Earrings & Bracelet

 This project started when I found the "semi-precious" stones in a clearance bin at Joann.  I picked them up for a small amount of money and thought I'd put together a bracelet. 

 So I did.  I haven't pulled out my jewelry stuff in ages.

 Of course then I needed earrings.  The don't completely match, but good enough.

 I've actually worn the earrings more than the bracelet. 

 I made them using my original tutorial found *here*.  Which, incidentally is my number one visited post, ever.

Also, the lovely wooden box was made by my Dad for Mr. Riley.  You can find more of his work *here*.

O is for Obsessive

I'm not really sure why, but the only thing I've wanted to do for the last couple of days is make jewelry.  The set for Easter must have gotten me going, and once the stuff is out its easy to keep going.  Every time I got close to finishing one piece, I wanted to try something else.  So here is a gallery of what I've been doing the last couple of days.

What do you think?  Any favorites?  I am working on a couple of tutorials for the newest designs.  Hopefully up next week.

The Vintage Vogue Jewelry

First, a big thank you to all of you who left very kind comments on the dress yesterday.  It was fun to wear, and very fulfilling to get a UFO done!


So the day before Easter, I was in the fabric shop to get buttons for yesterday's dress - the bolero jacket, to be specific.  And of course I had to wander down the bead aisle.  That prompted an impromptu making of some jewelry to match the dress.

 I bought the 'plain' cultured pearl beads.  The other pink and flesh toned beads I already had at home.

  A little random stringing of some beads.

And a couple of french hooks, and voila.  New jewelry for a new/old dress!
You can find instructions for the earrings here and the bracelet here.

More Five Minute Earrings

I sent these three pairs off to England a while ago.

And these I made one morning before church.

Unfortunately, I lost one to the dryer.  I can see it.  I can't get it out. hmmmmm :(

Giveaway!

So here it is, my very first

Giveaway

*The giveaway is now closed*

I had thought about waiting for 100 followers, but at this rate, that would be ages from now.  So, as I watched the followers creep toward 50, I made plans to do one then.  Well, the dahlia post brought all sorts of new followers, so here we are, up to 58!  And by now, you're dying to know what I'm giving away.

 This necklace and earring set!  Unique, original, and made by me!

 The pendant and round stones are 'Russian Jade'.  The beads are a silver lined transparent glass bead.  The necklace measures 17" long.

The matching earrings are 2" long.

The Rules

• Be a follower of The Life of Riley.
• Leave a comment on this post telling me which movie you have seen at least 3 times and why.  It can be one that you don't even like.  For example there are many 'kid' movies I've seen more than 3 times!

That's it!  I don't do Facebook, Twitter, I don't have a shop, and you don't even have to blog about the giveaway - unless you want to.  I will take comments until Saturday, 6 pm central time.  I will announce a winner some time on Sunday.

Good luck!

Five Minute Earrings

I really wanted to call these "Date Night Earrings", but when you have 4 kids, you don't go out on dates.  Anyway, they are so easy you can make them in Five Minutes - or just before you're going out.

These are for my sister-in-law.

You will need 2 Eye Pins.  2 Fish Hook Wires.  Needle Nose Pliers.  Something to cut the wire (I used my kitchen scissors).  Beads.  You can find these things at any craft store.  I am particularly fond of Hobby Lobby.

1. Thread Beads onto eye pin.

2. Bend wire at the bottom.

3. Cut

4. Twist wire end into a circle (or oval).  You just want to keep the beads from coming off.

5. Open eye and attach to the fish hook.  Pinch closed.

6.  Earring is done!  (These are to match my Mother-in-laws bracelet from yesterday)

So easy a two-year-old can do it!

 

This may be obvious, but if you are going to make a matching bracelet, earring set.  Make the earrings first, so you have the right beads to make a matching pair. (it wasn't immediately obvious to me)

Bracelet Tutorial

I made these for Mr. Riley's sister-in-law for Christmas this year.

I'll show you how I did the bracelets - if you promise not to laugh.  I hadn't entered the world of jewelry making before this, so for all I know I did it wrong.

You will need elastic beading thread.  Crimp beads. Needle nose pliers.  Beads of your choice.  The black/silver ones are from a kit from Micheals, the glass 'pearls' are from Hobby Lobby.

Cut your beading elastic to the length you want - remembering to leave extra to tie-off and finish the ends.  I found it helpful to tape down one end to the table so the beads didn't slide off.

 Start with a crimp bead and add other beads as desired.  End with another crimp bead.

Bring your two ends together and tie a knot.
Slide one end of each tie back through a crimp bead and pull tight.

 Squeeze your crimp beads with the needle nose pliers and trim the extra elastic.  Voila - an easy and fast bracelet.

Now if you choose, you can tie your bracelets together with a scrap of fabric or ribbon.  Check out these other bracelet sets I also made as gifts.

Come back tomorrow for 5 Minute Earrings.