Sewing Vloggers

Sunday, December 20, 2015

I've been making jewelry!


I have been making jewelry the past two weekends, that and wrapping a lot of gifts! I have just let my mind wander with all sorts of blingy little things  and fabrics I dyed years ago laid out in front of me. It's been kind of a "what can I do next?". , No rules, no copying something else, no instruction (yikes!) but a lot, lot of fun. While my skills are rudimentary, for the unknowing, I think they might like good.


The first piece is made with some wool I hand dyed some years back, sort of a tie dye effect and a wrapped stone.  I have just decided lately to cut into my hand dyeds. If you have ever dyed fabric you know the pleasure of just keeping them and reliving the serendipitous magic that sometimes happens in the dye bucket. I have decided their time has come and I will cut. This second one is made from rolled up jacquard ribbons . I really like this second one. It got lots of compliments when I wore it. 


This one is a piece of rayon velvet that was discharge dyed. It really revealed some amazing colors. It started out emerald green and because of the way it was bundled varying shades of the autumn color pallet emerged, great fun! Here it is wrapped with copper wire and assorted beads. 





This one I love and really is prettier IRL. It looks perfect with a pink chiffon blouse I have. It is made with vintage ribbons from a dear friend and assorted beads. I showed a friend at work how to make the ribbon beads and she has just caught fire with the technique. We are getting together after the holidays for an afternoon of bead making. We both can't wait. If I can't find sewing friends, a beading friend will do just fine! 


This piece is made with washed and dryed in the machine silk velvet. Love the magic that happens to velvet when you do that. More silverplate wire and wrapped stone. 



I am wearing thest to work tomorrow. I usually don't wear dangles or very "strong" earrings but I will make these work. We will see what happens. Again, tiny pieces of hand dyed rayon velvet and copper wrapping and various tiny beads. 

This HDed bit of wool is left raw on the sides. It just seemed to work. It sits on a simple wire necklace. Nothin' shy about this one. 


More wrapping fun! I like the shape of these pieces, the slight curve. 


Here is a very similar necklace to the one above but this time I wrapped it with the silver wire I think it is so pretty with the gold velvet.





And last but not least, more wrapped ribbons, albeit much narrower, with beads and silver spacers. The necklace is tied to ribbons a close friend brought back to me from the Laura Ashley store in England. I talked to her just today and miss her lots. I am glad I found a place for the ribbons to be seen by more than just me. This necklace has a real summery vibe and I will probably save it until then. 
All of the pictures in this post were taken with my new camera. I spent nearly the entire day today learning its features and know I haven't even scratched the surface.  Please don't be too judgemental. I used their editing software and am not used to it at all yet. But it's the first day and there will be many others. I am looking forward to getting back to sewing after the holidays and sharing it all with you. I need to focus on using the macro mode to get better closeups. Be patient with me and we will get there. I've had one of these before and for a long time, but this camera is far more advanced and just newer. It has the wireless remote, the one thing I insisted on as well as wifi. It should be a great time of discovery and creativity. More to come......................Bunny


29 comments:

  1. These are far from rudimentary! Beautiful pieces that I'm sure will be received with pleasure.

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  2. What lovely pieces you've made, and the best thing is that no one else has any like them. They are unique!

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  3. Bunny! These pieces are fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!!

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  4. Beautiful jewellery! Ever since I read your first post on jewellery making I have been collecting goodies to make some of my own. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  5. Those are beautiful. You have quite an eye for this.

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  6. Thanks, everyone. I've gone on jewelry binges off and on over the years, primarily focusing on the use of Fimo. This time I am enjoying the use of fiber and it just feels second nature. Of course I have that unbridled enthusiasm of any neophyte, the kind untarnished by lessons. But, I am reading and researching a lot. I really want to get this right. The only issue is what do I do with it all after Christmas gifts are accounted for? I don't really know or care. I am just enjoying the whole creative energy of it all. Glad you like them. As in sewing, and for many of us, I am my harshest critic!

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  7. Sooooo fun! I love how that narrow grey border really sets off the yellow ribbon beads in the last one!

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  8. I especially like the second rolled jacquard necklace. I've made paper beads, but the ribbon looks like it would be great fun and offer many exciting options. I'm wondering what you're using for the bead bases, for instance what's the gold fabric secured to on the long, curved piece?

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    1. It is something I figured out accidentally all on my own so for now will remain utterly top secret. I'm just not ready to share my trade secrets. Thanks for your understanding. I will tell you that the ribbon beads are wrapped around straws. I have also seen them done in other ways as well.

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  9. The more we try in jewelry making, the more we realize that EVERYTHING is a possible base or adornment object to be added to the mix. I love every one of these beginnings and look forward to more! Brava Bunny!

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  10. Wow Bunny...just WOW! I love everything you've done here and especially that you've incorporated such interesting fabric. The velvet is stunning as are the beads you chose. With your artistic eye, I shouldn't be surprised. It's hard to even choose a favorite, but the one pictured especially caught my eye. Lucky people who are on your Christmas list this year! Linda S.

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  11. Wonderful! Bet they are perfect with your wardrobe.

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  12. Ooops. I meant to say "the one pictured last" especially caught my eye. Linda S.

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  13. Thanks, everyone. I've really had fun doing these. It was total creative play. Now it's holiday time and a whole different focus but after Christmas and New Years it will be back to the fun.

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  14. Oh wow - these pieces are exquisite! You have such a good eye and great talent. Bravo!

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  15. I always enjoy your blog and think your sewing always ranks at the top of the heap - - - and now jewelry - - wow - - just as nice, creative and artistic as your sewing!!! Thanks for the inspiration - - and merry Christmas!
    Marian

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  16. These are great Bunny; fun and imaginative. Very personal.
    Have a great Christmas.

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  17. All are very nice, I think the 2nd one is my top pick. On the velvet tubes, is the velvet stitched, or is it glued onto the metal tube?

    And congratulations on the new sewing/jewelry tool. To my untrained eye, your closeups look just fine. There's a lot to learn on digital cameras, even the "simple" ones have options never dreamed of with the film cameras, at least not without a huge expensive collection of filters and lenses.

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    1. never mind on my stitched or glued question, I just saw your reply to abcameo yesterday....

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  18. These are boutique worthy. I am inspired (as usual) by your creations. In this case, I hope to try something similar. As always, thank you for sharing.

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  19. I absolutely love what you have done here. And aren't your friends lucky. Such beautiful work.

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  20. Again, thanks, everyone, for your positive encouragement. They went over well at Christmas. I look forward to making more and trying a few other new techniques. Will share with you all as soon as that happens!

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  21. Bunny, the jewelry looks WONDERFUL!!!

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