Beaded Candy Corn Charms

The temperatures here are finally beginning to dip, and I can actually begin to feel Autumn in the air. While my Pumpkin Spice Earrings initially set the mood for Fall, that was only wishful thinking as it was still hot as blue blazes down here. Granted, it's only down to the mid-80s, but it makes a huge difference for sure. One of the many icons of Autumn is candy corn. Its simple shape and color scheme are perfect for a quick project. 

All you really need to get started on this project is wire, beads, and a few jewelry tools.

I used 16 gauge and 24 gauge copper wire that I darkened with Novacan Black Patina, but you can use whatever type of metal you like best. To help make the triangular shape, I used a basic ruler, permanent marker, wire cutters, chain-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, and seed beads in white, orange, and yellow. 

To begin, cut about a 6-inch length of the 16-gauge wire and make a right angle bend about 2/3 of the way down the wire. 

Measure one-inch along the long end of the wire and make another right angle. This forms the bottom of your candy corn.

Use the permanent marker to mark 1 1/2 inches up from the base on both sides of the wire. This is where you want the wires to cross to complete your triangle. 

Bend those two arms toward each other so they cross at the marks.

From there, bend the longer of the two wires toward the other one at another right angle. Then, bend the shorter wire directly upward.

Wrap the longer wire around the short one, just like you would in order to make a wrapped loop. 

Trim away the excess wire.

Here, I would just like to note that the beads I used for these charms are seed bead mixes I made myself from some of the beads I had on hand. 

Cut about 1 1/2 feet of the 24 gauge wire.

Wrap this wire around one side on the candy corn frame several times like pictured above. Trim away and tuck the excess as necessary. 

Add yellow beads to the wire to fit inside the frame.

Wrap the wire around the frame then repeat adding beads and wrapping the wire to fill up the frame. Remember to switch the colors as needed to complete the candy corn pattern. 

Complete the beadwork by wrapping and trimming the end of the wire.

Finish the charm by making a simple loop with the wire that left sticking up. 

If any of these instructions are vague, I've also created a video to show the process.

Of course, if you're still unclear about the instructions about how to make these Beaded Candy Corn Charms, please don't hesitate to ask me to clarify!

I made two of these small charms to create a pair of earrings.

However, I could absolutely see increasing the measurements for the frame to make a great necklace pendant too.

I really like the bead mixes I created. I think the mix of bead colors and finishes gives the charms texture and interest.

I also think the darkened copper adds warmth and more of that Fall feel while giving the outline of the charms definition.

I do mean it, though, if you have any questions about how these were created, please let me know so I can answer them for you. Now...welcome Fall!!

I'm sharing this post on the following link parties. Make sure to check them out for loads more inspiration and crafts.
Flaunt It Friday, Handmade Hangout, Friday Frenzy, Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Sweet Inspiration, Saturday Sharefest, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Snickerdoodle Saturday, That DIY Party, Sundays at Home, Mad Skills, Made by You Monday, Tutorials & Tips, Inspiration Monday, Cooking & Crafting, Beautifully Made, and Recipe & DIY Linky.

October Challenges and Inspirations

I've really enjoyed participating in the jewelry and art challenges I've found recently. They've stretched my creative muscles and allowed my imagination to flow freely. Since I enjoy the experience so much, it's important for me to share it. As such, I've compiled the following list of challenges for this month in the hope that you'll find some inspiration too. 

• Erin at Earrings Everyday has selected a Plaid theme for the We're All Ears Challenge this month. The reveal date is October 19th. 
• The photo inspiration for the October Honey Do List at SJ Designs Jewelry is a pretty interesting clock with loads of details. The reveal date for it is October 22nd.
• For the October Theme Challenge at Art Elements, Petroglyphs has been selected. You've got until October 30th to work on your piece. Remember that you can use any medium for this challenge. Make sure you let Karen know if you want to participate so she can add you to the blog hop list. 
• On the Artisans Create Together Facebook Page, the monthly theme is Pumpkins, Acorns, Plaid, and Spice. Make sure you're a member and upload your picture into the album before Nov. 1st. 
• Facet Jewelry's October Design Challenge is Diamonds and Teardrops. Designs must be submitted before Nov. 4th, but voting on them begins on Oct. 19th. 

I've only included some of the basic details about these challenges, make sure to click the links I've included to learn more about them.

These are all the challenges I know of at this time. If you are aware of any others whether they're jewelry-making related or some other art medium, please don't hesitate to let me know so I can add it to the list! 

Wishing you an inspired October!

Peek at My Week - Sep. 30 - Oct. 6

Some days I'm not even sure where the time goes. I'm sure you feel the same. Often, a day gets by me, and I haven't taken a single picture. How does that even happen in this day and age? I did my best this week, and here's a little summary of it. 

I honestly am not even sure what I did last Sunday other than share the items I made for the Art Elements Fairy Reveal. It seems that fairies inspire me greatly as I adore the two pieces (pictured above and below) I made for the challenge. I have a feeling that the rest of the day was spent helping Pat work on the deck, though I can't be sure. 

The fairy challenge left me so inspired that on Monday I gathered some interesting elements together on my desk for a bit of play. 

That's lace, eco-dyed fabric, embroidery floss, a mother of pearl button, and tin. What do you think became of it? I shared the result in my Instagram story and may share it elsewhere later. We'll see - I'm still fiddling with the design idea.

Tuesday was a super-exciting day as my new washing machine was delivered! (Ha!)

Seriously though - I'm absolutely thankful that I didn't have to make another trip to the laundromat. 

Wednesday was even less exciting as I endured a bit of dental work. 

Can you tell how thrilled I was? I did get to spend the afternoon shopping with the nieces for shoes for their Homecoming dance. That made up for it a little. 

On Thursday, I had an unexpected visitor to the craft room. 

That little squirrel (he was a baby!) stayed outside the window for a long while. We're still not sure exactly what he was doing. But, it was neat to watch him while he was there. 

Most of that day was actually spent working on a few Fall/Halloween-inspired projects that I hope to reveal very soon! Here's a teaser for now.

On Friday, I continued to work on the above projects but also took care of errands and other less-fun tasks. While walking Zoe, I spied several of these velvet-like mushrooms in the yard. 

And, the evening was pretty lazy, at least for most of us. 

Then there was Saturday - full of football and Homecoming Dance prep.

Both of the nieces went to the dance with their best friends. I thought that was pretty sweet, 

and so stinkin' cute!

How about some cute and inspiring links too?

• The Scrap Shop Blog shared a quick and easy method for making a Halloween Bangle using a tape roll, fabric, and scrapbook elements. 
• At Brit + Co, you can learn to make a Woven Necklace using a DIY loom. Think how easy that would translate into a larger, wall weaving if you wanted!
• I've had this next link saved for MONTHS and finally broke it out now that October is upon us. I really love this Paper Mache Vintage DIY Trick or Treat Basket from Rebekah Meier Designs. 
• The Beading Gem has had a wealth of eye-candy lately. Here are just a few of the ones I've really dug this week.
• First is the Handcarved and Painted Leather Jewelry from SilverClock Costumes. Those pieces are just dreamy! 
• The intricacy of the Wirework Jewelry from Cleopatra Kerckhof is absolutely mesmerizing. 
• And, how about a few beaded and wire Halloween Jewelry Tutorials?!
• Rae Messigman shares the 10 Art Supplies She Can't Live Without on Artists Network. 
• On Art Elements, there's a great tutorial for making Trapeze Dangle Earrings from Marsha Neal. 
• It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts (allegedly). I think these DIY Leather Bracelets for Guys could totally be great handmade gifts. 

It's time to get to creating a great week. Here's hoping yours is full of inspiration and beauty!

Button Bracelet Tutorial

I've shared this particular method for making button bracelets in several places on the internet, but never here on my own blog. I thought it was time to change that.

First, I have to admit that I'm quite the lover and hoarder of buttons. If you've visited here before, you likely know that. I don't even know exactly how, when, or why this obsession began; but I'm now constantly looking for different ways to use buttons in projects. This simple cord-knotted bracelet is one of my favorite ways to use buttons in jewelry.

It begins with simple supplies:

waxed linen cord (3 feet or so)

a shank button

scissors

buttons with holes

glue (not pictured, but optional)

Start by folding your cord in half. Knot it just below the fold, making sure the loop is large enough for your shank button to fit through.

Insert one of the ends of the cord through a hole in your button from the back. Pull the button all the way to the knot, nestling it between the cords and against the knot (as pictured below.)

Pull the first cord back toward the knot, exposing the hole.

Insert the end of the second cord into the same hole from the front of the button. Both cords should now be going through the first hole - one from the front and one from the back.

While still holding that second cord, go ahead and insert it into the second hole, from the back, and pull tight.

Insert the first cord into that same buttonhole, entering from the front and coming out the back. Pull both cords away from the loop.

Holding both cords together, form a knot against the button.

Repeat the steps to add buttons until the bracelet is as long as you want it. I've found that 7-9 buttons usually works well.

Thread your shank button onto one of the cords. Pull it toward the last knot, but leave it a little wiggle room.

Make a double knot using the two cords to secure the shank button on the bracelet.

Trim the cords fairly close to the double knot. (Optional: add a drop of glue to secure the knot.)

If you use any 4-hole buttons, the same steps are used, just make sure to use the hole diagonal from your first button as your second button.

This button bracelet tutorial on YouTube that I created several years ago will also take you through all the steps to make your own button bracelet. 

I love that these bracelets are lightweight, perfect for stacking, and so easy to make that you can create them in any color combination you desire: from go-with-anything neutrals, 

to bright and cheery color-loaded.

They whip-up so quickly, you'll have an armful of them in no time!

If you have any questions about this process, please don't hesitate to let me know. Now, what are you waiting for? Go make some button bracelets!

I've shared this post on the following link parties, please go check them out for loads more creative ideas: Thrifty Thursday, Handmade Hangout, Flaunt it Friday, Friday Frenzy, Saturday Sparks, Sweet Inspiration Link Party, Snickerdoodle Saturday, Saturday Sharefest, Made by You Monday, Mad Skills, Tutorials & Tips Party, Inspiration Monday, Too Cute Tuesday, Recipe & DIY Linky, Talk of the Town, and Beautifully Made.

Peek at My Week: September 23-29

I started the week with very few creative goals but allowed myself to get absorbed in a couple of challenges and to take time to appreciate nature. By the end of the week, I was bursting with inspiration. There's definitely something to the whole "being creative breeds creativity" thing. 

Of course, we didn't start the week with a whole lot of inspiration as we continued to work on replacing the old deck.

 On Sunday, the first new board was screwed down! Pat had to replace some of the structural boards that go under the deck, but fortunately, the bulk of them were in good condition.

Though it is (was) September, it's still blazing hot here. So, we took a dip in the pool too cool off after working on the deck, and I spotted this treasure floating on top of the water.

I thought it was a dragonfly wing at first, but Pat's pretty confident it's a cicada wing. It does feel thicker and sturdier than most dragonfly wings. I've got it stashed away for now.

On Monday, I began gathering supplies for Sarajo's Honey Do List Challenge. 

But, realizing that I needed filigree beads, I took a trip to the store.

Alas, I didn't find the filigree beads I was searching for, but the two craft stores and two thrift stores I visited yielded plenty of other supplies!

While grocery shopping on Tuesday, the pumpkins at my local farm market caught my attention. 

I'm always amazed at the wide variety of pumpkins and gourds that Allegri Farm Market carries this time of the year. The fairytale pumpkins (farthest to the left) really are magical. 

Though I was at my mom's on Wednesday, I didn't let that stop me from getting a little work done. 

Her patio is always a great place to get some photography done in natural light. However, I was rushing to get the photos taken before the heat and rain set in.

While stopped at a gas station later in the day with my niece, I had an enlightening experience that really made my day. I shared it the next day on Twitter.

Thursday seemed to drag and weigh me down as it rained all day.

There was also the weight of the Ford/Kavanaugh testimonies. So many feels.

On Friday, I realized that I still needed to make some Fairy Art for the Art Elements Challenge. 

I busted my butt for several hours making my Fairy Necklace and Altered Paintbrush Fairy and ended up with a desk full of yummy supplies. 

I was relieved at the end of the day that dinner had arrived on the doorstep.

We decided to try Hello Fresh this week. I still had to cook the meal, but was excited it was going to be something new!

Saturday meant we were working on the deck replacement again. Of course, that was only AFTER we caught the early Bama game!

Actually, Pat worked on the deck replacement. My job, in general, has been to haul away the old boards. The rusty, protruding nails in all of the boards made my clumsy self so super nervous. But, I prevailed and got all the boards in the dumpster without incident. Whew!

Once again, we followed hard work with a dip in the pool. We're still surprised that it's the end of September and the first full week of Fall, and we can still get in the water. Admittedly, I'm not dunking my head, just getting in enough to cool off a little. 

Again, I found treasures in the water. These half-eaten acorns were scattered along the floor of the pool. I was fascinated by the squirrel's teeth marks still visible in them.

That was the bulk of our week. Let me share a little more inspiration that I found over the course of the week:

• I've been quite taken with embroidery and embroidery hoop projects lately. I think that's a sign that I ought to pull out my needles, floss, and hoops soon. Here's a great Harry Potter LeviOsa Pattern from Flamingo Toes, and this one's a general Fall Leaf Embroidery Art from Positively Splendid. Cute, huh?
• I've mentioned it several times before, but pumpkins have been seriously on my radar too. These upcycled Glass Globe Pumpkins at Homeward Found are really something! 
• Lia Griffith shared these super simple DIY Leather Keychains. I think they would make great gifts!
• I can NOT stop looking at these Sculptural Assemblages from Thomas Deininger. Watch the videos and gifs, go to his site, follow him! I'm gobsmacked at how freaking awesome his work is. 

That's all I've got for now. I'm up to my eyelids in ideas and trying to figure out where to begin.

Here's wishing you an amazing week ahead.

Happy October!!