Byzantine (aka birdcage weave)

This is one of the most used patterns for jewelry. It's a lovely weave, easy to do and it's faster to complete a bracelet than in the boxchain (see previous post).
Ouch, the earrings became so very long, lol!

Can be worn with any top and your regular washed out jeans, it implies a very casual look ;-)

Second set - box weave

I'm on a roll! Just finished this second set, and I love it. Even hubby liked this one, lol.
The weave is called 'box chain', and although I first found it a little more difficult than the European 4 in 1, once I got used to it, I find it actually easier and more fun to do.
Have to work in the ends of the earrings, otherwise they are ready to be worn.



















In the middle, a pair of earrings with a so-called shaggy loops weave. Very easy to make, and it works up very fast.

And last, bracelet and earrings with the shaggy loops weave. Made it within the hour (or two).

Set

I added a pair of earrings to the bracelet today, using the same weave, so here is the pic again with bracelet and earrings included.

Chainmail - new addiction!

I'm so excited, I've just finished my first chainmail bracelet, with the European 4-in-1 weave.
Spider's DVD just arrived yesterday, and this is the result. Now if everybody out there who teaches were using her style, I'd buy everything that's out there, lol!

I don't want to take it off my wrist, and it's time to go to bed, it's 10 minutes to midnight!!










As a matter of trivia, this particular stitch was used in Europe in the medieval times, to create chainmail shirts, coifs, vests, etc. It was used during battles, to prevent arrows or other weapons cutting to the skin.

Here is an example of a chainmail coif using this weave.
(original picture taken from http://www.schmitthenner.com/chainmail.htm)

My first wire bracelet

We went with hubby today to a christening (lunch at a restaurant), so I had some wine, had nice food and felt generally pretty nice and cozy. Coming back in the afternoon, hubby started to watch the tennis match between Bagdhadis and the French guy (well, just found out that Bagdhadis is living in France. I thought he was still living in Cyprus. Oh well, one always learns).

So then I retreated to my room and started following an Eni Oken tutorial for a pendant, which I then turned to a bracelet. Simple, full of mistakes, but it's my first of this type. And definitely not my last.

New earrings

This pair was inspired by something way more beatiful than mine, found it on a Russian beading forum. However after the first few twists, mine became something else entirely (and much simpler, lol).


On Monday we have a bank holiday (Green Monday), which means I get to stay home and rest for 3 days, yeppee!!

It's Valentine

I'm not sure how I feel about Valentine. It's something we never used to celebrate in Europe before. Now it's the rave and a lot of money is going into it. We decided with hubby last year to stop 'celebrating' it, as all those bunnies and what not we always bought each other, end up being thrown away after a while anyway. And the Valentine flowers are the most expensive all year around!

At the bookrelay forum, however, I've taken part in a surprise Valentine exchange, and today we opened all our gifts. I got 5 great books from my wishlist, all paranormals, I'm so happy with them!

Here is a pair of earrings I made tonight, it took me only a few minutes to make them. Beading with wire is definitely faster than with seedbeads!

I 'got' the herringbone!

I've been trying my hands at the herringbone weave from Eni Oken's free tutorial, without success and I was pulling my hair in despair. Then I remembered I bought a DVD from Nix' creations, where this particular technique is explained. Was sort of skeptical, but the lightbulb finally went on and I got it! Yayy!
I still need plenty of practice, this piece is by no means a masterpiece, but hey, it's a start!
Btw, the bead is my own earlier creation, from the time I was dabbing my fingers at lampworking!


And here is my first herringbone pair of earrings. I'm using right now cheap material (glass beads and copper wire) until I learn the techniques well enough to be able to advance to silver and *sigh* gold filled wire...















And I managed a second pair as well. The end loops are not the best, but I do like this pair better than the previous one.

Green lariat

I was browsing last night through some beading books, and saw a very nice lariat in Kate Haxell's The Seed Bead Book, and I decided to try to do it.
This morning I woke up very early and started stringing.
This is the result. For a first project with stringing on wire, I like it enough to wear it.

Wire wrapping again

My second wire wrapped jewelry is a pendant, from a free tutorial by Eni Oken. Funny how the picture shows all the mistakes that the naked eye doesn't see so easily *lol*.
I have a long way to go, but these first pieces will be something to look back at while I'm getting better with the wire and the tools. One thing is sure, I definitely have fun making these...

Simple Chain Link Necklace

Kincaidesigns Photo: Chain Link Necklace with Peach Handmade Glass Beads, Peach Pearls, Swarovski Crystals and 14kt Gold Fill. Price $136.00, Buy Now. (This is not an "add to cart" button, it will redirect you to the products page at www.kincaidesigns.com)

Simple Chain Link Necklace

This handmade necklace design is without any bells and whistles (figuratively and literally). While these handmade necklace designs may vary in lengths and have up to two strands, there are no drops or pendants present. The simple handmade necklace designs work well with almost any neckline and may be worn to compliment other "chain link with drop (aka Y-Necklace)" or "chain link with pendant" necklaces, which will be described in the next article. Of course, they can also be worn alone, and they look magnificent.

All of the necklace designs use either sterling silver or 14kt gold fill wire and some also use matching chain in between the handmade glass beads, Swarovski crystals, pearls and semiprecious stones. All handmade necklaces are secured with a clasp. Depending on the intended length, some necklace may have an extension. These extensions are usually added to shorter necklaces, as it can be difficult to predict the neck size that necklace design will end up with. All extension are embellished with matching beads, bring the whole necklace design together as one.

At this time all of the double strand chain link necklaces are designed to be worn as two strands. What do I mean? New designs are coming to Kincaidesigns in "great lengths", which can be worn as the trendy long double strand necklace or a shorter triple strand necklace. The design is basically one long necklace, also known as the Opera Necklace (26-34 inches in length) or the Rope Necklace (longer than the Opera Necklace). This style may end up having a category of its own, however, at this time they will be with the chain link necklaces. Not only can they be worn as 2, 3 or even 4 strand necklaces, they can also be wrapped around your wrist as a multiple strand bracelet. Now THAT is versatility.

No matter which way you wear it, the chain link necklace is a must have in your jewelry box. Compliment other necklaces, wear it alone, wrap it around your wrist, or make up a fashion statement of your own.

To find your chain link necklace, visit the handmade jewelry boutique at www.kincaidesigns.com. You'll find a variety of chain link necklaces along with more great handmade necklace styles. Keep checking back so see what's new at the online jewelry boutique, or sign up for the monthly newsletter to stay better informed of new designs and special offers.

Kincaidesigns Photo: Double Strand Chain Link Necklace with Yellow and Clear Handmade Glass Beads, Pearls and 14kt Gold Fill. Price $110.00, Buy Now. (This is not an "add to cart" button, it will redirect you to the products page at www.kincaidesigns.com)

Buy Unique Handmade Jewelry: Handmade Necklace • Handmade Bracelet • Handmade Earrings • Handmade Rings • Handmade Pendants • Handmade Bridal Jewelry • Handmade Seasonal Jewelry • Handmade Glass Beads • Handmade Glass Art • Visit the Online Handmade Jewelry Boutique...

First thoughts on wire wrapping

My starter kit hasn't arrived yet, but hubby bought me from the local hardware store some tools. Last night I had a go! P loops and eye loops are better now, 8 connectors are 'almost there', but I'm still having problems with wrapped loops. And eye loops when they are on both sides of a bead. But it was only my first day so I'm patient!
I've done my first pair of earrings, which I will keep in my 'crafts museum', to go back to again and again when I want to check on my progress :-)

Since I am not posting my first earrings, here is my second pair. Still not very happy with them, but for a complete newbie at working with wire, they could have been worse :) Hope the next ones will become better and better...
I made the earwires as well, it was fun to do them.

Affordable yet Elegant

We've discussed the Triple Strand Necklace and the Chain Link Necklace with a Drop. They have their names for the obvious reason, and the following necklaces also fell into their names. The necklace in todays post are great buys for gifts as well as yourself. Why? Well, they are on the cheaper end of the Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry Designs. They are affordable without compromising their materials.

Kincaidesigns Photo: Cluster Necklace Trio

Cluster Pendant Necklace

For a versatile and even more simple necklace choice, the cluster necklace is perfect. The cluster necklaces got there name from their obvious cluster of beads. These unique cluster pendants can be interchanged, if you want to buy three cluster pendants and only one chain, you have basically chosen 3 necklaces in 1. You can also wear other pendants from the Pendant Boutique at Kincaidesigns, simple string the pendant onto your chain and viola, you have yet another necklace. These necklace are the most simple and affordable jewelry for gifts in the Kincaidesigns Necklace Boutique.

Kincaidesigns Photo: Floating Necklace with Sage Green Glass Beads and Swarovski Crystals.

Floating Necklace

The floating necklace got it's name because the beads (almost) look as if they are floating around the neckline. Unlike other necklace designs which have this same effect, we use a beadalon stringing material which isn't clear, or completely transparent. However, because of the necklace design, the beadalon gives a unique quality in design to the necklaces, weaving in and out of the glass beads. While the stringing material isn't completely transparent, it is much less noticeable than chain or a thick cord or leather, therefore the name "floating necklace" stuck. These are also very popular and affordable as gifts. We are aware that gift giving can be expensive, especially when giving multiple gifts at a time. These are great for bridesmaid gifts and they can be custom made to match your wedding colors.

Buy Unique Handmade Jewelry: Handmade Necklace • Handmade Bracelet • Handmade Earrings • Handmade Rings • Handmade Pendants • Handmade Bridal Jewelry • Handmade Seasonal Jewelry • Handmade Glass Beads • Handmade Glass Art • Visit the Online Handmade Jewelry Boutique...

TGIF!

Yayy, Friday!
While waiting for my wire wrapping supplies to arrive, I'm dilligently browsing through online forums, tutorial sites and eye candy. I can't wait to try out some of the things I've seen!
I'm totally in awe with Eni Oken's jewelry, and she has some free tutorials as well. Plus the paid one are not expensive at all. What an eye candy her site is!

In the reading department, I'm making my way through the Kate MacAlister Vampire series, and I'm reading now Sex and a Single Vampire, which is the second one after A Girl's Guide to Vampires. A good series for the cold winter evenings, light and fun.