Rue's Song

Here's our final Hunger Games inspired project and it's called Rue's Song!

Spoiler alert for the purple text, skip to the black text to avoid information about The Hunger Games!  This piece was inspired from the scene where Katniss says her final goodbyes to Rue as she lay dieing.  In the book she covers Rue's body with wildflowers that were white, yellow and purple so I used those colors in the flowers along the fringe of the disks.  The little birds embossed on the disks can represent Rue since she was described as birdlike or for the mockingjays that were echoing the song back to Katniss as she sang Rue to her final rest.  I cried when I read this part and cried again watching the movie!


As usual, all supplies are available at our BFC bead shops in Mapunapuna, Hilo, and Maui.  To create this earring set, I used Vintaj's deco embossing folder in the Woodland Birds and their small circle blanks.  After embossing the pattern I punched 3 additional holes on the bottom of the disks using the 2 size leather punch and then brought out the highlights with the Vintaj sanding block.  I took ball end head pins from our Sweet Beads line and strung on 4mm Swarovski bicones in Clear 2xAB, the resin flower, and then 3mm Swarovski bicones in Olivine.  I wire wrapped each dangle to the disk just to ensure that the dangles don't slip off.  Slip the disk onto ear wire and you're done! 

We'll be demonstrating this project at our Mapunapuna Bead Shop on Saturday April 28 between 2 and 3 PM so stop by to check it out!  When ever we do the metal embossing, people are so amazed at how easy and fast it is!  Thanks for stopping by and I'll see ya at the store!

Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna BFC Bead Shop

Girl On Fire Bracelet

Spoiler alert in purple, skip to the black text to avoid anything about the Hunger Games.  This design has been around for a number of years but I thought that the ruffle effect paired with a fire like palette would make a good representation of the look District 12 had during the opening ceremonies of the Hunger Games.
After seeing the movie, it also reminds me of the dress Katniss wore during her interview where she twirled around and the flames danced at the edges of her dress.  I used Topaz 2x AB, Padparadscha AB, and Lt Siam 2x AB for this but you could change up the color combo to suit your idea of fire or even add in the color of coals!

I'll be doing this demo on Sunday April 15 and 29 starting at 2PM at our Mapunapuna Bead Shop!  If you're familiar with bead weaving you can probably figure out the pattern from the picture, just keep in mind that the ruffles give a stretch to the bracelet so when you measure the length I would probably aim for 1/2 inch to 1 inch shorter then normal to accommodate the extra give.  It's a fun design that allows for color changes and combos that can match any outfit!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you at the store!
Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna Bead Shop

Rue Among the Leaves

Here's our second Hunger Games inspired demo that will be held on Saturday April 7 and 14 from 2 PM at our Mapunapuna Bead Shop.  Spoiler alert for the purple text, skip to the next black text to find out how to make the necklace without any Hunger Games details!

"Orchards, huh?  That must be how you can fly around the trees like you've got wings." Thus the inspiration of Rue Among the Leaves. In the book, Rue was described as bird like due to her small frame and in her district she was able to get high up in the trees to gather fruit and see when it was quitting time. She gives Katniss a little more insight on what life is like in the other districts after they form their alliance and a friendship grows between them during that time. Rue was instrumental in helping Katniss when she was trapped up the tree and was also the one to tell Katniss how the mockingjays could be used to communicate messages.   

The majority of supplies used were from Vintaj.  I took the deco vines filigree and cut it in half with wire cutters to get the vines.  Then I used a chasing hammer to flatten 4 foli bead caps to make them look more like flowers.  I used the metal reliefing block to bring out the gold highlights in the vines and flowers just a bit.  Then I threaded rivets with gold 6mm heishi from Sierra Pacific Crafts, then the flowers and hammered to  attached to the vines.  Most of the rivets worked fine but there was one spot that gave me some trouble because the space between the vines was a little bigger so I just used some 2 part epoxy to glue it in place instead and it worked like a charm!


I used the Soaring Sparrow for the center piece and wire wrapped 20 gauge wire with 4mm fire polish beads to connect everything.  Because I wanted to echo the vines theme in the wire wrapping, I made looser wraps and coiled the ends to mimic the tendrils.  20 gauge wire was also used for the j hook and since it's pretty enough, I have it visible in the front which also makes it easier to put on and take off.  I used the delicate chain from our Sweet Beads line and the color matches perfectly with the Vintaj findings.


Well, that's it until next week when I'll have another jewelry piece inspired by the Hunger Games so stop by the Mapunapuna bead shop for the demo or to take a closer look at the jewelry!  I'll see ya later!


Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna Bead Shop

Hunger Games Pendant

Here's the first of our Hunger Games inspired jewelry demos that we are doing for April at our Mapunapuna bead shop.  This post won't have any spoilers since the inspiration was taken from the book cover. 
From the Vintaj Natural Brass Collection that we carry, I used the 40mm bamboo bezel, the diving sparrow, and nail head rivets.  From the Tim Holtz idea-ology line that we carry, I took one of the game spinners that looks like an arrow. 

First I cleaned off the bezel with some rubbing alcohol because I plan to use 5 minute 2 part epoxy to glue on the sparrow and I wanted to make sure that the surface was free of any residue from the hand embellishing done at the Vintaj company.  I also used the Vintaj metal reliefing block to bring out highlights on the bamboo and the sparrow. 

After determining the placement of my findings, I made a hole in the bezel with a hole punch and then used a rivet to attach the arrow.  If you haven't tried using the rivets yet, they are pretty easy.  After threading the findings you need to trim down the rivet with flush cutters until you have about 1/16" of the rivet protruding from the back.  Using the round end of a ball pein hammer, tap the rivet and it will start to mushroom out a bit.  Then tap it with the flat end of the hammer until it's flattened. 

Next I used the 2 part epoxy and glued on the sparrow.  I love 2 part epoxy because it's strong, fast in that the project can be handled after 5 minutes but not so fast in that it allows me to have a few minutes to adjust positioning if needed.

That's pretty much it!  I'll be doing this demo on Sunday April 1 and  again on the 8th between 2 and 3 PM at our Mapunapuna Bead Shop so come by if you want to check it out!

I'll be back on Thursday to post another Hunger Games inspired piece, it might have some spoilers but I'll give you warning on what portion to skip so don't worry!

See ya later!

Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna  Bead Shop