Beads & Butterflies

I recently was provided with someone's old bead collection. When I saw all of these beads I was pretty excited. Such an array of so many shapes, sized and colors.



I did quickly notice that they were all quite  a bit smaller from the beads that I have been using though. But, as long as they fit on the wire, it should be fine!
<-- Here, you can see the difference in bead sizes. The green bead is the usual 3mm size that I've always worked with before. The other two are the average sizes of the beads provided to me. One is 2mm and the other is 1mm.


The next day, I started to work on a thank you project that I would give to this person in exchange for all of these beads. I quickly learned that they were quite a bit more difficult to handle Because they are so tiny, they are not only difficult to pick up and string on wire, it also takes more of the beads to add a colorful accent to my designs.

So, my first project with these little beads, I chose to crochet the wire to fill in the butterfly design. I used this technique to make this butterfly pin. So may little beads and so much wire to fill in this tiny 2" pin.

I wasn't absolutely sure how I felt about crocheting in all the spaces on my designs. So, I made a butterfly ornament. In order to use the tiny beads, I had to make a smaller ornament than usual. My typical ornaments are about 3". But I made this one 2".

Honestly, the smaller beads were very frustrating for me to work with. But when I finally finished this project, I had to admit that they added a very delicate look to the design. So, I may continue to use the smaller beads. But, I'll also have to look into methods to help make handling them more manageable and proficient.

Sew Buttons!

I have decided to start a kid's crochet jewelry line. But after spending quite a bit of time at craft and bead stores only to find no beads that fit my vision of design. But then, a thought occurred out of the blue... why not use bright buttons?  Here is my first design creating a child size crochet wire and button bracelet.

I have to mention that when I first threw out the idea of using buttons,  my teenage daughter thought it was a weird idea. But once I finished this, she thought it was really neat and mentioned doing the button idea in adult sizes. I think that's her way of saying that maybe she'd like one for herself!

I added seed beads to this blue button bracelet. I think I like the extra flare added to the design.







Aren't these just cute as a button!

;o) 




Buttons have great potential for many creative ideas. Be inspired:
          

Moving on to Elegant Jewelry

I've had a lot of fun making my simple jewelry; jewelry that can be made in about an hour. But I was finally ready to move on to making something more intricate and elegant. I also got a request to make something with a gothic look to it. After much contemplation, I finally had an idea in my mind to fit the style I wanted to put together.

This choker, which took me about six hours to make, was the result of such. I used 28 gauge wire and a B crochet hook. I twisted out wire away from the project at the appropriate sections to get the branch accents.The red beads and design were just enough to provide a gothic look (fulfilling the request), while still being quite an elegant piece that can be worn with a formal dress or a casual top.

With this choker, I also stepped up to making my own jump rings and clasp in order to create an adjustable fitting, which allows it to be worn at any position of the neck that is desirable.

Here is an elegant bracelet that I've recently made.
This bracelet was made from the most thin wire I've used yet. This is made with 34 gauge wire, which, though very dainty looking, I think may be too thin.

I created this using single crochet stitches and added clear beads. My favorite part of this bracelet is actually my handmade clasp and ring. I may just try making a full bracelet out of those!   ;o)

Actually, I do love the look of the bracelet, so I may just try making them with a smaller gauge/thicker wire and see how that works.









Inspiration for forging my own rings and clasp hook came from books such as:
I'm also interested in making chain  mail style jewelry... maybe later!

              

Getting Lost in Crochet Wire Creations

I have recently found out about crochet wire jewelry. I have enjoyed many years of crochet and have also had an interest in making jewelry, but did not come across a style that really captivated me until I found this.


I believe that this might be my niche. When I pick up some wire and a crochet hook, creations seem to form themselves. I have many ideas that I want to try crochet wire for and am considering making this my entrepreneur venture. But for now, I have been making simple necklaces and bracelets, such as these seen here.

The necklace above has a thin ribbon woven through the crochet stitches to accent the wire, crochet pendant and beads.


Some of the bracelets are a simple single crochet row, while others have two single crochet rows twisted around one another.


To see more of my work, please visit the gallery page!

My first inspirations to crochet with wire came from books like these: