Cleo (part one) a Jean Campbell Design

Cleo

I’m currently working on Jean Campbell’s “Cleo” earrings from her book “Creating Glamorous Earrings”. I need to trim the threads on this and add some glue and this one will be good to go. Unfortunately I have to wait for additional beads to arrive in the mail. The pattern calls for 12 metallic blue 2x 4mm bicone beads. As far as I can tell, I actually need 24 to make the pair of earrings.
It’s a pretty cool earring though. I can’t wait until I have a matched set.

“Around the Block”, a Barbara Falkowitz design

Around the Block

“Around the Block”  was designed by Barbara Falkowitz and appears in the Oct/Nov 2011 edition of Beadwork magazine.  I really enjoyed making this one. I actually made it in the same sitting that I made the “Winding Path Bracelet”, by Jann Christiansen. If I can knock out two bracelets between dinner and bedtime, it’s a good sign that it isn’t too difficult of a pattern.
 
 
 
 

"Around the Block" Clasp

This beaded bracelet incorporates right-angle weave, picot and and peyote stitches. I particularly like the way that the clasp was done. I love the simplicity of the peyote stitch in the button loop so much that I incorporated it in to the “Winding Path Bracelet”. It’s pretty. I also like the way that the button is attached to it’s own base rather than just being tacked on to the end. I feel like it gives the clasp a bit more substance. I’m also really digging that this wasn’t a terribly expensive bracelet to make. As a bead hobbyist, it’s wonderful to see some patterns that can be made without investing a ton of money. This bracelet is a perfect example of how a cost effective, fire polish bead can bring a bit of sparkle without breaking the bank.

pretty!

“Winding Path Bracelet” design by Jann Christiansen

Winding Path Bracelet

Beaded by me of course.  When I made my last bead order I chose a bunch of beads that are sort of blendy in color. I also purchased several of the same floral buttons so a few of the coming designs might have a similar look. The intent is so that I can layer bracelets.

This particular bracelet is a Jann Chrisitansen design and can be found in the Oct/Nov (2011) edition of Beadwork magazine.  (starting on page 76). It is a variation of the ever popular daisy stitch. The pattern is easy to follow and if you are a visual learner, it has great diagrams.  The challenge for me was finding a metallic and matte metallic combination of size 11 seed beads that I liked.

I decided not to go with the ball and socket clasp and instead went with a copper toned button. For the clasp loop, I used the two bead peyote loop that appears earlier in the magazine in the instructions for  the “Around the Block” (Barbara Falkowitz design) beaded bracelet pattern.

“Grace”, designed by Jean Campbell, from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”

Grace

I’m trying to get used to Marathon Man’s camera. My camera  seems to be dying but I’m not sure I like how photos from this camera are coming out. I think I might add “new camera” to my wish list along with “new computer”. Hope springs eternal..

Back to the necklace at hand, his is “Grace”. “Grace” is another Jean Campbell design from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”.
I ordered all of the beads to make this, but I forgot to add in the 8mm Crystal focal bead. I attempted to buy a bead from both Joann’s and Michaels but they seem to be more interested in carrying bicones. I could find a similar shaped and colored bead at Michael’s but it was made in China and I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. So, it’s official… I”m a Swarovski bead snob.  That, or I’m just “anti crap from China”, it could go either way.  At any rate, this sat on my bead board , partially completed awaiting a single 8mm amethyst crystal bead to come in the mail. Incidentally I also ordered a thread burner.
Jean calls for a thread burner frequently in the book. I learned to melt thread the old school way and would melt my thread with a lighter or a match. I’ve got to say though, a thread burner is a huge step up in the world for me.

As for the pattern, this necklace was very easy to construct. I did make one change that I’m aware of and possibly one that I wasn’t aware of. I used closed, sterling silver twisted jump rings. So instead of attaching the links when they had all been completed, I connected them as I constructed them.  Also, the material list calls for 6, 7mm twisted jump rings.  However, in the instructions it says to “use twisted 8mm jump rings to continue connecting components”. I didn’t see that until I was assembling it, which works as a good reminder as to how important it is to read the directions from start to finish (in detail) prior to ordering materials. There isn’t a great difference between 7 and 8mm, so my suggestion would to be to look for some that are a bit heavier gauge. Mine were super thin but I think that the necklace would look better if they were slightly heavier. Choices seem to be more plentiful in 8mm.

Still, I love this necklace.  It’s very elegant, as it should be. This particular necklace was inspired by a photo of Grace Kelly  in “To Catch a Thief”, it is certainly fit for a princess.

Jean Campbell continues to grow on me.  The more of her designs I make, the more I want to make. I ordered most of the materials to make “Carmen” and “Audrey” so those will be coming soon (I need to grab one or two more things). I’ve also started working on the “Cleo” earrings. I’m not satisfied with the bead caps I chose so I’m going to try to find the ones used in the book.