Metal Barrette

First of all, there is no glue used. After trying this metal barrette several times, I found it's good enough without glue.

There are two holes on the metal barrette. Using wires to go through the holes and to tie to the metal or themselves can be fixed enough. So the rule is: whenever something is not really necessary, just discard it.

Green Brooch

If adding two black beads as eyes, this green stuff looks like a worm.
28 gauge thin wire used.

This is a variation from previous post. At first, I thought this variation would be nice, however the result is not as good as I thought. Anyway, it still represents a process from the idea to the outcome.

Seed bead ring

Longer is better than shorter.
One of the rings is short of wire. If you don't look carefully, you may not find it.

Materials:
1. 9/0 seed beads
2. 26 gauge copper wire

Beading Locket

I've wished to create wire lockets for long, but failed at some points. At times, there is long time to wait before ideas come to us.

Now, a beading locket comes out first.
The main part of the beading was finished last year for other projects. In order to make something for this week, I turned the unfinished beading craft into the beading locket. So, that's how this craft was formed.

What's the purpose of a locket? The little memory card or something like that can be stored inside.

 

Another flower

This is another type of flower.
The craft is small, quick, and easy.

"One method can be used to create many different projects."

Merry Christmas 2012

The happy festival Christmas is approaching.

Making a seasonal craft is necessary. I made this one while watching TV.

Do not think twice about this one. A random idea, a random craft.

Merry Christmas!

Thin Wire Beading:Grain Spike

Here's a creation of thin wire beading. The thin wire is 28 gauge. The length required is much less than I thought. The total is about 50 cm.

Capital D earrings

Last few days, I were surfing to find which ereader to buy. I watched the live text online about Amazon's press releasing new kindles on Sept 6. I thought Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is a great person, he made a great presentation and great products decision. It's one of the best presentations. I'm glad that I spent time watching it. The kindle fire HD tablets are very tempting.

After comparison, I purchased the entry-level kindle for $69. Though, the entry-level kindle only have the very basic functions. I know another brand has a cheaper entry-level ereader for only about $49. The content Amazon can provide is the major reason I chose kindle. As Jeff Bezos said, "It's not a device, it's a service". My purchase is absolutely supporting his words. The entry-level kindle is not only cheap, but also light. It's only 170 g. By the way, the tangible Reader's Digest is about 100 ~120 g. So, the kindle could be lighter in the future. The weight is an important point, when holding a ereader for long time reading. As for the paperwhite kindle, I thought it's good, but a little expensive for me, since I expect to use the new-purchased kindle for 2 or 3 years. I would rather spend the money on books than spend it on a fading-over-time ereader. Reading is my hobby, and ereader is a tool not the purpose.

It's the wire beading Capital D earrings.

Green wire leaf

Green wire leaf with Olivine beads

 Without beads on the wire leaf, I feel it a bit hollow. The green  leaf itself looks as simple as zen. But when everything is done, the leaf is crowded with little olivien beads.

The leaf design makes me think about the cicada. What about changing the leaf frame a little bit and adding 2 beads as the eyes? I've tried to draw a cicada, but did not get an ideal one. So, it needs time to hatch a cicada out.

On last Saturday, I went to another 3-hour lecture to know more about craft worlds and to get inspired. There's an exhibition named "Crafts & Science." It's good, but I only had 40 minutes to see the show.

Wire Beading Letter: Capital T

The beading letter T look just fine, but it will not be balanced. Unless, you make a little difference to keep the both sides balanced.

Beading letter T

Wire Beading Capital T

Why? Because as you can see in the photo, one side of the capital T has a little  loop and the other side does not. Even the very little difference will destroy the balance when hanging. That's why the letter won't be balanced. Can you figure out how to balance it? Take some time to think about it. If you can't figure it out, ask me in the comment.

Wire Beading Letter: C

Capital C is just like lower case c. If wanting me to tell the difference, I'll say more like round-shaped or like egg-shaped.

Wire Beading Letter: C

So, Capital C and lower case c are together in this post. 

Earrings are suitable for basic style wire beading letters, because they do not ask for much sustainability. When wearing earrings, people will not pull the earrings and will be very careful. Thus, earrings are the type to play creativity. As for  a pendant or bracelet, the letters need some more work to increase sustainability.

Everything should start from "basics", so is the wire beading letter.

Free little wire earrings tutorial

This is a free little earrings tutorial. You can choose whatever color of beads and wires to make your own earrings by the same method.

The wire is very thin, and may be destroyed by force. Things that can be made can be destroyed as well. If you wear the earrings carefully, it can last for some time. Even if the shape does not hold, you can still reuse the beads for other jewelry.

The dried flower was pressed about 5 years ago. It still keeps its shape, not bad. Time teaches us what's the quality. I put it in the photos as a background decoration.

Materials of the little earring tutorials
1. 28 gauge * 8 cm *2
2. 4 mm beads 5 pcs *2

Tools needed:
1. round nose pliers
2. flat nose pliers

Making time: about 10 minutes

Step 1
String 5 beads on one piece of wire.

Step 2
String the last bead crossly.

Step 3
Use round nose pliers to form a loop.

Step 4
The end of wire goes through the last bead again.
Note: Flat nose pliers can help to pull the wire.

Step 5

Coil the wire closely to the last bead at both sides. The small and big loops are fixed in this step. Cut the excess and use flat nose pliers to flat the ends.
Note: Make sure the size are similar before coiling.

Step 6
Done!

The wire bean pendant

Material:
1. 1.5mm *  15cm
2. 0.3mm *  40cm
3. 4mm beads   13pcs

Size:  3.5cm * 2cm

I saw a series of tea utensils that are created from the shape and the concept of seeds. Then, I had the idea to make this bean pendant and made it.

The bean frame

The bean frame

The Wire bean pendantn 

 The ends of thick wires especially need to be taken care. File them.

Recycling glass cans for storing crafting materials

Recycling: Save money and save the earth.
Glass cans are pretty and easy to maintain.
We can have many glass cans from daily grocery purchase.
We recycle these glass cans for storing various kinds of crafting materials and other things.


Plus, due to the transparency, it's very easy to find the materials you want.


Tips: Put glass cans in water for hours and the paper labels will be easily peeled down.

Recycle glass can

Recycling

Recycle glass cans

Simple beaded wire tutorial

This is my new tutorial.



4mm Swarovski bicone beads are used in video.
Round beads and other kinds of beads are all fine.

little beadings

These are some of my first beadings made years ago.

I made several chicks, some of them went to my niece. I put them on bookshelf. They are quite small and cute.