Shine Online Issue 36 | April 2017
BRIDAL INSPIRATION Discover light and airy bridal themes with plenty of elegant inspiration
FREE GIFT Claim a sparkling bumper brooch kit with seed beads and cabochons!
Page 22 Make your jewellery set on page 6
GET CREATIVE WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL & PEARLS Make high quality, professional jewellery with colourful Swarovski crystal materials
Shine Online Contents 4 SWAROVSKI INNOVATIONS Explore the dazzling new range of Swarovski crystal innovations for spring summer 2018
NEW
8 BRIDAL INSPIRATION Try on cream and pearl tones and be inspired for your spring wedding designs
STYLE 12 PEARL AND CRYSTAL Browse a collection of perfect pearls and glistening crystals, ideal for special occasions
14 BEADER FEATURES We take a look at your latest designs and find out who's won this months beady vouchers
16 CRAFT ESSENTIALS Try new techniques and make professional quality jewellery with some essential tools
18 PERFECT PRECIOSA Discover the beautiful pressed glass beads from preciosa and start some pretty projects
TREND
22 SPARKLING FREE GIFT Grab your brilliant free brooch kit with a mixture of fabulous sparkly cabochons
23 VIDEO PROJECTS Get your hands on some of our favourite kits and watch their video tutorials today
Editor - Holly Baxter Get in touch! Drop me a message to holly@beadsdirect.co.uk
This month we're getting excited for the start of the bridal season and have been gathering our favourite romantic designs. We've created some light and airy themes to get your imagination working! You'll find lots of pearls and classic bridal inspiration from timeless cream pearls to brighter tones made of glass! Flick to page 12 to take a look at our favourite Swarovski pearls and crystals which we think are the perfect sparkly accessory for any special occassion this Spring. Don't miss this months fabulous free gift and get everything you need to make your own glittering seed bead brooches. This months gift comes full of beads, sparkly cabochons, felt and 50 brooch backs meaning its perfect for anyone making lots of designs to sell! Go to page 22 to claim yours on your next order. We hope you enjoy this month's issue!
The Beads Direct Team x
SEE ALL FEATHER CHARMS Add some movement to your spring and summer jewellery with these gorgeous colourful feather charms. Match your favourite to a colourful tassel charm or two and make jewellery thats perfect for your festival outfits.
SWAROVSKI INNOVATIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2018 These shiny sew-on stones are lemon shaped and feature a beautiful faceted, slightly domed surface and a foiled back. The stones have a threading hole on either side making them perfect for using as bracelet connectors. The lemon shaped sew-on stone is part of the new Swarovski Elements innovations range for Spring/Summer 2018. All of the fabulous new effects you can see are part of the latest Innovations with the newest cuts, colours and effects ready for you to get creating with!
SHOP ALL NEW SWAROVSKI These colourful pro lacquer effect rivolis make the perfect focal point for any design. When you're creating a new jewellery set, these can be matched with the smaller chatons in the same shades meaning you can make a wider variety of designs. Try creating a bezel with your rivoli and some tiny matching seed beads. To do this, you'll need to peyote stitch a circle to fit your rivoli inside and frame it. You can then attach your bezel to the centre of a necklace or any other accessory you're creating. Take a look at Sarah's video and learn how to stitch around your favourite rivoli crystals!
SEE ALL SWAROVSKI RIVOLI
Simply secure wiĂž a drop of glue
MAKE YOUR OWN!
There are lots of metal jewellery settings to fit your favourite Swarovski crystal shapes. Search for the matching Swarovski four digit numbers to find the correct settings and crystals! You'll also find plenty of bracelet, ring and earring bases in the category below. Click the button to take a look.
SEE ALL BASES The brilliant skull beads are perfect for setting onto cufflinks or including in soutache designs. Make your quirky cufflinks with these sterling silver bases, a drop of Gem Tac glue and your favourite skull flat back crystals.
SEE ALL SWAROVSKI SKULL SHAPES
The beautiful baroque beads have a classic, vintage look. There are 6 tones to choose from and two sizes meaning you can create graduated designs, perfect for droplet style earrings. Their curved cut is perfect for matching with floral, feminine designs with no harsh edges or corners in sight. Why not try combining them with Swarovski's faceted round beads? Their cut surface catches the light beautifully. There's sure to be a bead that matches your favourite baroque! Take a look at the pretty project on the next page and be inspired to get creative with these versatile shapes!
KI S V S O AR ION W S AT V W NE NNO I
BAROQUE CRYSTAL JEWELLERY DESIGN BY HOLLY BAXTER
MATERIALS CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR MATERIALS
TOOLS • Thread cutters • Round nose pliers • Flat nose pliers • Size 10/12 needles
Before you begin… Make simple jewellery sets like this with your favourite crystal beads and bicones. Adding a small cluster of bicone beads is a really simple way to add some extra sparkle and is a great way to frame your feature beads inbetween. Holly has chosen two sizes of the new Swarovski Baroque beads in Aquamarine and has added classic Crystal AB to emphasise their bright blue tones. Take a look at the full range of Baroque beads and choose your favourites!
Step 1 - Bracelet Cut a length of beading thread measuring 20" and thread a beading needle onto each end. Step 2 Thread one side of your magnetic clasp over one needle so that it sits at the centre of your thread. Bring both of your needles together and thread a bicone, a smaller baroque bead, a bicone and a large baroque bead. Step 3 Separate your two needles and thread two bicones onto each thread. Thread both needles through a single smaller baroque bead and thread two bicones onto each like at the beginning of this step. Step 4 Repeat this, alternating your sizes of baroque beads and filling the gaps with 4 bicone beads. Step 5 Measure your bracelet against your wrist. To finish your bracelet thread on a single bicone onto both threads, your next size of baroque bead and another single bicone. Step 6 Pass both threads one way through the other side of your magnetic clasp. Thread your needles back into your bracelet and pull firmly to pull all of your beads together. There shouldn't be any gaps. Step 7 Continue to thread your cords through your bracelet knotting against your main threads along the way. After each knot, pass your needle through the next bead to hide the knot. You may wish to weave your threads all the way around the bracelet until you think it is secured enough.
Step 1 - Earrings Take a headpin and thread on a small Crystal AB baroque bead, a bicone, a aquamarine baroque bead and a bicone. Step 2 Trim the top of the headpin down to 1cm above the top bicone. Step 3 Take your flat nose pliers and bend the pin to a 90 degree angle close above the bead. Take your round nose pliers and turn a loop. Attach your charm to your ear wire and make your second earring.
Beautiful Brides DIY Wedding Inspiration Making your own jewellery and decorations for special occasions can be a great way to start your jewellery making journey if you've never made professional pieces before. Adding a personal spin to your occasions theme means you have a chance to make each piece unique. If you've always wanted to make your own bridal jewellery, our ranges of high quality Swarovski crystal materials are a great place to start.
SHOP ALL SWAROVSKI
Perfect for bracelets and necklaces Explore over 1000 perfect crystal pearls, beads and Swarovski stones in elegant tones such as Crystal Blush Rose, Crystal Peony Pink and delicate Crystal Light Rose. These are perfect for pairing with traditional cream colour pearls or crystal clear beads! Delicate charms like this Raindrop Pendant in Crystal AB are ideal for attaching to ear wires or positioning at the centre of a thin necklace. Try attaching to a bail and hooking onto a black cord to make a stylish choker with a hint of Swarovski sparkle!
SHOP ALL CRYSTAL CHARMS
These acrylic heart connector charms are MAKE YOUR perfect for weaving into the centre of some EARRINGS cute macrame or friendship style bracelets. The two colours here are ideal for making into sweet bridesmaids bracelets! Choose your cords and create macrame knots on either side of the connector charm. Finish your bracelet with a sliding knot meaning your bracelets are adjustable to fit any wrist size. Learn how to create cute macrame bracelets and explore some of our favourite designs here.
MAKE YOUR EARRINGS These sparkling, crystal encrusted charms are covered in the Swarovski PavĂŠ effect. PavĂŠ is created by a smooth clay base which is then covered in tiny Swarovski crystals by hand. These shimmering drop pendants are ideal for hanging at the centre of a gold chain necklace.
MAKE YOURS HERE
Using the best quality charms and materials in your work means that your designs will last and keep their shine. These beautiful feather and leaf charms are sterling silver 925 making them perfect for meaningful bridal jewellery that will be treasured for years to come. These charms come with a jump ring on the loop at the top meaning they are ready to thread onto a necklace, chain or attach to some elegant earrings.
SEE ALL LEAF SHAPES
SS A GL NG RLS I IN EA H S P
PERFECT PEARLS BRACELETS DESIGN BY DEBBIE BULFORD
MATERIALS CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR MATERIALS
TOOLS • Thread cutters • Round nose pliers • Flat nose pliers • Size 10/12 needles
Before you begin… Make simple jewellery sets like this with your favourite crystal beads and bicones. Adding a small cluster of bicone beads is a really simple way to add some extra sparkle and is a great way to frame your feature beads inbetween. Holly has chosen two sizes of the new Swarovski Baroque beads in Aquamarine and has added classic Crystal AB to emphasise their bright blue tones. Take a look at the full range of Baroque beads and choose your favourites!
Step 1 - RN = right needle LN = left needle Cut a length of beading thread and add a needle to each end. On one needle thread on your clasp and pass both needles through a 4mm silver bead. On RN feed on one silver pearl and on LN feed on two silver pearls, pass the RN through the second pearl and pull tightly to make a triangle. From now on the added beads with form diamonds Step 2 *RN add a silver pearl, LN add a white pearl, cross through a white pearl. RN and LN add a white pearl on each, cross through a white pearl. RN add a white pearl, LN add a silver pearl, cross through a silver pearl. RN and LN add a silver pearl on each, cross through a silver pearl*. Repeat the pattern from * to * until it reaches the required length. Step 3 Feed both threads back up the bracelet through the side beads of the diamond and cross over through the first centre pearl. Step 4 See the image below to follow the pattern. Depending whether you finish with a silver or a white pearl, look at the outer points of your diamonds. If the outer pearl is silver then feed on 3 silver pearls to it around it and feed your thread through the next (white) outer pearl. Obviously if the outer pearl is white then feed on 3 white pearls to it around the outside and feed your thread through the next (silver) pearl. Alternate your colours along the edge of your design. Knot your threads and feed back through your pearls to secure. Step 5 Feed a pearl onto a headpin, trim off the excess leaving 1cm to form into a loop. Place your round nosed pliers on the tip of the pin and rotate your wrist to form a loop. Remove your pliers and reposition to close the loop. Step 6 Hold a headpin tightly with your flat nosed pliers. Bend the pin to form a right angle. Remove the pliers and move along the pin repeating the technique twice to make a triangular shape. Cut the excess wire just leaving the triangle. Push each side of the bail into either side of the pearl to form a bail. Step 7 Link 8 Jump rings together to make an extension chain. Attach the finished chain onto your triangular bail. and add your pearl charm onto the end of your chain.
Crystal and Pearl Sparkle in Swarovski...
Our favourite fabulous coin pearls are effortlessly chic and perfect for adding between sections of regular pearls. They lie comfortably on bracelets and look super stylish when made into dangling earrings. Try on these brilliant rose gold coin pearls and match them with cream, copper and other warm tones to make delicate evening jewellery. Rose gold is effortlessly on trend and can be used to add a romantic or feminine touch to designs with a splash of metal, by using rose gold findings, settings and wire. Add in the Swarovski dragonfly charm to give a piece a spring time look with some added sparkle. Dragonflies symbolise freedom and are the perfect addition to floral designs.
SEE ALL DRAGONFLY SHAPES
MAKE YOUR BRACELET This pretty bracelet combines faceted glass beads and a matching Swarovski square fancy stone in Crystal Lilac Shadow.
SEE ALL SWAROVSKI PEARLS We can't get enough of the latest Swarovski pearl innovations - Crystal Iridescent Dark Blue and Light Blue. They blend with so many of the other colour offerings due to their shining iridescent finish. Muted and neutral tones like grey and cream match perfectly with the dark blue tone whilst softer colours like these pretty pastel pink pearls work well at emphasising the lighter rainbow tones.
Personalise wiĂž colourful crystal pearls
MAKE YOUR NECKLACE
Our range of unique swarovski fancy stones come in lots of shapes and sizes. These irregular heart crystals are perfect for using in valentine, anniversary or wedding jewellery and come in 5 pretty tones.
SEE ALL FANCY STONES Swarovski fancy stones are perfect for featuring on soutache style designs. Glue your chosen crystal onto your backing felt and use your soutache cord and matching seed beads to frame the shape. Try adding flat back crystals into your soutache work for hints of sparkle.
MAKE YOUR NECKLACE
These stunning earrings feature rose gold findings and settings to glue your fancy square crystals into. Use Gem Tac glue or Fevi Kwik to secure your crystals with a professional finish.
MAKE YOUR EARRINGS
Let's Be Social with Vicki! Show us your designs! We love to see your jewellery designs and hear what you have been up to. Drop me an email to shine@beadsdirect.co.uk or post your images on our Facebook group and you could win a Beads Direct voucher!
If you see a star on your design, send us a message to claim your £5, £10 or £15 voucher!
See this on your design and you've won a £5 voucher! See this on your design and you've won a £10 voucher! See this on your design and you've won a £15 voucher!
Swarovski Ceralun and crystals. I mixed black and silver Ceralun to get the deep shade. I love the new flat back skull! - Joy Wignall Your Ceralun pieces look gorgeous and really sparkly Joy. We love the latest Innovations from Swarovski and the skulls are one of our favourites too! x
A bag charm in royal twilight hues for Mother's Day xx - Marianne Tan Your bag charm is stunning Marianne! Each leaf looks really neat and we love the splash of gold down the centre! x
Join over 950 fellow beaders online now! FIND US ON FACEBOOK 'FEATURE IN SHINE ONLINE'
I was asked by a customer if I could make the Swarovski hugs and kisses bracelet from smaller beads as she felt the 10mm ones were too big for her style. Here is what I came up with :) - Rebekah Coleman This is really delicate Rebekah, we love the Swarovski crystal tones you've used. x
This is a necklace set I made using peyote beaded beads and fire polished crystals. The peyote tubes are made with black and different shades of blue of size 11 seed beads. All products are from Beads Direct (of course). - Tony Cooley Your new jewellery set is brilliant! We love the flashes of colour around each of your beaded beads! x
This is a little tree I made for some one for mothers day I hope you like it - Karen Townley Your tree looks amazing Karen! The stem is a lovely shape and we love the colourful beads you've chosen. x
Bead embroidery cuff bracelet. A lot of hours and a lot of beads. - Christine Hall This is beautiful Christine, the band looks really intricate and sparkly! x
Absolutely addicted to macrame now! Thank you Beads Direct. - Kasia Rajca Wow! It's great to see your free gift all made up. These look really neat! x
JEWELLERY MAKERS TOOLS
The econo bead reamer features diamond grit on the reamer tips meaning they will file down the holes of the beads you use them on. Your reamer comes with three tips which can be stored inside the cushioned handled. Make sure to take care when using your reamer on softer bead materials such as freshwater or shell pearls.
This knot-a-bead table top tool is great for beginners who want to make professional knotted jewellery. Knotted bead designs have lots of movement as well as security. Use your tool to get precise, tight knots as close to your beads as possible. Click on the tool to watch a demonstration tutorial and find out more! The hotfix applicator comes ready to work with and includes 7 attachments. These tips allow you to apply swarovski crystal hotfix flat backs, rhinestones and more! Simply heat up the tool to melt the glue on the back of your hotfix crystals. This tool is essential for makers using wholesale packs of swarovski crystal to decorate accessories, costumes and clothing. Why not try you hand at embellishing a pair of party shoes, a sparkly hairband or even a dress for a special occasion!
The useful snipper tool is ideal for getting to those hard to reach threads. The blades of the Beadalon cutters are great for precision work such as seed beading, peyote or soutache, meaning you can weave your threads securely and still snip them neatly. Your snippers come with a protective cap meaning they're perfect for taking with you on your beading journeys! They're ideal for cutting silk cord, nylon cord, beading thread and other non-metal stringing materials.
This useful leather punch is an essential tool for lovers of leather and faux leather accessories. Make different sized holes for belts and buckles, rivets and studs! Simply choose the size hole you need, turn the little wheel to place it against the plier pad and squeeze your pliers over your leather. Get creative and make holes to attach charms and pendants to thin leather cord for stylish bag charms, chokers and bracelets.
GET 20% OFF TOOLS Use the discount code CRAFTY20 at the checkout to receive 20% off all these essential tools, pliers and more!
SEE ALL TOOLS Browse our range of tools and use your code or give us a call to place your order with us - 01509 218028
Kleshna's brilliant bangle weaver is an essential tool for lovers of wire working and stringing techniques. Weave your own glamorous cuffs using your favourite wires, silky cords and even left over fabric! Follow the simple instructions with your new tool and start making your own unique, woven designs! Kleshna's tool has won CHA’s Hot Product Award in the Bead and Jewellery Category 2016! Learn even more woven patterns and techniques with Kleshna's project CD-ROM created exclusively for Beads Direct. Click on the tool below for more information.
The one step looper is great if you have trouble turning loops! It creates perfect loops leaving just a small gap to hook on your charm or finding, which you can then close up, ready to wear! Choose from two loopers, one for smaller 1.5mm loops and a larger for 3mm loops. Your looper will work perfectly with 24 to 18 gauge wires.
Perfect Preciosa Glistening glass jewellery
Preciosa beads come in some unique shapes and are ideal for using alongside seed beads. Our range of colourful preciosa beads are chosen to match and fit together. Choose from lots of shining metallic tones and some bright matte colours! All of your Preciosa beads feature a 1mm threading hole meaning you can use any combination of shapes in your chosen design. They're great for improvisational designers! Choose a Preciosa pearl or bead mix and create beautiful matching jewellery with amazing colour and shine. These pink tone mixes are ideal for a simple elastic bracelet and a pair of matching earrings. Find more pearly projects and lots more Preciosa projects on our projects gallery. Simply search for the name of the beads you want to use Candy beads from Preciosa are so much fun in the projects gallery for brilliant written projects to work with. The beads are flat on one side and video tutorials! and then slightly domed on the other, this makes them nice to wear against your wrist or form into 3-D shapes. The beads are twin hole through the side meaning you can make seed bead patterns between the candy's.
The brilliant preciosa chilli beads come in 11 different shades and can be used to add texture and depth to detailed and simple beaded jewellery. These beads are shaped just like a chilli but have a concave side and a domed side. The beads can simply be strung in a formation to look just like a zip where by the side of the bead will interlock with the adjacent bead – this makes for a beautiful bracelet. The size and shape of these beads make them easy to combine with round seed beads and other Preciosa shapes such as candy beads.
These stunning cornelian star beads are perfect for adding a splash of colour to a beaded piece. The bead includes an inside layer in the shape of a sixpointed star, the points of the white core filter through the coloured layer giving the impression of fine stripes. Why not try using them in chunky beaded designs as spacer beads between more detailed features?
SEE ALL GLASS SHAPES
The brilliant Preciosa tee beads come in 12 essential tones. When strung together, these beads interlock allowing you to make stunning textured designs and a variety of 3-D shapes. Tee beads are ideal for using in stringing, bead-weaving, Kumihimo and even crochet or sewing – they work best alongside seed beads and the Preciosa pellet beads.
Preciosa pip beads are versatile little droplet shapes with a threading hole across the smallest end. They're available in 36 tones and can be used for threading into cute daisy shapes and framing round beads. Pip beads can also be strung to create an interlocking effect, used for beautiful, textures kumihimo designs! These preciosa flat round twin hole beads have two threading holes, making them similar to the Preciosa candy range. The alignment of the holes allows the beads to neatly look neatly slotted together with very little thread showing between them. The smooth finish on the beads means they sit nicely and are comfortable to wear. Try combining your favourite twin holes with some matching matte seed beads for a delicate daytime accessory?
SS A GL DS ED EA S ES H B R P INC P
PRECIOSA CATERPILLAR BRACELETS DESIGN BY HELENA CHMELÍKOVÁ
MATERIALS CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR MATERIALS
TOOLS • Thread cutters • Chain cutters • Chain nose pliers • Flat nose pliers • Size 10/12 needle
Before you begin… Try out the simple right angle stitch stringing technique. These bracelets are super easy to make and can be altered to add a more detailed seed bead section between your pinch beads.
You will be using Preciosa Half Pinch beads which are the triangle pressed glass shapes. The project refers to these as HP. Your size 8 seed beads are referred to as R8.
Step 1: String a row of R8 and HP onto an armspan of thread (the red line in the drawing). Start with 3x R8, 2x HP (with their points together). Repeat a total of 9 times. String 5x R8 at the end. Step 2: Start the return. Thread the cord down through the fire seed bead added here and go around the loop of beads again. String 2x HP (with their points together) and string through the next of the three R8. String 1x R8 and thread back around the 3 R8's to secure it next to them. Once you pull your threads securely, these seed beads will sit in a small cross shape. Repeat the addition of the HP and the subsequent R8 until you get to the last 2 pinch beads. String another 2x HP. Finally, string 2x R8. Thread the line through the first 3x R8 and the newly strung 2x R8 in the line. Tie off the ends of the line and pull them back into the rocailles. Secure your tail threads into your bracelet, knotting along the way and trim off the threads. Step 3: Attach the fastening. Attach a jumpring to the 3rd seed bead on one end. Attach a lobster clasp to this. Cut a short length of chain measuring approx. 4" and fold it in half. Attach a jumpring to the other end of your bracelet and attach the two ends of your chain.
Click on the diagram above to get a closer look!
FREE GIFT IN ORDERS £20+
This month, claim your brilliant brooch kit with lots of sparkling seed beads, cabochons and brooch backs - in orders over £20! Simply place your order and enter the code below at the checkout or give us a call on 01509 218028.
Receive your kit in either Pink or Blue tones Project sheet included! Make unique beaded brooches with colourful felt, sparkling acrylic cabochons and a mixture of seed beads!
ENTER THE CODE AT THE CHECKOUT TO CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT!
APRILGIFT Free gift can be claimed on all orders over £20 excluding postage costs. One use per customer. Enter code APRILGIFT at the checkout. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Available whilst stocks last. Kits will be chosen at random. Colours and contents may vary in the event of a sell out. Offer expires midnight 30th April 2017.
Video Projects Get creative with these brilliant video tutorials, and start making today!
Start a unique project and create your own personalised jewellery with these useful beaded jewellery kits and tutorials!
SEE ALL BEADS DIRECT KITS HERE >> Learn how to make a sparkling seed bead bracelet using peyote stitch. Join Debbie and create your own design using waxed cotton cord, and shining metallic seed beads. Follow your project sheet download on the design page (click the link below).
GET YOUR KIT Create beautiful beaded bracelets using Swarovski crystal pearls and bicone beads. Why not choose your own colour combination or try mixing up your bead sizes for a different look? Finish your bracelet with the simple beaded clasp or secure with metal findings!
GET YOUR KIT Make your own Silky Bead bracelet using your favourite tones and matching demi round seed beads. This gorgeous bracelet is easy to size and adjust to fit your wrist size. If you're after an adjustable size bracelet, finish yours with a lobster clasp and extension chain.
GET YOUR KIT
Coming next month... • PRIMROSE YELLOW • STERLING CHARMS
• AMAZING AGATE • SWAROVSKI CERALUN
• MACRAMAY • SPARKLING FREE GIFT
'SHINE' MAGAZINE IS BACK! Shine Online's in-print sister magazine/catalogue is now
GET SHINE >>
Packed full of jewellery trends, new arrivals and exclusive discount codes!
Love Shine Online? Never miss another issue when you subscribe using the form below!