As the holidays get closer, we know there will be some people we want to give presents to.  Yet, if you don’t have a big budget, what can you do?   Well, you can make them a gift!

One thing you can make is jewelry. Jewelry is a gift that can be used longer than baked goods. Additionally, sometimes it is even cheaper.   Here are 2 easy types of jewelry to make: beaded earrings or bracelets.  Earrings are usually cheaper to make as there are less beads involved.

If you shop well, acrylic beads for making bracelets can be quite affordable. Matching jewelry sets are appreciated by many people!  So lets go over how to make jewelry!

Getting Started

First you need to get supplies.  Most craft stores will have what you need.  For either project you need:  beads, round nose pliers and wire cutters. For earrings you additionally need headpins, earwires and tweezers. If you are making bracelets, memory wire is needed.  Many people will make both and then mix and match as appropriate.

Remember that fancier beads will make fancier jewelry. Inexpensive earthstone, pearl or glass beads can look very fashionable.

Making The Jewelry

Both types of jewelry need loops to be created. Use your round nose pliers to create these. Wirecutters make trimming off extra wire a snap.

For earrings:  add beads to each headpin, close off headpin with a loop and attach the loop to the earwires’ loop.

For bracelets: start by making a loop at the end of the wire. Add your beads to the wire to your desired length. Close off the memory wire with a loop when you are finished.

Nice Touches

Putting the earrings on cardboard or a blank business card makes them look more professional. Storing the jewelry in a baggie tends to help make certain that the jewelry stays in new condition for giving.  If you have extra jewelry boxes around, these help even more.

Have a great time giving such lovely presents!

Go here for all your Jewelry Making Supplies

Image credit to http://www.flickr.com/photos/thechainmaillelady/

Clay Pot Crafts:

How to Make a Decorative Bell

Clay crafts are great for making pots for the home  and clay flower pots can be crafted into many different decorative and appealing things for gardeners.  Usually, the crafter begins with new pots and these pots are then  decorated with colored paints and may even be tied together with rope create unique objects. Pots for this craft can be purchased in a variety of different sizes, ranging from very small pots no more than 2 inches in diameter, to very large ones over a foot across.

To practice, start with the smaller sized pots. A good craft for someone new to clay pot crafts is to make a bell from two clay pots.  Ensure that one pot is about five or six inches in diameter, and the other one should be smaller.  You will use the small one as the clapper for the bell.

Additionally, you will also need some craft supplies to decorate including  cord, two large wooden beads, and the paint you have chosen in your desired colors. Also think about purchasing some glue-on jewels to decorate the bell to make it that much more attractive.  The bell will then make a really nice decoration for a front porch. Don’t forget to add some holly and other greenery at Christmas time.

Measure and cut a two feet (60 cm.) piece of cord. Then fold the end over 3 inches (8 cm.) and tie in an overhand knot, making a loop.  This loop is for hanging the bell from a hook or a nail.  Now turn the larger clay pot upside-down and pass the loose end of the cord down through the hole in the pot. Now lay the pot on its side and slide one of the large wooden beads up the cord until it is about 10 inches (25 cm.) from the loose end.

Now tie the cord around the bead so that it cannoy slip from its position.  If you have done this correctly, you can lift the pot by the loop.  In clay pot crafts, the beads must be large enough to stop the cord from sliding through the hole in the bottom of the pot. On the loose end of the cord, you are going to attach the small pot in the same way.  Slide the small pot up the cord to make it easier to tie the other large wooden bead on the end of the cord.

Now when you lift the entire arrangement by the loop, the smaller pot should hang freely inside the larger pot, making a pleasant sound when it claps against the larger pot. When making hanging clay pot crafts, always make sure the beads are large enough and are tied tightly in place, because the clay pots will break if they fall.

Now you are ready to decorate the outside of the larger pot with the paint you have chosen. You may also like to decorate the top of the bell with a ribbon bow.  Clay pot crafts are especially suited to being displayed outside. Look here to be inspired!