Beading Help Web Blog

Knot Your Average Posts earring instructions

2009-04-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

I posted these cute earrings in a couple of forums and was asked to create a tutorial for them. They are fairly quick to make, and have loads of possibilities! Add a simple loop at the bottom and drop another dangle below the main stone.The first version I made using 20g gold-filled round wire and citrine stones. The wire hardened up after tumbling enough that I felt it was stable. In this version, I've used 22g half hard sterling wire, which is what I usually use for earring findings.

While you will want to be careful not to "chew" up your wire with the pliers, don't worry about bending the tail up a little.

Knot Your Average Post Earrings

Level - Experienced Beginner - should have some experience with wire work

Materials
6" 22g HH round sterling silver wire
6mm beads (2)

Tools
Round nosed or stepped pliers
Flush cutter
Chain nose pliers
Nylon jaw pliers
Cup Burr

1. Cut wire in half so you have two lengths 3" each. This will be longer than you will need for your posts, but I find it's much easier to work with longer lengths for this project. Instructions below are for one earring; therefore, you'll just be using one length of wire and one bead.

2. Make a tiny hook on one end of the wire using round nosed or step pliers. Close hook using chain nose pliers to make a head pin.

3. Thread bead on wire, allowing it to fall to the bottom.

4. Make a small loop at the top of the bead, using the round nosed pliers. I use my fingers as much as possible to pull the wire at this point, which decreases the stress on the wire and keeps it as straight as possible. The loop needs to be just high enough above the bead to allow one wrap around the "neck" of the loop.

5. Wrap the tail of the loop ONLY 3/4 of the way around the neck.

6. Using the tip of your round nose pliers or the smallest section of the stepped pliers, make a small U shape in the tail, very close to the neck of the loop. This will make it easier to complete the final pull through the loop.

7. Bend the tail so that you can guide it back through the loop.

8. Carefully pull the tail through the loop, making a knot at the base. This will get a little fiddly, you can use your chain nose pliers to pull it through or to hold the loop at the top while you pull the tail through.

9. When the tail is nearly through, I use my chain nose pliers to help push the U (created in Step 6) all the way through the loop.

10. Hold the top of the loop with your chain nosed pliers. At the same time, straighten the wire tail using a nylon jawed pliers until you have most of the bends out, and it's at a 90 degree angle from the loop.

11. Mark the tail at 3/4" from the back of the loop using a Sharpie.

12. Trim the tail at the Sharpie mark.

13. Use a Cup Burr to file the end smooth.

14. Repeat for second earring.

At this point, I would also suggest tumbling the earring at least a short time to ensure the ends are perfectly smooth, to harden the post and to give it a nice shine. Add a plastic backer to hold the earring in place.

Everything from Week 15

2009-04-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I've missed a few weeks, but wanted to share a couple of things I've worked on this week. First up, some citrine post earrings made with gold filled wire. I'm pretty happy with this design, which uses just one piece of wire for the entire piece, and is comfortable to wear. I'll post a tutorial on how to make the "Knot Your Average Posts" earrings tomorrow.

Next up, a copper ring that was commissioned. This uses 18g wire, I start with about 9" and tie a knot in the center and finish off the ends. Off to its new owner tomorrow.

Finally, a simple but very special bracelet using Stretch Magic and assorted beads. Years ago, I got a necklace from my grandmother that had these pretty blue beads in it. I tore it apart, and made bracelets for my mom, sister, daughter and niece...but never made up my own version of the Grammie Bracelet. I did mine up last week and will wear it to Bree's wedding on Saturday. :-)

How to solder jump rings

2009-04-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Got a question from someone on one of the jewelry forums about soldering jump rings. I know there are many methods, but here's how I do it. If you have pointers, please share!

1. Close jump rings completely. Hold them up to the light, look at them from every direction. The join must be PERFECT!

2. Line up rings on a fire block. I do 25-30+ at a time, depending on size, 5 or so lines of 5-6 rings in a line. When you are placeing them, VERY CAREFULLY ensure you have all the joins at the same position - I like to have the join at the top (12:00) of the ring. Because you have done such a good job in Step 1, you may not be able to easily see those joins, so it helps to have them all in the same place.

3. Flux the join for all rings. (Doing this now ensures the flux dries before you apply the torch.)

4. Cut solder. I use easy level wire solder for jump rings. I don't use a pick, although I've heard that's even simpler to do.

5. Place solder on each jump ring just outside the ring using a tiny paintbrush that you've put some flux on.

6. Turn on the torch (I just use a baby butane one) and keep your flame fairly low.

7. For each ring: Heat the inside of the ring just until the solder flows. I actually sort of heat the fire block and let the heat "bounce" back into the ring. Pull away the heat immediately after the solder flows and move to the next ring. You'll find that as you move through the lines (I go bottom to top, left to right) you'll get the additional benefit of the heat on the block from the last ring(s) and it will go fairly quickly.

Occasionally you might want to take a short break and let everything cool down just a little. Depends on how far apart your rings are from each other, and how many you are doing.When I'm done with the entire block of rings, I place them in a container of cool water, then drop into pickle until they are shiny and pretty. Tumble for a bit to harden, and voila.

Baby Wubbers - you'll cry like a baby if you miss out on these!

2009-04-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

I love doing micro maille...little tiny chainmaille using little tiny rings. My regular Wubbers do the trick, but I'd been wanting to pick up some of the Baby Wubbers that I'd seen on WiredUpBeads.com (read the review).

Working on a recent project, I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet and just order a set. (For the record, I ordered the "chainmaille" set - one flat nosed, one chain nose, one bent nose.) I did my normal "are they here yet" dance for a couple of days, stalked the UPS guy, and came home one day to find a nice sized box that I suspected contained my new pliers.

Opened the plain brown box (LOL, that way no one knows about my addiction to tools!) and found pretty teal, purple and white tissue paper (that I can recycle :D ) enveloping my purchase.

Baby Wubbers! Patti and Trudy even included a personal note and a freebie with my cute little pliers and their handy stand. Even though I didn't really have a lot of time (I had an engagement that evening and barely had enough time to make dinner for the guys and run out the door), I went to the studio and worked on my project (Jens Pind Linkage using 20g 3/32" rings...miniscule!!!) for a few minutes.

The Baby Wubs were perfect for getting those tiny rings open and shut, and getting them in the right position for the weave! I think I got more done in 15 minutes that night than I had in previous evenings and with considerably less frustration.

My only wish is that the handles were longer. I love the tiny tips and padded handles, but they are shorter than the regular sized Wubbers. Having longer handles might make them even more ergonomic.

But the Baby Wubs are getting some major loving from Beading Help Web. I still love my "grown up" Wubber pliers, but they will be reserved for "big wire" projects.

Are you a Bead Star???

2009-04-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

Got a note in my email today from Jaime Guthals of Interweave Press. Not sure how I missed this contest, but here's the scoop on the Bead Star 2009 Challenge:

Interweave Announces Last Call for Entries to the Bead Star 2009 Challenge

Deadline May 1! Grand prize is an all-expense paid trip for two to Bead Fest Santa Fe 2010 and $1000 shopping spree from Fire Mountain Gems

Loveland, Colorado, April 15, 2009: Interweave announced today the final casting call for all beaders and jewelry designers in the United States and Canada to enter the second annual Bead Star challenge—an exciting competition with more than ten thousand dollars in prizes and a Grand Prize all-expense paid trip for two to beautiful Santa Fe for Bead Expo 2010, $1,000 in beading supplies, and the cover of the new magazine, Bead Star (www.BeadStar.com).

The deadline to enter is May 1, 2009 and no entry fee is required. "It's as simple as uploading a photo of your design from our website," says Bead Star Editor Leslie Rogalski.

Winning entries will be published in the second annual issue of Bead Star, the first-ever beading publication comprised entirely of prize-winning designs selected by beaders worldwide, available on newsstands nationwide this December 8, 2009 from Interweave.

Watch the YouTube.com Slideshow Presentation of the 2008 Winners at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAfXtM8ej0g

Beading Daily Editor Michelle Mach describes Bead Star best: "It's like
American Idol for beaders—but better. You won't have to forgo your morning
shower and stand in line with thousands of other sweaty contestants for
days as you wait to audition. Simon Cowell won't be judging the finalists—the
much nicer editors of Beadwork and Stringing will select them. Instead of
phoning in your votes, everyone on Beading Daily—readers from all over the
world—will get a chance to vote online for the winners."

It's Up to the People to Choose the Winners

The editors of Bead Star, Stringing, and Beadwork magazines will select the
top 20 finalists among submissions in each of nine design element categories:
Crystals, Seed Beads, Glass, Pearls, Stones, Metals, Plastics, Designs Under
$25, and Designs with a Heart. Then enthusiasts around the world will be able
to log on to BeadStar.com May 15-30, 2009, and cast their votes for their
favorite designs among the finalists.

"We want real beading enthusiasts from around the world to participate in the
selection process," says Rogalski. "So, after our editors select the finalists,
we'll leave it up to the people to pick the winners."

A first-place, second-place, and third-place winner and two honorable
mentions will be awarded in each of the nine design element categories. All
first place prizes are valued at $500, second place prizes are valued at $300,
and third place prizes are valued at $100. One Grand Prize winner will be
selected by the Grand Prize sponsor, Fire Mountain Gems, from the first-place
category winners. This Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to
beautiful Santa Fe for Bead Expo 2010, win $1,000 in cool beading stuff, and
see his or her design featured on the cover of Bead Star magazine.
Bead Star's 2008 Grand Prize Winner

Last year's competition garnered more than 1,000 entries and the finalists
were voted on by nearly 10,000 members of the Beading Daily community.
The Bead Star 2008 Grand Prize winner is Valerie Aharoni, whose project, "Gild
& reGild," was featured on the cover of Bead Star 2008. Aharoni's first-place
project in the Seed Beads category was chosen by Grand Prize Sponsor Fire
Mountain Gems and Beads among the nine first-place category winners.

"The contest was totally no-stress," says Aharoni. "There were no entry fees
and the guidelines were clear. Bead Star made it easy for beginners like me
who have never entered a contest before."

Additional details are available on the Bead Star web site...my entry is in...is yours?!?

Beadalon's New SilveRose(TM) Beading Wire

2009-04-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

In my snail mail yesterday...a sample of Beadalon's newest product - SilveRose (TM) Beading Wire. Created to "show through" your beading designs, it is available in 7-strand .018" (30ft) spools.

From the Beadalon Press Release:
SilveRose is the newest wire innovation by Beadalon and it creates a new design element for your jewelry. Soft rose gold and silver colored wires are spiraled together to create this variegated, fanciful new beading wire - part of the 7 Strand ‘Metallic Series’ of wires that provide a rich finish and brilliant shine. The warm, two-tone color of SilveRose complements gold and silver components and adds a hint of color to clear crystal and glass beads. Made in USA by Beadalon.

I'm excited to give this new product a try - look for a new project in the near future and my full review of the SilveRose (TM) color wire!

Shameless Book Plug

2009-04-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: No jewelry is involved in this post. If you don't want to read my mini-review and go to a link for a good current work of fiction, carry on.

I won't go into the long, involved story about how I acquired Sean Doolittle's latest novel Safer, but it involved three Barnes and Noble employees, my bad memory, and a sudden AH HA! moment.

Any who....

Sean's a local guy...he's published four previous novels, with Safer being his first hardbound book. I wanted to pick up the book mainly because I see him every day - he works just down the hall from me (in our daytime, non-creative jobs, LOL), and because I was curious. Not to drop names, but he's collaborated with the son of a certain Famous Writer who happens to be my favorite. ;-)

Read the book. Enjoyed the book. Recommend the book. Read the entire review here under one of my other online entities. Go to Amazon and order it if you're moved to do so.

Want to get published?

2009-03-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

If you've ever wanted to see your work in print, here's your chance! Bead Trends magazine is looking for beaded work for their September 2009 issue...but hurry, the deadline is today!

More information available on the Bead Trends web site.

Bead Trends (September 2009) Call

Bead Trends is currently looking for designs with the following themes for our September 2009 issue

Quick & Easy
Fashion Favorites
Birthstones (Sapphire)
Anything Goes - The beaded possibilities are endless and not just limited to jewelry. What about pillows, table runners, picture frames, lamps, clothing, candle collars, wine glass charms, and home decor. This category can contain jewelry and a whole lot more!
Necklaces
Eclectic Design
Autumn Color & Texture
Matching Sets
Semi Precious Gemstones
Great Gifts

If you would like to submit your work to this publication, please e-mail a photograph, the name or title of your piece, and contact information to: beadsubmit@beadtrendsmag.com.

If submitting multiple pieces, please send a separate e-mail and photograph for each design.

Deadline for the September 2009 issue is 11:59 p.m. MDT, March 27th, 2009. All ideas should be your original work and not previously published.

March Ornament Thursday!

2009-03-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, and the OT group is coming up with some beautiful Celedon (pale green) projects for you to make!

My contribution this month is a delightful pair of embellished ear wires - simple to make, and super cute to wear! I've used spring colors to symbolize all the flowers that are starting to poke up through the dirt, and soon will be blooming and bringing color to the drab landscape!

Easy Embellished Ear Wires
I found that a Czech glass bead, in the shape of a flower or bead cap, makes a perfect embellishment for a simple pair of French-style ear wires. Here's how you can achieve the same look with your own wire and beads!Materials:

22g 1/2 hard sterling silver wire
Czech glass flower bead (2)
Decorative bead (I used a cat's eye bead in a heart shape, pink color) (2)
4mm Swarovski crystal (2)
Sterling silver head pins (2)

1. Working from the spool of wire, thread a Czech glass flower bead on the wire, cupped end last.
2. Make a small loop on the end of the wire...you'll use this for your dangle.
3. Let the flower bead fall to the top of the loop, and made a bend in the wire at the top of the bead to hold it in place.
4. Using a Sharpie marker or other round object (pen, knitting needle, mandrel), form the shape for the ear wire just above the bend.
5. Clip the end of the wire and file.
6. Create a dangle, threading the crystal and decorative bead on the head pin.
7. Create a wrapped loop at the top of the dangle.
8. Attach the dangle to the loop at the base of the ear wire.
9. Repeat for second earring!

In retrospect, I would bump up step #8 before #3 - it was a little hard to open the loop because of how it fit "into" the flower bead. Since I took photos in this order though, I'm letting you learn though my mistake.

Happy OT...the other projects for this month are:
Celadon Dreamer Michelle Zimmeman creates a dreamer box from one of her molds and Helen Bradley grabs another for her jewelry project.
OT Goes Celadon Lisa finds calm in the color "Celadon"
Strands of Beads Melissa creates a simple necklace from a slab of chysoprase

Once again, Rings N Things scores!

2009-03-23T17:42:00.001-07:00

I squeaked through the R&T trunk show today in record time...despite getting there a little late, I was able to force myself to look at each table (only once ;-), I decided there were no "backsies" this year!) and pick up a nice bag of goodies.

View #1 of the great stuff I got at R&T 2009

While I had a little different methodology this year, I do have some tips for shopping at a big bead show like this for you.

1. Pick up your jaw from the floor. Breathe. Don't get panicky or overwhelmed. (Seriously, I've seen it happen!)
2. Grab a tray or whatever is provided for you to place strands in.
3. Pay close attention to pricing strategies...many times, the price on a strand is NOT the price you'll pay. For example, for most items, R&T charges 50% + 15% of the strand price. A $10 strand of beads is actually going to only run you $4.40 (if I did the math right ;-)).
4. Touch, feel, experience what the beads will be like on the skin.
5. Sometimes you are going to want to pick up things that go together, sometimes you'll just see something that catches your eye and you'll have to have it. Don't be encumbered by feeling like you need an immediate purpose or plan for everything.
6. Pick up what you like, really like...you can cull out what you "need" later.
7. Work the entire room, and then sit down and look through what you have. If you set yourself a budget, figure out what fits in the budget and what's optional. Sometimes those optional things can be allowed to go over budget, but really think through those purchases. I have strands that I've picked up and never used...thinking through it, I probably should have just let them stay where they were.

8. If you're not taking some of your strands, find out what the folks who are running the show would like you to do. Sometimes they'd prefer to put away extras themselves, but if not, help out by returning the items to the right bins.View #2 of my stash. Those Brown Zebra jasper just to the right of center are fun!

I do usually have "bread and milk" for a bead show, this year it was round sterling silver beads and some assortments of Swarovski crystals. I picked up both, in addition to all the goodies you see here.

A couple of disappointments...I usually grab a good assortment of Bali silver, but the selection was really limited this year. Only picked up a couple of small strands of regular daisy spacers, none of the specialty beads really caught my eye.

And less on the "Drool Table" than I remember from previous years. I treated myself to a gorgeous strand of sapphires...was tempted by some emeralds, but decided I'd probably already spent enough money and would wait for next year.

mmm...tiny sapphires....all for me.....

Icky find: snakeskin beads. Ugh. I can't believe I actually picked one up and touched it. I hate snakes. Even dead ones that have been made into beads.

I absolutely love everything I got...my fingers are itching to get at some of it...overall, it was wonderful! Thanks Russ, Kim, Dave and all the rest of R&T for throwing a great bead show!!!

Rings N Things Trunk Show, OT Week, cleaning the studio...

2009-03-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

What a week this will be!

- Rings N Things annual trunk show "Wholesale Bead Show" is in Des Moines, IA today and Omaha, NE tomorrow. I really look forward to this show every year - it's fun to see and chat with the R&T staff, plus there are beads, beads and MORE beads! Check out the R&T site for a location near you!

- Ornament Thursday is March 26. This month's theme is "Celedon" (pale green). I'm whipping up a quick project that may make your friends green with envy when they see you wearing it!

- Studio clean up was last week, but I'm reaping the benefits now. Once in a while, I like to go through the various boxes, bowls and piles of "stuff" that's accumulated on my work bench and put away beads, sort through findings and toss projects that seemed to make sense into the scrap bowl. Sometimes I'm amazed at what I find, and it always creates at least a little inspiration for new projects!

Have a great Sunday...I'm looking forward to a great start to a wonderful week!

Finding time for findings

2009-03-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Been a busy couple of weeks here on the ranch...between traveling for Bree's bridal showers, the Art & Soup show, and everyone in the family having their own version of The Plague, I haven't had much time for blogging!

I'll get caught up with "Everything from Weeks..." this weekend.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share one of my favorite tips on findings! For the last several years, I've been making my own headpins, ear wires, clasps and other basic findings. Rather than make a set of simple ear wires every time I make some earrings, or ball up a few headpins when I need them, I like to make in bulk and have on hand whenever I'm working on a project that requires those supplies.

Yesterday I made up 100 copper head pins...they'll last me quite a while, so I may list some in my Etsy shop. Copper head pins take a little longer to ball up with a small butane torch than fine silver, but it is possible. Just make sure your torch has plenty of fuel and you turn the flame up pretty high.

I also made up 64 (32 pairs) ear wires while watching a movie last night. (Good Will Hunting, if you must know!) I can sit down with a beading mat, pliers, cutters and a spool of 22g half hard wire and feel like I've accomplished something!

For these "make in bulk" projects, I generally just make basic findings, nothing too fancy...but it's always good to have plenty of basics on hand. When I find I'm getting low on findings, I'll have a production day again!

Beginning Jewelry Class at IWCC

2009-02-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had a blast tonight at Iowa Western Community College!

I had six students, including my awesome hairdresser Tammy, her daughter Jess, and her mom Dianne. Everyone got to create a unique bracelet and earring set, and it was totally a fun "girl's night out" activity.

As a bonus, I showed the class how to make their own ear wires...they finished their projects early, a first, so in the extra time, we chatted and I gave them the "extra lesson".

I'm really excited about next week's class, which is a beginning chainmaille class. So far, there are 8 students signed up, and I'm limiting the class size to 10. I think it will be easier to teach, but I want to make sure I have enough supplies on hand for each student to complete a bracelet.

Are you interested in teaching? Read here about some ideas to set up a class (and questions to ask yourself to find out if you should really be teaching!).

If you're interested in the projects we completed tonite, check out the Bracelets 101 and Simple Dangle Earrings tutorials on Beading Help Web.

Everything from Week 7

2009-02-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

Wrap up for Art & Soup....just two bracelets.

#1 is Rhodonite and Fine Silver links that I shaped into squares to match the stones. Very simple, but I was quite pleased with the clasp on this one.
The photo is not bad, but doesn't show the nice pinky-grey of the stone.

Next, what I call a Caterpillar weave...others have called this Cleopatra or Snakeskin with Bead. I love love love this bracelet, it's so slinky! I may just remake one for myself.....

The weave is just tiny - 4mm round beads with 7/64 and 7/32 rings in sterling silver.

That's all for week 7...hoping to get a couple of pieces made next week to put "on the shelf" for upcoming shows!

Everything from Week 6

2009-02-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

Not a ton of production going on last week, but it's probably close to my final push before the Art & Soup show.

The leather and Byzantine necklace were one of my two accomplishments of the week. The other is a fine silver link bracelet.

This design was the result of some doodling during a staff meeting last week. We recently took Emergenetics personality tests, and one of the things that came out about me is that I will doodle and draw during meetings, but people shouldn't assume that means I'm not paying attention. Rather, it's how I do concentrate and process the information that's being relayed.

Nothing like having your quirks validated to your boss by an official test, LOL.

Any way...I loved this design...it's 14g fine silver that I simply cut lengths of, blobbed the ends using my torch (much as you would in making head pins!), worked into the swirls and hammered. Jump rings hold together the links.

I don't usually "name" my work, but this one begged to have something other than "Fine Silver Swirl" attached to it. A forum friend, Carina Veling of Violet Moon, said she liked my "@" bracelet...and I thought it was the perfect description and name for this piece! Carina makes the most incredible earrings and shares her designs on a regular basis...matter of fact, she's the inspiration for the "Everything from Week of..." posts! Please check out her work.

This week I'm concentrating on getting my inventory tagged - I've come up with (yet another) tag for bracelets and necklaces - this one feels like the end game, however. (In other words, "I think she's got it" a la 'enry 'iggins....) More on my new tags in the near future.

Leather and Chainmaille Choker

2009-02-07T06:31:00.000-08:00

I love the look of chainmaille (duh) but necklaces can be a bit daunting to make. For one thing, all that silver (or copper!) adds up in cost, making a simple chain necklace out of most people's price range. And while I love working on maille, 16-18"+ of Byzantine weave gets a little boring!! Finally, there's the weight...unless you use micro-rings, you're going to have a necklace that could double as an anchor if you are ever out in a boat and forget to bring one along.

This week, I found a solution that solves for all of the above - and it looks great too! I'd really love to wear this with an open color blouse...any color will do, since all you'll see is the silver of the Byzantine weave!

Leather and Chainmaille Choker

Level: Intermediate

Materials
1.5mm Greek Leather - 22" (for 16-18" necklace)
Sterling silver lobster clasp
Sterling silver soldered jump ring (I used 4mm)
20-22g sterling silver wire (round, dead soft or half hard)
Sterling silver jump rings for chainmaille weave

Cut leather in half.
Fold one piece of leather in half, so you have a loop at one end. Use the 20-22g wire to wrap the loose ends together tightly. Add the clasp to the wrap and rewrap to secure. Use a pliers or crimper to secure the ends of the wire. Run your fingers over the wire to ensure there are no ends poking out!

Repeat with second section of leather, adding the soldered jump ring instead of the clasp. Add one 5/32" 18g jump ring to the soldered jump ring for easier fastening.

Begin your chainmaille weave, using one of the leather sections as your anchor. I made a Byzantine weave, using 5/32" 18g jump rings. Try a 2-in-2 weave if you are just starting out, or a Jens Pind Linkage if you feel daring!

The leather sections total 11", so make your chainmaille long enough to finish the length of the necklace. My necklace is 17", so my chainmaille section was 6" long.

Attach the end of the chainmaille to the second piece of leather.

To finish the leather, I wrapped the 20-22g wire around the loop end (nearest the chainmaille) 3 times, and secured the ends. The loop is now tight enough that the leather doesn't look sloppy, but loose enough to allow the maille section to move a little with your body.

I also think this would look great with the chainmaille oxidized, but keep in mind that you'll want to create your chainmaille section OFF the leather, oxidize, tumble and then attach the rings to the leather sections.

You can easily adjust the leather length for a shorter or longer necklace. I also think the black Greek Leather would look great with copper - just substitute copper jump rings and wire!

Everything from Week 5

2009-02-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Another busy week! For one thing, I made that tiara last Sunday...and added a bracelet and four pairs of earrings to my inventory.

The bracelet is Blue Peruvian Opal, with a design inspired by a project in Sharilyn Miller's Bead on a Wire.

One of the things I have never been able to get good at are hoop earrings. With some help from my pal Jeri, I finally have some hoops I'm pleased with! These are plain and simple, but I like them. The smaller pair will be mine to keep.

Next up, another pair of hoops. These are meant to be worn with the Peruvian Opal bracelet, but I liked them so much I decided to keep them as well! (See any kind of trend here? hahaha!) I'll make another pair to sell with the bracelet.

Finally, a pair of Egyptian Coils earrings. These are pretty quick to make up and look impressive. As with the bracelet and the coiled earrings, I used Liver of Sulfur to oxidize the wire and give it depth and color. While I like shiny silver, there are times that the LoS look is really needed.

On to another week of jewelry fun!

Happy Birthday Jer!

2009-01-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

My baby turned 15 today.

We spent the day at a wrestling tourney, and the evening watching "Bad Movie of the Week" on Sci-Fi, playing "Trash" (card game) and eating pizza. All his favorite things.

Mom and Dad gave him all clothes - we felt badly and thought we should have gotten him something "fun", but fought the temptation. He was actually Very Pleased with his new hunting gear and Under Armor.

Maybe he's actually growing up. :-)

Well, maybe not......

January 2009 Ornament Thursday Starts Out Right

2009-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Guess what?! It's Ornament Thursday time again! This year's Ornament Thursday team has decided to base themes on colors...and what a wide variety of colors we have in store for you!

One great addition for this year's events - YOU are invited to join us! If you'd like to get in on the Ornament Thursday projects, contact any of the OT team and let us know you'd like to join. Blog entries are due on the last Thursday of the month, and we'd love to see what you can do!!!

Up first: Celeste - ice blue for January's winter chill. My contribution dresses up a plain toggle clasp using gorgeous ice blue topaz from The Earth Bazaar, as well as tiny sterling silver round beads, miniscule freshwater pearls, and a few moonstone cubes tossed in for good measure. The clasp is then used as the focal for a simple sterling silver chain...and I think it's the perfect neck "ornament" for an Ice Princess!

Celeste Wrapped Toggle Necklace

Materials:
16mm plain sterling silver toggle clasp
30g sterling silver wire (about 40")
Assorted beads 3mm - 4mm (I used round blue topaz and sterling silver, rice freshwater pearls and moonstone cubes)
Bulk chain (however long you would like your necklace to be!)
4mm sterling silver jump rings

My toggle ring was rounded, and wrapping is much easier on a flat surface, so I carefully hammered the larger ring until it was flat.

Next, I secured the 30g wire around the ring, about 4 wraps, leaving a good length of extra wire at the end for a tail.

After securing the wire, I began randomly adding beads, making sure to wrap both around the toggle and between previous beads to keep them secure. The wrapping wire is pretty well hidden by the beads, so don't worry if it's a little messy...the trick is to be sure it's tight and holds your beads in place. Before adding the next bead, I wrap at least twice.

You can see here how I began loading up the toggle with beads and filling the gaps between beads.

To finish the toggle, I secured the wire around several beads and clipped it close to the toggle.

Next, I attached a fairly hefty chain to both the ring and the bar. The toggle can be worn at the front of the chain like a pendant, and the size of the necklace could be adjusted by winding the chain once around the ring and re-inserting the bar through the ring.

Check out all the other Ornament Thursday projects...
Creating Ice Blue When a color you love goes out of production, make your own!
Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda Augsburg shares her celeste-inspired card.
Heather's Ramblings A bright blue sky and beach scene for dreary weather
Icy Blue Born of Fire Lisa sees ice in the desert of all places.
Uniquely Mine for $20 Cindy Gimbrone hooks up lovely ice blue cashmere into a celestial colored neck scarf.

Queen for the day....make your own Tiara!

2009-01-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

For some reason, today I decided I wanted to make a tiara.

I've never really been a tiara kind of girl, and I really don't know what put it in my head. But there it was, and the little voice nagging just wouldn't go away.

I googled "tiara making instructions" and came back with lots of ideas, but nothing that clicked for me. Also, most of the instructions required a tiara frame, and I didn't have one. That nagging voice kept picking at my brain, saying "You have 14g copper wire, just use that!"

So I did.

I took about 18" of 14g copper wire, and shaped it into a headband. Hammered the heck out of it to make it keep it's shape. Now I had a tiara frame of sorts.

Now I needed to do some decorating...again using copper wire (this was a prototype!), I made three hearts and two swirls out of 18g wire for the centerpiece. After doing a little more hammering on each one separately, I started binding them together using 26g copper wire. At each join, I added a 6mm clear Czech bicone, which gave it some sparkle.

Next up, bind the centerpiece to the frame. I used 20g wire this time - it's more sturdy than the 26g, but is still fairly easy to wrap. I started in the middle of the decorative part, being careful to keep it in the center of the frame. I wrapped one side first, added a final bead, and wrapped the tail to the last swirl. Time to wrap the other side to the frame, add a bead, and complete the final wrap.

Voila! I now have a tiara fit for a Queen. I'm wearing my tiara around the house tonite to see if it gets me any respect (not so far, LOL) and have decided I am now a tiara-wearing kind of girl. I will definitely do another version, perhaps using a different style centerpiece...this was a fun project!

Everything from Week 4

2009-01-24T06:45:00.001-08:00

Busy week...I accomplished a LOT!

First up, earrings to accompany already created necklaces (I'm including a picture of the necklace as well):

Citrine and Sterling

"Ruby Jade" Hearts

Labradorite and Sterling (I really like this all-in-one hoop design!) - compliments my Lab Works necklace

Copper Swirls.

Next, just a tease of a necklace I made...it's actually for next week's Ornament Thursday post, so you'll see the entire piece then ;-)

And finally, a chunk of amethyst crystals that just begged to be wrapped. Believe it or not, this is so snug, the stone is not going anywhere despite the open appearance. I really think it showcases the crystals nicely.

All of these pieces are being created for the Art & Soup show next month...I'm very excited about this show and hope it is successful!

Jewelry Making Contests Everywhere!

2009-01-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for jewelry making contests and magazine submissions. I didn't participate much last year, but I'm planning to toss my hat in the ring a few more times in 2009!

If you've never entered a jewelry making contest or submitted to a magazine, the best advice I can give you is to have good photos of the work you are submitting (this goes for juried shows as well!). Chances are, the person judging your work is only looking at that photo, and you want the lighting and setting to be as good as they can be.

Another important tip is to read the submission instructions carefully, and follow them to the letter. Many contests will specify the size and/or resolution of photos, some allow email submissions, others only want photos sent in via a CD, actual photograph or slide. Additionally, some will require that you send in the actual piece for "professional" photos if you win, so you will not want to sell the piece (unless it's to someone that you can borrow it back from!).

Here are a few current contests and submissions to think about...heck, don't just think about them, ENTER! And have fun. Lots of fun. ;-)

Rings N Things annual Your Designs ROCK! contest submissions due Feb 1 Feb 28, 2009. I've already talked a LOT about this contest...the photo requirements are VERY explicit. Be sure you follow them to the letter or you will be disqualified!

Fire Mountain Gems 2009 Beading Contest. Entries due by April 15, 2009. Lots and lots of categories to choose from, and no limit on the number or pieces you can enter.

Jewelry Lessons Valentine's contest. Post images to the site by February 1, 2009. Design something that is "Valentine" in theme and win prizes (there are lots of tutorials and products that are offered!)

Bead Trends monthly magazine submissions are ongoing, and while the "prizes" aren't huge, you get the satisfaction of seeing your work in print, and a couple of copies of the magazine! Monthly submissions and themes are available on the site, usually due to the email address listed by the 25th of the month.

Good luck...and be sure to let me know what happens!!!

Creating an Online Gallery

2009-01-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

Today one of my "tasks" was to create a gallery on my web site of work. I have a lot of photos of jewelry I've made and sold, or it's not up for sale...and no where to display it. One of the problems with a site like Etsy is that you can only "show" pieces that are for sale or have sold through the site.

So I added 11 pages to my personal web site, and loaded 50+ photos of earrings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces that I've made over the years. While I looked at the photos, I thought about the person who bought the piece or received it as a gift. A few pieces sold at art shows or consignment shops, so I'll never know the story behind the purchase, but in many cases, I do...and it's fun to reminisce.

The pendant pictured at the left was a gift for a very close friend. She loves pink, and this just shouted her name to me. I chose it for the opening page of the gallery because it's a pretty piece, very unique, and it has a rich history for me.

I've received some positive feedback from some friends that took a look at my new Gallery, but I'd love to hear yours as well! And share with me some of the ideas you have in how to "show off" pieces that you no longer have - it would be great to hear additional ideas!

C-My Designs Gallery

Everything from Week 3

2009-01-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

Didn't get a chance to make much this week, but I was pleased with the two things I did make!

First off, the toggle clasp that I "dressed up" was attached to a sterling silver Tryzantine and ruby chainmaille bracelet that I really like a lot. It looks a little awkward in the photo, but it lies very nicely. I like the fact that it's a little snug, but it can be easily adjusted using additional jump rings on the bar end of the toggle.

That feature is something that's important to add when you are either selling or giving jewelry as gifts - make sure there is a way to adjust the size up or down. While I make things for the "average" wrist, or an "average" sized necklace, I try to work a method of adjusting into the design.

Here's a little detail of the Tryzantine weave with those gorgeous rubies I picked up from The Earth Bazaar...they were classified as Grade B pebbles, but the color and cut were really nice.

To go with the necklace, I also made a pair of earrings, using the tiny rubies and really tiny (3mm) sterling silver round beads. I am working on making "sets" where ever possible - while one person might not want to buy both a necklace/bracelet and matching earrings, I like to offer them for potential gift giving. Either one does stand alone, so it really doesn't matter to me if they sell together or not!

What a great surprise! Rings N Things catalog

2009-01-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Last night I picked up the mail, and found the new copy of the Rings N Things 2009 catalog. True confession, I don't buy much through the catalog any more - I'm lucky enough to have their trunk show come to town once a year, and I load up on gorgeous R&T product then!

BUT, a new catalog just screams for paging through, and there are always some great finished pieces for inspiration!

So after I did some work around the house, I settled in for a little down time on the couch. Imagine my surprise when I turned page 37 of my catalog and glanced through page 38.

Something looked familiar...I did about three double takes and finally said "Hey! That's ME!!!" (to an empty house...the boys were both gone and the dog was outside, LOL). It was my "Owl's Eyes" bracelet, which was entered (and won Honorable Mention) in the 2007 Your Designs Rock! contest.

I was really thrilled and kept going back to page 38, even after I'd gotten far into the catalog.

Someone on one of the jewelry boards asked why R&T didn't notify me that they were including it in their publication...well, when I entered the contest (in 2007) I'm sure there was a "we can and probably will use your images" clause, and besides, I don't really mind it being a surprise.

What a great way to end the evening!!!