Amulet bags

I've been meaning to try scanning some of my crafts directly to the computer instead of shooting pictures and although I wish they were bigger, the scan didn't come out too bad!

These are little amulet bags I make from fancy jacquard ribbon that I get at Pacific Fabrics & Crafts in Puyallup, since they have the best selection and the largest sizes. Back in CA, I bought a kit that showed you how to make them. At the time, the kit was purchased from a place called Bead Boppers in Puyallup. I had no idea where this town was when I got the kit, so imagine my shock when I moved up here and literally drove past Bead Boppers one day while out doing errands. It's a good thing I didn't get into an accident that day as I slammed my brakes on and whipped into the parking lot; Pacific Fabrics is across the street from Bead Boppers' old location, so I figured that's where they got the ribbon to make the kits. Since making the first kit, I have been able to expand and do my own.

You start with a piece of ribbon 6" long. Then I fold the bottom 2" of the ribbon up and stitch the sides with beads, and fold the top third down as the flap, and stitch beads all the way around. Then I add beaded fringe and charms, and then the beaded strap. The amulet bags themselves are probably only about 1" to 2" long when done, and range from 9" - 12" long with the straps and fringe.

The graduated fringe takes the longest time, because you have to make sure to accurately count each row of beads and plan out the "V" pattern. This one I tried doing loop fringe which twists back on itself, instead of straight strands.
This one's my fave bag. I got the last piece of ribbon in this pattern and have never seen it again at the fabric store. I used Swarovski crystal and a dragonfly charm on the fringe, and then just chose miscellaneous beads for the strap, with a metal flower connector charm at the top. I think if you click each individual picture, you will be able to see the details and colours.
I'm kind of addicted to making them and I have 9 of them hanging on the walls in my room.
Because I'm so afraid of rejection, I haven't gone out to peddle my wares to see if anyone wants to buy them or show them on consignment at a store. So my friends usually end up receiving packages of crafts and/or jewelry that I've made simply because I don't have room for all the stuff I create.

Everytime I make something, a scene comes to mind from that Krissmiss special, "Santa Claus is coming to town", when Burgermeister Meisterburger decrees that there'll be no more toys, so Santa's elves keep tossing the toys they make into a big pile outside the Toy Shoppe door.