Basic Beading Tools For Jewelry Makers

Beading is actually an easy craft to master if you start with basic beading instructions for beginners. Even the simplest patterns that require little more than stringing beads on beading wire can look impressive.



Before You Begin

If you're a novice beader, you should probably start with a set of instructions for a simple project. A beaded necklace comprised of medium to large beads is a good beading project for beginners. Once you know what you're going to make, you'll need to gather all of the supplies-a pair of pliers for crimping, wire cutters, beading wire, two crimp beads, a clasp, the beads needed to create your necklace and a bead board or towel to act as your work surface so the beads don't roll away.

Beading Toolkits



Plan Your Design

Whether you're following a particular project or creating a pattern on your own, you'll want to plan before you start stringing. Lay the beads on the bead board as you want them to look. Feel free to play around with the pattern before you start. Then decide how long you want your necklace to be. You may want the beads to cover the entire length of your wire or you may want to leave some of the wire exposed. Once you choose a length, cut a piece of wire a few inches longer than you want the piece to end up. Then, use a crimp bead to attach one end of the clasp to one end of the wire.

String It On

Now simply string the beads onto the wire, one by one, in the order in which you laid them out. When working with big beads this process is generally very easy, but with smaller beads you may want to check the pattern from time to time to make sure you're sticking to it. Keep going until you reach the end of the pattern you laid out.

Finishing It Off

To complete the necklace place the other end of the clasp onto the end of the wire, securing it with a crimp bead. Finally, use the wire cutters to clip off excess beading wire and then your necklace is complete.

Author: Julie Knapp

Source: http://www.life123.com/

Tutorial - Elephant Hair Bracelet

1. Straighten 52 inches of 18 gauge round wire by putting one in the vise, securing the other in draw tongs or parallel jaw pliers, and pulling on the wire.

2. Cut 4, thirteen inch pieces of 18 gauge round wire (from the straightened piece) for the bracelet (one may also use 20 or 22 gauge for the bracelet but 18 is sturdier). This bracelet, when finished, will have an adjustable circumference of 8-9 112 Inches. For a smaller bracelet, start with 4- twelve inch lengths.

3. Cut 2- ten inch pieces off 20 gauge for the knot. The gauge and length should be adjusted if using thinner wire for the bracelet or making bigger knots.

4. Tape the four 18ga. pieces together every 3 inches starting three inches from the end. Be sure the wires are side by side.

5. Bend 4 strands into an "S" curve using forming or flat pliers. Close loop ends. The "S" should be approximately 318 inch in length.

6. Bend the length of all the wires around a bracelet mandrel, or other form, with the "S" loop end on top of the other wires. Keep all wires adjacent to one another- side by side.

7. Making the first knot:

Bend 1 112 inches of the ten inch piece at a right angle

Feed the long piece of the wire through the "S" (either loop of the "S" will do)

Wrap around the "S" curve AND wires underneath. Wrap the entire length of the "S" and put the end of the wire through the other loop of the "S". One end of the wire should be pointing toward you and the other end away from you.

8. Take the short end of the original" knot" wire and put it into slot "K and pull through. Take what is left of the long wire and put it into slot " W and pull through. Use parallel jaw pliers to "square up" the knot. Clip and finish ends as necessary.

9. Place the end wires (other end from where the knot is) on top of the four original wires (the wires will lift up and cross over). Start the second "S" curve by bending the wires down and then up.

10. Repeat step number 8 with the second 10-inch piece.

11. Tumble polish or brass brush. DO NOT BUFF.

Sample photos of Elephant Hair Bracelets

Article and Image source : ganoksin.com

Image source : ganoksin.com and justelephant.com

How to Make Jewelry With Newspapers and Paper

Get a very simple step-by-step tutorial for making Newspaper Jewelry. Just follow the instructions below. Here we go;

Step 1

Instructions: Take a sheet of newspaper that is relatively print-free (you may also want to try paper bags) and using the carbon paper, transfer a design of your choice to the newspaper. You may also free hand draw the design if you'd like. Set aside.

Step 2

Spread a layer of glue onto a single sheet of newspaper. Lay a second sheet of newspaper on top and smooth in place. Cover this sheet of newspaper with glue and lay a third sheet on top of it. Cover this sheet with glue and place on top of it the sheet of newspaper on which you have drawn your pattern, pattern side up. Smooth in place.

Step 3

While the glue is still damp and setting up, cut out the pattern. Shape the cutout piece. Use the tip of a spoon or a table knife to press in outlines. To shape, curve around with pencil.

Step 4

To attach pin backs, apply glue to the pin back and put in place on back of the pieces. Cut a small strip of newspaper and glue it over the pin back for support. For necklaces, make a pin hole for the jump ring. Let the glue dry completely, preferably overnight. Give the entire piece an undercoat of white paint. This helps the overcoat colors to be brighter. Then paint in with desired colors. Add details with markers. Let dry. As a final step, use either spray varnish or brush-type glaze for finish. Enjoy!

Article source :http://www.ehow.com

How to Make Beautiful Jewelry : Hammering A Piece Of Hand Made Jewelry: Part 2

Video source : Youtube.com

How to Make Beautiful Jewelry : Hammering A Piece of Hand Made Jewelry Part 1

Video source : Youtube.com

How to Make Beaded Jewelry - Wire Looping Beads for Making Beaded Jewelry

Title : How to Make Beaded Jewelry - Wire Looping Beads for Making Beaded Jewelry

Video Source : Youtube.com

How to Make a Beaded Necklace (Bead Jewelry)

Beading jewelry is such a wonderful thing. Get a very simple step-by-step how to make a Necklace.

1. Gather your stringing materials. The best kinds are flexible beading wire and beading thread. Look for wire that has 21 or 49 strands of stainless steel wire, coated with nylon. (Strands that only have 7 wires will kink easily.) Beading thread is a great option if you are stringing lightweight beads.

2. Before cutting your thread or wire, determine the length of your necklace and add 4-8", so that you have enough material to connect the clasp to the stringing materials.

3. You will need crimping beads and a special crimping tool. Many beaders prefer sterling silver crimp beads. They bend easier than base metal ones, and grab the wire better, so your clasp stays secure.

4. You'll also need a clasp and some tiny beads to use near the crimps.

5. Slide a tiny bead (2-4mm) on the threading material, then the crimping bead, then another tiny bead on the stringing material about an inch or so down. Place one end of the clasp on after the crimp bead, and make a loop with the stringing material. Place the end of the string (wire or actual string) through the bead-crimp-bead combo, then use the crimping tool to crimp the bead in place. (If using bead thread, you may wish to put a dot of super glue on either end to ensure that the beads and crimp stay on.) These steps will protect the stringing material from rubbing on the ends of the crimp bead, which may cause the necklace to break.

6. Choose your beads and lay out your design before stringing. When you are satisfied, string them onto your necklace. Be sure to leave about 3-4 inches of stringing material at the end.

7. Do the same thing as in step 3: use a tiny bead-crimp-bead combo, and put the other end of the clasp on and try to push the remaining stringing material into the bead holes. (The tail of your stringing material should not be visible upon completion of the necklace.)

8. Be careful not to pull the stringing material too tight. Leave a small amount of slack in the necklace (2-4 mm or 1/4"). This leaves room for the beads to move and rotate, so they don't rub on each other or the stringing material too much.

9. Crimp the second end and cut the stringing material. It is not recommended that you cut the wire too close to the crimp bead. An inch of wire, carefully hidden in the bead holes is good insurance against breakage.

Beading Tools For Beginners (Bead Jewelry)

When learning how to bead you'll discover very quickly that you require more than just some thread and basic beading needles. There are hundreds of organizers and beading tools available for beading, and these tools have a direct impact on the look and style of any beading project. There are just a few basic beading tools that you need to get you started:
Tool #1: Wire Cutter

Wire cutters are an essential in bead jewelry, because you will be using various kinds of wire. You will want to get a small pair of wire cutters that can cut through things like headpins. They should be small, because the work you will be doing is small. If the wire cutters are too big, you will not be able to cut the wire close to the project.

Tool #2: Glue

Many jewelry projects require that you use glue, but you want to make sure you purchase glue that is specially designed for bead jewelry. White or craft glues will not adhere correctly, but beading glue often gets into the delicate details of a project.

Tool #3: Tweezers

As you continue beading, you will find that you are using very small, delicate beads. A pair of tweezers will help you pick up small objects that you just cannot do with your hands.

Tool #4: Scissors

You will need scissors for many beading projects, but be sure you purchase the kind that is specially created for jewelry making.

Tool #5: Round Nose Pliers

While you can find round nose pliers at any hardware store, it is often better to buy them in a craft or beading store, because these are made especially for beading. Also, you should look for round nose pliers that have a spring in the handle, because they are more comfortable and convenient for beading. The round nose pliers are used for making round or circular pieces of wire.

Tool #6: Flat Nose Pliers

Again, you can find these tools in most hardware stores, as their uses range from beading to auto repair. Yet buying them in a craft or beading store will assure that they are made for jewelry. These pliers should be soft inside the nose, and they will be the primary pair of pliers with a flat nose used in jewelry making.

As you beading expertise progresses you will need other tools like Ez-Beaders and hand tube beaders. You will also find yourself in need of organizers for your beads. Often new beaders just head out to the craft store and pick out beading tools and beads they think are that they need or are great looking. While beaders can create projects out of many combinations of tools and beads, these purchases often get not ideal for great results.

I recall that when I first started beading many years ago, there were a few tips in beading that if I had would have been very useful. One such tip is beading tools buying tips. So here, instead of let you make the same mistakes that I made, I’ve given you the six steps to getting essential beading tools that you require to start beading successfully.

Bead Jewelry

Bracelets - Tips How To Make Them (Bead Jewelry)

Creating bracelets is fun.

If this is your hobby, then its time to make it more interesting. The bracelet making and maintaining tips follows:

1. Decide how many links you want to use in making your bracelet. Although it is easy both to add and remove the links even after you make your bracelet its better if you plan in advance. Below are given the general guidelines in making bracelets. For children bracelets generally 10 links are sufficient · For adult bracelets you may require 14-18 links.

2. Select your charms

3. We recommend you use high quality stainless steel, as the day-to-day use does not rust it out.
4. By changing the rings you can change the style of your bracelet very easily.

5. In making a beaded bracelet, choose beads first. Beads can be of varying sizes, as it looks attractive.

6. Choose findings for your bracelet. You will need a clasp and two bead tips. The bead tips are used to secure the ends of your bracelet so that the clasp can be attached.

7. Layout the beads on a piece of clothe and then knot them.

8. Measure your wrist or ankle size so that you can customize your bracelet.

9. Always make sure you remove your bracelet while washing clothes, bathing and swimming.

Although making bracelets is very easy, the bracelets made by professionals look great and in case you want to make them yourselves beware it requires lot of raw materials and heck lot of time on your part. Making friendship bracelets can be done at home by using the tips provided here.

But in case you want to wear bracelets for show then very beautiful and charming bracelets are available. Italian charm bracelets have become very famous and for good reason. They not only look beautiful but also are very elegant.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The Beauty of Bead Jewelry Making and Design (Bead Jewelry)

In the world of creative arts, bead jewelry making and design is quickly becoming the most popular craft. This craft offers boundless possibilities in terms of design and materials and will surely awaken the artist in you. The limitless possibilities in design and form in this craft may be overwhelming and may cause some problems but at the same time may allow you to exercise your creativity freely.

An expert in the art of bead jewelry making maintains that problems in the craft may pave the way for the birth of unique design elements. Take for example her experience with designing a bracelet out of jasper and copper. Jasper drill rings are unpopular with crafters because they are generally unattractive and not conveniently functional.

She chose a colorful combination of red, brown and green jasper drill rings for her bracelet design. However the result of her effort looked appalling. She decided to try another style to salvage her project. She experimented with copper to compliment the colors in the jasper drill rings.

The results were dramatic. The element of copper blended the colors of the jasper drill rings and transformed into a stunning masterpiece. She even accented the bracelet with copper wire. She discovered that the key to working with any element when it comes to bead jewelry making was in the harmony and blending of the colors.

The abundance of materials in bead jewelry making gives you plenty of opportunities to experiment. All you need is your imagination and a lot of patience. The initial results of your project may not be impressive but if you keep at it you may be rewarded with a stunning work of art.

One of the recent and most fashionable trends in bead jewelry making is cell phone charms. They are easy to make and allows you to exercise our creativity in personalizing your cell phone. They are very popular among young girls and many of them have started to make their own design. Materials that give headaches to seasoned crafters may provide inspiration for young budding artists.

Don’t just discard seemingly ugly and unworkable bead jewelry making materials. Work with them patiently and you may come up with an impressive masterpiece.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Bead Jewelry

Learn How To Make Jewelry By Getting Started With Bead Stringing (Bead Jewelry)

As a jewelry making teacher, I often talk to ladies who want to learn how to make jewelry, but they aren't sure how to get started. I can understand this because it isn't always obvious from looking at jewelry pieces to know what would be easy to make, and what would be difficult to make.

Like most things, if you jump in to soon and work on something you're not ready for, you will probably end up being frustrated, start to think you can't do it, and quit. My suggestion is always to crawl before you walk before you run. That way you can quickly build confidence in your abilities and you will enjoy seeing yourself improve as you start to take on more challenging in jewelry making projects.

From my experience with new students the best way to learn to crawl when it comes to bead jewelry making is to learn simple bead stringing techniques first. Doing so will get you comfortable with simple jewelry making techniques, materials, and tools before you move on to try something more difficult. And the nice thing is that you can still make a lot of very beautiful jewelry pieces even with simple bead weaving techniques.

For the most part, bead stringing simply involves running a thin wire or a nylon filament string (that's where the word "stringing" comes from) through the holes in an assortment of beads to create beautiful necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. With all the colors and types of beads available these days the number of different jewelry pieces you can make is virtually limitless.

To complete your jewelry stringing pieces you just need to learn a few simple finishing techiques like how to add a jump ring and a clasp so that you can wear the jewelry piece. You can master those finishing techniques in a short period of time. Once you've done that you will be equipped to create some very nice handcrafted jewelry pieces in no time at all.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eri_Attebery

Bead Jewelry