It's a good time of year to be planning the gifts you want to make for family and friends for Christmas (or any holiday or birthday or -- well, who needs a reason?).  While most of the women we know will enjoy earrings, necklaces or bracelets, jewelry for men is trickier.

This Herringbone Chain and Leather Woven Bracelet is easy and very gender neutral.  The rolo chain is available in a number of finishes, and leather also comes in a wide array of colors.

What you'll need

• 7mm rolo chain
  
• 1.5mm leather
  
• 2 to 4 large-hole beads for the ends (optional)
  

How much will you need?  This will depend on the number of rows of chain and the bracelet length.  For a standard 7 inch bracelet with 3 rows of chain you’ll need 21 inches of chain.  Leather can be harder to estimate, but again, for this length, cut 7 1/2 to 8 feet.

3.  Bring one end of the leather through the next row of links, pulling the leather gently until it is snug against the chain. 

4.  Bring the other end of leather through the same row of links in the opposite direction, again pulling gently against the chain.

5.  Continue weaving the leather through the links until you get to the end.

6.  Finish the bracelet by weaving the leather through the links you started with (there will be 4 lengths of leather through these links, which provides the tension needed for keeping the bracelet snug). 

7.  Open the bracelet so it is wide enough to fit over your hand.  Tie a knot in each length of leather so it is next to the chain, which will keep the bracelet from being too big.  Add a decorative element as desired and finish by tying another knot.  Pull the knots snug, and cut remaining leather.

21 REASONS FOR BUYING BEADS
REASON NUMBER ONE:  Baggies and tubes of beads tightly packed in various containers make an excellent insulation for the home.

We don't know the origins of this list, and really, who needs a reason?  Still, it doesn't hurt to have some handy replies for the occasional skeptic (generally a family member unclear on the concept).

We buy beads because they're beautiful, because they add beauty to our lives, because we love the process of combining colors and textures into new designs.

What are your reasons for buying beads?  If it's "just because," we're right with you!  Let us know--perhaps we'll compile another list of 21 reasons.

Looking for more easy projects?  We had fun this past weekend with this wire and bead wrapped ring.  It's easy enough for youngsters (under 8 will need help) and adaptable for all ages & genders (because, really, who doesn't want a Super Powers ring?).

For each ring you'll need one bead about 8mm to 10mm round(ish), and one foot of craft wire.  20 gauge wire is best, but younger folks may find it easier to work with 22 gauge.

1) Center the bead on the wire by bringing the ends together and letting them overlap a bit.

2) Continue to wrap the wire (with the bead in the center) around the finger where it will be worn.  Keep it somewhat loose--it'll tighten up more as you keep working.

3) Keeping the ring on the finger, continue wrapping the wires around the finger in opposite directions, ending so the wires lay parallel on opposite sides of the bead.  It may be easier to do this with the ring off the finger--just be careful to keep from pulling too tight.

4) Working one side at a time, wrap the wires around the bead, ending so the wires are still parallel on opposite sides with about 1 inch of wire remaining.

5) Finish by wrapping the remaining ends of the wire around each side of the ring's shank.  Use wire cutters to trim any parts that poke out, and use pliers or the rounded end of a crimp tool to tuck the ends in close.

You're all finished!    Now go out into the world with your super powers and do good things.

Ask people what they enjoy about beading, and you're likely to hear that they find it peaceful, relaxing, that they enjoy the variety of colors and textures and the feel of different beads.  As one person I know puts it, it's like "painting with beads."

Beads have been used around the world for centuries to represent the spiritual.  And beads are beautiful.  Isn't this a great way to represent our unseen spirits, our higher power, our souls?  The beauty of the inner self represented by the beauty of beads.

Most of the major religions use beads to help focus and guide people in prayer and reflection.  Some include specific colors to represent spiritual energy.

We offer a Rosary Making Workshop and you'll also find a free tip sheet on our website with a list of materials and the layout.  If you come to the shop for supplies we're happy to help you select your beads and components.  We have a wide selection of crosses, crucifixes and centers.

We also have a workshop for making a Shamballa bracelet that includes information about the colors and their meanings.  This tip sheet is also available on our website or at the shop.  We also have information and kits for making Anglican prayer beads, and can help you select beads to use for a mala.  

So let your spirit help you find the beads and materials that add joy and beauty to your life.  We can help too.

You get to a certain age and you notice a familiarity to some things.  Kind of a delayed deja vu.  Then it hits you--Vintage is back in style.  The jewelry your grandmother wore, that you swore you wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, now feels warm, fuzzy & comforting.

You might be wondering what to do with the necklace that belonged to your great aunt.  It has a lot of sentimental value, but the style is not quite right.  Take it apart, re-design it, add or remove some elements so it's still your great aunt's, but it's also "you."  Consider these ideas:

• Make it longer
  
• Make it shorter
  
• Add more strands
  
• Remove strands
  
• Add newer beads
  
• Remove some beads
  
• Add chain
  
• Add a focal piece
  
• Use new findings
  
• Update the color palette (especially easy with crystals and pearls)
  

One thing your grandmother didn't have--internet!  Pinterest is great for creating a spark when you're stuck for ideas.  These images of vintage and re-purposed vintage show how you can re-make something that preserves the vintage look, or use the beads to create a very modern design.

What are some things you've done with the family treasures?  Send pictures or comments, because we're all about show & tell!

I was invited to a bead retreat a couple of weekends ago -- and yes, it is as delightful as it sounds.  Spending a weekend with about 20 other women, all accomplished and talented beaders, is inspiring to say the least.  It also gave me the chance to work on a couple of projects that I just hadn't gotten to.

The January, 2013 issue of BeadWork magazine had a design for a bangle bracelet made with peanut beads that intrigued me.  (Yea, I know that's over one year ago.  So I'm not Johnny-on-the-spot, OK?)  I've also been meaning to try cubic right angle weave, because everyone around me seems to be loving this stitch and I hadn't yet tried it.

Let's start with the peanut bead bangle.  Essentially this is flat right angle weave that gets stitched into a tube.  Since I don't like to wear bracelets, I stitched the tube but skipped the part that turns it into a bangle.  I do things like that a lot.

I let the peanut tube sit around while I started work on a cubic right angle weave rope.  As the rope progressed, I had a sudden light bulb moment:  String the tube on the rope, and the bangle becomes a necklace!

I finished the ends of the peanuts tube with a little peyote stitch ruffle, made a toggle and loop for the rope, and inspiration meets function.

When have you taken a pattern and, with just a little change, created a new design?  I'd love to hear about (and see pictures) of your creative experiments (or sometimes accidents).  

This fun project does double duty:  The Interchangeable Headband / Necklace.  Why didn't we think of this before?  Attach a pony-tailer at the end for a headband, and remove it to use as a necklace.  A lobster clasp and an extra jump ring are all you need.

Great for back to school, you can make this simple for summer fun, or fancy it up for special occasions.  Make this for your flower girl and she'll have a special memento for years.  We've put together a simple how-to for you.  Check it out!

Some people are thinking "back to school", but we're still thinking "summer fun", because, well, why not?  So here's a fun project that's great for ages 8 and up:  The Easy Ball Chain Bracelet.

You noticed the word easy?  Yea, that kind of says it all.  Take two lengths of ball chain and two lengths of cord.  Wrap one length of cord around the two lengths of chain, wrapping on the diagonal.  Wrap the second length of cord back on the other diagonal.  Having left six to eight inches of cord on each end, you'll lay them parallel and with another length of cord make square knots around them for the closure.  There you have it -- easy!

We've experimented with some different cords and have used embroidery floss with the tiny ball chain, though it's a little trickier to manage.  But our favorite cord in the .8mm Chinese knotting cord.  It comes in a wide range of colors and, because it's nylon, you can melt the ends and avoid having big lumpy knots.

We have detailed instructions for you too -- you know, how much cord to cut & stuff.  Check it out.

Have you been making easy summer projects?  Send us photos -- we love show & tell.

Click HERE for instructions for the Easy Ball Chain Bracelet.

If your memory is a little hazy about making square knots, click HERE for those instructions.

You're welcome to stop by the shop any time and we'll help you out.

Summer always seems so slow and lazy on TV and in my memories, but now it seems to be over before I even realize it's begun!  

Maybe that's why we've had so many people liking the Bead & Rings Wrap Bracelets--they're easy, they're quick, and they're good for ages 8 and up.  And no special tools or techniques are needed.