The Mystery Thing: yep, you guessed it! Winners revealed plus mini- tutorial.

So yesterday, after noticing I had (amazingly) reached 250 blog followers, I felt like giving something away.  So I put up a super simple Mystery Thing, as follows:

Okay, okay.  It wasn't much of a challenge.  In fact, approximately 100% of you guessed right.

Chess men, of course!  I bought this at the dollar store.  Wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but after a little experimentation, those nifty, pendulum-style pendants were born.  In a moment, a mini tutorial...

First, the winners!  W00t to the first correct guesser, Carol of the fabu blog The Answer is Chocolate!  Way to beat everybody else to the giveaway, Carol.  And W00t again to the second winner (a random number chosen by my mom, from many miles away with eyes firmly closed): Katie B.  Congrats, you two, expect an email soon.  And thanks ten billion to everyone else who entered!

Now here's the mini-TUTORIAL.

First, make holes in your chessmen.  I heated a metal skewer over a flame, and used it to melt little holes, smooth and easy.

You could also drill them, but this way is great!  To assemble the pendant,  you need two hollow chessmen, a big bead that will fit inside them, and some sturdy wire.  You can also use two tiny round beads for a little extra finish.

Make a wrapped loop on one end of the wire. Thread everything on, tucking the big bead inside the the chessmen.  Then make a wrapped loop on the other end.

The real trick is to wrap the wire down really tight and close to your beads.  This will trap the big bead inside and keep the chessmen from gapping.  If your jewelry gaps, people will gape.  And you don't want to have to grapple with jackanapes gaping at your gap!

I added a little Fatima hand, but you could use any charming charm, or even a tassel.  And that's your chessmen pendant, done!

The cords on these are black rubber, long and simple and tied in a knot at the end.

Kinda loving them!

Before I sign off today, wanted to show you something extra pretty!  I participated in a holiday craft swap.  My swap partner was Sandra from Italy.  She has a lovely blog called Orlo Subito, and mad sewing skillz.  I am so happy I made a new, cool bloggy friend.  Look what she sent me:

I love these sachets, the embroidery is glorious!  And she had such a great thought: one sachet is filled with lavender, but the other is empty, with a little opening so I can fill it myself.  "In case you don't like lavender" were her exact words.  I love lavender.  But I also love the sweet idea of letting your giftee choose the filling.

Thank you, Sandra!  And thanks to Robin from T-Shirt Diaries for hosting the super fun swappage.

Okay, we're done here.  Next time I shall have a truly puzzling Mystery Thing for you.  So come back and guess again.  I warn you now - it will be evil.