Dear Bead lover, This is the last newsletter for 2008. I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season so far. Let's toast new ideas, new materials and a lot of new beads in 2009! Resolutions
Last year, I resolved to get my business paperwork under control. Keeping myself on a short leash, I entered each purchase and expense into a spreadsheet immediately. The result: My quarterly taxes take half as much time to complete now that all the information is already stored in one place. So, what about my resolutions for 2009? Tool organization tops my to-do list. For example, a simple wood bar keeps my pliers lined up and orderly, but hammers, bench blocks, hole punches, drill bits and novelty tools have no real storage scenario in my studio. Also, my metalworking tools used to fit easily into a wicker wall basket, but my penchant for tools has exploded into chaos. The basket isn't holding up too well either! I am exploring my storage options since storing my tools in bags results in too much digging around. Jewelry hammers and cutters should be stored carefully so that they are protected from harm. I prefer to keep my supplies where I can see them at a glance, so I decided to get some shelves. After extensive Internet surfing, I ordered a magnetic tool bar and a stacked drawer system with slots for pliers on top. Both were found at contenti.com.  I have already organized the new storage system in my head. Delicate cutters can go into the shallow drawer, and often-used specialty pliers will sit in the top slots. Hopefully these small additions will help tame my tool troubles. Creativity and organization are close cousins, despite any perceptions about the freewheeling tendencies of artists. Knowing where everything is speeds the process of creation, making the most of playtime. I invite readers to share their tool storage tips. Use my feedback form to share your newest, best ideas. Back to top.
| What�s the difference between an eyepin and a headpin? When would I use them?
- Chris A. A headpin is a straight piece of wire with a tiny disk or other piece of metal at one end. The metal disk stops beads from falling off the end of the wire when you string them on. You can finish the straight end of the headpin with a simple or wrapped loop. Headpins work well to make neatly finished dangles. An eyepin is a straight piece of wire with a simple loop at one end. The loop stops beads from falling off the end of the wire when you string beads on, like with a head pin; however the eyepin's "eye" opens so you can add other findings to it. For example, you can link beaded eyepins to make a chain like a rosary, or add a beaded headpin dangle to make an articulated earring. | |
|  Sweet & Silky
Designs by Candie Cooper Combine the opulent look of silk ribbon with some pretty crystal beads for an upscale, designer-style look. We�ve seen similar necklaces in high-fashion catalogs for upwards of $200, but you can make your own for less than $20. Materials - Clear round faceted crystal beads: 12 (10mm), 10 (12mm)
- 14 (6mm) silver/iridescent round faceted beads
- 2 (5mm) silver soldered jump rings
- 2 (1.3mm) silver crimp beads
- Silk ribbon: 36 inches 1/2-inch-wide purple/green variegated, 36 inches 3/4-inch-wide purple
- 24 inches 4mm silver chain with clasp
- 12 inches .018-inch-diameter nylon-coated flexible beading wire
- Large-eye beading needle
- Flat-nose pliers
- Crimp pliers
- Wire cutters
Finished Sizes
Ribbon Necklace
43 inches
Ribbon/Chain Necklace
19 inches (including clasp) Instructions Ribbon Necklace | 1) | String a crimp bead onto beading wire 1/2 inch from one end; place wire end through a jump ring and back through the crimp bead. Use crimp pliers to flatten the crimp bead. | | 2) | String a silver/iridescent bead and a 10mm clear faceted crystal; repeat three additional times. | | 3) | String on a silver/iridescent bead and a 12mm clear faceted crystal; repeat four additional times. | | 4) | Repeat step 2. String on a silver/iridescent bead. | | 5) | String on a crimp bead; place wire end through a jump ring and back through the crimp bead and several other beads. Pull to tighten wire loop. Flatten the crimp bead; trim excess wire. | | 6) | Tie one end of purple/green ribbon onto one of the jump rings in a snug knot; repeat to tie the opposite end of ribbon to the other jump ring. Determine center of ribbon and cut at an angle. Trim ribbon ends angled. | Ribbon/Chain Necklace | 1) | Cut silver chain in half, creating two 12-inch lengths. Fold each chain in half, end to end, and connect with jump rings, creating two folded 6-inch chain lengths. | | 2) | Thread an 11-inch piece of purple ribbon onto needle. Insert needle and ribbon through the last two links on the folded end of one chain length, leaving a 2-inch tail. Tie a snug knot. | | 3) | String a 12mm clear faceted crystal onto ribbon and slide it next to the knot; tie another knot, sliding the knot against the crystal before pulling knot snug. String a 10mm clear faceted crystal onto ribbon and slide it against the crystal before pulling knot snug. Tie another knot after the crystal in the same manner as before. Continue stringing crystals and tying knots onto ribbon until all crystals have been strung. | | 4) | Repeat step 2 to tie end of ribbon onto the other chain length. Trim excess ribbon so it matches the opposite side. | | 5) | Measure 1 inch above the first ribbon knot and thread a piece of ribbon through the two corresponding links of chain; tie ribbon into a knot. Trim ribbon ends. Repeat two inches above this knot. | | 6) | Repeat step 5 on opposite side of necklace. Tie a small piece of ribbon next to clasp; trim ribbon ends. | | Copyright © September 2006 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved.
Click here for printer-friendly page. | | Back to top. Reader Q&A I really enjoy your newsletter. I also enjoy making jewelry for my friends and family. The problem is, both my mother-in-law and I have a nickel allergy, so we cannot wear many of the findings and wires for jewelry making. Do you or any of your other readers know of a metal alloy that is nickel-free and can be used for jewelry making at home? I notice a lot of body jewelry is nickel-free, but was wondering if these alloys are readily available? Kat (via e-mail) There are a lot of great metal options for folks with nickel allergies, but if you aren't sure what a particular finding is made from, don't buy it! Sterling silver, gold-filled, natural brass and pure copper are all nickel-free. Unlike a box of cookies, metal findings don't contain a list of ingredients. Working with pure metals is a much safer bet, with a gigantic variety of options in style. If you have a piece of jewelry that you love but are unsure whether it contains nickel, test kits are available. The Nickel Solution kit by Athena Allergy tests metals and also has a coating that can be applied to protect the wearer from nickel exposure if any is detected. Or Allerderm's Allertest™ Ni allows you to test for and detect nickel on jewelry, clothing and even doorknobs. I'm new at jewelry making and want to know how you figure out how much wire you will need for any given project. I expected a bracelet to not require much wire, but when I read the instructions, it needed far more than I imagined. Can you give me some tips on how to figure out how much wire I'll need for projects? Sheila (via e-mail) Remember, the person who wrote the supply list is the expert, and the quantities he or she specifies are close to or exactly as much as you need. Make notes on your personal copies of instructions or supply lists, so if your quantities differ, you'll know the correct amount the next time you use the pattern. When figuring out a new weave or link, I cut a set amount, write the measurement down and give it a try. After completing the technique, I measure how much is left to determine how much was used. Always try new wire techniques with copper or craft wire before committing to more expensive materials like sterling. It's important to remember that you're better off with too much wire rather than not enough! Where would you get a medic-alert stamp? I'd really like to make a pretty bracelet for my mom for Christmas and that item would be awesome! Donna (via e-mail) I wasn't able to give you an answer before the holidays, but better late than never! Your local pharmacy probably carries basic medic-alert bracelets. Remove the charm and use it for your custom design. An Internet search also turned up several great sources (lifejewelry.com, jewelbasket.com and oneida-medical-jewelry.com). You might want to include custom engraving, depending on the wearer's condition. The addition of the person's name, doctor's phone number or emergency contact is a key function of a tag, so be sure you consider function as well as form. Many of the sites I listed offer different metals, shapes and styles, and even include special designs for children. A good, customized medic-alert piece of jewelry is a great "anytime" gift, so I am sure you'll find the perfect charm for your mom's bracelet. Use my feedback form to ask me your beading questions. I might have an answer for you, or you'll provide an opportunity for me to learn new and interesting things to share with you and other readers. Back to top. |
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