Guest Blogger on Cousin - Pearl Choker

Hi Crafters!

I am happy to post that I am a Guest Blogger on the Cousin website this month.  You can read my blog post at http://www.cousin.com/blog/13-05-10/Terry_Ricioli_The_Allure_of_the_British_Edwardian_Era.aspx.

If you love vintage jewelry and shows like Downton Abbey, I think you'll enjoy it.  I designed this pearl choker for the post using Cousin components.  If you can't find these items at a store near you, you can order them from their website.  Although I purchased these components, Cousin did send me some other lovely items to use in my designs.

 

Pearl Choker

Size: 15” with adjustable clasp of about 1”

 

Materials:

156 Lt. Grey Pearls, 6mm round (Pearl Elegance™ 3244311)
Round Deco Snap Base (Snap in Style ™ 34732301)
Metal Accent (Snap in Style ™ 34730038)
6 3-hole Metal Beads (Jewelry Basics 34708262)
Acrylic Cameo Accent (Formal Chic Make the Connection ™ 34731104
6 – 10” pieces bead stringing wire
12 Silver crimp beads
Silver Plate 3 Strand Rod Clasp (Plated Silver Elegance™)


Instructions:

1. Place snap base loop at bottom center. Determine placement of 3 strands of wire on each side by counting holes and spacing evenly from the bottom center loop.
2. String wire through hole and string 3 pearls over the wire and the tail. Slide on a crimp bead and crimp. Trim wire. Repeat for the remaining five strands.
3. Slide a 3-hole metal bead over all 3 strands covering the crimp bead. Repeat for the other side.
4. String 10 pearls on each strand. Then, string a 3-hole metal bead over the strands on each side. Repeat this step. String 3 pearls on each strand.
5. String a crimp bead on one of the top strands of wire and then go through the top loop on the clasp. Pass the wire back through the crimp bead. Repeat for the other 2 strands on one side. Tighten up the wires keeping it even across the strands. When even, crimp the crimp beads and trim the wires. Repeat for the other side.
6. Remove the loop from the cameo accent and attach it to the bottom loop of the snap base with the jump ring. Snap metal accent into snap base.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I hope you enjoy this design!  I'd love to hear your comments!
And, if you enjoy vintage jewelry, check out my book, Vintage Impressions Jewelry.

Happy crafting!

Terry

Crafts n' things Weekly - charming key necklace

Hi Crafters!

Every week, Crafts n' things magazine has new online projects available free for that week.  This week's edition is out and features one of my designs - a chain necklace with charms.

Here's the link that will take you to the instructions on their website:

Crafts n' things Weekly - charming key necklace

This necklace was originally one of the pieces I created for my book, Vintage Impressions Jewelry.  But, the number of projects had to be limited so it found a home at Crafts n' things!  I love it when life works like that!

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Designer Crafts Connection - Primitive Star

Hi Crafters!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection blog hop we're designing with the theme "Handmade Wishes".  When I think of wishing, I think of stars.  So, I thought I would design a star of some kind.  Which material to choose?  Wire was my first choice, but it wasn't working for me.  Then, I spotted the bundles of reed in a corner of my craft room purchased for some unknown previous project.  It was perfect for a primitive-style star to put out in the garden.

I used reed, which is easy to cut to length with scissors, and I used lengths of 18" here.  I used some 26-gauge brown craft wire to wrap the pieces together.  When you start wrapping the pieces together, leave a wire tail so that you'll have something to hold.  Wrap around one piece, then wrap around the other, then weave back and forth in any manner you please.  To keep them in place, tape the pieces down to your work surface with masking tape.  Wrap the outer points first, then wrap the inner points of the star to hold it all in place.  That's all there is to it! 

You could also use bamboo or any other tree branches you might have.  If you use heavier materials, you'll want to use heavier wire.  Raffia or string would look good with this star also.  Of course, you can make it in different sizes and lengths.

Have fun with it!  And, if you try it, I'd love to hear your comments!

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Polka Dot Fish Ornament

Hi Crafters!

Here's another of the critters that I have created with Smoothfoam - a Polka Dot Fish.  I'm having a lot of fun trying out new designs with Smoothfoam.  It's so easy to use!

Here's the link that will take you to the instructions:

http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/polka-dot-fish-ornament/

Can't you see a whole school of these hanging from a mobile! 

I've got more critters in the works, so stop by and see what I've created.  And, I'd love it if you take the time to comment and share what you are crafting.

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Antique Floral Necklace

Hi Crafters!
Head on over to Crafts 'n things Weekly this week and check out the free craft designs.  Every week there are new ones that you can snag for free for that week.  One of my favorites this week is this super cute wreath by Meggan Marravich.  It's so tweet!

Also available this week are the instructions for one of my vintage-style jewelry designs, an Antique Floral Necklace.

Here's the link for the instructions for this necklace:

http://weekly.craftsnthings.com/issues/v2/i45/cntw-h.html

It's just for this week (unless you have a subscription!), so hurry on over!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Cousin's Slider Bracelet

Hi Crafters!
Each month we highlight a manufacturer by designing with their products.  This month we're highlighting Cousin.  Personally, I've been using their products ever since I started designing jewelry.  They have a wide range of products and come out with something new all the time. 

Leather slider bracelets are very popular and Cousin has come out with a new program where you can make it youself and inidividualize it to suit your personality.  They are super quick to make, too.  Cousin sent us a lovely goodie box filled with their great products right down to the glue that we needed to make the bracelet. 

Here's what you need to make a slider bracelet:

There's the leather band, a clasp, some sliders and the glue. 

As you can see, the band that I received is a bright white.  I wanted to change that to coordinate with the sliders I liked which have a vintage gold color, so I took a stamp pad and stamped the band to color it. 

Here's a close-up of the leather to show how it looks.  I like how the ink brought out the texture in the leather.

Following the instructions, I trimmed the leather to fit my wrist allowing for the length of the clasp.  Then, I slid the sliders onto the band and glued the clasp on the ends.  Here's the finished bracelet.

Here's another shot of the bracelet.

I can't wait to try another one!  I've got a few more ideas I want to try.  Hmm, maybe wire wrapping...or, some patina on the sliders...   You'll find more great ideas from the designers who are participating in this manufacturer challenge.  Just hop forward using the Designer Craft Connection!

Happy Crafting!

Terry



PS  If you need more help with putting it together, here's a link to the video on Cousin's website.  You'll also be able to see all the sliders, bands and clasps available.  They're available now in most Jo-Ann stores.

Designer Craft Connection - Handmade Flowers

Hi Crafters!

Welcome to another round in the Designer Craft Connection hop.  This month we are featuring Handmade Flowers.  And, to further challenge ourselves, we are making them with recyclable materials.  That is no problem for me; I just had to decide which of my fabulous collectibles I wanted to use.  I have been saving used dryer sheets for a long time and have built up quite a stash, so I decided they would be perfect for flower making.  They're sheer like petals and have a nice sparkle to them.  After looking around the internet where I found great ideas for layered flowers and rolled roses, I decided on carnations.

First I pressed my dryer sheets to get out the wrinkles, then I cut out circles with pinking shears.  If you have a cutting machine, you can cut them out with that.

You can cut them out in a variety of sizes if you like.  The biggest you'll get is about 5" in diameter.

Then, I dyed the circles in a bowl of water with a few drops of food coloring.  Leftover Easter egg dyes would probably work great, too.  After they dried, I made cuts into the circles to fringe the edges.  (Don't cut all the way into the center or your flower will fall apart.)

Layer the circles one on top of the other and fold them in half.  Pinch the center and twist it.

Wrap a floral wire or craft wire around the twist. 

Wrap the stem with floral tape.

Here's the finished flower.

Here's a flower without cuts or dye.

Here's a bouquet of them.

Have fun making lots of different variations of this flower.  You could use more layers, put different colors together or add a button or jewel in the center.  Make a corsage.  Or, add it to a card.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

Happy crafting!

And, don't forget to click on the big blue DCC button to see all the other handmade flowers!