Still in full bracelet mode

Last night was another bracelet night. I couldn't sleep and playing with beads is a brilliant was to pass the time. I guess this one took me about 3 hours and after it was done I managed to doze off for a while.

The pinks are quite as bright as the photo shows. I really must buy or make a light box. I can feel a job for my husband coming on :o)

For me!

After making bracelets for others I thought it was time I did one for myself. I had considered a green/copper/orange one or a purple one. So what did I make? Yup....a blue and silver one! I think it's only a matter of time before its stolen though Nickys already tried it on for size...it's too big but apparently it doesn't quite fall off so it's ok! And I guess I'd better hide it when Emma pays a visit.... Any comment to make Emma?

It was my first day back at work after a week at home. It's such a shock to the system. Still it's nice to be missed but they really didn't have to leave me quite so much work to do :O)

Photography

I have to be honest and admit that today I did very little. I DID however crochet a sweet blue elephant.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70582AD.html

I was browsing through my old photos and thought I'd share some of the nicer nature ones. I have a thing about macro photography so they are mostly of insects however I have left out the spider ones in case anyone has a nervous disposition!

Taken last April on a beach in Norfolk

Taken late summer 2008 at Barton Broad, Norfolk

Taken last summer at Danson park, Welling

Taken last summer in my back garden!

Here's hoping for some nice weather soon. I'll soon be spotted kneeling on the grass with my backside in the air stalking some poor unsuspecting creature.

C- Could try harder!

I finished my first amigurumi yesterday evening. Well what can I say? She was meant to be a sweet little love bunny from this link http://castonerika.blogspot.com/2009/02/love-bunnies.html She turned out to be a rabbit on steroids!

Hmmm. Use a smaller hook perhaps!

I've been regrouting the kitchen today so I haven't had time for any crafting (what is the world coming too!) I may grab an early night...by that I mean leaving my hubby in front of the TV and secretly crafting :) If I don't move around too much he'll never realise!

Wire wrap tutorial

Please forgive the sometimes blurred photos. It is not the fault of the photographer (thanks Nicky, you are a star) but of me for moving unexpectedly. I will try to replace them later.

I hope this makes sense. If it doesn't then please let me know and I'll add bits or more photos.


When I first when to evening class to learn how to make jewellery wire wrapping was one of the first things we were taught. Once you can do this technique a whole range of styles and designs are achievable.
When you start to wire wrap use cheap wire – copper or silver plate. I’d recommend a 0.5mm wire to start with. It’s thin enough to bend easily but thick enough to work with.
You will also need: round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and a pair of wire cutters. Oh, and of course some beads!

Cut the wire into lengths of about 10-15 cm. It will depend on the size of the bead you are working with if you need it longer but be generous (this is why you shouldn’t start with silver wire!)
You will need to straighten the wire when you cut it. Do this by holding the wire between the thumb and fore finger of both hands and stroking the wire straight.

There are 2 different methods in making the hoop at the end of a wire wrap. One is more complicated than the other but I think it looks nicer.

Method 1, the easy method: Hold the wire with the round nose pliers about 1/3 of the way from the end.

Wrap the wire over the top of the pliers

Bring the wire underneath

You can either try to wrap the wire now but it is better to swop to the flat nosed pliers to get a better grip.

If you find bending the wire painful, and you might at first, you can use another set of flat nose pliers to grip the wire with while you wrap the wire around itself. Even wraps will come with practice I promise!

Cut the excess off with your wire cutters as flush as you can get. You may wish to use a metal file to soften the edges of the cut.

Here is your finished wrap

Method 2:
Using the round nose pliers hold the wire just like in method one and bend the wire over by 90 degrees or so NOT all the way around. (the angle is a bit odd as I was having trouble showing clearly what was happening)

Bend the end of the wire around the other side of the pliers as shown in the next picture. You are making an S-shape

At this point you have to reposition the pliers. I think the photo shows it more clearly than I can describe it

Carry on wrapping around

Swop to flat nose pliers to get a better grip and twist the wire around itself to finish the wrap

Left is method 2 and right is method 1. The more complicated method (method 2) gives a more rounded hoop and I think it looks better and sits better in a bracelet but the choice is yours.

Add the bead of your choice. You may have to re-straighten the wire again.
To complete the link use your round nose pliers to roughly measure the length of the wrapping you have just completed (please excuse the blurred picture) you can use that measurement on the other side of the bead to roughly know where to place your pliers for the next hoop.

Place them on the point where the pliers come to (or just before) start your wrap following either method 1 or 2 (I’ve used method 2)

And so on until….

To join another link: bend the wire as before but before wrapping the wire around add the completed link on.

Continue to add links until you have your desired length.

Another idea is to use a head pin (or curl one end of a piece of wire so the bead doesn't fall off) then by wire wrapping one end you have made a pendant.

A break in the weather

At last some good news on the weather front. We are not forecast any more snow! I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief and I'm going on holiday in 15 days time and had visions of not being able to get to the airport or the planes being cancelled.

I made Nicky's bracelet last night. It turned out really chunky.

I think I'll make one for myself next. I poured all of my loose and mixed up beads into one big case. It may be a mistake because I spend more time playing with them than I do using them. But they're so pretty :)

I'm undecided as to make a green/copper/orange one or a purple one. Hmmm. Any suggestions?

Bracelet made and much organisation!

I got on with the bracelet last night. The colour theme was chosen and, under careful supervision, I got on with it.

The beads I use are a complete mix of semi-precious, glass, crystal, plastic and resin. In the second picture I've shown an acrylic flower. I bought these recently from ebay and like a lot of internet purchases I thought they were awful! However, I was surprised at how nice they looked when used this way. Nicky (my youngest) loves it and has signed me up to make her another one but using pearl and clear beads with the only colour being these flowers.

I got a little restless today and thought it would be a good idea to get myself organised. I seem to be spending more time searching for stuff than actually making it. Whilst going through endless bags I came across some UFO's (UnFinished Objects) After taking these photos I came across another black bag filled with more!

Crocheted hexagons that I thought I'd make into a throw for my kingsized bed. I have a few more loose ones to add to it but it's nowhere near done

I crocheted these big granny squares from rainbow wool. Yet another throw!

This was going to be a knitted bag!

The other bits I found was patchwork. I've got enough unfinished patchwork to go around the world twice.

One day I'll get around to them.!!!!

First post

This is my first foray into the world of blogging so bear with me.
I've not been out of the house for the last 3 days because of the snow and ice. Living on a hill is not a great idea when your pavement resembles an ice-rink so I've been spending my time re-learning how to crochet. Since the weekend I've made a
scarf, a hat and a pair of socks.
Nicky, my youngest daughter has asked me to make a bracelet for one of her friends birthday. I know the style she wants but she's not being very helpful with the colours. All I've got to go on is 'she likes all colours' That's never a good idea because she's liable to end up with a rainbow on her
wrist. I might start on that tonight and I'll post a photo when its done