Morse Code Beaded Wrap Bracelet

This simple Morse code necklace/bracelet is an easy gift to whip up for the holidays, Mother’s Day or a friend’s birthday.

Materials:

•  3 different kinds of beads: one for dashes, one for dots and one for spaces

• Bead Thread (3 ply) I used about 40” for my necklace/bracelet
• Super Glue or nail polish

If you’re creating a length that’s more than four lines of prose, you’ll need at least 50” of string but if you’re making a shorter saying, such as “I love you”, consider repeating it for the full 40”.


I chose a section from TS Eliot’s Four Quartets. Your message could say anything from “I love you” to “Hey, I made this cool thing for you!”
Regardless of what you decide to say, do a search on the internet for a Morse code translator-- there are several sites out there --then copy the code words into a word document and print it out.

Create a “needle” by covering one end of the string with super glue. It should dry quickly and stiff and the beads will slide onto the string easily.
 
Add a small bit of tape at the other end of the string so the beads don’t fall off then start  adding the beads to make the message.

I lost my place after about 10 characters; I recommend crossing the characters off in sections once they are on the string.
If the string is not full when the words are done - add the “space” beads at either end of the string before tying it off.

Leave about a .25” of extra space on the string when the knot is tied so that the beads are not under tension when the length is twisted into a bracelet later.
Tie the ends in a square knot - right over left, left over right and then add a dab of super glue to the knot to secure it and trim the ends.

The beads can be worn as a necklace or wrapped around the wrist as a bracelet. If you have more advanced jewelry making skills, add clasps and crimps on the end fastenings.

Valentines' Day Necklace

It’s been awhile since I put a craft up here. I’ve been busy getting ready for a little art show. But Valentines’ Day is coming and I thought it would be fun to whip up a necklace in celebration.
 

Materials:

Clean dry water or milk carton jug
3 (or more) small jump rings and 1 larger jump ring (I used a 10mm)

Necklace chain

Sharpie marker

Small hole punch (1/4th or 1/8th inch)

Nail polish remover (not pictured)

Cut a piece of plastic from the milk jug.
Trace a heart onto the plastic with the Sharpie marker and cut the heart shape.

Use the nail polish remover to remove the marker.
 
Punch a hole in one side and add a small jump ring.
Repeat with as many hearts as you want- I made 3 hearts; one each for my husband, my son and my dog.

Just a word about jump rings- it's best to twist the opening ends away from each other- not pull them apart. You can do this with your fingers or pliers.
Then twist them back together.

Add all the hearts to the larger jump ring and you're done!

Goldfish Cracker Delights

Not every project I develop for work goes to finish and gets published.  These goldfish snack tests are leftover from an assignment- “make something from goldfish crackers that we haven’t seen before"; meaning re-invent the wheel! make a new mousetrap! and re-design the fork!

Working with goldfish crackers is not rocket science but it is delicious. And yes – I was thinking ahead to Halloween (aren’t I always planning for Halloween?) 

I think they're pretty easy to figure out how to make- just use frosting or melted chocolate for glue (or actual glue as in the case with the glitter fish necklace).