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Home » blog

zzz.Lookback on Handmade Crosses and Rosary Stuff

June 25, 2013 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

These batch of handmade rosaries and rosary accessories were made quite a while ago when I was going through a period of rosary-making.  (Boy, that was fun!)

handmade crosses

Lookback at some handmade crosses & rosary stuff (CH0299/A-G)

I have just come across these old photos I took.  I can’t say I remember how I made every one of them. Having photos can help trigger memories, or even better, new ideas.  So rather than hitting the delete button, I have included these photos here.

A. Swarovski & Chainmaille Rosary Cross

handmade cross

Handmade Cross with Swarovski in Chainmail (A)

This chainmaille Swarovski cross has a solid strong body. The tightness of the jumprings together helps to give it body.  The Swarovski beads and Swarovski rose montee are wire woven on (which helps with the rigidity as well).

Via the detailed photos from the photos, you can see that I have also attached Swarovski chaton monies at the arm and foot ends of the cross.

chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross

chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross

chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross
chainmaill handmade cross

chainmaill handmade cross

You might want to read more on how to make chainmail cross.


B. RAW Handmade Cross

Crystal Handmade Cross

Crystal Handmade Cross (B)

RAW (Right Angle Weave) is a very useful beading weave for creating crosses.  A number of the crosses on this page has been done in this weave.

Crystal Handmade Cross
Crystal Handmade Cross
Crystal Handmade Cross

Crystal Handmade Cross
Crystal Handmade Cross

Both of these handmade crosses below have also been made with RAW. (Back shown is also done in Right Angle Weave.)

Handmade Cross in RAW
Handmade Cross in RAW (F)
Handmade Cross in RAW
Handmade Cross in RAW (G)
Handmade Cross in RAW
Back of Handmade Cross in RAW (G)

You can read more on how to make RAW beaded cross for more details.


C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross

Rod and Hematite Handmade Cross

Rod and Hematite Handmade Cross (C)

This is a very nice looking kind of cross and one of the easiest to make – as long as you have the appropriate rod findings to give it structure and support.

I love the cross bar here which is a finding imported from BeadSmith (America). It goes very well with the hematite gemstones – which always feels very good in rosaries.

ADDITIONAL HOW-TOs:
See Handmade Hematite Rosary for all the details on the making of this cross into an elegant rosary.

Pearl & Crystal Rosary shows an alternative use of these cross bar rods – producing a similar but different style.


D. Chainmaille Cross

This chainmaille cross is not only fun to make but a very interesting cross.  It is fully “floppy” – i.e. not rigid and provides a very tactile, kinesthetic experience that is, in itself, very satisfying and comforting.

Handmade Cross in Chainmaille

Handmade Cross in Chainmaille (D)

Rosary Center in Chainmaille

Rosary Center in Chainmaille (D)

This was made into a Hematite and Moonstone Rosary. There are many more photos with description on the making of the rosary. (Yippee! I had forgotten I actually had written up those notes.  What a good girl I was!)<


E. Swarovski, Rod, and Wire Wrapped Cross

This handmade cross was and remains one of my favourites.

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping (E)

Swarovski crystals are clustered and wrapped around a 5-hole, high grade metal rod.  Beads are wound around to create the cross using fine wire.

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

This particular cross was made into a Rosary for Mommy. It was complete with gemstones, Sterling Silver, more Swarovski, and even if I do say so myself, it is lovely and lovable!

You can find more detailed instructions on how to wire wrap cross here.


Created: 2011
Materials:

  • various

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ZZ.Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings

June 24, 2013 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Earrings, Pendants

This freeform wire wrap pendant and earring set is purely a result of joyful, unencumbered experimentation.

Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings

Freeform Wire Wrap Pendant and Earrings

And it was real fun.  The shapes are as they happened – totally unplanned. There is always a surprise when you turn your playful hand to freeform wire wrapping. Try it and be surprised 🙂
I also took this opportunity to try out a new technique of making my own ear wires.  It all turned out pretty well.
TIP:
copper wire is usually a bit too soft to be used as earwires. It needs to be work-hardened well. Maybe I need thicker wire or some copper alloy that is stiffer than pure copper.
Sorry, this is a real short DIY note but the pics, though comparatively few, are I hope pretty much self-explanatory.
Freeform Wire Wrap Jewellery

Freeform Wire Wrap Jewellery (ch0291/hl)

Hope you enjoyed this short freeform wire wrap excursion.  Hope you will give it a try and let the genii within surprise you too!

 

Created: Dec 2012
Materials:
  • copper wire
  • Swarovski 4mm XILION crystal and pearls

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z.Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

October 16, 2011 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

Hematite and Moonstone Rosary with Chainmail Cross

I made this for a special someone.  His birthday was coming up.  He seemed to like Hematite rosaries. Very wise of him because hematite gemstone is a stone that is ideal for meditation, prayers, forgiveness, and healing.

Materials Used:

  • Hematite Beads – round, polished, 6mm
  • Moonstone Beads – round, 6mm
  • Wire & Jump Rings – silver plated over brass; lead & nickel free
Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

Hematite and Moonstone Rosary (CH0217/al)

 

Handmade Chainmail Cross

Around that time, I had been trying to figure out how to make different types of handmade crosses.  I stumbled on the making of this during my experimentation phase.

This is a chainmail cross.

Handmade Chainmail Cross

Handmade Chainmail Cross

 

This chainmail cross retains its shape but is also very flexible.  Quite fascinating to feel. Very suitable for a kinesthetic person.

Chainmail Cross

Click here for full details on how to make the flexible chainmail cross.

 

Chainmail Rosary Center

I also made the rosary center with chainmail. This was adapted from the Japanese Flower chainmail technique.  (I just did not join to form a closed round. This way, it can form a triangle instead.) The center is a washer.  Nice ain’t it? 😉

Chainmail Rosary Center

Chainmail Rosary Center

 

Links in Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

I created these links for good security and to ensure it was kink-free.

Rosary Links

 

Created: Oct 2011


 

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Z.Rosary for Mom (CH0539)

October 14, 2011 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

Handmade rosaries are often made with lots of love and faith.  This Rosary for Mom is made with more than the usual love and faith.

Handmade Rosary for Mom

Handmade Rosary for Mom

This is a re-posting from 2011.  (Part of moving hosting and website platforms.) I made my first rosary in 2011 and discovered the soothing joy of making rosaries.

2011 was an exceptionally hard year, financially.  So I resorted to making my own gift for a very special person, rather than going out to buy one.  This Rosary for Mom is extra special as the recipient is undoubtedly extra special.

This is also the first time I tried my hand at making my own cross. I wanted the cross to match the rosary.  I also wanted a cross that had sparkle.

All in all, I hope my special Mom loves this rosary as much as I enjoyed making it for her.

Rosary for Mom – Work Details

I chose to work with Fluorite gemstones.  My mom loves violets, purples, and mauve hues.  These little fluorite gemstones are tumbled. They are delightfully smooth and round.  They also feel delicate and peaceful.

I matched the fluorite gemstones with Swarovski Crystal Pearls (Burgundy, 6mm).

And I used the last of my Sterling Silver rosary center for a crisp, clear complement to the piece.

Rosary for Mom with Sterling Silver rosary center

Rosary for Mom with Sterling Silver rosary center

 

Handmade Cross

For the cross, I used:

  • Swarovski #5328 XILION bicone (4mm – Violet Opal, Cyclamen Opal)
  • Swarovski #5328 XILION bicone (2.5mm – Clear) for wrapping around the cross

 

Handmade Cross with Swarovski
Handmade Cross with Swarovski
Handmade Cross with Swarovski
Handmade Cross with Swarovski

As I mentioned before, this is my first attempt at creating an “elaborate” customized cross. Quite happy with the outcome.  I know I still have much to learn and improve on for my next attempts.

The back of the cross shows the details of the wire coiling I employed.  It also shows the wire wrapping with those tiny Swarovski beads.

Handmade Cross - back
Handmade Cross – back
Wire Wrap Cross - back
Wire Wrap Cross – back

 

Rosary Links

The links in this rosary are done in “open loops”.  This ensures a smooth, rink-resistant chain.

Handmade Rosary Links
Handmade Rosary Links

 

Sidenote: In the past, I have usually used the fully coiled loop – i.e. each loop is fully closed by wrapping the wire at least twice around to finish off. However even though that method is much more secure, it does have a tendency to kink. A bit annoying for the user.

Happy Birthday Mommy, 2011

I Love You

Rosary for Mom

Rosary for Mom


 

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