bit of my bulky yarn odds and ends.  Even though the yarns were different weights, textures and from various manufacturers, I like the end results.  Super soft, warm and comfy.

Drop Stitch Scarf

 Knitted drop stitch scarf.  I followed the easy to follow YouTube video instructions from Planet Purl (click HERE) and used up some leftover yarn.  As soon as I heard her say, "you can knit 2 or more rows in between the drop stitches or vary the amount", I knew it was for me.

I have started out the year knitting, crocheting and learning new patterns.  I'm using up my yarn stash and am so happy with the results.

Turquoise Shawl

I used a "J" hook and a shell in shell crochet stitch.  Crochet Geek made a great video with instructions on how to do the shell stitch (and end up with a scarf!) -- click HERE.  I edged the shawl with a simple 5 double crochet shell.  I strung the coral and turquoise necklaces at a 30" and 28" lengths and loved how they looked together.  However, when I wore them, they were too heavy to be comfortable, so I need to re-string them.

Mohair Cowl

This is the same Foundation-less Double Crochet stitch as the beige scarf (click HERE), only I used a "J" crochet hook and crocheted with a lace weight mohair.  I crocheted it in the round for a cowl.  Light as air and very warm.

Foundation-Less Double Crochet

I made one shawl, a couple of scarves and one cowl for some gifts this year.  This yarn is gorgeous and crazy soft.  Today and the next two posts are all made with the same stitch--foundation-less double crochet.  Some people call it a "Foundation Double Crochet" as in this YouTube tutorial (click HERE).

 It works up fast and is so beautiful when done with a lace weight or specialty yarn.  I used a "Q" crochet hook, so it was done in a blink.

Free Beaded Earring Pattern

Another free holiday earring pattern from the talented Chris Franchetti Michaels through Linda's Crafty Inspirations Blog (click HERE) or the ORIGINAL instructions can be found HERE.  Gorgeous for Thanksgiving.