Fun with Art Beads - Cubic Zirconia

Back in November I posted about the beautiful Cubic Zirconia's I received as part of the blogging for beaders group from Art Beads.

















CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-YEL6 - 6mm Yellow CZ Round Bead *

Over the weekend I got some time for myself and played around with an idea I have had in my head.

I made a loop out of 14 ga sterling and hammered the loop to give it texture and strength. Then I used a 28 ga. silver plated wire to wrap the portion of the loop where the ends meet to hide ends and to give it a focus. In the wrap I added one of the CZ beads to draw you eye to it.

I made wire coils and put them on the ends of a piece of leather to use as the connecting point for the design. I made wire wrapped loops and attached the hammered piece to the coil connectors and added the yellow CZ's. Next I added a bit of chain using jump rings to the wire wrapped loop and then created charms from the other CZ's and here you have it!







*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Dream a little dream with me

I got this bead a while back from Art Beads and wanted to incorporate it into a different design. I had the idea in my head, but it just wouldn't come out my fingers.

I have unconsciously rolled this bead around between my fingers looking for that special something to do with it. Put it down, and pick it up again. I wanted it to be tucked into a design so when seen, it would be like a hidden treasure.

It didn't work that way. I played around with a previous design and a pendant and liked the idea so much, I used it again for this bead.

It is a fun 'tween' design, simple, casual, but to the point - "Dream"

We all need a little dream don't we?

Oh those pesky pendants

A few days ago while organizing my work room, I ran across these pendants.


Working with a pre-made pendant is a real challenge for me. I can't seem to always work them into a design without them being a glaring distraction from the whole piece. I dont' want to just put a pendant on a chain or a thong either. What fun is that. Then the thought hit me - use that chain or leather thong, but do it a bit differently. I used three pieces of leather and some big hole sterling barrels. Slid the barrels onto the leather, gave em a bit of a mash to hold them in place and WOW.

Simple, to the point and makes a statement all it's own.







What would you do with those pesky pendants???

Where the beads are!

It is already June 9th, where did the time go!!

Fathers day is coming and I know a lot of people are looking for that last minute gift. Why not make him a necklace? Fun styles guys may wear are easy peasy - like a pendant on leather, or a simple wrapped pendant. Try something fun with chips, or smaller stones.

Sedona stones has some great donuts for a quick simple style.



Your dad a motorcycle enthusiast? If he is like the ones we ride with, theme his gift with a skull bead



Rings & Things has what you need for that great turquoise necklace for dad



Throw in some coral



Mebbe some sterling



What dad wouldn't love it!

Art Beads has some hot pendant ideas that would be great for dad!
You don't need to add to this - this is awesome just by itself.



Really does it get much easier!




What are your Fathers Day ideas?

The 'Key' to that extra bead

Oh how I love the extra large beads. Creating a piece with all large beads however beautiful it may be, is not always practical. It can be heavy, uncomfortable, bulky, may not lay correctly - these are from my experiences.

Still I buy the strands of the large beads and incorporate them into my designs as focals and accents. After the designs are done, I may have one or two left over - what do I do with them? - put them in my random pile and wait for inspiration.

Here is some fun I have had with my 'stray' beads.