Amigurumi Snowman

Posted on Nov 18, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | 7 comments

If you crochet and you have not tried making amigurumi dolls, you’re missing out on something really fun and easy to do.  They are done using single crochet in the rounds with no joins, just make sure you use a marker to do this.  Sometimes your “creativeness” just need a jump start and a catalog from our local college sparked my interest, I thought it is funny and just appropriate for us living in California.

I found a pattern for my amigurumi snow man at a Michael’s site, I know Lion Brand Yarn has also good amigurumi toy patterns.  I made mine with the cover of the catalog as inspiration, to make him even more interesting I made him  a paper bead scarf made from 5mm round paper beads.

I had fun with Mr. California Snowman this morning……him on top of my hanging plant which is dead around this time, but usually comes to life in spring.  The spot he is sitting on is where I have bird’s nest every year, right now it is empty.

On top of a little Christmas tree.

What is your Snow Man doing this year?  I hope this inspires you to make a snow man of your own.

Snow Flake Ornament w/ Paper Beads

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | 1 comment

You can make this snow flake ornament to hang on your tree or as a gift tag,  they are simple to make and you can use any left over beads.  I use paper beads on mine (because I am a self-proclaimed paper bead princess) and I mixed it with crystals to give it that little sparkle.  The snow flake finding comes 8 pieces to a package, and all you need is a round nose pliers to make loops at the end.

Tip: Leave about 1/2 inch on the end so you have enough room to make the loop.

It looks perfect on top of this little Christmas tree, with paper bead ornaments.

Outside our shop is a 20 foot Christmas tree, we’re lucky I guess we are right there when they will light the tree on the annual Village Walk this Friday.  It’s nice that the city is doing this to get everybody into that holiday mood, some us needs a little nudge.

Our gum drop tree lined streets all ready for the Holiday Stroll.

Everybody is putting out cookies and goodies for the strollers, come and join us Friday for Holiday Stroll.

Bead Rope Crochet

Posted on Nov 16, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | 1 comment

I have experimented using different kind of beads with bead rope crochet.  For those of you who may not be familiar with bead crochet, it is simply crocheting beads in the round by using slip stitch.  I have taught this form of crochet using 6o seed beads, but one day I thought I would try and use the 5mm paper beads which I received that day from my sister, and it was easy, light and works up really fast.  If I am going to be demonstrating on how to crochet with beads, the small paper beads will be a good beginner project.

I used the 5mm round paper beads, you will need about 216 pieces approximate.  If you decide to make the small round beads the metal roller with bamboo handle will be perfect for this.

When you feel you are up to a more advanced project, you can use other kind of beads even gem stones, take note that gem stones usually have small holes and you need to use thinner thread which could make it more challenging.  Here’s an example of bead rope crochet using carnelian.  When we are at the Pasadena Bead and Design Show, the booth next to us sells gem stones.  I picked up 6 strands of carnelian stones which I thought would look nice done in bead rope crochet.

I think it looks very pretty with murano glass that I was keeping for something like this.

Little Christmas Trees

Posted on Nov 15, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | 2 comments

I have received these Cone Shaped paper beads the other day and it took me a few days to come up with something.  Here is what I came up with today; little Christmas trees that can decorate a mantle or miniature Christmas village.

The materials I used are: 22 gauge craft wire, bead cap (for the tree top) and 4mm swarovski crystals.

I always have a hard time taking step by step photos for a how-to tutorial, the video is still the best way to give a tutorial, don’t you think so?  Please email me or leave me a comment if it’s worth doing a video tutorial for this piece.  I’m sure if you are already into jewelry-making you can figure it out by just looking at the photos here and the materials I used which I mentioned above.

Paper Bead Christmas Star Ornament

Posted on Nov 13, 2009 in How-To's / Tutorials | 6 comments

This Christmas instead of sending Christmas cards I thought making Christmas star ornament  from paper beads for my clients and contacts in the home care industry.  The star ornament reminds me of Christmas lanterns we hung from our windows as a child.  I know they will think about me as they hang these little star ornament on their Christmas trees.

The materials used for this project: paper bead tubes (I’m sure by now you have made quite a few), 3-4mm glass beads or crystals, 24 gauge craft wire and ribbon.  The paper bead tubes are made with the bamboo rollers we have and you can use your leftover holiday paper.

I made a video on how-to :

I thought that the little star ornament would also be nice as a gift tag.

I think this would be nice also as a garland and hang it up by the fire place or around your Christmas Tree.