Saturday, September 24, 2011

Free Jewelry Tutorial! - The $10 Handmade Christmas Gift

Christmas is close y'all.
I know the economy stinks and everyone is trying to find a way to give really special and unique gifts for less money and handmade....by you that is....is the way to go.
I've had quite a few requests for a tutorial explaining my secret behind the Looking Glass Pendant that I created a while back.


So, I thought, why not make a free tutorial explaining exactly how to create it.
This one is simple, and I mean even-if-you're-not-a-beadweaver simple.
I've given you steps, pictures and even cross-section illustrations, so you can do this.
I completed this one in an hour and It's unique and interesting, and you can make the whole thing for about $10 and an hour of your time.
Ready?
Here's what you'll need:

- MissFickleMedia oval connector (you could also use her round links)
- Size 8 Matte Gun Metal Japanese Seed Beads (A)
- Size 11 Japanese Seed Beads Metallic Iris Purple (B)
- Size 8 Raku Plum/Teal Iris Japanese Seed Beads (C)
- Size 11 Matte Pewter Japanese Seed Beads (D)
- Size 15 Silver-Lined Dark Teal Japanese Seed Beads (E)
- Wildfire beading thread (or Fireline, but do not use nymo)
- Size 12 beading needle
- one jump ring (any size)
-chain of any color and size that you'd like

*Please note: Change it up! Don't like turquoise or purple? Shannon has the coolest colors of links that you could use to combine colors.

Here's how you'll do it:

1. Cut a length of thread 5' in length and tie the thread onto the oval connector using a double knot and leaving a 6" tail.

2. String 1A, 1B, 1A.
*Pass your needle through the connector from the back and up through the second A bead that you added. This will form a loop around the metal connector, and hook the second A to the metal edge. Pull tight so that the size 11 beads pops up between the two size 8 beads.





3. String 1B and 1A and complete step 2 from the * above.
Complete step 3 until you have gone completely around the metal connector. You'll be working in a clockwise direction.


4. When you come to the end, string just 1B, pass down through the first A that you added in Step 2. Loop your thread around the metal connector and come back up through that same A. Pull tight.

5. Pass back through the B that you just added. String 1C and pass through the next B. Continue in this manner working around the connector (flip it over so you're not working in a counter-clockwise direction.) After you add the last C, pass through the B and the first C that you added.


Tip: Try to use "fatter" beads in the curves where the gaps between size B beads are larger and skinnier beads along the edges where the gaps are smaller.




6. If you are in a curve of the pendant, add 2D (choose slimmer beads) and pass through the next C. If you are along one of the edges of the pendant, string only 1D. Continue around the pendant in this manner, adding 2D along the curves of the pendant where the gaps are larger, and 1D along the edges where the gaps are slimmer. When you come to the end, pass through the C and the first D that you added in this round.


TIP: You'll have to be very intuitive. If the bead feels like it's sitting too tight in the gap, take it out and choose a slimmer bead.





7. String 2E and pass through the next D (or 2D if you're in a curve). Continue in this manner around the pendant until you have completed the last outside row and pass through the 2D.



8. Pass your needle through the beadwork until you have exited from 2E that are sitting at the top of the pendant. String 5B and pass through the next 2E. This will create a loop on top of the pendant that you'll string your jump ring on.


Pass your needle into the beadwork, knot the thread around some of the threads in the beadwork. Do this two or three times with the working thread and the tail thread. Trim the excess.




And you're done!



String your pendant on some chain. You can wear it high or low, or even attach a little charm in the center.
Try making it in different colors. Try using one of Shannon's round links instead of the oval. (The upside to the round link? Because there are no sharp curves, the beading will be much more even, no adding two beads instead of one.)

(Look closely at the silver beads in this photo. Do you see how I have doubled them along the curves of the oval. This will account for the extra width between your C beads as you come to the curves.)

I hope you enjoy creating and giving handmade this holiday season.

Also, if you'd like to continue creating presents with beadweaving this Christmas. 
My shop is packed full of tutorials here
Shannon's shop, MissFickleMedia, is also packed full of goodies for making gifts.


Enjoy your weekend all!

61 comments:

  1. Super nice tutorial. Thanks so much. I am sure to try it.

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  2. Thank you for sharing Marcie, this looks fun, fast, and easy.
    Therese

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  3. Thank you so much for this free tutorial, Marcie! I love this pendant for it's simplicity and now I think I can actually make it.
    Jackie

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  4. What a great gift - the tutorial from you ... and these sweet pendants!

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  5. Aunque sencillo, un bello trabajo. Me gusta la sencillez. Gracias por el tutorial. Muchas felicidades. Un abrazo.

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  6. Muchisimas gracias por este magnifico tutorial, gracias

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  7. Precioso!!!! thanks a lot for your pattern..... me gusto lo sencillo del trabajo.... besos...

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  8. Marcie! You are amazing. I know I say it a lot but truly you are. I can't believe what detail you go into and I really think I can do it now!
    Thank you so much!

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  9. muchas gracias por el tuto, esta genial explicado y queda muy bonito

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  10. thank you for sharing! wonderful, clear explanation. I'm going to make one for my sister :)

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  11. Muchas gracias!!!! Me encanta este modelo!!!

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  12. Thanks Marcie i love it!

    @miss fickle media, i just went to your shop to buy the connector required and there is no oval ones are you going to list any??

    Thanks Kate

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  13. Very beautiful pendant.
    Thank you for the pattern.

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing. I've loved this pendant ever since you made it. Will try and get some connectors so I can make this one soon!

    Karyn ♥

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  15. Beautiful necklace and thank you for sharing your technique. I just found your blog and I am glad I did :-).

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  16. Thanks! Love it! What an inspiration! I will be keeping an eye on your blog!

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  17. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

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  18. Very cool!! I love your tutorials.. clear and easy to understand. Thank you =)

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  19. What a lovely pattern! And how generous of you to share with all of us. Grazie (from Florence)!

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  20. This is a lovely design. I do not bead, but if I did I would want to make this. I am going to pass it along to my friend who does bead! You are verly talented.

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  21. Thank you very much for this pattern, it is really fantastic.

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  22. Thank you very much for this pattern.

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  23. Lovely variation of the cabochon tutorial....without the cabochon! The design is light and modern!

    www.beadinggem.com

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  24. A great tutorial. I'll love to try it. I came to your site from Pearl's. Thanks to both of you. Now I am your fan. Dita

    http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

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  25. Thank you, Marcie for this pattern.
    Chant de Cristal
    http://chantetsestrocs.canalblog.com

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  26. Dita beat me to it! Here is the post which I belatedly remembered to send to you as promised!

    http://www.beadinggem.com/2012/04/beautiful-beaded-oval-pendant-tutorial.html

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful tutorial.

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  27. Thanks! It's beautiful and a great idea!
    Carrie.

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  28. your effort make it easy to follow...I will keep it in mind and will use it if i remember.

    Send gifts to pakistan

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  29. This is such a very unique style, We would like to share this tutorial if permitted and if there will be an available slot.

    Thanks,

    Diybeadingclub.com
    Diylessons.org
    Handmade-Jewelry-Club.com

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  30. This is such a very unique style,,,clear and easy to understand.

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  31. merci beaucoup ! c'est très beau !

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  32. thanks a lot , I love it

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  33. thanks a lot ! i intend to make earrings
    best regards
    Sylvia

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  34. This is a beautiful pendant. About what size is the oval? I went to her site and she didn't have any oval connectors.

    Hugs
    G-Ma
    http://www.blog.grandma-marilyns.com

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  35. This is awesome! Your instructions are very clear and with your excellent step-by-step diagrams it looks super simple! Thanks so much for sharing this project!

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  36. wow that necklace is so amazing, I wish that i could make something like that and then use it as a christmas present for my partner.

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  37. So lovely and beautifull, thanks for sharing

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  38. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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  39. Thanks for the tutorial. Very easy to follow. I turned this into a pair of earrings.

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  40. Wonderful, clear explanation!! I'm going to ask my sister do one but Medal Crafting for me~

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  41. Awhh...... so unique and valuable premium gift.......

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