Thursday, October 25, 2012

Braided Memory Wire Bracelet

Since I discovered how easy it is to make beautiful bracelets with memory wire, I have been pretty much obsessed with it! I made a braided memory wire bracelet in the colors of my alma mater, The University of Florida - Orange & Blue - Go Gators!!!!! and posted the picture on my Facebook Page. This bracelet makes a great piece of fancy fan-wear and can easily be customized to your favorite team's colors, which is why I have had several requests for a tutorial. Since I already have my Gators bracelet, I decided to make a bracelet in the colors supporting The Children's Tumor Foundation for this tutorial.




What You Need:

  • Memory Wire
  • Beads in 2 Colors (I used 6/0 Czech Glass Beads)
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Wire Cutters (hardware store ones, NOT ones made for jewelry)


How To Make It:
See photos below

  • Use your wire cutters to cut 7 full rounds of memory wire.
  • Cut one of the rounds in half and create a small loop at one end of each with your round nose pliers (make sure to tighten the loop all the way down).
  • Use round nose pliers to make a small loop at the end of each of the 6 of remaining rounds of memory wire to keep the beads on the wire. Make sure to tighten the loop down so it is completely closed.
  • String 3 rounds of wire with one color beads and 3 rounds of wire with second color beads. 
  • At the end of each round of wire, you will want to leave about a pinky finger's width with no beads and use your round nose pliers to create another small loop at the end (tightened down) to keep beads on the wire.
  • Next, line the rounds up in alternating colors. For me it is blue, green, blue, green, blue, green.
  • With the small loops at the end of each round lined up, take one of the half rounds you made earlier and  string it through all the loops (in order). Trim the end to about a pinky-width and use round-nose pliers to form another loop at the end.
  • Separate into 3 parts (blue/green - blue/green - blue/green) and braid.
  • Once braided, keep ends in order and string the other half round through the ending loops. Trim off excess and seal with another small loop at the end.









Pretty easy, huh?!
Of course, if you aren't feeling up to it, you can always buy one from my Etsy Shop ;)



Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and are feeling inspired! I've got lots of great tutorials to share, so I'd love it if you'd follow along!
-Blythe

Places I'm Partying:


One Artsy Mama
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Lavender Tea Party

A friend of mine had the cute idea to have a little girls tea party for her daughter's birthday. Fortunately it was a beautiful, sunny day here in Florida and perfect for an outdoor tea party! Since I love parties, especially girly ones, I offered to help with the decorations and to make cookies. I might have to steal her idea and have a tea party for my daughter's birthday this Spring!





This amazing teapot cake and cupcakes were made by Sugar Coated Sweets and Treats


I got the teapot cookie cutter from www.cheapcookiecutters.com and used my usual recipes of The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies and Sugar Cookie Icing (only change I made was using vanilla instead of almond extract in the icing).


I used various shades and textures of purple ribbon for this Ribbon Topiary (which I had actually made previously for a Tangled party). Here is the Ribbon Topiary Tutorial.


This was a very pretty party. My friend did a great job with the table settings, fancy hats for the little girls, and scones and other finger foods. Just looking at these pictures makes me crave tea and sweets!
-Blythe
Places I'm Partying:
Lil\'Luna
One Artsy Mama

HookingupwithHoHThe 36th AVENUE
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Memory Wire Bracelets

I was asked by a friend and fellow crafter if I had ever made a bracelet using memory wire. I have always liked the look of them, but surprisingly my answer was no, I had not ever made a bracelet with memory wire.  I even had a bunch of beads that I envisioned using with wire, but they were just collecting dust. So thank you to my friend, Kim, for inspiring me to finally make a memory wire bracelet. Turns out it is stupid easy to make a beautiful bracelet! I've already made two and see many more in my future!



What You Need:

  • Memory Wire - Bracelet Size
  • Beads
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Wire Cutters (regular hardware store ones, NOT jewelry ones)


How To Make It:

  • The memory wire comes coiled like a spring. Determine the size of your bracelet and cut off that many coils with wire cutters. Memory wire is very hard and will ruin your jewelry wire cutters, so use a cheapo pair from the hardware store.
  • Using round nose pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire to keep beads from falling off.
  • String beads onto wire.
  • When you've reached the end of your bracelet, use your round nose pliers to make another small loop to secure the beads.
  • I have not personally used any other method, but they do sell memory wire end caps that can be glued on rather than making that loops.





Hopefully this post will inspire others to create some beautiful memory wire jewelry. I made this bracelet standing at my kitchen island while my kids ate lunch. It was so quick & easy and I love the way it turned out! Happy Creating!

Blythe

Places I'm Partying:


www.the36thavenue.comPhotobucketshabby creek cottageHookingupwithHoH

Monday, October 1, 2012

Creme Wafer Cookies

In case you missed this post when I shared it over at DJs Sugar Shack, here it is again because you won't want to miss this recipe!

I was lucky to be part of a bridal party back in July and stumbled upon these AMAZING cookies on a cookie tray at the wedding. I desperately sought out the baker of the cookies and begged for the recipe (fortunately it was my neighbor so I didn't have to beg too much)! They are so light & flaky & delicious & downright addictive!


Creme Wafer Cookies

Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup + 1/4 Cup Butter, Softened
  • 1/3 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/3 Cup White Granulated Sugar
  • 3/4 Cup Sifted Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
Directions:
  • Mix 1 cup of softened butter with flour. Once well-combined, stir in heavy whipping cream. Chill at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Spread granulated sugar out on a piece of wax or parchment paper.
  • On a floured surface, roll dough to about 1/8" thickness. Using a shot glass, or pill bottle, cut dough into 1.5" rounds. Keep any dough not in use back in the fridge so it stays cold.
  • Place each round onto granulated sugar and turn to coat both sides.
  • Place rounds on an ungreased cookie sheet, prick several times with a fork and bake for 7-9 minutes. Cookies should look slightly puffy when ready.
  • While cookies are cooling, prepare filling: Mix 1/4 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and food coloring.
  • Assemble cookies by spreading filling between 2 wafer rounds.
These cookies would be perfect for a tea party! Or a baby shower! Or a birthday! Or a Tuesday!

Enjoy!
Blythe
Places I'm Partying:
www.tipjunkie.com
www.cherishedbliss.com
www.the36thavenue.com

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