Snow Day Crafting

We are closed at the shop today. Our entire town is blanketed in at least one inch of snow/ice. For us, here in NC, this means that we are frozen, literally. We'll thaw out later this week, but for today at least we are all staying home to do whatever we love to do on snowy days.  For my family, that meant getting up super early to go outside and watch our dogs skitter along the surface of the icy back yard. Children who need dragged out of bed on a 'regular' morning are happy to pop up, breakfasted and dressed and ready to go outside on a snow day. Now we are back in, warming up and moving on to crafts and games and books. Maybe a bit more of the first.  Below I've got three great projects you can probably make with beads and materials you have at home...

my three favorite projects to make on a snowed-in day-

Slide Knot Bracelet You can make this! Use some of your favorite beads and (if you have it) waxed linen. No linen? Try leather cording, Conso thread or even rayon gimp. This project is from one of my favorite designers, Erin Siegel, click here to see the instructions and more ideas from Erin.  Dangly Earrings These use jump rings and left-long head pins. You have those parts...mix it up with seed beads and some of your favorite larger beads. Watch a how-to video here.  Wire Wrapped Bangle This just requires beads and wire. 20 gauge, 18 gauge, whatever you have. Full instructions can be downloaded right here, and this looks best with a mix of beads.

Knot large-hole pearls on leather - the Sebastapol Necklace

Our large hole freshwater pearls will accommodate leather or other cording up to 1.5 mm. We've knotted it onto leather, here, but you could also use our hand painted rayon gimp cording, or silk yarns, or even organza ribbon. You could create a long, knotted organza style that wraps around and around your wrist. Oh, that's a good idea!

Click here to download this tutorial for free right now.

New Tutorial - Macrame Bracelet

click the picture to see the tutorial...you can even download a free PDF copy!

Free Tutorial - Happy Strands Bracelet

click the picture for a sweet project!

New Tutorial - Vashti Meadows Necklace

This off-center necklace uses silk cord to make a colorful and a bit bohemian adornment. I guess I'm getting excited about Erin's visit!  
This necklace features a sweet bead by Mary Alexander, an Ornamentea alum and an amazing artist.
Check out the full tutorial here.