Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• 7 Ivory rectangular shell beads
• 2 Pink rectangular shell beads
• 7 Pink round shell beads
• Silver jump rings
• A toggle clasp
• A lobster claw clasp
• Ear wires
• Head pins
• 2 pairs of chain nose or needle nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire nippers

Use both pairs of chain nose or needle nose pliers to open the jump rings by pulling them apart. Slide the jump rings onto the desired bead or other jump rings and close with the pliers.
Attach four jump rings each to five of the pink round shell beads and four of the ivory rectangular shell beads.

Use double jump rings to connect a pink round shell bead and an ivory rectangular shell bead by sliding the double jum rings through two jump rings at each end of the shell beads. You should have a round shell bead with two jump rings and a rectangular shell bead with two jump beads. The jump bead from each shell bead should be connected to two jump beads. Continue to connect all of the nine shell beads alternating the pink and ivory.

Add two more pairs of double jump rings to each remaining double jump ring pair on the ends of the necklace. Add one more jump ring to the last pair of double jump rings on each end of the necklace and attach the single jump ring to the end of the necklace and then to the toggle clasp.
Follow the same procedure using 2 round shell beads and 2 rectangular shell beads for your bracelet. After attaching your single jump ring to the double pair of jump rings at each end of your bracelet, attach the single jump rings to the lobster claw clasp.

For the earrings, begin from the inside top of a pink rectangular shell bead, insert the head pin up thorugh the hole in the bead and then through the loop of an ear wire. Use the round nose pliers to form the head pin into a loop. Wrap the head pin around the base of the loop at the top of the shell bead and trim off any access. Repeat the process for the other earring.

There you have it. A beautiful necklace, bracelet and earring set and you made them yourself.

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Geometric Shells

You will have lots of fun making your own angel. The pattern is for a blue angel, but you can use any color beads you desire. I have made about five of them and they look great in any color.

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• A 1 ½ to 2 inch head pin
• 1-4mm round bead
• 1-6mm round bead
• 1-4mm flat flower bead
• 1 Angel wings bead
• 1 pair of round nose pliers
• 1 pair of flat or needle nose pliers

Slide a 6mm round bead onto the head pin to create the body. Slide the angel wings bead on next and then put the 4mm round bead on to make the head.

Next you will need to put the 4mm flat flower bead on to make the angel’s halo. When you have the angel together take the round nose pliers and grab he head pin right above the halo. Wrap the pin around the plier to make a circle.

Hold the circle you just made with plat or needle nose pliers. With your other hand, wrap the pin around the circle three times to keep the beads tightly together.

Cut off any excess pin length with the needle nose pliers. Add a jump ring or a spring ring to attach your charm to a bracelet or a fine chain for a necklace.

I have three granddaughters and I made one for each of the girls. I used different colored beads for each necklace. I chose the color of their birth stone, or as close as I could get, for each of their pendants and they love them. My oldest granddaughter told me that when she wears her angel she thinks of me and I think that is great.

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Angel Charm Pendant

It may be because they’re so technically complex…

It could be that the fabric is just not cooperating…

Or it could just be that you’re not enjoying the process…

In short – it’s a sewing project that makes you feel like you deserve a medal after it’s done!

But where to get a medal for sewing…

I’ve found one!

Okay, so actually Leviticus Jewelry has found a medal for dressmaking.  It’s a little vintage medal and they’ve made it into a great necklace:

They’ve used brass, silver and gunmetal-toned chains to create the necklace, and added a little dollhouse iron to add to the seamstress-y fun.

Unfortunately, I don’t know where the medal for dressmaking comes from, or how it was awarded.  What a charming way to commemorate a significant project though.

Maybe we need to bring back our own “medal for dressmaking”…

image: Leviticus Jewelry

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Do You Need a Medal for Dressmaking?

The embroidery on the shirts was what caught my eye, but then I took a closer look at the necklace.  At first I though the model was wearing a necklace made from beads or shells:

And then I realized that those beads are actually covered with fabric!

I’ve actually talked about fabric covered beads before (you can see a how-to here, and some different ideas for fabric jewelry here).

It looks like the necklace from designer Maheen Khan was made using long, thin tubes of fabric, with beads inside them.  Each bead has been tied off with matching fabric.

If you wanted to try making your own necklace, I’d recommend trying it with some larger beads first – they’re going to be a lot simpler to work with.  You might also want to try sewing shorter tubes of fabric, instead of long lengths.

image: Zuma Press

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Fabric Jewelry from Milan Fashion Week

Image: Angela Moore

And now, we are giving you a chance to win another piece from the collection — the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Petite Bracelet. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and/or tweet this contest and leave us the link to your tweet below.

Your comment (or tweet) automatically enters you into the contest, which runs through Friday, September 25, 2009 at 11:59pm ET. We will select one random winner from all the entrants to receive the pendant.

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund funds research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. To learn more about ovarian cancer, please visit OCRF.org.

Look for more related information and giveaways all month long.

Thanks to Angela Moore for sponsoring the contest.

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Giveaway: Angela Moore Petite Bracelet

Image credit: Mommy Tags

It’s very charming and creative. Though a bit expensive at US$95, I think you do get what you pay for. It’s a stylish alternative to posting your kids’ art on ref doors!

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Wearing Your Children’s Art

The winner is Kristy, who commented:

Healthy tips- try to walk as much as possible, drink water when you can, and find little ways to enjoy life… it doesn’t have to be stressful

Image: Angela Moore

And now, we are giving you a chance to win another piece from the collection — the Angela Moore Ovarian Cancer Awareness pendant. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and tell us about your favorite piece of jewelry.

Your comment automatically enters you into the contest, which runs through Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:59pm ET. We will select one random winner from all the entrants to receive the pendant.

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund funds research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. To learn more about ovarian cancer, please visit OCRF.org.

Look for more related information and giveaways all month long, as September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Thanks to Angela Moore for sponsoring the contest.

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Giveaway: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Pendant

Angela Moore creates beautiful bracelets, pendants, earrings, necklaces and more. Since 2004, Angela Moore has partnered with the Ovarian Cancer research Fund to raise awareness of ovarian cancer by creating a special collection of jewelry that symbolizes new beginnings. With the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Collection, 15% of the net proceeds are donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund all year long. The OCRF funds research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. To learn more about ovarian cancer, please visit OCRF.org.

Image: Angela Moore

This beaded jewelry features the teal ribbon on a crisp white background. This week, we are giving away the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Classic Bracelet (retail $50).

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post sharing one healthy tip with Blisstree readers.

Your comment automatically enters you into the contest, which runs through Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:59pm ET. We will select one random winner from all the entrants to receive the Angela Moore Ovarian Cancer Awareness bracelet.

Ovarian Cancer Resources

• Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
• Ovarian Cancer Alliance
• Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
• National Cancer Institute

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Giveaway: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Bracelet

Check out this gorgeous bib necklace from Vera Wang – it’s made from black beads, embroidered onto a base with crystal accents:

It reminds me of vintage beaded accent pieces – the kind that you can find in all sorts of interesting places.  Of course, whenever I see a piece of jewelry like this it makes me wonder how I could make it for myself…

I know I’ve got some vintage crystal pieces from old jewelry, and I’ve got some bead embroidered panels already…

image: Neiman Marcus

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Beautiful Beaded Necklaces

This lovely one from jewelry designer Catherine Michiels features three gold charms strung on a length of variegated silk ribbon – and retails for $220 US.

It’s beautiful, but of course, I like the challenge of making something myself – especially for a piece of jewelry that’s a tad beyond my budget.

My local jewelry supply store has some very similar silk ribbon – it even comes in variegated colors too.  I could also cut thin strips of duppioni silk, zig-zag the edges and use that.  Hey, I could even hit the local scrapbooking section in the craft store – I’ve seen some pretty ribbons in there too…

image: Saks 5th Avenue

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Pretty Silk Ribbon Jewelry