I thought I would take you with me while I created my latest Christmas ornament cover. I have mentioned before that I don’t follow patterns. I pick out a bunch of beads, set them in front of me and just wing it. Is it a good way of making things? Probably not the best. For one, it’s a little more time consuming because you are not following instructions. You are creating your own pattern in your head. You are just hoping it sits right on the ball. That things hang the way they should and it doesn’t always turn out the way you picture it. If you make a mistake, it’s a real pain to backtrack and figure out what will work and what won’t.
I suggest anyone who wants to make these to use a pattern. I just like creating my own. Once you catch on to the basics, that’s when you’ll want to come up with your own ideas.
Many times I end up thinking that I should have done this, or that. Why didn’t I use this bead instead. But for me, the challenge is what I like. If it looks so bad that I will never use it, I can still salvage the beads and I have learned what not to do next time.
So, Here we go…
I start off by stringing 36 seed beads on the thread. Let them drop about 5 inches away from the bottom and tie a knot so they form a circle. That goes around the top of the Ornament. Then I just wing it from there.
This is what I came up with:
By now I am starting to think…Uh oh…I’m not really liking where I’m going here. I am hoping something good comes to mind.
I keep working and end up with this:
A few close-ups:
Not too bad. But I have to add a fringe because they look good when they are hanging from the tree branch.
It’s okay, but adding the fringe has pushed some of my beads and they aren’t sitting right. Oh well, I’ll have to live with it. A few extra touches and voila…a new cover.
I put it on a gold ball so it shows up better but when I do use it on the tree, it will be on a clear ball. This one came together rather quickly. An easy one to whip up.
After I make a few more I might even video tape it. A mini tutorial or how-to for Joan or anyone else that might want to try and give it a go.
Oh, I almost forgot to add that MusEditions is celebrating her one year blogging Anniversary. Muse is one of my most favoritest bloggers and I do hope there will be many more to come. Because I’m selfish that way. 
Cheers, Muse!
First, let me thank you for the good wishes for my first year of blogging! I didn’t expect to be acknowledged here, as I’d made quite a fuss on my own blog.
This is such a nice surprise, and your kind words warm my heart.
And what a great journey through your creative process. I liked the cover every step of the way, but when the red beads went on it became a stunner!
“An easy one to whip up.”—Hah! easy for YOU to say. A video tape would be just splendid. I’d love to see how that unfolds.
A video would be awesome. Have you ever sold them or thought of selling them? How long did it actually take you to make it? It’s beautiful.
You are most welcome, Muse. I mean every word of it. I am so glad to have found a kindred spirit.
I will do a tutorial, although I am by no means an expert. I know enough to get by.
But I dread the thought of close-ups on my hands! I have so many calluses and my fingers are all icky from work. But I can’t baby them because it’ll make it worse. If you can all overlook that and my dreadful sounding voice…
Ahhhhhh…..now I’m getting all freaked out. LOL!
Joan, I have had people wanting to buy them but never have sold any. I’m not confident enough in my abilities just yet. And I would always be worried that the thread might break and how bad I would feel if someone paid for it. I have been using very good quality thread and mine have held out for a year.
I have given at least twenty or so as gifts though and quite a lot of jewelry as well.
I never sit down and work at a piece for long. After dinner for a bit, between reading blogs, cooking, housework. I pick it up for 10-15 minutes here and there. This one probably took about 4 1/2 hours. Now that I know how to make it, if I made another one it would probably take half the time.
I’ve made really nice ones that took 3-4 days though. And I freaking gave them away! Grrrrr…..
Thank you both for the compliments. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t feel great when someone likes what I have made. Mind you, I’m sure if I made something ugly, you’d never tell me. LOL! (And I have)