The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

September 7, 2015
by Tammy
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Crafting from Around the Web

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Soldering is fun and Andrew has been obsessed with making rings. But… he took a short break to whip up a pair of earrings!

SAL Diamond Three

Connie’s posted the latest Diamond section for the free SAL (stitch-along) and she shows two different examples of how it could be stitched.

Necklace Tutorial

Crystals, Pearl beads, and chain make up with colorful necklace that has an antique feel to it.

Art Bead Scene

Check out September’s gorgeous new challenge piece from artist Vanessa Bell!

Decoupage Outdoor Furniture

Products and techniques to decoupage outdoor furniture including step-by-step picnic table directions.

Beading Arts

One of Cyndi’s favorite pieces won a Silver medal in Fire Mountain Gems’s seed bead contest!

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean discusses the beauty of wrap bracelets and shows her most recent creation!

September 3, 2015
by Tammy
2 Comments

Arm Candy – Learn Bead Embroidery

Bead embroidery is a wonderful way for two forms of crafting to collide – beads and needlework! Cyndi Lavin is one of the pioneers of bead embroidery techniques, and in her collection of well-priced and even free e-books available on her Beading Arts blog, she breaks down the various methods for this art form. In fact, one of her latest books, Arm Candy, takes it a step further and shows how to incorporate old jewelry, often broken pieces no longer wearable, into stunning jewelry designs. I really like this idea of using old jewelry pieces because I know many of us have a few odds and ends like this that may have sentimental value, but we are not really able to enjoy them. So pull out those broken jewelry pieces from the past and reinvent them with help from Cyndi!

September 1, 2015
by Tammy
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10 Finalists Recognized in 10th Annual Halstead Grant Competition

Here’s a press release from Halstead about its grant competition!

PRESCOTT, AZ (August 18, 2015): The 10th annual Halstead Grant recognizes jewelry design excellence and business strategy acumen with a $6000 award in addition to industry recognition for 10 Halstead Grant Finalists. Finalists receive recognition on HalsteadBead.com in addition to feedback from the judging committee to help build their businesses.

Hilary Halstead Scott, President of Halstead and founder of the Halstead Grant says, “After 10 years of judging grant competitions, we can say without a doubt that most of our past finalists have gone on to successful, long-term careers. This year’s applicants are a select group of amazing emerging artists.” Each group is listed in alphabetical order.

Winner

Samantha Skelton Jewelry Design based in Fairview, Pennsylvania.

Top 5

Bonde: Jewelry that graces the skin and honors the body

ENJI Jewelry Studio: A public statement on an intimate, ornamental scale

Letters to Sarah Metalsmithing: Adornments that celebrate passion and place

Seth Papac: Jewelry to make you feel gorgeous, confident, special, and FIERCE

Tenzabelle: Magical, hand-crafted amulets that tell your story

Top 10

Alexandra Lozier: Natural elements in dramatic jewelry settings

Lucia Pearl Jewelry: Smart, clean, wearable designs inspired by city life

Nicolette Absil: Delicately illustrated jewelry in enamel and metal

Olivia Shih: Gemstone and metal jewelry inspired by bold, organic elements

VIELA, Ltd: Cast metal jewelry imprinted by the forest and the sea

About the Halstead Grant

The Halstead Grant competition began in 2006 to inspire the pursuit of excellence in design and business practices in the jewelry arts community. Applicants must submit a design portfolio in addition to elements of a successful business plan including marketing strategy, production capacity and financial analysis.

Halstead’s mission is to support jewelry entrepreneurs with quality jewelry supplies and great service. The company was founded 40 years ago and is now managed by the second generation of the Halstead family.

August 31, 2015
by Tammy
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Crystal, Pearls, and Chain Necklace Project

The folks at Pandahall sent me a little bag of jewelry supply goodies and asked that I whip up a project or two. I was immediately attracted to the rainbow of crystals in the package, and of course, most of my jewelry making friends know I love pearls, so why not combine them? For a larger look at the finished necklace, just click on the image below.




Here are the supplies I used to construct the necklace above:

Nickel Free Antique Bronze Iron Eyepins, Size: about 5.0cm long

Brass Magnetic Clasp, Nickel Free, Round, Antique Bronze, 19x12mm

Iron Cross Chains, Nickel Free, Oval, Antique Bronze, 4.7×3.3x1mm

Mixed Glass Bicone Beads Strands, Faceted, 6mm

Glass Pearl Beads Strands, Pearlized, Round, White, Size: about 4mm in diameter

The tools used were a pair of chain-nosed pliers, wire cutters, and round-nosed pliers.

1) I began by constructing a chain of alternating pearls and crystals using the eye pins. This included 12 crystal beads and 13 pearl beads.

2) Once I had that part of the necklace assembled, I used wire cutter to cut 83 links of the chain.

3) On one of the ends of the beaded chain section I made, I opened up the loop at the end and slipped on two links from either end of the chain section, thus doubling the chain.


4) Using another eye pin, I slipped a crystal bead onto it and made a loop on the end.

5) On one end of the eye pin, I attached the magnetic clasp (which comes with attached jump rings), and on the other loop of the eye pin, I slipped the center link of the chain section onto it.




6) I repeated steps 2 through 5 to put together the other side of the necklace.




Here are a few tips for success when putting together this necklace:

  • Use the narrower end of the round-nosed pliers to make the loops so that they are about the same size as the loops that are already on the eye pins.
  • After connecting all of the sections, make sure to check all of the connections to make sure they are secure. You may need to use chain-nose pliers here and there to close up loops more securely.
  • Watch out for that magnetic clasp, LOL! It’s great for easily putting the necklace on and off, but while you are working with metal tools and metal findings, you may find them sticking to the clasp.