Tutorial: Washer Ribbon Choker

This tutorial is fun and simple!  Give yourself an edgy look with a feminine twist.

Supplies:

Ribbon *

5 Washers

I used about 30 inches of 1 inch wide ribbon.  My neck is relatively larger than most women.  You want enough room to tie a sweet bow in the back.

You can also use smaller washers with narrower ribbon.  

Step #1

Look at your washer.  There is a flat side and a rounded side.  Pull 1 washer onto your ribbon (a little more than a third of the way from one end - from the left end for this photo.)  Sit it so the rounded side is facing up.

Step #2

Pull a 2nd washer onto the ribbon.  This time when you place it on the ribbon the flat side will be facing up (for the moment).  The 2 rounded sides are facing each other.

Step #3

 Pull the ribbon back through the 1st washer as shown in the photo.  The first washer is the washer on the bottom and the 2nd washer is caught by the ribbon near the top.

Step #4

Pull the ribbon so that the washer is tight on the ribbon.  Position the 2nd washer so the rounded side is facing up and it's layered over the 1st washer.

Step #5

Pull the ribbon back up through the 2nd washer.

Step #6

Follow steps #2, 3, 4 and 5 for all of the washers.

Step #7

Pull the ribbon up through the last washer.

Step #8

Tie your Washer Ribbon Choker around your neck!

That's all there is to it!

Variety:

For a variation, you could use end crimps made for ribbon on the ends and add a clasp instead of tying a bow.  Or you could make a bracelet.  Like I said above, you can use smaller washers with smaller ribbon.

New Necklace

This unique necklace is made with circle and square washers, hanging on silver plated chains. I have my own version of this particular necklace, and I wear it all the time, it's very versatile. On this mannequin, it looks a little long. It actually is shorter on me and it looks very nice. It really should rest on your skin, I think.

This necklace (and earrings, below) are available at my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER. I did originally make a set for the B.B. Bellezza Etsy Shop, but I decided to keep one set for myself, instead. For marketing and promotional purposes! :) I wear it everywhere and with everything!

I really like this style, though, with the various chains hanging, so I will probably make more necklaces similar to this one.

What do you think?

Review and Preview

In case you missed it, I was in this treasury: Hardwear (It's over now, so all we have is this screen shot and the memories......)

My Circles and Squares Necklace was in it!

This weekend I do not have any shows. I am sort of taking it a little easier now that I have a permanent booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER.

Next weekend, May 30, 2009, is Opening Day at Eastern Market!

308 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 9 am - 2 pm

(This is a photo from one of my set ups at Eastern Market last year...it in no way shows you how cool Eastern Market is!)

I have a few shows coming up after that, you can keep up with me on my Events Page on the B.B. Bellezza website.

Also, I would like to invite everyone to my Open House at Building Character on July 11, 2009 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. I will be sharing more details soon, but for now, save the date and time!

I have made A LOT of Scrabble Tile Pendants this week, so I will be restocking my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER this weekend, as well as restocking my Etsy Store! Sorry the Mix and Match Pendants have been missing from Etsy, they are returning!!


Finally, I want to make sure you all know about my joint venture with my boyfriend Jim, Outta the Way! It's our travel blog and zine! The first volume of the zine (Central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) is available now in my Etsy shop or in person at my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER at 342 N. Queen Street, Rear, Lancaster, PA, or by contacting us.

Circle and Square Washer Necklace

Circle and Square Washer Necklace, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

New Product!

I have made washer necklaces before. Although I thought they were cool, I wasn't 100% happy with them. When I acquired the square washers, this idea really took shape. I really like the circles with the squares.

I salvaged these washers to give them a second chance at being beautiful. For more about my philosophy in my art, you can check out my about page.

This particular necklace is pretty long, but it would be really nice at any length.

It is at the moment in a treasury on Etsy: Hardwear. (Very cool treasury, by the way!)

Available on Etsy or in person at my booth at Building Character 342 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (open 7 days a week!)

New Jewelry: Key Pin

Key Pin III , originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

I finally carved out some time to make some jewelry last night. I have so many things to do for my jewelry business, sometimes I get so busy that I don't have time to actually CREATE jewelry! It's the difficult thing about working full time while running a business, too. I am so thankful for that secure paycheck coming in on a regular basis during this economy, but it also means I am very busy a lot of the time!!

This pin is one of 4 that I created that are all similar, but with different keys. I think the key itself is very pretty and the sweet flower and leaf go nicely with the key. This is a pin. It would look lovely on a purse, sweater, to close a scarf. or on a blouse. Also, this pin would work nicely vertically or horizontally.

The key pins will be listed in my shop tomorrow evening! (Unless hours suddenly disappear from me like they did tonight!)

Available on Esty

or Artfire

(there are 2 different pins)