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Free Project: Woodsy

“A wise old owl sat on an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard
Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?”

Owls are associated with wisdom. They can see things that others can’t. Apparently I needed to heed the power of the owl because I was ignorant of how social media could work for me.

I am not a big fan of Facebook, as I would rather spend my time blogging, and Twitter is just way too brief for me (please, I say 140 characters before I even get out of bed in the morning!). But I know that a lot of you are out there on Facebook quite regularly. After I spent the night listing things (please, Etsy, make it even quicker for me to batch edit and list items!) I stopped into Facebook for my bi-weekly check in. I added a picture of one of the little hooties to my profile and within moments I had hits and mentions and comments and hops… it was viral, I tell you! I have never seen anything like it. And because of that little innocent posting I even sold a bunch of things. (Note to self: rethink your aversion to Facebook). My point is that I wasn’t even planning that interaction and yet there it was.

This necklace features one of the first wise old owls that I made in my ‘simple truths’ like back in January 2011. With the cooler weather in the air, I have been making up a clutch of young owlets like my first wide-eyed friend, and apparently you like him! (Note to self: make more owlets). I submitted this little guy to a magazine…but he got rejected 🙁 Sad for me, but a bonus for you! I think that he is too cute to keep to myself, so I am going to share him with you for free! So here is a project to design your own fall-inspired, asymmetrical necklace.

Supplies:

23” antique copper bar chain, Industrial Chic line (or substitute what you have!)
6 etched brass jump rings
1 etched brass oval jump ring, Vintaj
4 antique copper jump rings, Vintaj
1 brass ball head pin
1 leaf toggle bar, Vintaj
1 leaf toggle, Vintaj
6” 20 gauge bronze wire, Vintaj
6 antique copper cog spacers, TierraCast
3 polymer clay disk beads, Humblebeads (or substitute ceramic for an earthy feel!)
1 long antique copper branch, Nunn Designs (or make your own with thick 16 gauge copper wire hammered and twisted into a branch shape)
2 short antique copper branches, Nunn Designs
1 copper leaf stamping, similar found at AccesoriesSusan
Finished size: 18” with a 1” drop
Step by step:
1: Separate the chain into two 10 ½” pieces and two 1” pieces. Set aside.
2: Cut the wire into three 2” sections. Create a wrapped loop stringing one copper cog spacer, one polymer clay bead and one copper cog spacer. Finish with a wrapped loop. Repeat two more times.

3: Connect the wrapped bead links with the etched jump ring. Attach the two long pieces of chain to the jump ring on one side. Attach the two short pieces of chain to the jump ring on the other side, ending with another jump ring.

4: Connect the pendant to this jump ring. 

5: Position the branch connections so that they form an open space in the middle. Connect them together using small jump rings. To the middle branch add the copper leaf stamping. Attach an etched jump ring to one side, and connect the other side to the jump ring in step 4.
6: Use a small jump ring to attach the leaf toggle to the etch jump ring.
7: On the other end of the chain, connect an oval etched jump ring. Thread the brass ball head pin to the leaf toggle bar and created a wrapped loop underneath. Open the oval brass jump ring and thread the toggle bar and the two remaining ends of the chain.

I think I need to get back in the studio and make more of these happy little owlets because they are literally flying out the door!

Happy creating! 

Do you design around the seasons and traditional themes, or do you just design what you will like?
What sort of motifs are you seeking as themes for your designs this fall and for the upcoming winter/holiday season?

Do tell!

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11 Comment

  1. Alice
    September 21, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Rejected? That sweet little owlet was rejected?

    I don't care much for Faceboook. Like Twitter, I think the conversations are too short. I visit FB about once a week or less. Honestly I don't have time to do it all. I can't do it all. I'd rather keep my sanity and have time to spend with friends and family in a face-to-face setting, like over the supper table.

    I just heard about a study where more people prefered to be contacted by text. Really? Don't people know how to have a real conversation any more?

    OK, I'm getting off my soap box now and back to the subject at hand. Your piece is just gorgeous!!!! I love al lthe different components which come together to make one fabulous necklace. Thanks so much for the tutorial!

    When I sit down at the beading table I hardly ever have a design in mind. The beads take me where they will.

  2. Lorelei Eurto
    September 21, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Very cute necklace Erin! And perfect for the Fall season. One of my favorite seasons to create in!

  3. Lupe Meter
    September 21, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Love this creation! I can't believe it was rejected! 8( I really like the branch in the design…will have to make a mental note to try making some out of polymer clay! The owl is adorable! Thank you for sharing!

  4. Shel
    September 21, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    Love the owl necklace – sorry it was rejected – can't believe it wasn't taken in in a heart beat!!

    Owls are on of my totem animals and although I have a bunch, I never seem to put them in my jewelry – I want to keep them for myself – I guess it is time to share! 🙂

    I usually design jewelry based on seasons, feelings, moods and what I see that catches my eye!

    This is a great necklace – thanks for sharing this tutuorial and the cutest owl ever!!

  5. Malin de Koning
    September 21, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    Love that owlet! Super cute! And I am not really as big on owls as everyone else seems to be. Yes please make more of them.

  6. Marie Cramp
    September 21, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    Thanks for sharing this with us! It's a lovely piece! I do love your owlets! Can not believe they rejected him!! Shame on them 😉

  7. KayzKreationz
    September 22, 2011 at 12:38 am

    He's so adorable. When I first read this, I thought you were going to tell us how to make the little owl. I thought "How cool", but it's just as nice learning how to make the necklace.
    I'm not really fond of twitter or facebook. Don't really have the time to spend to get very good with either one or feel like I'm using them like I need to for them to benefit me. But I keep logging in every so often and posting.

  8. KTotten
    September 22, 2011 at 12:41 am

    SO adorable! Love it!

  9. Initial Charms
    September 22, 2011 at 6:04 am

    An owl sitting in the middle of the neck piece is very captivating and interesting…love the amber color theme too.

  10. Off the Beadin' Path
    September 24, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    You already know I love the owlets and that necklace! Thanks for the tutorial!! I don't think I consciously plan for a season, but in the fall I start thinking about garnets! Those rich reds, browns, and greens are comfort colors!

  11. kimnlewis
    August 18, 2012 at 2:25 am

    This is a really cute idea! I too, thought the tutorial would show how the owl was made. I prefer a little more detail in a tutorial!

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