Bead stringing is the where you want to start if you are interested in learning how to make jewelry. jewelry making

Why?

Because stringing beads on a thread or wire is something almost anyone can handle, and it’s important to get comfortable using basic jewelry making tools and parts before moving on to more complicated jewelry techniques.

In short, bead stringing allows you to gain confidence by having some success with your first creations. It’s so important to have those successes so that you don’t get too frustrated when you have some of the inevitable failures with more complicated jewelry patterns or techniques.

I know a few crafters who skipped bead stringing and went straight to bead weaving. I understand their intentions because you can make a lot of really neat jewelry creations with bead weaving.

However, trying to learn a complicated pattern like the puffy heart without any prior jewelry making experience will only lead to failure and frustration for most people.

Like most things, you have to learn to crawl, then walk, then run. If you short cut the process, you will probably fall down and quit in frustration which is a shame because jewelry making is truly a great craft.

So get going with bead stringing and work your way up from there. There are many books and magazines you can get at craft stores which will give you tips on how to get started.

I also have a free bead stringing video course that will show you the things you need to get started as well as a video lesson on the basics of bead stringing.

It costs you nothing so I recommend you give it a try.

Just click on this link and it will take you to the sign up page where you can download the course and get started right away: How to String Beads

I have a new jewelry making video available showing how to make a Florence Ring.

I created this design based on a basic criss cross technique combined with different sized swarovski crystal beads.

I played around with the size gradation of the beads using 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm, and the criss cross technique until I created a kind of heart shape with the ring.

The first time through the design I wasn’t satisfied with the final shape so what I did at the bottom of the ring was create a picot design with seed beads.

The picot shape gave a more complete heart design which I really liked.

I thought the shape of the ring had kind of a nostalgic classic look so I decided to combine bead colors to give it more of a vintage feel.

The way I did that was by using satin coated crystal beads and metallic colored seed beads.

I think the result has a nice vintage feel to it.

For the band of the ring I used a very simple thin design, but you can use a thicker band design if you like.

Another thing I thought was interesting when I put on this ring was that it makes my finger look longer because of the V-cut design of the ring.

I’m not sure that’s all that important but when you have short fingers like I do, it’s kind of nice!

Here is a preview of the Florence Ring jewelry making video:

If you are interested in more details about the full length video you can find information here:

Florence Ring Jewelry Making Video

If you have been making necklaces and bracelets for some time you may feel that it is time to start trying your hand at making bead earrings. They are not difficult to make, but there are a few things that you need to know and special findings that you need in order to make durable earrings that hang well and look great. jewelry making

If you want to make earrings, it can be much easier if you use head pins. These are straight pieces of wire that end in a knob or flat piece. It is this end that keeps the pin from sliding right through the bead. If you are using beads with very large holes, you may want to use a head pin with a larger end on it. You can find very ornate head pins that have decorations on the end. There are head pins with open loops at the ends and ones that are also more plain and utilitarian. The ones you will choose are ultimately what will work best for the size of the hole and the style of the earrings.

When you are selecting your headpin, make sure that the shaft is long enough that it will be able to pass through all of the beads and still have enough to attach to the finding at the other end. Whether you are using a fish hook or a stud, you want to be able to attach it firmly and this can mean wrapping a fair bit of wire at the top.

If you are creating earrings, make sure that they hang well. You want to be careful about not bending the head pin or your earring will be crooked. This can make your earrings look amateurish and badly put together. Again, there should be enough wire passing through the beads that they are not pushed tightly together because this can make the earring look stiff and it will not hang properly.

Earrings can be symmetrical, which means that the beads are the same and assembled in the same order, on both earrings. Or, they can also be asymmetrical. They may use different beads or be assembled in a different order. If you do go with an asymmetrical look, you will need to balance making them look like it was intentional that they were put together differently, but similar enough that it is obvious that they are meant to be from the same pair. 

Although the metal used on the head pin is not a huge consideration because it will be covered by beads, the metal used for the hook, post or wire that will go through your ear is something you need to be careful about. If you are making them for someone who has sensitivities to metal you will want to find out which metals they can wear. You want to pick high quality findings to use because the wire will touch the skin. The last thing you want is for the earrings you have made to cause any bad reactions. beading techniques

Bead earrings can be fun and easy to make. Learning how to make them properly may take practice but it is well worth the effort.

Memory wire bracelets are fun and easy to create, making them an ideal way to start off in the world of jewelry making. The basis for the bracelet is obviously memory wire, which is a special type of wire that holds its given shape even under duress. Memory wire bracelets can be bought from hundreds of internet stores, and generally speaking the more you buy the cheaper they are.

Constructing a memory wire bracelet

The vast majority of memory wire bracelets are threaded with beads. The type of beads you use is totally a personal choice and can range from tiny seed beads through to chunky, irregularly shaped beads that imitate natural stones. The larger the beads the more substantial the finished bracelet so the purpose of the bracelet should be thought about before deciding on what type of beads to thread.

The first step in the creation of a memory wire bracelet is to bend one end of the wire into a small loop, the purpose of which is to stop the beads falling off the bracelet as quickly as you thread them on! This simple loop can be accomplished by curling the wire around one of the legs of a pair of round-nosed pliers, making sure it is big enough to keep the beads on the wire.

Next you simply thread as many beads as you can on to the wire. If you’re using seed beads then this can take a while as most memory wire bracelets encircle the arm between 3 and 5 times, rather than just once as with a traditional bracelet. Larger beads are quicker to thread but as mentioned above they produce a finished bracelet with a chucky design, and this can be imposing on a small wrist.

When you have approximately 2-3cm of wire left you need to make another loop as you did the first to finish off the bracelet.

Making it special

Because memory wire bracelets are so easy to make, numerous pieces can be made in a single evening. By varying the size, shape, color and material of the beads you can make a unique memory wire bracelet for each of the important people in your life. If you want to go a step further you can even use lettered beads and create a personalized message in the actual bracelet. These are a great gift idea for youngsters who enjoy wearing things with their name on.

An alternative to using different types of beads is to create an ensemble of sorts. In addition to a memory wire bracelet you can always make a matching memory wire choker, or you can make a matching pair of bracelets and wear one on each arm.

The possibilities for this type of jewelry are virtually limitless. You just need the memory wire itself, a pair of pliers, some beads and plenty of imagination.

I have some new exciting jewelry techniques you can try to make some absolutely beautiful jewelry.

I recently met Beth Botak from Kabela Design and she showed me all the vintage filigree components they offer and I just fell in love! jewelry making videos

Filigree is so beautiful and you can make jewelry with very high perceived value when you use filigree parts.

I made a few videos featuring Gina Galli where she shows some of the things you can do using Kabela Design parts.

The first one I want to show you is Gina making a ring using a piece from Kabela.

The ring is so beautiful and easy to make!

Please enjoy the video, and when you decide that you just have to make some of these beautiful pieces head over to Kabela Design’s website and check out all the gorgeous pieces they offer.

A few years ago when I was learning the peyote stitch an instructor was teaching me a bit about color in design. She mentioned to me that many people have a certain comfort level with using the same colors that they are naturally drawn to. She encouraged me to "get out of my color comfort zone" and play with color combinations that I would not normally use.

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I started to think more about this and play a little bit with this idea. I thought back to school and learning about color theory. I remember learning about the color wheel and the primary colors and secondary colors. I started to investigate a bit further about color theory in beading in design.

It gives a basic and easy approach to colors and how our eyes react to certain colors. Suzanne also talks about how to create your own color wheel. You can also purchase a color wheel at a local art supply store and Fire Mountain Gems sells them online.

I have had a lot of fun with designing with color and it has made a great deal of difference in my design. You can also play around with different finishes as well which I love to do. You can combine a matte finish with a shiny finish in the same color family. I can go on and on about color play because I have really learned what a great addition it has made to my beading skills.

So, for the New Year I encourage you to "get out of your color comfort zone" even if you don't go so far as to learn about color theory. Play around with color combinations that you normally wouldn't use. Have fun and create without inhibition and see what may materialize before your eyes.