crystal | Bead Happily Ever After

Falling for Dessert

Posted on October 22, 2012 by crystal

I have a strict rule around here . . .

No baking in July or August!

Well, ok, I’m exaggerating . . . but I do avoid using the oven during the hottest months of summer. Honestly, I think that makes it all the more fun to return to baking once the chill of autumn is in the air!

And what did I choose as my first baked item for fall 2012? Biscotti! The recipe came from dear friend and frequent commenter, Paulette. She featured it on her blog a little while ago and I immediately jotted “Paulette’s Biscotti” at the top of my list of “recipes to try”. She doubles the recipe, but I didn’t. I confess I am a bit of a chicken on that score. When I’m making something for the first time, I usually consider it a test and faithfully follow the recipe. Oven temperatures can vary or the baking powder may be close to it’s expiration date. I figure if all heck breaks loose – at least it’s only a single batch wasted.

The biscotti dough mixes up fairly quickly and then you form it into loaves. Here are mine just before I popped them into the oven . . .

Is there anything better than dessert cooling in the kitchen? Baked to a nice golden color, as per Paulette’s instructions! 🙂

Sir Beads and I have been enjoying a couple of these, every evening, along with a cup of tea. They’re almost gone now (Loud sob, here!) Why oh why didn’t I listen to Paulette and make a double recipe??? They’re soooo GOOD!!!

Wish I could hand you one – right through the screen!

But, you can make your own if you like! 🙂

Just stop by Paulette’s for the recipe.

Hugs,

An Autumn Gift – Wrapped

Posted on October 15, 2012 by crystal

Recently, a customer placed an order with me for a pair of earrings.

She said they were for her friend who loves:

1. The autumn season

2. Simple styles of jewelry – “nothing too busy or over the top”

After giving it some thought, I decided that these awesome vintage rhinestones, with their fiery glow, would definitely evoke the warmth of autumn!

So, I hand-set the stones in oxidized brass settings and then chose lever-back earwires to match. I felt they fit the bill for simplicity, but there was one more thing to do. You see, my customer had also requested gift-wrapping that would continue with the autumn theme!

A quick look through my stash of supplies turned up some fall-ish wired ribbon and heart-shaped embellishments in a pretty shade of amber apricot. I knew if I added a bit of tacky glue, I could make a little gift pouch that would coordinate nicely. 😀

If you’ve never tried it before, I think you’ll discover that wired ribbon makes a very easy and very festive little wrapper that’s perfect for jewelry, gift cards, candy, or any small trinket! The ribbon comes in different widths (I used 2-1/2″ here.) and is available at most craft stores and other places that carry gift wrap. It comes in all colors and for all occasions. The holiday ribbons are particularly beautiful.

To make the pouch, cut a piece of ribbon that’s approximately two and a half times the length of the object you want to place inside.

Fold over a narrow “hem” at the top raw edge (See photo above.). No sewing needed – just crease it well with your fingers. Then, roll that hem over again, so that the raw edge is totally hidden, and press the crease once more. Repeat this on the other end of the ribbon. You’ll see how the wired ribbon really holds its shape.

Next, lay your item on top of the ribbon, wrong side up, (again, refer to that photo just above!) to determine where to fold-up the “pocket”. Press that fold with your fingers.

Now you can see that there’s a pocket area and the remaining length of the ribbon becomes the “flap”.

Your gift pouch is now ready to be glued together. Run a narrow line of tacky glue down the inside edges but stop gluing when you reach the flap – it should not be glued at all . . . you want to be able to open and close it at will.

Allow the tacky glue to dry for several hours and then add any decorations you desire. My ribbon has lots of sparkle so I kept the embellishment to a minimum, but you might want to add lace to the flap, or a tassel, or beads, or even buttons!

This pouch is so simple, and yet it makes a really nice presentation for a small gift!

Word has it that my customer’s friend was delighted! 😀

‘Til next time . . .

Easy Peasy Beading

Posted on October 8, 2012 by crystal

I’ve had requests for “beginner” bead projects – simple things that can be accomplished without any beading experience.

This morning, it occurred to me that Make somethin’ Monday is just the place to showcase a basic design.

In my view, the easiest thing to make is a bookmark. All you need are a few beads, maybe a little charm, and some cord that’s narrow enough to fit through the holes.

If you can tie a knot, you can make this. 😀

No pliers, no wire-wrapping, no crimping needed! The beads and the little froggy all stay in place with a just few double knots! Play with different arrangements of your components before you string them to arrive at a design that pleases you most. Then, tie a knot at each end to hold the beads on, and again at the top of each grouping of beads to keep them in place on the string! See? I told ya it was easy! 🙂

With the holidays approaching, you could make a whole bunch of these for gifts – and the best part is you won’t have to worry if they’ll fit the lucky recipient or coordinate with her wardrobe! 😉

If you choose beads and charms in holiday colors and themes, this very simple design could quickly become a sparkling ornament to drape around the branches of a Christmas tree!

Please note! Glass beads and small components of any kind should not be left where small children might have access to them!

Hugs,

Sparkling Snowflakes Wreath

Posted on October 1, 2012 by crystal

Isn’t it funny how one thing often leads to another when browsing the web?

I can be searching for something as mundane as “how to remove a juice stain” and before I know it I’m clicking on a dinner recipe, or reading some interesting article, or gleefully wading through a gallery of craft ideas!

Don’t ask me how I bumped into the little project I will feature in this post.

I can tell you one thing, for sure. I was not looking for it. 😉

If you’ve shopped the aisles of any of the craft super-stores, you know that the supplies for paper crafts are endless. They call out to me – especially when they’re on sale – and I’ve accumulated a nice little collection. I don’t use them very often, and that’s a shame because working with paper can be incredibly soothing. (Must be the kid in me that feels that way!)

Today, I have an ornament to show you. It caught my eye because it’s made with something I already have – a Martha Stewart snowflake stamp!

In fact I already had most of the supplies!

There was only one I had to buy . . .

I had never used Stickles before (Where have I been?), but are they ever fun! Who could resist glitter that rolls on easily and dries sparkly? I’m of the opinion that everything looks better with a hint of glitter. 😀

Isn’t this pretty? (This is the back side.) Nice for the Christmas tree and gorgeous for a package tie-on!

And here’s the front of the ornament. It has a very cool 3-d effect in person. I think this decoration is holiday-neutral enough to keep on display all winter long!!

If you, too, have an urge to play with paper, the directions can be found here.

Hugs,

Last Minute Me

Posted on September 24, 2012 by crystal

Happy Monday, Kids!

Whew, I’m out of breath from running . . .

Not really – but I am just barely getting in under the wire for this week’s Make somethin’ Monday post. 😉

In my defense, it’s not that I haven’t been trying. I actually have 3 things in progress.

“That doesn’t count, Crystal. You need to have one finished.”

Well, luckily I just completed these!

Measuring 2-1/4″ long, these dangle earrings feature Tanzanite Aurora Borealis Swarovski Crystals in a medley of shapes and sizes.

I’m thinking they’d be a fab holiday gift for someone on your list . . . or maybe for you? 🙂

P.S. Sending a great big thank you for the sweet comments and emails I received last week regarding the Cup of Bead Soup Design Challenge.

I truly do have the best blog buddies out there!

Hugs,