Weekly Crafts - March 2-8, 2009

I just posted the "Making Do" project for this week, check out the previous post for a really pretty shelf.
Here's what else I've been up to this week:It's not much, but I've been busy trying to set up an Etsy shop - so crafting came second this week. I hope you understand.

Making Do - Vintage Shelf

It's a little late on Sunday, but I wanted to share the next part of my "Making Do" series. Back in October, I posted on my other blog about finding this shelf that was in need of a little TLC to be made awesome.

It was pretty easy with some black spray paint
And some pretty scrapbook paper to boot
to make it this lovely piece.
I'm really happy with it. What do you think?
Now to stock it with some pretties.

"Making Do" with Light Blue Cat's Eye Beads

Yesterday I showed you these beads. They are simple light blue cat's eye beads. I've had them so long I can't remember when, where, or why I bought them. I haven't used cat's eye beads as a major part of my beadwork in quite a while. As such, I needed to go ahead and DO SOMETHING with these.

So, I thought about what I wanted to make and considered chandelier earrings first. But, when I realized how MANY of these I had, I knew a long necklace was in order. I had also already decided on on the colors I wanted to use with them - some neutrals (black and clear) and red.

I gathered my supplies: black, clear, and red seed beads; some 24 gauge black wire; and pliers (needle nose, round nose, and wire cutters).

The necklace was simply a wire link one. I cut short (3-4 inch) lengths of the wire [they don't really need to be this long, but I'm still not very good at making wrapped wire loops, so this was good practice on some longer lengths of wire]; made a loop and twist on one end, added my beads, and started the loop on the other end to look like this:
I attached all the links together as each was made to form a very long beaded chain necklace.

Here's the whole thing together.

And another closer look at it.

I'm pretty happy with the results. It was a good way to use up a lot of the same beads. I suppose it would also be a good way to use up a lot of any kind of beads. You can't really tell in the pictures, but the necklace itself is very subtle and skinny (though long.) It's definitely more of an accent necklace than a focal point necklace. In any case, it's still cool.

After seeing my post yesterday, several of my dear friends mentioned that I should open an Etsy shop. Don't worry - there is one in the works. I just have to stop making jewelry long enough to get started on setting up the shop. I've got a few things I want to work out about the selling and shipping and some other research I need to do. You will SOOOO be informed when the shop is up and running.
Thanks for the confidence in me, it's really given me the gumption to get my butt in gear on the whole jewelry selling front.

Oh, let me know what you think of the above necklace. Was it a success (turning some old, unused beads into something beautiful)? I welcome your comments.

Crafting Feb 23-March 1

I was able to get some pictures taken and loaded today of what I've been working on this week. It's quite a mixture of crafty stuff.

Collage/Soldering:

I started the week working on just one collage/ soldered pendant. I then strung it up with some beads to make this very cool necklace that I'm calling "Fun and Games".This is the 'front' of the pendant.

It is two sided and here's side B.

I went on to work on a few more collages and was able to get them in the glass and copper foiled. They are waiting to be soldered. These are the fronts.

These are their "B sides". I really like old glasses and for some reason used these on the back of all of them. Weird, I know!

Knitting:
I bought a Knifty Knitter kit this week.

In one night I was able to complete a cap with only a few errors.

I then started in a scarf to match, but have since realized that I don't have enough yarn to complete the scarf. It will end up as a pot holder I suppose.

Beading:
I've decided to do a few tutorials here using some of the beads/ other craft materials that I don't know how to work into other projects. I think I'm going to call the series "Making Do" or something along those lines. What do you think? Here are the beads I started with - some light blue cat's eye beads. Check back for the details of what I did with them. It's pretty cool, if I do say so myself.