Tropical BoHo Necklace DIY

I recently received an amazing package filled with jewelry components from the Dazzle-It Tropical Punch line from the John Bead Corp. A variety of designers were sent a package from the John Bead Corp. Each package was filled with different items from the Tropical Punch Line. The challenge was to create a jewelry piece using these supplies and share it within the Tropical Punch Blog Hop.

My package was filled with so much summer goodness. With the BoHo trend still rising this summer, I decided to create a fun summer BoHo statement necklace. The only thing extra I added were the fun tassels I made using neon floss.

After making my necklace, I paired it up with a fun and flirty tank, mixed yellow summer cardigan and skinny jeans. Think a preppy boho Carmen Miranda. This is a fun and flirty line perfect for adding some sunshine to your designs.

Materials:

• 1 pack Tropical Punch Flower Maker, rhinestone gold
• 1 pack Tropical Punch Lucite Mix, Riviera
• 1 pack Tropical Punch Lucite Mix, Siena Wall
• 1 pack Tropical Punch Finding Kit, Gold Jump Rings
• 1 pack Tropical Punch Petal Curves, Shaded Purple
• 1 Pack Lucite Chain 16x30mm, Sugarloaf
• 3 Skeins Neon Yellow Light Effects Floss, E980 DMC
• Additional: gold jump rings, gold clasp and gold beading wire
• Tools: needle nose plier, flat nose plier, wire cutter

 

Directions:

1. Thread 5 tropical punch petal curved flower beads onto gold jewelry wire.  Then wrap the wire around the rhinestone gold tropical punch flower maker.   Wrap the extra wire around the flower maker center a few times, tighten and twist the ends together to close, cut extra wire.
2. Repeat the step above for the second flower.
3. Thread 7 beads from the tropical punch Lucite mixes onto gold jewelry wire.  Then wrap wire around the third rhinestone gold flower maker and pull tight, twist ends close.  Cut the remaining wire.
4. Cut the Lucite chain in half and attach each chain half to the purple flowers, using the extra large gold jump rings.  Attach the mixed bead flower to the center of the purple flowers using a few small gold jump rings.
5. Open the 3 skeins of neon yellow floss from their packaging.  Fold the skein in half, twist a thin strand around the center a few times and tie knot to secure to form a small tassel. Trim length till desired length is achieved.  Repeat for each tassel.
6. Insert a small gold jump ring to the top of each tassel and attach to the bottom of each beaded flower.
7. Finally attach 4 small gold jump rings to each Lucite chain end and add the clasp. 

Tips and Tricks:

• Make your tropical flowers larger using 6 leaves instead of 5. Try doubled flowers using 12 flower leaves.
• Make a layered flower necklace and add more tassels or fringe.
• Add more rhinestones to the necklace.

Hope you enjoyed my post and get inspired to make your own tropical boho pieces.

See you soon,

Lisa :-)

xoxo

Wizard Soiree Necklace

 

Wizard Soirée! A new necklace I created using muted distressed gold findings, chains, beads, rhinestones and pin. I photographed this piece on my favorite dichroic stained glass boxes and books!

All the findings are from Bead Landing and the beads are from Halcraft USA, all available at Michaels Craft Stores.

Long ago there was a Magician named Oliver who believed in magic, he believed that he was a direct ancestor to Cornelius Morvette.  Cornelius was a wizard from Brush Hollow, a city which some how just disappeared, just as OZ did.

Oliver recently discovered a trunk period under heaps of copper scraps while fixing his flying air machine. He dusted the top of the trunk and opened it with the gleaming key still inside the trunks key lock.

They a puff of golden light sprinkled some glittering powder and the contents were made clear. An old large ornate book, some smaller books, journals, potion supplies, bottles, jeweled amulets and a map. What was all this stuff? he wondered. Could it be, could it really be true, was he the great great grandson of Cornelius Morvette. Afterall they shared the last name and finding this trunk just proves it.
Now Oliver must go on a journey to find the truth about his ancestry and see if he is really the great grandson of Cornelius Morvette. Also what happened to Brush Hollow? How could a town just disappear?

Are the disappearances of Brush Hollow and Oz a coincidence?or completely separate? Oliver packed the trunk and map on his air ship and set sail with his friends Miranda Sicklesby, Doey Muddstone and his pet Owl Puffs.

 Where will their first stop be? I'm thinking Jaggerville or Tuckerton. Who knows, as soon as I find out, I will let you know. In the meantime enjoy one of the necklaces from Cornelius's trunk.

 I hope you enjoyed the necklace and its story.
xoxo
Lisa

Deer Queen Tassel Necklace

Tassel jewelry is quite the trend these days. Starting last year they made a come back in fashion. This year they are setting an even bigger trend. With top fashion chains incorporating more handmade couture and animal themes, I'm excited to start doing the same. Last night I decided to create a tassel necklace using a discarded necklace, charms, rhinestones and a tassel. But the tassel was creamy white. No need to fear with a mix of pearl grey and left over aquamarine Rit Dye I had, the tassel would be dyed and a necklace would be made.

Here is the material list and directions so that you can create your own hand dyed tassel necklace.
To view my original post visit Rit Dye at: www.ritstudio.com

Materials:
For Dyeing The Tassel: 

• Liquid Rit Dye: Aquamarine, Pearl Grey
• White tassel
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• 2 medium sized bowls (for dying and rinsing),
• Paper towels
• Plastic table cover
• Rubber gloves
• Tongs
• Foil pan
• Plastic spoon

For the Jewelry Making:

• Jewelry chain
• Deer pendant
• Crown charm
• Jump rings
• Needle nose plier
• 2 part epoxy glue

Directions:
Directions To Dye The Tassels:

1. Prep your surface. Lay plastic table cover on the surface you will working over. Put on your rubber or latex gloves.
2. Mix 2 tablespoons Rit liquid dye in pearl grey and 1/2 tablespoon aquamarine with 1 1/2 cups hot water in a plastic, or metal bowl and stir. Let steep for 20 minutes. For good hot water, heat some in the microwave in a glass bowl for 2 minutes.
3. Place tassel in the greyish green tinted dye solution, let set for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove the dyed tassel when desired color is achieved and place onto a foil pan. Let dry. Reserve your remaining mixture for more dying by pouring into a glass jar or container, keep sealed.

 Directions To make Necklace:

1. Prepare 2 part epoxy according to package directions. Coat the back of the deer pendant or pendant of choice with the epoxy and attach to the top of the dyed tassel. Let set for a few minutes.
2. With a needle nose plier open a jump ring by slowing twisting one end away from you. Insert into the opening of the deer pendant, attach to the center of the jewelry chain. Close the jump ring.
3. Cut a strip of rhinestone attach to the tassel just under the bottom of the pendant with more epoxy glue. Layer with a crown charm using more epoxy glue or a jump ring.

 Tips/Tricks: 

• Try layering 3 tassels for a fuller necklace.
• Mix and match Rit Dyes for more color possibilities.
• Dip the end of the tassel into more dye for an ombre look. 
• Use a store bought necklace that already has a pendant attached, add the tassel and additional findings.

Hope you enjoyed the project. For more of my projects using Rit Dye, visit www.ritstudio.com 

xoxo
Lisa
 

Wearing your creations

As an artist, I love to create my own jewelry, accessories and clothes, looking through fashion mags and blogs for inspiration, once I get on a creative kick, there is no stopping me, especially with several ideas in mind that are waiting to come to life, when this occurs I run straight to my studio and start scavenging through boxes and boxes of supplies, if I'm no satisfied I head out thrifting or to the craft store, I can even hit three different in a day, living near Hobby Lobby, Michaels, AcMoore and JoAnne's is the greatest thing, lol, going loaded with coupons even better.

Last week I headed out to Hobby Lobby and picked up some of their brand jewels that were 50% off, headed over to Michaels and picked up some components from the Amy Labbe Art-i-cake line and finally back home to pick through my vintage stash. After a few tries, I came up with this necklace:

                                                       

This necklace was made with 2 strands of jewelry pearl chains from Art-i-cake, and a large pendant from art-i-cake, both available at Michaels Craft Store. The 4 center rhinestones are from the Hobby Lobby line of jewelry, at Hobby Lobby, I added some extra pearling, art nouveau clasp and findings from my vintage stash, the result this necklace, in the pictures below, I wore it with a navy tank top, navy and white seer sucker sailor cardigan, pearl bracelet and skinny jeans.

In the following pictures I wore the necklace w/a yellow tank top, skinny black jacket, skinny jeans, and my handmade black bow tie leather cuff. A trip to the craft store can help create the fashion accessories for your next outfit, for the experienced artisan, a trip to the thrift store or a rummage sale can bring about incredible accessories, mix, match, try something new and different, you'll be surprised at the results.

How To Apply Snaps!


As easy as it sounds, applying a set of snaps to a piece of ribbon, fabric or leather can be a task if you never did it before. Some packages give you instructions, while others do not.My first snap application went on backwards, lol, but after another run or two, I got the hang of it and yes it was easy, a snap.

Supplies
-Set of snaps
-Snap tool
-Brick or tile
-Hammer
-Hole puncher or Cropadile for leather
-Ribbon, fabric or leather of choice

Directions

 Step One: Punch hole at one end of the ribbon, about 1 inch in from the end

Step Two: Match up the snaps, see photo example below

Step Three: Place hollow side of the rubber snap tool onto a brick or tile, see photo below
(If you don't have a brick or tile, place on a concrete or patio floor)

Step Four: Insert the rounded snap piece into the hollow rubber snap tool, see photo below

Step Five: Place hole punched ribbon onto the snap, right side down, wrong side up ( the wrong side is the side of your material, that isn't the side that will show, basically its the underneath part of your ribbon.

Step Six: Place the adjoining snap on top of the ribbon, see photo below

Step Seven: Insert metal tool into the snap center, then hammer about 5 to 6 times, until the snap is connected. See photos below

Step Eight: Punch Hole at other end of the ribbon, see below


 Step Nine: Flip the rubber snap tool over to the indented side and insert the next snap

Step Ten: Flip the ribbon over so that the right side of your ribbon is showing, see below (this is the side where you will decorate over)

Step Eleven: Place the ribbon onto the snap

Step Twelve: Place the last snap onto the ribbon

Step Thirteen: Insert metal snap tool, hammer 5 to 6 times until connected

Step Forteen: Your snaps are attached


Tips/Tricks
-Look for fun snaps
-Double up a bracelet and use 2 sets of snaps for an edgy look
-Use curtain tie backs for bracelet bases

 Now you are ready to either embellish your piece or wear it! Hope this helps you to attach snaps in your next project.


xoxo
Lisa