Inspired by Royalty: Wood Beads and Faux Pearls are Glamorous

I am not a thin gold chain kind of girl. I like a statement necklace that turns a simple t-shirt into something worthy of an evening out.

My best friend is very supportive of my jewelry making binges, but she had to lay down the law last year. "No more wearing a new necklace, until you have 2 more of the same thing at home that you can sell!"

You see, she has been with me time and again when someone loves the necklace I'm wearing, but I have to disappoint them with, "Yes, I sell the jewelry I make online...just not this one." 

I get inspired, make a one-of-a-kind piece and then show it off with no inventory behind it. Great for my outfit, not great for business.

It happened again last month with this simple wood bead and faux pearl necklace. I wore it before I made more and had to tell people that it would be available on my Etsy site soon.

Problem solved. I have posted it online and I have 2 to sell. Are you interested?

Bead Show Fever

Have you ever been to a bead show?  If you have the basic jewelry making knowledge (how to string beads on a wire, secure a crimp bead and attach a clasp with a jump ring), then attending a bead show could be a really fun thing to do with a friend. 

I had never been to a bead show before my friend Corinne took me to this show in Honolulu.  Up until then I had relied completely on Michaels Craft and Joann's for my materials.  The sheer variety of colors, materials and styles is reason enough to take this field trip.  If you have a new blouse or sweater that you want to coordinate with, bring it along! Your brain will thank you, as you often need an inspiration piece to start with.

I found this terrific list of bead shows around the United States.  I know that Corinne has found one for us to attend in Michigan this Spring and I'm already looking forward to it.  I love adding color to a classic outfit with a beautiful necklace and since most jewelry shows are open to the public, we can all enhance our wardrobe with a custom necklace.

Button Necklace

It is sew simple, but sew effective!  Yes, I am going through a button phase.  I made my mom a chunky necklace made of all gold buttons (the kind you find on a blazer) and it is fabulous!  She wore it to a luncheon over the holidays and caused a stir.  That is what I love about jewelry making.  I like "whipping something up" that will makes people feel beautiful.  Of course I never make more than 2 or 3 of any one design.  I can't focus long enough to really make a lot of any one thing.

This necklace has large gray and tan buttons (some stacked) that are held together by a new favorite thing, DMC Memory Thread. I'm sure it is fabulous in needlework, but I put it to use making jewelry!  It is beautiful fiber-wrapped copper wire that adds stability for when you, say, want to "stitch" buttons together.  After connecting the buttons, I clipped off the excess memory wire, twisted the end back onto itself and tucked it under another wire in back.  Then I was able to attach a connecting loop to the wire and attach the grey chain from there.  I love it! 

Have you ever made jewelry from buttons?

Honolulu: Q-Pot

My oh my, are these necklaces cute! I discovered a store in Honolulu's Ala Moana mall that is pushing the boundaries of what a "charm" on a necklace should be. This Japanese store is called Q-Pot (http://www.q-pot.jp/eng/brand-items/necklace.html) and you really should check it out.

The store sells tiny French pastries, macaroons and scoops of ice cream as pendants on necklaces. They are sooooo cute. I've never seen anything like it and, as a sugar lover, I wholeheartedly approve.

The sales girl was modeling their latest creation - tiny hamburger necklaces where each charm is a layer that stacks on the next - bottom bun, beef patty, tomato, cheese...whatever you want on it. No joke! It's cute, but it can't compare with a tiny pink macaroon.

There is only one shop in the United States (and apparently they don't sell online) but you can email: qpot-alamoana@lyrausa.com or call the store at (808) 955-9330 for sales inquiries.

Honolulu: Whole Bead Show

Didn't I have fun? The 17th Annual Honolulu Bead Show (whole bead.com) coincided with my trip to Hawaii. This is what you call having the moon and stars align.

My friend Corinne is new to jewelry making (her specialty is sea glass) and we had so much fun looking at the beads, findings and inspiration pieces at the show.

I found some beautiful shell charms and whipped up this beautiful charm necklace and have already worn it to dinner on this trip! I love to make a piece of jewelry and wear it immediately. This is what I call "shell chic!"

Beach Glass

My dear friend, Corinne, is loving her new life in Hawaii.  The "vacation" weather every day has spurred a new hobby for her.  A daily walk on the beach combing for beach glass.  Doesn't that sound wonderfully relaxing?

A package arrived in the mail the other day - a bubble wrapped bag of beach glass!  She knows that I am a crafter and has challenged me to "make something cute." 

Also tucked in the envelope was a delicate bracelet made of green Swarovski crystals surrounding a beautiful piece of green sea glass!  Now that she has a Dremel (drill attachment) that can drill a hole in glass, her foray into jewelry making has begun!  What a wonderful thing.    

I am going to visit her in Honolulu this Winter (yea!) and I can't wait to see what she creates between now and then.  Thank you, Corinne, for your beautiful gift from the sea and I'll see you soon!  

Lovely Locket

Sometimes jewelry making is as simple as keeping your eye out for the perfect piece!

I lucked out when I found this vintage-style locket in the jewelry department of the craft store.  That's right, the craft store. Displayed as part of a series of lockets and charms. 

Two metal doves, a mother-of-pearl looking locket rimmed with faux diamonds and pearls - what more could a girl want?  I bought this pendant as is and hung it from a double strand of tiny champagne-colored pearlized beads.  I had the tiny beads at home and all I had to do was string them on a wire and add a clasp to make this lovely locket look like an antique.

My suggestion is that you keep your eye out at craft stores, antique malls and everywhere in between.  You never know when you'll find something special.  Take a look at this pretty pendant - it could be the perfect touch. 

Jewelry Tip

I want to give you a tip for making a simple pendant necklace. 

A new trend in pendant construction is to include 2 metal loops on the back of the pendant.  If you are in Michaels (or the jewelry aisle of another craft store) and you see a pendant you like, turn it over and see if it has two loops on the back.

If it does, you can make a virtually "no skills" necklace by attaching a lobster clasp onto each end of a pretty chain.

Before you attach the lobster clasps, try the chain around your neck and decide where you want the pendant to hang.  My guess is that you'll want the chain to be about 18 inches long.  Adjust the length of the necklace by using a wire cutter (wear safety goggles) to clip off the excess length of chain.  Then attach a lobster clasp to each end of the chain (use a jump ring to hold the clasp to the chain). 

Close one lobster clasp onto a loop on the back of the pendant, put the necklace around your neck and close the other lobster clasp onto the other loop on the back of the pendant.  Tah-dah - you're wearing a necklace!

The #1 reason I love this trick is that it doesn't commit the pendant to just one necklace. If you unhook both lobster clasps, the pendant can be used another away - no harm done.

Amaretto Diamonds

Are you ready for this?  I made these "diamonds!"  They are candy!   

Amaretto-flavored diamonds and I am over-the-moon about them.  This is what I love...things that are beautiful and interesting.

I used a gem candy mold, Isomalt, water and a smidge of LorAnn amaretto flavoring and followed the directions (on the Isomalt package) or listed in the text here.  Or you can purchase ready-made candy diamonds here.

Can't you see these scattered on a coconut cake?  When I showed my mom, she immediately suggested that I attach one to a pendant base and wear it as a necklace.

This takes "making my own jewelry" to a whole new level, don't you think? Ha!

Country Living Fair 2010, Part Two

I chose this photo for "Day Two" of my blog series on the Country Living magazine's Country Fair because it shows you so many things.

It shows you what incredible weather we had on Saturday - Blue sky and 74 degrees.

It shows you a glimpse of some of the fabulous vendors at the show.  This spectacular "dress" is made of wallpaper and highlights a necklace at Bloomsbury Loft of Columbus.  This dress is what happens when someone gives into their creativity.  I love it!

It also shows you the idea of collage jewelry.  The show was loaded with a mix of "anything goes" necklaces.  I saw collections of buttons, paper pinwheels, fabric cutouts and more all fashioned together to create statement necklaces. 

Feeling creative?  You should give it a go! 

Knot Hard

It has been a while since I have shown you a jewelry project. This one is au courant in that it replicates the "hand-tied silk cord" and shell-tones of so many popular necklaces right now.

The cord is Omega nylon crochet thread in Beige and the flat acrylic beads are Blue Moon (JAS Strand 14" Bd Acr Flt Ovl) in Smoke.

I tied a knot in the cord, added a small clear bead, slide on the smokey stone, added another small clear bead and then tied the finishing knot. Then you move down the cord an inch and do it again.

The knots and small beads above and below make the stones appear to float and sets off the pretty "silk" cord. Tie the two ends together at the neck with a strong knot (and secure with crimp beads on either side if you want) and you are finished!

What I love best is that this cord/stone combination morphs into looking like the color of cement or taupe stone or a pale pink gems depending on the t-shirt and sweater it is worn with.

Trust me, it is knot hard to make.

Button It

When you are known for "making things," people will give you the coolest stuff! When my best friend, Kim, first moved into her house, she found scores of loose buttons in the basement. Years later, when she saw me working on this button necklace she dropped off at least a hundred old buttons. Do you see what I see in this photograph? I am thinking that this will become a gorgeous necklace for Fall.

Picture me touring a college campus with my nephew (he'll be a freshman in the Fall!), wearing a white dress shirt, Glen plaid pants, a navy sweater and the button necklace that we are both imagining.

Thanks, Kim!

Baubles

It is officially Spring and I am craving color!

I have been working on painting beads for some super cute necklaces & bracelets.

Dots and stripes in colors that will drive the girls crazy.

You've got to have something to compliment your Lilly, right?

Look for them next week in the ANA Limited Edition store in the sidebar of my blog.

Love it!

Craftastic

I can't think anymore...I simply have to make. I usually walk around with my mind whirling with ideas of things I want to do/see/write/make (and I have the notebook to prove it!).

Then a day comes along when it is all too loud and I have to give in. Today is that day. I will be painting balls for some necklaces, sewing ribbon into watchbands and making some photo tiles. The music is on and I can't wait!

What do you do when do your creative juices overflow?

Silk Rose Necklaces

My mind will not "let go" of silk rose necklaces. A popular new item for Spring - you can see really pretty ones for sale in the Sundance Catalog and at Anthropologie.

I thought you would find it interesting to see where I think it this trend began.

Millinery shops in the late 1800's! This photo is from Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford museum. A must-see educational (and entertaining) destination in Michigan, Greenfield Village is a life-size town made up of actual buildings and landmarks of the late 1800's (the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop and Thomas Edison's original laboratory are both here!)

A favorite of mine was, of course, the millinery shop. These antique hat decorations (in a display case on the main floor) are so similar to the new bib necklaces of today, don't you think?

It all makes sense really. Roses, silk and getting dressed up is a timeless pursuit. What's a hundred years between girls, right?

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 7

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? I do!

I made this heart pin with some vintage clip art, scissors, an adhesive pin back and a liquid medium that dries to look "like glass."

When this clear liquid medium dries, it makes any paper image sturdy enough to wear! I think it is the coolest thing ever.

I make pins in batches (like for Valentine's Day) and in the middle of the process, my brain is always whirling with ideas of what to do with this glass-like medium next (perhaps it's the fumes?)
Are you inspired to craft?

Day 7: Think about crafting/knitting something to wear that is inspired by Valentine's Day.

Love your jewelry

Today is the American Heart Association's Go Red Day, a movement that encourages women to wear the color red to promote heart health.

So today, in addition to my red sweater, I will be wearing this necklace. A beauty I designed with an antiqued chain, wooden beads and a gorgeous "I ski in the Alps"-style heart.

Feel like making a heart necklace of crystals? Check out my simple instructions here.

Day 3: Dig through your jewelry box and wear one of your heart-inspired treasures.

Jewelry Management

I have seen the future and it requires jewelry management.

I make all of my own jewelry and for a while it seemed my motto was "365 days/365 necklaces." And why not? I can make each piece to be exactly what I need. But when you travel like I do, jewelry transport can be an issue.

I have created the perfect system and it is time to share it with you.

First you will need a Snapware Craft Organizer Box. (Also available in Target in the laundry section) Each unit has several levels that snap together - but the fun thing is you can snap multiple sets together to create a jewelry tower (perfect for car trip). Or if you are flying, one unit will pack in a suitcase nicely.

Next is the containers inside - I use Lookers hinged vinyl cases (shown in green) to keep necklaces safe and untangled. I have found some at a Michael's craft store (in the gift wrap section) and at The Container Store.

Squares of bubble wrap are perfect to cushion bracelets and watches. You can even buy pretty colored bubble wrap at the post office if you are so inclined - just cut to the size you need.

The best and most unusual item I organize with is the round lidded plastic box that protects a roll of electrical tape (Home Depot!). They are perfect for my earrings, pins and pendants.

So there you have it...Anne Reeves' guide to jewelry management. Helping you to stay super cute, wherever you are.

Winter Pearls

Tomorrow I am posting about "jewelry management" - modern tips and tricks to keep your jewelry neat and organized.

As a result, I am in the mood to design jewelry and I've decided to spotlight this darling necklace.

Love it, right? It is made of wool balls and I wear it in the winter as you would wear a strand of pearls.

White blouse, pretty cardigan and this beauty at the neck. I only wear it when I feel chatty, because e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e wants to talk about it.

Watch the sidebar for 2 similar necklaces to be offered in the ANA limited edition store. I'll say what I always say...Love it!

365 Days

365 days = 365 necklaces, right?

I have been on a roll lately. Making one-of-a-kind necklaces to go with everything in my closet. Necklaces made of buttons, shells, pearls, you name it. I love that a simple accessory can "make" an outfit.

This week my niece came over after school and showed me her first attempt at jewelry making. Two beautiful necklaces made of forest green, copper and wine-colored glass beads. As a teenager, she claims that she is "jewelry challenged" but I am telling you, she has an eye.

What fun it is to be an aunt!