Lucky Star Origami Earrings

Lucky Star Origami Earrings
















I love these little earrings. After seeing them on Etsy, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make a few of my own, especially since I have tons of stars lying around. The blue ones I couldn't resist since the design is for the star sign, Sagittarius. The purple ones are little pandas and the pink ones are of a little girl in different costumes.

They're quite easy and with a little practice, are quickly produced. For the knitterly inclined, instead of attaching to earring wires, the stars could be placed on jump rings in needle appropriate sizes for stitch markers. =)

Materials

Size 6/0 seed beads in two colors
Origami Lucky Stars
Earring Wires
Head Pins
Nail Polish/Modge Podge or some sort of decoupage medium
Ceramic Cleaning tool or something sharp
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Side Cutter


1) Use the triangular blade of the ceramic cleaning tool to poke a hole in the bottom of the lucky stars.




Poking a hole








Hole on the bottom of the star






2) Place a bead on a head pin.











3) Use the head pin to poke through the hole at the bottom of the star. The head pin should emerge at the point of the star opposite the hole. It may take a little maneuvering for the head pin for poke through the top.










4) Paint the stars with at least one layer of nail polish or decoupage medium, waiting for each layer to dry before applying a new layer. Depending on the paper, it may bleed. This step protects the stars from getting waterlogged, although showering with the earrings is not recommended.


The top coat I used. (I’ve never actually used it on my nails…)







5) String on more beads, or stars, as you like.

Alternated red and clear seed beads.










6) Take the side cutters and cut the head pin approximately 1 – 1.5 cm above the last bead/star. Excess can be trimmed accordingly.










7) Using the round nose pliers, take the head pin, making sure it is flush with the top of the pliers. Place the pin at the diameter of the final loop desired. Wrapping around the round nose pliers at different places will give different size loops.










8) Bend the head pin at the top of the bead/star to prevent them from moving up.














9) Begin making the loop by wrapping the head pin around the pliers. If it looks as if there is too much wire, take the side cutter and trim off the excess before continuing with making the loop.



Beginning of loop.










10) Finish the loop.














11) Open the newly formed loop using the chain nose pliers. Do not pull the loop open, just lift the loop to create a space.


A better tutorial of steps 6-11 is available athttp://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/beading_projects.asp?docid=691E



12) Attach the earring wire and close the loop.


Open loop with earring wire.







13) Finished earrings

Diamond of My Heart Shawl Pattern

So... After much dithering, playing around with Excel, and realizing my charts looked exceedingly wonky, Diamond of My Heart is finally up for download. This is my first ever knit pattern.

It came about as my former roommate and I contemplated designing our own shawls after seeing all of the other pretty yet simple shawls available on Ravelry. I have no preference whether the pattern is "easy" or "hard" while my friend likes something of a challenge. So, this is for those who like a little bit of both.

The main body is a simple diamond eyelet stitch while the edging requires a little bit more attention due to the addition of hearts. This is a shawl for all those who think that diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Pattern Link Diamond of My Heart

Larger Version of Chart 2 With More Hearts

The sample was knit on US 6/4.0 mm 24" circular needles in Misti Alpaca Lace Canada - Colorway Blue Mist Melange and used less than 1 skein at 437 yards/50 grams.

Silent Night

A short little drabble from this year's Eloisa James and Julia Quinn Holiday Anthology. =)

Silent Night

With a single candle in her hand, Annabel roamed the dark halls of the old mansion. It was Christmas Eve, but she couldn’t muster the strength to feel joy. Wind wailed outside the windows, snow covered the ground, and the once happy house was silent.

Silence is for remembrance.

Annabel sighed. Even in death, her grandfather, the late Lord Haversham, knew what to say. He may not have been very old, but he was quite the wise man.

Christmas is for loving.

“I know, Grandfather. And New Year is for beginnings.”

Annabel shook her head. It was the house. She never spoke to herself before moving back to Devonshire. The contrast of the serene countryside with bustling London made Annabel long for noise.

Music makes the days brighter.

Wondering if she were going mad, Annabel shook her head. Soon, she would be gone, the house would belong to another and the voices would stop.

“If it will give you peace, I’ll play a song.” Feeling foolish, Annabel pushed open the door to the sitting room.

The pianoforte sat in the same place. Next to the window overlooking the drive, the piano was an heirloom, passed from one generation to the next in the hopes that one would be able to play it.

Setting the candle down, Annabel walked over to the fireplace. Dying embers sparked, ready to be called to life with a prod and more kindling. Feeding the fire, Annabel warmed her chilled body a moment before sitting.

Carols are the songs of angels come down to earth.

Taking a hint from her ghostly companion, Annabel began playing the refrain for “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

As the tinkling of the piano drifted through the room, Annabel could almost imagine her grandfather standing nearby with a hand on his cane and a smile on his face. The music conjured images of the past and she even felt the warm touch of a hand on her shoulder.

“Stop imaging things, Annabel. He’s gone, and you’re alone this Christmas. Just like every holiday this year.”

Whispering the admonishment, Annabel was sure she felt an unseen frown of disapproval. Turning, she saw no one but the shadows cast by the fire. Her fingers flew over the ivory and ebony keys with ease. The song was so familiar; Annabel could play it in her sleep, much less without watching.

“Hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now…”

As she sang the last words of the carol, Annabel heard the bell in the town square toll midnight. Looking at the mantle, she saw the clock’s hand move to twelve. Christmas.

Letting her hands fall to her sides, Annabel bowed her head. The song reopened old wounds.

Pain helps us become strong.

“I’d rather be weak and have you alive.”

No.

The harsh refusal made Annabel raise her tear-streaked face and she stared in shock at the gentle expression on her grandfather’s face.

Merry Christmas, Belle.