Thrift Store Beading - Finding the Good Stuff for Jewelry Making

You can find great beads at craft stores, gem shows, or on-line outlets.  However, if you are just starting to make jewelry or are a budget-conscious experienced jewelry designer, you may want to find a cheaper alternative for finding the valuable beads you crave.  Thrift stores often sell jewelry for really low prices and you have the benefit of helping a charity.  You may find a good piece you love to wear as is.  More likely, you will find a broken necklace, stuff with a few chipped stones, something missing clasps, or perhaps a badly constructed piece - all with some really great beads.  You can recycle these thrift store finds by cleaning and re-purposing the beads into new trendy necklaces with other beads in your stock or turn them into stretch or wrap bracelets.  Your jewelry making can then produce some fashionable new item for yourself, a special piece to give as a gift, or if you craft for extra income - an addition to your sales table.  

As an example of this idea, a few months back, I found some Hubei turquoise beads in some really ugly necklaces at the thrift store.  One necklace was short and extremely heavy (about 2 pounds), the other was free-form bead nuggets rounded and polished.  Both necklaces had a few chipped or cracked stones.  Since the store was having an extra discount sale that day, I decided to buy them and re-construct them into something more wearable.  I also thought I could use the bad beads to test some of the various stone polishing techniques I had seen on hobby sites.  I had also bought  a multi-strand necklace featuring green African turquoise on another trip to re-create into something new as well.  

Over the last 2 weeks, we have had several days of freezing rain, sleet, or snow, so I decided to start on my turquoise projects. I started by creating 2 traditional Southwest looks of graduated necklaces with the disc/tire beads and modernizing it with contrasting-color round beads as spacers/finishers.  Using all the disc beads still made the necklaces too heavy, so I left out the largest beads of each color and ended up with necklaces that weighed around a quarter-of-a-pound each.  Then I took two of the strands from the multi-strand necklace and combined them to create a longer southwest-style nugget  and chip necklace.  Since I still had beads leftover,  I thought I'd try a mixed nugget and disc necklace that would feature the matrix on the larger tire beads by treating them like a donut bead.  They were TOO heavy and broke the wire I used to test my design idea (see middle photo).  Instead, I decided to try wire-wrapping and corded necklaces for some boho-chic looks featuring the blue or green colored disc beads as focal points.  Finally, I took the miniature turquoise colored round beads layer on the multi-strand and combined it with small glass pearls to create a choker-length necklace. Details on each finished piece of jewelry may be found on my Pinterest page (photos of all new in top of this post, photo of original finds in bottom of post)).

After making 7 necklaces and 2 pendants from the original 3 thrift store finds, I still have a short strand of crystal bends, a partial strand of small baroque pearls, and many silver-tone spacers beads to use as spacers in future jewelry or craft projects. I also have 10 polished stones from the bad ones for my rock collection or cactus garden.   I re-purposed the clasps from the two Hubei necklaces in the new ones and will use the chain from the multi-strand in another project later.

Speaking of re-purposing, the chain on the nugget necklace was an old pocket watch chain of my Dad's.  It still had the watch bow attached, so I'm guessing the watch fell and broke when the chain did.  The chain was in a small drawer of my Mom's jewelry box with other broken chain sections.  Before Mom passed, she told me she kept them there for Dad to use for repairing chains or when he needed to replace a clasp.  She said I could keep them or throw them away, so I dumped them in a plastic container because I thought they might be re-purposed as necklace extenders and heavy-weight clasps.  

Those Cute Beads Are Too Tiny

I bought this really cute 100-inch 2mm black spinel and 5mm pearl long endless necklace from a mail order site.   I thought it would go great with other black jewelry. The first time I wore it, I created an approximately  25-inch frame for a black stone pendant by looping it 4-times and putting it over my head.  The next time I wore it, I thought I would wear it alone as a messy multi-strand choker by just wrapping it over my head and around my neck several times - it looked great.  However, when I went to take it off, it was a tangled and knotted mess.  After working over half an hour to try to untangle it, I decided to just cut it off by leaning over a bowl to catch the beads and pearls.  I then put them in a small storage container to consider reconstruction options later.  

We recently had a day of rain and snow, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to create and repair jewelry.  I started with the longest strand left from the above necklace.  I removed a few beads to get it to look like it came built that way.  After knotting the thread ends, I quickly ended up with a 56-inch version of the first endless necklace.  I will use a looped necklace extender or pearl shortener (links are examples on Amazon) in the future when wearing it doubled or tripled to avoid the tangle issue.  Then I looked at the remaining beads to decide if I wanted to try to create versions of shorter things I had seen on various websites. 

Since they a fashionable, I had been thinking about making a jewelry tassel and decided these tiny beads would make a great beaded version.   Depending on how I constructed it, I could put the tassel on a chain, small beads, or regular-size pearls.  Looking through my remaining intact strands, I found four that were the same size which would create 8-strands once folded over and knotted on each end.  I removed the pearls from those strands to use on a shorter necklace.  I then added a large jump ring that could slide over small beads/pearls, thread wrapped around the top for tassel look, and topped it with a large acorn-shaped pearl. The 4-inch tassel took longer than I expected, but was pretty easy to do and I thought it looked lovely.

Finally, I decided to make an 18" necklace with a large center pearl and tiny pearl stations using the ones taken off tassel above.  If I had extra beads after the necklace I would try to create a bracelet.  I could not get any wire I had or a small needle with thread to go through the holes in the 2mm black spinel beads!  After going to the craft store and buying 28 gauge (tiniest size) wire, I started stringing through the teeny holes in the tiny beads.  This part of project took most of the day!  The bead holes were hard to find with the shinny facets confusing my eyes about what I was seeing plus I do not have a bead spinner.  While stringing, the beads kept spilling or coming off the wire!  So I lost some beads and had to use multiple tiny clamps to keep them from slipping around on wire.  I did have beads left over and my bracelet ended up at 6.5 inches so I added an extender to it for extra length.  I added an extender chain to the necklace as well, so it can be worn longer when desirable.  As a break from the tiny bead stringing, I created a pair of matching 1.5" hook earrings from other beads and pearls leftover from past projects.  

Lessons learned:  Do NOT buy extra long necklaces made with micro-tiny beads!  Do NOT try to make custom jewelry with 2mm beads.

Pennies from Heaven

My brother likes to tell the story of his pennies from heaven.  As he tells it, several times after our Dad died, he found pennies on the ground when he was feeling low.  Finding a penny may not sound like much, but to him it was a message from Dad.  The message was that everything would be okay.  This made my brother feel like Dad was still looking out for him.  How does he know these pennies are from Dad? 

They both collected wheat pennies as a hobby.  Wheat pennies were incidentally were last minted the year of his coming into this world.  (Coincidentally, the original movie and song “Pennies from Heaven” were released just the year before Dad was born.)  Although Lincoln/wheat pennies are not rare like the Indian head/wreath version, they are also not as commonly abundant in the current economy as the Lincoln reverse-sides of either  shield or memorial.  On the occasions where my brother found the pennies, he explained they were always wheat pennies.  This is not to say he never found a common penny or a commemorative  Lincoln bicentennial  penny, just that he always found a wheat version when he needed some assurance in his life.  It was like a little gift of love from Dad.

I found my brother’s story thought-provoking and inspirational.  Since my brother shared his story with me, I have also read many other inspirational “pennies from heaven” stories in magazines and on blogs.  Do you have a penny story you want to share?  Please feel free to do so in the comments of this blog post.

How to Make a Wrap Bracelet Using Memory Wire

Some of my most popular posts are on how to: make a stretch bracelet, buy braclets, or store bracelets.  With that in mind, I thought I would add other bracelet instructions to the blog.  Below is a vidoe on ho how to make a wrap bracelet using memory wire.

Often you will buy or make bracelets that just have a loop at tend but it looks more finished with a charm hanging on the ends.  The video includes this tip.  You can also finish the end by placing a metal bead inside the loop before turning in the loop, however you must be careful not to crush or bend the bead during the turning process. I plan to experiment with making a hook on one end and a loop at the other end of my next wire bracelet to create a closure for a single row bangle.

Making Cord Necklaces and How to Use Them as Extenders

Inset shows joining clasps

Do you have a pendant that you do not have a chain with?  Do you have one that you think would look great on a satin or leather cord?  Do you have some beads that you fell would work better as a long necklace  In tips for stretching your jewelry wardrobe blog post, ways to extend necklaces was presented.  However, these tips only shorten or lengthen necklaces a little. 

Whether you want a short necklace for a pendant or want to wear your beads longer, you can use a leather cord to help out.  Often ready-made leather cords in stores will have an extender chain  to make a longer necklace, but you can not use them as an extender unless you remove the extra chain with wire cutters.  I solved this problem by making my own leather cords to wear choker (16 inch or less) or normal length (18" or 20") for pendant or to add to my beaded bracelets or bead necklaces to make a longer necklace.  

Examples:  An 18" cord with an 20" bead strand attached makes a 38" necklace I can put on over my head (see longest in photo).  The same size cord with an 6" bracelet attached creates a 24" necklace (see middle in photo).  And of course the cord can be used with any large bale pendant.

Steps for how to make the cord necklace:

1. Buy leather cording and crimps on Amazon or at local craft store.
2. Cut cord to prefered length and put crimps on each end (see video post).
3. Attach spring ring (or lobster) clasp to one end and a jump ring to other. end (see video post).

Finishing Ends on Cord, Leather, Ribbon, String, or Wire Beaded Necklaces and Bracelets

I have shared tips on jewelry making in the past on this blog based on my experience with stretch cord, cotton cording, or wire.  Recently a friend ask me to make her a long suede corded necklace like one she bought and loved to wear often.  She wanted me to take a shorter bead necklace in another color that she had and re-make it into  something like he favorite necklace.  I easily found a matching color  leather cord to her short bead necklace and the similar crimps for finishings/findings to her favorite necklace at my local craft store (links to Amazon examples).  I insiticitvely knew what to do, but thought I should look for an instructional video before starting just ot be certain.  Below is an 8.5 minute video I found for finishing 5 types of ribbon, suede/leather strips, or flat vinyl/cotton cording.

To see others techniques, view post on finishing the ends of beaded necklaces or bracelets made on wire in the post How to Attach Clasps to Jewelry Creations or Replace if Beads Break near Clasp.  You can use the crimp cover noted in that video to cover knots at the end of stretch bracelets or knots in other types cords and strings for a more finished look.  See also post on Knotting pearls for safety for how to do knots and ends of beads on string or thin cording.

Thirty Tips for Using Bobby Pins Outside of Hair Styling

There are lots of hair style that benefit from the use of bobby pins.  Whether you want the pins to be displayed or hidden in your hair, you can try almost 50 different styles.

However, did you know that bobby pins have other uses in your closet and around the house too?  Below are 30 tips (15 each) giving ways to use bobby pins to help out.


15 Quick Clothing Repairs and Craft Tips Using a Bobby Pin

1. Fix a broken zipper slide
2. Mini clothespins for lingerie
3. Use to hold silky fabrics together, instead of straight pins, when sewing
4. Hold together a broken clothing strap or for a missing button
5. Tie a knot in drawstring to thread back into pants or hoodie
6. Repair broken or sagging hemline
7. Use as a money clip
8. Prevent tangling on the end of ribbon or lace roles
9. Pin/brush tip for fingernail art
10. Poke thru elastic to use as threader in new waistband
11. Use as a tie clip inside a vest or jacket
12. Keep balls/skeins of yarn together
13. Secure loose end of a too long belt
14. Stitch saver to mark ends of knitting rows
15. Embellish pins for hair or jewelry-making crafts

15 Tips to Help Around the House Using a Bobby Pin

1. Reset electronics with tiny hole or button
2. Squeeze and roll- up toothpaste tube
3. Pry out little batteries or SIM cards
4. Mark end of the tape role
5. Use as a bookmark
6. Instead of paper clip or staple on notes or multiple pages
7. Use as a bag clip on snacks
8. Pry open stuck medicine or drink seals on bottles and jars
9. Hold a nail when hammering it
10. Open letter envelopes without tearing
11. Lock the end of twine or cord onto roll
12. Keep headphones cords from tangling
13. Hook hair out of clogged drain
14. Hold together streamers or tinsel on holiday tree
15. Use as ornament holders if you are missing hooks

Let me know if you come up with any other ideas by placing your suggestions in the commetns for this post.

Beading and Making Jewelry Tips

Beading Examples

If you are a beginning or expert jewelry maker, you probably appreciate tips to help you do better.  I know I do.  The thing  I wonder about most is how many beads per inch does it take to make a necklace or bracelet without knotting. Even if you plan to knot between beads or pearls, you need to buy close to the same number of beads per inch as the final knot size will depend on the thickness of the beading cord.  Beading needles and cords are also different materials and sizes depending on the width of the hole inside the bead and the best cord material for type of bead.  Since seed beads (also called Czech beads or glass beads) come in a factory size rather than mm size, you need to either use a different reference or check seed bead packing for mm conversion and hole circumference.  (See video on how to knot.)

If not knotting, you can consider wire instead of cord for stringing beads to produce a necklace that may not have to be restrung later (cording eventually frays and breaks).  Using different sizes of wire for bead types will require purchasing crimp beads to use near clasp to keep wire from coming loose and provide a finished look.  Do not just pick a pretty clasp or toggle for your project, instead choose the best clasp and crimp for each jewelry project.

For more jewelry making tips, see my posts on Jewelry Creation and Repair Tips and Images plus how to videos in How to Repair a Broken Link in Chain of Necklace and How to Repair or Make a Stretch Bracelet.

For bead and tool shopping tips and warnings, consider my posts Beads and beading are the IN things to do, Gem Shows or Bead Stringing Heaven and Gem and Jewelry Show Two.

Choker Necklaces are Back in Style

Layered Choker Necklaces

Choker necklaces are back in style! They were big in the 1940's, 1970's, and again in the 1990's.  Some were bold looks with leather and metal; others were more romantic with lace and flowers. (History of Choker with Recent Celebrity Photos ) Now the choker necklaces are back in fashion for the 21st century fashionista.

When this was in fashion during my youth, those of us who were crafty often made our own chokers.  We made chokers similar to the ones in the video links below.  However, we made the lace ones by adding 1/2 inch to each end and folding over those ends to sew on the snap rather than glue it on. We did the same thing with embroidered wide ribbons we turned into choker.   Sewing the edges reinforced the ends and the choker lasted a lot longer, even past the trend.  If you do not want to sew, then use extra glue, clear nail polish, or Fray Check (on Amazon and in fabric stores) to keep the choker from unraveling at end if you do not do the sewing.  Another way we made closures was to sew ribbon onto the ends of the hemmed edges of the lace and then tie a bow in back to make it as tight as we wanted.  We also bought lace with large holes in the center that we could thread thin ribbon through for a dressier look.  We bought ribbon was about 8 inches longer than the lace piece so we could have the extra a back to tie in on.   Another romantic look we did was hot-gluing (on Amazon or in craft stores) a silk flower (instead of some the items shown in videos) in the middle of wide thick ribbon as a spring/summer style.

How to Make 4 Lace Chokers Styles with Snap Closure Video

If you make your own jewelry, you probably know you can buy leather or suede cord to make a choker at most craft stores.  In craft stores or on Amazon, you may be able to get ready-made 14” or 16” leather cords or silk cords in a variety of colors too.  So you can do all the work in the part two of video below or buy one of these, add your pendant/charm and you are all ready to go!

How to Make 2 Choker Styles:  Tattoo or Suede Video

For lots more ideas on creating different chokers, visit Cut Out and Keep website.  Please note, they just show photos, they do not give how to project instructions. 

Eighteen Summertime Activity Kits for Kids

Highlights for Different Age Groups

When I and my brothers were in grade school, we needed something to do during summer break.  Besides playing outside with each other and our friends, we needed a few inside activities.  So Mom always ordered Highlights Magazine and a few books from the school’s Scholastic Reading Club flyer before summer break so we got the things in the mail.  We shared the magazine and different ones of us did different mazes, puzzles, and other activities within it.  Mom also made sure we had puzzles, coloring books, board games, comic books, and cards on hand to share.  These items were usually given to one of us as Christmas or birthday presents.  We were expected to entertain ourselves.  My brothers and I would have loved some of the craft kids and learning activities children now have available to fill their time.

When I visited Half Price Nooks, I saw they had lots of children’s activity kits available of the summer. Most were priced around $10, which seems like a great bargain to keep the kids occupied for a few hours.  They also had lot of regular cardboard puzzles containing various numbers of pieces for different age groups, as well as a few large floor puzzles for toddler thru kindergarten ages. For those without an HPB, the 18 activities below are also available on Amazon, some are less than $10 and others are more.  Anyone wanting more educational items should consider using the free Scholastic printable activity sheets to keep children learning during the summer. 

·         Soda Can Robug ·         Build Your Own Minions ·         Finger Print Doodles ·         Yo-Yo Tricks: Tips and Techniques ·         Catapult Making Kit ·         Paint Your Own Dinosaurs ·         Flying Machines ·         Fun with Clay: Create and Play ·         Stuck on Fun: Pets Playset

·         Craft-tastic Link Scarf Kit ·         Paris in 3D ·         Fashion Sensational Style Activity Kit ·         Window Art ·         Discover Nature Dinosaurs ·         Shark Tooth Dig Kit ·         On the Go Secret Decoder Activity Set ·         My First Handprint Creations ·         Gaga for Googles

Handmade Mom and Grandma Gifts

In an older post, I talked about making Christmas Stockings for all your family members as gifts or decoration.  This time, I want to just focus on gifts for Mom or Grandma, whether for Christmas, birthday, or Mother’s Day.  Most mother gifts can be easily turned into a gift for grandma with just a little added creativity.

One year for Christmas (December 1986),  I made my mom an apron with the hand sizes of her 9 grandchildren on it.  She wore it on a few occasions but never to actually cook in, as she was afraid she would stain it and it was one of her greatest treasures.  To make the apron, I had each of my brothers’ wives trace their kids’ hands and send them to me.  Then I traced them onto a white sheet, embroidered the hands in red and green (for Christmas, however you could do it in pink and blue for Mother’s Day).  Then I cut the apron skirt out, as well as a bib that I embroidered with the name she preferred the grandchildren to call her.  I then cut out ruffles and ties with along the bias.  I also added the date on one of the ties so we would remember how old each child was when it was made.  My mom got 4 more grandchildren years after the apron was given to her.  When we moved my mom closer to us and I was packing I found the apron in her stuff and packed it for the move.  Then after my Mom passed, I found the apron again and passed it on to one of the mothers whose child’s handprints were on it.

A similar gift we gave my mom was a purchased necklace that said “grandmother” and had baby shoes with the birthstones of her grandchildren on it.  That we kept adding birthstone booties to that until it was too heavy for her to wear.  She wore it often until then though because she liked it when people asked her about it and she could tell them about her grand-kids.

Other handmade gifts I have shared over the years with new moms were quilt blocks made for hanging on the wall.  These blocks included the applique Dutch boy or girl pattern with the child’s name and birth date embroidered on it.  Baby showers usually got crocheted booties, caps, or blankets.  Most of the people these were given to kept the handmade treasures even after the children outgrew them. 

Want more ideas? See 24 Ridiculously Easy DIY Mother’s Gifts and 19Homemade Mother's Gifts That Kids Can Make  in picture slideshow. 

Feldspar - The Phenomena Gemstone Family: Amazonite, Labradorite, Moonstone, Sunstone, and More

Spectrolite-Labradorite

Do you like stones that are out of the ordinary?  If you do, then you want to check out the various members of the feldspar mineral family.  Feldspar can be easily found many places but it has aspects that make it outstanding.  Many are used by jewelry designers to create unique jewelry.  As these can be found in large stones, the most popular in jewelry are: amazonite, labradorite, moonstone, and sunstone.  More rare feldspars that also occasionally can be found in more expensive jewelry: pieces include: andesine, bytownite, orthoclase, and perthite.

Andesine (AKA Red Labradorite) is a transparent stone that comes in colors yellow to orange to red.

Bytownite (AKA Yellow or Champaign Labradorite) is a clear to yellow to light brown transparent to translucent stone.

Amazonite comes in blues and greens and was named after the Amazon River.  It often contains a striped matrix that makes it popular opaque stone in jewelry.

Labradorite often has an blue, green, or yellow iridescence  inside the stone called labradorescence.  Wjhen the labradorescenc is not reflecting, labradorite can look like a dull grey or black stone.  Spectrolite is the most sought after version of this stone.

Moonstone typically has a blue schiller, called adularescence and the rainbow version can show multiple colors depending on how the stone catches the light.  The basic stone has a transparent clear or white look when the shiller is not reflecting.

Orthoclase is a clear to yellowish stone similar to Bytownite and often called by the same common names.

Perthite contains chatoyancy (or a cats-eye effect) and it can look similar to amazonite but it can be pink and yellow, as well as blue and green.

Sunstone has a golden glitter or aventurescence that makes it look spectacular in jewelry.  Without the glitter is would be a clear or yellowish translucent or transparent stone.  Some people mistake the manmade rust-colored opaque goldstone with this stone, they may be complementary but are not the same.

Gem and Jewelry Show Two

Assorted Beads Strands

Last year, I let you all know about the AKS Gem Show in blog post Gem Shows or Bead Stringing Heaven.  They hold the event quarterly. I myself have only gone twice.  Anyway, I thought I would
provide some updates on what was different this time.  The most noticeable thing was less vendors so more room to walk between booths.  I’m thinking that is due to them having the winter event during an ice storm so some vendors could not make it and most customers did not venture out.  Then the spring event was moved due to some problem with the facilities that they did not explain.  I expect that cost the vendors in travel and other losses.  Hopefully the vendors who did come made some money, so more will come back next year.  Customers who registered and paid in advance for the winter event got to come to the spring or summer event for free, so they lost nothing.

Last year, I was shocked at how little turquoise they had and how few peacock or black pearls were at the show.  This time you could find peacock or black pearls at almost every booth.  Do you think they read my post or was the pearl harvest better in 2015?  I also saw more of the big pearls, blister pearls, Keshis, as well as other shapes and lots of colors.  As far as turquoise goes, there were more options that included Chinese turquoise as well as many natural and died stones in turquoise, teal, and aqua colors.  There was also a whole booth of Cloisonné options.  I only remember seeing a few beads of that last year.

I saw lots more pendants and drilled beads to turn into pendants this time - add a chain, leather braid, or neck-wire (there were lots of theoe too) and you are done making jewelry! I picked up 3 pendants myself.  I love carved stuff since I’m not that artistic, so I always look for that at a reasonable price.  I thought I found more carvings this time, but it might be I just noticed it more because I was not bumping into people in the too-small aisles like last year. 

Plus it seemed there was a finished jewelry booth for every 4 bead booths.  This meant there was more jewelry already designed and made by the seller for buyers to pick up, copy from, or get inspired by.  So it was just as much a jewelry show as a bead show.

For jewelry making tips or to see some of my creations, review post Jewelry Creation and Repair Tips and Images and the many links there.

Jewelry Creation and Repair Tips and Images

Pinterest Board

Since I did my blog posts about Gem Shows or Bead Stringing Heaven and Collecting Varieties of Jasper as well as Beads and Beading are the IN Things to do, I have had some readers ask me about the items I have made. If the item required full design, I posted the new creation on Facebook as they were finished.   If they were just a focal bead and all I did was add a bale, I did not post them since they did not require additional creativity on my part.   I realized that only my family and a few friends could see those posting, so I put them on my Pinterest for more people to view.  If you want to see these creations, please go there.

 

As far as how to create these items or repair items I already had, I found some good how to videos which I referenced and added to this blog some time ago.  Go to these posts to view stringing videos:  How to Repair or Make a Stretch Bracelet and Knotting Pearls for Safety.  Not every clasp in my creations was done in the same way; I experimented to find what I liked best. There is a link in bottom of knotting pearls post on how to add clasps for string beading.  For wire beading, check the two videos in last post How to Attach Clasps to Jewelry Creations or Replace if Beads Break near Clasp

It you really like jewelry, but prefer to buy rather than make – check out my posts for holiday gifts, birthday presents, or anniversary options.   If you want options for making your current jewelry work differently, check out my post Tips for Stretching your Jewelry Wardrobe.

How to Attach Clasps to Jewelry Creations or Replace if Beads Break near Clasp

When I made my jewelry in Beads and Beading are the IN Things to do post, I had gone to a class and the instructor sold me some nifty screw-together instant crimpers/closures for finishing the wire at the clasps.  The store no longer sells these closures and I do not know what they were called so I have not found them on-line either.  Therefore, I needed alternate ways to attach my claps. I went back to Michaels when they had an “expert jewelry maker” Q&A session to learn different ways to put on clasps from what I learn originally in beading class.  She showed me a few things and then suggested I search YouTube for helpful how to videos as refreshers.  

If you have old beads that broke, like in my beading post above, you will have to re-string them and then use one of these methods to reattach old clasps or add new ones if the clasp broke or got lost.

Please note that some of the links below may take you to Amazon to view an item.  As an Amazon Associate, I only get tiny commissions if you buy the item - so feel free just to view what I am talking about for your own information only.  Many of the items in links may also be bought at craft stores.

Below are 2 good videos I found there.  The first one is very detailed step-by-step at 6+ minutes using crimping beads or tubes, which are extra findings you will need to purchase and may require special jewelry crimp tool.  You can stop at the crimps if you are making/repairing the jewelry for yourself.  If you are doing it for someone else to to sell, you will want to add the crimp cover on the bead-style crimp so it looks more professional.   The second  video is over 1 minute and requires no extra findings as it is doing wire wrapping on end or necklace or bracelet.   Both methods can also be used for attaching dangles made on head pins to earring hooks.

Torn Purse Strap? Six Ways to Reinvent the Handbag by Replacing the Handle

Multiple Styles of Handbags

Ever have one of those days where your perfectly good purse betrays you with a broken or cracked strap?  Want to know how to fix the handbag so you can continue to use it but not be embarrassed by the messed-up handle?

I began experimenting with changing purse handles when I took a 3-hour car drive and found that the strap on my newly purchased purse had been caught in the door the whole trip!  Needless to say the 2-week-old purse now had a handle that looked more like two-years-old.  It was cracked beyond help.  Fortunately the strap handle was attached to the purse by two large O-rings.  So I cut the strap off at the fold over the rings using some very sharp and strong scissors.  Then I began looking for a either a metallic alligator-print belt with buckle to match the body of the handbag or a chain belt I could tread through the 0-rings.  I found a gold chain belt with the same size links throughout and voilà a new shoulder bag was made. (Or an old bag was saved depending on how you want to look at it.)  I threaded the chain through the O-rings and clipped it together at the end.  I could now carry the bag with a single chain on my shoulder or draw the chain up to a double row for a handbag worn at the elbow or carried in the hand. 

Five more ideas besides a chain belt as a strap include:

• Buy a chain from a craft store in the length needed along with some snap clips to attach the chain to circle or square rings on the purse.  These clips or carabineers can also be used as replacements on purses that had a clip break or get sprung if the existing strap is still good. 
• Purchase thick drapery cording or macramé cord from a fabric or craft store or get rope from a home improvement store for a more “boho” look on a hobo style bag.  Tie on one or two straps and then create tassels below the knots.  Be sure to apply glue to keep knot from coming untied and allow it time to dry. 
• Find a craft store that offers metal, plastic, bamboo, or wood handles for people who sew handbag bodies. These handles may work depending on how the purse is constructed and if you can figure out how to attach them.   If the bag is fabric, you might be able to hand-sew rings or clips on the bag in order to attach the handles.   If the bag had O-rings or D-rings already, you may be able to use the snap clips or split rings to attach the new handles.
• Consider regular leather belts that have buckles.  These can also be used as replacement straps on a purse that has 2 rings on each end.  However they may not look as nice as the buckle straps that are usually sewn directly onto purses.
• Be sure you always keep the removable straps or chains from black or neutral color handbags when you have to toss out the bag it came with.  These neutral straps can be used as matching or contrasting handles on other purses in the future.

If your handbag has a sewn on strap, there is not an easy way to save the purse and have it still look good.  Trying to remove the strap could leave holes in the bag portion of the purse.  Instead of trying to save it for yourself, consider giving to a little girl you know for playing dress-up or to use as a toy tote.

Gem Shows or Bead Stringing Heaven

I went to my first local gem show and was amazed by all the great stones and jewelry I

Assorted Bead Colors

saw.  This was a small show and not the big annual gem show events that jewelers attend in Las Vegas and Tucson.  This was more for the hobbyist who likes to make and sell their own jewelry creations.  There were beads and findings to make jewelry with, as well as some vendors that sold set stones in pendants or completed one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces being sold by designers.  Prices ranged from $1 for strands of small beads to thousands for finished items set in gold so there was something for everyone.

Even though I know TV shopping channels were saying turquoise was getting hard to find, I was still surprised to find so little of it at a gem show in the southwest.  They did have a few items, however most representations were actually dyed howlite.  The vendors I talked to said the stone was dyed howlite, so it gave me some confidence that they knew their stones and would answer honestly about what other things were when I asked.  (I have been to some artisan shows where the vendors called dyed red howlite coral and the blue/green/purple dyed versions turquoise, so I learned to tell the difference for myself.)  If you want white stones, bright colors, or animal shapes for beading, then howlite is a good choice.  If you want turquoise, then make sure you learn to tell the difference before you shop.

What was most surprising to me was how many different pearls I saw at the local show.  They had round glass pearls in lots of colors, and real pearls that included oblong freshwater pearls in a few colors and what looked like baroque salt-water pearls in white, champagne, and gold.  The pearls ranged in size from seed pearls to over 20mm!  You could buy anywhere from a 6-inch string to a 100 inch endless strand.  They also had shaped or carved mother-of-pearl and blister pearls.  Since there were so many pearls (the June birthstone), I was very surprised not to see any black or peacock strands for sale.  The only black represented was true single Tahitians already set as pendants and made into fine jewelry.  They sold pearls and they sold clasps, however I did not see any vendor who sold the silk thread to string and knot pearls.   

Another surprise was how much jasper and agate was available.  Every vendor had at least one type of jasper and three or more types of agate.   One vendor had half-a-table of jasper varieties, some of which I had not heard of and many I had learned about from TV shopping channels.  Both the agate and jasper came in nicely polished shapes that were pre-drilled with holes or preset for easily making necklaces or earrings.   The agate was also sold in natural geodes and as slices for wire wrapping.   

If you like beading, I highly recommend you attend a gem show in your area.  It may lift your spirits or blow your mind too!

How to Repair or Make a Stretch Bracelet

Oh no!  Your favorite stretch bracelet just broke.  What can you do?  If you saved the beads, you can repair the bracelet.  How?  Follow the same steps as you would to make a totally new bracelet.  The steps for making a stretch bracelet are in the video below. 

Please note that some of the links below may take you to Amazon to view an item.  As an Amazon Associate, I only get tiny commissions if you buy the item - so feel free just to view what I am talking about for your own information only.  You may buy many of the items at craft store also.

You will need Stretch Magic cord, Opelon floss or elastic thread (NOTE: all my linked examples are on Amazon but many of these name brands may also be available in craft stores) to string the beads on and scissors to cut it.  You can get most of these cording choices and the big-eye needle (to make stringing easier) at your local fabric or craft store.  I recommend using a smaller cord and putting it thru the beads twice.  That way if one cord breaks your bracelet remains intact.  The glue mentioned in the video is optional according to cord packages, but it is a good idea if you are always catching your bracelets on things in order to keep the knot secure.  If you plan to make lots of bracelets and/or necklaces, then you may also want to invest in the bead stopper or a bead board/tray so you can layout the beads in the order and size you want before you begin stringing it. Having a layout prevents getting the beads out of order and having to remove them and then restring.

POST SHORT URL = https://tinyurl.com/3fy7vc83  

For a different type of bracelet, check out How to Make a Wrap Bracelet Using Memory Wire video. If you like the below video tips, you may also want to check out videos on knotting between beads/pearls and attaching claps for jewelry.  

Free Shrubs from Plant Clippings for the Garden or Landscape

Compared to flowering plants, shrubs are an inexpensive landscape alternative at the local gardening or home improvement store.  If you want to fill up your landscape quickly, invest in shrubs and plant most types at least three feet apart to allow for growth spread.  However, if you only have a small area to fill or are making landscape changes in phases, you can try to propagate your own shrubs from clippings.  You can take the clippings from shrubs you already have or ask a friend for some from their bushes.   The process described below may not work with all shrubs.  I have had the best luck using this method with evergreen soft-stem Euonymus.  However it has worked with some flowering bushes and a few types of old fashioned Roses. 

Planted Euonymus Shrub Clipping

In early spring when many shrubs are putting out buds for new leaves and branches, you will typically do some pruning to make the shrub more uniform in size and shape.  When you do that pruning, clip those healthy-looking pencil-width branches into stems that are around 10-12 inches long with several leaves.  Save some of those stems to become new shrubs.  

To prepare the clippings, clear the bottom 5 inches of leaves and any tiny branches that may be on the saved stems.  Save more stems than you want bushes since not all of them will survive and become new shrubs.  Push the stems about 4 inches into soft ground or into a potting soil in a large pot to make it easier to control watering.  If planting in ground, soften the soil watering the area well or do plant the day after a rainfall.  You might want  to plant new shrub stems several inches from a fence and behind other short landscaping plants.  This protects them from the wind, still gets them the sun they need, makes sure they get watered as part of my regular landscape watering schedule, and it hides the fact that you are growing a lot of what looks like sticks the first year.  New roots will grow from the stem portion that is in the soil.  If you saved several stems, place them about 10-12 inches apart if you are putting them where you want them to grow.  Most of the plants will root within the first 3-4 months.  However, not all will root so you will notice some turn brown.   Since you do this in the spring, you may not have to water much.  However, you need to be sure the new starter plants get watered at least twice a week during their first 3 months.

If you want to move the shrubs that rooted from a pot or planted location, give them a year in their starter area first.  Then dig them up to move to their new location.  You may also need to space the shrubs that rooted at a later time to allow for their continued growth.   After the first year, you will need to trim about 2 inches of the top off the rooted stems to get it to begin to branch out and form a shrub.  It may take several years of care and trimming to get a shrub that looks as full as what is bought in a gallon container.  However, you will have bragging rights of personally propagating your own plants and all it had cost you was the little extra time  and water.  

For more on-line gardening articles by me, check the Garden label of this blog or review my how-to articles written in 2009: 

• Prepare a Future Garden Bed without Chemicals or Tilling
• Apply Mulch to Landscape Beds, Shrubs, and Trees 
• Propagate Rose of Sharon to Get and Give New Plants 
• DivideShade-loving Flax Lily aka Dianella 
• Keep Small Garden Tools Handy by Customizing aTote