A while back I snagged these vintage chandelier crystals from an estate sale, a set of 10 each. While I wasn't immediately overwhelmed with love, I had a vague idea that they might be transformed into something with some holiday spirit.
I spent part of today creating these large porcelain 'lentil' beads, 18 in all. Completed, these will be about 2" in diameter. Yep, those are styrofoam balls up there, split in half, being used as drape molds. I haven't touched a piece of styrofoam in many years but it is truly amazing what the craft store will yeild up in terms pottery tools. 
And voila! This is what those beads will become (hopefully). This is the prototype ornament. I think of it as a little jewelry for your tree. I disassembled those chandelier crystals and brass wire wrapped them back together in a combination of clear and red. Frankly, those chandelier connections are just about as ugly as they come. This was clearly an exercise in honing my rosary bead, briolette wire wrapping skills. I've got 18 sets done, and even though my hands ached, it really made me want to work more with wire. It really is addictive. Maybe there is a jewelry maker buried deep inside me? And for those of you who were counting, there is no number 20 set. One of the crystals was chipped so that left me with 18. Just as well. I haven't the time right now to do 2 more.
