Fran's Vintaj Bumblebee Earrings

Fran’s Vintaj Bumblebee Earrings

You Will Need:

• ½ inch length of Vintaj brass chain (2 pieces)


• 1 inch length of Vintaj brass chain (2 pieces)


• Vintaj bumblebee charm (2)


• Vintaj ear wires (2)


• 8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)


• 2 inch, 24 gauge Vintaj headpins (8)


• 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (8) shown in greige


• 6mm Swarovski crystal bicone (2) shown in indicolite


• Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals (4)

Instructions:

1. Carefully open the loop at the bottom of one ear wire. String on the bumblebee charm, the last link of a ½ piece of chain and the last link of a one inch piece of chain. Carefully close the loop.

2. Thread one 6mm bicone onto a head pin. Form a wire wrapped loop above the crystal, making sure to attach the loop to the bottom link of the ½ inch piece of chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

3. Thread another 6mm bicone onto a second head pin. seed bead, crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the crystal, making sure to attach the loop to the bottom link of the longer one inch piece of chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

4. Thread the following onto another head pin: seed bead, 4mm crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the link in the middle of the one inch chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

5. Thread one 4mm bicone onto a headpin and wire wrap it to a link in the one inch chain in between the ear wire and the wire wrap from step 4. Then thread one 4mm bicone onto a headpin and wire wrap it to a link in the one inch chain in between the wire wrap from step 4 and the 6mm crystal dangling from the bottom of the chain. Your earring should now look like the picture.

6. Repeat all steps for the second earring.

Click Here for more FREE Downloadable Projects!

New Swarovski Colors!

Swarovski has done it again! Their Spring/Summer 2010 Launch included two brilliant new crystal colors and a fantastic new crystal pearl shade to compliment their wide range of beautiful materials. "Fern Green" is a bright, sassy shade of green, reminiscent of fresh grass and summertime. It really fills a gap in the Swarovski line up, as a true Kelly green.

"Provence Lavender" is a crystal that is pale but not wimpy. This new addition to the purple range could easily have been called "Light Tanzanite," as the colors fit nicely together.

"Lavender Pearl" is exactly what it sounds like -- a match to our new Provence Lavender crystal in pearl form. The super cute earrings at left pair the new pearls with Vintaj natural brass findings.  We can't wait to see the amazing pieces you guys create utilize these gorgeous new shades!

Swarovski and Cane Glass Bracelet designed by Judy Corning

With spring and lovely weather filling our thoughts, it's the perfect time to make a fun new bracelet!  If you can string, crimp and wire wrap (the trifecta of basic beading skills) you can make this colorful bracelet!

Swarovski and Cane Glass Bracelet, designed by Judy Corning
You Will Need:
5mm square Bali sterling silver spacers (12)
10mm sterling silver round beads (4)
12mm Swarovski crystal cube (1)
8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)
6mm Swarovski crystal cube (2)
Cane glass beads in mixed colors, approx. 10mm (5)
3mm sterling silver round beads (4)
5mm Swarovski crystal bicones (12)
6mm Swarovski crystal bicones (4)
Sterling silver toggle clasp
SoftFlex beading wire in medium (12 inches)
2x2mm crimp beads (2)
2 inch 24 gauge sterling silver headpin (2)



Instructions:
1. String beads onto SoftFlex in the following order: 5mm bicone, Bali square, 6mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 6mm bicone, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 6mm bicone, Bali square, 12mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, 6mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 6mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, Bali Square, 6mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone.

2. Crimp one side of the SoftFlex to the toggle ring, and crimp the other side of the SoftFlex to the toggle bar. Be sure to check the fit and remove any slack in the wire before crimping. Cut off any extra wire.

3. Thread the following beading onto one head pin: 3mm silver bead, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 3mm bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the base of the toggle ring before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

4. Thread the following onto the second head pin: 3mm silver bead, cane glass, 3mm silver bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the base of the toggle ring before wrapping the loop closed. The two dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire.

For more great project ideas, Check Out Our FREE Downloadable Projects!

Spring Dragonfly Earrings

Spring has sprung, the weather is beautiful and I am wearing a tank top!  This time of the year, I am always so grateful to live in the glorious Valley of the Sun.  While most of my friends are still shoveling snow out of their driveways, I'm watching hummingbirds hover over my blossoming honeysuckle.  This cute (and easy!) pair of earrings really reflect my sassy, springy mood.  Our dragonfly is made out of Swarovski crystal in sapphire, but you can use any color you prefer. 

Dragonfly Earrings:
Required Skills: Wire Wrapping
You will need:

• 2 4mm Swarovski Crystal bicones
• 6 5mm Swarovski Crystal bicones
• 2 5mm Swarovski Crystal rounds
• 2 TierraCast silver plated dragonfly wings
• 6 sterling silver daisy spacers
• 2 3 inch sterling silver headpins
• 2 sterling silver ear wires

Instructions:
• Stack beads onto a headpin in the following order: 4mm bicone crystal, daisy spacer, 5mm bicone crystal, daisy, 5mm bicone crystal, daisy, 5mm bicone crystal, wings, 5mm round crystal.

• Make a wire wrapped loop above the beads and wrap it closed.

• Bend the headpin gently to create a curve.

• Open the ring at the bottom of the ear wire and string the wire wrapped loop. Close the ring.

• Repeat all steps for the other earring.