Circular Peyote Stitch Bangle

Japanese 8/0 cylinders showcase clear seed beads and swarovski pearls. This free pattern by Anna Elizabeth Draeger (Beadandbutton.com) claims the bangle is quick and easy. I have limited experience with peyote stitch, but I have to admit, it was exactly as claimed and fun to wear!

I only wish I had enough to make a few more bracelets because they would be fun to wear stacked!

Mosaic Polymer Clay Bracelet

I finally finished the mosaic bracelet. It's a mosaic technique with polymer clay. Pink Swarovski are wire wrapped to link each medallion.


I used chain that can attach to the lobster clasp so that the bracelet is adjustable.

Mosaic Multimedia Polymer Clay Bracelet

In exchange for a marvelous gift, Polymer Clay Mixed Media Jewelry, I promised to make my friend the bracelet on the cover. I had visited this book often in Michaels, but because coupons are not valid on books, I had to make due with leafing through its pages when I visited.

It took me longer than it probably should have to create a functional Skinner blend, but once that part was done, the rest was easy. It took many hours to create the mixed media pieces and I enjoyed watching Youtube during the more tedious portions. Finally, I cured the little medalions and they are ready to link up with some Swarovskis!

Here is a closeup of one of the medium-sized medallions. My camera afforded me few other useable closeup shots. I love how the hot fix crystals show up against the bright orange and pink mosaic clay. They are also framed in by cylinder and seed beads.

I didn't like the way the artist put another layer of clay for the sides and backing. It just looked clunky. Instead, I used metallic powders and painted the sides and back. I was considering silver leaf, but since I've never used the stuff, I chickened out!

Another change: I didn't use jumprings as links. I tried them before and they only mishaped the clay piece I was working on, which was infuriating! Here I trimmed the long end off eye pins and inserted them as deep as I dare go. I'm proud of nearly all of them! The middle one was my first try and it ended up looking whacked out, so I'll be redoing that one. Not bad, all in all for my first try at this project!

Three Classic Necklaces

These three necklaces were very easy to put together.

This first necklace uses luminous hand-crafted glass I purchased from an artist in Moro Bay. When worn, the glass appears to take on green and purple hues, reflecting light beautifully. It looks very elegant and I love how the beads stand out against skin tones. Because I wanted them to be the focal point of the necklace, I chose a very fine gold chain and medium-sized gold beads to allow the glass beads to stand out. It's just too bad my camera does not show the brilliance of the beads.








This necklace design comes from Sandra Halpenny, who features her designs on her web site for purchase. This was one of the freebies. Using light blue seed beads and crystal Swarovskis, I altered the pattern only slightly by adding the 4mm crystals that hang lowest. This was a snap to make, even for a beginner!












I love the vintage look of this necklace. I used two types of gold chain, using the wire-wrapped lilac glass to combine them. If I had it to do over, I would use a different type of base chain that would be more accomodating for the hanging briolettes. For such an inexpensive and easy necklace, it lends a classic elegance to most any outfit. This was my first attempt at this type of wirewrapping, and although it could be a little smoother, I was pleased at the forgiving quality of the 24-gauge wire.