candiecooper, Author at Candie Cooper

Now Watch Me Whip…This Wire Pendant Up

February 26, 2016 By candiecooper 6 Comments

This post brought to you by Beadalon.com–maker of jewelry findings in all types and metal colors.
Remember that pendant I made a couple weeks ago with the wire piece from the hardware store?

Meet it’s new BFF.

DIY bead wrapped horn pendant. The idea of wearing these chains together was a coincidence. I had the first two pendants on when we shot the tutorial. Naturally, I needed this statement horn piece to complete the look.

Can you say, power play?I’m using Beadalon’s new bail making pliers at in this tutorial. More on those later, plus:

Artistic Wire in bronze
Chain
Ergo tools
Flush cutters
Tierra Cast spacer beads
Jesse James Beads Horn pendant
a bead I got randomly in Tucson–it’s handpainted and been in my stash for.ever!

So first, make a loop using the bail making pliers. The thing I like about these pliers is that they are not conical like round nose pliers. This makes it easy to get consistent size loops every….single….time! And that makes me happy!
Loop in the horn pendant.Grab the chain nose pliers and hold the loop while you wrap the extra wire.
String some unique beads…
and make a 90-degree bend just above the last bead.
Use the large section on the bail making pliers and wrap the wire up and around.Now wrap the extra wire above the last bead.
So easy!
Cut away any extra wire with the flush cutters.
Have I ever told you that I think there should be no spacer beads left behind? That’s my philosophy–I think beads look so nice in a spacer bead frame.
Thread the chain through the wire loop.
Determine the length of the necklace that you want, open a link and connect the ends–No clasp needed.That’s all there is to it! Let me know if you decide to try those bail pliers!

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Beads, Tutorials

Ouch! A Remedy for Chapped Hands and a New Issue of Stringing Magazine

February 25, 2016 By candiecooper 6 Comments

It’s always exciting to see my projects go to print. Big thanks to Stringing magazine for including three of my designs in their winter issue! I don’t like to kiss and tell so this is as much as I’ll show. It’s on newsstands now or there are digital copies available which are especially great for tablet users!Winter is still here.

Still here.

And my hands are dry and chapped. I wanted to share one of my new favorite fixes:C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve No. 012. You can get it Bath and Body Works or online of course. There are lots of things I love about it–it’s pink, it smells nice, all in a compact tin. I keep it in my jewelry making pliers kit.

I don’t know about you, but by the end of winter, my skin is comparable to a 220 grit piece of sand paper. I try to drink more water, use lotions after showering and so on, but inevitably I am dried up.

Totes.So this has been one of my recent treats for my dried up, cracked and chapped handsies.The thing is, don’t stop after one application. As soon as your hands feel good, put it on again….and then again to rehydrate them.

Happy hands make good jewelry.Plus, I’m a sucker for a vintage looking tin. I will totally recycle this thing into jewelry when it’s empty (and that won’t be long if we keep getting hammered with these cold bursts!).

Until next time, sweet people!

Filed Under: Beads, Staying Well

Moonlit Owl – DIY Leather Bracelet

February 19, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by LeatherCord USA.We’ve had a break in the weather today—-perfect for you know what this weekend! Yes! A cozy fire in our new fire pit.Sitting around a fire in nature is so restorative for my soul (not to sound dramatic, haha). I just love the ambience of it: the sounds, being outside, toasty hoodies…. We like to make sandwiches and treats in our pie irons for these winter picnics. It is these simple pleasures that make life sweet.

Today’s project is brought to you by LeatherCord USA.com I put this little DIY owl bracelet on my Instagram feed (@candiecooper if you want to see behind the scenes in real time) and had a few people ask about buying it! I love that. I’ve worn it a few times and gotten compliments too so I think it’s worth sharing so you can make your own.

The secret is having large holed beads that work perfectly with the 1.5 diameter natural blue round leather cord. You can braid and weave the leather easily through beads like this to get a solid look. These beads are from Tierra Cast and the owl from Green Girls Studio.Once you get the beads in place, it’s time to CAREFULLY measure. Michelle at leatherCord USA and I have a joke about measuring many times before cutting–somehow we always make things too small. I want to show you a trick so you can get yours to fit just right.

Do as I say…not as I do. Haha.These are leatherCord USA’s Glue and Go findings. They come in all different diameters, styles, and metal colors. The key to sizing your bracelet is remembering to account for the recessed area inside the finding.Measure this piece end to end and subtract it from your finished bracelet size, then add 1/2″ (1/4″ on each side) for the recessed areas and this is what length you should cut your leather pieces.

Clear as mud right?You can always shave a little off at a time and test the fit as you go.When you’re positive you have the right length, use the Loctite Adhesive to glue the ends in.The natural leather finishes are some of my very favorites. With the earthy fashions this spring, these leather cords for jewelry making are going to be hot! You’ll find them on this page at the bottom of the color chart–look for natural before the color name.

Get fine leather and the special Glue and Go findings from leatherCordUSA.com.

Filed Under: Leather

Red Carpet Ready Earrings!

February 17, 2016 By candiecooper 8 Comments

Have you been watching any of the award shows? I was watching the Golden Globes when I noticed the slim earring designs here and there on the red carpet. You can see a couple of them here.Do you like my faux fur vest? Haha! It’s hilarious. I get petted every time I wear it! I don’t know why?!

After watching the Globes, I decided I could make some for myself. Here we go…
Basic Materials:

Tierra Cast post earrings (or you can use good ol’ french ear wires)

Cup chain and 4 end findings from Jesse James Beads

Via Murano round crystal rings

Jump ring assortment

Beadalon wire cutters and chain nose pliers
First, determine how long you want the earrings and cut the cup chain to that length.
Attach the end findings to both ends of the cup chain. It’s easy! Set the last link of the cup chain in the finding and push the prongs over with chain nose pliers.
Open a jump ring from side to side.
Attach the ring…followed by the chain piece. Close the ring so it’s secure.
Open a small jump ring….
and attach to the post finding. Seriously! It’s that easy.
They are so pretty! The best part is you can make them as long as you want!
Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to check out the other earrings in the Red Carpet Ready hop here.

Filed Under: DIY Wedding Jewelry, Jewelry

Red Carpet Ready: DIY Earrings Blog Hop

February 17, 2016 By candiecooper 1 Comment

Welcome to the Red Carpet Ready DIY Earring hop. Thank you for joining me to celebrate fashion, pop culture and the upcoming Oscars!

Sharing is caring–If you’re leaving a link please will you…

1. Share the above graphic on your blog posts

2. Comment on other red carpet blog designs

3. Link to this post on your social media channels

Thank you again! Let’s get this party started!

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Filed Under: Jewelry, Link Ups

Thank You!

February 17, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Just wanted to drop a note of thanks for checking in on my blog. I love making these tutorials for you. I’ve been making jewelry since 6th grade–and it is you that allows me to continue that passion. For that, I am so thankful.

Many of you make things with your kids and grandkids and I want to especially thank you for sharing that gift with children. We know the power of making something with our hands and the benefits that come from it–thank you for passing that down to our youth.

Filed Under: Bead Love

Down in the Desert-Kids Sand Art Terrarium with Glow Creatures

February 16, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by ACTIVA Products. Love Sand Art? You’ll love ACTIVA–makers of radiant colored sand and air dry clays!Would you like to riiiide in mah beautifulll baloooon?!

Sorry.

Guys, it’s winter here. These posts could get cheesier and cheesier as the snow and cold drag on. I took a photo of the snowy backyard yesterday for my friend that’s in Florida. When I looked at it, I literally had to check to see if I accidentally hit the black and white filter. THAT is how gray it was.

Speaking of backyards, let’s rewind to two weeks ago when I was in sunny Tucson for the gem show. Calgon, take me away. Look at all this sunny desert!? Those snowbirds are livin’ right! One day on our way to work, we saw a hot air balloon pretty low to the ground. Sure enough, it landed in the road because there wasn’t enough wind. Seven people piled out of that thing! It was beautiful in that brown desert. HUGE!
When I came home, I was ready to bring a touch of desert home and make a fun kids project. Plus, it never hurts to bring some color inside during winter!
This faux terrarium goes together in a snap! The best part is you can’t kill the plants or the pets! I’m all for low maintenance these days…
Materials List:

–ACTIVA colorful sand in desired colors (1 lb bags). I love that this product is made in America by the way!

-Fish bowl or jar

-Glow creatures

-Plastic Succulents

-Large flatback gems

-Rocks or twigs

*You can find the glow creatures and faux succulents at the Dollar Tree
First, cut a corner from the package and pour in the sand–so fun watching sand drizzle out of a bag.

These are the days of our crafty lives…

You can tap the glass bowl down on the table to gently level out the sand.
Repeat adding more layers/colors of sand.
Looks like the painted desert right?
Remove the plants from the pots by plucking them out of the foam.
Nestle them down in the sand where you like.
Add rocks and glow creatures!
And gems! A little sparkle ain’t ever hurt nobody!
There are lots of craft supplies that would be fun to add to the terrarium. Little signs, pom poms, glass pebbles…. Look around the house and see what you have. You could paint the rocks to add even more color.
SO fun! I know this is a kid project, but I had a blast putting it together.
ACTIVA Decor Sand comes in a ton of colors too. You can find it in the floral section of the craft store or online.
Optionally, you could add a blacklight to make the terrarium glow even more. Can you tell I’ve really thought about this?