Easy Peasy Beading

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,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

Giveaway – Beaded Veggie Bookmark

giftwrap Welcome to the weekly giveaway! Before I announce the details, I just want to say that there were some amazing answers to last week’s question! I’d sure love to be invited to those dinner parties that many of you planned! Thanks everyone for playing along and for sending in such interesting guest lists!

This week’s giveaway is an adorable beaded bookmark called “Veggie Garden”. Use it to mark your place in that book you’re reading! Whether it’s a novel at your bedside table or an art book in the living room, this pretty bookmark will add a whimsical touch to your home.

veggie-bookmark

It’s made with wonderful artisan-crafted lampwork glass beads that are shaped like little vegetables! There’s a tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, and a yellow pepper! The part that you place inside your book is made with tiny glass seed beads in light emerald green aurora borealis. Swarovski crystals in red siam, and light and medium shades of emerald green serve as sparkling accents! All findings are sterling silver.
Measurements: The overall length (including the veggie beads) is 17″, but the part that is meant to be placed inside a book is about 13″. It should fit many of your books – except for those that are the very large coffee table size.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

1. For your first chance to win leave a comment answering this question: If you were to look up the word “kindness” in the dictionary, and right beside the definition of the word, there was a picture of a person – which person in your life would it be and why?

2. For a second chance to win, leave a second comment that answers the question: Do you like it when people make a big deal out of your birthday or do you prefer a quiet celebration?

3. For a third chance to win, leave a comment on any other post on this blog except this one. You can do it today by looking for a post in the archives to comment on, or you can come back during the week and add a comment on any post – old or new. You will receive an extra entry each time you do so.

You can choose any one or all of the above chances to enter.

A valid email address must be given at time of entry. You must be 18 yrs. old. The name of the winner will be listed here after the completion of the contest. The winner will be notified by email. The prize will be mailed by USPS First Class Mail. If no valid email address is given at time of entry, or if winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen.
All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 04/19/09, and the winner will be selected on or about 04/20/09.

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth