Please take a minute to support our sponsors.
 
May 1999
<past issue
Volume #29
return to index
Issue #56
next issue>
 

Invest in a small padlock (or combination lock) to lock together the handles of your 'good' scissors.  This will prevent others using them for purposes that would blunt them...sneaky!
Please send in your tips!
 
Grape Leaf Earrings 
Sent in from Sharonanne Atkins of Hatboro, Pennsylvania. 

Materials: (per pair of earrings): 
6 - 4mm purple or red beads, preferably with matte finish 
2 - Ivy or Grape shaped glass leaf beads 
2 - Gold tone Ear wires (I used French, but Eurostyle can also be used) 
2 - Gold tone Jump rings 
2 - 21 Gauge Gold tone head pins 
6 - 24 Gauge Gold tone head pins 
Green colored wire (6 cm should be enough…. That’s about 2 ½ inches for those not into metrics) 
Pliers (2 pair if possible) 
Finishing nail or round wooden Toothpick 
 

Step 1:  First acquire your materials and set up a well lit-workspace (I gave myself a headache by not using enough light… blah) 
Step 2:  Place a leaf bead on a 21 gauge headpin with the point of the leaf facing down. 
Step 3:  Create a  loop at the top with the excess length of the head pin…. Leaving about 2-3 mm between the loop and the top of the bead. 
Step 4:  Wrap the green wire around the head pin between the loop and the top of the bead, keeping it as close to the bead as possible.  Pull it tight.. using both pairs of pliers.  Use the pliers on the very end of the wire… as that will be cut off, and any marring will not show on the finished earring. 
Step 5:  Place one 4mm bead on each of the 24 gauge head pins. 
Step 6:  Attach 3 of the 4mm beads on head pins to the loop…  winding the ends of the 24 gauge headpin around the headpin between the top of the bead and the loop as neatly as possible.  You can also wrap some of the headpin around the loop to anchor the beads better. 
Step 7:  Cut off any excess head pin, and bend sharp points inwards. 
Step 8:  Curl the green wire as tightly as possible around the nail (or toothpick) 
Step 9:  Pull on the coil of green wire slightly… then cut off at the length you wish the tendrils to be. 
Step 10:  Attach a jump ring to the loop at the top of the earring, then attach your ear wire. 
Step 11:  Check the way the earring hangs and adjust so they face forward. 
Step 12:  Repeat this process to make the second earring. 

This could also be used as a pendant, or as charm on a bracelet. 


Many thanks go to Sharonanne for sending in this "grape" idea!
 
 
 

.....Always make sure you get permission before working!
Mirror Frames! 
Sent in by Natassia, 13 years old from New Zealand!  
  

Materials needed: 
•  Strong card - Size depends on how big your mirror is I'd say keep it about 2-3 inches bigger than the mirror.  
•  Pulp - An alternative to pulp is toilet paper ripped up into small pieces and put in paste.  
(note: do not use too much paste or you will have places with no paper and it will look messy)  
•  Nic Nacks - Such as shells, stones, beads and other small objects.  
•  Hot glue gun or super glue 
•  Mirror - Easy to pick up from your local glass shop.  

Step-by-Step: 

Step 1:  Glue the mirror onto the card  

Step 2:  While the glue is drying prepare you work space and make a plan of how you want it to look like.  

Step 3: Spread the pulp around the mirror not putting too much where you may have large objects.  

Step 4: Put your nic nacs in place and push them slightly into the pulp  

Step 5: leave your mirror in the sun to dry this may take a few days, be patient because if you paint it to soon it may rot.  

Step 6: When it is completely dry you can paint it.  

Finishing touches: A little bit of gold paint sponged on gives it a nice touch  


Special thanks to Natassia who sent this fun idea in!
 
 
. Would you like to know when new issues are added?
Sign up on our update list!
 
.
Would you like to submit to Etcetera? Do you have a craft or tip you would like to share?
Please look at the Submission Information Page and then drop me an email!
.
Etcetera is sponsored by:
P.O. Box 10
Willow Grove, PA 19090-0010
(215) 658-1711
webzine@eebeads.com
.
Please Note...  The ideas presented here are intended for personal use only.
Creating items to sell from our instructions would be in poor taste.
Please send an email to Eclectic Etc., Inc. if you have any questions or concerns.
 
© Copyright, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 All Rights Reserved, Carolyn S. Nehring and Eclectic Etc., Inc.
No part of this page may be reproduced in any manner for commercial or
noncommercial purposes without written permission from Eclectic Etc., Inc.