September, 1998: Sharon Beecher wrote several months ago about her bead
fairies and wee folk. Click here to read about her process.
Meet my little solstice angels. They're not just for the holidays -- three beads are all you need to make a charm for any occasion. Add them to a necklace, bracelet, or earring. Your friends will like 'em too!
Design-Wise...
Proportion is divine, the angels say. And color helps. Shop around and choose your beads carefully. Doesn't the purple one look like a goddess?
Tools & Materials You'll Need
- Beads -- three of 'em -- one round, one teardrop shaped, and one arched like a quarter moon. You choose the colors.
- Headpin(s) -- I use the long ones.
- Pliers -- round nose and chain nose jewelers pliers.
- Wire cutters
- A little imagination and a few friends to gift.
If you're not sure how to make a loop with the headpin wire, check out these web pages:
Visit Bob's Beading Tutorial -- Making Earrings,
or Etcetera's Using Headpins to Make Jewelry.
or Jewelry Crafts Magazine's How To's For Beginners.
or WigJig University's Basic Loops and Wrapped Loops
Addendum, November 05, 1997: Shortly after I posted this project, a beader emailed me asking where to find "wing" beads for these angel charms. While browsing Caravan Beads' online catalog, I learned that a very similar project, called Holiday Angels, has been posted there for some time. The idea was developed by Gina Allison. Although I was unaware of this project (my original concept was actually for goddess charms), I'm providing a link to their page so you visitors can be inspired by the best of both projects. Btw, Caravan Beads plans to acquire a whole bunch of clear crystal "wing" beads, which you can purchase from them, if you wish. -- Aunt Molly
This project was first posted on October 30, 1997.
These instructions, the patterns, and all images are ©1997, Mary J. Tafoya.
Single copies may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only.
