Make Your Own Mish Mash Anthropologie Necklace

So I made this necklace yesterday morning - it's my own creation, but it was inspired by these three necklaces from Anthropologie.

Can you see how I kind of mixed them all together?

I love them all individually- but used the beads I had in  my stash.  It's pretty simple to make, so here are just a few pictures to guide you along.  Two strands of wire - one long and one short - separate until the last four beads.

Loop it through the jump ring, back through the crimp ring and the spacer.

 Crimp the bead, then stick the wire back through the beads.

Tie a ribbon around each jump ring - then tie them together.

So you don't always have to copycat something exactly.  

Just observing color combination and structure can be inspiring.

Instant summer fun!

happy beading,

jessica
p.s. Don't forget to enter to win the Silhouette Bow Holder kit!

Family Fashion Week Day 3 - Anthropologie Bracelet for Mommy

Welcome to day 3 of Family Fashion Week!  

Today we are making an Anthropologie copycat bracelet for you.

 I was inspired by the Tres Flores bracelet at Anthropologie.

I know theirs is a brassy color, but I could not find any beads in that color that were pretty. 
So I went with silver. 
Anthro's version cost $158.00. 
Mine cost about $15.00.  A savings of  $143.00 - woo hoo!!

Here's what you'll need to make your own!

Supplies:

Lobster claw clasp

Jump rings

Spacers

Filigree Beads

Scrap pieces of blue fabric, orange tulle, pink yarn

Wire

Jewelry Pin with head

Pearl bead

Small pliers

Step 1:  Connect your beads. You will be making 3 rows of beads - I ended up linking two jump rings in between each bead because I liked the movement it gave the bracelet.  If you buy oval jump rings, you probably will not need to do this. 

Step 2:  Once you have completed all 3 rows,

 you will need to connect them to the spacers.

Start with the middle row and connect one jump ring to the last bead and the middle hole of the spacer.

Repeat this with the other two rows, and then again on the other end with another spacer.

Step 3:  Using a jump ring, connect the lobster clasp to the middle ring in the spacer.

 
On the other side, simply connect a jump ring to the middle ring in the spacer.

Step 4:  Make the flowers.  Cut a small flower out of blue fabric.  Insert the pin through the pearl bead, then push it through the center of the fabric flower.

Make two pom poms.  One out of orange tulle and one out of pink yarn.  Just wrap the yarn/fabric around one finger a few times.  Slide it off your finger and tie a piece across the center of the loops.  Snip the loops so they poof out, making a pom pom.  Wrap wire around the center of each, and twist the wire securely.

 

Step 5:  Attach the flowers to the bracelet.  The blue flower connects to two beads on two different strands - the center strand and the right strand.  Insert the pin into one bead and then through a second one.  Twist the pin into a loop to secure it.

The orange flower then goes onto a bead on the left strand - a little below the blue flower.  Insert the wire into the holes on a bead and twist it on the back to secure it.

Repeat with the pink pom pom - but it goes on a bead on the center strand.  Once they are all attached it should look like this:

Now don your lovely bracelet and smile knowing you made it for less!

xo

jessica

*Merry Monday* Christmas Wish List Ornament

This is an adorable idea my friend Shannon got from her daughter's preschool teacher.  It would be something cute to keep or give to a grandparent.  You could really write anything on the little piece of paper - 10 reasons I love you, 10 favorite songs or memories - get creative!  So take it away Shannon -

A Very Merry Monday to you. Do you remember making Christmas ornaments as a child? You may even have some hanging from your tree. Do you remember what was on your Christmas Wish List when you were 5? This Merry Monday combines making an ornament and a Wish List and makes a wonderful keepsake for years to come. I can't take credit for this though, my oldest daughter made this ornament in Preschool last year. I loved it so much, I wanted all three of my girls to make one this year. This is so Super Easy and FUN! Here is what you will need:

• Large Wooden Spool (I bought a 4 pack at a local craft store for $1.78)
• Craft paint
• paint brush
• paper plate
• paper
• pen 
• glue
• wire or chenille stem
• beads

Let's get started. Measure the width of the spool (where the thread usually is) and the circumference of the spool adding about 1/2 inch for overlap. Cut your paper into strips using those measurements. Our strips were about 5 inches long and about 1 1/2 inches wide. I used regular scissors but it may be nice to cut the long edges of the paper with craft scissors in a scallop or zig-zag pattern to add a bit more whimsy.

Place dollops of paint on the paper plate and let your little artists go to work. The center of the spool will be covered by the paper, but painting the center adds color that peeks out from the edges. Just let them paint until their hearts are content.



While your artists are busy at their craft, talk to them about their Christmas Wish Lists and write it on the strips. Make sure to write the child's name and date (for posterity of course). Once the spools are dry, glue the Wish List to the spool using craft glue (I am sorry I don't have a picture of this).

Thread the wire or chenille stem through the spool. We used floral wire because that's what I had, and it was stiff to hold and thread the beads on. I cut the wire to about 15 inches.

 Now turn the artists loose again to string beads on to the wire.





Make sure that the beads do no completely cover the entire wire. You will need a half inch on either side to twist the ends together tightly and make a loop.

Now hang them on your tree! Aren't they precious? I adore them. I hope you do too. Have a Merry Week!!!  

Thanks Shannon - what a great keepsake idea!  I still have the ornament I made in kindergarten - it is an egg cup bell, complete with pipe cleaner and glitter.  How about you?  Do you have any childhood handmade ornaments?

stay warm today (our high is only 28!!),

jesssica

Organizing tip of the week: Color

I know this is not a new concept, but I had never really organized this way - it is my new favorite! I have now organized all of my fabric, paper, and beads this way and they are so inviting I can't wait to use them! (Much better than digging around a drawer for 30 min before you even find what you want). So take a minute and make your crafting area a little more beautiful- then craft away!