Photoshoot: Summer Solstice

Central to the Summer Solstice, is the sun.  This sun catcher is one my husband brought while we were in Canada a few years back, in Nova Scotia.

In front of it is a little sun brooch.  It's one I have had since I was pretty young.  My Gran used to go to the Darby and Joan club in her village and one time she took me to a tabletop sale there.  I don't know who donated the brooch and so I have no idea of it's story or age, but on that day, it became mine.  It's not in any fancy metal with a makers mark.  I doubt I will ever let it go, but I like to think when I am old, it will pass in to the hands of a young child.

I had to look up Darby and Joan and I discovered that they were an idealised couple, living out the latter years of their lives in quiet contentment together.  Social clubs for older people are still often called Darby and Joan clubs.

I wanted some artwork for the photo and I choose this lovely design by Mycelium23.  I brought several cards, so I am sure they will feature in the future too.  I like the idea of exploring the year as we go.  It's a bright happy picture!  I think my favourite is the Halloween one though!  I love Halloween...  Any holiday with fancy dress and sweets is bound to be great as far as I am concerned...

The bag on the left is from SupaChicDesigns and was something we very much needed right now.  My husband's daily work routine has changed a fair bit over the last few months as infection control has become so important.  He goes to and from work in his own clothes, carrying his uniform in a fabric bag he was gifted by some of the many wonderful volunteers who have been crafting away to make bags and masks.  When he gets home, the bag goes in the washing machine and he goes in the shower.  One bag is often not enough though when he has a run of shifts, so I decided to get him a second one.   The card came with the bag :-)

I hope with everything going on that we continue to stay safe and well, that one day, we get to go to a Darby and Joan club together.  Right now, the sun is shining and everything is good in my little world.

Tutorial: Bead Slides with Toggle Clasp

Weave any loose ends into the beadwork and finish as you normally would for your choice of thread.  Do not remove the final working thread from the beadwork at this point, in case you need to adjust the bracelet length.

I used two bead slides and then attached a toggle clasp, which has the attachment loop at the same angle as the clasp.  These particular bead slides can take beads up to size 8.  I like to finish the existing thread and begin a new thread for the clasp.  This means that if the clasp thread should wear through, the beadwork will remain intact.

Working at the end marked start in the diagram above, add a new thread and exit the bead highlighted in the close up below.

Thread through to the first bead of the last row (highlighted in blue) and thread through it.

Pick up the first bead slide bead.

Thread through the previous bead from the original beadwork (highlighted in blue) in the same direction as before (brick stitch).

Stitch through the beadwork to the next high bead (highlighted) and pass the thread through it.

Carry on adding the bead slide beads in the same way across the end of the beadwork and finish the thread off.

The bead slide consists of a tube with a slot in the side.  At the ends of the tube there are bendable flaps.  Make sure one flap is tight to the tube and the other one is open. Slide each of the bead slide beads in to the tube so that the threads between the bead slide beads and the peyote bracelet beadwork fit into the slot.  All the peyote delicas sit outside the bead slide.  Once you have worked all the bead slide beads in to the tube, close the second flap of the bead slide.

Next add the toggle to the bead slide using three (or more) jump or split rings.  Split rings

require a special tool to open easily but this means there is no chance of things slipping through gaps accidentally.  If you use jump rings open them with pliers, by moving one end to the side as this does not stretch the ring and allows it to be easily closed by flattening it with pliers.

Take the second bead slide and add the loop of the clasp with a jump or split ring in the same way and then put the two parts of the clasp together.

At this point, I like to check the length of the bracelet and ensure it is a good fit, now I know the length of the clasp exactly.  If necessary, add or remove rows with the remaining working thread and then finish the thread.

Add a new thread and brick stitch bead slide beads on to all the high beads on the end of the beadwork in the same way, before sliding the bead slide beads in to the tube and sealing it closed.

This method can be amended if the attachment loop on the metal ring or toggle of the clasp is perpendicular to the clasp.  The addition of a second jump ring will prevent the clasp from twisting.

Put on your new bracelet and do a happy dance!