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crafts, cooking, domesticity

How to make earrings - DIY tutorial

Posted under crafts, diy, jewellery, tutorial - 15:26 - 1 June, 2007 - 16 Comments

Lot’s of people ask me, in my daily life, how do I make my earrings. It’s always a topic that people are interested in so I’ve decided to show you how. It’s a very simple process but it’s very satisfying to wear something you made yourself.

Tools

First you need to have the right tools.
I use 3 different pliers. A round-nose pliers (a), a flat-nose pliers (b) and a side-cutting pliers (c). You can buy this in any crafts or hardware stores. There are also lots of online shops that sell it. Or you might already have it in your husband’s toolbox!

Materials

In jewelry, the metal parts are called findings.
For these earrings we’ll use two headpins (F1) 2-inches long and two hook earwires (F2).

And you will need beads, of course! We’ll use 3 different kind of beads. Two of each. 2 dark red tubes of glass, 2 little light blue beads and 2 small heart beads. You can use whatever beads you want. Visit a crafts shop that sell beads, or search in your favorite online shop, and use your imagination. This is the fun part!

Making the earrings

To start your earrings, you take one headpin and tread the beads in the order that you want them.

Try different beads, don’t be afraid to experiment. Remember that you are going to wear these earrings.

Are you satisfied with the way they look? Good.

Next you need to cut the headpin to the desired length using the side-cutting pliers. Remember to leave at least half an inch to make the loop that connects to the earwire.

Take the round-nose pliers and turn the end of the headpin to one side, to form a loop.

Then, still using the round-nose pliers, turn the formed loop in the other direction, to center the loop and make it perfect.

Hook in the earwire in the newly formed loop.

And use the flat-nose pliers to gently close the loop.

Tada! You have one earring. Now make another one exactly the same way using the same beads in the same sequence.

And you end up with a lovely set of earrings!

I love to make these simple dangle earrings. I wear them and give them as gifts to my girlfriends. Remember that practice makes perfect. Don’t be discouraged if at first your end result is a little irregular. It will soon be very easy! Just keep making those earrings!

If you like this tutorial you might also like to learn how to make a necklace!

5 free crochet patterns that you will love

Posted under crochet, links - 12:57 - 30 May, 2007 - No Comments

I love crochet. And because of that I’m always trying to look for new patterns. But if you google “free crochet patterns” you’ll know that there is a lot of crappy stuff out there. So I’ve rounded up 5 links of patterns that really rock!

  • Baby It’s Cold Outside - The simplest pattern for a baby sweater. Easy, quick and pretty!
  • Baby It's Cold Outside - WIP

  • Field of Flowers - A pretty afghan for your baby made of pretty squares. I’m making this in two shades of yellow;
  • Baby Blanket - still 70 squares to go

  • Ruffle Scarf - I just love this pattern because of it’s simplicity and wonderful effect in the end. Very feminine scarf;
  • One-Skein Crochet Scarf - Last Christmas I made a batch of these to give to friends. They loved it! - Note that sometimes the Patons site is down and doesn’t display the patterns.
  • WIP - Christmas Gifts

  • Shells & Roses Poncho - This poncho is great for summer. Made from cotton in any fresh color. It was one of my first crochet projects. Very easy. You just need to pay attention so you don’t miss stitches.
  • Mini Pink Poncho

I hope you enjoy these patterns as I have. I really like them all. I’m very grateful to their authors for giving them for free. Hurray for the internet!

Preparing a romantic picnic - part 2 - Recipes and Ideas

Posted under cooking, links, picnic - 17:23 - 18 May, 2007 - 2 Comments

picnic for two

Ideas for delicate sandwiches, fresh salads, romantic desserts and other picnic food. All in the name of the Perfect Picnic for Two!

Beverages:

  • Mint Iced Tea - put it in a thermal flask with lots of ice and take some mint leaves to garnish the glasses;
  • White wine - cool it at home, in the refrigerator, and take it in the cooler;
  • White Peach Sangria - or any other Sangria. Remember to do your Sangria the night before, to really mix in the flavors;

Sandwiches:

Savory Pies:

Salads:

Desserts:

Other things you want to take with you:

Lots of Ice - for drinks and for the cooler;
Extra salt, pepper, and olive oil;
A camera;
A paper folding fan.

For the first part of this article click here: Preparing a romantic picnic - part 1

Preparing a romantic picnic - part 1

Posted under picnic - 15:34 - 9 May, 2007 - 2 Comments

picnic basket

The Material:

  • Basket - for the food;
  • Cooler - for the drinks;
  • Checkered picnic tablecloth - for the floor;
  • Plates and Glasses - paper or other;
  • Silverware - plastic or other;
  • Serving utensils;
  • Napkins;
  • Corkscrew;
  • Thermal flask - for ice tea or hot coffee;
  • Knife - for bread, etc;
  • Cutting board;
  • Sunscreen;
  • Baby wipes - to wash hands;
  • Garbage bag - for liter.

Practical stuff:

1. I would recommend a thick blanket or a rag rug to put under the picnic tablecloth because the floor could be damp;
2. Plastic cutlery and plates are convenient but reusables are environment friendly. When I was little my mother had a plastic picnic set in orange. Do they still make that?
3. Don’t leave perishables unrefrigerated for more than 20 minutes - better to leave those at home;
4. Remember to wear a hat or take a parasol and drink plenty of water - sunstrokes are not romantic.

Don’t miss part 2 - about the food you should take to your romantic picnic.

Hurray for picnics!

Posted under inspiration, picnic - 14:37 - 8 May, 2007 - 1 Comment

Spring is starting at last. And with spring cames the picnic season!
On that note I found this wonderful dress at Reddish Studio:

spontaneous picnic dress
A spontaneous picnic dress. Its perfect!!