Pretty Palettes for February

Hi there!

This is the inspiration for this February's Pretty Palettes challenge - recycled plastic mosaic tiles by BOPE.

 

Above is the palette and below are the beads Molly Schaller chose.

I love these.  I've used some of these in previous designs - particularly the turquoise windowpanes.  In fact, I used pretty much the same selection of colors in this necklace, which was in the Fall issue of Stringing, 2014.

Here's the selection of beads I picked up at Michaels:

Molly says this collection is like a sunset beach celebration.  Having just come back from Hawaii, I'm ready to go back!  So, I'll use these to get ready for more summer celebrations.

Here's what I created.  I ended up substituting some coral chips and flat rounds instead of using the dyed imperial jasper I bought.  And, the lava sea stars and white howlite rounds will be another fun summer necklace!

I'm ready for a summer fiesta now!

See the Pretty Palettes inspiration here and stop by the Halcraft Facebook page to see what other beaders have made.

Designer Crafts Connection: Crafting with School Supplies

Hi Crafters!

Today on the Designer Crafts Connection, we're crafting with school supplies!  I was browsing through the school supply aisles at my local big box store looking for something fun to use and found these gel pencil grips in bright colors.  Since they already had a hole and were made of soft plastic, I immediately thought of making some fun jewelry!

Gel Grips

I cut some of them into small sections with a pair of scissors to create squishy, gel beads and had fun stringing them on cord with a bright button for a clasp!

"Jelly" Bead Bracelet

To make this bracelet, cut 1 yard of cotton cord.  String the button to the center and make an overhand knot or square knot beneath the button. 

Tape the button to the work surface and string a gel bead on one string.  Thread the other string through in the opposite direction.  Keep weaving until the bracelet fits your wrist.  Make an overhand knot after the last gel bead.  Make another knot leaving a loop to fit over the button.  Add a few small beads to each string and make overhand knots.

Here it is unclasped, so you can see it more easily.

"Jelly" Bead Bracelet - unclasped

Of course, you can just string the whole gel grip without cutting it up, too.  And, these have a large enough hole for heavier cord.  Elastic cord would be fun to try also.  You can also string them with small beads running through them for an interesting effect.  What will you try?

Stop by the Designer Crafts Connection blog to connect with other designers who are creating with school supplies.  School supplies aren't just for readin' and writin'!

Have fun creating!

Terry

Fringe Earrings with Hebe Cord

Hi Crafters!

Today some of us on the Designer Crafts Connection are working with a new product that we received from Sullivans USA called Hebe Cord.  This new cord comes in 31 beautiful colors and can be used for knitting, crocheting, knotting and tatting.

I received two shades of purple.  Here is one of the projects that I created.  It's a simple project that anyone can make.  You'll love wearing these fun and trendy Fringe Earrings.

Fringe Earrings with Hebe Cord

To make these earrings, you'll need:

Hebe Cord, medium purple
Bullet style bead caps
22-gauge wire to match
Earring wires to match
66 2/0 E beads (I used Beader's Paradise 2/0 Czech Glass E-Beads in Lavender Mix)

Cut 32 nine-inch pieces of cord.  Fold 16 in half and slide 6" length of wire through the fold. Fold wire and wrap one around the other. Trim wrapping wire and slip on bead cap.  Add one bead and make a wrapped loop.  Open earring wire and connect to wrapped loop.  Repeat for the other earring.

Slide a bead on each strand and knot beneath the bead.  Add a small dot of glue to hold knot. These earrings are about 4-1/2 inches long.  

And, here's another project that I created with Hebe Cord.  (I couldn't stop creating with this cord!)  This bracelet is done with a French Knitter and I'll provide the details on my next post.  So, here's a sneak peek!

Hebe Cord French Knit Bracelet

  I hope you'll take a few minutes to see all the other projects designed with this cord.  There are projects in crochet, knitting, macrame and more!  Just click on the big blue Designer Crafts Connection button in my sidebar.

Happy Crafting!

Terry