My new cartoon tutorial: weaving a 4-sided rope

[kathy-kostinsky.livejournal.com]

Here I'd like to show you my new tute: how to weave a 4-sided bead rope with 1 thread and 1 needle.

To watch the cartoon click the pic, please.

Custom jewelry requests freak me out.

[hyperallergina.livejournal.com]

 So, a while ago my mother-in-commonlaw saw a picture of a necklace in the style review of some newspaper. She cut it out and asked me to make her one but in different colors. I think she asked me to do it just to be nice as she was excited that she finally found something crafty to talk to me about. Little did she know I don't make jewelry at all (or even wear any or own any!) but even still I agreed to take on the project. I get far too worked up over worrying if people like gifts I make them. It's even worse when they already have an idea of what they want in their head! Eeep!
In the end I think she is happy with it. All things considered, I think did an ok job of it, also, it ended up being fun after all! 


The original was blue with mirrored 1/2 spheres in the center of each ring. I spent the most time scouring my city looking for materials that were as close to the original as possible because I was scared that if I deviated too much from what she saw in the paper she wouldn't like it. Finally I gave up and made something very different looking but in a similar shape and technique. Mine is in various fall tones with gold filigree buttons that I found in a sewing shop.  

 

( Click for more! )

Technique used is a simple buttonhole stitch around the plastic rings
Materials are
* #5 pearl cotton floss (4 skeins)
* 1 1/2" plastic drapery rings (14)
* gold filigree buttons with the shanks smooshed flat (12)
* 1/2" organza ribbon (1.5 meters)

Approximate cost = $18.00 (CAN)

As a bonus, there is enough stuff left to make a bracelet I think! Expect a follow up post!