Carey Burns

Some might say I'm becoming obsessed with the Vintaj line. All of their findings and charms just work so well together, I just can't help myself! This week is no exception. I present to you, a charming Butterfly Necklace. Supplies: 1 Leaf Sprig charm 1 Fluttering Wings Butterfly charm 2 Squared Bead Caps (7 mm) 1 large brass hoop (Confession: this is Vintaj but I don't know where I bought it!) 1 brass-toned headpin 1 round Swarovski in Peridot (8 mm) 1 length of brass-toned chain (28 inches long) 3 brass-toned jump rings (7.25 mm, 16 gauge)  1 brass-toned lobster clasp 2 small brass-toned jump rings   Tools: Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference) Flush cutters Instructions: 1.  Open one of the larger jump rings by clasping it in the pliers with one hand and holding it firmly between your thumb and index finger of your other hand (or another pair of pliers). Gently twist the pliers away from you and the jump ring sh...

Nothing like being jolted awake by your hubby yelling that it is 6 a.m. when you should have been out of bed by 5:45 a.m. Our power went out on Saturday and the alarm clock needed to be reset. Seems I set it ten minutes slow. Ah well. I'm awake and mostly alert now. It should come as no surprise that I didn't have today's blog post even started yet so I really had to hustle and go through all of my supplies to come up with a sweet necklace for Maker's Monday. I bought this lovely pendant from the Vintaj booth at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee.I've said it before, but if you're into jewelry, you should really attend this show! Can we just say how lovely this pendant is??? Supplies: 1 Vintaj brass Waterlily Maiden pendant 2 Vintaj Treasured Filigree Connectors (these may be retired) 6 small brass jump rings 1 large brass jump ring 26.5 inches of brass chain 1 lobster clasp I don't know the jump rings sizes - they are "leftovers...

Well, it's Maker's Monday once again! I was on vacation all last week so today's project was thrown together at the very last minute. I've linked supplies to where I have purchased them but you may buy them elsewhere. Supplies: 2 natural brass headpins (2 inches long) 3 4mm Swarovski crystals in Light Turquoise 1 natural brass connector/pendant 28 inches of brass-toned chain 3 brass-toned open jump rings (3mm) 1 brass-toned lobster clasp (not in photo) Tools: Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference) Flush cutters Instructions: 1.  Slide a crystal onto a headpin. With the tips of your pliers, make a 90 degree bend in the headpin just above the bead. 2.  Cut the excess tail from your headpin so that it measures just under 1/2 an inch long.  3.  Here's a quick tip for cutting headpins so they are all the same size: when you have trimmed your headpin to the desired size, take your scrap end and line it up...