BohoChic Necklaces

I was at an outdoor event recently and was wearing one of my favorite  choker necklaces.  On more than one occasion I had customers asking me if I had anymore like the one I was wearing.  My 19 year old niece was with me and she even said to me that I had to make more in the color I had (the color I was wearing was an earthy tone amber color. 

Now mind  you these are close to your neck because they are made with a memory wire (which I totally love love!!!) I think they look chic and sexy.  You can dress up your choker necklace or dress it down.  It all depends on what exactly you are looking in the look that you want to accomplish. 


Most of mine have always been done with seed beads (6/0) of which I have always purchased at my local AC Moore or you can go to any local craft store online to order these as well.  You can find these in a variety of colors and I always put a pretty charm or larger bead as the center piece.

These are just very nice to wear when you don’t want to wear a long necklace or you just want to wear something that says a lot with so little.

Be creative with these when making them and of course have fun with your beads.

Materials I use:

Memory wire
Memory wire cutter
Seed beads
Charm or larger bead for your center piece
Nose plier
Earring component to put your center piece charm on
Jump ring to connect your charm to

I always measure my memory wire around my neck to determine my size.  Most of time I just uncoil the wire and cut it when I see it's almost going around twice.


I use my nose pliers to bend one end so that the beads don't come off.  Here is a tip string a nice bead first this way you have something different on each end.

I string all my beads though and I keep measuring it around my neck just to make sure I am ring on the money for the center charm.  Once I have determined where my charm goes I string that in and then continue with the smaller beads until I get to the other end of my wire.


Once I am there I then measure one more time (at this point you might have about 2-3 inches of wire left and that's ok).  Once I check that the center piece and the choker necklace is where I want to go around my neck I then cut off the remainder of the wire with my memory wire cutter.

You are all done! Once you have made one for yourself you will know how much wire to cut this way you are not wasting too much wire.  Just keep in mind that depending on the size of the bead you might need that extra 2-3 inches of wire this is why I tend to cut extra to make sure I have room to play with my beads.

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Warm weather calls for...

So let's see this to me I'd say calls for food, friends, beach, sand and oh wait! Cute accessories to wear!

So let's start off with one of my favorites: choker necklace made of cotton or hemp(macreme). Then some earrings maybe an ankle bracelet or barefoot sandal and a couple of boho chic crochet bracelets and maybe finish it off with a cute flower barrette. Talk about bohochic cuteness!

I believe that you can wear accessories that will play well in the hot weather. You don't want something heavy that's going to drive you crazy because it's humid outside and hey you know yourself if you're anything like me you will want to rip it off cause you're annoyed that it's hot and clunky and you won't want to wear anything.

Well I can tell you that my style of making jewelry has always been to make things that not only will make you look cute and relaxed but you can definitely wear it anytime of the year it just all depends on how you want to dress up or down your outfit.

What I make I feel and believe in strongly it will keep looking cute and fabulous.  Here I am showing you a couple of crochet seed bead bracelets, a very chic pair of crochet earrings with hand sewn seed beads as well. All the key components I mentioned in the beginning to make your outfit.

I used Aunt Lydia's crochet thread #3/yarn for the earrings - which I normally find a variety of colors and thread size at Jo-Ann Fabric. As for the embroidery floss/thread for the bracelets I find a big variety at Michaels.

Remember hot weather doesn't mean no accessories...just find the right pieces that will work well with the weather.

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It's all about you

Crochet Necklace by
Yolanda's Creations

I remember one time wishing I had all the jewelry I could think of possibly having. I used to go to a store (back when I lived in Florida) that was the 'go to' store for all costume jewelry. Fast forward to now...I feel still don't have enough jewelry! Ha!
Hey one can not tell a woman that loves her accessories you have enough...and with that I mean purses, shoes, earrings, bracelets, rings OMG this list can keep going. So you get the picture.


Crochet Necklace by
Yolanda's Creations

My first creation were earrings and then seed bead necklaces. Let me tell you, now when I look back at those first pieces I am so surprised to see how far I have come. My pieces are better, prettier and more elaborate if I don't say so myself.
So if you are just starting out making jewelry don't think you cant do it. Or it's too complicated. I will say this much I didn't have a 'niche' as some people have said in the past. People used to tell me find your niche and everything will fall in its place.

Well now I found it and it's crocheting along with my beads. I still do both I just incorporate both more every time I get a chance. Listen it's all about you and your moment...if you believe in yourself and believe in what you are making people will see that and learn to appreciate if they don't already appreciate it.

I feel that it's all up to me to have it be all about me..
Find your niche and you will see what you are good at or better at.

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Trends We Love

From what I see now a lot of the accessories (to me) tend to have a look and feel what years past. I like knowing that I still have pieces of accessories (obviously before I started making my own) that are back in style.

I have always enjoyed wearing short necklaces and I remember one day wanting to wear a long thin one that I felt would look nice with my outfit. I actual felt like I was going against all accessory rules! I was a rebel I guess...I wore it!
And now look at this it's actually perfectly fine to layer on the necklaces...from short with long or suede choker with a long silver necklaces...I guess in a way it's like stacking your bracelets it no longer needs to be only one bracelet or one color or one type, you can layer the skinny bracelets with chunky bangles or even a toggle.

Be adventurous...give it a try!

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Crochet Necklace/Bracelet

crochet necklace bracelet,
color: rust thread
amber gold seed beads

Here is something very cute and dainty and I love making these! I love the fact that I can wear it as a necklace or as a wrap around bracelet.



Since I am trying to incorporate all of my talents into multiple uses here is one creation that did from embroidery thread and seed beads.

crochet necklace bracelet
color: agua blue
blue opague seed beads

I start off by stringing about 100 seed beads (using a needle to help string them) and if I plan on using a charm I will string that as well or if you forget to string the charm that is fine too just use a jump ring to secure it wherever you want afterwards.  Anyway, so string all your beads and crochet away.  I would crochet 3 single crochet and bring one of the beads and crochet that into my next stitch and I would continue to do this til I got to the length I wanted my necklace to be.  Now keep in mind this is what I did so that it can accommodate my wrist and the length I want for a necklace you do what you feel you want and need to accommodate what you want. 

Once I reached the length I wanted (which is approximately 20 inches long) I would then close it off by making a loop and I would attach my bead or button afterwards.  Remember when creating your loop you want to make sure whatever bead or button you want to use will fit through your loop.

Be creative with this idea…you can use hemp (which I did as well), embroidery thread, friendship thread, Aunt Lydia’s yarn (3ply) which is very thin (I used this as well)  FYI: with the Aunt Lydia’s yarn I found I could find more variety of color at Joann’s.  Most of my threads I purchased from AC Moore or Michaels.  

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Even A Tee Can Be Dressed Up...

For as long as I can remember when I started making jewelry (way before crocheting) I made a collection of bracelets that I decided to just call t-shirt bracelets. They were a combo of 5/0 - 10/0 seed beads and a mixture of other glass beads to compliment the smaller beads.

People would ask me why the name and I would tell them the story behind it. It was simple...one day my husband and I were getting ready to visit some friends for a bbq and I didn't have any accessory to go with this cute t-shirt he had gotten me that said in the front 'baby girl'..it was cute! Light pastel pink with a soft brown script writing and some silver glitter.  You can actually wear these as a single bracelet or stack them up with a variety of colors and textures. You can even wear them all year round!

So I quickly said to myself I need to make something quick - I felt naked without some sort of accessory - and I need promote what I am making so people can ask. I need to make something really quick to go with this cute tee.  Immediately I started to pick random beads that would compliment the colors and was stinging feverishly and I made not only a necklace but made some of these bracelets.

I tell you when I was done it was amazing how everything looked at the end. This is how I came up with this concept...I love to wear t-shirts on my casual days and if I can wear something  that will jazz up my tee I will do that... OR I will make it! Look at it this way it's a plain canvas all you have to do is paint it...with Beads!!!

Have fun making these! Happy beading and crocheting!!! 

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Earring Assortment

I know I have said before that I love wearing accessories.  Earrings to me make an outfit (along with all of the other accessories) it just pulls it together.


crochet round earrings

hoop earrings

You can dress up your earrings or dress them down.  It all depends on your style you know? From chandelier style earrings to glass beads, acrylic or even antique metal earrings - you call the style and the earrings will complete it.  Now lets not go all crazy and pick something that won't complement your face.  You have to take that into consideration just as much as the color and style.

For example, long faces should use or can use chandelier earrings; a rounder fuller face will look better in long and dangly earrings because it will make your face look thinner; and lets not forget if you are trying to look professional don't wear flashy earrings.  Now this is just me suggesting what I think would look good but you can wear whatever your heart desires.

chandelier earrings

I love chandelier earrings but I have to wear those with my hair up because it just blends in too much with my hair and it will take away from my showing off my pretty earrings.  I love how hoop earrings look on me but I have to as well wear my hair up and away from my face.  Little earrings are nice for a casual outfit (for me).  Either way pick what will compliment your face and your outfit.  Try different colors that will stand out and compliment your complexion.

Have fun making these! Happy beading and crocheting!!! 

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Antique Metal Necklaces

When I started making these I was mesmerized by some that I saw in a trendy store.  I said to myself wow these are so funky and can be worn with just about anything.  What I noticed was that they did look like they were made in a hurry there was nothing that made me want to buy them.  However, it did make me want to make some…but I didn’t have any of those metal chains at home. 

So one day I was going through my old jewelry box and came across some old metal necklaces that I used to wear (more like chokers) and came across a few long ones which were actually belly chains.   So I decided well I am not wearing these anymore and I loved the style of the antique metal so I started cutting it up and making it into a necklace.  I would sometimes combine more than one to make a longer necklace.

Needless to say I fell in love with the way it looked that I ventured to Michael’s and found a variety of metal chains and components (Later on it became what was called steampunk…or maybe it was always called that  and I just realized it after the fact LOL).

Most of my necklaces are long and some are short but most are long.  I like the way they make a business outfit look young and fresh and not so stuffy.

These are all fun pieces for me.  This is such a fun piece! To think the must for this creation was an old broken belly chain!?  I feel that all of my antique metal necklaces and bracelets are classic yet funky.  You can mix and match the styles of the chains and pendants to make whatever your heart desires.  Try making some today you will see how much fun you will have making them.

Details: Antiqued bronze colored metal , glass beads, measures 21in long. 

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Accessories Accessories...

ribbon wrapped bangle

I have always loved to have one or two or more accessories …as long as it didn’t look tacky or way over the top.  You know accessorizing the right amount of everything.



fabric necklace multi color

When I started making jewelry it was all about the necklaces and earrings.  Then I ventured into making all sorts of bracelets from toggle to lobster clasp to bangles.  Then when I started to crochet (thanks for my mother) I started to crochet necklaces, bracelets and earrings and scarves to shawls – talk about accessorizing! 

Who would’ve thought right?  That you can make so much with so much...especially since I already had pretty much the basis.

 

faux pearl, wood and metal
toggle bracelet

crochet earwarmer/headband

fabric cover button ring

Well I also took the opportunity to utilize my sewing skills (again thanks to my mother) and would do as much as I could with fabric and the sewing machine.  Oh wait let’s not forget I also would get the essential items to do fabric covered rings.



silver plated hoop earrings
amber glass beads

I can honestly say from where I started almost 10 years ago to where I am today I just keep evolving and making more things time and time again. 

Sometimes I will take something I made a long time ago and restore it and renew it to give it a new life.  

crochet small hairband
with flower & button

So here are some of my past and present items from beads to yarn.  The wrapped bangle I used a bangle that I purchased from DIY Bangles and the yarn is from Lion Brand called Incredible, the fabric necklace I purchased the t-shirts from AC Moore to make these, the earwarmer this my mom crochet and sewed the crochet flower on to it with a button(she's so creative),  the toggle bracelet I purchased all of the materials from Michaels, the hoop earrings I purchased the hoops and beads from AC Moore, the fabric covered ring I purchased the ring base from Oriental Trading and the button covers from JoAnn's and last but not least the small hairband I crochet the flower from leftover yarn and used a hair band from the Dollar Store.

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Stack 'em up bracelets...

green seed beads bracelet

So when I first started making jewelry about 9 or so years ago one of the first things I wanted to make were bracelets – stretchy ones.  I wanted to make a bunch that would stack up to look like I had a gazillion of them LOL.

So I went to Michaels first and purchased what they had which was a Blue Moon kit of different size beads but it had more small ones (seed beads) then big ones.

baby blue & pink & cream
 seed bead bracelet

I ventured to making and break a bunch.  I say brake because I was still learning how to make them and when I first started I was making them to small so when I would stretch them to put them on beads went flying.

I then as the years would go by I knew I had to teach myself a lot of things and sometimes (as with my crocheting) I learn better with seeing and doing then reading.  So I would research online how to make a better bracelet and discovered that I needed to make sure I had the correct size first.  Geezz!!! I didn’t realize that…basically I had to measure the outside of my hand (around in  a circle) of which then I discovered I was a size 7 for my wrist…yep that measurement determined my wrist size.


wooden and brown seed
bead bracelet

I was glad I learned that info because that became so instrumental when someone would want to buy one of my bracelets and they were surprised when I would tell them how to determine their size.

Great info…!!!

So anyway these here I made with the thin stretch band call Stretch Magic .5mm which I purchased at Michaels or AC Moore and the beads I used were from the same place.  However, AC Moore has these great tubes from Beaders Paradise with these 6/0  & 10/0 Czech Glass Beads that I totally LOVE!!! And especially when they have them on sale.

Embellish them but adding a cute charm to it if you want (I did).  Have fun making these.  Stack them if you want or wear them with other bracelets…it’s all up to you.

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Statement Necklaces

The latest trend I have noticed are statement necklaces.  Funny that that’s considered a trend now…it’s always been a classic (to me).  You wear something that makes a statement – in a necklace! Yes a necklace!

I have always been a fan of your jewelry sayng something not something being said of your jewelry (in a bad way).  You always want your necklace to say something beautiful that compliments your outfit, your face, your shoes etc.

Here is one of my versions of a statement necklace.  It’s made with one of my favorite components antique metal which I actually purchased in the clearance section at Michaels.  I also added some pieces that were leftover (orphan beads as they call them) to these pieces.  The other piece is from an old necklace (upcycle) that I had in a box.  It needed to be bought back to life. So I did, I added new gold plated rings and chains and now I think it has a new purpose.  I do go through a lot of my old pieces and give them a new life. You'd be surprised what you can take that is old and not used and repurpose the pieces for a totally new look and design.

To me a statement necklace should be something that copliments you all the time…make it pretty, make it be you!