Tag Archive | change

DIY Seashore Themed Tutorial #1 ~ Crystal “Starfish” for Summer Weddings and Other Celebrations

May21
This easy-to-build beaded starfish design is the perfect DIY decoration, gift, party favor, or memento for seashore-themed special occasions and celebrations.
Materials: (1) Wildfire beading string (about 8″), (2) 4 mm bicone Swarovski crystal beads in different colors (as pictured, 5 pacific opal, 5 aquamarine satin, and 10 light azore) x 20 total beads, (3) seed beads (Pictured here, Delica brand aquamarine glass seed beads).
Start stringing the inner circle of the starfish, alternating one seed bead and one crystal bicone bead.
To create the 5-point star design in this tutorial, stop after you have added 5 total bicones, alternated with 5 total seed beads. To make a six-pointed star, add pone more of each type of bead to your inner circle. This section should be completed in one color, to achieve the desired effect.
Pass the end of the string a second time through all of the beads to form a loop that you will tighten into a circle.
Pull gently on both ends of the string to close the circle, and pull the design into a continuous ring. This beaded ring becomes the base you will use to build the “arms” of your starfish.
Starting with one of the loose ends, add on three more crystals, alternating colors to give the “arms” of the starfish contrast.
Loop the end of the string back into the seed bead below, creating an outer extension of your design, as pictured.
Pull the loop on either side to tighten. This is the first “arm” or “point” of the star design.
Continue the design, by repeating the previous step a second time to create another “arm”.
After you finish the design, it should look like this! Use ribbon, string, or fishing line to create beautiful ornaments for centerpieces and wedding decor. Also ideal for jewelry!

Intro to Modular Jewelry… and The Universe!

Aug18
Chain Reactions modular jewelry lets you create your own jewelry trends, styles and designs, while also offering an alternative to passive “consumption” of identity and self-expression.
Interchangeable pices can be layered to match any outfit, mood or holiday. This produces less waste than having discrete items for very limited uses.
The same necklace may be worn with any charm. The chain color, too, may be edited. Or, you can simply break this necklace down into a bracelet and an anklet.
A modular design allows you to begin with a few pieces, and build a collection slowly over time.
As you find new interests, and you style changes, the jewelry you wear can be altered to fit the evolution. Most importantly, obsolete concepts are edited out without loosing your entire investment in self-expression.
As your mind and body mature over time, your sense of creative empowerment and collaborative involvement will also blossom. When your choices as a consumer are more closely fitted to you, they are far more rewarding, and less likely to be discarded before their use value is depleted.
With modular designs, there are no limits to potential for growth. Individual pieces are not bound by a specific configuration, and move freely between designs. Charms for earrings double as charms for bracelets and necklaces.