Infinity Forever!

Made with the threading.

Over the past few months I have been teaching a ton of Infinity Bracelet classes and I have to say, I am hooked. I created my first infinity bracelet a few years ago, over a 100 later, I'm still excited when I get a chance to make one and to teach it to others.

Recently I taught infinity bracelets at Michaels Stores using all bead landing supplies and beads via Halcraft USA.  I love the quality, styles and colors that Halcraft USA creates for the Bead Landing line at Michaels.  Their beading selection is fabulous and works in all my projects and workshops.

To make my version of the infinity bracelets you only need leather cording, thin wire, beads of choice and a clasp which is optional. I warn you, these bracelets are so easy to make and the results are so breathtaking, you will be hooked.  

Made with the threading.

I prefer using thin wire to wrap the beads instead of thin threading. I think the wire gives you more flexibility, more forgiving and looks nicer. Wire comes in so many colors and thickness today, as does leather cording. My students also prefer the wire and love the control they have with it opposed to threading.

Made with the thin wire.

In the next week I will post instructions on how to make your own using the leather cording, wire, and beads. This bracelet project could even become an anklet, belt or necklace cuff.

For now here are samples of the bracelets I made for the classes and some my students made using the technique they learned in my class.

xoxo Lisa

These are from a recent class. I love what Nicole
did to her bracelet. So soothing and peaceful.
Like sea glass at the beach. The Turquoise one
is inspired by Sedona.

Up close of Nicole's bracelet.

5 Minute Wood Necklaces

Wood laser cutouts are all over the place. From ornate scroll works, cute shapes and wording, wood has taken over. The variety of uses for these elements is endless. Every second an idea pops up. With the big emergence of the 80s and 90s again this year.

In the 80s some of my biggest memories were neon and bold colors, roller skating, leg warmers, strawberry shortcake, stickers and laser cut jewelry or accessories. For my sweet 16, my mom bought me an ornate laser cut mirrored album for my party pictures.

This project is a take on 80's style with a sweet modern update and takes only minutes to actually make. All you need are some wood word cut outs, paint, jump rings, chains and jewelry tools. With a few quick steps, you'll be skating away with your new name necklace.

Materials:

• Laser cut wood name ( I used "sugar" and 'sweet"), Michaels Stores
• Ready made 18 inch jewelry chains w/clasp, Bead Landing Michaels Stores
• Jump rings, 6mm, Darice
• Acrylic paint (I used cream, peach and aqua)
• Jewelry drill puncher, 0.9 and 0.6 holes, Advantus Corp
• Tools: needle nose pliers, paint brush, pencil

Directions:

1. Flip the laser cut wood name over so the wording is in reverse. With a pencil mark a hole on each end of the laser cut wood name.
2. Insert the laser cut wood name into the jewelry drill punch, line up with the marked holes and twist using the 0.9 drill punch. 
3. Paint your laser cut wood names with colors of choice, let dry a few minutes. 
4. Open up the ready made chain at the center using needle nose pliers, Attach the open chain to the laser cut wood names using jump rings.
5. Your necklace is ready to wear.  
    

Tips/Tricks:

• The jewelry drill press is light, small and easy to use. Many companies offer them and can be found at most craft stores in the jewelry or tool section of the stores and range in price from     $8.00-$17.00 and drill through most light woods, and metals. Advantus corp/Tim Holtz line has one available as well.
• Coat your wood cutouts with glitter and nail polish clear sealer.
• Cover your wood cutouts with rhinestones or sequins,
• Wrap your wood cutouts with embroidery floss.
• Gold foil, chalkboard paint, or wood stain markers give some fun to your piece.
• Make your own chain or thread with beads.
• Try cutesy animal shapes, crowns and mustaches.
• Use flocking on your wood cutout.
• Spray paint works well too.
• Try rub on transfers or rubber stamps to add more detail to your wood cutout. 

I hope you enjoyed this project and get inspired to make your own. 

More projects coming this week.

xoxo

Lisa

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