Tuesday, November 12, 2013

DIY: A Painted Bead Necklace

Dude, doesn't this picture look like some sort of 1970's soft focus photo? Like I should have the lyrics to the Carpenter's Rainy Days and Mondays written in swirly cursive script on the window pane. Super cheesy shot, sorry. Next time I serve up this much cheese, I'll be sure to bring the crackers.
I don't know exactly what's gotten into me, but I've suddenly developed a deep love of wooden bead painting. Or, as I like to refer to it, Ball Bedazzling. Which has led to many a bizarro convo with the hubs. You see, our usual evening routine involves me working at the dining room table or in my sewing room while he's in the bedroom reading. Every now and then we'll holler at each other and attempt conversation which is practically impossible because we can't really hear one another. So the other night, our yell-chat sounded like this:

Hubs: What are you doing down there?

Me: Bead painting.

Hubs: What!?

Me: I am PAINTING. BEADS. FOR A NECKLACE.

Hubs: I still can't hear you.

Me: PAINTING MY BALLS!

Hubs: (silence)

I've long been admiring these bauble-y necklaces from Anthropologie but I'm the worst at buying jewelry. Mostly cuz I know there's a pretty good chance I'll take it off at some point during the day, stuff it in a pocket, wash my clothes without checking said pocket and, well, you can guess the rest. Kinda like that time I left a silver crayon in my pocket and everything came out glittey. Which I thought was super cool...but hubs didn't seem to take to his new sparkle shorts. 

Yeah. Lots gets lost in translation at my house. I'm thinking of investing in some walkie talkies for us. Or maybe just a coupla cans and a string. Sounds like a super fun DIY.

Speaking of, this beading painting business is seriously fun and addictive. If you're into painting your balls, that is.
The key to stringing up your necklace it making sure that you have a small bead in between large ones. If not, when you wear the necklace, the two large beads create a small gap and you can see the unsightly elastic.
Now I know my version isn't as classy as Anthro's but I really like the goofy playfulness of it. And I have decided that these are my new favorite colors in the universe. Please note all the sparkles.
At the craft store, I picked up four different sizes of wooden beads and about a dozen of those cheapo bottles of acrylic paint. My local craft joint had Martha Stewart paint which I found to be of much higher quality than the usual generic stuff. I splurged on her metallic colored paints (and by "splurged" I mean, like, $1.75 a tube).
I quickly found that you can't paint these bad boys while holding them in your grubby man hands. So I used the backsides of paint brushes to hold them. For the smaller beads, I used q-tips (that I snipped one end off of) and wooden skewers.
Many of the beads I painted two toned. For this, I would paint the bead all one color (always using the lighter of the two colors as the background) and then paint the other half. Now, I do have a steady hand but I also use a couple of tricks. One is that I hold my painting arm firmly against my body to keep it from shaking. Then I lower my paint brush onto the bead and rotate the paintbrush that is holding the bead with my other hand. This helps me to create an even-ish line.
For the stripes, I used a very small brush and again, used my other hand to rotate. The key here is to rotate that brush evenly so that your stripes are equally spaced. And the great thing is, if you mess up, let that bead dry and paint over it. They are super forgiving. Unlike my husband in his sparkle shorts.
Making polka dots proved to be the easiest. I used a Q-tip and just rotated the bead to get them evenly spaced. Once all the beads were complete and dry, I slathered them with a thin coat of matte Modge Podge to prevent them from chipping.
While visiting family this weekend, I parked myself on the couch and set to work. I decided that I wanted my first necklace to be about the same size as this pie plate. I used it to plan out my design. Once determined, I started stringing my beads on elastic string and double knot tied the ends. Think glorified candy necklace. Cuz that's pretty much what it is.
For the smaller and larger necklace, I simply made them different sizes than the first. Seriously easy, ya'll. If painting all those wee balls didn't cross my eyes, I'd probably be making a bracelet to match.
Instead, bead painting has since morphed into bag painting which I can't wait to share with you. Although, when hubs calls down and asks what I'm up to, I believe I'll just shout back, "Painting my sack!" I'm sure he'll appreciate that in all of his sparkly glittery awesomeness. Until we chat again, go paint some balls, ermkay?    



45 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh yes your foggy photo should be the cover to Al Stewart's The Year of the Cat, or Time Passages! since you are always spending time be-dazzling your wardrobe!!! Love it still! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. hello cassie! i love your dress and your sweet necklace... it reminds me on candy! you take us back to another time with you pictures! I thank you for! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It IS like a big ole candy necklace! Thank you for your kind words, they made my day :)

      Delete
  3. Beautiful! Actually looks like a really expensive arty necklace I saw the other week. Love your color choices.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! And I was kinda thinking it looked like a goofy Gobstopper-esque necklace :) Thank you for your sweet words!

      Delete
  4. So, I like YOUR necklace WAY better than the Anthropologie version that is being worn by, like, every third person you see. Boring! I'm impressed you put it on elastic string. I CANNOT get knots to hold in that stuff. Do you have a good secret way of making it hold? Because I would have my balls falling all over the floor. Which doesn't sound very good, does it?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11/13/2013

    Your necklace kicks the Anthro one into next week! Woo hoo! I see a copy cat version coming on......Love, love the necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  6. They are super cool, I actually prefer them to the anthro ones, they seem more fun somehow! :) Thanks for the tutorial, I once painted beads and dropped one which rolled across the CREAM carpet! oops!! haha!

    Jerra xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome! Love how creative you are. Plus, your posts always make me laugh! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am new to your blog spot and over the moon that I found you.You crack me up! Anyway, after reading your posts on felting I visited my local Joann and snatched up most of their felting supplies (on clearance). I have a huge stash of sweaters I am going to start on today. I am even going to attempt the tuile skirt. Do you have a tutorial on that endeavor?

    ReplyDelete
  9. reminds me of alice in wonderland...if the dress were just a bit different

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice blog and absolutely outstanding. You can do something much better but i still say this perfect.Keep trying for the best.
    Cladding Painting

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2/20/2016

    You are so creative! I am in awe of your brilliant ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. As a seller of legal steroids, you can buy Crazy Bulk products, explore stacks and finally get the body you’ve always wanted
    online reputation management companies

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is a good post. This post gives truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works
    buy automatic instagram likes

    ReplyDelete
  15. It is imperative that we read blog post very carefully. I am already done it and find that this post is really amazing.
    buy real instagram followers review

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me
    cambridge mn locksmith

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a fantastic website and I can not recommend you guys enough.
    car finder

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very useful post. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. Really its great article. Keep it up.
    virtual gastric band hypnosis cost

    ReplyDelete
  19. I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website.
    amazing spider man games free download

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you've got right here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your weblog for more soon!
    buy 20 instagram likes

    ReplyDelete
  21. I liked your article and I hope you will have many entries or more
    Wedding journal keepsake

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business.
    cat can’t cough up hairball

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks...
    is clenbuterol legal

    ReplyDelete
  24. I’ve been searching for some decent stuff on the subject and haven't had any luck up until this point, You just got a new biggest fan!..

    how to get your house ready to sell

    ReplyDelete
  25. I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!

    lularoe maxi cost

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.
    tramadol for cats

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks a lot for sharing us about this update. Hope you will not get tired on making posts as informative as this.
    prosthetic eye surgery

    ReplyDelete
  28. Super-Duper site! I am Loving it!! Will come back again, Im taking your feed also, Thanks.
    medical offices for lease

    ReplyDelete
  29. I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject. Your writing would sell it fast. You have a lot of writing talent.
    mobile manicure london

    ReplyDelete
  30. I truly expected to write a quick comment remembering the right content to offer on account of you for these surprising information you are putting on your site. You are persistently driving an explosive work. I should state you have created mind blowing article. best schools in delhi

    ReplyDelete
  31. This blog is really informative for us. I have read your whole blog you have mentioned points deeply. Thanks for write this kind of informative blog.home automation service

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would like to say you,i feel so glad to come here often your study material so good and beneficial for me and also other member of your blog. I appreciate it. Keep writing!
    hp system support

    ReplyDelete
  33. It is an amazing post, i found you randomly over the internet i feel so good! Keep writing waiting your new post.
    Epson Printer Support

    ReplyDelete
  34. You always write new and unique informative blog, like other blogs this blog is also remarkable. You presented so well, you did a great job. keep writing and inspiring us.
    Adobe Technical Support Number

    ReplyDelete
  35. Today, we use mails not just for interaction objective however also of promos and advertisements and so on. At first the speed and thus the reach of web was quite sluggish yet today we have high speed web and also other centers.
    Today, we use mails not just for interaction objective however also of promos and advertisements and so on. At first the speed and thus the reach of web was quite sluggish yet today we have high speed web and also other centers.

    ReplyDelete

  36. The World's best route gear producing Organization Garmin is among the best suggested route gadget for relatively every person. The essential target of the organization offers the simple best quality and great GPS unit gadget for enabling the guests to think about the road and ongoing car exercises on.
    https://www.csutomerserve24.com/

    Garmin Customer Support

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great Information!!
    So, whenever you have any issues with this auto sign in platform simply call us and have your issues sorted out. You have just need to dial our toll free number +1-855-505-7815…
    External Link: Skype Technical Support Number
    Skype Help Number
    Skype Support Phone Number
    Skype Tech and Help Support Number

    ReplyDelete
  38. We are providing support for a couple of decade currently. Thousands of glad Telstra support customers.we've got been impeccable with our Telstra business contact services and every one support is provided. http://www.seo.ipt.pw/News/telstra-email-support-872000111/

    ReplyDelete
  39. Our digital strategists dive into your business analytics to put together strategies for reaching your business goals.
    When you have a great story about how your product or service was built to change lives, share it.
    online digital marketing

    ReplyDelete
  40. We're a gathering of volunteers and opening another plan in our locale. Your site offered us with profitable data to deal with. You have completed an imposing activity and our entire network will be grateful to you.https://chatroll.com/profile/Mcafeesupport1

    ReplyDelete
  41. You are in love and want to get to married with the person then the love marriage astrology can help you attaining the right guide to marry your love within the perfect period.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous3/13/2019

    Thanks for the very helpful post. This is a very helpful post. India fantasy is the best match prediction blogs providers in the market that helps users to built their team. It also has many features which helps users in their daily matches.
    fantasy cricket news

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate each and every one :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.