Felted Bangle Instructions

These bracelets are a lot of fun and all you need is some wool yarn, a couple of beads and some wire. Great for necklaces too! It makes a wonderful project for those scraps you have in your yarn collection.
You can buy the kit from Generations Lampwork with some stunning lampwork cones. It comes with everything you need.First you need to make the bracelet part. For this you will need 2 double pointed needles and some yarn. All you do for this part is make an I-cord. You can find great instructions for that with photos at Stitch Diva. I make a long I-cord, felt it then cut it into several pieces. Just remember that when you felt you are going to lose about 25%.
After the piece if felted and DRY, you can begin to put your bracelet together.
You will need 2 pieces of 20 gauge wire of your choice, 2 cones and your chosen beads. For a roll on bracelet keep in mind that you need to make it larger than your standard because it has to fit over your hand. Measure your hand around the widest part with you thumb on the inside of your palm.
Put the wire through the I-cord at least 1/4 inch from the end. Make a loop and wrap 3 times. Put the cone on and pull tight, make another loop and wrap 3 times. Set this aside while you put your cone on the other end.
After you have both your cones on slide your beads onto the wire and put through the loop on the other side, wrap and Voila!

　I wish I would have thought to write the instrustions before I put these together so I had photos to share with you along the way. I will be knittig some more up today so I should have soem photos in a couple of days.

Peyote Vase Fixes

Ok so one step at a time. When I made the error of increasing too fast it left a little hole...I wish I would have taken a photo of that before I attached the flower shown here. I took a small vintage Lucite flower, a genuine pearl and attached it over the hole with a 3-seed bead picot. If you look to the right of the flower there is a spot I don't like so I making a Russian Leaf to put there and actually I will put this leaf in progress and 2 smaller ones for a little grouping to be more aesthetically pleasing.
I have searched for and looked at and purchased a lot of Russian Leaf instructions and have 2 favorites. I need to have instructions that are very clear and detailed. I learn best by doing so the whole reading and applying is not the easiest for me. I found 2 sources that are excellent: Russian Leaf Instructions by Suzanne Cooper available here http://www.suzannecooper.com/ and this Shanasta Saling's instructions for a Russian Leaf Pendant in the Bead and Button book here: http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=the+best+of+bead+and+button
If you are looking for some good instructions take a look at these and save yourself some money and time.
Back to the vase...So I will put little groupings of flowers and leaves here and there to incorporate it all into the design. Come back and see the progress continue.

French beading beginings

My daughter wanted my to bead some flowers for her so I began small and just did some leaves for this necklace. It's kind of fun. I think I will enjoy it in between my "real work". I did find some very useful tips and instructions, here are a couple of links : http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/bfbasic.html
http://www.crafts4everyone.com/crafts/needlecrafts/french_beaded_flowers/.
And of course because I love the folks on Etsy, here is a link to a shop I found that specializes in this technique http://www.foreverflowers.etsy.com/. She does gorgeous work, check it out!
I think this little center made this necklace really cute. When I put the clasp on it just looked to plain in the front so I added another flower and the leaves, just a little touch of something...what do you think? Does it work? I am off now to a new design, new adventure...I sure do love this work! I have a great set on sale in my Etsy shop at http://www.divelladelights.etsy.com/
Have a GREAT day!