As promised...

So, I have finally taken all the pictures, and now I just have to write out the tutorial for making Stitch Markers.  I will also be selling these in my Etsy Shoppe, and I think I'll have a give-away for a set of Stitch Markers, for those not interested in making their own.  Because I mean, those people do exist.  Heh.

Here's where we start.  Gather your supplies:

The wire cutters and the beads shown above will be different in the following pictures.

You will need:

• Fox-tail beading wire
• Two different types of beads (one focus bead, and two each of a smaller bead)
• Crimp-beads (not shown)
• Wire cutters
• Crimp-pliers (necessary for crimping the crimp-beads)

Step 1:

Grab a small section of the beading wire and hold onto it.  I usually leave the length of it attached to the spool.  This way I waste much much less of it in the long-run.

String a crimp-bead, one of the smaller beads, your focus bead, and another of the smaller beads onto the beading-wire.

Create a loop in the wire, by sliding it back through the tops of each bead.  Just be careful not to pull the loop completely closed, because you will have to scrap it and start over.  It will cause a permanent kink in the wire.

Slide the wire all the way through, and out the end of the crimp-bead.

Now, using the crimp-pliers, press on the crimp-bead, closing it around the beading-wire.  On most crimp-pliers, there are two indentations.  You want to use the one that is smooth on one side, and serrated on the opposite side.  This will put the correct crimp in the bead.

Now the bead is crimped, and the wire will not slide around and/or out of any of the beads.  Your Stitch Marker is secure.

Next, you want to clip the ends of the wire.  I stop about 1/16th of an inch from the crimp-bead.  I don't creep closer, because I don't want to accidentally cause the crimp-bead to fall out.  Experiment, and find what works for you.

And here you go!  All three of the Stitch Markers ready to go.  I like having a set with one "different" bead to use a beginning of round marker.  

Alright, there you go!  Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Come back later -- possibly today, maybe tomorrow -- for the giveaway!  For those not interested in making their own.  Or anyone else who wants cute free stuff.  Sign me up!  Oh, wait...I made these.  Guess I can't be part of the give-away, can I?  Dammit.

Alright.  Enjoy your Friday night.  Jon and I are going to see Hunger Games and to dinner.  Hope you have fun plans, too.

Happy Friday

~j.b.

Attack!

I'd post a picture of what's been attacking, but I feel that if I don't visually acknowledge them, then they might go away and not exist any longer.  So, you ask, what's been attacking? 

Moths.

Tons and mega tons of moths.  I believe we brought them into the house in a box of wood we purchased from Whole Foods a couple weeks ago.  We haven't used the wood for fires because it's been so warm lately -- 70+ degrees today -- which is part of the reason they HATCHED!  I mean, eww.  I've been slowly killing off their family-members for the last two+ weeks.  And I'm still finding them.  It's so bad, I ran away to my mom's house for the week ( I can't get Terminix in until Monday!).  I just couldn't handle them any longer.  Especially on top of having a nasty cold this week -- by the way, I'm in love with DayQuil.

But as a God-send, the Moths have been graciously avoiding my fiber and fabric perfectly.  I haven't see even one in my yarn, fiber or fabric since this all started.  Not even in my clothing.  Thank GOD!  I'd have run away from home, screaming if this was not the case.  I really dislike hate insects of any shape or size.  Mostly it's spiders I hate -- yes I know they're technically arachnids, thank you -- but even flying "bugs" make my short list of things I would rather not have in my house.  I'm honestly fine with them outside.  But once they venture in to my domain, I kill them.  Repeatedly, if need be.  I'm an equal-opportunity bug murderer.  But, I believe it's justified.  They don't pay the rent.

Enough about bugs.  I have this waiting for you:

 

These will be available two ways.  One) I will have a limited supply of them for sale in my Etsy Shoppe (I'll edit with a link when updated) and Two) I am going to be posting a tutorial on how I made these for those who would rather do the work for themselves.  

Sound good?  I can't hear you!  Heh.  So, keep a look-out the next couple days for the tutorial to make an appearance.  Might be as late as Monday, too.  Might not.  You never know.  Ever.  

Alright, that's it for  tonight. 

Praying for no Moths,

~j.b.