DIY Tattoo Choker

There were so many trends from the 90's that should definitely stay there and be forgotten about, but tattoo chokers aren't one of them! I was so pleased when I saw that they were making a comeback, along with 90's grunge fashion. I definitely wore beaded ones back in the day, although I wasn't particularly fashionable or "grungey", much like the people dressing like that today!

I was outraged when I saw that Topshop were selling these stretchy chokers for £5.00 each! Something so expensive for something so simple to make. Even Claire's Accessories are selling them for £4.50. No thank you! It was at this point that I started researching how to make them. I found a couple of really-good YouTube videos that taught me the technique, but I wanted to add beads too and no one had attempted that yet (from what I had seen anyway...)


I had a bit of a play around with making a couple of bracelets before giving the choker a go and I think I have worked out the technique.

I used 0.7mm Stretch Magic in Black, size 8 black Czech glass seed beads and a size 3 crimp tube to finish it off. I do explain an alternative way of finishing in the choker in the video above.

Have fun going back to the 90's! Be sure to share a pic on Instagram with me, @TheCornerofCraft, by using #TheCornerofCraft (or #TheCofC if you can't be bothered to type it all out...)

Easter Delights!

I've not been very well this past week, due to a cold I caught! I guess that's the risk that comes with working with the public... Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I made a cute rabbit and didn't know what to do with him. I asked the boyfriend and he told me to make it into a pendant with carrot earrings! I thought the idea was cute, but I took what he said and ran with it, and this adorable necklace was born!

**EDIT!! Bunny necklace is now available on my Etsy shop!**

Let me know what you think!

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring Fala...

For those of you who don't know, the post title is a song by Gilbert and Sullivan... It's a treat so I will put a link to it here!

So we had a (small) spell of sunny weather! It has since been taken over by rain, but that's fine! Flowers need rain to grow. I decided to make some lovely, springtime/summery bracelets for you and they're available on my Etsy shop now! So far I only have a daisy chain and a sunflower bracelet, but there will be more to come :)

The Sunflower Bracelet - £6.50

And the Daisy Chain Bracelet! - £6.50

One of my friends loves daisies and asked if I could make a daisy chain necklace (£10)! Of course I obliged and this is how it looks:

If you like any of the items of jewellery I make, but would like them in another form, don't be afraid to message me! You can message me via Facebook (http://facebook.com/thecornerofcraft), via Etsy (http://etsy.com/shop/thecornerofcraft) or just email me directly (thecornerofcraft@gmail.com)! I really am friendly and don't bite, so don't be afraid :P

Watch this space for more flowery bracelets! If you'd like a tutorial on how to make these yourself, leave a comment on this post and let me know :D

Getting Brave with Brick Stitch

As you may have read in a previous post, I've just started to bead weave. I'm nowhere near spectacular enough to make all kinds of extravagant pieces, but I have learnt how to do different things!

 My latest endeavour with brick stitch, which is all I can manage at the moment regarding bead weaving, is making cute candy/sweet pendants or charms!! Check out the array that I have created:

And then I started to make bow necklaces too :D

This is actually a violet colour but my camera hates purple...

These items are now available in my Etsy shop!! Link here.

Let me know what you think of the new photographing technique btw! Thought I'd try something different :)

Caring For Silver Plated Jewellery

I thought I would write a post on this because a lot of things I have learnt about caring for silver plated jewellery, I have learnt since starting my job at The Bead Shop! Many things are probably obvious to some people, but I hadn't even thought of them before I was told.

Silver plated jewellery means that the bass metal (which can be copper, brass, steel, pewter, among others) has a thin coating of silver on top of this. This coating wears off over time, but there are ways to slow how quickly it's wearing! Also it's important to remember that all metal tarnishes over time. There are ways to prevent the speed that it happens at and also ways to correct it.

Image from my Etsy shop

Preventing Fade and Tarnishing

Firstly try to avoid your jewellery coming in contact with moisturisers or perfumes. The chemicals will react with the plating and will cause it to tarnish quicker. Apply the moisturiser or perfume before putting the jewellery on to limit contact.

Keep the jewellery dry. Don't wear the piece if you're going swimming and definitely don't wear it in the shower!

Store the jewellery in a resealable bag, preferably with an anti-tarnish tab, to significantly slow tarnishing time. The bag will limit contact with air the piece of jewellery has. You can buy anti-tarnish tabs online and they're quite inexpensive!

Image from Mailorder-Beads.co.uk

Try not to sleep in it! The tossing and turning in the night will not only add stress to delicate pieces of jewellery, possibly causing them to break, but it may also cause the plating to wear off quicker. We also tend to sweat at night, which will also cause a reaction.

Cleaning Your Jewellery

If your piece of jewellery is tarnished, be sure not to use harsh chemicals to clean it. It is important to clean them often to keep them looking nice and shiny, but the chemicals are designed for "pure" metals instead of the more-delicate plated metal. The chemicals will cause the item to fade!

Instead of chemicals, use a damp cloth, such as a hand towel, and wipe gently. Use a clean towel to dry off the dampness and this should restore its shine.

If you think I've missed anything off, please let me know in the comments!!

New Products to The C of C on Etsy!

So it's been a while since I updated my Etsy shop and I realise how annoying that can be! I'm so sorry if anyone has been waiting for an update!

I decided to try out a new product after seeing an idea in a magazine that we stock at work, called Bead & Jewellery. It was a bead woven bunting necklace. I'd never tried bead weaving before and thought it would be highly laborious and a bit of a pain, but I was proven wrong!

Bead & Jewellery Magazine. Image from mailorder-beads.co.uk

I love bunting. It's my dream to learn to sew and I would have bunting everywhere! One day I will learn, but in the meantime, I will just make bunting to wear around my neck! I grabbed a few Miyuki Delica beads, some bead weaving thread and a needle and got making! I picked it up surprisingly quickly and was soon able to make some adjustments so my bead weaving was straighter.

The first couple of necklaces I made, I emulated the style in the magazine, with more spaced-out "flags". I liked how it looks, but I also wanted to add my own spin on it and make it more "my own". The next one I made, I attached each flag with a jump ring between and I much preferred that!

First necklace I made with spaced flags.

Then I decided I liked them like this more!

After mastering the triangular flags, I thought I'd try something a little more seasonal. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so I found a tutorial for brick stitch hearts! The heart bunting necklace was then made! I love the solid colours of them. They remind me of LoveHeart sweets!

Available in 3 colours!

If you're interested in purchasing one of these necklaces, check out my Etsy shop!