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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Bobbin Pendants and How To Tea-Dye Beads

Hello hello!  I have something small and fun to show you today.  First take a peek at these sweet necklaces - the pendants are made from sewing bobbins and vintage buttons.



If you want to make a bobbin bauble - an oldie but goodie, from way back in the history of this blog - here's the original tutorial.



To create a necklace, all I did was add two beads up the center of the bobbin, with loops on both ends.  One loop got a tassel, the other got a beaded necklace.  Done!

The thing I wanted to mention is the two colors of beaded necklaces.  Both are mother-of-pearl...one is pure white, the other's a darker version.  Both started out white - and I tea-dyed one to match the sepia-tone pendant.

Most crafters have heard of tea-dyeing fabric, but did you know you can tea-dye beads?  So simple.  Just soak them in a small amount of water, along with several used tea bags.



Works a treat!



The length of time you need to soak them will vary.  With these ultra smooth and hard MOP beads, it took overnight.  A more porous material (like bone beads) would be a much shorter soak.  Just keep checking every hour or two until you reach the color you like.

I happen to have a long drawn out cold (going on three weeks now) and have been drinking lots of tea.  Next time you or a loved one is sniffling sick, save the tea bags and try a little tea dying magic.



See you next time...and take care of yourself!  (cough cough)

12 comments:

  1. Hello to you too! You got something out of the cold then! These gorgeous beads! I hope you feel better soon!

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  2. Thank you, Zografia! I hope so, too...but luckily making jewelry can usually happen even when I'm sick in bed.

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  3. Creating these little treasures would make me feel better too. SO darn clever as always!

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  4. Replies
    1. Gracias, Sandra! Tal vez genialidad, tal vez una cabeza demasiado grande au cause de la grippe? hee hee.

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  5. I have tea dyed fabric but never tried dyeing beads with tea. I'll attempt a trial someday. Until then, you take care and drink green tea with honey to sooth your throat

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  6. I love the look of the tea dyed beads. Really beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm. I'm pinning so I can refer to this later. I hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Thanks so much, Tuula! I feel that your vintage style definitely demands tea dyed beads.

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  7. Love, love, love the idea of tea dyed beads!

    Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Oh gosh, thank you, Jessica! I already feel better because three weeks stuck at home with my beads.

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  8. This is one brilliant idea! I have seen Tea/coffee paintings but never thought about tea dye beads. Very smart..
    I hope you are perfect now. I am sorry I am late in checking your post.
    Have a blessed day <3 Take care

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