Happy Halloween and Flash Back Friday

Hope every one's has a fun and happy Halloween. We have a kid party planned tonight at our house. I am still trying to figure out some pumpkin shaped pizzas. I've got cupcakes baking and I still have to put the finishing touches on our knight and sorcerer costumes. It's a busy day here. Enjoy your flashback Friday post and have a good one, Jennifer
Children's Necklace


Project Instructions

Supplies needed for a necklace

• 1 small character ceramic focal bead
• 2 round 8mm large hole silver plated beads
• 1 spring ring clasp
• 14" 2mm rubber cording
• 2 2mm coiled terminators
• chain nose pliers
• scissors

Instructions:

1. Insert one end of the rubber cording into the coil terminator. Press the end of the coil into the rubber cord with your pliers.
2. String a silver ball, the focal, and another silver ball onto the cording.
3. Determine what length of necklace you would like and trim the excess rubber cording.
4. Attach the second terminator as you did the first, in step 1.
5. Open the ring on the clasp and slide onto the terminator. Close the ring.

Holiday Sales

Holiday Sales are on my mind today...just found out yesterday about a big one. So I am up to three events that need my finished jewelry and beads and they need it soon. I am really excited about these opportunities and am having so much fun with the designing. My studio kitchen table is lined up with beads and findings ready to be put together. Now just to find the time....hmmm.

I will post some photos of my progress over the next few days. In the meantime, what kind of Holiday hings are you working on? I would love to hear.

Happy Tuesday

Hey Hey....I am in the midst of making beads, but it's my lunch break so I thought I could blog. The Jangles boss doesn't give me a whole lot of time for this so it will have to be quick. Oh ya, I am the boss too.

For some reason I have a to do list a mile long. Now of course half of it is stuff that I choose to "need to get done" and half is actually stuff I really do need to do. But so far it has been a productive day. I got my Holiday Project Five newsletter all ready to go for tomorrow. I have made beads for all of my orders and now I get to unload my kiln. Woohoo, it's the best part of my job. If you have never unloaded a kiln of your work, you just don't know what you are missing. It's like Christmas. I still top this day get excited. I think it's because I very rarely fire a kiln load without at least one new piece in it. Today there are lots of new things. The Heynen family got out the potter's wheel last weekend. We all threw pots. It was the first time the boys have ever tried. With some help they made some really great things. Fletcher made a pizza sauce bowl for dipping his bread sticks in and Birkley, showing his British roots, made a tea cup and saucer. He did however, break down in tears when he couldn't make a teapot on his first try. I have promised we will try again soon.

Beyond all the things on my to-do list the excitement around here is the tree we have in our backyard that is about to fall. It's a tall tall Georgia Pine. We just discovered that it is rotting out at the bottom. It is also right by our house but it's leaning toward the yard. Yesterday it swayed in the wind all day and it is leaning even more. So in the next few days it will crash. I have been out talking to it and patting it, like that's going to help, but still I am sad to see a big old tree like that go.

Bead Surfin

Art Bead Scene Catherine Witherell Visits Art Bead Scene!

Bead&Button Magazine Check out Tea's blog about BeadAndButton.com/15 and their 15th anniversary content!

Carmi's Art/Life Carmi makes a fabric skeleton pin to wear trick or treating.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry Carter unveils some new designs for Fall!

Jennifer Jangles Blog Holly Jolly Christmas Designs.

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi's taking a look this week at all the informations she's gathered on steampunk style jewelry.

Savvy Crafter It was a dark and not so scary craft night....

Strands of Beads Melissa thinks about snakes and circle links.

Flash Back Friday and Twittering

Hey Hey, It's Flashback Friday. I think this might be my favorite project of the season last year. I made a lot of these for gifts. I think that the people who didn't get them last year will get them this year. They are great for teachers. The bookmark findings are available on my site too and they are only 2.00 each, can't beat that.

Okay, before you get going on your bookmark projects I just want to say I have started twittering. I am not really sure if I know what I am getting myself into. But all the cool kids are doing it, so I thought I would try. :) You can see on my sidebar there is a little thingy that updates when I send a message. (I know I am really technical with my use of the word thingy.) Yep, you can know everything I am doing. Do you really want to know that much? I'm not sure, but I thought I would give it a try and then make a decision. Let me know what you think about the twitter.

Happy Friday,
Jennifer

Book Mark
Supplies needed for one bookmark

1 link bead, 1 2" headpin , 1 accent bead(I used a 6mm faceted Czech bead), 1 silver plated bookmark, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers

1. Begin by stringing your headpin with an accent bead.
2. Make a simple wire loop and hook it onto one of the wire loops of the link bead. Close the loop and trim the excess wire.
3. Open the jump ring included on your bookmark, string on the remaining loop of the ceramic link bead.

New Beads

Hey Hey, I know I said I wasn't going to post my holiday projects on my blog, but today I just couldn't help myself. I love these little holly leaf charms and balls. I just added the beads to the website and the kits for these two pieces too. Don't they get you thinking about the Holidays? Maybe a little?

Have a great day,
Jennifer

They're off!

Yipeeee! Got those beads off to the trunk show. It was a UPS miracle yesterday. I had my box already to go and I was going to drop it off at the UPS store on my way to take my little guy to piano lessons. We got there and they were moving their store! Just down the street but it didn't matter because they were not taking packages today. And today was when the box needed to go out. We had to go to piano so I told my boys to be on the look out for the brown truck. Did you know that you can stop a driver anywhere and they will take your packages? I have been know to stalk my UPS drivers, the driver in Milwaukee, poor lady, I knew her route. I have freaked a few out they get weirded out when they are being followed. But the actual UPS store was sooo far away. Okay back to my story....We make our turn into the music school parking lot and what do you know?! A UPS truck was driving out. I waved him down and he stopped his truck in the middle of the road to take my box! Woohoo it was on it's way to Bead Haven. Thanks UPS!

You know, I always like to post a picture when I blog. Today's picture is of a really cool park we went to over the weekend. It's called Watson Mill State Park, just in case you're ever through Comer, Georgia. It was really cool. I can't wait to go back when it's warmer so we can play in the shoals. Isn't it pretty and you can still drive on the covered bridge.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Bead Surfin and a New Necklace

Good Morning!
Can't type much this morning, my beads absolutely have to be mailed today to get to Bead Haven for the trunk show this weekend. I have little piles of them around the studio. They need to be strung up on wire and the pairs need to be tied. Plus I just need to sort, count, and price everything. Whew! It will get done, but I really need to hunker down and do it this morning. I hate to be late, actually I don't even like to be almost late. I think I have said this before, in college I wrote my papers two weeks before they were due. The stress of last minute work kills me.

But on to a new subject....I am having so much fun designing with my new beads. Here are some pieces I have recently made. Enjoy these and the surfin links below and once I get these beads packed up I will be back.

Have a great day,
Jennifer




Art Bead Scene
One Cool Tool!

Carmi's Art/Life Blog
Carmi breaks up a shell wind chime to make more pendants!

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
It's almost time for the Divali Glass Jewelry annual sale!

Jennifer Jangles Blog
It's a Flashback Friday Bracelet Project

Jewelry & Beading
Amazing mixed media jewelry artist Phaedra A Torres shares her secrets!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses the complexities of trying to sell original designwork.

Strands of Beads
Melissa designs a gryphon pendant.

Think Pink! Beading for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Check out Katie's great ideas for creating and customizing your cause jewelry!

Free Shipping!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade Jangles.etsy.com

Hey Hey...I am offering free shipping all weekend long at both my Etsy Shop and my Website. I am off to the local fall festival and pumpkin patch for a day of fun so I will post more later. In the meantime, head on over to Art Bead Scene for my Studio Saturday post on resin filled pendants.
Happy Saturday!
Jennifer

Flashback Friday and Free Shipping

Free Shipping today
and all weekend at
Jangles Website
and
Jangles Etsy store!

Project Instructions

Supplies needed for Bracelet

• 1 set of seaside originals
• 21 avocado 6mm teardrop pearls
• 1 sterling silver toggle
• 2 2mm crimps
• 9" beading wire

Instructions

1. Crimp one end of the beading wire to one end of the toggle. Do this by threading the crimp onto the wire and follow it with the toggle. Next bring the wire back through the crimp. Pull snug and crimp with pliers.
2. Start by stringing three of the pearls.
3. Continue by stringing a ceramic bead followed by three pearls. Once all of the beads are strung, check the length of the bracelet to make sure it is the correct length for you.
4. String on the second crimp and remaining half of the toggle. Bring the beading wire back through the crimp and a few of the pearls. Crimp the bead and trim the excess beading wire.

Harvest Moon

Hey there! Did you see the moon last night. Oh it was pretty, it was the harvest moon. I took this photo on my way back from the bus stop this morning. It was huge and yes, still dark out. Not for long we change our clocks in a few weeks, then it will be sunny at the bus stop, but we have to trade that for dark at dinner time. Yuck, it gets really depressing when it's pitch black and you haven't had dinner. I am sure that's why we have so many Christmas lights. It's the only thing that's good about it getting dark so early, we have longer to enjoy them in the evenings. Aaaa! Christmas lights, I love em.

Oh and above is a cute little house and "Home Sweet Home" beads that I just added to my website. I did make a necklace with them already and now I want to make a cute little bracelet. I think it would be great for a realtor gift. I also have some other projects in mind, I need to get working on them.

I have a huge load of beads in getting to go into the kiln today, if you placed and order recently, they are going out tomorrow. Sorry about the wait...sick kids and fall break slowed me down.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Flash Back Tuesday? Holiday Ornaments

Ooops! I completely forgot about Flash back Friday. We have had sick kids and then fall break, I just got sidetracked with all that was going on. I declare today Flash Back Tuesday and I will get back to my regular posting this week, I promise.

Since I was so late on blogging this week, it's a bonus day. We have started a new feature at Art Bead Scene and it's called Ten Dollar Tuesday. Every week we will be featuring a project featuring art beads that costs less than ten dollars to make. Can't beat that, can you? Today it's a fun little pendant from yours truly, so go check it out.



Holiday Ornaments Instructions:

• 1 large ceramic focal bead
  
• 4-6 accent beads
• 1 charm to coordinate
• 12" 18 gauge sterling or aluminum wire
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• wire cutters

Instructions:

1. Begin by laying out the beads the way you would like them in the wire.
2. Grab the end of the with in the tip of the round nose pliers. Turn the wire to make a small loop, keep turning the wire to make a large loop spiraling out. This will be the hook.
3. String all of the beads onto the wire, excluding the charm. Remember to string the top bead first and continue down the beads you have laid out.
4. Once the beads are strung, make a simple wire loop to finish of the wire. Before closing the loop string the charm onto the loop.

Go hang those ornaments, you're done!

New Beads

Good Afternoon all,

Whew, what a day. Wednesdays are always hectic for me now that the Ten Holiday projects are going out weekly. I have been making orders, designing projects, shipping orders, etc. Because of this, I don't get to my blogging as much as I would like too. But I made it here today to blog. Above is a Holiday necklace to get you in the mood. I have some other pieces I would liked to have photographed but darn it, it's raining. It's great it's raining since we haven't had a good amount since August, but it throws me off. I take all of my photos outside for the bright sunlight. I did manage to get a few things up on Etsy today but I am not happy with my rainy day photographs so tomorrow, if it's not raining I will re shoot them.

About the necklace...

This necklace is jammed packed with holiday beads. You might notice there are some new designs in there. I have added poinsettias, candy canes, Santa hats, and more to the website for the season.

It's back to work for me.....
Have a great day,
Jennifer

Trunk Show

My beads are going on a trip....

to Bead Haven
in Hampton, VA and in Willaimsburg, VA


Stop by and see them at both stores
October 25-31st

The stores will have a large selection of my beads and components in all my bright and funky styles, along with my holiday beads too. There will be finished jewelry for loads of inspiration too. For store information click here.

Flashback Friday

I thought while my Ten Holiday Projects were going out weekly, I would do flashback Fridays. Every Friday I will highlight last years Holiday Projects. Hey you can never have too many ideas, right? so last years, first project....

Napkin Rings, Project Number 1

Project Instructions

Supplies needed for one ring

• 1 medium or small character bead
• 1 12" piece of memory wire measuring 2"diam.
• approximately 10" of seed beads
• 4 small accent beads for ides of focal beads
• round nose pliers

Instructions:

1. To begin, grab the end of your memory wire at the tips of your round nose pliers. Turn the wire to make a loop. Trim any sharp wire ends.
2. Estimate where the center of the memory wire. String the seed beads up to this point.
3. Next, string the accent beads, the focal bead, and the remaining accent beads.
4. Finish by stringing the remainder of the wire with seed beads, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of wire at the end.
5. Create a loop just as you did in step one. Keep rolling up the wire until the beads are snug.

If you didn't get my first project Wednesday in your inbox, make sure to sign up. There will be another one coming next Wednesday.

New Bezels

Got something new for you today! EEk! I am so excited about these. I know I get excited quite a bit and if you know me, it's really true, I do get excited quite a bit.

I love these, they are ceramic bezels.

I started making some bezels last year, but whenever I used resin in them, I messed things up. Soooo, I took Susan Lenart Kazmer's class at Bead and Button this past June. It was a resin class and I brought my bezels with me. I learned a lot and it turns out I didn't have very good resin. Now that I know what I am doing, I feel a new obsession coming on.
Here are the bezels empty. This is how they come to you if you order them. I didn't glaze the inside back. That way if you're gluing something inside it will stick better. I sealed the backs that I left empty with school glue. The outside back and the front and all of the edges have shiny glaze like all of my other beads. You can see them on my website under the category of pendants.
Below are three finished pieces I made with my new resin pendants. This is one is made with a little beachy scrapbook embellishment I found at the craft store. I have had the bamboo beads forever, just waiting for the right piece. I like the beachy look.

This necklace is my favorite, I am actually wearing it right now. Come to think of it, I bought these Lucite balls a long time ago too. They were just waiting for the perfect piece. Hmm, got a theme going. Anyway, the inside of the pendant is stacked paper and beads. There are a few cookie sprinkles in their too.

I have always said if I could figure out a way to get glitter on my beads I would do it. I love the shiny stuff. This is resin mixed with glitter, and a button with a jewel stacked on top.

You might be wondering what kind of resin I have been using. Well, I bought some of the resin that I used in class. It's called Ice Resin and it is easy to use. You mix two equal parts together in the little mixing cups and you are ready. It's not smelly at all which is nice too. I bought it at Objects and Elements. I have heard good things about other resins too, so I don't think this is your only option, it's just what I used this time. Let me know if you have any resins you like, I would love to hear.

Have a great day,
Jennifer