Pressed flowers fridge magnets

I have been for lovely walk today at Willsbridge Mill in Bristol.  Its so tranquil there, they have a lovely little wild garden and pond there and bubbling stream where the children can mess about in their wellies.

We collected some flowers today and have pressed them into flower fridge magnets  I have one set available to buy via my facebook page at the moment.  

I made these using a flower press from The Feltworks a lovely shop on Folksy 

We used buttercups, grass, daisies,salvia and cowparsley i am not sure what the little blue flower is offhand but do tell me if you know!

Jenny x

How to make twist wire bracelet

STEP 1 - Firstly select beads you want to use, smaller beads will give more dainty bracelet. I used green agate, malachite chips, green cats eye beads and toho beads for this project.  I used 26 gauge silver coloured florist wire you will need about 4ft x 2.
 
STEP 2 - Use one length 26 gauge wire at a time.  Leave tail of about 6 inches place on bead i usually use round one on wire.





STEP 3 - Cross wires right under the bead as shown in the photo, then twist 3 times using thumb and forefinger.

STEP 4 - Twisted bead will be held in place on 26 gauge wire now.  Take a finger space between this bead and the next one and do same mixing up beads and shapes as you go to create interest.

STEP 5 - Mix up seed beads and round beads the closer the beads the more wire you will use.  Check length around your wrist you will need extra as you will intertwine the 2 strands later. 

STEP 6 - Repeat with other strand. Leave tails of 6" either end.

STEP 7 - Grasp two ends and make Y shape then twist with thumbs and forefingers about 1/2 "

 STEP 8 - You need enough twisted wire to be able to make a loop with round nose pliers.

STEP 9 - Twist loop with round nose pliers and bring two ends around base of it to secure. (You could add lobster clasp at this point if you want to. so it is secured onto the loop and cannot come off.

STEP 9 - Plait and intertwine the two strands (careful not to overtwist or the wire will snap) and then the two ends by the twisted wire loop you will individually weave one at a time amongst beads until left with about 1" wire then use round nose pliers to create nice neat coil and tuck in amongst beads.  Do this with all four ends. 

STEP 9 - You will see i have added jump rings to the twisted wire loops you made and a mobius love knot (intertwined jump rings) and clasp to add some decoration to the bracelet.


You could make a necklace in the same way as this but longer length too and its great little project to use up all those little beads you have left over.  


Time to make : approx 30 to 45 mins.  Level Beginner to intermediate.  


Thank you.