Merriment Dabbles

PiP the Frog

2013-08-30T14:45:00.003-06:00

After receiving a request for e a wire and bead frog as a Christmas gift, I had to figure out how I wanted my frog to look. After seeking out many frog images, I decided to go with this cute cartoon style design of a tree frog in a meditation/prayer pose.

Figuring out a way to make his legs and arms stand out so that they didn't lose their definition and blend in with the body was my greatest challenge with this piece.

It took a few attempts, but I decided that I liked the a more delicate and spacious look for the body. Though getting all the lines and spaces perfect was a bit more than I could accomplish on this design. I still think the final product came out cute.

But, what matters most is what the customer thinks of it... I understand that she adores little PiP the frog!

I named this frog PiP. Because he is seeking Patience, Insight & Peace!

Wire Writing

2013-01-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

I had a request to make a wire name/sign for Serendipity, Ink. At first I thought, "Wire writing? this will be so easy!" hahaha... it turned out to be a bit more challenging than I anticipated. In fact, at one point the wire broke, leaving me with the option to start all over or to figure out how to creatively mend it. After much thought, I decided to go with mending it. Can you tell where that mend may have occurred?

All in all, this project to be yet another experience to expand on creative wire usage and my techniques in wire art.

Easy Handmade Christmas Ornaments

2012-11-13T12:21:00.003-07:00

Considering what kind of gifts and Homemade Christmas Ornaments to make this holiday season?

Pattern for Snowflakes Beaded Ornament

These are just a few beaded ornament patterns that have been a favorite of mine since I was a child.

Christmas Ball Pattern Beaded Ornament

They are fun and simple to do making them a great group activity to engage in for the holiday season.

Candy Cane Crafts Beaded Ornament pattern

Wishing everyone a creatively fun holiday season!

Beads & Butterflies

2012-10-16T11:27:00.001-06:00

I recently was provided with someone's old bead collection. When I saw all of these beads I was pretty excited. Such an array of so many shapes, sized and colors.

I did quickly notice that they were all quite a bit smaller from the beads that I have been using though. But, as long as they fit on the wire, it should be fine!
<-- Here, you can see the difference in bead sizes. The green bead is the usual 3mm size that I've always worked with before. The other two are the average sizes of the beads provided to me. One is 2mm and the other is 1mm.

The next day, I started to work on a thank you project that I would give to this person in exchange for all of these beads. I quickly learned that they were quite a bit more difficult to handle Because they are so tiny, they are not only difficult to pick up and string on wire, it also takes more of the beads to add a colorful accent to my designs.

So, my first project with these little beads, I chose to crochet the wire to fill in the butterfly design. I used this technique to make this butterfly pin. So may little beads and so much wire to fill in this tiny 2" pin.

I wasn't absolutely sure how I felt about crocheting in all the spaces on my designs. So, I made a butterfly ornament. In order to use the tiny beads, I had to make a smaller ornament than usual. My typical ornaments are about 3". But I made this one 2".

Honestly, the smaller beads were very frustrating for me to work with. But when I finally finished this project, I had to admit that they added a very delicate look to the design. So, I may continue to use the smaller beads. But, I'll also have to look into methods to help make handling them more manageable and proficient.

Skull n Snake Jack-o-Lantern

2012-09-19T11:24:00.000-06:00

While filling a wire craft order for a friend and deciding what to make for her, I said "go ahead, challenge me."

With that, she decided that she would like me to make a replica of one of the carved pumpkins that her husband does, as she said it would commemorate his work. She then provided me with this image to work from.

As soon as I saw this. I thought "wow, that's some amazing pumpkin carving there." But, then a second thought came to me, that was something like "how am I going to pull this one off?"

Sometimes, I just don't know how I'm going to pull together a project until I start working on it. This was one of those. Every detail of this project was a challenge for me. I had redone every detail 2-3 times, before I felt that it was creating an essence similar to this carved masterpiece. I had tried many different style forms and techniques that just didn't make the cut with this project before settling in on the ones I ended up keeping.

But, not giving up when things get difficult, is what helps us overcome our limitations and helps us to expand in our abilities. I feel that this project has taken my crafting abilities to a new level, so I do respect being challenged in this manner. After all, I did request that I be challenged, and this was the end result of those efforts:

Goddess of Wholeness

2012-09-17T11:43:00.000-06:00

I wanted to make a unique birthday gift for a dear friend, so I asked her what kind of a wire product and design she might be interested in.

All she mentioned to me was that she was interested in something she could hang in her window that was symboilc of wholeness.

With that in mind, I created this:

Why did I choose this design?

Well, I did some research on wholeness symbols and came across the Cretan labyrinth, which represents a journey to one's center and then back out to the world.

I decided to add the woman to the design as it represents the connection of feminine energy and spirituality.

Finally, the color arrangements are a representation of the chakras. The arrangements start from the center of the labyrinth as one journey's outward.

Once I got the design laid out in my mind, I knew it was absolutely fitting for her, and it has also become one of my most favorite creations so far.

When creativity flows, everything amazingly and easily comes together!

Broncos Fan Pin

2012-08-19T11:43:00.002-06:00

I made a wire and bead pin for a Denver Broncos fan. I thought this would be so easy to accomplish and expected to have it done in just a few hours. After all, all I had to do was mimic the original design. Right?

So, I did an outline of the original design.

Granted I didn't smooth out the details yet, but that's because I just wasn't loving it. In fact, I wasn't happy with it at all.

That final piece of wire where I ended up spiraling it made me realize what it was I needed to do. If I don't make my creations a bit unique to my individual form of creativity, then it's not really my work of art.

So, I dissembled the whole thing, started over and came up with this design.

This one has a spiral main and I like the way the inner blue design turned out. This bead and wire pin, though for a Broncos football fan is for a lady. So, I felt like this created a bit of a softer look for a female Broncos fan. I feel much better about my final product and learned that I can't simply duplicate other people's artwork. I have to take the idea and then make it my own.

This lesson makes this quote very fitting for this project:

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. - Scott Adams

Vroom!

2012-07-29T09:58:00.002-06:00

I have an idea for a new project! I thought it might be cool to be able to create little wire motorcycles and then connect them together to form a bracelet. First though, I had to know if I could pull off making a tiny wire figure that was detailed enough to be recognized as a motorcycle. Though my first attempt is a bit rough and not the best form. At least I know that I can pull off the idea. Not bad huh?

Turtle! Turtle!

2012-07-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Yay! I may have been away from my creativity for a while, but the creativity wasn't gone for good! This cute little turtle came to me as an inspiration when I decided to make an ornament for my turtle loving sister-in-law!

I love how the use of spirals for the shell and larger glass beads for the coloring came together in this most adorable creation!

Peace Ornament - Beaded Decorations

2012-04-09T11:41:00.001-06:00

These chenille stem and tri-bead peace sign ornaments make for simple bead craft projects. Fun bead decorations that can be made and given to others for any occasion!

Visit my articles to see the full pattern.

A Tisket, A Tasket..

2011-02-21T16:16:00.004-07:00

..A Little Wire Basket!

I thought it might be fun to crochet up something a bit different from jewelry, and decided on a making a wire basket.

Though this basket did not take too much time to make and was pretty simple (once I got the starter dimensions right), it took an immense amount of wire to create such a small item... a majority of my 40 yard spool of wire, in fact!

But I must admit that it was quite fun to make and to see come together. Though it is a small basket, I decided it would be a perfect size to hold business cards for a fun and unique display.

Click here to see my instructions on how to make this crochet wire basket

Unique crochet ideas and inspirations

Sew Buttons!

2011-02-17T12:05:00.010-07:00

I have decided to start a kid's crochet jewelry line. But after spending quite a bit of time at craft and bead stores only to find no beads that fit my vision of design. But then, a thought occurred out of the blue... why not use bright buttons? Here is my first design creating a child size crochet wire and button bracelet.

I have to mention that when I first threw out the idea of using buttons, my teenage daughter thought it was a weird idea. But once I finished this, she thought it was really neat and mentioned doing the button idea in adult sizes. I think that's her way of saying that maybe she'd like one for herself!

I added seed beads to this blue button bracelet. I think I like the extra flare added to the design.

Aren't these just cute as a button!

;o)

Buttons have great potential for many creative ideas. Be inspired:

Spring Inspirations!

2011-02-10T13:22:00.002-07:00

I have spring fever, and my anticipation of new life has me inspired!

St. Patrick's Day is coming up and that got me to thinking of wire clover designs. Here is my draft idea. The idea is to add Celtic knot accents to each of the clover leaves. It's just my idea in draft, so smoothing of the details will occur next!

This first book is on my must get list. Exquisite!... these are types of work I want my own jewelry to get to:

Moving on to Elegant Jewelry

2011-02-02T19:54:00.015-07:00

I've had a lot of fun making my simple jewelry; jewelry that can be made in about an hour. But I was finally ready to move on to making something more intricate and elegant. I also got a request to make something with a gothic look to it. After much contemplation, I finally had an idea in my mind to fit the style I wanted to put together.

This choker, which took me about six hours to make, was the result of such. I used 28 gauge wire and a B crochet hook. I twisted out wire away from the project at the appropriate sections to get the branch accents.The red beads and design were just enough to provide a gothic look (fulfilling the request), while still being quite an elegant piece that can be worn with a formal dress or a casual top.

With this choker, I also stepped up to making my own jump rings and clasp in order to create an adjustable fitting, which allows it to be worn at any position of the neck that is desirable.

Here is an elegant bracelet that I've recently made.
This bracelet was made from the most thin wire I've used yet. This is made with 34 gauge wire, which, though very dainty looking, I think may be too thin.

I created this using single crochet stitches and added clear beads. My favorite part of this bracelet is actually my handmade clasp and ring. I may just try making a full bracelet out of those! ;o)

Actually, I do love the look of the bracelet, so I may just try making them with a smaller gauge/thicker wire and see how that works.

Inspiration for forging my own rings and clasp hook came from books such as:
I'm also interested in making chain mail style jewelry... maybe later!

Expanding my wire creation skills beyond crochet.

2010-12-27T14:46:00.016-07:00

Over this past summer, I began to work on crochet wire jewelry and have found something that I truly enjoy doing. I have found that working with wire has become my passion and tends to spark lots of creative ideas for me.

Because of this, I have expanded my skills to create other types of delicate wire works. Here are some of my latest creations in shaping and wire wrapping. I used a stronger 20 gauge wire for the outer shape and 26 gauge wire for the details.

Here is a pendant I created by bending wire.

However, not everyone

wears jewelry. So I was

inspired to shape & bend

wire to create colorful
bead sun-catchers/
ornaments, like this
dolphin and waves
creation.

I have also been shaping & wrapping wire to make elegant pins.

Creating wire shapes was first inspired by books like these;

and then later by filling the interests of customers.

Getting Lost in Crochet Wire Creations

2010-07-02T14:18:00.014-06:00

I have recently found out about crochet wire jewelry. I have enjoyed many years of crochet and have also had an interest in making jewelry, but did not come across a style that really captivated me until I found this.

I believe that this might be my niche. When I pick up some wire and a crochet hook, creations seem to form themselves. I have many ideas that I want to try crochet wire for and am considering making this my entrepreneur venture. But for now, I have been making simple necklaces and bracelets, such as these seen here.

The necklace above has a thin ribbon woven through the crochet stitches to accent the wire, crochet pendant and beads.

Some of the bracelets are a simple single crochet row, while others have two single crochet rows twisted around one another.

To see more of my work, please visit the gallery page!

My first inspirations to crochet with wire came from books like these: