My first Christmas Ornament.

A few mornings ago I thought I would have a try at making a Christmas ornament. I was in need of making something different for a change.

I have learnt a few things from doing the rick-rack designs and wanted to put the learning into this star.

I worked on the 'front' side of my star - image to your left - and was very happy with how it looked but overall I was disappointed. I felt the back had to look nice also and the very tips of the points didn't bling enough so I put it aside, not certain I would finish it or pull it apart.

I left it alone yesterday morning as I just wasn't into playing with it anymore. I spent the morning tutorial writing instead. This morning I woke and thought I would continue tutorial writing, got my computer ready, made my coffee and as I sat down I looked at the unfinished star.

I immediately wanted to play with it again, with an idea of what to do for the 'back' side. Needless to say what I intended to do and what I did do were completely different.

I covered the rivoli back with size 15/o seed beads only to decide I preferred it uncovered. I went ahead and surrounded the bezel back in 2mm crystals and made a smaller 'star' like shape emanating out from the crystal ring. As I placed the teardrop crystal on each star point I was also enhancing the 'front' as this teardrop could be seen both sides.

To give the 'front' star points more bling I added a Swarovski marguerite flower crystal to each point. That sure took care of the sparkle.

To your right is the 'back' of my star with a pale centre and the teardrop points. To the left is the 'front' of my star with a gold and white centre and the teardrops on the back can be seen here also.

Overall I am very happy with the results and glad I didn't pull it apart. Sometimes we need to leave things alone for awhile before we can move forward again. This is a perfect case of the benefit of being more patient and waiting to be re-inspired.

I am a little late for writing a tutorial for this in time for people to make for Christmas but it shall be written and ready for Christmas in July and definitely for Christmas 2014.