My husband and I are huge Netflix fans.  When my brother-in-law finally coaxed us not to be afraid of new technology, we invested in a Blu Ray player so we could instantly stream movies over the internet instead of waiting for them to come in the mail...

We all have way more keys then we want. One to the front door, one to the back door, one to work, one to our car, one to our husbands’ car, one to our gym locker… not to mention those keys you keep for your friends and family in case they get locked out. Add some pretty to your big pile of keys as a little reminder that life is good!

Instructions:

Step 1. Use your nipper tool to cut the loop off the top of your cross charm. Then, cover the back of your charm with GS hypo cement. Wait about 30 seconds for it to become tacky, then place it in the center of your labradorite pendant. Set it aside to dry.

Step 2. On one headpin string beads following this pattern: 3 small bicones, 1 large bicone, 1 small bicone, 1 large bicone and 1 small bicone.
On another headpin, string: 1 small bicone, 1 rectangle lampwork bead, 1 small bicone, 1 lampwork disc bead, 1 small bicone, 1 square lampwork bead and 1 small bicone.
On another headpin, string: 1 small bicone, 1 large bicone, 3 small bicones and 1 large bicone.On another headpin, string: 1 large bicone, 1 square lampwork bead, 1 small bicone, 1 rectangle lampwork bead, 1 small bicone and 1 lampwork disc bead.

Step 3. For your 2 headpins with just crystal and no lampwork, use your pliers to wire wrap them directly onto the loop below the clip attached to the keyring. For your other two headpins, wire wrap them to a jump ring and then attach the jump ring to the loop below the clip.

Step 4. When the cement holding your charm to your pendant is dry enough that it won’t slip if you move it (you can do this after about 15 minutes if you’re very careful not to touch it), place your pendant on a headpin. Wire wrap the headpin to a jump ring and attach the jump ring to the loop underneath the clip. When the glue dries after about an hour, you’re good to go!

Materials and Tools Needed:

Labradorite Faceted Free Form Pendant, 26 x 36mm (1)
Silver Plated Open Cross Charm with Swirls, 14 x 20mm (1)
Clip Key Ring, 28 x 65mm(1)
Lampwork Rectangle Bead, Green/Brown, 12 x 15mm (2)
Lampwork Square Bead, Green with Tan Stripe, 14mm (2)
Designer Lampwork Disc Focal Bead, White with Brown/Green Swirls, 16mm (2)
Swarovski Crystal, 8mm Xilion Bicone, Smoked Topaz (5)
Swarovski Crystal, 4mm Bicone, Bag of 10, Crystal Vitrail Medium (2)
Nipper Tool (1)
2 1/2 Inch Sterling Silver Head Pin with 4mm Bottom Beading (5)
2 3/4 Inch Bali Sterling Silver Head Pin with 6mm Bottom Bead Cap (pictured)
 or Silver Plated 3 Inch Headpins, 21 Gauge, Bag of 10
G-S Hypo Cement (1)
Silver Plate Jump Rings, Open, Bag of 10, 8mm, 18 Gauge (1)

Kelly McCoy, Auntie’s Beads Designer

I wanted to share with you these 5 unique and beautiful projects posted by Auntie’s Beads designers.  It was difficult to narrow it down to just  five, but here they are.  Feel free to comment, giving us your own list of favorite Auntie’s Beads projects or you can comment on one of these that I have chosen. 

1. In My Bead Room Necklace

by Susie Henderson, www.AuntiesBeads.com Owner

I love the name of this piece.  What can you do with all the extra beads sitting around in your bead room?  Glue them into a pendant!  I love how you can use art gel to let your imagination run wild and create one-of-a-kind pendants.  All the different colors in the seed bead broom mix work perfectly with the large turquoise nuggets resulting in a necklace you can wear with just about anything. The natural, chunky shape of the turquoise and the overflow of seed beads in the pendant give this piece so much interesting depth and texture. Good job Susie Q!

2. Falling For Copper Necklace

by Shanna Steele, www.AuntiesBeads.com Designer

To me this piece just looks impressive, with all the intricate wire wrapping involved.  I think copper and olivine give this necklace a very earth tone. The Swarovski Crystal, 4mm Bicone, Bag of 48, Autumn Mix  would be beautiful on this necklace as well.  The crystals look very natural flowing over the copper leaf and the addition of small sections of crystal between the copper chains surprises the eye in a very good way.  Keep it up Shanna! 

3. A Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On Necklace

by Karla Schafer, www.AuntiesBeads.com Designer

This necklace intrigues me because it’s just something I never would have thought of.  The dangling chain creates a beautiful, almost chaotic look that keeps your attention. The best part about this design is you can change up the beads and the chain that you use and create many gorgeous pieces from this one pattern.  Karla’s one talented lady!

4. Kokomo Neckace

by Kelly McCoy, www.AuntiesBeads.com Designer

I feel like I’m on vacation when I look at this necklace.  I love the beach and the whites, beiges and browns in this piece feel like they were made to be by the sand.  I like how long this necklace is and I think using two 2-strand separators adds some character and keeps the piece from being boring.  To me there’s nothing like hanging a little charm from the back of your necklace to give it a polished look!

5. Cowgirl Up Necklace

by Karla Schafer, www.AuntiesBeads.com Designer

Admittedly, I’m no cowgirl. But this necklace is just too cool!  All of the different colors and shapes and metals and crystals.. there is something to be said for hodge-podge beading.  This is the perfect piece to spice up a solid colored tee.  The best part is, it’s just straight beading, so anyone can make it!

Kelly McCoy
Auntie’s Beads Designer

We had a great response from everyone with the Bracelet Giveaway.  Thanks to all those who participated.  We have a few people out there who were wanting instructions for the Just Rosy bracelet so here they are.  Enjoy!

Step 1. Use your nipper tool to cut 2, 24” pieces of beading wire.

Step 2. String a crimp bead onto one piece of wire, loop it around one of the loops on your 2 strand clasp, and then thread it (going in the opposite direction) back through your crimp bead. Crimp your crimp bead and leave just enough extra wire to string through your first onyx or sterling silver bead.

Step 3. Repeat this process with one end of your other piece of beading wire.

Step 4. On the right piece of beading wire, string 2 sterling silver beads. On the left piece, string 3 onyx  beads.

Step 5. Take your right piece of beading wire (the one with 2 sterling silver beads) and string it through the third onyx bead on your left piece of wire. String your right wire in the bead where your left wire comes out of the bead (they will be going in opposite directions). Pull tightly.

Step 6.  The side on which you string your onyx beads will switch each time.  First you put 3 onyx beads on left, 2 sterling silver beads on the right, string the right through the left and pull as in Step 5.   Next you will put 3 onyx beads on the right, 2 sterling silver beads on the left, string the left through the right and pull.  Then you go back to how you did it in Step 5.  Continue alternating until your bracelet reaches about half your desired length.

Step 7.  Now it’s time to attach the rose centerpiece bead.  To do this, string 1 onyx bead on each strand of wire. Then string your right piece of wire horizontally through the hole in your rose bead from right to left.  String your left piece horizontally left to right.  Pull gently. 

Step 8. String 1 onyx bead on each piece of wire.  Then string both pieces of wire through a third onyx bead, the right piece from right to left and the left piece from left to right.  Pull gently, and begin weaving again as you did in step 4. 

Step 9.  When you’re finished weaving, attach each end of your wire to your 2 strand clasp as you did in step 2. Make sure it lies correctly (isn’t twisted) before you crimp.

Materials and Tools Needed:

(These links will take you directly to the product page where they can be ordered)

Onyx Round Strand, 3 mm
Sterling Silver Seamless Beads, 3mm, Bag of 25 (2 bags)
Silver Plated 2-Strand Slide Lock Clasp, 16 x 6mm
Pewter Rose Bead, Silver, 7mm 
Crimp Beads, Bag of 50, 2 x 2 mm
Beadalon 49-strand Wire, 100 ft., .015