Simple Summer Elegence

Summer fashion means sun dresses, sandals, strappy tops and tees, plus lots of shiny, jingling jewelry. For me though it seems when I buy new summer outfits I can’t always find just the right jewelry pieces. This year I set myself a challenge to make up some really fast fun simple and elegant pieces.

First a trip to my local Joann’s Fabric and Craft store, straight to the jewelry aisle. I turned the corner and what did I see, a gorgeous display of Blue Moon Beads chains. So envision this, a grown woman standing in the bead aisle with their mouth hanging open (I’m sure I drooled a little). Got my chain, grabbed some jump rings, clasps and headed home to create. Now to challenge myself and see how long it will take to make some stunning summer jewelry.

Love this gold chain necklace, time to make: 5 minutes

Measure out enough chain to make your necklace, place it around your shoulders, decide where to add your Blue Moon Bead pendant (love this one with the beads and chain dangles), add a clasp (I used a pretty Blue Moon Bead toggle clasp). Five minutes and a pretty necklace that you made in no time.

This snake chain also from Blue Moon Beads (comes in different diameters) is even easier and took 5 minutes. Glue on the end caps that come with the chain (thanks to Blue Moon Bead for including the end cap with the chain). Add a jump ring and clasp and wrap it around your wrist (wrap bracelets are a big trend right now). Added bonus with this bracelet its convertible and can also be worn as a necklace drapped double.

                                                        

Last project uses this luscious sparkly black cup chain and fancy black chain with. Time spent 15 minutes.

Measure your chain (about 7 inches) snap on the end cap and gently squeeze closed, add jump rings and a clasp and your done. I added another Blue Moon Bead pendant for more blingy fun and movement.

You now have 3 pieces of gorgeous, blingy, sparkling summer jewelry. The hardest part of these pieces is hanging on to them because all our friends are going to want them. Which means your next summer get together is going to be a jewelry making party. Anyone need a good Margarita recipe for the girls night jewelry party?

All products are Blue Moon Beads and the only tools used were two pairs of chain nose pliers and E6000 glue. Don’t forget you can find all these components at your local Joann’s Fabric and Craft store.

Looms, Beads and Sparkle Oh My!

Not being a woman who is known for her patience I have always shied away from working with those tiny little seed beads. That is until I found the Beadalon Jewel Loom designed by Julianna Hudgins. Truth be told I have never used a bead loom and was a little intimidated at first. Turns out this is the easiest tool I have every used. I was amazed at how incredibly simple the loom is to use. Once you try it you to will be hooked.

For my first project I gathered my Blue Moon Bead Jet Black Bugle beads and strung those on the loom for the base of the bracelet. Then using Blue Moon Light Blue Turquoise 6/0 beads, Jet 10/0 seed beads and Blue Moon Bead Global Nomad line Opaque Turquoise 10/0 seed beads and made a beautiful bracelet, with loops, fringe and lots of movement.

For the second project I made my Mermaid Ring.
Using more Blue Moon Bead seed beads in Light Blue size 10/0. for the base of the ring. Layed out 11 warp threads, added 10 blue seed beads and strung 3 1/4″ of beads. Attached a blue/green foil bead, with teal blue swarovski crystals to the center of the base. Then attached alternating loops of blue and green seed beads around the center beads. Removed this from the Beadalon Jewel Loom and joined the ends to form the ring.
Each project took less than 2 hours and I love the results. Fun and unique jewelry pieces to wow all you friends with.

You can find a tutorial on YouTube done by Julianna Hudgins on how to use the Beadalon Jewel Loom.