52 Weeks of Handmade Earrings - Week 4

Week 4 earrings.

These are large earrings and make a statement!  I love them!  Made with reused washers

Sneak Peek at New Hardware Line

I've been working on some new designs for my hardware line.  Here are 2 new necklaces and ways to wear them.  Plus a pair of earrings.

Here's a sneak peek at an unfinished bracelet design:

It gives you a pretty idea where I'm going with this bracelet.

I have at least one more necklace in process and ideas for a couple more, plus more earrings and bracelets.

I'm thinking of a strong empowered woman while I'm making these.  I feel empowered and strong wearing the new pieces and I want other woman to feel it, too.

I'm still working on the line, but it will be available soon!

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52 Weeks of Handmade Earrings

A new year brings on new goals, new resolutions, a fresh start.  Or so we think.  As I move along in my life the years go so quickly and before you know it, another year has passed and you don’t even know what happened.

Through the years I've tied making a more visual, physical reminder of my year.  I’ve tried (without success) to document my life in daily photographs.  I’ve tried to create every day for a month (although I did create each day, I didn’t really work very much on the project I was attempting to finish) and other daily projects, all without success.

This year I decided to try something different.  Instead of daily, I’ll be making something weekly.  And instead of it being a huge project that takes a lot of time, I’ll be making earrings.  1 pair per week.

Each week I will make 1 pair of earrings.  I’m making them for myself (although if you all love the design, I may put them in my line).  I’ll share my earrings each week here on my blog.

Since 2 weeks have passed this year already, I have 2 pairs of earrings to share.

Week #1

This pair was made with washers, beads made from lava and clear glass beads.  I have already worn these earrings quite a bit.

Week #2

Earrings made from bobbins from a sewing machine.  I actually use plastic bobbins with my sewing machine because that's what they came with.  I love the metal and have a few sets from a large sewing kit I got at a yard sale.  I think they make adorable earrings!

How do you like my new earrings?  Have you considered doing something like this for the new year?

Wrapped Washer Necklace Tutorial

I can't wait to try out this wrapped washers tutorial that I found on Instructables.  I think I have seen something similar with larger washers and yarn.  The color possibilities are really endless.

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

Square Washer Bunch Earrings 2, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

These earrings are a new design for me. Funky and unique earrings that are made from square washers. The washers are upcycled from a previous life.

Where did I get these washers? You know how you have that cleaned out cool whip container of odds and ends in your garage or shed? (Well, maybe not everyone has one of those....) People realize they will never use them and give them to me. I also get materials from the Habitat for Humanity Store a lot of the time. So, when you think about it - you are saving the planet and helping support a great cause.

They're for sale now in my Etsy Shop. Even more items will be coming soon, too !

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?

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!)

Jewelry for ME!

I made myself some jewelry today!

I tried a new design with a washer that I showed in a previous blog post.

I liked the design, but I took it a little further. I love the all the different funky beads and the unique design. Frankly, I wear basically black and gray everyday, so my jewelry needs to stand out a little!

Then I made this bracelet and these earrings to go with it. I am not really much for matchy matchy sets, but I think these nicely compliment each other without being blatantly matchy.

I really like how the bracelet turned out, too and plan to make some for my shop. I really like these washers because they are older and have some nice coloring on them.