Filigree Wrapped Crystal Earrings

Crystals and filigrees are a classic combination, perfect for evening wear or a special occasion like a wedding. These sparkly earrings are the finishing touch to tie your whole outfit together. Look how easy it is to get this timeless look. All you need is:  2 x  crystal  teardrops 2 x round gold filigrees (mine is 25mm/1") - these are similar 28 gauge non-tarnish gold wire 2 x gold eye pins 2 x 6mm clear crystal bicones 2 x gold earring wires (I really like the crystal-set type   similar to these for extra sparkle!) As it's not always possible to get the exact supplies I used, you may need to source something different. Here's what to look for: crystal teardrop  measures 10mm x 20mm and  has a hole across the top gold filigree (in the photo above, the filigree on the right started out just like the one on the left) 25mm diameter made of soft metal has loops around the outside (for dangling from the earring wire) Choose a round filigree that is s......

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Fabulous Filigrees...... Take 2!

Filigree stampings are one of my favourite jewellery making components. The lace-like patterns add a really delicate touch to your designs and yet they add substance at the same time. With such a wide range of shapes and finishes to choose from, they are also very versatile. Here's some ideas to get you going. 1. Use them as dangles in a charm bracelet. Dangle lacy filigrees from jump rings and they become charms on a charm bracelet. In this design they're lilypads for the frogs! 2. Form them into napkin rings. The soft metal of these square brass stampings made them easy to shape around a cardboard cylinder. Connect them together with jump rings and beads to give the napkin ring stability. 3. Turn them into a jewellery bail to slip the stringing material through. This one does double duty by adding decorative detail to the front of the pendant as well! 4. Wrap them around a teardrop crystal to form a custom fitting bead cap. 5. Add a cluster of smaller beads......

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Connie Crystals - CHA Summer 2012

CHA Summer Show is geared a lot more to the paper craft industry than it is to general crafts so there are fewer bead manufacturers who exhibit. But without a doubt, the blingiest booth at CHA was Connie Crystal . You just about needed sunglasses to cut the glare - it was truly sparkletastic! Take a look at some of the wonderful crystal creations on the stand. Crystal wedding bouquet Red Christmas Tree. There was a blue Christmas Tree on the other side of the booth too. Hello Kitty Bicycle - just too cute! Mini bike The spectacular bejewelled gown I showed you the dress in the last post but take a look at the beautiful matching slipper. This is just a selection of the many beautiful pieces displayed in the booth. Aren't they inspiring? They also hosted an easy but eyecatching Make It, Take It which I'll share later. In the meantime, check out their blog which features some pretty designs (with instructions) created by their Design Team. Why not have som......

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