Bead in a Frame

Here's something a little different to make with PMC3 - a picture frame that holds a bead. All you have to do is to set two fine silver wires into the inside of the frame at the top and bottom. Make sure that they don't quite meet. Do this while the clay is still wet, before you fire it. Then after it is polished insert the bead, bending the wires out a little to insert them into the bead. A lentil bead works best, but you could use almost anything - stones, pearls, crystals. I think it works especially well when you have an interesting bead you want to showcase.

Fun Stretchies from Michael's beads

Yes, I did it again! Trying something new to me, but old to everyone else crafting bracelets. Just curious about what I could make after a trip to Michael's Craft Store to get stretch cord to repair a customer's bracelet as a favor. Well, I just had to look around, and of course try some of the beads available there - shells, matte glass with copper, black and white ceramic. I used my own stash of Bali sterling spacer beads, and put a silver crimp cover bead on the knot. They are fun to wear, nothing serious, but with the jingle of my little PMC dangles added, they feel very seashore-y!!