Making Your Own Jewelry

How to: Beads out of Paper Mache -- Type 1

2011-07-11T15:31:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:
Un-glossed Paper
A Pot
Some Water
A Spoon
A Bowl
Elmer's Glue
Wooden Skewers
Sandpaper -- Medium to Fine Grit
Acrylic Paint & a Paint Brush
Clear Varnish or Clear Nailpolish

Step 1: Shred your paper. Smaller pieces make smoother beads.
Step 2: Boil Some water in the pot. You'll want about a 3:1 ratio. So, if you have one cup of paper, use three cups of water.
Step 3: Once the water is boiling, add the paper. Stir constantly. You wouldn't want your paper to burn to the bottom of your pot!
Step 4: After about two minutes, turn off the heat, but keep stirring. Stir for about another three to five minutes or so. You want your paper mache to break down as much as you can before you get tired.
Step 5: Drain off as much water as you can.
Step 6: Time to transfer it to the bowl! As your transferring your wet paper mess, squeeze as much water out of it as you can with your hands.
Step 7: Add glue to your paper. You want enough glue to make your paper want to take a shape, but not so much that it'll be so wet that it will just fall apart.
Step 8: Form your beads. You can roll them into balls with your hands, or press them into a chocolate candy mold to make pendants <if you do this you'll need a drill to put the holes in>.
Step 9: Set beads aside to dry for about 30 mins. This will allow them to hold their shape once you put them on the skewers.
Step 10: After they've had time to set, skewer them with the wooden skewers. Leave the beads on the skewers to dry the rest of the way. You may need to re-shape them a little, but it should be fine.
Step 11: Find a place where they can dry suspended in the air somehow. I like to open up a drawer and set the skewers across it. <Just make sure no one closes the drawer> This will make it so that they won't have a flat part. If you can't find a place to set them, it's fine. Just put them on some wax paper, shiny side up.
Step 12: Dry Overnight. For a variation, you can bake them on an un-greased cookie sheet at 200 degrees until they're dry <Usually about 30 minutes or so depending on how big you've made them>. You'll know they're dry when they don't squish anymore <Just be careful not to ruin your beads>
Step 13: Remove the beads from the skewers.
Step 14: Sand like the dickens! The heavier the grit, the more paper will be taken off at a time. Fine grit will make them very smooth, but you have to sand for a very long time.
Step 15: Paint! You can immerse them in the paint to coat the entire bead very quickly, or you can use a brush to make little details. Let them dry again.
Step 16: Cover with Varnish or Clear Nail Polish. A spray varnish works very nicely in coating evenly, and making them look shiny. If using a nail polish, paint until covered. Is this really necessary? YES! It will make your beads mildly waterproof, more durable, and longer lasting. Don't forget to varnish the hole also, if you can. Let dry again.

TADA! Ready to use, eco-friendly beads.

Making Jewelry Out of Junk

2011-07-09T16:22:00.000-06:00

Using useless things that just lay around the house to make Jewelry is becoming increasingly popular these days. Many people are making "Upcycled" Jewelry out of recycled metal, paper, bottle caps and other things. Making Jewelry out of Junk is a way to stay stylish and environmentally friendly, which is important in this "Green" world of ours. There are several artisans who will take old extension cords and use the old copper electrical wire from them to make beautiful wire-wrapped items. Soda cans can be cut, or the pop tabs used to create pendants, chains, earrings, rings, and other jewelry items. You know those annoying ads that you receive in the mail every Tuesday? How about boiling those down to create paper-mache beads! Or maybe you could cut them up and roll them into oblong paper beads. Take those scrapbook paper remnants and make origami earrings out of them! Or maybe you could string a bunch of bottle caps together to create a beautiful bracelet. The possibilities really are endless. You can make something out of nothing!


Soda Pop Tab Ring

The ring pictured is of my own making. It is made from upcycled soda tabs, a glass bead, and some silver-plated copper wire. Easy Peasy!

How to: Barefoot Sandals – Amphitrite’s Regalia Collection

2011-06-03T22:54:00.003-06:00

These Sandals are great for occasions when shoes are not required. They are very popular for beach weddings, going to the lake, or chillin’ by the pool. You can also wear them with your favorite sandals or flats to give them a bit of flair. They are also sometimes called Barefoot Thongs, Bottomless Sandals, Slave Sandals, and Soleless Sandals.

I wear a size 8 shoe. You may need to adjust the number of beads used based on whether your foot is larger or smaller than mine.

Okay! Let’s get started with the tutorial. Forgive the blurry pictures, I need a new camera :\

Basic Design

Difficulty: Intermediate

Tools and Materials Needed:

1. Round Nose Pliers

2. Chain Nose Pliers

3. Flush Cutters (Wire Cutters)

4. Fabric Measuring Tape

5. Two 3” Piece of Chain

6. Six 1” pieces of Chain

7. Four 2” Pieces of Chain

8. 20 Gauge Wire

9. Eight Silver Ring Beads

10. Sixteen Blue Circular Beads (Make sure they Fit in the Center of your Ring Beads)

11. Thirty White Seed Beads (Size 6/0 or “E”)

12. Four Jump Rings—Open (Mine had an inner diameter of 6mm)

13. Two Lobster Clasps

14. Twp pieces of Thread or String

STEP ONE: MEASURE YOUR FOOT

Using your Fabric Measuring Tape, take the following two measurements.

Measurement 1: From the Base of your 2^nd toe to where your foot meets your leg. (Mine was 4.5”)

Measurement 2: Around the Ankle (Mine was 9.5”)

STEP TWO: MAKE THE PIECE FOR YOUR ANKLE

Step 2 Part B

a.    Cut four 3” pieces of your 20 Gauge Wire

b.    Using one piece of the wire, make a wrapped loop through one of the 2” pieces of chain.

c.    Thread on a Seed Bead, then a Round Bead, Then another Seed Bead. (Hereon referred to as a “Link”)

d.    Make a wrapped loop at the other end through a 1” piece of chain.

Step 2 Part D

e.    Using another piece of wire, make another wrapped loop through the end of Chain.

f.     Make A Link. Attach a 1“piece of chain through the other end.

g.    Repeat Steps E and F

h.    Make a Link. This time, attach a 2” piece of chain at the end.
Now, you should have 2” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 2” Chain.

i.      Do not attach the clasp just yet.

j.      Fold the finished piece in Half and tie a piece of string around it to mark the halfway point.

k.    The ankle piece at this point should be larger than your Measurement #2.

Semi-Finished Ankle Piece-- Step 2 Part J

SET THE PIECE ASIDE

STEP THREE: MAKE THE PIECE THAT GOES ON YOUR FOOT

a. Cut a piece of wire that is Three inches longer than your Measurement #1.

Step 3 Part B

b.    Make a wrapped loop through Both ends of one of the 3” pieces of chain.

So, the chain will make a loop. Please note that if you are planning to do vigorous activities, such as running, while wearing your sandals, I strongly suggest using some elastic instead of chain for this toe loop.

c.    Straighten the wire with your fingers.

d.    Onto the wire, thread one seed bead.

e.    Now, put one of your Round beads inside of one of your ring beads and thread the wire through both. (A “Combo”)

Combo Bead

f. Thread another Seed Bead, then a Combo, a Seed, Combo, Seed, Combo, Seed.

So, you should have five seed beads and four combo beads on your wire. With the toe loop, it should be about an inch longer than your Measurement #1.

STEP FOUR: COMBINE THE PIECES

Step Four

a. Now, take your foot piece and your ankle piece and combine the two by making a wrapped loop with the foot piece through the center of your ankle piece (remember you had that marked with thread?).

STEP FIVE: ADD THE CLASP

a.    Thread a seed bead onto a jump ring, then add the lobster clasp – attach to one end of your ankle piece.

b.    At this point you’ll want to try on your sandal. Make sure your point your toes while trying it on so that you will be able to walk in them.

c.    Thread a seed bead onto another jump ring and attach it to your ankle piece where it is the most comfortably enclosed. Trim any excess chain from the end (Unless you want to keep it for decoration).

The ankle piece will end up measuring about 1" larger than your Measurement #2.

STEP SIX: MAKE THE OTHER SANDAL

Repeat Steps 2 – 5

YOU’LL END UP WITH A PAIR OF VERY ELABORATE, BEAUTIFUL, BAREFOOT SANDALS.

Stones and Their Powers

2011-06-02T12:10:00.001-06:00

Ever feeling in a certain mood? Or perhaps like you need a little boost in some aspect of your life? Some people believe that the type of stone they wear in their jewelry will enhance an emotion, situation, power, or aspect of their lives. Each stone has unique properties that will help with different things like luck, romance, happiness, memory, leadership and many others.

The following is a list of some stones and their properties.


Agate

Agate – Strength, Love, Courage, Longevity, Love, Healing, Protection, Insomnia (White Agate), Warding off the “Evil Eye”

Amazonite

Amazonite – Truth, Honor, Love, Confidence, Sincerity, Stress, Exhaustion, Happy Marriages

Amber

Amber – Luck, Healing, Strength, Protection, Love, Creativity, Acceptance, Self Confidence, Fertility, Mental Clarity

Amethyst

Amethyst – Spirituality, Causes the Wearer to be Gentle and Amiable, Sobriety, Calmness, Clarity, Intuitive, Eases Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, Detoxifier, Stress, Protection, Repels Evil, Cleanses, Psychic Ability

Angelite

Angelite – Promotes Weight Loss, Telepathic Communication, Anger, Inner Peace and Tranquility

Apatite

Apatite – Promotes Weight Loss, Suppresses Appetite, Self-Acceptance, Balance, Healing, Seeing Truth, Acceptance of Others, Communicating, Teaching, Humanitarian Service, Creativity

Aquamarine

Aquamarine – Courage, Serenity, Learning Ability and Intellect, Depression, Communication Skills, Humanitarian Service, Strength, Success, Tranquility, Harmony, Friendship, Trust, Self-Awareness

Aventurine

Aventurine – Abundance, Wealth, Opportunity, Healing, Luck, Stress, Tension, Leadership, Decision Making, Emotional Pain, Energy, Balance, Business, Decisiveness

Azurite

Azurite – Meditation, Communication, Transformation, Accepting Change, Insight, Intuition, Psychic Ability, Mental Control, Anxiety, Self-Discipline, Healing, Depression, Anger, Detoxifies

Beryl

Beryl – Persistence, Charity, Thoughtfulness, Wisdom, Clarity


Bloodstone

Bloodstone – Heroism, Courage, Protection, Intense Healing, Love, Relationships, Friendship, Faith

Carnelian

Carnelian – Peace, Harmony, Depression, Healing, Ambition, Drive, Sensuality, Decision-Making, Focus, Realization, Self-Actualization, Acceptance, Success, Confidence, Positivity, Energy, Sexuality, Health

Chalcedony

Chalcedony -- relieve depression, fear, hysteria, touchiness

Charoite

Charoite – Spirituality, Power, Wisdom, Transformation, Acceptance, Love, Understanding, Serenity, Forgiveness, Tolerance, Insomnia

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla – Affirmation, Love, Understanding, Stability, Peace, Prosperity, Luck, Thought, Patience, Helps with Asthma

Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase – Strength, Enthusiasm, Communication

Citrine

Citrine – Prevents Nightmares, Protection, Psychic Ability, Protection from Snake Venom and Evil Thoughts, Success, Communication, Joy, Optimism, Transforms Negative Energy

Coral

Coral – Wards off Evil Spirits, Fears, Tensions, Breathing


Crystal Quartz

Crystal Quartz – Healing, Wisdom, Harmony, Clarity, Positivity, Detoxifying


Diamond

Diamond – Divinity, Luck, Wealth, Power, Eternity, Love

Dumortierite

Dumortierite – Patience, Positivity, Courage, Trust, Harmony, Panic, Fear, Precision, Organization, Evaluation, Strength, Vocalization, Psychic Ability, Communication, Stamina, Tolerance

Emerald

Emerald – Soothing, Eyesight, Drives Away Evil Spirits, Foresight

Flourite

Flourite – Calming, Wisdom, Balance, Clears the Mind, Concentration, Strengthens Bones, Teeth, and Cells, Intuition, Analytical Ability, Learning, Meditation, Teamwork, Wealth, Purification, Harmony, Anxiety


Garnet

Garnet – Healing, Love, Friendship, Protection, Strength, Faith, Courage, Grace, Honesty, Compassion, Fidelity, Depression, Laziness, Nightmares, Attractiveness, Beauty, Balance, Passion, Friendship, Stubbornness, Spirituality, Romance, Libido, Drive

Hematite

Hematite – Alertness, Concentration, Self-Control, Courage, Self-Confidence, Peace, Clarity, Balance, Memory, Calming, Encouragement, Balance, Energy, Optimism, Will, Insomnia

Howlite

Howlite – Creativity, Self-Expression, Unity, Memory, Knowledge, Progress, Pain, Stress, Anger

Iolite

Iolite – Psychic Ability, Detoxifies, Wealth, Luck, Financial Responsibility, Health, Executive Ability, Power, Sobriety

Jade

Jade –luck, prosperity, beauty, wisdom, compassion, peace, balance, energy, courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony, longevity, fertility, serenity, wisdom, practicality, tranquility, balance, peace, harmony, moderation, perspective, equilibrium and stability, knowledge, compassion, wealth

Jasper

Jasper – Healing, Protection, Health, Relaxation, Solace, Beauty, Nightmares, Patience, Depression, Detoxifies, Stability, Luck, Justice, Courage

Kyanite

Kyanite – Learning, foresight, tranquility, tolerance, psychic ability, meditation, communication, dreams, visualization, loyalty, honesty, serenity

Labradorite

Labradorite – Mental Confusion, Concentration, Cleansing, Aging, self esteem, diet, weight loss, Focus, Perseverance, Wisdom

Lapis

Lapis – Strength, Purity of Heart, Courage, Self esteem, truthfulness, openness, inner power, love, purification, intuition, self confidence, virility, manifestation, appreciation, psychic ability, tranquility

Larimar

Larimar – Healing, Communication

Limestone

Limestone – Protection, Logevity, Culture, Purity

Magnesite

Magnesite – Visualization, Passion, Creativity, Peace, Meditation

Malachite

Malachite – Protection, Love, Peace, Wisdom, Leadership, Wards off Evil Spirits, Athletic ability, guilt, resentment, spiritual evolution, emotional healing, relationships, friendships

Moonstone

Moonstone – Joy, Fortune, Peacefulness, Dreams, Love, Tenderness, Femininity, Hope, Truth, Justice, Intuition, Receptivity

Moukaite

Moukaite – Healing, Strength, Divinity

Obsidian

Obsidian – Protection, Peace, Success, Inner Contemplation, Logic, Clarity, Sensuality, vigor, strength, stamina, constancy, steadfastness, permanence , tenacity, firmness, durability, courage, self-control, Entrepreneurship, Creativity

Onyx

Onyx – Protection, Strength, Energy, vigor, strength, stamina, constancy, steadfastness, permanence , tenacity, firmness, durability, courage, and self-control, Determination

Opal

Opal – Depression, True Love, Soothes Nerves

Pearl

Pearl – Love, Money, Protection, Luck, Purity, Honesty, Imagination, Decision Making, Faith, Innocence, integrity, concentration, focus, meditation, serenity, tranquility, wisdom

Peridot

Peridot – Protection, Health, Wealth, Sleep, Speech, Aging, Jealousy, Obesity, Relaxation, Purification, Comfort, Prosperity, Anger, Fear, Nervousness

Rhodonite

Rhodonite – Calming, Doubtfulness, Peace, Confusion, Fertility, Hearing

Rhyolite

Rhyolite – Creativity, Self-worth, Emotional Balance

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz – Love, Peace, Depression, Happiness, Fidelity, Forgiveness, Compassion, Tolerance

Ruby

Ruby – Wisdom, Protection, Luck, Decision Making, Transition, Spirituality

Sapphire

Sapphire – Loyalty, Love, Longing, Truth, Sincerity, Faithfulness, Joy, Peace, Beauty, Intuition


Sodalite

Sodalite – Healing, Peace, Meditation, Wisdom, Boosts the Immune System, Cleansing, Insight, Intuition, Communication, Creativity, Self Esteem, Trust, Logic, Truthfulness

Sugilite

Sugilite – Strength, Safety, Healing, Wisdom

Tiger's Eye

Tiger’s Eye – Courage, Energy, Luck, Stubbornness, Self-Discipline, Meditation, Stress, Wealth, Greediness, Humility, Clear Thinking, Protection, Integrity, Willpower

Topaz

Topaz – Protection, Healing, Peace, Money, Love, Individuality, Self-Confidence, Depression, Spirituality

Tourmaline

Tourmaline – Fear, Grief, Sleep, Happiness, Compassion, Serenity, Balance, Healing, Strength, Tolerance, Understanding, Confidence, Energy

Turquoise

Turquoise – Protection, Courage, Peace, Healing, Luck, Truth, Detoxification, Wisdom, Energy, Communication, Love, Loyalty, Positivity

Unakite

Unakite – Emotional Balance, Love, Healing, Mental Clarity


Zoizite

Zoizite – Thought, Dreams, Peace, Meditation

If you’re interested in learning the history of some of the stones, as well as their uses, the site below is an excellent resource.

http://www.sobrietystones.com/index.htm

Making a Simple Wire-Wrapped Ring

2011-05-20T23:18:00.000-06:00

The following is a video tutorial on how to make three types of wire-wrapped rings. The explanation following the video only pertains to the first ring made in the video: a basic wire-wrapped ring.

Materials Needed

A Ring Mandrel
Some Sort of Focal Bead
2 Feet of 20 Gauge Wire
Chain-Nose Pliers or Crimping Pliers
Wire Cutters

Difficulty: Easy, Beginner

I bought my ring mandrel at my local Michael’s Craft store for $20. However, you can buy them cheaper depending on the material used. Auntiesbeads.com sells a cheap plastic one for $5 (it’s the same as the one used in the tutorial above), or if you prefer a wider variety, you can look through the different kinds at JewelrySupply.com that range from $5-$40.

For a focal bead, I chose a 20 mm flat glass bead. In the video tutorial, she suggests using a 20 mm coin bead for the basic design ring. One very important thing to remember is to make sure your wire will fit through the hole in your bead. The first time I attempted to make a beaded ring with a large wire, I was unable to thread the bead onto the wire.

For the Wire, I used a 20 gauge silver-plated copper wire. In the video, she suggests using 20 Gauge or 18 Gauge if you’re comfortable with it. She also suggests using 2.5 feet of wire in the video, but I’ve found that leaves about 8 inches leftover, and if you’re using Sterling Silver or Gold wire, that can get expensive. I suggest cutting only 2 feet.

When wrapping around the Mandrel, I’ve found that not worrying about the wires crossing in the back actually makes a nicer-looking band. Also, try to keep the band tight when taking the ring off the mandrel.

When wire-wrapping around the band, I’ve found that it makes it much easier if you pinch the bead between your thumb and forefinger.

Kinda like this --------------- >>

Also, if you don’t feel like the wrap around the band is tight enough, you can use your chain-nose pliers to wrap instead of your fingers.

This was my end-project.

Jewelry Making Tools -- Basics

2011-05-20T09:36:00.000-06:00

You should be able to find all of these tools at your local craft store, hobby store, or at your favorite online jewelry crafting supply store. Please don’t just go for cheap tools. It has been my experience that if you spend a little money on your tools, you will avoid excessive tarnishing, unwanted pinching and gouging, and they will last a lot longer. Quality is better and will make your jewelry even more beautiful.

Round-Nose Pliers

These pliers are characterized by their round, tapered jaws. They are a must-have for jewelry making. They are useful for creating loops, spirals, earring hooks, etc. They are also sometimes referred to as needle-nose pliers (although they are not the same as the kind you get from the hardware store), or blunt-nose pliers.
When turned into a multi-tool paired with wire cutters, they are referred to as Rosary pliers.

Chain-Nose Pliers

These pliers are characterized by their smooth, straight jaws and are generally used for gripping, bending, or holding wire. These are also a must-have when getting started in Jewelry making. This is the tool you will probably use the most when creating your works of art. They are also referred to as long-nose, short-nose, and needle-nose pliers and are similar to those that you would buy at the hardware store. However, Chain-Nose pliers for making Jewelry are much more smooth in order to prevent scraping or tarnishing of your jewelry pieces, so do not buy them from a hardware store.

Flush-Cut Pliers

These pliers are for cutting wire. They generally look like regular wire cutters and the cut they make is flat (or flush) on one side and pointed like a “v” on the other. If you buy cheap Flush-cut pliers, it will be less easy to cut through your wire, because often-time they are dull or poorly machined (can you tell I’ve had bad experiences?). It is definitely a tool you will be using.

Bent-Nose Pliers

These pliers are simply chain-nose pliers with a bend at the end. They remind me of the pliers surgeons and doctors use to make stitches. (Morbid, I know.) They are extremely useful for tying knots and getting into those hard-to-reach areas. Some people prefer to use these over chain-nose pliers; I am not one of those people.

Flat-Nose Pliers

These pliers look almost like chain-nose pliers, except they’re wider. They are useful for bending wire to 90 degree angles, or holding projects and beads without scuffing or scratching the surface. They’re also handy for smoothing out unintended creases or getting those jump-rings flat. I use these quite a bit in my wire-working and have found that they come in handy more often than not. I was really happy that I invested in these.

Crimping Pliers

If you have the funds to invest in a pair of Crimping Pliers, I strongly recommend doing so. These pliers are used to close off crimp beads. They first pinch a “v” into the bead and then you re-position and close the bead off. They are useful for making a strong, beautiful finish to any piece of jewelry. If you have a pair of crimping pliers, but aren’t sure how to use them, I’ve posted a video below as a tutorial (courtesy of jewelrysupply.com).

End-Cutting Nippers

I always think of the Jaws of Life that firefighters use to cut people out of a car when I use these nippers. They are a pair of wire-cutters that look like they’re chomping down on the wire to cut it. These are extremely useful if you’re making your own earring posts, or are finishing something and you want the cut to be flat and even.

Wire-Wrapping Pliers

These pliers look like a tiered wedding cake and a pair of scissors got together and had a baby. They are used for creating consistently-sized wrapped loops or creating your own jump rings. The standard sizes for the tiers are 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm.

There are many other types of pliers and tools available for Jewelry Making. But these are what I consider the basics. If you are just starting, you can do a lot with just getting a pair of round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, and flush-cut pliers. I would also strongly suggest getting a pair of flat-nose pliers and crimping pliers to make your life easier.

Pictures were taken from firemountaingems.com.