tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87528899929345508682024-03-18T01:44:44.581-07:00Crafting a Life in Indiana Living, loving and crafting one day at a timeThe Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-51001359987912559352016-12-28T12:19:00.001-08:002016-12-28T12:19:20.888-08:00Satin Sparkle Necklace<h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy nearly new year from the Crafty Mama! </span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As you know, I almost always participate in the monthly blog hop hosted by Halcraft. This month's Pretty Palette theme was Vintage Bubbly. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QcHVyuczEg/WGQV_LT2JNI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/TlFAqnjkTusQQTxWhV60k88JbLF61vqoQCLcB/s1600/dec2016_bead-palette-768x1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QcHVyuczEg/WGQV_LT2JNI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/TlFAqnjkTusQQTxWhV60k88JbLF61vqoQCLcB/s640/dec2016_bead-palette-768x1268.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2016's Pretty Palettes Bead Gallery beads</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">To see others' pieces, you can jump to </span><a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">the Halcraft blog</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> and check out </span><a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-december-reveal-vintage-bubbly/" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">today's post</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I created a piece with vintage feel based on the pearl and rhinestone connectors. Taking a closer look at these, I was impressed with the details!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h_fR-64MZ4/WGQWBfhrQJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/RYlZFp7Zo08vpiMnYn8JhyD8qQvlLoDoQCEw/s1600/closeupWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h_fR-64MZ4/WGQWBfhrQJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/RYlZFp7Zo08vpiMnYn8JhyD8qQvlLoDoQCEw/s320/closeupWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at all the tiny rhinestones tucked in among the pearls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping things simple with a really beautifully sparkling component.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Instead</span> of using all three components as a centerpiece, I decided to detach the center floret and use it as a pendant on a simple long necklace that can be worn on its own or layered with another necklace. The multiple connection points make a couple different options possible. </div>
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Next, I started on what I imagined would become a multi-strand hair accessory, something the <i>Downton Abbey</i> crowd might wear to dinner. It could be worn over an updo. across the hair and fastened on either side with the two components with strands of beads and chain between.</div>
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But as I worked through the design, I realized that I wanted to add quite a few strands of beads (there were SO MANY pretty beads!) and I wouldn't have the correct hair accessories to use to attach this behemoth to my unsuspecting teen daughter's hair for photos. </div>
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I nearly made a piece that could be attached as an embellishment on a cardigan or sweater set by using attachments to the button and button-hole near the neckline. Which you could definitely do without too much trouble.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWpbnDRrng8/WGQbJp6XnQI/AAAAAAAAA40/mKBvKH_xUq8iL2rsC9LfkVT2PWLHstnpgCLcB/s1600/SweaterSet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWpbnDRrng8/WGQbJp6XnQI/AAAAAAAAA40/mKBvKH_xUq8iL2rsC9LfkVT2PWLHstnpgCLcB/s640/SweaterSet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just add a button to one side and a loop to the other side to create a retro sweater set embellishment!</td></tr>
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In the end, I continued on, because I really can't get enough of the big, messily wrapped rhinestone disks. Don't you just love these? I think the way they look with the pearls and mixed metals are perfect to give the more traditional pearl and rhinestone connectors a little bit of edge. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLz9WOdZKCw/WGQdSO8oJUI/AAAAAAAAA5A/DXkQH6uoekAti5TMkPri6evO4-1DTBeBQCLcB/s1600/SatinSparkleNecklaceHCR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLz9WOdZKCw/WGQdSO8oJUI/AAAAAAAAA5A/DXkQH6uoekAti5TMkPri6evO4-1DTBeBQCLcB/s640/SatinSparkleNecklaceHCR.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit retro with a hint of edge, Satin Sparkle is a fun necklace set that combines the sparkle of glass facets and metal facets with the satiny surface of acrylic pearls. </td></tr>
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I loved working with these beads and can hardly wait until next month's reveal! Join us next Wednesday on the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" target="_blank">Halcraft blog</a> for a new challenge based on 2017's Pantone Color of the Year!</div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-19880146706983971592016-11-30T08:58:00.004-08:002016-12-08T19:26:43.452-08:00Frosted Lamb's Ears :: November Pretty Palettes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">What a fall this has been. I've enjoyed how the season hasn't jumped straight into winter as it does sometimes. This Halcraft Pretty Palettes challenge was a nice soft transition from fall to winter. It was frosty as well as maintaining its warmth.</span></div>
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This month's Pretty Palette was chosen by the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/halcraft" target="_blank">Halcraft Facebook</a> fans. They voted which of these palettes they liked the best:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOitVtao680/WD7_BIxe8tI/AAAAAAAAA24/6U2GLkXrvb81fsO3onVAdf_e_3mFHROVwCLcB/s1600/PickYourPalette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOitVtao680/WD7_BIxe8tI/AAAAAAAAA24/6U2GLkXrvb81fsO3onVAdf_e_3mFHROVwCLcB/s400/PickYourPalette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final four Pretty Palettes palettes!</td></tr>
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I loved them all, but in the end, the winner was Susan Conaway's Lamb's Ears & Maple Leaves. Gorgeous, right?<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coWsWb2XhT4/WD7_U404iuI/AAAAAAAAA28/vsgN9bEYPz4fWfT8sBTCCWAFYKUZZvndACLcB/s1600/Lamb%2527s%2BEar%2B%2526%2BLeaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coWsWb2XhT4/WD7_U404iuI/AAAAAAAAA28/vsgN9bEYPz4fWfT8sBTCCWAFYKUZZvndACLcB/s640/Lamb%2527s%2BEar%2B%2526%2BLeaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't think I ever would have put all of these colors together on my own without having this palette to work from. That is what I LOVE about Pretty Palettes, how it pushes me in my color choices.<br />
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Here are the beads from Michaels that I came home with. I ended up adding a pendant as well, as you'll see. Many are the same as the ones Erin Prais-Hintz posted in her <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-november-inspiration-photo-contest/" target="_blank">inspiration blog post</a>, but a few weren't available, so I picked ones I liked that worked within the theme and I also added a few silver plated spacer-type beads and tiny faceted glass bead for a wee bit of sparkle.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--eJHS8VqKF0/WD8AQdtOsdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/eiNmFJAzue4-TQn8yMmUZS949f7L19jEwCLcB/s1600/2016-11-28%2B10.24.55-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--eJHS8VqKF0/WD8AQdtOsdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/eiNmFJAzue4-TQn8yMmUZS949f7L19jEwCLcB/s400/2016-11-28%2B10.24.55-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I first started on a necklace using a simple opaque glass pendant. I liked where it went and used a few fancy wire twists for some of the links.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VwFg_sp5x4/WD8BGxYHtMI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/6lbHLvkjJkEckrRtvxinub_wyZvE-QfkACEw/s1600/FrostedLambsEarNecklaceText.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VwFg_sp5x4/WD8BGxYHtMI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/6lbHLvkjJkEckrRtvxinub_wyZvE-QfkACEw/s640/FrostedLambsEarNecklaceText.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92t1yAJL7iw/WD8BH4qSMRI/AAAAAAAAA3c/X9IVsJcGsCg81AIOqt_6lqMhvVXud0jeACEw/s1600/LambsEarNecklaceChain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92t1yAJL7iw/WD8BH4qSMRI/AAAAAAAAA3c/X9IVsJcGsCg81AIOqt_6lqMhvVXud0jeACEw/s640/LambsEarNecklaceChain.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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I liked that it converted well into a long necklace (don't you love this trend?), but felt frustrated that I didn't use all of the colors available from my Pretty Palette, so I decided to move on to the bracelet. </div>
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I wanted to make a memory wire bracelet, but I was out of memory wire, so I just started stringing lengths of seed beads onto <a href="http://www.michaels.com/beadalon-19-strand-bead-wire-silver-.015-inch-15-feet/10121912.html#q=.015+beading+wire+beadalon&start=3" target="_blank">Beadalon's .015" beading wire</a>, which I like for seed beads because it still drapes well. As it turned out, my strands became quite pretty as a multi-strand necklace! I figured it could be worn either way. Which way do you like it better?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5ChoQesEBY/WD8BGqPcbHI/AAAAAAAAA3I/nWBf4-VLGaYfm9rfdzCb0uXkyM8uDbc5QCLcB/s1600/FrostedLambsEarBraceNeckText.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5ChoQesEBY/WD8BGqPcbHI/AAAAAAAAA3I/nWBf4-VLGaYfm9rfdzCb0uXkyM8uDbc5QCLcB/s640/FrostedLambsEarBraceNeckText.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tip: keep the width of your beads about the same when mixing in accents. This helps with the flow of the piece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRrQyDhpjvU/WD8BG6eFkjI/AAAAAAAAA3M/2jT1tGeBDvYW4iuo3IydylXNUvfhfoAjQCLcB/s1600/FrostedLambsEarsBracText.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRrQyDhpjvU/WD8BG6eFkjI/AAAAAAAAA3M/2jT1tGeBDvYW4iuo3IydylXNUvfhfoAjQCLcB/s640/FrostedLambsEarsBracText.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOOOVE it!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">A few metal accent beads go a long way in a layered look necklace/bracelet like this one. Be careful how you place them for the greatest visual impact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A great thing about this necklace/bracelet is that by using some bumpy rings at the end of your necklace you can gather the strands as well as cover your crimps and give your beads a little room to slide around so that the drape of the necklace isn't stiff. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykyNHoUaxHU/WD8BGMuJ9HI/AAAAAAAAA3E/eOgyPJht_Bk5EHU6ZFoD8qj4WWgSpRYrACEw/s1600/CoverCrimps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykyNHoUaxHU/WD8BGMuJ9HI/AAAAAAAAA3E/eOgyPJht_Bk5EHU6ZFoD8qj4WWgSpRYrACEw/s400/CoverCrimps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover your crimps!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Finally, a girl's gotta have a pair of earrings, so I made a pair with dangles of turquoise gray like the lamb's ears. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWLoc05xij8/WD8BHx5oI-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/CDrMMoqVpcg-XckqdO20fsMZyCTZvjx3wCEw/s1600/LambsEarrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWLoc05xij8/WD8BHx5oI-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/CDrMMoqVpcg-XckqdO20fsMZyCTZvjx3wCEw/s640/LambsEarrings.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bumpy rings make great connectors as well as spacers beside beads for added texture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4nWqqae6T0/WD8EZ1N-eUI/AAAAAAAAA3o/5sAoa7jNGx0J6KOL4qTDA2FTDBgi9vbXwCLcB/s1600/FrostedLambsEarSetLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4nWqqae6T0/WD8EZ1N-eUI/AAAAAAAAA3o/5sAoa7jNGx0J6KOL4qTDA2FTDBgi9vbXwCLcB/s640/FrostedLambsEarSetLogo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosted Lamb's Ear jewelry set by Molly Schaller for Halcraft's Pretty Palettes blog hop November 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Play along with me and the rest of the Halcraft design team by visiting <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog">www.halcraft.com/blog</a> and searching for <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/?s=Pretty+Palettes&submit=Go" target="_blank">Pretty Palettes</a>. You can see all of the past Pretty Palettes projects there, or you can visit <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/halcraft/" target="_blank">Halcraft's Pinterest page </a>for even more inspiration!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Link up to the other blogs here: </span><br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=274758" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-88343527140037031592016-10-26T06:45:00.001-07:002016-10-26T06:45:02.477-07:00Dots & Dashes a Pretty Palettes Pay It Forward ChallengeHello! I've missed you all! It's time for Halcraft's Pretty Palettes blog hop with Erin and the rest of the bead team--as well as all of you!<br />
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Erin Prais-Hintz has created a lovely challenge for us this month in her <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-october-inspiration-3/">October Pretty Palettes blog post</a>. It's a little different than usual, though. Erin asks us to:<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"...create</i><i style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> something meaningful – a piece of jewelry, an accessory or decorative object – that you can <u style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gift</u> to one or two friends to let them know that they matter to you and to remind them to take time out and be good to themselves."</i></span></b></h3>
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When I look back at my life, I find my mind (and my body!) returning to the Adirondack mountains in NY. It's not just the mountains, either. I love returning to visit my old summertime roommate, Carolyn, who I was paired with when we were both employees at <a href="http://www.silverbay.org/" target="_blank">Silver Bay YMCA during my college years</a>. Over the last couple of decades we've maintained our friendship, and I've loved having her as a sister figure in my life. Both of our fathers have had neurological diseases, which is one thing that we've been able to talk about. Her friendship has been so valuable to me.<br />
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For this month's challenge, I wanted to do something special for
Carolyn. After a stint as a math teacher after college, Carolyn felt
called back to Silver Bay. She started working as an administrator years
ago and she's now the COO (Chief Operating Officer), which means she's
one busy lady!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NVxFek-0Yk/WA_bqAEl5mI/AAAAAAAAA08/v4siT3Y1QXcnZmrXo5L465DIdlpLO7GlQCLcB/s1600/2015-08-12%2B13.50.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NVxFek-0Yk/WA_bqAEl5mI/AAAAAAAAA08/v4siT3Y1QXcnZmrXo5L465DIdlpLO7GlQCLcB/s640/2015-08-12%2B13.50.47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn and me on the porch of the Store with Morse Hall in the background</td></tr>
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Silver Bay is more than just a summer YMCA camp, it's a conference center and family camp were hundreds of people come to enjoy nature and each other. It serves people of all ages and stages of life, from their summer children's programs (your child will be designated as a woozle, chippie, eagle, or wee-woozle, among others) to their participation with the <a href="https://www.roadscholar.org/?&cm_ven=Search-Grant&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Brand&cm_ite=GGRANTBRND" target="_blank">Road Scholar </a>program for those who are retired and yearn for adventure and learning. If you know any college-aged folks who are looking for a fabulous summer job in a gorgeous place, <a href="http://www.silverbay.org/contact/" target="_blank">contact Silver Bay</a>. It really is one of the best summer gigs out there. Imagine living a real-life version of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/" target="_blank">"Dirty Dancing"</a> for a summer. Yep. It's that fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5W95QmQYsBM/WA_cxBflRkI/AAAAAAAAA1U/E0OksBIDrfYAel9nggo4jOQHJWCSrqjhQCLcB/s1600/2015-08-12%2B11.34.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5W95QmQYsBM/WA_cxBflRkI/AAAAAAAAA1U/E0OksBIDrfYAel9nggo4jOQHJWCSrqjhQCLcB/s640/2015-08-12%2B11.34.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Bay from the rustic Adirondack-style boat house where you can rent paddle boards, canoes & kayaks. You can even take a class to learn how to sail!</td></tr>
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My design for this month's challenge is based on our special relationship that started in this very special place. As I thought about how to commemorate the place and our relationship in beads, I went from the inspiration of the colors of the mountains and sky and that glorious Lake George water to looking for a charm that symbolized our relationship to geography.<br />
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In the end, geography--mapping in particular--won out. Carolyn likes to accessorize by wearing jewelry occasionally, but she lives an active lifestyle and doesn't wear fussy jewelry. I've noticed over the years that each piece of jewelry she has is filled with meaning. I wanted the piece I made for her to be equally meaningful. I really love the <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=white%20howlite" target="_blank">white howlite </a>beads and how the rounds are available in many different sizes and shapes, too. After turning it around in my head a bit, I thought "these rounds look like dots & the cylinders look like dashes. What if I worked around Morse code and used the longitude and latitude lines to create a secret message of sorts using the beads?"<br />
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I Googled "Morse Code" and found this chart of International Morse Code to start my work. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4EV_qJLDQOg/WA_8ixT_IVI/AAAAAAAAA1k/PH6rvG5P7yQNA3uaNJlxKHnbo9r9fFI6wCLcB/s1600/315px-International_Morse_Code.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4EV_qJLDQOg/WA_8ixT_IVI/AAAAAAAAA1k/PH6rvG5P7yQNA3uaNJlxKHnbo9r9fFI6wCLcB/s400/315px-International_Morse_Code.svg.png" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/International_Morse_Code.svg/315px-International_Morse_Code.svg.png" target="_blank">Morse Code via Wikipedia</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To find the longitude and latitude of your specific location,go to <a href="http://www.mapcoordinates.net/en" target="_blank">Google Maps coordinates</a>, then find and click the position you're interested in using on the map. It's super simple. The longitude and latitude of Silver Bay's historic inn is 43.69° by 73.50°. Writing down the Morse Code pattern on a piece of paper to work from helped me to stay focused while stringing the beads.<br />
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Here's the Dots & Dashes bracelet I made using the beads to create the code. I used larger beads between the numbers as place holders for either a decimal or a space between the coordinates; a small faceted glass round to signifies the beginning of a new number. Each number is 5 symbols long, but just like the chart, there is a difference in the size of the rounds and the tubes, so a number like 0 uses a lot of tubes and will be longer, while a number like 5 uses a lot of dots, so it's shorter. As it turned out my bracelet was the perfect length to wrap twice around a wrist after the final 5 of the latitude. Because the 0 would have made the bracelet 2 and 1/2 wraps, I decided to stop there. You could choose to add filler beads to your Morse Code bracelet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R0hS6gNzPE/WBAIhY-aaCI/AAAAAAAAA10/NuGc2bSzHYUTcONDM-MXLjOyN_UzkP_qACLcB/s1600/Dots%2B%2526%2BDashes%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R0hS6gNzPE/WBAIhY-aaCI/AAAAAAAAA10/NuGc2bSzHYUTcONDM-MXLjOyN_UzkP_qACLcB/s640/Dots%2B%2526%2BDashes%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use rounds and cylinder beads to map out your own beaded Morse Code.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I used a waxed cord to make this bracelet, but you could string the beads on flexible beading wire or silk cording. I like how the knots make it easy to see the patterns of code. To finish the bracelet (I considered adding a charm, but it seemed a bit too much for this casual bracelet) I created a slide knot (<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/macrame-bracelets-flower-child/" target="_blank">see step 4 of this super fun macramé project by Denise Moore for a good tutorial</a> on this) and added a few beads to the ends of the cord to hold the sliding cord in place. As my little guy would say, easy peasy, lemon squeezy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcVZ3J47XjY/WBCyK0kspeI/AAAAAAAAA2M/_D1wZRLQyrAg4uTcVfhr_hrGgZHMvWvTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcVZ3J47XjY/WBCyK0kspeI/AAAAAAAAA2M/_D1wZRLQyrAg4uTcVfhr_hrGgZHMvWvTwCLcB/s640/IMG_0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you left the knot slider strands long enough, you could also wear this as a choker!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aBiNy5xMz8/WBCyLIYBctI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/JvXY-Qzs8cIAP7rSw28xT5nHZelRij0-QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aBiNy5xMz8/WBCyLIYBctI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/JvXY-Qzs8cIAP7rSw28xT5nHZelRij0-QCLcB/s640/IMG_0013.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dots & Dashes Morse Code Bracelet</td></tr>
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This project got me thinking about other ways that I could use Morse Code in my beading to create secret message jewelry. You could:<br />
<ul>
<li>Use one color for dots and another color for dashes, with a third color for breaks between the letters or numbers</li>
<li>Use different shapes as dots and dashes</li>
<li>Use birth dates instead of coordinates</li>
<li>Use letters to string messages that can be "read" as words and secret messages</li>
</ul>
I'm definitely going to play around with this idea more in the future. I made another bracelet for my daughter, whose birthday is coming up, using similar beads and Morse Code. It reads "I love you. 11-8-2001," which is her birth date and the day I became a mother. In celebration of her birthday, we're heading up to Stratford, ON, to see some Shakespeare as well as C.S. Lewis' <i>The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe</i>. We'll be enjoying each other and the shows! <br />
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I hope you enjoyed my Dots & Dashes bracelets! You find more great ideas in the rest of the Pretty Palettes projects, and don't forget that Halcraft's fall Pick Your Pretty Palette will be announced next Wednesday, November 2nd on the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" target="_blank">Halcraft Inspiration blog!</a><br />
<br />The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-45624172059719547132016-08-31T04:25:00.003-07:002016-08-31T04:26:59.702-07:00Pretty Palettes :: August 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, Pretty Palette makers! Were you as excited as me about this month's palette? I just LOVE it! For more information about Halcraft's Pretty Palettes blog hop, visit <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog/" target="_blank">Halcraft's Inspiration Blog</a>. Bead team member <a href="http://www.tesoritrovati.com/" target="_blank">Erin Prais-Hintz</a> is always on the hunt for new guest beaders, so send me a line (or a comment here or the Halcraft blog) if you're interested in playing along and would like to partner with Erin and the rest of the Halcraft team!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v5Q0c9ol6o/V8ZHgzVdjKI/AAAAAAAAAzY/XEwQAIxHPpk94NqqYManTIPNmXGYxiI0wCLcB/s1600/aug2016_BerryHues.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v5Q0c9ol6o/V8ZHgzVdjKI/AAAAAAAAAzY/XEwQAIxHPpk94NqqYManTIPNmXGYxiI0wCLcB/s400/aug2016_BerryHues.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, <a href="http://www.design-seeds.com/" target="_blank">Design Seeds</a>!</td></tr>
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I went to <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a> and purchased my <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=bead%20gallery" target="_blank">Bead Gallery beads</a> right away for this one, because they were so fun to choose. I chose a couple from the selection that Erin made, but I couldn't help myself: I chose even more!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DO_76fDXa4I/V8ZIE5zakCI/AAAAAAAAAzc/-Tj8YJT0uSIqS8RNdE7MAbDb0rXf-vqjgCLcB/s1600/aug2016_beadspalette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DO_76fDXa4I/V8ZIE5zakCI/AAAAAAAAAzc/-Tj8YJT0uSIqS8RNdE7MAbDb0rXf-vqjgCLcB/s400/aug2016_beadspalette.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin's Pretty Palette beads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sO2gkRTMTiA/V8ZIRHDNi2I/AAAAAAAAAzg/AeL4A315djcCCAJdZh-Sc8Az-n5sBJOdwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-17%2B13.03.51-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sO2gkRTMTiA/V8ZIRHDNi2I/AAAAAAAAAzg/AeL4A315djcCCAJdZh-Sc8Az-n5sBJOdwCLcB/s320/2016-08-17%2B13.03.51-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pretty Palette beads (give or take a few) from Michaels</td></tr>
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Seeing all of these beads in the strands next to each other made me really want to see them that way in the piece, so I decided to create a big, chunky braided necklace. I found some cornflower bluish-purple connectors as well, to tie in that pretty purple hue in the palette.<br />
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Without further ado, I present the Bodacious Blueberry necklace!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoiJusiwSiA/V8ZJIWcTSvI/AAAAAAAAAzo/eE2D6vKSBuMsqWSlteByjuTSRcWp2xDYgCLcB/s1600/BodaciousBlueberryOpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoiJusiwSiA/V8ZJIWcTSvI/AAAAAAAAAzo/eE2D6vKSBuMsqWSlteByjuTSRcWp2xDYgCLcB/s400/BodaciousBlueberryOpen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodacious Blueberry, not for the faint of heart!</td></tr>
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This necklace is so much fun to wear and make. It's bold as well as feminine, and it's practically bursting with beady goodness! It was great to capture each of the colors in the palette with this month's challenge. I do still have some 6mm rounds left of four colors, which I'm considering using to make a bracelet. We'll see! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh967O-jhJo/V8ZNopr_lmI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/zBiKmH9p3O8eNz7qii-HQhKgJXUrr7MLwCLcB/s1600/BodBlueberryCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh967O-jhJo/V8ZNopr_lmI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/zBiKmH9p3O8eNz7qii-HQhKgJXUrr7MLwCLcB/s400/BodBlueberryCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to see what everyone else made. Thank you for a Pretty Palette, Erin!</div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-2349586034498224132016-07-27T15:40:00.000-07:002016-07-27T15:44:38.079-07:00Pretty Palettes :: July 2016 -- Starry NightOne of my favorite parts of summer is the relief that comes from being outside at night after the heat of the sun has dissipated and the warm breeze caresses your skin. Here in Indiana, we've been experiencing a heat wave, and nighttime is the most comfortable time--some would argue it's the <i>only</i> time!--to be outdoors.<br />
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The starry summer night sky is the theme for this month's Pretty Palettes blog hop, hosted by Halcraft USA and <a href="http://www.tesoritrovati.com/content/meet-maker" target="_blank">Miss Erin Prais-Hintz</a>. For more about this month's inspiration, visit <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-july-reveal-3/" target="_blank">the Halcraft blog</a>.<br />
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Some of my favorite stargazing has happened in the Adirondacks, where there isn't the ambient light from cities that can mask the starlight. One spectacular night I happened to see 25 shooting stars in a matter of only an hour!<br />
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The image Erin chose this month reminded me of that night:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a466e4ricXY/V5kpzDx5nEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/ej57G1TNUpAeKOLvQz8_pLx9WShBCOxlQCLcB/s1600/unsplash_ryan-hutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a466e4ricXY/V5kpzDx5nEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/ej57G1TNUpAeKOLvQz8_pLx9WShBCOxlQCLcB/s640/unsplash_ryan-hutton.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click for a larger image from <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/Jztmx9yqjBw" target="_blank">Ryan Hutton: https://unsplash.com/photos/Jztmx9yqjBw</a></td></tr>
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Erin chose some beautiful Bead Gallery beads for her project, but I knew exactly which beads I wanted to use for this project because of the way the purples, pinks and blues danced around in the heavens as they do in this image.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1FIb9_H2ug/V5kqrISoT3I/AAAAAAAAAyc/a8JrRtvNLZgntzGfmpTO5qlBJNhJ7dU8ACLcB/s1600/JulyPPBeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1FIb9_H2ug/V5kqrISoT3I/AAAAAAAAAyc/a8JrRtvNLZgntzGfmpTO5qlBJNhJ7dU8ACLcB/s320/JulyPPBeads.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought these beads because they reminded me of the gorgeous sky in the image above. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUkOfwRmCLc/V5kqs2qWxXI/AAAAAAAAAyg/tD6HDyWyb2UDN3TcdM1YTF6NQUEAd-t0wCLcB/s1600/CitrineCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUkOfwRmCLc/V5kqs2qWxXI/AAAAAAAAAyg/tD6HDyWyb2UDN3TcdM1YTF6NQUEAd-t0wCLcB/s400/CitrineCloseup.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bead Gallery's iridescent citrine nuggets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxcfIiV0SnQ/V5kqtdDf6lI/AAAAAAAAAyo/tGhJg_V9-3EuLNoQ6cRrJlNV6p-iRIwzwCLcB/s1600/shellcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxcfIiV0SnQ/V5kqtdDf6lI/AAAAAAAAAyo/tGhJg_V9-3EuLNoQ6cRrJlNV6p-iRIwzwCLcB/s400/shellcloseup.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bead Gallery's shell drops</td></tr>
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All I needed to do was to figure out how to take these two elements and create a piece I loved. Like I said, it's been quite a hot, hot couple of weeks here in Indiana, and I wanted to make something I'd like to wear right now. I didn't want anything too weighty, so I balanced the irregular texture and over-the-top finish of the citrine nuggets with black seed beads for a stylish 4-strand choker. </div>
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And although I considered making a necklace using all of the shell teardrops, I chose to use just one as a pendant with the citrine nuggets clustered around it. The pendant necklace is about 18 inches long and looks great layered with the choker, or it is pretty on its own, too.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RFgrKMsmuo/V5kqtOzHo7I/AAAAAAAAAyk/yVdIIO8igjMM4BQqGMb7T9Kq1xZpOdWswCLcB/s1600/StarryNightNecklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RFgrKMsmuo/V5kqtOzHo7I/AAAAAAAAAyk/yVdIIO8igjMM4BQqGMb7T9Kq1xZpOdWswCLcB/s640/StarryNightNecklaces.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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For more information on how to play along with the Pretty Palettes blog hop, just <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-starry-night/" target="_blank">click over there</a>! Erin will post August's Pretty Palette inspiration next Wednesday, August 3rd.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can make your own Starry Nights Necklace set with Bead Gallery beads from Michaels Stores. </td></tr>
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<br />The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-4795633725247261972016-06-29T07:39:00.000-07:002016-06-29T08:36:22.108-07:00June Pretty Palettes Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Bay, NY - My happy place and the location of one of my favorite beaches: Slim Point! </td></tr>
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The beach. One of my favorite places & Erin Prais-Hintz' choice for this month's Pretty Palettes blog hop! Each month Erin chooses Bead Gallery beads and a color palette as inspiration for a beading project that we can share with other beaders. For more information about Halcraft's Pretty Palettes blog hop, <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-june-inspiration-3/#more-8583" target="_blank">click this link</a>!</div>
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For June, Erin chose these beads:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halcraft's Pretty Palette beads for June 2016</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I love the theme and the colors Erin chose! My <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a>
had most of these beads, but not all of them. I swapped out the
turquoise teardrops for turquoise ovals, and I used gold daisy spacers
instead of the gold matte glass bicones (which btw, are some of my
favorite beads). I also found some really beautiful Czech squares with two holes.<br />
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Now,
I like the ocean, but to be honest, I'm more of a lake sort of girl.
The salt water is lovely for floating and fabulous hair, but I'll always
pick a freshwater lake surrounded by mountains to the wide open ocean. </div>
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When
I made my pieces for this month's Pretty Palettes hop, I found myself
daydreaming of a family trip we're planning to take this summer to <a href="http://www.silverbay.org/" target="_blank">Silver Bay YMCA</a>,
a family camp that is a lot like the camp in Dirty Dancing. A full
staff takes care of you and the rest of your family while you spend the
days playing tennis, practicing your yoga or even beading and making
baskets in the craft shop. Check it out, if you're in the market for
some family fun in the near future. </div>
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Here are the pieces I made for the challenge, named Beach Bound in honor of upcoming vacations!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beach Bound Necklace and Bracelet Collection featuring Bead Gallery beads for 2016 Pretty Palettes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOToSpY443M/V3LRiSqT9tI/AAAAAAAAAxI/VbHbyckOokgZVhRLROnSjAVmHb_Ad-7jACLcB/s1600/BeachBoundBraceletsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOToSpY443M/V3LRiSqT9tI/AAAAAAAAAxI/VbHbyckOokgZVhRLROnSjAVmHb_Ad-7jACLcB/s400/BeachBoundBraceletsWeb.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The Beach Bound Bracelets are made with Beadalon's memory wire and a variety of Bead Gallery beads. The wire keeps them rigid, sort of like bangles, but they're easy to slip on and off your wrist. The top bracelet features two-holed beads, which I loved working with. The faceted rondelles on the bottom bracelet are graduated, and each strand includes three different sizes of bead, which would be perfect for necklaces, as well. <br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6tgYUAwhJI/V3LRirnHL9I/AAAAAAAAAxM/4CyiQsFazaUJvX9lVRJu2Z77K1r8-mIXwCLcB/s1600/BeachBoundNecklaceWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6tgYUAwhJI/V3LRirnHL9I/AAAAAAAAAxM/4CyiQsFazaUJvX9lVRJu2Z77K1r8-mIXwCLcB/s400/BeachBoundNecklaceWeb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The Beach Bound Necklace is SO EASY! All you do is string the smaller seed beads from the strand in the order that they come in.<br />
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One quick tip is to take 5-8 off the string they come on at a time, only removing what you're ready to string. I played around with adding some charms, but this one was just nice as a simple multi-strand necklace. To give it a beachy feel, I used the starfish beads almost like bead cones to gather the three strands.<br />
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Another tip is to use the smallest diameter of beading wire that you can, so that the lightweight beads are able to drape well as you wear them. I used <a href="http://www.beadalon.com/products/JW01NG-0.asp" target="_blank">Beadalon's .012" flexible beading wire</a> for this necklace, and it lays almost as though it's strung on silk cording, but with even more strength.<br />
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I love this piece so much that I had to share a photo of myself while I was wearing it. It's almost a choker, but not quite, at a 16" length. Best of all, this length is exactly what came on the card, so it only takes a few dollars to create this beautiful necklace! I used the larger E beads on the card to create the bracelet with the seahorse charm in the stack above. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the length & drape of this necklace! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Now, it's time for even more fun. Check out the rest of the Halcraft design team's projects and post your own! We'd love for you to play along!<br />
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-74668201360859414872016-05-25T13:52:00.002-07:002016-05-25T13:57:50.485-07:00Pretty Palettes :: May 2016 RevealBoho is the name of the game this month, and the beads and images that Erin chose for Halcraft's Pretty Palette color challenge were beautiful! To learn more about Erin Prais-Hintz' color challenge, visit the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-may-reveal-3/" target="_blank">Halcraft inspiration blog</a>. Each month she posts an image to inspire as well as a theme, and anyone who wants to can play along by creating jewelry and posting it on her blog. It's a blast to see what others do with a similar batch of beads, and it gives you an excuse to peruse some of your favorite blogs and discover new favorites! <br />
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Here's what <a href="http://www.tesoritrovati.com/" target="_blank">Erin</a> chose for May's Pretty Palette:<br />
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I love <u>all</u> of these beads! The ones on the right made of wood are some of my favorites in the new Bead Gallery line at Michaels. There were so many possibilities!<br />
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I started as I sometimes do when I'm trying to get a sense of flow with a batch of beads: make a pair of earrings. Even though the wooden "wheels" are large, they're very lightweight, so I decided to use them in earrings for a big visual punch.<br />
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I added the dragonfly connectors as a quick layer and some peachy diamond-shaped beads that mirror the diamonds in the wheels. Now that I see the dragonflies in the photo, I wonder if I might like them with a bit of patina on them. (I'll file that idea away for next time.)<br />
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The peachy diamonds have an Asian print on them, which lends to the free-spirited traveler vibe I'm trying to give. <br />
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After playing around with the wheel beads some more, I decided to go with using them as multiple-strand connectors for my necklace. That's where things got a little bit crazy. I had these great metallic spikes, then I found some blue sequins in a strand and these beautiful red wooden beads!<br />
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I got a bit excited about seeing all of those colors and textures together, so I went for it! I love how it turned out, though I think it leans toward tribal as well as bohemian. What do you think?<br />
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I can't wait to see what Erin chooses for next month's Pretty Palette. To find out, visit <a href="http://www.hacraft.com/blog">www.halcraft.com/blog</a> next Wednesday, 6/1/16.<br />
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Thank you for visiting, and to see the rest of the projects made for this month's Pretty Palette challenge, click below!<!-- start InLinkz script -->
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-64344546866409079112016-03-30T15:04:00.001-07:002016-04-07T01:45:00.134-07:00March Pretty Palettes :: Belle Epoch SetIt's the Halcraft Pretty Palettes challenge time again! Erin Prais-Hintz of went above and beyond this time with THREE different color choices in some of my favorites: royal blue, red & a peacock green. The inspiration images were another treat: images of women in dresses that were taken underwater that create a magical, flowing sensibility. They're truly amazing.<br />
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I chose to work with the royal blue colors and this dress:<br />
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Erin chose some gorgeous Bead Gallery beads to work with, but because it's spring and I'm enjoying the warmer weather, flowers and green grass so much, my initial intention was to do something summery and casual, maybe even sporty, so I bought some plain blue glass rounds.<br />
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After some consideration (as well as a bit of ooohing and aaahing over this image) I realized this image just didn't flow that way. There is a decadence to this image that my planned cotton cording components just didn't work with.<br />
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I searched through my stash and found that I had a few sparkly blue faceted rounds in my stash as well as some fabulously princess-y pearl, rhinestone and gold sliders. Perfect! <br />
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It was time to make some bangles and a long necklace. My Belle Epoch set would be perfect to dress up blue jeans or wear with a little black dress. You choose!<br />
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Would you like to play along with Erin and the rest of the Halcraft team? Take a look at these great posts and add yours when you're finished! </div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-60965665198666411912016-03-01T08:44:00.001-08:002016-03-01T08:47:22.264-08:00February Pretty Palettes :: Pink Lace Knotted Pendant NecklaceI missed the Pretty Palettes day this month, but I've been dying to make up the necklace that's been in my head! Finally I took the time to get it done and I hope that I'll be able to squeeze it onto the InLinkz today! Here's a link to <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-february-reveal-3/" target="_blank">Erin's Pretty Palette February 2016 reveal post</a>, and here is the inspiration and beads she chose:<br />
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I love the idea of lace as a theme. Last September my mom, daughter, and I all traveled to Stratford, Ontario to the Shakespeare Festival! My daughter loves theater, and this was nearly as good as a trip to The Globe in London. If you ever have the chance to see a show there, take it. The costumes, actors and town are all wonderful! We chose to do a tour of the costume warehouse before the shows and had an amazing time together. They even had a section with costumes that had been used but were out of circulation that you could try on!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brief time as a Shakespeare player!</td></tr>
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But, to tie this into the February Pretty Palettes post, while we were there, there was a local artists' show, and this lovely lady was making lace! Watching the bobbins fly all around was mesmerizing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSvJ4KX4o0/VtW0CugL4qI/AAAAAAAAAsM/2dUJRjLmPEw/s1600/2015-09-26%2B12.28.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSvJ4KX4o0/VtW0CugL4qI/AAAAAAAAAsM/2dUJRjLmPEw/s640/2015-09-26%2B12.28.19.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lace-maker's husband carved all of these beautiful bobbins for his wife.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch those bobbins fly!</td></tr>
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I always go to nature for inspiration in my beadwork, so when I saw the lacy golden leaf pendant, I knew it was meant to be part of this Pretty Palettes challenge.<br />
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One thing that had thrown me off my scheduled Pretty Palettes work was a request to make some knotted necklaces for an upcoming look book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-UokzGSLfU/VtXEsB_OMcI/AAAAAAAAAts/N6QKOQA-6Tg/s1600/KnottedGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-UokzGSLfU/VtXEsB_OMcI/AAAAAAAAAts/N6QKOQA-6Tg/s400/KnottedGroup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> It's easy to see why I wanted to make more. These are too much fun & look great!</td></tr>
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I had such a great time making these necklaces with Bead Gallery beads (which you can find at Micaels) that I wanted to incorporate the knotting technique into my project for Pretty Palettes as well. The knotting reminds me of the repetitive nature of knitting that I love so much, and the waxed cord is a great fit for most of the beads I wanted to use. The knots weren't too big or too small, and its waxy nature makes it easy to thread. I found some pretty pink stone rounds (these have a bit of purple in them as well), a few accent beads, and set to it.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1x84Y1Csbg/VtW1x7j0L2I/AAAAAAAAAs0/zRA9yic7QC8/s1600/Seychelles%2BNecklace%2BMaterials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1x84Y1Csbg/VtW1x7j0L2I/AAAAAAAAAs0/zRA9yic7QC8/s640/Seychelles%2BNecklace%2BMaterials.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's my knotted necklace for the challenge. I call it the Seychelles Necklace, after the archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean. (I'm wishing for some tropical weather. Won't winter just stop, already?)<br />
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So happy Pretty Palettes! I can't wait to see what Erin will come up with for tomorrow's Pretty Palette challenge, March 2016 edition!<br />
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There are some AMAZING pieces in this month's challenge. Check them out by clicking the links below!<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-77235303033975076162016-01-27T04:50:00.000-08:002016-01-27T04:55:47.826-08:00January Pretty Palettes :: Constellation NecklaceIt's Pretty Palettes time again! Erin Prais-Hintz came up with some gorgeous inspiration this month (again!) inspired by photographs of real snowflakes. How one manages the feat of photographing snowflakes before the lights melt them is beyond my understanding. Here's one of the images by <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chaoticmind75/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #24a9e2; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: dotted thin; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Alexey Kljatov</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/chaoticmind75/6895872661/</td></tr>
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And here are the Bead Gallery® beads that Erin chose to send to the amazing Heather Powers, this month's Pretty Palettes partner. (If you're interested in playing along, just let me or Erin know in the comments! We love the guest designer aspect of this challenge!)<br />
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To read more about the inspiration for this month's challenge, you can visit the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-january-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">Halcraft blog</a>.<br />
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For my own project, I decided to use some of those wonderful sliders along with crystal clear <a href="http://www.michaels.com/bead-gallery-quartz-nugget-beads/10216947.html#q=quartz+nuggets&start=1" target="_blank">natural quartz nuggets</a>, and a few faceted crystal beans for a slight contrast (this is one of my absolute favorite faceted crystal shapes in the Bead Gallery line). It's subtle, but a nice effect, I think.<br />
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I've also had my eye on creating something with cording for more contrast, and this was the project to use it in. The two strands fit perfectly inside this tidy <a href="http://www.michaels.com/bead-landing-clasp/10268210.html#start=135" target="_blank">clasp</a> that I also found at Michaels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2--_gVTubIo/Vqfrd6dM--I/AAAAAAAAArE/FTM9Po9CdIU/s1600/Constellation%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2--_gVTubIo/Vqfrd6dM--I/AAAAAAAAArE/FTM9Po9CdIU/s640/Constellation%2BNecklace.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Constellation Necklace made for Halcraft's Pretty Palettes blog hop<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I purchased all of my supplies, I had an idea of how I wanted this project to look, but I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to manage the connection between the cording and the flexible beading wire. That's where those pretty sliders came in. They're also the inspiration for the necklace's name, as the randomly scattered crystals reminded me of a starry winter sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To cover up the unsightly connection between the cording and the beading wire, I used these sliders to sandwich that point of the necklace. It also worked well to ensure that the necklace is reversible, as in, it doesn't have a front or a back. Both sides are equally pretty! I have a pet peeve about poorly finished clothing; if it doesn't look as good from the back as it does from the front, I just don't like it. (That's why I've been doing all of those squats, right? <grin>) The same goes for my jewelry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's a close up of how I used the four sliders and some beading wire and crimps to make this a tidy piece of jewelry handiwork. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMlKWMMIEco/Vqfrd-7YdkI/AAAAAAAAArM/I4WBXc6jDlg/s1600/Constellation%2BNecklace%2BDetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMlKWMMIEco/Vqfrd-7YdkI/AAAAAAAAArM/I4WBXc6jDlg/s640/Constellation%2BNecklace%2BDetail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Neat and tidy, just like that! </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I can't wait to see what everyone else has been working on this winter! To see the rest of the Pretty Palettes blog hoppers, just click on the InLinkz below. </span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-59062637301400829192015-12-30T06:31:00.000-08:002015-12-30T06:33:26.891-08:00December's Pretty Palette: Nordic Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a knitter, but I've yet to master much colorwork. I love cables, though. Lots of them! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good knit!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-december-reveal-3/" target="_blank">December's Halcraft Pretty Palettes challenge</a><span style="text-align: center;"> uses inspiration drawn from Nordic knitting patterns that do use colorwork. There are so many wonderful patterns and icons. The socks below are from Annemore Sundbo's collection. Read more about them on the </span><a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog/" target="_blank">Halcraft blog</a><span style="text-align: center;">. I'd</span> love to learn how to "float yarn" and make these great patterns on my own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4FBdTT4WU0c/VoNDrilI7_I/AAAAAAAAApg/Y0WBHirgdUM/s1600/AnnemorSundboSocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4FBdTT4WU0c/VoNDrilI7_I/AAAAAAAAApg/Y0WBHirgdUM/s320/AnnemorSundboSocks.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annemorsundbo/3968568771/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/annemorsundbo/3968568771/</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzLV1Xnve7k/VoNE-GgPh_I/AAAAAAAAApw/PTf-cvVIfD4/s1600/sweaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzLV1Xnve7k/VoNE-GgPh_I/AAAAAAAAApw/PTf-cvVIfD4/s320/sweaters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look out Mrs. Weasley; I've got mad knitting skillz, too! </td></tr>
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I tried to teach myself (without much luck) how to do this and make some super cute <a href="http://www.justcraftyenough.com/2015/06/mitten-garland-advent-calendar-mitten-1/" target="_blank">advent mitten ornaments</a>. But it was a bust; I'm going to my local yarn store, <a href="http://www.theyarnstories.com/" target="_blank">Yarn Stories</a>, to get the scoop on how to do this two-color stuff!</div>
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Instead, I made my family tiny initial <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-sweater-ornament" target="_blank">sweater ornaments</a>. I must admit I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out! </div>
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When I saw Erin's challenge, I thought about how I could incorporate the patterns into my beading, and I came up with an idea: I've always been interested in learning how to use a beading loom, and grid-like design matches so well that this would give me the perfect opportunity to learn a new technique!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71SG41NXMbo/VoNQbchXEQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/u_Gphsd62lQ/s1600/Loom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71SG41NXMbo/VoNQbchXEQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/u_Gphsd62lQ/s640/Loom1.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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Enter the <a href="http://www.beadalon.com/tools/206S-060.asp" target="_blank">Jewel Loom® from Beadalon</a>. I once had a chance to meet the bubbly and talented Juliana Avelar, inventor of the Jewel Loom, in the Green Room when I was taping episodes for <a href="http://www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com/" target="_blank">Beads, Baubles & Jewels</a>. (Which reminds me that I have a much overdue post about my escapades with some amazing beading women last month! Look for that in the near future.) I've been hoping to pick up a Jewel Loom ever since!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTJkXExSGb4/VoNQbhxF2TI/AAAAAAAAAqg/i8JUDJK2MLk/s1600/Plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="481" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTJkXExSGb4/VoNQbhxF2TI/AAAAAAAAAqg/i8JUDJK2MLk/s640/Plan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some quick jotting with graph paper made my pattern come to life!</td></tr>
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Today was the day. I bought my loom, <a href="http://www.michaels.com/wildfire-thermally-bonded-bead-weaving-thread/10390892.html#q=beadalon%C3%82%C2%AE&start=53" target="_blank">WildFire cord</a>, and some basic <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=3mm%20Bead%20Gallery" target="_blank">3mm rounds from the Bead Gallery</a> aisle in red, black, and AB clear at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a>. Then I set it up according to the booklet that came with the loom, which was really easy. To map out my design I used some graph paper and pens. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I found the experience really relaxing, sort of like knitting. Once I got started, I really didn't want to stop! </span>After I finished the weaving and tied it off, I decided to use ribbon ends with glue to finish the piece.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_7Twz6a3fM/VoNQbgwvfGI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CkNEvB2jhUQ/s1600/Nordic%2BBracelet%2BLong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_7Twz6a3fM/VoNQbgwvfGI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CkNEvB2jhUQ/s640/Nordic%2BBracelet%2BLong.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first loom project! I'm sure I'll do more. I loved it!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQIypirqhR0/VoNQbkJb0-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/FXlDWbrPWpg/s1600/NordicBracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQIypirqhR0/VoNQbkJb0-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/FXlDWbrPWpg/s640/NordicBracelet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Thanks for visiting my blog, and don't forget to visit the rest of the blog hop by clicking on the links</span><span style="text-align: center;"> below!</span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-71292657551055064242015-11-24T14:20:00.000-08:002015-11-25T06:59:33.456-08:00Pretty Palettes :: November RevealWhat a month November has been! I'm thoroughly anticipating winter now that we had our first snow in central Indiana last weekend. That being said, this month's Pretty Palettes challenge had a tropical feel that was very welcome!<br />
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Here's the palette and Bead Gallery beads Erin chose for November:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh6q43PUP14/VlTXFMbzb3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/mRGflynIy4k/s1600/November%2B2015%2BPP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh6q43PUP14/VlTXFMbzb3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/mRGflynIy4k/s640/November%2B2015%2BPP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For more information on Halcraft's Pretty Palettes challenge, visit <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-november-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">the Halcraft blog.</a> </td></tr>
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Gorgeous!</div>
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I played around with some bead mixes, but ended up creating a faux knotted necklace by stringing tiny beads between larger ones. I used the citrine chips, hematite chips and abalone shell beads like Erin, but I added the simulated amazonite rounds (my favorites) that are made out of glass and have a matte finish. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94wFUgW-eEs/VlTbiu3SaoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pPMVCXIdCbs/s1600/PrettyPalettesNov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94wFUgW-eEs/VlTbiu3SaoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pPMVCXIdCbs/s640/PrettyPalettesNov.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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Even though this image and the colors are gorgeous, I struggled with the challenge this month. I think if I were to do it over, I'd adjust the proportions of the colors in the piece differently. The purple wasn't my favorite shade, but it ties in really well with the shell bead. Maybe I'll restring or play around with this piece over the next few weeks. </div>
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To play along with us next month, please <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/" target="_blank">visit Halcraft.com</a>! Thank you, Miss Erin! See <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-november-reveal-2/" target="_blank">Erin's post here</a>!<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-92175053422805752732015-10-28T05:24:00.000-07:002015-10-28T06:04:46.769-07:00Pretty Palettes :: October Reveal<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what fall looks like to me. Leaves, warmth, comfort. </div>
Erin chose the perfect palette for October's Pretty Palette challenge to go along with these "coasty" (the combination of "cozy" and "toasty" my 4-year-old came up with) feelings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWcbIqsBcvs/VjA1VkOiGxI/AAAAAAAAAns/q5iVIsmjdyw/s1600/PPOct2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWcbIqsBcvs/VjA1VkOiGxI/AAAAAAAAAns/q5iVIsmjdyw/s640/PPOct2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://design-seeds.com/home/entry/autumn-hues7" target="_blank">Design Seeds</a> put together a great palette, and Erin chose some beautiful Bead Gallery beads at Michaels. </td></tr>
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Although I loved Erin's bead choice, I had a pair of earrings in mind for the challenge, and I needed some other shapes of beads, so I added a few little faceted rounds and rondelles. I also had some wooden rectangle beads that I'd been hoarding in hopes of finding the perfect project home for them. Because they're so lightweight, wooden beads are great for earrings! Here are the beads I chose for this challenge:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osvQiHR4YOw/VjBC7kRDAoI/AAAAAAAAAoA/8uTMAjuXyAo/s1600/Beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osvQiHR4YOw/VjBC7kRDAoI/AAAAAAAAAoA/8uTMAjuXyAo/s400/Beads.JPG" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beads, with the purplish wooden rectangles right in the middle!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wanted to play around with wire, making frames around the larger beads with smaller beads. <span style="text-align: center;">I ended up adding some gold faceted rounds because I needed some more smaller beads to use to frame the larger beads. </span>Pretty soon I had some components that I could put together with wrapped loops to make some chandelier earrings with a color palette that appealed to me almost as much as a spiced warm apple cider. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQBWet9Uz6U/VjBIqxSDKVI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/eqyo7_dgEn4/s1600/Pumpkin%2BSpice%2BEarrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQBWet9Uz6U/VjBIqxSDKVI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/eqyo7_dgEn4/s640/Pumpkin%2BSpice%2BEarrings.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pumpkin Spice Earrings by Molly Schaller</td></tr>
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Now that I've made these earrings once, I want to make them again with other colors, and make them better. Time got away from me, and I didn't have enough of the small beads to make all of the trips around the red bead that I wanted to. I also want to get more practice using wire this way. I'd never made this type of component before, so my wires are a bit wonky. But when it's reveal time, it's reveal time, right? This time I worked down to the wire! ;)</div>
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To see the projects that others have made for Pretty Palettes, just click the InLinkz below.<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-1790323263179212072015-09-03T19:04:00.003-07:002015-09-04T07:18:34.283-07:0030 Words Thursday :: Young Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJkAn7_pQtg/Vej6ERKKsHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/uBds9KqvDsE/s1600/2015-08-29%2B10.37.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJkAn7_pQtg/Vej6ERKKsHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/uBds9KqvDsE/s640/2015-08-29%2B10.37.35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You be you and I'll be me, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and now we'll see how fun life will be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because I love you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and you love me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">so together forever we'll always be.</span></div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-87951308576723694682015-08-26T11:13:00.003-07:002015-08-26T11:18:17.136-07:00Pretty Palettes :: August 2015 EditionFor <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-august-reveal-2/" target="_blank">this month's Pretty Palettes challenge</a> on the Halcraft blog, <a href="http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin Prais-Hintz </a>chose a palette of muted earth tones inspired by the beauty of the landscape in Cappedoccia, Turkey. I'd never seen these amazing earth formations before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhHfrLUMUk/Vd3-wNWBd5I/AAAAAAAAAmY/ssi8m0W8JQQ/s1600/800px-View_of_Cappadocia_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhHfrLUMUk/Vd3-wNWBd5I/AAAAAAAAAmY/ssi8m0W8JQQ/s640/800px-View_of_Cappadocia_edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other-worldly landscape of the Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.</td></tr>
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That's part of what I love about this challenge: the way I learn something new and then get a chance to incorporate those new ideas into my jewelry. It's such a great spark for creativity!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OOILBsYLAs/Vd3-XOYlZ-I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/XxYAYZxYW5U/s1600/Cantaloupe%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OOILBsYLAs/Vd3-XOYlZ-I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/XxYAYZxYW5U/s640/Cantaloupe%2BNecklace.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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I'd been longing for a reason to use these lightweight twine-wrapped beads for over a month, and when I saw that Erin had chosen these as some of the beads that for this month's challenge, I knew this was my opportunity.<br />
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Here are the beads Erin chose:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtQfHO3mQyM/Vd3_CDTjSLI/AAAAAAAAAmg/FjoD8UJNT9Q/s1600/augbeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtQfHO3mQyM/Vd3_CDTjSLI/AAAAAAAAAmg/FjoD8UJNT9Q/s320/augbeads.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
As it turns out, many of these beads are very lightweight. Those great coppery spacers? They're plastic with a copper coating and weigh almost nothing!<br />
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I also chose some wooden disks that are some of my favorites from the <a href="http://www.michaels.com/beads-and-jewelry/entire-stock-strung-beads-by-bead-gallery/ia30-entirestockstrungbeads?cm_sp=apparel-_-bgstrungbeads-_-40" target="_blank">Bead Gallery collection at Michaels (which happen to ALL be 40% off through Saturday, 8/29/15)</a> as well as some sparkling rhinestone spacers with coppery metal and cantaloupe-colored rondelles to pick up on that almost peach band of earth in the mountains above.<br />
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All I needed for findings was a bit of copper chain, some copper Beadalon beading wire and copper crimp tubes, and a clasp with jump rings. You can make this necklace in half an hour, if you're a quick stringer!<br />
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Because the beads are large but lightweight, I wanted to make a statement necklace. I've seen so many women wearing necklaces like this with a t-shirt, coat or blazer and jeans. This necklace can totally rock the office to dinner transition.<br />
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Thanks for visiting my page! To <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-august-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">learn more about the Pretty Palette challenge</a>, visit the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/" target="_blank">Halcraft blog</a> on the first and last Wednesdays of the month. See what the other designers made by clicking the InLinkz images below.<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-65332532281777289452015-07-29T05:51:00.000-07:002015-07-29T05:56:59.044-07:00July Pretty Palettes :: Special Guest Designer!<br />
What an amazing month July is. Around here, it's hot, hot, hot, and lately rainy, rainy, rainy, too. I heard on the radio this morning that June and July both set records for highest rainfall in the history of Indiana. The ground has stayed moist for what feels like forever, sending my handsome husband into fits of chagrin over mowing wet grass; he hates the clumping!<br />
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But this happened one night. </div>
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Along with this:</div>
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It was spectacular. </div>
Our garden doesn't seem to mind, though, as we were able to harvest all of this near the beginning of the month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vPmR8jTohg/Vbe0cp9_yTI/AAAAAAAAAkI/_yemlSyS744/s1600/2015-07-11%2B13.30.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vPmR8jTohg/Vbe0cp9_yTI/AAAAAAAAAkI/_yemlSyS744/s400/2015-07-11%2B13.30.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bumper crop!</td></tr>
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I always look forward to time in my studio with my daughter, Annika, in the summer. No school, but as she's grown (she's 13 now), she's acquired a schedule of her own, so it was especially nice when this month she had the time to devote to making her own project for the Halcraft Pretty Palettes Challenge. She's been wanting to participate all year!<br />
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<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-july-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">Read more about how you can participate in the Halcraft Pretty Palettes Challenge here!</a></div>
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Here is this month's inspiration image that Erin put together for us. It's based on the aurora borealis video you can find on the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-july-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">blog</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkU6P-oY1YI/Vbe1eiIyFPI/AAAAAAAAAkM/kVIQfYG5uEE/s1600/Aurora_Borealis_Palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkU6P-oY1YI/Vbe1eiIyFPI/AAAAAAAAAkM/kVIQfYG5uEE/s400/Aurora_Borealis_Palette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The July Pretty Palettes </td></tr>
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Annika set to work one day and put together something that I found pretty amazing. She didn't ask for help once, and made a multi-strand necklace that is balanced but asymmetrical and works perfectly with the color palette, which is tough for even some adults to do! Not only that, but her loops are beautiful, and I love how she interpreted the warm grey color by using chain that has a similar hue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6PQQ0sAmiI/Vbg5HO17VhI/AAAAAAAAAls/tbq37oPZc7Y/s1600/2015-06-21%2B18.54.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6PQQ0sAmiI/Vbg5HO17VhI/AAAAAAAAAls/tbq37oPZc7Y/s320/2015-06-21%2B18.54.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not only can she make jewelry, but she can cook one mean cheesecake!<br />
This girl has skillz, I tell you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uK7eMVECH6s/Vbgusm0jq4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/ictiRzDdkms/s1600/Annika%2527s%2BNecklace%2BClasp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uK7eMVECH6s/Vbgusm0jq4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/ictiRzDdkms/s400/Annika%2527s%2BNecklace%2BClasp.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't Annika's clasp cool? It's chunky and perfect for the weight of three strands!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtY58qsMoIc/VbgusuVYteI/AAAAAAAAAko/-DWkiXwN41M/s1600/Annika%2527s%2BNecklace%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtY58qsMoIc/VbgusuVYteI/AAAAAAAAAko/-DWkiXwN41M/s640/Annika%2527s%2BNecklace%2BCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how it all comes together!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">I made a set of bracelets and chose to use gunmetal instead of the warmer copper tones that Annika used.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JE30yWpyLsY/VbgxoVuWvOI/AAAAAAAAAlE/3EHZLgbVasg/s1600/AB%2BBracelets%2BGroup%2BShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JE30yWpyLsY/VbgxoVuWvOI/AAAAAAAAAlE/3EHZLgbVasg/s640/AB%2BBracelets%2BGroup%2BShot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oil-spill finish of the hematite beads in the bracelet on the right look though they were made for this project!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A0pDYnrFaKo/VbgxoQLWdzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/aBQyXLcxeYU/s1600/JulyPPBracArm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A0pDYnrFaKo/VbgxoQLWdzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/aBQyXLcxeYU/s640/JulyPPBracArm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This set is perfect for stacking or wearing individually! </td></tr>
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To see the rest of the Pretty Palettes Challenge pieces, visit the Halcraft blog or click on the images below! Playing along is so much fun. Next Wednesday Erin will reveal the August Pretty Palette with another really special guest from "across the pond"! Don't miss it!</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-30897220293688830142015-06-24T10:11:00.000-07:002015-06-25T12:10:48.297-07:00Pretty Palettes :: June 2105 Sunshine & Saltwater<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSTtz_MeGp4/VYrcAFHs7WI/AAAAAAAAAig/fEwimxZKGss/s1600/2015-06-12%2B16.57.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSTtz_MeGp4/VYrcAFHs7WI/AAAAAAAAAig/fEwimxZKGss/s320/2015-06-12%2B16.57.36.jpg" width="240" /></a>Oh, how I love June in Indiana! The kids are able to enjoy going to the local pool and the days are long and filled with lots and lots of hot weather fun, like exploding water balloons on the trampoline!<br />
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Erin chose a really fun palette for this month's Halcraft Pretty Palette challenge (<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-june-reveal-2/" target="_blank">here's a link to learn how you can play along!</a>), and it is centered on these cute illustrated surfboards out of the Pottery Barn Teen catalog:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0OBucCXj2U/VYrcYYHOZyI/AAAAAAAAAio/9Xt_2f1rpno/s400/surfboards.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beachy fun from the PBTeen catalog inspired this month's Pretty Palettes challenge</td></tr>
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I wanted to mix things up a bit this time and decided not to go with a jewelry project this month. I figured these surfer girls might need something cool to use to keep their stuff together while they're out and about. I'd seen so many cute <a href="http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=beach+tote&category=0|All|matchallpartial|all+categories&lnk=snav_ta_beach+tote" target="_blank">large totes at Target</a> that were just begging for a tassel, so I made a project that can be a key chain (just attach your keys on that ringy thingy) or you can attach it directly to a strap on a bag. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8w_J_n-hr00/VYrgtppn2qI/AAAAAAAAAjA/bwnjG5QVSXg/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8w_J_n-hr00/VYrgtppn2qI/AAAAAAAAAjA/bwnjG5QVSXg/s400/4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color inspiration for Pretty Palettes</td></tr>
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I love the <a href="http://www.michaels.com/bead-landing-swivel-lobster-claw-clasps-30mm/10442979.html#q=swivel+lobster+clasp&start=1" target="_blank">large lobster clasps with the swivel mount</a>. They're great for things like this, and they're relatively heavy duty, so they can stand up to a surfer girl's abuse. I actually use one on my purse and just hook it onto the loop of the zipper pull. I never have to search for my keys that way! This is also perfect for a beach bag, as everything small (and important!) seems to fall to the bottom, and who wants to use up beach time searching for your keys? Not me!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtXY1CQ4QdI/VYrfmKcXjPI/AAAAAAAAAi4/AAKlr678_Pk/s1600/Beachy%2BBeaded%2BKeychains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtXY1CQ4QdI/VYrfmKcXjPI/AAAAAAAAAi4/AAKlr678_Pk/s400/Beachy%2BBeaded%2BKeychains.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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To make the tassels on these I used various materials. The first on the left uses <a href="http://www.michaels.com/bead-landing-natural-hemp-cord-168-ft/M10105494.html?dwvar_M10105494_color=Earth#q=hemp+cord&start=4" target="_blank">natural hemp</a> , the second and third both use <a href="http://www.michaels.com/bamboo-cording-variegated/10269689.html" target="_blank">bamboo cord</a>. I love the look of the variegated cord in the second tassel. The third tassel uses different colors off the same card of cording. </div>
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I used <a href="http://www.michaels.com/artistic-wire-silver-20-gauge/10193633.html#q=artistic+wire&start=1" target="_blank">20-gauge Artistic wire t</a>o connect the tassel to the clasp and string the beads. I've seen these made with cord, but wire's stronger, and these little guys are going to get heavy duty work done at the beach, where the corrosive elements will eat up fiber. </div>
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I stacked up some of my favorite <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=bead%20gallery%20strung%20beads" target="_blank">Bead Gallery beads,</a> starting with the large wooden disks. These were especially nice because their large holes cover the wrapped loop of the wire, making it easy to cozy the beads right up to the tassel. </div>
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To finish it off, I found sea life charms in the <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=charm%20gallery" target="_blank">Charm Gallery</a> area of Michaels. On the end cap near the beads there are a bunch of sea life charms as well, which is where that sweet sand dollar on the right came from. They're a great deal, as you get quite a few charms all connected to a chain. </div>
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Just open the jump ring and BAM! You've got a pendant! Be sure to check that out, as these charms might not be around in the fall. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8p4C1uRXMc/VYxSLM2p9TI/AAAAAAAAAjY/AeLDHpA5L28/s1600/triple%2Bkeychain%2Bhalcraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8p4C1uRXMc/VYxSLM2p9TI/AAAAAAAAAjY/AeLDHpA5L28/s640/triple%2Bkeychain%2Bhalcraft.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love what Erin and the rest of the gang have been doing with their versions of the June Pretty Palette challenge. To follow along, just click the link here! </div>
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<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-june-reveal-2/" target="_blank">June 2015 Pretty Palette Challenge</a></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-69789524504908025272015-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:002015-06-01T11:44:15.140-07:00Tassel Crazy!I've had a LOT of fun lately making necklaces.<br />
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I'm not sure if it's the knotting, the tassels, or the gorgeous focal beads, but these things are a blast.<br />
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<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/step-by-steps/monday-make-golden-honey-knotted-tassel-necklace/" target="_blank">Today my knotted tassel necklaces were featured on the Halcraft USA blog! </a> I made a step-by-step tutorial with photos to help everyone learn how to make these beauties. All you need to do is start with some of Beadalon's silk, your favorite round beads, a few focals, and some leather or embroidery floss to make the tassels. Bang! Instant fun!<br />
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You've got to get out there and make some of these yourself, I tell you. Just the tassel making alone had me. I want to make tassels out of any and every fiber I can get my hands on!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWatwG3lk64/VWym1tMOarI/AAAAAAAAAhw/Fq_K67CTsHc/s1600/2015-05-13%2B19.52.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWatwG3lk64/VWym1tMOarI/AAAAAAAAAhw/Fq_K67CTsHc/s400/2015-05-13%2B19.52.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To make your own tassel necklaces like these, <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/step-by-steps/monday-make-golden-honey-knotted-tassel-necklace/" target="_blank">visit the Halcraft USA blog!</a></td></tr>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-70255341851973519522015-05-27T11:25:00.000-07:002015-05-27T11:31:26.511-07:00May Pretty Palettes :: Branching OutWelcome to this month's Pretty Palette project! Each month, Erin Prais-Hintz chooses a palette of colors and a palette of beads to inspire and spark creative energy, then she writes a post about her finds on <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" target="_blank">the Halcraft USA blog</a>. Then, you and I and anyone else who would like to participate uses the same colors, and possibly the same beads from Halcraft's <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=bead%20gallery%20strung%20beads" target="_blank">Bead Gallery line at Michaels </a>to create a piece of jewelry or art. On the final Wednesday of the month everyone shares their creations <br />
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<a href="http://www.halcraft.com/pretty-palettes/pretty-palettes-may-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">Here's a link to May's Pretty Palette inspiration post. </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EzC1-h8-Rg/VWX-TH0U9eI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ElBfoMOTxm4/s1600/May_surt%2Bsa%2Braven%2Bcopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EzC1-h8-Rg/VWX-TH0U9eI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ElBfoMOTxm4/s320/May_surt%2Bsa%2Braven%2Bcopy.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scandinavian design's simple, clean lines inspired by nature are apparent in this textile choice for the Pretty Palettes May 2015 palette.</td></tr>
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This month I wanted to challenge myself to use the same beads that Erin chose. I thought they were the perfect fit for the inspiration image. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMbDeK8e7Nw/VWX-1cuocyI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4l7tmGSGKJw/s1600/May_bead%2Bselections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMbDeK8e7Nw/VWX-1cuocyI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4l7tmGSGKJw/s320/May_bead%2Bselections.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to find everything but the tiger eye donuts at Michaels</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">And here she is: Branching Out, inspired most greatly by the leaf motif. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxEswtUFVxY/VWYD75CmDjI/AAAAAAAAAg8/s0VD9EAXP4Y/s1600/Branching%2BOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxEswtUFVxY/VWYD75CmDjI/AAAAAAAAAg8/s0VD9EAXP4Y/s400/Branching%2BOut.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
It took a
while to work out how to make the little black leaves conform to the shapes that I wanted them, but using
wire worked well, and I love the articulated movement of each set of
leaves. Do any of you have other ideas of how to make these beads look like the leaves in the inspiration image?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0B7boQDrqE/VWYGW2JHorI/AAAAAAAAAhM/l1BE0uBh5Yo/s1600/Branching%2BOut%2BEarrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0B7boQDrqE/VWYGW2JHorI/AAAAAAAAAhM/l1BE0uBh5Yo/s400/Branching%2BOut%2BEarrings.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What worked for me is making a large wrapped loop through which both of the marquis beads were strung. It's secure and moves a bit like vertebrae. I think I might have to try out making a bracelet with the same technique in the future, as the beads lay so nicely, and it's really just begging to become a three-piece parure. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J8614zygMsU/VWYGxw45g4I/AAAAAAAAAhU/soKJHptBpo4/s1600/Branching%2BOut%2BNeckEar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J8614zygMsU/VWYGxw45g4I/AAAAAAAAAhU/soKJHptBpo4/s400/Branching%2BOut%2BNeckEar.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I almost added some of the tiger's eye beads to the earrings, but I ended up favoring the simple flowing lines of the black beads, better for keeping with the theme of Scandinavian design, too!<br />
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Also, I found that even though the strand of red beads alternated transparent and opaque, I only wanted to use the opaque ones, because they seemed to flow with the design of the fabric better. <br />
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Thank you for visiting my blog. You can visit the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" target="_blank">Halcraft blog</a> next Wednesday to see the June inspiration photo, and I hope you play along! </div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-77654364535784958282015-05-01T09:03:00.003-07:002015-05-01T09:03:59.544-07:00April Pretty Palettes :: Lavender Fields ForeverThis month has been busy! This week I taped two segments with the wonderful Katie Hacker for the PBS television show, Beads, Baubles & Jewels. The show tapes in Cleveland, and this time I got a chance to share an entire year's worth of birthstone projects as well as finishing techniques! It's a great show that features some amazing designers. Every week you can see free video of the show on the <a href="http://www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com/" target="_blank">Beads, Baubles & Jewels website</a>. Check it out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgTZKFTqJPY/VUOdBHvb0UI/AAAAAAAAAe4/hqdAjQZ4buM/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgTZKFTqJPY/VUOdBHvb0UI/AAAAAAAAAe4/hqdAjQZ4buM/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Hacker and me on the set of Beads, Baubles & Jewels!</td></tr>
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I managed to finish my project for my favorite blog hop before I left for Cleveland, but I didn't manage to get the piece photographed and written up, so I apologize for being a bit late to the Pretty Palettes party this month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwJUqpuAE98/VUOd4CfjVnI/AAAAAAAAAfo/-1sDgEZ9J0E/s1600/color-inspiration-purple-green-and-teal-design-seeds1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwJUqpuAE98/VUOd4CfjVnI/AAAAAAAAAfo/-1sDgEZ9J0E/s1600/color-inspiration-purple-green-and-teal-design-seeds1.png" height="320" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the great Design Seeds palette Erin posted for us to use as inspiration. Gorgeous!</td></tr>
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I decided to play around with a little finding that was new to me this month: <a href="http://www.beadalon.com/findings/Slide_Connectors.asp" target="_blank">the slide connector from Beadalon. </a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOZQawXG2ho/VUOdC-b_FII/AAAAAAAAAfY/Y_z3uY31apo/s1600/Slide%2BConnector.jpg" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beadalon's slide connector comes in silver and gold in multiple widths</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The slide connector has a channel into which you could put a thin material like leather, silk or other cording. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Here are the Bead Gallery beads that I chose for this project. I must admit that I have a new favorite bead. It's the green faceted Czech glass with the mottled finish. I want to put these little earthy guys in everything I make.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7eeGyKs7GM/VUOdBlfh3YI/AAAAAAAAAe8/AvVDwcy8eC0/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BBeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7eeGyKs7GM/VUOdBlfh3YI/AAAAAAAAAe8/AvVDwcy8eC0/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BBeads.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't have many of these beads left when I finished, but here's what they look like when you get them from <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVBiTjGYWgo/VUOdCHPKFrI/AAAAAAAAAfI/rxQv71kW8D0/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BTools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVBiTjGYWgo/VUOdCHPKFrI/AAAAAAAAAfI/rxQv71kW8D0/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BTools.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what you need to make this project.</td></tr>
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I played around a bit with the idea of using cording, but in the end I thought I'd give it a try as a multi-strand connector for a bracelet. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwV25wgq_Oo/VUOdC1aTqCI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Oaq-FjmKVFc/s1600/Lavender%2BFields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwV25wgq_Oo/VUOdC1aTqCI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Oaq-FjmKVFc/s1600/Lavender%2BFields.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside the connector I used a gold round and a crimp to hold things in place. When I was finished, I pinched the connector together to hold the flexible beading wire in place so that it didn't get abraded. I was concerned that the connector could cause the wire to break. I've worn the bracelet a few times and haven't had any issues. I'll update this if I have any problems with it. </div>
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Now, I wasn't quite finished, and I had a few beads left, so I decided to make a little pendant to go along with the bracelet. Something simple and easy to wear, but with a chevron-esque look. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAgqHsrFxg/VUOdB8OwwTI/AAAAAAAAAfA/OEURgRL2Upg/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BPendant%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAgqHsrFxg/VUOdB8OwwTI/AAAAAAAAAfA/OEURgRL2Upg/s1600/Lavender%2BFields%2BPendant%2BNecklace.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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If you want to play along or just check out the rest of the projects on the Halcraft blog, visit the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-april-reveal-2/" target="_blank">April Pretty Palettes post</a>. Erin Prais-Hintz will have May's inspiration photo up next week, and word is, that the next blogger partner is none other than the fantastic and talented Heather Powers of Humblebeads!</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-78781552885956097142015-04-09T10:42:00.000-07:002015-04-10T08:30:19.484-07:0030 Words :: Puddle Jumpers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BttkuEZSYvU/VSa5jEoLTrI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/AERh_SGE9FU/s1600/DaffodilsEd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BttkuEZSYvU/VSa5jEoLTrI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/AERh_SGE9FU/s1600/DaffodilsEd.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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when rain falls<br />
in sheets and the world is<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">lush-green-wonderful</span><br />
wet with promises<br />
of yellow days and warmth,<br />
we take hands <br />
and<br />
puddle jump<br />
both feet at once<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<b> </b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The premise of <u>30 Words Thursdays</u> is simple...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).</b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.</b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />Post it each Thursday.</b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />Add your link to the InLinkz on my 30 Words Thursday post.</b> </span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)<b> </b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />Enjoy seeing the verse and vision others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.</b></span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-6048018906729185102015-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:002015-03-25T08:00:07.966-07:00March Pretty PalettesWhat a winter! It feels good to talk about it in the past tense. We've made it to spring, and Halcraft's <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/design/pretty-palettes-march-inspiration-2/" target="_blank">March Pretty Palettes palette</a> is gorgeous. Erin picked some of my favorites, and working with these colors was like visiting an old friend.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-717kvhwKGks/VQtMKeucZQI/AAAAAAAAAdo/nA5eX6BDBz4/s1600/cvetovaya-palitra-1846.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-717kvhwKGks/VQtMKeucZQI/AAAAAAAAAdo/nA5eX6BDBz4/s1600/cvetovaya-palitra-1846.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin found this palette here: http://color.romanuke.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I'd been wanting a chance to make a chevron style necklace for a while now, and this seemed like a great chance to do it. I used a few of the new strands of <a href="http://www.michaels.com/search?q=bead%20gallery%20strung%20beads" target="_blank">Bead Gallery beads</a> on the end cap at Michaels that features multiple colors of blue beads, and then I added pops of copper and gold strung on a long piece of knotted white leather with a slightly shiny finish. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yO2RFyIF-A/VQtMvNbUyfI/AAAAAAAAAd0/k5wtQXmDDSo/s1600/Spring%2BChevron%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yO2RFyIF-A/VQtMvNbUyfI/AAAAAAAAAd0/k5wtQXmDDSo/s1600/Spring%2BChevron%2BNecklace.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Instead of using two eye pins, I used a slightly heavier gauge wire (<a href="http://www.beadalon.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=670D924E803C4B9CA4D8317E331D407C" target="_blank">20- gauge gold German style Wire from Beadalon</a>, which can be found at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels </a>as well), made wrapped loops at the ends, and bent the loops at an angle that would easily accommodate the leather cording. I didn't knot the top ends of the loops so that the beads can slide up and down the cording, just for a little fun! </div>
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Enjoy the rest of the Pretty Palettes posts back at the <a href="http://www.halcraft.com/blog" target="_blank">Halcraft USA blog</a> today! </div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-19129294613708705482015-02-19T19:05:00.001-08:002015-02-19T19:08:26.499-08:0030 Words :: Up, Up & Away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNHlKo_KZ6U/VOahD7VN1OI/AAAAAAAAAcg/PkQjlM3oZCg/s1600/UpUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNHlKo_KZ6U/VOahD7VN1OI/AAAAAAAAAcg/PkQjlM3oZCg/s1600/UpUp.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Written</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">on the orthodontist's appointment slip:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">MAKE time to create with words.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unraveling the memory of us</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">floating above the earth</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">sharing a shivering, silent reverie.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Your knuckles brushing mine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The premise of <u>30 Words Thursdays</u> is simple...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Post it each Thursday.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Add your link to the InLinkz on <a href="http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2015/02/30-words-14-years.html" target="_blank">Erin's 30 Words Thursday post.</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Enjoy seeing the verse and vision others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.</b></span></div>
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-50626531976286436142015-01-28T12:21:00.001-08:002015-01-28T12:21:19.260-08:00Magic!Two posts in one day? It might never happen again, but I couldn't keep myself from sharing how heartbreakingly beautiful my yard was this morning. Here's a little taste of my "commute" out to my studio office in the barn.<br />
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All things bright and beautiful!</div>
<br />The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8752889992934550868.post-10758813727725269852015-01-28T10:40:00.002-08:002015-01-28T10:41:00.830-08:00January's Pretty Palettes :: Rose Blush Necklace/Bracelet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
According to Pantone, 2015's color of the year is Marsala, a rich red wine shade with earthy tones and killer versatility. I love this image showing Marsala with some of its possible color companions. This color was the start for Erin Prais-Hintz' January Pretty Palettes blog hop <span style="text-align: center;">hosted by Halcraft USA. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">For more information about the blog hop and to see what others have made using the same color palette of beads, visit the <a href="http://wp.me/p4IxMl-1oc" target="_blank">Halcraft blog here</a>.</span></div>
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Erin used this image as the inspiration image for her post, and I LOVE it. Whoever thought to put succulents in a bridal bouquet? Brilliant! The dusty rose and the almost greenish gray of what we around here call "hen & chicks" feel sophisticated and lush.</div>
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Here are the beads I started with to match the Pretty Palette. I used the image as much as the swatches at the bottom, and I really loved the faux pearls in dusty rose. I ended up adding some metal spacers with crystals and left out many of the pinkier beads in favor of just using the ombre pearls in the end.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Bead Gallery beads from Michaels Stores!</td></tr>
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I fumbled a bit with this project, as the colors were way pinker than what I am usually comfortable working with. What is it about pink? It's intimidating to me. Is it to you?<br />
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Do you ever have days where you just want to do something sort of monotonous and repetitive? That was my day yesterday. I wanted a project in which I could just enjoy the beads, their rosy color, their different textures and finishes, so I decided that I wanted to create a really long knotted bead necklace. </div>
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I ended up using the great ombre pearls, some of the green blue faceted beads, and some of the marsala red rounds along with the great silvery resin rounds that look like they have tiny crystal caves inside. </div>
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I used <a href="http://www.beadalon.com/tools/JTECONKNOT.asp" target="_blank">Beadalon's handheld knotting tool</a> (how-to video in the link). They have <a href="http://www.beadalon.com/tools/216S-275.asp" target="_blank">a newer tabletop tool</a> (how-to video in the link) that I haven't tried yet, but I'm really happy with my little handheld jobbie. I love this little wooden thing. It makes the knots slide off easily and keeps them close to the beads. If you haven't tried one, it's definitely worth asking some of your beading friends about. Maybe one has a knotting tool you can take for a test drive. You string all of the beads you'd like to use, then slowly and meditatively get into the rhythm of knotting and sliding a bead, knotting and sliding a bead. It's lovely, and just as relaxing as knitting!<br />
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Maybe I'll get a chance to use the newer tabletop tool next week when I visit the Beadalon booth in Tucson! </div>
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You can wear this as a long necklace, or wrapped around your wrist multiple times as a bracelet, or even doubled as a longer and shorter strand necklace, as I did on my little mannequin here in my office.<br />
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And with the leftover beads, don't forget to make yourself a pretty pair of earrings!<br />
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Even though the greenish gray flashes that showed up in the succulents didn't show up in the little samples on the palette, I decided to incorporate them into my jewelry. I love how this color looks with the dusty rose and marsala red. It's so sophisticated and unexpected!<br />
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Thank you for another wonderful Pretty Palettes blog hop, Erin!<br />
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The Crafty Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799519139794274630noreply@blogger.com14