Bead "Lanterns"

Happy Sunday, y'all! 

My latest project has been something that I had pinned a while back and have wanted to try.   I've been intrigued by this picture for a while.  According to the pin, these creations are made by Janice Berkebile.  Aren't they fabulous?!  The classes were from 2010 and held in Ohio, so I was on my own to figure out how to create my own version.  :)

I had a quiet afternoon yesterday, so I pulled out some wire, bead caps and some of my favorite beads and tried my hand at these whimsical lovelies. 

Stuff used for the lanterns:  Pliers, wire, beads, headpins, bead caps. 

So, after a little deconstructing in my head, I came up with my version.  They're rough and rudimentary and nowhere near the level of Janice's originals, but loads of fun to do.  My wire working skills could do with some practice and some of the combinations are a little crazy, but I love the overall look to these.  They have a kind of fairybook meets birdcage meets The Mikado feel to them. 

Funky little lanterns

Don't ask how many times I had to redo this to get the seed beads on.   It was a bit like putting together an IKEA cabinet.  xD

So there you have it.  Another experiment that I'm not sure to do with next.  Bah!  LOL!  I think I will make a "Mikado" necklace (once I find my fan charms).  Hope you enjoyed the post and encourage you to try your hand at making these.  They were super fun! 

-r

xoxo

Keys, Spoons and Buttons

The B'Sue FB Creative Challenge for January is "Keys, Buttons and Spoons"  I decided to think outside the box on this one, so my keys are, well, antique skeleton keys, but instead of a traditional button, I used an old celluloid tin button of a gentleman that showed up in an Ebay auction buy of old odds and ends.  My "spoon" is actually the top of a souvenir spoon with a destination that is on my mind.  We're planning a trip to the UK next year, so my head is full of all things British these days.  I call this piece, "Key to the City".  It's really striking on and can't wait to put it up for sale.  :)

Finishing Up Projects

Happy Sunday, y'all!

As promised, I've been busy tinkering in my now cleaned up workroom today.  I've managed to complete (although I'll probably rework) another gramma bead earring necklace.  What are gramma bead earrings?  You know those cluster bead clip on earrings that ladies wore in the 50's and 60's?   They sometimes came as part of a necklace set and were usually made of plastic.  I remember my aunt and memaw wearing them for trips to town to go shopping and for church. 

Anyway, they are fairly easy to find and I look for the broken and oddball ones to incorporate into one of these bibs.  They look really fancy and fun gathered all together.  I like thinking that the gaggle of grandmas and church ladies who wore these earbobs would approve of my repurposing.  :)

It's not completely to my liking - my spacing, connections and placement can use some work, but I love making these necklaces.  Enjoy!

Other projects have included more flower necklaces.   These brass flowers speak for themselves and make beautiful and very wearable statement necklaces. 

Reworked the gramma bead necklace and much happier with the placement: