Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Recycle with Arts and Crafts

 
Congratulations to Deb Smith of Deb Upcycles shop on Etsy for her creative idea on turning an old shirt into a knitting bag.  You can find the how-to instructions and illustrations on Deb's blog:  Debsgoinggreen.BlogSpot.com

Visit Deb's Etsy shop Deb Upcycles for more up-cycled items, such as these beautiful pillows below:



Upcycled Accent Pillow Cover Floral Blue 16 Inch Square 16 X 16Blue Flower Upcycled Decorative Pillow Cover 18 Inch Square 18 X 18




Bright Sunshine Pillow Cover 18 X 18 Green Plaid, Batik Look Sun Applique Upcycled Men's ShirtPlaid Trees Pillow Cover 14 X 14 Tan, Red and Green Applique Upcycled Men's Shirts


To find out more about these and other unique items, browse through featured items in
Team Bloggers and Dreamers Catalogue.


DIY and Etsy blog is part of Bloggers and Dreamers Team on Etsy where experienced shop owners share their knowledge on arts and crafts products.  If you would like to have your DIY project featured on this blog, join our team and post it to the DIY blog thread.



Blogger Debra Young
Captain of Bloggers and Dreamers Team
Owner of Earth Hearts and Florida Beach Finds

 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Making Wire Wrapped Earrings with Crystals and Hearts by Dita Basu

 
 

Meet Dita Basu of Alankarshilpa Jewelry...guest blogger from Etsy Bloggers and Dreamers Team. "My passion is wire work and knitted jewelry.  I integrate healing gemstones, crystals, pearls and whatever I find that creates beautiful, unique jewelry."
 
I made these wire wrapped earrings by weaving wire and using Swarovski pink crystals and garnet beads. I got so carried away that I made quite a few pairs with different colors and sizes. The thing I learned that you have to keep the inside circle beads smaller than the outer circle beads. You’ll know what I mean when I show you the tutorial.
 

Materials Used
15 pieces of 4 mm pink Swarovski Bicone Beads

(Fire Mountain Gem H – 20- 9757 CY)
5 pieces of 3 mm size garnet beads
(Fire Mountain Gem H-20-6917 KX)
28 g silver plated wire
(Fire Mountain Gem H-20-1451WR)
2 French sterling silver ear hooks
(Fire Mountain Gem H-20-4902FN)
2 heart silver beads(from Just Bead It, my neighborhood beading store)
Note:  I have no monetary affiliation with any of these stores. I am giving the reference because these are what I have used.
 
 
 
Tools Needed
Round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, flush cutter.
 
 
 
 
 
Procedure
1.  Cut the wire to a length of 12” (30 cm)
2.  Bring the two sides of the wires closer with both hands.
 



3.     String two pink bicone beads at the left hand side wire.
4.     String one garnet bead at the right hand side wire.
 

 
5.     String another pink bicone at the left side wire.
6.     Pass the right hand side wire through this pink bead.  Pull tight.
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

7. String two pink bicone beads at the left hand side wire.
8.     String one garnet bead at the right hand side wire.
9.     String another pink bicone at the left side wire.
10.  Pass the right hand side wire through this pink bead. Just like last time. Pull tight.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11.  In the same way string all the remaining garnet and pink bicone beads, each time pulling tight so that it forms a nice circular shape and the wire does not show.

12.  Now let the right hand side wire go through the closest left side bicone bead. Pull tight.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13.  With the fingers of your non dominant hand hold it tight, close the gap if there is any.
14.  Now gradually twist the two wires to a single twisted wire. Twist quite a few revolutions. I did about ten or twelve until you have it nice and tight and also enough length (like a couple of inches).
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
15.  String the heart bead now.
16. Make a wrapped loop. (Visit firemountaingems.com for directions on this step).
17.  Cut off excess wire.
 
 

 
 
18.  Insert it into the French ear hook loop.
19.  Make another one to complete the pair.
  
 
 
 
 

Voila!  Your pink crystal and garnet earrings are ready to wear.  They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day or whenever you’re in the mood for hearts and crystals.
 
 

Jewelry designer, Dita Basu is a member of Etsy team, Bloggers and Dreamers.  Her beautiful wire wrapped jewelry pieces can be found in her Etsy shop, Alankarshilpa Jewelry.

 
 
 
 
Blogger Debra Young 
is Captain of  Etsy Team
Bloggers and Dreamers
 (Team BAD)
Non-Etsy members are invited to join Etsy Bloggers and Dreamers team and network with a creative group of artists, crafters, and vintage collectors. 
Contact Debra at Earth Hearts or Florida Beach Finds for more information.