The Beautiful Handmade Beaded Bracelets

Posted on | August 25, 2007

Making jewelry with beads has become very popular. You can basically make whatever you like, in whichever style you like and in whatever colors you select. Every creation is unique. But if you are just a beginner, making a beaded bracelet might be a bit difficult. There are many things which you have to keep in mind while making a bracelet.

The first step is to get the required tools and materials needed for making bracelets. Many good craft shops have a large range of basic tools you will require, so you can get wires fasteners and string, and they are most likely to have a large range of beads for you to select.

If you are inclined to do something a little more complex, you may find your craft shops stock a bit limited, then you will have to go to a dedicated beading shop. But beware; it is not easy to get out of these stores without being attracted to many qualities of bead and spending much more than what you had initially planned. Beading stores are a little costlier than craft shops but the advantage is that you get a large range of beads of all colors, shapes and styles. You will also discover that the salesmen/women are also beading enthusiasts and will give you lot of helpful advice.

As far as tools are concerned start with basics and increase your collection slowly and steadily. You don’t require every tool on day one, but you will know that wire cutters, jewelry pliers and a good pair of craft scissors are always needed. So buy them first.

You will need to decide what type of material you want to string your bead on. If you have already selected the beads, think about the colors you would like to use. One of the simplest string materials is stretch or elastic string. You just tie a knot on one end and start slipping the beads on in order and finish it with a knot and perhaps a drop of glue to keep the knot in place, and you are done. You may also utilize a beading string for this type of bracelet.

If you wish your bracelet to be a bit stronger and stiffer then you should use a beading wire. It is still relatively flexible and gets you a nice finish. If you wish to make a solid bracelet then you need to utilize regular wire, which will give a chain effect if that is what you have in mind.

Children very often find it appealing to thread beads on to hemp material or leather. You will require larger size beads for this type of bracelet. It may be a simple way for a child to make gift for a friend. Hemp is suitable for making jewelry with an earthly look to it.

The final step is to select the type of clasp or fastener you wish for your bracelet, you may just tie the two ends together if you have used a elastic or beading string, but if you wish to make it attractive and durable then you need a proper clasp.

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How To Create An Orphan Bead Necklace And Choker Set

Posted on | July 23, 2007

By Sheri Hill

This Is A Great Project For All Of Those Leftover Seed And Bugle Beads And Your Bead “Orphans”

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: FAIRLY EASY
TIME: ABOUT AN HOUR.

SUPPLY LIST:

VARIETY OF BUGLE AND SEED BEADS, MIXED
5-6 CZECH FLOWERS LENGTH DRILLED
4 CZECH FLOWERS SIDE DRILLED
10-15 SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS, 4mm and 6mm MIXED
VARIETY OF OVAL, ROUND, RONDELLE AND SQUARE CZECH GLASS BEADS, FACETED
1 FOCAL LAMPWORK BEAD
8″ OF 22 GAUGE WIRE, NON-TARNISH SILVER
1 HEAD PIN
1 BUTTON CLASP
2 SILVER CRIMP BEADS
SOFTFLEX BEADING WIRE, FINE, AT LEAST 22″
1 1/2 TURNS MEMORY WIRE FOR NECKLACE

TOOLS:

SCISSORS
WIRE CUTTERS
ROUND NOSE PLIERS
CRIMPING PLIERS
FLAT NOSE PLIERS

Directions for necklace: Decide the length of your necklace, mine is about 18″, and trim your beading wire, leaving enough for tying off at end. Add male end of clasp and secure with crimp bead. There is no perfect order for stringing, but my rule is to have a “patternless symmetry”..that means that about every 1 1/2″ I add a bigger bead to break up the smaller czech beads, bugle and seed beads. Keep in mind what colors you are using…and make sure that your color doesn’t “pattern”…i.e. a lot of gold, then a lot of purple, etc…you need to really break this up. When you’ve reached your desired length, add female end of clasp and secure with crimp bead.

Directions for choker: Cut your length of memory wire to 1 1/2 turns…you can make it smaller later. I prefer the extra length to layer around the back of my neck for security…no need for a clasp! Go ahead and create a small loop at the end of your memory wire with roundnose pliers, then tighten the loop with your flat nose pliers. This will keep any of the smaller beads you may use on the end from coming off. Using the same “patternless symmetry” string your beads on just under 1/2 of the length of your memory wire. Then you will string on 3 1/2 drilled czech flowers. Then string the rest of your wire as you did the first, in the “patternless symmetry”, leaving 3/4″ to turn with pliers and tighten, creating your end loop.

Now for the tricky part! Take your 8″ of 22 gauge wire and create a loop on the end. On this you will string in this order…3 seed beads, 1 1/2 drilled czech flower (matching the others in the center of your choker)1 small crystal, your focal lampwork bead. Then, you will take the remainder of the wire and wrap around the 3 czech flowers on the center of your choker. This is done by bringing the wire between the center and right flower from behind and back down, then up again between the center and left flower, and back down the front again. Then “wrap” the remainder wire on the wire between the focal bead and your center flowers to secure. Trim with wire cutters. This may take a couple of tries, so don’t be frustrated! To finish off your focal piece, put a crystal on the head pin, create a loop and string through the first loop you created at the bottom of your focal bead. Create your last loop to attach your crystal drop.

Sheri Hill is a stay at home mother of three and a self-proclaimed bead enthusiast. Having recently joined the Catholic Church at he age of 41, she loves to share her faith with others. Visit her website at http://www.freshmarketbeads.com

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