Out of Touch Part II??

For the longest time my computer was down for maintenance. It's been fixed for a while now but I just hadn't gotten to chance to check in. But I'm here now. :)

So here's something random. I've recently taken up sewing again. About 3 or 4 years ago I tried it for the first time and bought my first sewing machine. But I really wasn't very good. So last week I decided it was time I start practicing again. I went out and purchased a whole BUNCH of new Supplies and Fabrics to get me started. And I haven't looked back since. So I took a little break from Beading and Jewelry making to work on my sewing skills.

I'll post photo's of my works soon.

Glad to be back!!

Cluster Bracelet Tutorial

So, normally when I make my Cluster Bracelets I use 3 different kinds of beads. I use, 2 different colors and usually add a black or silver accent bead of some kind. However, I didn't have any accent beads left this time so I only used 2 different colors. I ordered some black hematite hearts and some silver beads online so I'm just waiting for them to come in. But for now, I have to work with what I have on hand.

So, you start by choosing your beads in whatever color you prefer. I chose Copper colored Fire Polished Czech Glass Beads and paired them with some pretty light blue Bicone Swarovski Crystal beads. I like to pick colors that are completely different from each other but still accent each other perfectly.  

Next you need to choose the style of Clasp and the type of Chain you'd like to use. I used a small delicate chain on this bracelet but that all depends on you and your taste or project. If your using bigger beads, I'd suggest using a larger chain. For smaller beads, use a smaller chain. And so on. :)

Also, you need to pick the type of Head Pins you want to use. I just used regular bright silver plated head pins but if your feeling extra creative, try using a decorative head pin. I'd suggest only using it on one of your colors of beads though. But make sure your deco head pins are the same color as your regular head pins. Other wise it won't match and it'll look kind of tacky. 

So now that I have all of my supplies in front of me, I start by adding my head pins to all of my beads. That way once all your beads are ready with your head pins, you can start hooking them on your chain.

Make sure you alternate sides with your colors. On your first link, add your first color. Then on the 2nd link, add your second color. Now when you get to your 3rd chain link, make sure you add your first color on the opposite side of the one you added on the first link. It should look similar to the image bellow.

  Otherwise, if you don't alternate sides with your colors, it'll end up looking like this. Your end result won't look like a proper cluster. It'll just look like 2 rows of colors. That's ok of course if that's the look your going for. There's nothing wrong with it. But not if your trying to make a Cluster style Bracelet. :)

And finally, your end result. Be creative with it. You can use 1 color if you want to or 3 or 4 colors. Also try mixing different types of beads. Round beads with Bicone beads. Or Square beads with round beads. Or even long beads. It's all up to you really. Another good tip I can give you is to use what you have on hand. If you have a couple of old Necklaces or Bracelets or even some broken pieces of jewelry you might have, try mixing and matching the beads from those to create your new bracelet. Your taking something old or broken and reviving it into something new. :)

I really hope this Tutorial helps someone with their new creation. Any Feedback you have would be wonderful. :) And of course any questions you may have are always welcomed.

Happy Beading!!

Upcoming Stuff

So, I know it's been a couple of years since I last posted but I figured it was time to get back into the swing of things. I've created so many different pieces of jewelry since my last posts but I'm going to focus on the more recent stuff.

In a previous post I stated that I absolutely love making charm style cluster bracelets. Well, I'm at it again. I made 3 new one's this week alone which I will be posting in my Etsy shop. I wanted to make a quick tutorial on how I make them but I keep forgetting to take the picture for it. So in the next day or 2 when I work on my next bracelet I will make sure to take photos of each step in take to make it explaining what I do. It's not that complicated really but it'll give you an idea on how I make them so you can try to recreate it but with your own style and flare to it.

Here are my 3 latest Cluster Bracelets. Hope you like them. Feedback would be wonderful!! 

Out of touch

So, it's been a while it seems but things are finally up and running again. For the longest time I haven't been updating this blog because I haven't really been beading much. But hopefully within the next few days I'll be adding a few new projects for you to view. Hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them. ^.^ Feel free to stroll by my etsy shop to view or purchase some of my new creations. I promise, you won't be disappointed. www.cuziwannit.etsy.com

Squiggly Starfish Necklace

Squiggly Starfish Necklace, originally uploaded by cuziwannit.

A gorgeous squiggly starfish pendant paired with a stunning gunmetal chain and a gunmetal rope like toggle clasp.

The pendant is easily removable which makes it perfect for mixing and matching those beautiful pendants you have lying around in your jewelry box just screaming to be worn with your outfits.

Diversify your jewelry box with this everyday wearable necklace.

Chain and toggle clasp bought from www.Lululalaland.etsy.com

Pewter squiggly starfish pendant bought from www.gypsywoman.etsy.com

--> The pendant is made from pewter and measures 40x35mm. The gunmetal chain measure a total length of 18 inches. <--

If your interested in view or buying this beautiful necklace, click on the tittle "Squiggly Starfish Necklace" or scroll down and to the right and click on the link to our etsy shop.

*Bear*

Copper Rose Zig Zags

Copper Rose Zig Zags, originally uploaded by cuziwannit.

Yet another new pair of earrings added to my cute little etsy shop. These are called Copper Rose Zig Zags.

Stunning and unique zig zag style earrings made with 6mm Czech Copper Rose Fire Polished glass beads and sterling silver ear wires.

--> These handcrafted earrings are lightweight which makes them perfect for everyday wear. <--

They measure 2 1/2 inches from the base of the sterling ear wires to the base of the very last Czech bead.

*** Don't like this color? Check out our shop for this style in other colors. OR, do you have a specific color request? Let us know and we'll see if we have your color in stock. ***

To view or buy these gorgeous earrings, click on the tittle of this post or scroll down and click on our shop link to the right.

*Bear!!*

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

SALE! SALE! SALE!

In celebrating the wonderful summer months to come, we are having many different summer sales in our shop. We encourage you to stop in for great savings on our wonderfully handmade products.

--> First sale includes many wonderful items with *FREE SHIPPING*. This also includes my stunning one of a kind rings, both adjustable and non-adjustable. C'mon, you can never go wrong with FREE SHIPPING. <--

--> Second sale consists of earrings. We have a section of earrings in our shop that are on sale... Now this sale consists of Buying 2 pairs of "SALE" earrings and getting the 3rd pair of "SALE" earrings for *FREE*. You chose the free pair of course. <--

--> Third sale is Buy any 1 bracelet (OR) necklace and get a *FREE* pair of earrings at equal or lesser value!!! SWEET!***** <--

Now with the second and third sale, convo us before heading to the check out because we need to know which pair of free earrings you would like so we can adjust the price of the earrings to $0 before you add them to your cart.

*** To get to our wonderful little shop, click on the SALE!SALE!SALE! title... or scroll down to the right and click on our etsy shop link. ***

Happy savings.

Elegance Is Bliss!!

Elegance is oh so blissful... at least that's what they tend to say anyway... ;=)

Have you ever seen a piece of jewelry that just made you feel like if you owned it, you would look and feel like a star? I have. And this necklace makes me feel just that. You can wear it with pretty much anything and it'll still look great.

I don't always like the pieces of jewelry that I make for other people but this piece, I absolutely fell in love with it. This is gonna sound really freakin' corny but I kinda fell in love with it. I actually made it to sell and I wanted to make one for myself but I don't have the exact same beads to re-produce it. Meh, no biggie. I'd feel much better if someone else got the joy out of it.


Feel like adding it to your wonderful array of jewelry? Not that I'm bragging but I think it'll make a fine additive to your collection. This is just the piece you've been looking for. *winx & waves wand*

Click on the tittle "Elegance Is Bliss" and it'll take you right to it. Happy shopping, or viewing. :=)

Bear!!

Nautical Nonsence

Hi guys... it's not a ring today but a very cool Nautical themed necklace. I thought it would be a really neat idea to make some really cool water themed jewelry for the summer. It is, fortunately for you wearable not only for the summer months.

So anyway, I came up with this chain necklace featuring a Nautical themed bright silver pendant and paired it with some really nice iridescent blue beads, and of course a bright silver chain and clasp.

Wear it at the beach (I don't recommend you wear it in water), or not... either way... it'll look great on your neckline and is sure to get you noticed.

Again, it is OOAK so I won't be making another one like it... Bonus for you if you chose to buy it. It will be posted in my shop later on today. I do have a couple more things to post in my shop today so be sure to check them out as well for a great deal. Oh and REMEMBER, when you buy a necklace or bracelet from our shop, you get a free pair of earrings (your choice).

*Bear*

Peridot Swarovski Ring -Size 8-

Ok so it's now fair to say that all my rings will be and already are OOAK. Some might be slightly similar by color and bead variation but never the same as the last... which is a good thing because you know you'll be the only person it the world to own it. For me personally, I prefer to buy OOAK things because they're literally so original... as stupid or as cliché as that sounds I suppose.


But anyway, so about the newly made ring. I just made it today. I was actually in the process of making it last week but then I sorta ran outta head pins... well... I didn't quite run out, I just didn't have enough to do the whole ring. Anywho... so I used these absolutely gorgeous Peridot Swarovski Crystals... beautiful color... and paired them with white and green stone beads and also green glass beads. Just a great combination of colors and sizes. The band of the ring is a silver plated non tarnish size 8. It fits my "middle" finger perfectly. Unfortunetly it's non-adjustable so your finger will have to be a size 8, a little larger or smaller. It will fit up to a size 8 1/2.

I actually had a hard time making this one because I had to use a lot of beads to make it look so thick and because it was so thick, some of the beads (the last few especially) were really difficult to get on there. But the outcome was fantastic so it was defenetly worth it. Enjoy looking at it and if your interested in buying it, I'll be posting it in my shop soon. If your interested in making your own rings, feel free to ask if you need pointers.... I'm defenetly willing to help and to give advice if you need it.

*Bear*

Yet Another...

OOAK (One of a kind) Caribbean Blue...


Yet another trip to my local craft store, I just recently bought some more silver plated ring findings. I like these new one's more then the one I had bought previously because the hoops are closer together so when adding my beads, the cluster is closer together which looks much much better.

So anyway, before making this new ring, I attempted to make a wire ring with wire and beads but it didn't quite turn out the way I'd hoped. It looked to messy for my liking. The results were quite embarrassing so I defenetly won't be posting a photo of that ring lol...


Ok so back to the new ring, I used a non adjustable ring base with 9 hoops. I added 3 beads per hoop for a total of 27 beads making it a gorgeous full cluster. I used random blue and white glass beads that I had lying around as extras. I figured they were a perfect fit for the ring because well... I didn't really have any other ideas on what to do with them and besides, sometimes the eclectic look is good. :=) The assorted bead sizes make the cluster almost look like little icicles. Or not...


It has been newly posted in my etsy shop so feel free to have a look.

Bear!!

How to: Tutorial

How To Make Jump Rings without the proper supplies

First thing you need is the desired wire size and color. I prefer using smaller gauges like 16 and 18 and sometimes 20 gauge as well. The smaller the gauge, the thicker the wire, so the size of wire you use really depends on what you want to make with the jump rings. If your using them to make chainmaille jewelry, thicker wire would be better.

Ok so the second thing you will need is something to wrap the wire around. Again, the size is completely up to you. I like to use a pen or a screwdriver. A screwdriver is easier because it has a handle to grip onto while your wrapping. But again that's up to you, anything with a cylinder shape to it will work for wrapping wire around.

And finally the third thing you will need are wire cutters. The wire cutters are to cut off the excess wire when your done wrapping it. And also to cut out your jump rings. Craft stores and fine jewelry makers usually use a proper saw but this is a "How To" without the proper tools of course. If you don't own a jewelers saw, then you can go for the next best thing which are wire cutters.

All you need to do is grab the handle of the screwdriver or the item you chose you to wrap it around and slowly wrap the wire around it. Be careful because if you try to go to fast, the wire will double wrap around itself if your not watching. (I learned that the hard way haha) Keep wrapping until you reach the end of the screwdriver (or dowel), now cut off your end from the wire spindle.


Both ends won't be perfectly round the way jump rings are so all you have to do is clip both ends. Now pull the wrapped wire off of your screwdriver, (it should look like a long spring). Pull on the spring, separating it so that it is easier to cute off the jump rings. After I pull on the spring, I like to put it back on the screwdriver and push it back into a spring to keep it nice and neat. It won't be super tight of course but it just keeps it neat. Now of course once again pull the wire spring off of the screwdriver and begin cutting your jump rings. And VOALA!! You now have your very own handmade jump rings.

I like to make my own jump rings because it saves money AND I can pick my own gauges and colors. Now that you know how to make your own jump rings, the possibilities are endless. :=) Bellow is a boxmaille bracelet I made with my handmade jump rings. I also made the clasp.


Have fun and happy crafting.

*Bear*

Pay It Forward People!!

I'm gonna keep this short but I needed to stop what I was doing so I could drop you guys a few lines. I'm having a PIF (Pay It Forward) sale for the next few months in my etsy shop. www.cuziwannit.etsy.com

What this means is the PIF item you purchase is pretty much free. No catch. All you pay is the etsy listing fee of .20 cents and the item shipping cost (which is never very much anyway). It's really that simple. The more PIF items we sell... the more PIF items we will be re-listing. Keep checking back often because the PIF items will always be different.

Pay It Forward 2008. If your not familiar with pay it forward, please let me enlighten you. Paying something forward is a good deed someone does for no specific reason. It consists of doing something nice for someone and hopefully they return the favor by doing something nice for someone else. Like my shop for example, by listing PIF items I'm doing something nice for whoever buys it and in return I hope they do something just as nice for someone else.

Have an awesome night and remember, Pay It Forward

*Bear*

Are you feelin' peachy?

Are you feelin' peachy? Seriously... mmmm peaches...

Moving on lol... so I made this new peach colored charm bracelet today and I hope you all like it. I really like making charm bracelets and have made many in the past but this one I especially enjoyed making. I don't know if it was the colors or the textures of the beads but it was enjoyable to make.

I actually made it while watching television because rather then just sitting there staring at the t.v, I did something more useful with my time... which was make a bracelet. I also made a cute pair of earrings to match.

I used white faux pearls, peach colored round shells, and agate gemstone chips. I bought the chain and most of the other findings and beads at a local craft store called G&G. I usually always buy my crafting supplies there because they're local first of all, I love supporting local businesses... and they are so incredibly friendly.

Well enough about that, I have a few errands to run before the weekend gets here so you all have an awesome weekend. -xxoo-xxoo-

If you wanna view this bracelet, all you have to do is click on the tittle for the post... which is "Are You Feelin' Peachy?" Have fun.

*Bear*

Drum roll please...

And the winner is.....

Ok... so since no one actually commented about there ideas for a name for this ring on my last post, I've been thinking non stop about what to call it...

I pondered and pondered and finally it came to me, well I had some help actually.... it's kinda flirty right... and to me it resembles class and elegance... my friend actually helped me come up with it. I told her I wanted it to have a flirty name and she took one look at it and blurted out... Flirting with Class... Perfect. I'll be posting it on etsy l8er on today so if your interested in buying it or even just viewing it, go to

www.cuziwannit.etsy.com

See ya'll l8er

*Bear*

New ring...

Hi everyone, I just finished my first attempt at making an adjustable ring and just thought I would share my experience with you all.

So... it took me a lot longer to make then I thought it would actually take because I had to use a lot of beads to make it look as full as it does. I used faux pearls and gorgeous blue Swarovski Crystals. I still don't have a name for this piece so if you all have any ideas, I am sure willing to listen.

It was actually quite interesting and fun to make though. I think it turned out pretty good for my first attempt. I'll defenetly be making more in the near future.

Unfortunetly I gatta keep this a short one, I have a long day a head of me tomorrow but I'll try to post again tomorrow or at least within the next 2 days. Tah tah for now. :=) Hey don't forget... I'll be posting this ring in my Etsy shop soon so be sure to check it out. Once posted, you'll be able to see the ring at different angles... which gives you a better idea of how gorgeous the beads really are and how the ring looks while on your fingure. www.cuziwannit.etsy.com

*Bear*

The Introduction!!

Ok so for my first blog I'll just start by introducing myself. My name is Amanda and I absolutely love anything crafty and anything Blythe so I just thought to myself, why not put the 2 together. It was like the opposite of a brain fart... pretty genius actually.
So anyway, I make jewelry and just recently I started making Blythe jewelry and decided to post them in my Etsy shop. Feel free to check it out sometime... no pressure *winx* Hey, if you do stop by, be sure to let me know what you think mmmk!!

www.cuziwannit.etsy.com