December Collaboration Project

This month the Creative Ambassadors decided as a group to collaborate on a Vintage Christmas themed project.  We are using Cousin Corporation's Class In A Box pictured below.  We chose this one due to the lovely pearls and antiqued brass chains.  It has a very Victorian feel to it.  The dark pearls look like berries.  Each of the five ambassadors will create a single piece that will connect to the previous ambassador's piece via a toggle clasp.

We began with Suzette creating the first piece and passing it on to Lisa, then Lisa is to pass it to Gail.  Gail is to pass it to me, and then I'm to send it to Patty.  Below is the photo of what Suzette and Lisa have come up with so far.  I can't wait to see what Gail does!

I love the look of Suzette's piece.  So rich and creamy.

Here is Lisa's piece.  The middle one is very elegant.  I love the edginess of the outer ones.

November Project

For our November project, we were to create something from the new box of goodies we received from Cousin.  They have introduced a new line of jewelry components called Second Skin.  Second Skin is focused on the look and feel of exotic snake skin. This new line features luxurious jewel tones and metal accents. This line is available at Jo-Ann and Prima Bead's website.

My box of goodies arrived on Monday, October 29th.

 So I got started early and cranked out four pieces the day I received my box.  I am chomping at the bit to create more things.  Taking a little break at the moment, but I'm sure I will burn the midnight oil making more beautiful designs with these amazing products.

My first creation from the box was a mixed media cuff bracelet. I had a blank copper cuff bracelet laying around that I never did anything with.  I was planning so much for it, but it never materialized.  So when my box came in, I discovered these amazing metal slider beads.

 As soon as I saw them, my creative wheels started turning. 

I flattened out my cuff and laid these beauties on it.  I ended up using only three of the four.  I had some scrap dyed and embossed leather laying around that I picked up at a yard sale very cheap and decided to make use of some of that too.  There was this piece of lovely snakeskin looking tangerine stuff that I felt went with the copper very well.  I measured out where I wanted the sliders to be on the bracelet and then cut the leather to fit in between the sliders. I torch soldered the sliders to the cuff blank.  I then glued the leather pieces down to the blank.  I had to use BeadFix since I couldn't find my E-6000.  Still worked.  I then cleaned, sanded, and polished the exposed copper. I coated the leather pieces with Mod Podge in Matte. I used Environ-Tex's two part Jewelry Resin to cover the leather pieces.  After it was all set, I reformed the bracelet on my mandrel. I touched up the silver plating on the sliders with a Krylon Silver Leafing pen you can get at most craft stores. I touched up the places where the solder was showing on the copper with some Ranger Alcohol Inks. I used Watermelon and Citrus from the Tim Holtz line.

 

My second piece was a simple pair of earrings.  I found these lovely connector/pendant things that just screamed ready made earrings. I added a 6mm gray Crystazzi crystal pearl and a 3mm jet black Crystazzi crystal on head pins and connected them to the top of these and then to silver plated copper ear wires.

They turned out very pretty and classy looking.  I just love them. They are definitely on trend for this fall.

My third creation was an amazing tribal looking necklace.  I found this lovely metal connector in my box.  It has a center piece that consists of black and white faux snakeskin and an olive green acrylic gem setting.  I used some transparent faceted green glass beads from the Second Skin collection as well as some more of the gray Crystazzi crystal pearls. There was some lovely large double link textured chain in my box as well that I decided to use in conjunction with this focal pendant.  It worked out great.  The texture of the chain resembles the texture of the faux snakeskin on this piece.

My third piece was another tribal piece.  It reminded me of something Egyptian.  The focal piece was a three strand connector that had three sections of brown/tan/cream faux snakeskin and two black enameled triangle sections.  This piece was very intriguing to me.  This one I set on very thing figure eight chain from the same line and made a strand of bead connectors of 6mm opaque black round beads and 8mm matte metallic brown beads from the Jewelry Basics line and, 6mm matte light rose Crystazzi pearls.  I strung the beads on 20 gauge steel plated copper craft wire.  I found a lovely large faceted black resin pendant in my box that fit the look I was going for.  I wire wrapped it on the same 20 gauge craft wire and added some of the Jewelry Basics 6mm opaque black beads.  The end result is a necklace fit for a queen for sure.

All product photos are from the Prima Bead website.  All finished piece photos are property of Raziela Designs.

Second Halloween Project

I posted earlier about Cousin sending all of us ambassadors a lovely box of goodies for us to create a Halloween themed project for the month of October.  I ended up making two different items.  Below is the second item I created.  It's a lovely black and red, Goth style necklace.  Make sure to visit the Cousin website to see all of the ambassadors' amazing designs for this month's project.  Complete instructions for this piece can be found on their site and below.

Supply List

Jewelry Basics

34713087 – Glass Beads: 85 pc 6mm Round Red

34708423 – Metal Beads: 3 pc Metal Bead Black Lace Spacer

34718004 – 100 inch Small Oval Chain in Black

37450212 – 17 inch Black Metal Filigree Connectors

36127150 – 9" Clear/Black Glass Ovals

34719103 – Findings 145 pc Starter Pack in Black

Tool List:

Round Nose Pliers

Chain Nose/Needle Nose/Flat Nose Pliers

Parrot Beak Memory Wire Cutters (for cutting chain)

Instructions for Necklace:  Make all your connectors and dangles at the same time. Cut all the chain at the same time. Disassemble the filigree strand.  We are only using the filigrees not the beads.  You will be using the smallest jump rings from the Starter pack as well as the extender chain.

Cut the following sections of chain:

Ten 12 link sections

Two 15 link sections

Two 17 inch sections

Two 40 link sections (5 inches each)

One 79 link section (10 inches)

One 3 inch section from the extender chain

Make 11 Red Bead Connectors: (will be referred to as RB Connectors)

Thread a red bead onto an eye pin. Bend the pin to form a right angle. Cut the pin approximately 1/4 inch beyond the bead. Use the round end of your pliers to grasp the end of the pin and curve the pin by using a rolling motion to fold it over a single round prong. You may need to release the pin and continue the rolling motion again.

Make 2 Red Bead Dangles: (will be referred to as RB dangles)

Thread a red bead onto a head pin. Bend the pin to form a right angle. Cut the pin approximately 1/4 inch beyond the bead. Use the round end of your pliers to grasp the end of the pin and curve the pin by using a rolling motion to fold it over a single round prong. You may need to release the pin and continue the rolling motion again.

Make 2 Red Bead & Clear/Black Oval Bead Connectors:  (will be referred to as RB/CB connectors)

Thread a red bead, a clear/black oval bead and another red bead onto an eye pin. Bend the pin to form a right angle. Cut the pin approximately 1/4 inch beyond the bead. Use the round end of your pliers to grasp the end of the pin and curve the pin by using a rolling motion to fold it over a single round prong. You may need to release the pin and continue the rolling motion again.

Make 3 Red Bead & Black Lace Spacer Connectors:  (will be referred to as RB/BL connectors)

Thread a red bead on to a eye pin.  Thread the eye pin through one hole of the spacer and then add another red bead. Bend the pin to form a right angle. Cut the pin approximately 1/4 inch beyond the bead. Use the round end of your pliers to grasp the end of the pin and curve the pin by using a rolling motion to fold it over a single round prong. You may need to release the pin and continue the rolling motion again.  Repeat for the second hole of the spacer.

Construct 3 Red Bead and Filigree Connectors: (will be referred to as RBF connectors)

Take two RB connectors and attach to each end of a metal filigree connector by opening one loop of the RB connector and threading the filigree connector onto the pin.  Close loop.  Repeat for opposite side.

Construct 1 Red Bead and Filigree Dangle: (will be referred to as RBF dangle)

Take one RB connectors and attach to one end of a metal filigree connector by opening one loop of the RB connector and threading the filigree connector onto the pin.  Close loop.  Attach an RB dangle to the opposite end of filigree.  Set aside.

Using the smallest jump rings from the Starter pack, connect the RB/BL connectors together forming a strand. Note:  Use a side to side twist motion to open the jump ring and to close it back.  It's easiest to use two pairs of needle nose pliers. If you have one pair, you can hold one side with your fingers. If there is a gap, close it by moving the sides up and down pressing gently together. The ends should overlap then snap together tightly so the tension of the metal will hold the gap closed.

Attach one section of 12 links to each free loop of the RB/BL connector strand at both ends via jump rings.  Attach a RB connector to both sections of chain by opening the loop from side to side. String on another 12 link section and close the loop. Open the free loop of the RB Connector and attach another 12 link section of chain. Thread on one 40 link section of chain and close loop of RB connector. Open free loop of the RB connector just added and attach one 15 link section. Repeat on opposite side of RB/BL connector strand.

Use a jump ring to attach a lobster claw clasp from the starter pack to one end of the chain.  On opposite side, attach using a jump ring, the extender chain.  Attach one RB dangle at the end of the extender chain by opening the loop from the side and threading the pin through the last link of the extender chain. Close the loop.

At the end of one of the free 12 link sections, attach one of the RBF connectors and another 12 link section of chain. Add another RBF connector and another section of chain. Connect the free chain and the chain just added with the last RBF connector.

At one end of the 40 link section of chain, attach a RB/CB connector. At the free loop of the RB/CB connector, attach one end of the 79 link section and a 17 link section of chain. Attach another RB/CB connector and the next 17 link section of chain. Connect the 17 link chain to the last RB/CB connector and other end of the 79 link piece. Then connect the free loop of the RB/CB connector to the end of the other free 40 link section of chain.

Find the center point of the 79 link section. Open top loop of the RBF Dangle and thread it through the center link of the chain. Close loop.

Main body of necklace should fit snuggly to the neck like a collar.

Earring Instructions: Use ear wires from Starter pack and smallest jump rings.  Using the instructions from above, make 2 Red Bead Connectors, 2 Red Bead Dangles. Construct 2 Red Bead & Filigree Dangles. At top loop of RBF connector, attach a jump ring. Thread loop of ear wire onto the jump ring and close the ring.  Repeat for other earring.

The Halloween Project

Cousin Corporation sent us Ambassadors another box of goodies to work with to create a Halloween themed project complete with instructions.

 These projects are featured on their website here.

I ended up creating two different projects.  The first of which is currently featured on their site.  Click here to view it or you can view the photos and instructions below.

Along Came A Spider

  Supply List

18 gauge Artistic Wire Non Tarnish Red Brass Wire

20 gauge Artistic Wire Non Tarnish Red Brass Wire

Metal Gallery Liquid Gold Small Beads (LG)

BeadFix Glue

Black 11/0 Seed Beads (SB)

Black 8/0 E Beads (EB)

34709105 – Jewelry Basics 7pc Acrylic Amber Flat Faceted Beads

37450212 – Jewelry Basics 17in Black Metal Filigree Connector

Tool List

Round Nose Pliers

Parrot Beak Memory Wire Cutters

Flat nose pliers

Ruler

Cut and straighten the following:

One 8 inch piece of 18 gauge wire

Eight 6 inch pieces of 20 gauge wire

Disassemble the metal filigree stand. Use only the beads. Take round nose pliers and make a tiny loop at the end of the 18 gauge wire. Grip the loop firmly with the flat nose pliers. Use your fingers to roll the wire into a spiral moving the pliers as the spiral grows in size. Make four revolutions. Bend the wire slightly back to a 90 degree angle. Wire should be completely flat. Bend the straight end of the wire perpendicular to the spiral at a 90 degree angle. Then bend again to where the wire is now behind the spiral. Measure to the center of the spiral and bend the straight wire at this point. 

 Make a loop at the end of each 8 pieces of wire by rolling the end straight down.

Thread on one black E bead and one of the black faceted rondelle from the metal filigree strand. String on each of the 8 pieces of wire. String on the orange bead. Make a wrapped loop at the end of the wire. Drip glue over 8 loops of the 6 inch pieces of wires. Let dry. If you don't, it will be glued to your hand.

When glue has fully dried, separate the ends of the wires away from each other. On one of the front wires, string on three SBs, and a pattern of 1 LG, one SB repeated 4 times. String on one SB, EB, and then one SB. Thread on a pattern of LG/SB repeated 5 times. Make a bend on top of the last SB. Trim to 1/2 inch. Make a curl using round nose pliers. Repeat on all but the back two pieces of wire (one on the left and one on the right). On the back two pieces, follow the LG, SB pattern 4 times. Then add one SB, one EB, one SB and the same LG/SB pattern repeated 3 times. Repeat the SB/EB/SB pattern followed by LG/SB repeated twice and curl the ends. Bend the wires at the EBs at about an 45 degree angle on all but the back legs. At the bottom EB, bend in the opposite direction at about a 30 degree angle.

You can now either string up your spider on a piece of monofilament, or string on a necklace for a little fun creepy crawly Halloween accessory.

Second Skin Featured in Bead Trends Magazine

Cousin Corporation of America's New Line, Second Skin, is featured in the October issue of Bead Trends Magazine.

Second Skin is focused on the look and feel of exotic snake skin. This new line features luxurious jewel tones and metal accents.  This line is available at www.primabead.com and select Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Make The Connection: Project Number 2

This month's project for Cousin was to do a review of their new "Make the Connection" line making its debut on HSN tomorrow, September 13th.  I fell in love with this product line.  It is super easy, especially for those who are craft impaired. 

Make the Connection is an "almost" ready-to-wear jewelry line!  Make the Connection takes the intimidation factor out of jewelry making by using NO tools and shows it doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming to create unique, personalized jewelry. The kit offers four different jewelry elements: short connectors, long connectors, center connector and accent. The ring clasp connector on each end connects the pieces, to instantly create a piece of jewelry that reflects one's personal style, no matter what level of expertise.  You can create up to 30 pieces per kit in a flash.  Or mix the kits for even more possibilities.  With the "Formal" kit, one can change out one piece and switch your look from day to night with ease.  With the "Everyday" kit, one can create personalized on trend jewelry such as wrap bracelets and layered necklaces.  These kits are perfect for every age and skill level as they have no loose beads to string and require no tools.

The video review I made is here for you to view.  Please make sure you tune in tomorrow the HSN to view this great product.

Exciting Press Release Today from Cousin

Received this just a few moments ago and wanted to share the excitement!

INNOVATIVE CONCEPT IN JEWELRY KITS DEBUTING ON HSN’S “24 HOURS OF CRAFTS”

New Approach Lets You Create a Style Then Interchange Pieces for a Different Style the Next Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LARGO, Fla., September 10, 2012 – Imagine instantly changing your jewelry to fit your mood, style or wardrobe with just a few pieces at your fingertips. The Make the Connection line, a new approach to customized jewelry, will let you effortlessly switch up your look when two exclusive kits premier on HSN, HSN.COM and via HSN mobile on Thursday, September 13, 2012.

The Make the Connection kits contain several different jewelry components with a simple ring clasp on each end that instantly connect the components, creating a seamless necklace or bracelet that can be changed again and again, reflecting your personality, style or outfit.

The two Make the Connection kits making their debut on HSN and hsn.com are Everyday, designed to be colorful and on-trend, and Formal, designed to have a timeless, elegant feel. More than 30 combinations can be created from each style kit for only $19.95 each kit.

Make the Connection designer Michelle Simpson knows being stylish can be time-consuming and expensive and created the kits for HSN to help solve the ongoing fashion dilemma.

“Imagine putting on an outfit and knowing you can create a complementing piece of jewelry in seconds, and then creating a different piece every day for a month, all from the same kit. Make the Connection is about simplicity and variety at a value,” says Simpson.

Make the Connection will inspire jewelry lovers of all ages who want to complement their wardrobe with personalized jewelry without the expense of buying multiple bracelets and necklaces. For more information about Make the Connection on HSN, join the conversation on Facebook at Make the Connection on HSN.

What Did I Create Today?

Today, I sat down at my worktable with a ton of beads strewn across it trying to find something that sparked my interest.  I started staring at all those very same beads yesterday to no avail.  Something sparked this morning.

I separated the beads that were "speaking" to me.  No, they don't actually talk; and I don't actually hear them either.  I am referring to the beads that just caused my creative wheels to start turning.  Silly.

I set up my bead palette, which needs replacing by the way, with my beads.  I played with different designs trying to find that perfect fit.  I played with an asymmetrical design.  But, that didn't quite work the way I had envisioned.  I finally settled on a very unique design featuring the red square beads in the lower right corner photo (Red Jasper) as the focal area.  These stones are part of the Jewelry Basics line of beads that are available at Jo-Anns as well at PrimaBead.com.

I began the necklace with some of Cousin Corporation's Cord Basics Gold Nylon Coated Flexible Beading Wire.  I strung on a Jewelry Basics gold plated crimp tube on the wire then ran the wire through a jump ring that was attached to a gold plated lobster claw clasp, both of which were from the Jewelry Basics line.   I ran the wire back through the crimp bead and crimped it shut.  I strung one gold plated scroll bead and a gold plated link chain both from the Jewelry Basics line onto the wire along with seven Crystazzi Crystal Pearls in Light Rose Matte. I covered the extra wire from where I crimped with these beads. I then looped the chain back and threaded it onto the jewelry wire on one link.  I added another scroll bead, looped the chain again, and added 7 more pearls.  I repeated this pattern four times (see above photo).

When I reached the desired focal area, I strung one scroll bead, looped the chain and then added another scroll bead. I added one Red Jasper stone and then another scroll bead followed by another stone and scroll bead.  I then threaded the chain back on and added another scroll bead followed by a gemstone and scroll bead.  I, again, threaded the chain back onto the wire to be and followed the pattern of scroll bead, stone bead, scroll bead, stone bead, scroll bead.  The chain was then threaded onto the wire and followed by a scroll bead.  I repeated the pattern of chain, scroll bead, chain, and seven pearls from the other side of the necklace.  The necklace was complete after I strung a crimp tube and jump ring that was attached to a 2.5" extender chain and crimped.  I threaded the extra wire back through the first grouping of beads and trimmed off the extra.  I added a little pearl dangle to the end of the extender chain for added elegance.

Rose Noir

I began this piece by grouping together Jewelry Basics elements.  First, I gathered a strand of 6mm plum colored glass pearls that were mixed with a 4mm deep rose crystal.  I had a gunmetal colored strand of connectors that consisted of a filigree rose and a plum enameled diamond shape with a purple-rose colored crystal in the center.  I strung the beads on some black nylon coated steel flexible beading wire.  I formed a drop pendant from two of the diamonds and one of the roses.  I then made dangle from the bottom diamond shape with one of the pearls and one of the crystals.  The flexible beading wire is strung through the top loop of the top diamond and crimped with a gunmetal crimp tube.  The beads follow the pattern that was on the strand: crystal, pearl, crystal, pearl.  I added a black enameled copper extender chain and a lobster claw clasp.  The earrings have a matching filigree rose and diamond shape along with the pearl and crystal dangle.  The ear wires are silver plated nickel and lead free French hook style ear wires.

I Can't Seem to Stop Creating

It's a good problem to have I guess....not being able to stop creating new pieces.  That's what happens when you have been sent a wonderful box of beads and findings.

So far I have made three necklaces and two pairs of earrings.  One necklace and one pair of earrings were part of my first project and can be seen by clicking here.

FREEDOM

The first necklace is made of 6mm Crystazzi Matte Rose Crystal Pearls mixed with 4mm Crystazzi pearls in Calm Desert.  The addition of three Jewelry Basics dyed turquoise Howlite stones, antiqued silver toned bead caps and spacer beads, and metallic bronze textured glass pearls breaks up the sandy coloring of this necklace giving it a little spark.  Necklace is strung on 7-strand silver nylon coated steel flexible beading wire and crimped with Elegance Metals Platinum Plated Copper crimp beads  The focal point of this piece is attached to an Elegance Metal Platinum Plated Copper toggle clasp and is from the Jewelry Basics line as well.  It is a filigree metal dove with slight antiquing that has a chain dangle and several crystals in matching tones to the crystals in the necklace.  The chain has has a little metal tag with the word "Freedom" stamped on it.  This necklace is available in my Etsy shop.  Click HERE to see the pricing and purchasing information.

 CANCUN SUNSET

These earrings feature Jewelry Basics findings in an antique gold or bronze color.  The beads are also Jewelry Basics.  The teal colored drops are acrylic beads and the orange and tangerine colored beads are glass.  The bead caps in these are Blue Moon Beads brand from their now retired Global Nomad Collection.  These earrings are part of a set that matches and is available only with the necklace below.

This lovely necklace matches the earrings above.  It features the same lovely tangerine and orange glass beads that have been strung on 7 strand gold nylon steel coated beading wire.  The teal briolettes have been strung monofilament beading cord .  The briolettes are crimped on sets of three.  The monofilament cord makes for an illusion effect of the drops floating around the necklace.  All strands run through Blue Moon Beads antiqued gold/bronze bead caps from their now retired Global Nomad Collection. The strands are attached to an 18 gauge bronze coated copper wire that is wrapped at the top of the cones and then attached to a lovely Jewelry Basics antiqued gold link chain and finished off with a lobster claw clasp. This listing is also available in my shop.  Please click HERE to view pricing and purchasing info.

So, We've Been Thinking.......

One of my fellow ambassadors, Patty Squillante came up with a brilliant idea today.  It seems that she and I both were on the same wavelength.  Her idea was to have an open dialog with the public about the designs and projects we work on for Cousin.  It would be a place where other jewelry designers and novice jewelry makers could ask us questions about our design process and inspiration, how we incorporated the Cousin line of products into our creations, etc.

We have presented our idea to Cousin and can't wait to see this come to pass so you guys can participate with us on our journey. 

First Project

For our first project as Cousin Creative Circle Ambassadors, we were asked to create something that was Florida in theme.  We were also asked to use only the Cousin Corporation of America's brand products in our creation. We could use charms, beads, wire, etc. in creating our piece.

As I thought about this project, the only thing coming to mind were the beautiful colors I have seen while visiting the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area: emerald waters with silver crests lapping against beautiful sugar sand beaches that reflect the warm yellow glow of the sun and the most beautiful soft turquoise blue skies you will ever see.  At sunset, the waters reflects a burnished gold and the sky lights up a brilliant bronze color.

I went bead shopping on my birthday and found the perfect beads at Walmart. The colors of the beads I purchased spoke of the colors I mentioned.

I mixed some very pretty green swirl acrylic beads that were strung with antiqued silver beads and a deep green crackle bead with strands of yellow glass linked beads with antiqued gold accents.  I found some very petite strands of turquoise colored glass beads that were wire wrapped together on thin silver wire.  I already had the antiqued gold chain left over from a Crystazzi kit.  All the findings were pulled out of my box of goodies Cousin sent me as part of my ambassadorship. 

Here are the pictures of my finished piece.  Leave a comment on how you think I did.

Here is the full view of the necklace

What the necklace looks like on a neck form.

Close up of the right side of the necklace

Close up of the left side of necklace

Back of necklace

I had enough left over beads to make these pretty earrings too

.