Thread and Rhinestone bangle bracelets by “Miss lovie”

March 30, 2012 By 2 Comments
Today I’m showing you Tutorial #1 of the mixed media bracelets I made for SYTYC: the bangle. It’s really super easy and I think you’ll love it! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the braided one!
First you have to find some super cheap bangles. Since you’ll be covering them up it doesn’t matter what they look like. A place like Walmart would be a good place to look. Mine came from Forever 21 and were $2 something for 3 bangles and were a good width. The width should be at least an inch wide or more.
Materials Needed:
4 different, but coordinating, colors of chenille embroidery thread, 48-60 in. long (depending on the width of your bangle and how much you overlap as you wrap)
1 metallic embroidery thread 70-80 inches long
bangles-1 inch thick or more
rhinestone chain
hot glue
Mod Podge
(All measurements are approximate. I usually eyeball. And often I have to fix it because I don’t properly measure. The measurements above may be overshot a little, but you can always trim the thread as needed)
I separated the colors and put them together again so the different colors were made into one large mixed thread. This is optional, but I think it looks really cool.
First you want to cut 2 sets of about 70-80 inches of embroidery thread from each color (depending on how much you overlap as you wrap). Then you are going to separate the threads into 2 strands each. Each thread comes with 6 threads twisted together so you’ll separate it into 3 sets with 2 strands in each set. Once you do that to both sets from the same color you’ll have 6 sets with 2 strands in each set. Do that with the rest of the colors and you’ll have 24 sets with 2 strands in each set.
(please email me if you have questions. I know that’s confusing!!)
I don’t know if my way is the right way to separate embroidery thread, but I always hold one end of the thread between my knees and pull the threads apart slowly. This keeps it from tangling so much. If it tangles, let it untwist some and be patient. If you pull too hard, it will knot.
After your thread is ready you want to put the threads together by alternating colors. On every thread you add, run your thumb and index finger along the entire length of the joined threads to keep them together to reduce tangles and knots.
When you’re done adding all the thread it should look like this. See how the colors are all mixed together? 
 Cut each end for a clean edge to work with. 
 Put a dab of hot glue on the inside of the bangle and press the ends of the thread into it. Try not to burn
yourfingers like I always do.
 Then start wrapping your thread around. You want to keep your thread flat and spread out. You can overlap the thread in some parts, but be sure it stays even and isn’t thicker in some spots than others. You will probably have to continually run your thumb and index finger down the thread to untangle any knots that pop up.
 Keep going until the bangle is completely wrapped. You want the ends to finish on the inside of your bangle.
If they don’t, trim them so that the do.
 I used Mod Podge to glue the threads down. I painted on some Mod Podge to the bracelet, pressed the threads down, put some more Mod Podge on top and held my thumb on top for a little bit. Let dry for a couple minutes until you’re sure it will stick. You can use a tiny dab of hot glue instead if you want, but it won’t look as smooth as the Mod Podge. I tried both ways. The hot glue sets quicker, but if you’re not careful with how you put it on, it doesn’t look awesome.
 When it’s dry, you’ll glue the rhinestone chain to the middle of the bangle. Put tiny dots of hot glue under each rhinestone. This will not hold it on there super tight, but it’ll hold it enough until you wrap it with the metallic embroidery thread.
 Trim the rest of the chain off when you meet the beginning of the chain. Glue down carefully.
 Glue down the end of metallic embroidery thread. I did find that hot glue worked best on the metallic thread. Place a dot of hot glue down. Let cool for a few seconds then press the thread on top with your thumb. It’ll be warm but should not burn you. Pull finger off gently.
Then start wrapping the metallic embroidery thread around. On this bracelet I used 3 strands (pulled apart from the 6 strands it comes with) and on the yellow orange one I made like this I used 2. Just experiment and see how wide you want the metallic part to be. You’ll need about 70-80 inches of metallic thread. 
Wrap it on top of each connector piece between rhinestones at an angle. Be careful not to push on the rhinestones too much or they will become unglued.
 When you get back to where you started, start wrapping the opposite way. While wrapping, try to make Xs on either side of the rhinestones like the picture above. When you reach the end use the hot glue method to glue the ends down. And done!!
As you can see, the wrapped metallic thread is not super perfect, but it still looks cool, I think!
Here it is with the three strands of metallic.
And here it is with only two strands.
So pretty.
Stacked bracelets are supposed to be SO in right now. :)
Linking to all the parties you see on my sidebar!
Thanks for reading.
And if you make one I’d LOVE to see it. Post it to my Flickr pool or just email me!

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For more great ideas from Allie, please visit “Miss Lovie”

Filed Under: accessories, Contirbutors, Jewelry
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10 min. Pearl Earrings by “Miss Lovie”

March 5, 2012 By 5 Comments
Let’s make some timeless and classic pearl dangly earrings!
Wouldn’t these be great for a Mother’s Day gift?
This post was originally seen on Luxe Boulevard.
I’m just reposting in case you missed it!
These earrings are so quick and easy. Even if you’ve never made jewelry in your life. Seriously.
First gather your materials. If you don’t have any on hand, all these supplies can be found at any craft supplies store. Check for sales and always use coupons!
You’ll need all those tools except the crimp tool.

Get 2 10 mm pearls and 4 8 mm pearls. (I usually just use glass pearls.)

You’ll need 4 eye pins, 2 head pins, and 2 ear wires.

And here we go.

Here are the detailed instructions to make a simple loop that I copied from my Huge Flower and Bow Necklace Tutorial in this post here.



After your simple loop is made,

Make another simple loop above that pearl and connect another eye pin. Slide the last 8mm pearl on and make another loop above it.

Now you’re done!

Here’s just a few tips.

When you make the loops above the pearl, be sure to make them as close to the pearl as possible. If you look at the one on the left, it is not very close to the pearl. I just cut that one off and re-did it (so it might be good to have some back-up head pins and eye pins available.) This makes it look much cleaner and more professional.

Also, when you are making the loops, be sure to create the loops so that they are going in the same direction.

DONE!
While it seems like a lot of steps, it really is so easy and shouldn’t take much longer than 10 minutes!
Happy jewelry-making!

For more great inspiration be sure to visit Allie over on “Miss Lovie!”
Filed Under: accessories, Contirbutors, Jewelry
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Thread & Rhinestone Bracelet by “Miss Lovie”

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 Yesterday I showed you how to make the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle so today I’m going to show you how to make the Braided version! This is the second bracelet I made for my audition on SYTYC This bracelet is a little more difficult to make than the bangle maybe, but you can still do it!! I seriously love these bracelets. They are so fun and pretty.
Materials Needed
Four different, but coordinating colors, of chenille embroidery thread, about 2 1/2 times the length of the diameter of your wrist (depending on how loose you want the bracelet) I used about 24 in. and it was a little long, but it can always be trimmed.
Rhinestone chain (I bought mine when it was 40% off and I had a coupon at Hancock’s Fabric), 8-12 in.
Gold chain and antiqued bronze chain, 8-12 in.
Large and small jump rings
2 solid (not like jump rings) connecting rings
2 crimp connectors (see larger picture below)
and gold wire (22-24 gauge)
eye pin and large pearl or bead (not pictured)
You’ll also need all tools above minus the crimp tool.
(All measurements are approximate. I usually eyeball. And often I have to fix it because I don’t properly measure. The measurements above may be overshot a little, but you can always trim the thread as needed)
Ok first you’ll do the same technique to get the colors all mixed together like in Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial. This is optional, but I think it looks really cool.
First you want to cut about 24 inches of embroidery thread from each color. Then you are going to separate the threads into 2 strands each. Each thread comes with 6 threads twisted together so you’ll separate it into 3 sets with 2 strands in each set. Once you do that to both sets from the same color you’ll have 6 sets with 2 strands in each set. Do that with the rest of the colors and you’ll have 24 sets with 2 strands in each set.
(please email me if you have questions. I know that’s confusing!!)
I don’t know if my way is the right way to separate embroidery thread, but I always hold one end of the thread between my knees and pull the threads apart slowly. This keeps it from tangling so much. If it tangles, let it untwist some and be patient. If you pull too hard, it will knot.
After your thread is ready you want to put the threads together by alternating colors. On every thread you add, run your thumb and index finger along the entire length of the joined threads to keep them together to reduce tangles and knots.
When you’re done adding all the thread it should look like this. See how the colors are all mixed together?
 Cut each end for a clean edge to work with.
Slide the embroidery thread through one of the solid connecting rings so that there is an equal amount on each side. These will make up two parts of your braid.
To make the third part of your braid you’re going to put all chains (rhinestone, gold, and antiqued bronze) on a large jump ring. Before doing that you have to create a connector from the rhinestone.
Here is the crimp connector. As the picture above shows, the flat parts that stick up are going to be folded down between the rhinestones to hold it in place. The loop will be under the rhinestone and it will help you connect the rhinestone chain to the large jump ring.
Fold one end down first using your (patience) and bent nose pliers.

Then fold the remaining flat part on top of the other.
The back of the rhinestone chain should now look like this with the loop behind the rhinestone.
Use your  bent nose pliers to pull up the loop a little so it’s useable and place a small jump ring onto the loop. This step just makes the rhinestone chain a little easier to work with so it will lay flat like it’s supposed to. (step not pictured)
Then slide the two chains and the small jump ring connected to the rhinestone chain onto the large jump ring and close the jump ring around the large connecting ring between the two embroidery threads. The chain cluster will act as the third part of the braid.
Now you’re ready to braid!
Braid as you normally would being super careful the settings on the rhinestones don’t snag the embroidery thread. Make sure the braid is tight enough that it won’t fall apart! Try to fit the thread in between the rhinestones when you cross over the chain cluster so you see as many rhinestones as possible and to help keep the braid tight.
When you have your braid done to the desired length, push all the embroidery thread to one side and run the thread through your fingers to get it nice and even and looking like a cohesive piece.
Slide your cohesive embroidery thread through the other solid connecting ring and see where you need to cut the chain so that they’ll lay be tight enough and not have any slack in them. Cut them with your wire cutters
Add a crimp connector to the rhinestone chain again as described above, then add all chains to your second large jump ring and close the jump ring around the solid connecting ring.
Loop your embroidery thread around the solid connecting ring and pull tight. Use the wire to wrap around it once and twist the end around itself once. Do this very close to the solid connecting ring so you can work your way down.
Here you can see the wire wrapped around itself once.

In between each wrap use your pliers (doesn’t matter which one but I usually find I have more control with my bent nose pliers) to clamp the wire down flat. Be sure the wire is tight around the thread.

A couple of wire wraps away from being finished, cut the excess thread off (not pictured) and continue wrapping the wire (and crimping it down) to enclose the loose thread ends. When you’re done, clip the wire with the wire cutters so that the wire is in the middle of the bracelet and bend the wire in towards the bracelet with the bent nose pliers. The arrow above is pointing to the bent wire.
Tuck the bent wire into the thread and up under the wire as shown above. I purposely made my braided part a little shorter so I could add that fun goldish pearl to the clasp.

You could even wrap wire around the other side in the same manner and it would look pretty cool, too. I might do that next time.

To make the clasp like this, simply take the eye pin and slide the pearl onto it and create a simple loop above the pearl. See pictures below to make a simple loop.
Open the loop to connect it to one side of the bracelet.
 Connect the clasp to the other solid connecting ring with a large jump ring and use the other simple loop on the pearl to clasp the bracelet together.
All finished!!
And no, that bracelet is not made of hair like someone on Pinterest obviously thought at first.
See their comments here. I literally laughed out loud when I read those. Yikes. If I ever make anything out of hair you have my permission to call me seriously crazy and I’d hope you wouldn’t read my blog ever again. HA!
I’m really loving them. I wore one to school today. :)

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you missed it, be sure to go check out the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial that matches this one!

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For more great ideas from Allie be sure to visit “Miss Lovie!”

Filed Under: accessories, Contirbutors, gift ideas, Jewelry
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Felt Necklaces

January 3, 2012 By 7 Comments

One last felt project. Ok! You caught me! Probably not my last project but the last one I have to share for a while. Felt Works sells darling felt balls that vary in size and color and are perfect for creating fun fast necklaces!

I used a long piece of embroidery thread to allow length enough to tie it on with a double bow! You can also add finishing jewelry clasps if you also have those supplies but simply tieing it off works great too!

I bought my Felt Works balls at Hobby Lobby in the embroidery and yarn section. Looks like they are also sold online at JoAnns  and Amazon!

 

Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, Jewelry
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Fabric and Wood Bead necklaces

August 23, 2011 By 14 Comments

I’ve been totally inspired by all the wood jewelry I’ve been seeing. I bought an awesome wood bead necklace from Old Navy last week (and btw, when did Old Navy start selling awesome jewelry??) and was inspired to create some original new accessories of my own using wood craft beads and fabric!

I started off by getting a great variety of Knit fabrics. Think Jersey and cotton Tshirt fabric.  Fabrics that have a stretch and when cut don’t fray!

These craft beads are perfect. They are sold in a variety pack and come in a variety of stains and sizes and are sealed and shiny!

For this first version I used my rotary cutter and cut 3 long (the width of my fabric) 1 inch strips of fabric.

I used a metal skewer to help guide the fabric through the beads. In between each bead I tied a knot.  I then braided and knotted the ends and secured the ends with Ribbon Clasps.

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This version is made by using a  5 inch wide strip of fabric. I strung and beads and knotted in between. Then I added a second row ob beads and tied the two together with a knot.

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This last version is a 3 inch wide strip of fabric and beads.

These are simple and fast to create and are a great way to mix in fun fall colors into your wardrobe.

 

 

 

Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, DIY, fabric, Jewelry
14 Comments

Fabric Button Necklaces and a contest…

August 1, 2011 By 65 Comments

I wore one of my button necklaces to a store a while back and the employee who rung me up was in love with it! I passed on my business card and weeks later she emailed me asking if I could bring in a few more creations for her to look at and to buy! Here’s what I came up with…

Carnival Ride:

Pretty in Pink:

Lake house:

Party Girl:

Can you guess which two she bought?

These were so much fun to design! I love creating something that is hard for me to part with! All four of these were my favorite for differnt reasons!

If you’d like to make one of these little darlings your very own please shoot me an email! I’d be happy to create one of these 4 or do a custom creation with colors combos you dream up! They run in price between $20- $25 shipped and will include a free matching ring.

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Speaking of colors…  Which color combos would you love to see in a button necklace? Leave a comment in today’s comments section and I’ll pick my favorite 5 combo suggests, create the necklaces in each combo and we’ll vote for our favorite! The winner will win their necklace for FREE!  Ready, set, GO!!!!!

 

Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, fabric, Jewelry
65 Comments

Fabric Button Bracelet

June 14, 2011 By 4 Comments

Fabric covered buttons are making an appearance on my wrist these days! After my Fabric Button Necklace I thought a bracelet would be  anatural next move!

I started with a great find from the DownEast Clearance Store. This was a messed up monogramed bracelet that they sell for $1. It has a leather band and  clasp and all it needed was some way to cover up the mess up!

A few buttons ought to do the trick! I glued these on with hot glue and it was exactly what this bracelet needed!

I love it when we can make an otherwise useless item usable again!

Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, Before and After, DIY, fabric, Jewelry, Tutorial
4 Comments

Fabric Button Necklace with vintage jewelry chains

May 23, 2011 By 33 Comments

Buttons! Buttons! Who’s got the buttons!

I’m addicted to making fabric coverd buttons and this is no exaggeration when I say I have thousands of them! I just bought a ton of them and I’ve had so much fun creating all sorts of creative things!

 

This fun necklace was created with my scrap fabric, my grandmothers  costume jewelry and chalk cloth! Shall we…

I adore it when I can create a project with all my saved fabric scraps! NEVER throw away fabric scraps!

Fabric covered buttons are a cinch to make! Craft and fabric stores sell button kits in varying sizes. A variety of sizes used together look the best.

I chose to use Chalk Cloth for two reasons! I needed something strong and sturdy and that would add strength and durability!  And it is totally affordable! Leather was too pricy, felt was to weak and Chalk Cloth came to mind because of its price point and durability!

You’ll make a smile shape! This will be the foundation for your necklace! Make it as large or small as you’d like!

First start by placing your buttons in a layered arrangement! Once you like the arrangement start by gluing down the bottom layer with hot glue! The hot glue will stick really well to the chalk cloth! I found that the buttons that you add on top of that layer  adhere better when I used E6000 glue instead of hot glue. My hot glue peeled away from the fabric.

Be sure to leave half an inch on each end in order to save room for your chain.

For the chain of my necklace I rummaged through the collection of costume jewelry I inherited from my grandmother when she passed away! I can’t tell you how much I loved this! I was wondering how I’d put to use her beautiful jewelry! This made this project all the more personal to me!

You can also use ribbon, ric rack,pom poms lace or other fun trims!

I used jewelry pliers to disconnected a link in the center of the necklace to create the two sections. I then added a jump link and connected the sections through a small hole I created on each end of the center piece.

Lastly I hot glued some decorative ribbon to cover the exposed chalk cloth.

 

 

I LOVE how it all came together! Funny…my grandmothers necklace still smells like her! Avon perfume!

 

Seeing as I have a million fabric button supplies, I will be making these to sell so please use this tutorial for personal use only and stay tuned for an announcement on when these babies will be for sale! Thanks!

Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, DIY, fabric, gift ideas, Jewelry
33 Comments

Sparkle Sparkle! Trim turned bracelets in a jiffy!

February 22, 2011 By 29 Comments
Who doesn’t love cheap affordable! I for one am always looking for affordable ways to create accessories so while I was waiting in the cutting line at JoAnns and the trim section caught my eye I knew I was on to something great! I’m on a jewelry fix right now and my brain started churning.
Project Runway now has a line of trim at JoAnns! Loads of beautiful trim that sparkles and adds texture! I was drawn to the ruffles and sequins and thought they would make beautiful bracelets. I bought 1/3-1/2 of a yard of each and spent around $5 total on all this trim. 

 

 

Next it was off to the jewelry making section where I grabbed a pack of ribbon clasps for $2. This pack will give me three finished bracelets.
I measured and cut my trim to fit my wrist. Be sure to burn the edges to keep the ends from fraying. You’ll need a small pair of pliers to clamp and attach the clasps.
The thinner gold trim worked great to get a twisted look. I took two pieces and twisted them together before I clamped the second end.
I love this last one! It looks like a fun cuff! This trip was stretchy so all I did was hot glue the ends together. You could also stitch it.
So cute right! So for $7 I created 4 new bracelets that are going to  add a little sparkle to my outfits!
Think outside the box the next time you visit the craft store. Trim can become a great tool for jewelry and with all of the amazing varieties out there you are sure to find something great to work with.
Filed Under: accessories, Becca's posts, gift ideas, Jewelry, On the Cheap, repurposing, Tutorial
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