Pinwheel Bracelet and Earrings

Beadsmith posted some pictures of items made with long megatamas on Facebook a few days ago, and invited people to submit their designs using the megatamas. I have three colors of megatamas in my stash - silver, bronze and olive green. I started playing and came up with this pinwheel design. The finished jewelry looks like sterling silver, but is much lighter to wear. I'm working on a matching necklace today, and I have ideas for variations using the bronze and green megatamas. A tutorial is in process that describes how to make the pieces and the variations.

First class at Senior Center and new patterns

I woke up this morning to pitch dark and the steady timpanny of rain. Its light out now, and I am packing for the first class at the senior center. Seven old friends, and one new student, who sounds excited and happy to be at class.

I am redoing all my patterns in Open Office - my computer is one its last legs, and I do not want to pay for the Microsoft Office Suite (Yankee). I am loving the drawing program.

Class today will cover design, color, stringing and fringing. Nine patterns to choose from - including the two new patterns for a dragonfly and Hera's Jewels - a new necklace I designed this summer.

Tutorial: No Headpin, No problem. Using Fireline to make a pair of earrings

Earring instructions normally specify that you use headpins and wire working tools. I’ve found that you can make simple earrings using your needle and Fireline!

What you’ll need:
Fireline Thread 6 lb
Beading Needles - I usually use size 11 or 12
Beads of choice (I used turqoise chips and nuggets, sterling nugget beads, bali silver beads and bali silver earwires and thread guards for the sample.
thread guards (item # H20-4050FY in Fire Mountain catalog
Something to bead on (beading mat)
Scissors
Good lighting

1. Cut a two foot length of Fireline and place a needle of both ends of the thread
2. Center a bead on the thread. The bead should be large enough so that it will not slip through the hole of the next bead that you use.

3. Place your two needles together and slip the remaining beads on your thread.

4. Using your right needle, thread through the right side of your thread guard. Use your left needle to thread through the left side of you thread guard. If you don’t have a thread guard, thread 4 size 11o seed beads on each needle.

5. Tie a square knot, and pass both threads down the length of your earring. Make some half hitches if you can and trim closely.

6. Attach your earring finding.

7. Repeat for a second earring.

Its been snowing in New England today, followed by a light and steady rain. At 24 degrees out, the rain will form a sheet of ice that will make for fun traveling. I'm trying not to dwell on travel because I don't need to go out today. I've finished a write up for my senior center class, and will be including instructions for three pair of earrings in the class. These earrings all start the same, but have variations in the way they are completed so you have three different styles of earrings from the same basic design.