Design Idea of the Week - Orange Crush (or Crushed by Orange?)

Mouthwatering citrus - some say orange is one of the most difficult to colours to work with, but it's also one of the most vibrant, bringing to mind juicy tropical fruit, fragrant citrus groves, and bright fake tans (okay, so the last one isn't so uplifting, sorry) So here's a bracelet idea using the work of the talented fhfteam.

The standard starting point - a cool focal bead. Only this time, it's a focal button by helengbeads worked in incredibly vibrant yellows and oranges. After all, there's no reason you can't use a button as a focal: I'd weave some cotton cord up through one button hole and down through the other so that the button lies flat.

Another option though would be to use copper jumprings through the button holes in order to connect it to the main part of the bracelet, and to complement the warm colours of the glass. 

And for juicy little spacers, here's a set of gorgeous tangerine beads by dangerousbead
 - and doesn't that streaky orange glass just scream lollipops and boiled sweets? With a 1.6mm hole, they'd can be threaded onto some 1mm cotton cord along with the focal. 

To lighten up the orange a little, strategically place this pair of shineon2's light but warm yellow bead pair in amongst the other spacer beads. 

Design Idea of the Week - Tasty Treat

A classic summer tradition is ice-cream, whether it's eaten plain in a cone or as an elaborate sundae so this week's design idea draws inspiration from the yummy colours of these cool tasty treats.

How about a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream (soy of course) drizzled with thick ribbons of caramel sauce to start with? Indulge without the calories with BeadsByStephanie's focal lentil. Wire the focal with some copper wire, then hang the provided acccent beads from the bottom from large to small to make a trail of 'ice cream' drips for a real statement pendant!

Midgetgembead's delicious creamy beads continue the theme, so link a few of these hot caramel drenched delights with some more copper wire:

 
And of course, no ice-cream is complete without a sprinkling of nuts and hundreds & thousands, so link a few of these crunchy looking, cream beads from helbels in between your other beads:

And for a bit of pizazz, the cherry on top: sals25 has come up with some cute sweetie style beads, and the red ones would make a lovely pair of cherry inspired earrings, whilst the yellow and orange beads can be used as spacers in the necklace to represent Smarties or M&Ms, and pick up the colours in the beads above:

Enjoy this tasty treat, and thanks for looking!

Hazel

Design Idea of the Week - Into the Deep

Summer means a trip to the seaside for many people (which is followed by 2 hours hiding from the rain under brightly coloured shop awnings if you're British), so this week's idea is a bracelet and necklace set with a nautical theme.

Taking this absolutely adorable sailor girl focal from Sals25 as a starting point, we get a colour scheme of deep blue and white, classic nautical colours:

Use wrapped loops to hang her from the main necklace chain of wired-up beads, and add one of Pandanimal's frosted glass beads at the bottom of a dangle, to resemble beautifully tumbled sea glass:

To match the deep blue transparent and crisp white glass in the sailor girl's outfit, these beads by RedsBeads echo the colours, whilst the trails of organic silver and ivory around the beads are reminiscent of rocky shoals, and pebbled beaches where the little sailor girl wanders. Wire wrap a few of these beads with silver wire; using the tail of wrapped loops to make small spirals of wire, and gently pressing these flat against the beads will mimic curling waves:

Now for the bracelet, a simple strung creation would be fabulous for featuring JustDesireJewellery's iridescent shell bead. This shimmering focal holds the colours of the sea inside, and seems to catch the light in subtle waves:

And to make up the rest of the bracelet, try threading these oyster shell shaped white buttons by LushLampwork onto your stringing material:

And intersperse them with FiBead's luscious deep blue spacer beads. Meanwhile, the rest of the frosted and silver dotted beads would look lovely used to lengthen the necklace:

Thanks for reading!

Hazel

Design Idea of the Week - Dining In

Here's a departure from the usual Design Idea of the Week; an idea for the home instead. The FHFTeam members are a diverse bunch, and don't only make pieces to adorn people. So here are a few ideas designed to add some fizz and fun to your dining table.

I think a lot of people would agree that no matter how good the company, a fabulous dinner party usually requires a little touch of alcohol (or at least a classy fizzy drink in a proper bottle!) so why not keep the drinks fresh with this stunning glass bottle stopper by Steampunkglass. With delicate three-dimensional glass flowers embedded within crystal clear glass, it may even become an object of conversation (well, it's got to be more interesting that politics):

Need a centrepiece? In keeping with the theme of clear simplicity, how about this beautiful frosty bowl by DawnTurnerDesigns? It can be left as it is, or double up on functionality and rest special serving utensils and napkins on it at the beginning of the meal (just don't try to serve your soups in it, okay?)

Speaking of decoration, a few of FlyingCheeseToastie's clear glass leverets dotted strategically around the table, peering out from behind bowls and bottles, would add a lovely touch, and help to reflect the light:

Steampunkglass has another good idea for the dinner table; for those Asian-themed meals, a set of chopstick rests shaped like twisted leaves and made from clear boro glass infused with wisps of darker colours (and if you've already exhausted talking about the bottle stopper and politics, I'm sure these will perk up the conversation!)

And finally, one you've finished the meal and the wine/drink bottles are empty, Flyingbead has created a gorgeous dragon sculpture specially designed to turn old bottles into fantastical oil lamps, complete with fire-breathing...and placing a few around the room would produce a wonderfully cosy atmosphere for the next dinner party!

Thanks for reading!

Hazel

Design Idea - Woodland Whimsy

Spring sunshine, budding flowers, and new growth. Some folk say the fairies are hard at work creating Spring, and I'm certainly not going to contradict them (and not just because those people tend to have a oddly glazed look in their eyes) - Spring often does seem a time of magic, and so this week's design idea lets loose with woodland whimsy.

Some clasps are just too spectacular to remain on the back of your neck, and Disandland's sterling silver toggle definitely belongs in that class; the beautiful, dreamy etching wouldn't be out of place in a fairy tale.  We'll be bringing it round to the front for this week's necklace; position the clasp halfway down one of the necklace's sides for an off-centre look that will draw the eye.

At the front of the necklace, evenly space Helbels' colourful and delicate raised-floral beads , making sure the focal clasp is placed between two bead. Play around with the spacing so that this front piece is asymmetrical, but also well-balanced. Either use wire-wrapped links of accent beads to complete the necklace, or thread onto some cord.

It wouldn't be a complete set without the ubiquitous big-hole bracelet, would it? This pretty mini-set of beads by Beaujolais Beads will pick up the purple tones in some of the the necklace beads, whilst the raised florals continue the theme.

Since we're talking woodland whimsy, try an asymmetrical pair of earrings with these two adorable owl beads by Finishing Touch Jewels; there's no rule that says earring beads have to be the same, and the individuality of each owl bead will add a touch of personality to your earrings.

And for a final touch, add this cute mushroom by Shineon2 to a keychain; but be careful - it looks the sort of 'shroom that houses a tiny gnome (they live in mushrooms, don't ya know...or is that Smurfs?)


Thanks for looking!
Hazel

Design Idea - Something Old, Something New...you know the rest.

Making old into new is the idea behind this week's design - a necklace with the theme of recycling, upcycling, and cycling to the off-licence for pretty bottles of alcohol.

The focal point for the necklace is GaysieMay's key pendant in blue; an old key gains interest by the addition of a bead that was formed straight onto the metal. The symbol of a time-worn key is full of past intrigue and meaning, making it a perfect fit with the current trend for vintage treasures in jewellery, and adding an air of poingancy and mystery to the design.

Meanwhile the accent beads in GaysieMay's set provide mini-focal points when arranged between a selection of toning blue beads to make up the length of the necklace. These deliciously-coloured beads by Jeanniegems were created from Bombay Gin bottles, thus making sure no part of a night of fun is wasted.

The prevailing vintage trend also emphasises old (or pseudo-old) buttons, with many pieces of jewellery incorporating them in a variety of different ways. Why not use one of HelenPetersBeads' beautifully blue recycled wine bottle buttons as a clasp for your necklace, and cluster the rest with wire and add a brooch back to make a charming pin decoration for your coat or bag? 


Thanks for looking!
Hazel

Design Idea of the Week - Dragon Your Feet

Today's Design Idea is a flight of fancy; a necklace celebrating the fantastic, and perfect for those with a love of magic!

As our centrepiece, we have FlyingBead's  fabulous boroscillicate dragon pendant, worked in beautiful fiery oranges and reds, and with an integreated glass bail. To evoke a suitable medieval effect, try hanging him from the centre of some chainmaille; take a look at this beautiful necklace from ElelJewellery  for a fantastic example.

Or hang your dragon pendant from some cotton or hemp cord for a rustic look, and knot or wirewrap some of BeadupaStorm's unsual but very pretty dragon's teeth (several size available).

Or if you want a colour-matched look, make up a necklace of wire-wrapped toning beads, like Beaujolais Bead's fiery set of beads; the dragon will subtly pick up the orange shades in the beads, but you won't be subject to an orange overload!

 

Thanks for looking!
Hazel

Design Idea of the Week - Pastures Green

In advance of St. Patrick's Day, this week's design idea features green, green, and green. And then a bit more green. Did I mention the green?

As a starting point, I'd suggest this beautiful green focal from FluidGlassArtBeads with its bright Spring green colour and ethereal silver tree, it seems to evoke the pastoral landscapes of Ireland.

To contrast with the luminosity of the focal, try using etched beads in the main part of the necklace, like these from Cheeky Cherub Designs; the matte green will help to vary the tones and texture, whilst the fine silver trails on these lovely beads would pick up the tones of the silver glass tree beautifully.

And for the ever-popular big hole bead style, why not make a matching bracelet using LushLampwork's
etched bead sets....

...interspersed with HelenPetersBeads' trio of recycled green glass beads - and with a bit of imagination, the centre flowers can pass as four-leaf clovers!

And for the people out there who don't want to wear jewellery, but still want a splash of green, these funky green cufflinks made by GaysieMay  will brighten up your jacket with Irish pride!

Thanks for looking!
Hazel
   

Design Idea of the Week

This week's design idea has a slightly different slant to it; a selection of coordinating accessories designed to 'lift' neutral outfits, in a delicious fresh red, white and etc. colour scheme.



Setting the tone is this rose-covered buckle from DawnTurnerDesigns; used to fasten a toning scarf, as an accent on a bag, or to add a unique touch to your belt, it will definitely be a welcome change from everyday fastenings.

 

Teaming up with this is a set of pretty encased flower beads by MyPrecious; the flower theme continues, as does the colour scheme, with the subtle mint green base of these beads picking up the white background and green leaves in the buckle. Pair with LushLampwork's sage green toggle clasp and spacers set to make a complementing bracelet.

If you want to pick up more of the reds in the buckle, or don't fancy making your own bracelet, FunkyCow has a simple and delicate example made with her own lampwork beads that will perk up any outfit.

And finally, your coat make be feeling a bit left out, so why not try a touch of customizing, and add these matching buttons from HelenPetersBeads  (or pop them on your trousers, bag or anything that can be sewn!)

Designs Ideas from the FHFTeam

'Fab and funky' are the words for this week's idea; a take on bright carnival colours that can't help but shine through the winter gloom.

Starting off with a true attention-grabber, MangoBeads' giant (33mm) wheel-shaped focal makes the perfect centre-piece for a necklace - use a lark's head knot to secure cord through the large hole and hang it centrally, or make it a feature toggle clasp by forging your own accompanying bar from heavy gauge wire.

 After such a colourful start, a few pretty swirled citrus yellow beads by ARJewellery  can hold their own as spacers, without causing too much dizziness!

 But of course, a carnival necklace must be allowed to have a bit more colour, so adding two of Nemeton's joyful beaded beads at mid-points in the necklace pumps the colour level higher, and adds some fun, funky texture too.

For a final extra eye-popping effect, go crazy adding these buttons by Pandanimal to everything you can find, to get the true carnival look!

Design Ideas from the FHFTeam

The shops are bursting with hearts, and naturally Valentine's Day is on everyone's mind right now -  especially if you have someone special in mind. Today's design idea from the FHFTeam is for a romantic pastel necklace.

To make up the length of the necklace, these fabulous Raspberry Shake beads by beaujolaisbeads with a pretty subtle pink swirl can be wire-wrapped and interspersed with some yummy pink frit-sprinkled beads by Glittering Prize

Beaujolais Beads - Raspberry Shake





Glittering Prize - Pink to Make the Boys Wink



And of course, a Valentine necklace needs a suitable romanctic focal point; for the traditional effect, this delicate heart focal bead by HelenGBeads would tone well with the rest of the piece, whilst the smaller pink and clear beads can be used to make up wire-wrapped links in a bracelet.

  

HelenG Beads - Heart Bead

Or to add a big shot of sparkle to the pastel theme, use this dichroic pendant from Sorbet Glass; the pink hues in the glass will match well, whilst the scattering of contasting colours perks up the whole piece.

Sorbet Glass - Dichroic Sunset

Or for that surprise funky factor, LemonKitten provides a matching pink lentil bead decorated with dots, feathering, and swirls galore that will get people looking.

LemonKitten - Glass Focal

And finally, what better way to finish off the necklace than with a handmade sterling silver clasp by the talented MizGeorge


MizGeorge - Handmade Silver Clasp