The Jewelry Maker's Journal

Mixed Metals

2011-07-26T18:06:00.000-04:00

Etched copper, bronze and nickel

I have to say, I used to be real Sterling silver snob. I would only make jewelry in Sterling except for the rare occasion when a customer would specifically request an item made from gold. But these days, with the price of Sterling hovering around $45 an ounce, it's hard to explain to customers why my jewelry prices are increasing, and it is becoming more difficult to create affordable jewelry art. So, I have been exploring other metals, and they are FUN!!!

It all started when I read jewelry artist Stephanie Lee's blog and her book, Semiprecious Salvage. Although my own personal style is different, I find Stephanie's work beautiful and inspiring. I started drawing on copper and bronze to create unique, fun patterns, which I have turned into fabulous (if I say so myself) jewelry. If you want to learn this technique, look for my textured metals tutorial on Etsy or jewelrylessons.com, or pick up Stephanie's book.

Cool earrings made with etched metals and beads.

Textured metal rings (tutorial on jewelrylessons.com)

It's Christmas in July!!

2010-07-16T13:10:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again when it's hotter than Hades and I'm feeling really lazy. But, I decided to do something productive and so hence this post to my long-neglected blog...

Recently, I've been seeking other avenues to explore concerning my love of beads and wire. I picked up a copy of Martha Kenton's book, Ornamental Magic 2 and GOT INSPIRED. I dug out all of those plain, boring glass ornaments in my Christmas stockpile and then turned to my considerable bead and fabric trim stockpiles and started creating. I am having so much fun that I've decided to make these very cool (if I say so myself) ornaments an extension of my jewelry business. If you like these ornaments and want to see more, check out my Ornamentals shop at http://tessnyder.etsy.com/.

Don't get me wrong -- I have not lost my passion for jewelry making! It's just that my Gemini nature sometimes pushes me to flit to new places of creativity, and ornament making seems to satisfy the urge! I love jewelry making waaaaaay tooooooo much to give it up... I'm just expanding my horizons, so to speak.

If you want to see what I'm doing on the jewelry front, you can check out my latest designs at http://arttess.etsy.com/.

Until my next post, stay cool! (If that is at all possible during this oppressive heat. Think Christmas.)

How to Make a Beaded "Chain" for Pendants

2009-07-10T20:02:00.005-04:00

Sometimes I find myself wanting something a little different on which to hang my pendants. Sometimes a beaded necklace is just too much, and yet a plain chain is too boring. Those are the times when I make a tiny bead "chain" for those special pendants that deserve something extra.

They are really simple to make with liquid silver beads and any small (1mm-3mm) round beads you have. I particularly like the hex beads from Tribe Hill. They make a couple of sizes of hex beads and have other tiny fine silver beads with stampings and other decorations on them. When making these "chains," I usually go for the assymetrical look by creating a random pattern. If you like things more organized, your can make a repeating pattern on your necklace.

The chain in the photo shown is made using both Sterling silver and gold vermeil beads with liquid silver to match the bi-colored wire bezel around the green jasper cab. I think these tiny bead necklaces are just perfect for showing off my wire bezel wrapped cabochons!

If you would like to learn how to set a stone or glass cabochon in wire as shown in the photograph, you can purchase it at http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/spiral-topped-wire-bezel-pendant. They also have a lot of FREE tutorials and it costs absolutely nothing to become a member.

Buying Beads for Jewelry Making

2009-07-08T02:25:00.004-04:00

People are always asking me where I buy my beads. I suppose that's because I am always searching for unusual beads that will set my creations apart. Of course, I do buy some "utilitarian" bead styles for basic design, but it's those special beads that make a necklace, earrings or bracelet really stand out.

I shop for beads at several places, both "bricks and mortar" and online. But buyers beware -- buying gemstones and beads online can be treacherous and disappointing. I really don't like to buy beads online as a general rule, although sometimes I do. I would much rather see the exact beads I am purchasing, and with most online suppliers, this is just not possible. Even when purchasing AAA grade gemstones online, you can still get burned, although it is mostly in the B and C grade stones where you are most likely to not be very happy with your online purchase.
The reason is, when you start getting into the lower grade of stone, the more varied the quality and color of the beads you are buying. You might luck out and you might find yourself paying as much in return shipping as you paid for the beads! I recommend only buying the most basic of beads online, and going to bead shows for everything else.

What do I mean by the most basic of beads? I personally have had good success with buying freshwater pearls and certain types of round or faceted beads online. When buying freshwater pearls, though, avoid those "package deals" and anything below "C grade." You'll find only about 25% are of decent useable quality. Other beads I buy online successfully are black onyx, ocean jasper, higher grades of lapis lazuli, smoky quartz and rose quartz. Pretty much everything else is iffy to buy on line, from my experience.

If you live near one of the larger cities in your state, you probably have access to a bead show. You can read about them in most of the jewelry making magazines out there, or you can search online for shows in your area.

I absolutely love the Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Shows which are held in Cincinnati (about 2 hours from me and worth the trip) a few times a year. They have shows all over the U.S., so you can visit their website at http://www.beadshows.com for a schedule. If you have a vendor's license for your state, you can go shop on their special shopping day for wholesale only when you can get the best picks before the retail customers are let in. Of course, if you can't make it that day, you can still bring your vendor's license the other days and receive special discounts (and of course, avoid paying sales tax). And if you don't have a vendor's license, don't worry -- they have so much gorgeous stuff you won't be disappointed even after the wholesale buyers have had their pick.

Another show I sometimes go to in my area is the International Gem & Jewelry Show. They have shows all over the U.S. throughout the year. Visit them online at http://www.intergem.com to find a show near you. Anyone can shop these events, and they have a lot of "finished" jewelry to buy as well as bead strands and findings. There are usually a few lapidaries there selling cabochons, too. If you have a vendor's license, you can enter a special "back room" where you'll find the best buys on precious metal findings, bead strands and other jewelry making supplies.

When I lived in New York City, I loved to go to The Whole Bead Show (http://www.wholebead.com). This used to be a wholesale only show but now it's open to retail buyers, too. They have shows primarily in New England and in the western U.S. What I loved most about attending this show in New York (besides the incredibly gorgeous bead and finding selection) was networking with other jewelry artists that sell to major retailers and picking their brains!

If you've never been to a bead show before, be prepared to be OVERWHELMED. I suggest only taking cash with you in the amount that you can afford . If you take your credit or debit card, it's too easy to get carried away and overspend. I'm a impulse buyer, so I have learned the hard way that I need to limit myself in a big way! You can drop a thousand bucks in no time at these events.

Besides the usual online shops (see the links on my home page) I really like shopping for unusual beads on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com). Etsy is a great online marketplace for handmade goods and supplies. It's fairly easy to get quality, because unlike the typical online retailers, what you see is what you get. The sellers most likely are showing you a photo of the exact beads you are getting. Also, because they are smaller retailers, they pay more attention to quality of their goods as a general rule. You can usual find good buys there, too. Some people like ebay for shopping too, but I have have "spotty" success with buying beads on ebay.

Last but not least, if you are a making jewelry as a hobby, you can find great beads and findings at your local bead shop. These shops are also great resources for beginning jewelry makers, and they typically offer classes and free advice when you are shopping. If you are making jewelry as a business, it's always a good idea to scope out local shops in case you need just a few of something or need some "emergency" supplies. Sometimes you can even find good emergency supplies at the big craft chains -- watch the sales at these shops for some good deals. I often shop at the big chains when they are having a good sale.

So, look for bead shows in your area and venture out with a friend (not your spouse, who will most likely be bored), checkout some new online sources and don't forget your local merchants when looking for special beads for your special projects.

How to Make a Simple Bead Necklace

2009-07-07T22:26:00.017-04:00

When I decided to start making jewelry several years ago, I had to start with the basics. So, I thought I would do the same with a FREE TUTORIAL on basic bead stringing technique. Bead stringing is a very simple process that almost anyone can successfully accomplish and that can bring the most wonderful and rewarding results. Don't worry about "being creative" or "being a designer." Some of the most "non-creative" people (so THEY say) have produced some of the most beautiful and unique designs I have every seen. I will warn you though, JEWELRY MAKING IS VERY ADDICTIVE!!!

You can buy the supplies you need at any local craft or bead shop to get started:

SUPPLY LIST

1 Lobster clasp
1 closed jump ring (5mm to 7mm)

26" of flexible beading wire

2 crimp beads

Beads of your choice

Optional Pendant

TOOLS:

Wire cutter

Flat nose pliers

Bead design board

Scotch Tape

Fabric remnant at least 24" X 20" or a fabric tablecloth

I include a lot of pictures and detailed instructions in my tutorials, so it's too big to include here. Click on the title of this post or the following link to go to to jewelrylessons.com and download this FREE tutorial:
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/basic-bead-stringing-technique

You will have to become a member of the site, but it's free and will give you access to many other FREE tutorials as well as a lot of other fabulous tutorials you can buy and other great FREE great information on jewelry making. I would love to see pictures of your designs, so please post them on jewelrylessons.com or send me a link.