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<\/p>\nMost of my recent blogs have featured my crazy addiction to crochet.\u00a0 Not so this time.\u00a0 I\u2019m still crochet mad and have been working on crocheted cowls amongst other things as Christmas presents for many of my friends.\u00a0 Each one a different yarn and a different colour especially chosen for each recipient.\u00a0 It\u2019s so exciting.\u00a0 I look at all these lovely things I\u2019ve made and feel so happy and full of anticipation of giving them, I\u2019ve roped my 13 year old daughter in to help with present wrapping this year.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have an afternoon together in front of the television watching a Christmas movie, with sweet treats and wrap like mad.<\/p>\n
Right now though, I\u2019m making earrings. Lots of earrings.\u00a0 I\u2019ve blogged in the past about my love for beading and jewellery making and it\u2019s made a bit of a resurgence in my life.\u00a0 An elderly family friend dropped by the other week with an antique blue-grey freshwater pearl necklace.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t wear it anymore and could I do something with it?\u00a0 She wanted to give a gift to each of our group of friends as Christmas presents.<\/p>\n
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What could I create?\u00a0 I decided earrings would be the way to go.\u00a0 I needed to make 5 pairs using the pearls.\u00a0 One lady needed something lightweight \u2013 she had delicate ears.\u00a0 One lady would need a big and bold pair.\u00a0 I was going to have to make a pair funky and modern for one of the group and something very sparkly for another.\u00a0 And of course, there would have to be a pair for me.<\/p>\n
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I have raided my stash and have come up with 5 different styles.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got a simple teardrop with tiny crystals, a bigger teardrop with larger crystals and a crystal charm.\u00a0 There\u2019s a simple multi stranded affair using just the pearls, a more complex multi stranded pair using crystals and seed beads. And finally a pair with crystals that\u2019s going to look rather like a bunch of grapes.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve used several different techniques \u2013 thread and a needle, nymo and tiger tail.<\/p>\n
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It has taken quite a few weeks but I am finally happy with the end results.\u00a0 One pair was taken apart twice as they weren\u2019t quite right and I just wasn\u2019t satisfied.\u00a0 Finding the different styles to suit the intended recipient took a while and quite a lot of research.\u00a0 I even dug out old design magazines and books as well as using the internet to form the basis of my ideas.<\/p>\n
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It is so nice creating and making personal Christmas gifts.\u00a0 That wonderful feeling you get is what Christmas should be about.\u00a0 Keeping our loved ones in mind and giving a present that is personal and thought out.\u00a0 Merry Christmas everyone!<\/p>\n
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Most of my recent blogs have featured my crazy addiction to crochet.\u00a0 Not so this time.\u00a0 I\u2019m still crochet mad and have been working on crocheted cowls amongst other things as Christmas presents for many of my friends.\u00a0 Each one a different yarn and a different colour especially chosen for each recipient.\u00a0 It\u2019s so exciting.\u00a0 … <\/p>\n