Shine Online June 2018 by Shine Online

Shine Online Summer 2018

Summer Style Stay on trend with Pantone's colours of choice for Summer

CRAFT KITS NEW CHARMS FREE PROJECTS HOLIDAY JEWELLERY

FREE GIFT Claim your fab bead, chain and tassel necklace kit

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NEW PROJECTS AND CRAFT INSPIRATION Try your hand at a fun beading project, or start a brand new hobby this Summer

www.beadsdirect.co.uk

Contributors

Summer 2018 Holly Designer, crafter, marketing assistant and editor of Shine magazine

Summer is always an exciting time to experiment with some new styles, jump on board the latest fashion trends and personalise them to make each new design your own. New looks and materials are appearing every week, so we've gathered all the latest arrivals into one handy issue to inspire you to get creative this Summer. Look out for brilliant new beads, charms and

Sarah Freelance jewellery designer, teacher & guest demonstrator at Create & Craft TV

materials to add to your craft stash this season. There are now even more directions to take with your handmade accessories! Make sure not to miss this issue's fabulous free gift, and take a look at our Let's Be Social page to see some of your fellow beaders latest makes. We hope you love your Summer issue,

The Beads Direct Team x Vicki Tea drinker, dog lover and managing director at Beads Direct

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Katrina

Connect with us!

Gardener, Instagrammer and marketing assistant at Beads Direct

Got a beady question? Call us on 01509 218028 or drop an email to service@beadsdirect.co.uk

In this season's issue Page 4 Cross stitch, felting and bead craft kits, ready to make or gift

Page 6 - project CR0290

Create the totally tropical seed bead necklace design by Katrina

Page 8 Start your Summer sewing with seed beads, pom-poms and crystals CR0365

Page 14 - project Learn how to make cute circle bracelets with half tila beads

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>> MAKE ME << Create a pair of turquoise Summer tassel earrings

Page 18 Celebrate the sunshine with Pantone's Meadowlark yellow CR0389

Page 20 Check out the latest customer makes on the Let's be social page with Vicki

Page 22 Try on one of Pantone's on-trend colours - Blooming Dahlia

Page 24 - project Make the wonderful wire wrapped tree of life pendant by Deborah Short CR0473

Page 28 Be inspired by Pantone's Summer colour - Spring Crocus

Page 30 Fabulous free gift, perfect for jewellery beginners and lovers of summer style

Craft kit prices starting from just

ÂŁ7.99

CRAFTY KITS Pick up a new project this Summer and learn how to make felt accessories, knitted toys and cross stitch home dĂŠcor. These fun cross stitch kits are a huge trend this year and if you've ever wanted to sew your own mini masterpiece, these fab little kits are the perfect place to start.

Start a fun cross stitch project! These super cute kits are perfect for ST2377

gifting as a finished decoration or as a new kit for another crafter in your life. ST2376

Once you've sewn your first hoop design, we're sure you'll want to start another - we just can't get enough of them! Why not grab a blank embroidery hoop and make your own unique design or go for another kit and sew a matching set? Embroidery hoop art pieces can be hung on their own like picture frames and paintings.

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Visit www.beadsdirect.co.uk/crafts for more ready-to-make kits

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These gorgeous felt bird decorations are the ideal addition to a child's bedroom or a Summer house. Mix the fabrics in the kit to make patchwork style birds with a personal touch from you. You'll find lots of other stuffed felt decoration kits by Corinne Lapierre in the Beads Direct craft section. If you love knitting or crochet (or both!) the new kits from The Crafty Kit Company are the perfect fun project. Each kit comes with the necessary knitting needles, crochet hooks and all the materials you need! ST2363

Everything you need Each craft kit comes ready to start with all the tools and materials included in the box.

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JEWELLERY KITS

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Make unique beaded jewellery with stunning kits, exclusive to Beads Direct.

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NEW

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Findings kits now with elastic & chain

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ÂŁ6.97

Want a new project? Each jewellery kit you buy comes with full step by step instructions to help you make the most of your materials. Lots of bead kits come with more than enough beads and findings, meaning you can finish your design and then make matching accessories or extra embellishments. ST2430

Spring Sky Plaited Necklace Mix and match bright aqua tone seed beads with shining silver chain

>> CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE MATERIALS YOU NEED <<

BEADING LEVEL

BEADING TECHNIQUES Using a calotte finding and crimp bead Using a bead spinner

beginner intermediate expert

Opening and closing jump rings with jewellery pliers

STEP 1 Fill your bead spinner with part of each of the three packs of colours. With the thread still on the spool, thread your curved needle and use the spinner to help you string on enough beads to fill 18" of the thread. If you don't have a bead spinner, you can thread your seed beads on by hand. Once you have 18" of beads added to your thread, thread on a straight beading needle and pass through a calotte finding, and a crimp bead. Go back through the calotte and a few inches of beads before tying a knot to secure the thread. Weave the tail through the beads and trim it away. Repeat to add a calotte to the other end but do not squash the crimp flat yet.

Katrina loves...

STEP 2 Create another two strands of 18 inches of beads and link them to the same calotte, going through this, the crimp bead and back through the beads as before. Once you have three strands on the calotte, crush the crimp bead and close the calotte around it to secure. Turn a loop on each of the calottes. Make two more sets of three strands in the same way.

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STEP 3 Link the end of each trio onto a large jumpring, going through one of the calottes from each strand. Then, cut an 18 inch piece of chain and add this to the same jumpring before closing it again with your pliers. Take the three bunches of three strands and plait them, including the piece of chain with the trio of beads it is next to.

STEP 4 On one side, use the remaining 2 inches of chain from your metre that you started with, to make an extension for the end of your necklace. Finish by opening a jumpring and adding a lobster clasp to one side.

Shimmer & Shine Turquoise Suede Bracelet made with Swarovski CH590

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The Darice Bead Spinner makes threading seed beads easy! Simply fill the bowl with the beads of your choice, switch on and insert the threaded needle.

Glorious green Malachite Semi Precious A-Grade Beads EX4511 - EX4517

SUMMER SEWING If you love embroidery and detailed bead projects, we know you'll enjoy adding beads and crystals to your fabric accessories. Try sewing tiny seed beads around the collar of a plain shirt to add a hint of colour to your workwear, or sew pom poms and tassels to bags, purses and shoes for a trending Summer look. It's a great time to embellish your old Summer clothes and give them a new look ready to wear again in this year's sunshine. If you're not a fan of sewing, there are several other ways to add a bit of sparkle and shine to any plain accessory.

Perfect Pearls Use a hotfix applicator to embellish your accessories with shining Swarovski flat back pearls W561

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Hotfix Swarovski crystals can be applied using an applicator tool that heats up the pad of glue on the back of each crystal. Simply lay out your crystal pattern and hold the heated applicator on top of the crystal for a few seconds. You can apply Swarovski hotfix crystals to lots of surfaces including cotton, silk, denim and other fabrics as well as paper and card.

>> BLOG FEATURE <<

Packs of sized beading & sewing needles

Learn about the different flat back Swarovski crystals and how you can use them in your next crafty project.

From ÂŁ1.79

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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Sew pom-poms onto your accessories to add a splash of colour! 1. Take a length of strong thread and add a sewing needle. Choose the pom-poms you want to add to your accessory and decide where you want to position them. 2. Pierce through the fabric and secure your thread with a knot or two. Sew through one side of a pom-pom, and then back into your base fabric, where you exited from. Travel under the fabric to where you want to sew next and continue until you have added enough pom-poms. Tie a couple of knots and then thread under your fabric and out of the back. This leaves a tail thread inside your work, to keep your knot from unraveling. Trim off the thread as close as you can to where it exits your fabric.

BLOG FEATURE Follow Poppy Byford's detailed project and learn how to make a cute beaded hair band, perfect for a Summer party or any special occasion. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR HAIRBAND

Visit www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects for more unique designs and video tutorials 9

DIARY DATES Join us at the biggest craft and bead shows in 2018

Come and say 'hello' If you have a craft that you're passionate about, The Handmade Fair is the dream day out (or weekend!) that you've been waiting for. Take a fresh look at your favourite hobbies or discover a new interest with inspiring craft demonstrations, work shops and hundreds of crafty stalls where you can stock up on supplies or buy gifts and treats. The Big Bead Show is a must for lovers of beadwork and jewellery making. Grab a new jewellery kit, some shiny new findings and plenty of design inspiration. There will be live demonstrations as well as Make & Take workshops. Visit us at the shows to find the latest bead kits, tools and best selling jewellery goodies. You might even find exclusive show bead bundles and on-the-day discounts!

The Handmade Fair 22 - 24 June 2018 Bowood House, Wiltshire The Handmade Fair 14 - 16 September 2018 The Green - Hampton Court Palace The Big Bead Show 20 October 2018 Sandown Park Racecourse, Surrey

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BEADY BUTTERFLIES Make delicate butterfly accessories with colourful seed beads and thin copper craft wire

A = Dark pink bead

B = Light pink bead

STEP 1 Cut 25cm of wire. Pick up 1B, 3A, 1B. Slide them to the centre of the wire. Pass the wire through 1B and 2A so that the wires cross within these beads. Take the wire exiting the A bead, add 3A and 1B. Pass the other wire though these. Continue with the pattern on the second image.

STEP 2 On the last row, take the wire exiting the A bead. Pick up 3B. Pass the other wire though these. Bring one wire down and wrap it between the beads of the previous row. Pull tight so that it slots between the beads securely. Repeat with the other wire. You can wrap around again to make a more secure finish. Trim off the excess as close to the beads as you can. Make a second wing as shown in the 3rd image here.

STEP 3

Make the lower wings for your butterfly in the same way, following the pattern on the fourth image. Secure and trim the wires.

STEP 4 To make the central body, cut a 20cm piece of wire and pick up six rondelles. Skip the last rondelle then pass the wire up through the next five. Cross the wires through a new rondelle. The last one that you’ve crossed through is its head. Add two A beads onto the wires on each side and trim to leave about 1.5cm. Use round nose pliers to coil the wire around into a loop that sits on top of the beads.

STEP 5 Cut a 20cm piece of wire. Wrap once between the first and second rondelles. Pass the wire through the two end beads of an upper wing – make sure you’ve got it the right way up. Wrap the wire tightly around the body again. If you find that the wings aren’t as tight as you like you can secure the upper and lower wings together by wrapping wire through the loops that sit between the top and bottom wings. Continue to attach all the wings and finally secure the wire by wrapping between beads, and trim away the excess.

Get all the materials you need at - www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/beady-butterflies

>> CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOURS <<

BOOK CLUB Choose a book of inspirational beading projects and learn how to create personalised and completely unique beaded designs to sell, gift and wear

Learn from the best Whether you're new to jewellery making or want to move onto a new skill, our range of books written by professional designers will help you learn something new. BOOK125

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These fab beading books are a great place to look if you make designs to sell. Gather some ideas and be inspired to use different combinations of materials that you might not have thought of before! 100 Beaded Flowers, Trinkets & Charms is the perfect addition to your craft bookshelf. Learn how to make tiny beaded designs perfect for attaching onto earrings, charm bracelets, key rings and for making into wedding or christening decorations.

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"Excellent book so many lovely ideas to make very well explained" Product review for Creating Wire & Beaded Jewelry by Linda Jones.

Visit www.beadsdirect.co.uk/books-dvds for more essential jewellery books and magazines 12

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Pick up a good book Want to start a new project or hobby? Choose from an array of jewellery making books, perfect for beginners, crafters making to sell and professional jewellery designers.

There are so many jewellery books to explore. If you are new to jewellery making or know someone who'd love to pick up a new hobby, there are plenty of starter books and skill guides to begin with. BOOK141

Learn how to make sparkly Shamballa bracelets with this mini book plus all the materials and beads you need to get started. This fab starter kit contains lots of Shamballa beads, wooden and metal beads that you can use to make some of the designs featured in the fun little project book.

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CRAFTY MAGS

Be the first to know about the latest bead and craft trends with monthly magazines packed with seasonal, on-trend projects.

See something you love? Order at www.beadsdirect.co.uk or give us a call us on 01509 218028 to order over the phone

Round and Round Bracelet Learn how to make these super simple beaded rings, perfect for making into bracelets and chokers

Get all the materials you need at - www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/round-and-round-bracelet

>> CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOURS <<

BEADING LEVEL

beginner intermediate expert

BEADING TECHNIQUES Simple stringing with seed beads and two hole beads Attaching findings and clasps Securely tying off threads and tail threads

STEP 1 Thread a needle with 60cm of beading thread. String a seed bead followed by a tila bead. Repeat until you have 12 seed beads and 12 tila beads on the thread. Position 15cm from the end of the thread. Sew through all the beads again to form a ring. Tie a knot to secure the ring.

STEP 2 Sew away from the knot and exit after a tila bead. Flip the ring over and sew through the top hole of the same tila bead. Pick up two seed beads and sew through the top hole of the next tila bead. Repeat adding two seed beads all the way around.

More by Sarah... Find the designs below and more in the Beads Direct project gallery

Iridescent Palace Bracelet

STEP 3 Finish so that you exit after two seed beads – note that the thread is coming out above the seed beads – don’t cut the tail. Make more rings to link together. Weave in the tails of one ring and save the threads on the other so that you can stitch the rings together. To weave in your thread, simply thread around the beads and make knots between some beads as you weave. Make knots by passing the needle under the thread between two beads. Pull almost all the way through until you have a small loop. Pass the needle through this loop and tighten. Continue this until you are confident your beadwork won't unravel. You can add small drops of glue to knots or a dab of clear nail polish to secure them further.

Royal Red Cluster Necklace

STEP 4 Lay the ring which has the tails woven in, next to a second ring so that pairs of seed beads on the outside of each ring line up. Sew down through the pair of beads on the first ring then sew up through the pairs of beads on the second ring. Sew through the beads again then pull the thread tightly to bring the circles together.

Soutache Swirl Bracelet

Continue to link your rings together and weave in any extra threads once you are happy with your design.

STEP 5 Take a new length of thread measuring approx. 30cm long. Pick up two seed beads, sew through the connector loop on one half of your clasp (your clasp may be different to the one pictured). Pick up two more seed beads. Position in the centre of the thread then sew through all the beads and loop again. Pull tight. Pass both strands through a single seed bead. If you're making a continuous circle bracelet that is already at it's full length - with no strap, you can now skip to step 8.

STEP 6 Onto the side of thread with the needle string 33 seed beads. Remove the needle. Thread the needle onto the other strand. Pick up two seed beads, skip the two seed beads immediately after the one with both strands through it, sew through the next. Repeat until your strap is as long as you need it to be. You can add more beads or take off any excess beads.

STEP 7 Take a new thread to make the second strap for the other side of your bracelet, adding the other half of your clasp. Before you sew these onto your rings, you can measure your wrist and add or remove beads from your straps.

STEP 8 Without removing the needle sew into the third ring by sewing through the pair of beads immediately opposite the join between the ring. Then sew through a couple more beads on the ring going in the same direction. Pull the thread so that the strap is pulled up to the ring.

STEP 9 Thread the needle onto the other strand on this strap and repeat the step above going in the opposite direction. Weave in your threads and then repeat this for the other side of your bracelet.

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PILLAR EARRINGS

Follow the super simple project below and learn how to make delicate seed bead tubes.

STEP 1 Take a length of thread and form a stop bead by stringing a single bead. Go through it a second time taking care that you don’t pierce the thread. Tighten the thread so it’s firm but check that it can still slide along the thread as it is will be removed at the end. Position the bead 20cm from the end. Pick up an even number of beads that will form the length of your pillar. Push them down to the stop bead.

STEP 2

Begin the next row by picking up a single bead. Skip a bead and go through the last but one bead strung in the previous step. Pull the thread through so that this new bead sits next to the last bead.

STEP 3 Pick up a single bead. Skip a bead and go through the next. Repeat this method to the end of the row. Finish the row by going through the first bead strung in step 1, not including your stopper bead. You’ve now formed three rows. STEP 4

Begin the next row by picking up a single bead. Go through the last bead strung in the previous step. Continue along the row in this way filling the gaps between the beads in the previous row. Add further rows in the same way until your design is 4 beads across. This is the right size to wrap around a headpin and making into a pillar earring.

STEP 5 Your piece will look like the 4th image. In the final image, we have made two halves of the piece you have made, shown laid flat so you can see where to sew up the two sides of your tube. The beads on either side should slot together and then you can weave your thread between them to zip up the gap. When you reach the end, remove the stopper bead and weave your threads into the beadwork and secure it with knots along the way. Trim off the excess threads when you are done. Finally, thread your tube onto a headpin and loop the top to attach to an earwire. You can add a larger bead onto the top and base of the headpin as you can see on the gold earring above.

Get all the materials you need at - www.beadsdirect.co. uk/projects/pillar-earrings >> CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOURS << 17

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TRENDY TOOLS The latest, essential pliers, accessories and tools

MELLOW YELLOW Design statement jewellery with bright and beautiful yellow tones We love to make jewellery inspired by our favourite Pantone colours for the seasons. Meadowlark yellow is a fantastic Summer tone and can be added to a whole host of base colours, such as sky blue, dark teal or a rich orange to really make it stand out on your designs. BG0860

This delicate floral bangle combines seed beads, duo beads and Swarovski rivoli crystals in 3 different tones. You could personalise this design with 3 gradients of the same colour, such as 3 different blues across the 3 flowers.

>> MAKE ME << Create a cute floral bangle, perfect for a Summer celebration

You could also continue the pattern and fill the entire bangle with even more crystal posies.

www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ spring-buttercup-bangle

Got a question? 18

Give us a call us on 01509 218028 or drop an email to service@beadsdirect.co.uk

TC0003 There are so many beautiful gemstone beads to explore and use in your jewellery making. These lovely purple and yellow Ametrine beads are believed to focus the mind and rid your aura of negative energy.

"The bold and lively Meadowlark, a confident and outgoing bright yellow shade highlights the spring 2018 season, glistening with joy and illuminating the world around us."

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Pantone They're a perfect example of two different tones complimenting each other so well, and this can be emphasised in your designs. Try sewing these onto a yellow fabric or combine them with more yellow beads to bring out the rich royal purple tone. You can use matching threads like the pale yellow cord above, to bring your design together seamlessly and give it a really professional finish.

These dazzling Margarita Earrings are the ultimate holiday accessory and can be altered to include more of your favourite colours to match your Summer holiday outfits. If you're not a fan of statement earrings, you can make a single pendant using the same pattern and replace the earring finding with a jumpring to attach to a chain. Why not treat yourself to a few more matching crystals and make a beaded strap, sewn directly to the top of your pendant?

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>> MAKE ME << Make these gorgeous Summer earrings with Swarovski, seed beads and tassels www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ margarita-earrings

Let's Be Social with Vicki We love to see the projects you're proud of! Drop me an email to shine@beadsdirect.co.uk or post your images on our Facebook group to be featured! If you see a star on your design, you've won an bead bundle! Drop us a message to the email above with your address to claim your prize.

Vicki loves... Very much into making pieces of bridal jewellery at the moment! This is right angle weave, Swarovski Montee's and size 11 seed beads. Amanda Higginbottom

Your bracelet is gorgeous, Amanda! Your beading looks really neat and professional.

Studded style Blue PU Flat Cord with Assorted Metal Stud Design TC0242

Finally got round to using my shell beads. Added a bee charm to celebrate World Bee Day Dawn Jones

We love your shell bead keyring, Dawn. This will be perfect for adding to a purse or your Summer handbag!

Roll the dice 4933 Swarovski Dice Fancy Stone 27mm Crystal Purple AC1928

Connect with us! Post your design pics to our Facebook 'Feature in Shine Online' page and you could be featured in next month's issue. Got a question about beading, jewellery making or anything we sell? Call us on 01509 218028 or drop an email to service@beadsdirect.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/featureinshine 20

Perfect in pearls Silver Matte Czech Glass Round Pearl Beads BG2253

I've not posted anything for a while and I thought I'd share my carrier bead bracelet that I finished last week I'm so pleased with it :) Karen Backhouse

Wow, Karen your carrier bead bracelet is so pretty! I love the combination of all the different patterns, and your colour choice is really subtle.

Simple and delicate crystal pendant necklace. Colours of crystals and beads chosen to catch and reflect light from all angles! Marianne Tan

Your pendant is stunning, Marianne. I love your choice of beads and I can imagine it being worn to a Summer or Winter wedding!

My latest commission that I made yesterday, sliver plated copper wire tree on a onyx cabochon. Debbie Frost

This tree pendant is beautiful and really delicate looking, Debbie. I love the tiny branch details and the swirls of wire on the side of the cabochon.

Very rare make for me, don't do many stretchy bracelets. Hematite, lava stones and metallic iris firepolish beads Tracy Home

What unique beads! I love the look of the lava stones, and how well they match the fire polish beads. 21

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BLOOMING DAHLIA Make light and airy Summer accessories with a touch of this timeless peach tone Blooming Dahlia is another one of our favourite Pantone colours for 2018. There are so many exciting directions to take with this fresh tone, and you can start with our brand new matte glass pearls available in 8 Colours including peach and almond. You'll find lots of other peach colour variations to mix and match with in our seed bead and glass bead ranges.

>> MAKE ME << Create this cute Summer necklace with little dragonfly accents and matching seed beads between the coin beads

www.beadsdirect.co.uk/ projects/spring-dragonfly-necklace

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>> MAKE ME << www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ pretty-pastel-layered-necklace

STICK TO IT

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Craft, fabric and beading glues From ÂŁ1.99

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BG0844 Rose gold is the ideal addition to your peachy themed designs. You'll find rose gold chain and findings (including rose gold plated sterling silver!), as well as rose gold bases, charms, beads and wire. Combine these with your other materials to give your design a fresh, feminine touch and a professional, shiny finish.

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>> MAKE ME << Learn how to use delicate glass pip beads, seed beads and Swarovski crystal beads and pearls to make a stunning twisted wire hair piece. Personalise your design with different wire shapes and as many flowers as you want! www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ spring-wedding-hair-piece

Customer Feature

Crystal Tree of Life Follow Deborah Short's summer project and create a delicate wire wrapped droplet shape pendant

Get all the materials you need at - www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/crystal-tree-pendant

>> CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR PENDANT <<

BEADING LEVEL

beginner intermediate expert

JEWELLERY TECHNIQUES Wire wrapping, twisting and coiling Using jewellery pliers with wire Neatly and safely finishing sharp ends of wire

STEP 1 Start by cutting 2 lengths of the 1.25mm copper coloured wire, approximately 9-10 inches long. Take a workable length of the 0.40mm silver plated wire, you can easily add in as you go so don’t worry about that. Be aware of your tension, you don’t want the weave too tight as you will be passing wires through later. Take one of your 1.25mm wires (base wire) and wrap the 0.4mm wire around it 3 times. Then add in your second base wire and wrap the 0.4mm around BOTH twice as shown. Keep going with this weave, x3 around bottom wire and x2 around both, until you have a length of weaving that you are happy with.

STEP 2 Now to shape your frame. Slowly and gently start to bend your piece around, starting from the centre. Once you are happy with the shape you can secure it into place.

STEP 3 Now bring the outside base wires around the back and over to the front to lock the frame into place. Then it’s time to start creating the bail for the piece. Take the 2 middle base wires, and place them into a V shape. Take a workable length of the 0.4mm wire and start by wrapping 3 times at the base of one wire. Go 3 times around the second wire, and keep this weave going until you are about half way. Now shape the bail to make it narrower, and carry on. When you have a good length, stop weaving.

STEP 4 Now take a mandrel, bail making pliers, or even a marker pen, and fold the bail over in half. Turn the piece over and trim the 2 wires at the bottom, then using your round nose pliers, bend them in.

STEP 5 Wrap one of the remaining base wires around the bail to seal the opening, and spiral the end to finish. Do the same with the last base wire. This secures and finishes off the frame neatly.

STEP 6 Now to add the tree! Cut 6 lengths of 0.4mm wire approximately 4inches long. Put all the wires together and using your fingers, or pliers, twist them together slightly off centre. The twisted part will become the tree trunk, so shape this, and keep checking and adjusting it to fit the centre of your frame.

STEP 7 Lace the tree over the frame and when you are happy with the size and shape of the trunk, separate the roots out and the branches to give you an indication of how it’s all going to look.

STEP 8 Now to attach the roots to the base of the frame. This is why the tension I mentioned at the start is important. You are going to weave through the frame. Spread the roots out, remembering that it’s an organic design so you can’t really get it wrong. Wrap the first root between the two 1.25mm wires of your frame, and wrap to secure. Do the same with all of the roots and check there are no jagged edges.

STEP 9 Next use your creativity to thread on whatever combination of beads you choose to make a beautiful colourful tree! Thread on one branch at a time, and as you did with the roots, thread each branch end through the frame and secure before moving on to the next.

STEP 10 Keep going till you have finished your branches. Next to add the finishing touches. Take a length of 0.4mm, thread it through where you can next to the roots, and add some green beads to give the appearance of grass. Bring it round the front over the roots and attach at the other side. Finally take the lovely little butterfly charm and attach it to one of the branches. You're Finished!

CLEVER CLAY Set your imagination free and get ready to sculpt, roll and carve your own clay accessories

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Ever wanted to make your own beads, connector charms and other jewellery components? Fimo polymer clay is an amazing medium to try and is a great material to use if you want to make bright, colourful designs. Try mixing different colours of clay to make unique marbled effects! Choose from over 40 colours in Fimo Soft and Fimo Effect clay.

HOW TO MAKE CLAY BEADS 1. Roll a ball of clay and pierce a threading hole through the centre with a cocktail stick. Remove the stick and smooth out the edges PC62

of the holes, gently patting the bead back into an even ball shape. 2. Place the bead on greaseproof paper, with the hole facing upwards, so it sits on the other side of the hole 3. Bake it in the oven for as long as recommended on the packaging.

BLOG FEATURE

A splash of colour Make statement colour-block designs

Follow Holly's super simple guide on how to make your own geometric Summer pendants and earrings with your favourite fimo clay colours.

with soft fimo clay

VISIT THE BEADS DIRECT BLOG TO READ MORE 27

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>> MAKE ME << Make a pair of bright beaded earrings using a circle frame base with Swarovski crystal faceted round beads www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ fuchsia-pink-window-earrings

PRETTY in PINK Feel feminine in floral coloured crystals and blush toned beads this Summer Pantone's Spring Crocus is a bright and fun colour that is sure to draw the eye to your design. Try mixing this rich pink tone with navy, purple or simply pair it with black or white materials to make the colour pop.

TICKLED PINK Love pink? Treat yourself to pink craft accessories and packaging

These unique Carrier Duo beads below are designed to perfectly hold your peyote stitch strips of seed beads. Design your own tiny patterns, wrap the strip onto your carrier bead and then stitch the two sides together. Find everything you need to get started with carrier beads at Beads Direct, including useful peyote patterns and lots of unique designs to use your finished beads in.

>> MAKE ME << Design your own cute carrier bead bracelet with the Beads Direct free carrier bead starter sheet BA249

www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/ cherry-blossom-bracelet

EX4490 Looking for the perfect focal point for your handmade pendant, bracelet stack or hair piece? Swarovski crystal charms and stones are a superb choice and can be sewn AC1484 onto your design, secured with glue or held in place with a seed bead bezel.

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AC1905

AC1559

"Witty and expressive, Spring Crocus is a flamboyant and tantalizing fuchsia shade that summons you in with its beguiling charm." Pantone If you struggle with colour marching or finding combinations of beads that fit together, a seed bead mix like this one is a great place to start. PINKHAZE The same goes for the other bead mixes available like this sparkling Swarovski faceted round selection. Each pack contains a mix of rich pink tones as well as crystal clear beads in a range of useful sizes. You will find lots of other colour themed bead mixes on the Beads Direct website.

Use professional beading cord such as Wildfire Thread or Fireline when working with crystal or glass beads, as some beads have a sharp edge that could cut through a cotton or nylon thread. Swarovski beads have a 'crystalclear hole' with rounded edges that protect thread from fraying, for long-lasting designs.

AC1982

FREE GIFT IN ORDERS £15+

Design beautiful Summer jewellery with shining glass beads, golden chain and matching findings. Claim your free gift online or over the phone with orders over £15

YOUR FREE GIFT INCLUDES 1 x 30g pack of purple glass chip beads 1 x Triple layer tassel charm in Purple or Pink 1 x 80cm length of gold tone oval chain 4 x Two part flower toggle clasps 100 x Gold plated jumprings 50 x Gold plated eyepins

ENTER THE CODE AT THE CHECKOUT TO CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT

SUMMERKIT Free gift can be claimed on all orders over £15 excluding postage costs. One use per customer. Cannot be used in with any other offer. Available while stock lasts. Gifts may vary and are picked at random. Offer expires midnight 31st August 2018.

To make your necklace, you will need... Round nose and flat nose jewellery pliers

STEP 1 Empty out your selection of purple chip beads and take an eyepin. Thread on some chip beads until you have filled all but 1cm of the pin. Bend the top of the pin to a 90 degree angle, above the last bead. Turn a loop using your round nose pliers. Grip the end of the pin and turn to start forming a loop. Bring the end all the way around to close the loop.

STEP 2

STEP 3

Decide how many of the chip bead pins you want on your necklace, and use your pliers to open links along your chain, where you want to place them. You can split down your chain to make more than one necklace, or you could make a full necklace out of chip bead pins linked together.

Attach the loops on your pins to your chain using jumprings. Grip the jumpring on either side of the opening and turn the pliers away from each other in opposite directions to open it without misshaping the ring.

STEP 4 Open a jumpring and link it through the loop on your tassel. Link this jumpring through the central link on your necklace and close it securely. Your finished necklace may be long enough to put over your head. If you have chosen to make it shorter and use the chain to make more than one design, you can attach either side of your two part toggle clasp, to each end of the necklace using jumprings.

Beads Direct June 2018 calendar kit ‘Floral Nouveau’ - by Jenny Argyle

NEW ARRIVALS - THE 'SUMMER STYLE' COLLECTION >> SHOP THE FULL RANGE <<