Shine Online
Issue 49 | May 2018
Wire & Pearl Bracelets by Debbie Bulford
PERFECT POM-POMS PLUS brand new tassels and even more charms to inspire your Spring projects
FREE GIFT Get a shiny new findings kit and a selection of matching Preciosa beads this May
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NEW ZODIAC CONSTELLATION CHARMS Make personalised jewellery and accessories with shiny star sign charms www.beadsdirect.co.uk
Shine Online Contents NEW CARRIER DUO BEADS p4 Get your hands on the latest trend and start beading straight away with free patterns
LITTLE BOY BLUE p6 Try your hand at a new jewellery project with delicate blue and navy tones
TASSELS & POM-POMS p10 Grab some colourful new pom-poms and tassels, ready for your summer look
THE ROYAL WEDDING p14 Make your own dazzling jewellery inspired by the biggest Royal event of the year
LET'S BE SOCIAL p18 Vicki takes a look at the latest designer makes from our busy Facebook group
MAY FREE GIFT p20 Treat yourself to this month's free gift and get a fabulous findings kit and Preciosa beads
Show us your style... We love seeing what you've made with all of your favourite BD products. Take a picture of your beautiful beady creations and you and your work could be featured in Shine Online! Simply upload to the 'Feature in Shine Online' Facebook page, tweet us or tag us in your pictures on Instagram!
Editor - Holly Baxter Get in touch! Drop me a message to holly@beadsdirect.co.uk
May 2018 NEW Carrier Duo Beads
Spring and Summer trends are already showing up on the high street and this month's new beading materials can be used in so many more crafts than just jewellery making. Flick to page 10 And take a look at just a few favourites from your bright new range of tassels and pom pom charms which are perfect for using with your papercraft, sewing and embroidery projects as well as sewing onto your jewellery and accessories for Summer! We've scattered lots of shiny charms and featured brand new arrivals throughout this months mag as we know how much you love to add a personal touch to your jewellery. We're excited to bring you a new range of constellation charms to top up our selection of star sign inspired materials and to help make your finished designs all about you! Look out for some fun projects to start for Summer including a gorgeous fire polish bracelet and some hand painted wooden beads! See you next month,
The Beads Direct Team xx
Connect with us! Got a question? Call us on 01509 218028 or drop an email to service@beadsdirect.co.uk
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CARRIER DUO™ 8 COLOURS - NOW AT BEADS DIRECT Carrier duo beads are a fun, trending project that lots of us are picking up to try. We love these little bead bases as much as you do, so we've gathered everything you need to make your own decorated beaded beads including a free project sheet to download (click the button at the bottom of this page). If you can't decide on a colour combination, why not pick up one of our fab carrier bead starter kits which include your pattern sheets, needles, thread, Miyuki Delica beads and carrier beads, ready for you to make straight away. This pretty purple kit is inspired by the Pantone colour of the year - Ultra Violet and comes with big Candy beads to space out your carriers.
Choose from carrier bead kits in 3 colourways
- FREE DOWNLOAD Click here to learn how to cover your carrier beads and make your own seed bead patterns!
Miyuki Delica beads are a great choice for covering your carriers, as they give any peyote pattern a smooth and even finish. If you don't have any Delica beads to hand right now, you can practice making your even count peyote stitch with any seed beads (or larger beads if its your first go) and get the hang of the technique while your carriers are in the post! Choose from matte, opaque, shiny and colour lined size 11 Miyuki Delica beads in our online range.
SEE ALL CARRIER BEADS & CARRIER KITS
Try making several different versions of this simple connector bead bracelet. The threading holes in the carrier beads are large enough to fit cords measuring as large as 2mm thick, meaning you can thread them onto leather, cotton, silk, hemp or any other cord you can fit through. Why not try making a macrame bracelet with a carrier placed sideways at the centre?
FREE PROJECT
FREE PROJECT
on the Beads Direct project gallery
on the Beads Direct project gallery
These cute, sparkly earrings are so simple to make once you've mastered your even count peyote patterns. Make a metallic wrap for your carrier bead and create a droplet earring using seed beads, crystal bicones and a pretty drop charm at the base. You get 10 carrier beads in each pack and hundreds of Miyuki Delica beads, which means you can experiment and decorate your beads to make matching jewellery sets and unique multi carrier designs.
NEW SEED BEADS!
PANTONE'S LITTLE BOY BLUE Little boy blue is an essential tone to wear for Spring and Summer. The hue is a richer variation of a sky blue and can be drawn upon to add a splash of colour to any look, be it a plain work outfit or this years beachwear! Try combining this fun Summer tone with turquoise, green or yellow to really emphasise these colours if you want them to stand out. We've gathered a few more similar tones from our great range of blue materials.
SEE ALL BLUE BEADS & MATERIALS You can see the differences between the unique blue tones created for glass shapes like the candy beads here. Light navy, with hints of lilac are a great alternative to pure blue tones, meaning they'll mix effortlessly with your pink and purple beads. These delicate fabric flower tassels are perfect for placing at the centre of a simple necklace. There are 6 colours to choose from including a beautiful fuchsia and a lovely Spring green. Try combining them with matching gold plated chain and other coloured charms for a floral charm bracelet or a feather effect bag charm. Check out our brand new range of pom-pom charms and even more tassels on page 10.
Making your own jewellery is a rewarding hobby which could turn into a brilliant business! Click on any of the projects here to learn how to make them and to get all the materials you need in one place!
For more unique designs visit your project gallery! There's plenty of brand new designs added every week using the best new beads and materials. VISIT THE PROJECT GALLERY
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LAVENDER WOVEN BRACELET Get all the materials you need in our project gallery here >>
Step 1. Thread a needle onto either end of an armspan of thread. Pick up 18sb and position centrally on the thread. Sew through the first bead strung so that the threads are parallel inside it. Throughout the project the words ‘firepolished’ is abbreviated to ‘fp’ and ‘seed bead’ to ‘sb’ with the number required before the letters. Step 2. Onto both strands, string 2sb. Cross through 1fp – This means that the threads are going through it in opposite directions. Step 3. Onto both strands, string 2sb. Cross through 1sb. Step 4. Alternate steps 2 & 3 until you have the desired length less 1.5cm and have just crossed through 1fp. Step 5. Onto both strands, string 2sb. Bring both strands together and pass through 3sb. Separate the strands and string 2sb. Step 6. Repeat the method you used to create the band but replace the seed bead that’s crossed through with another firepolished. Add a total of 3fp and 4sb as shown.
Step 7. Pull tight. Take one strand and pick up 2sb. Sew through the first firepolished, going through it on the same side that the thread you’re using is coming out of. Pull thorough until you’ve got a small loose loop. Step 8. Do exactly the same with the other strand, again leaving the beads on a loose loop. Tighten up the band of beads by pulling on both threads where they exit the end firepolished … Step 9. …then, evenly pull on the tails so that the band rolls up into a barrel shape. To secure, weave the threads around the barrel, knot in a couple of places then sew down into the bracelet a short distance. Trim the threads. Step 10. Thread a needle onto either end of an armspan of thread. Pick up 1fp, 4 sb and position centrally on the thread. Take the inner thread (the one exiting the seed beads) and sew through the second free seed bead nearest the firepolished bead on the central base band. Step 11. Still with the same thread, cross through the firepolished strung in step 10. Check that you still have an equal amount of thread on either side. Now what was the inner thread is now the outer thread and vice versa. Step 12. Onto the new outer thread string 3sb. Step 13. With the new inner thread sew through the next free seed bead nearest the firepolished bead on the central base band. Step 14. Still with the same thread, pick up 1sb then cross through the last seed bead strung in step 12. The threads have swapped over again. Step 15. Onto the outer thread string 2sb, 1fp. Step 16. With the inner thread pick up 1sb then sew through the next free seed bead nearest the firepolished bead on the central base band. Step 17. Still with the same thread, sew through the firepolished bead added in step 15. Step 18. Repeat steps 12 to 17. At the end repeat steps 12 & 13 as normal then weave the threads, in opposite directions, into the beadwork. Knot in a couple of places and add dabs of glue if desired. Step 19. The second side is formed exactly like the first. You might like to turn your work over so that it’s easy to repeat the same actions.
TRENDING TASSELS AND PERFECT POM-POMS
Glue or sew decorative cup ends onto your pom-poms
The fab new range of cute pom-poms and tassels has inspired everyone at Beads Direct to get creative for their own Spring and Summer jewellery. These brilliant pom-poms can be sewn onto clothing, accessories and used in your jewellery making. Why not try sewing them onto a shirt collar, a headband or a purse? You can even use glue to stick them onto stud earring bases.
Titanium Plated Tiny Heart Cap Ends
Pom-poms now in 8 different colours Use a domed end cap to hold your chosen pom poms in place on charm bracelets, bag charms and dangling earrings. Simply glue a cap with a loop onto the surface of the pom pom. If you have an end cap with a hole through the middle, try sewing down through the hole, sewing through the pom pom, and then sewing back up through the hole. You could then thread beads or knot a chain or cord onto these two ends of the thread exiting the end cap.
Rose Gold Plated Brass Cup Ends
Antique Silver Bead Cone Fancy Design
BLOG FEATURE Summer Sorbet Tassel Earrings Follow Holly's new blog project and learn how to hand paint plain wooden beads to use in your personalised jewellery and accessories! These super simple tassel charms can be made into earrings, bag charms, zipper charms, pendants, bookmark charms and more! Click the button below to read more.
READ MORE ON THE BLOG
The fab new findings kit at Beads Direct is a great way to get all the essential components you need in one simple delivery. Choose the colour of your findings and you'll receive jump rings in two different sizes, lobster clasps, round spacer beads, head and eyepins, ear wires, elastic cord and a beautiful matching chain with links that can be opened instead of cut. Try choosing seed beads that match each shade in these beautiful triple tone tassels. Include these matching seed beads along with the tassels on a set of matching elastic bracelets or a layered multi-strand necklace, with gold charms that match the gold thread wrapping around the tassels.
Made with the new Rose Gold findings kit!
SEE ALL POM-POM'S AND TASSELS
- FREE PROJECT -
NEW
CONSTELLATION CHARMS Our latest collection of charms to arrive includes these gorgeous, shiny zodiac coin charms. Try combining your star sign charms with star themed connectors, pendants and beads! There are plenty of crystal encrusted materials to choose from to add a special touch to your designs, including Swarovski embellished materials and cubic zirconia charms too.
SEE ALL ZODIAC CHARMS
- FREE PROJECT -
Each constellation charm is available in gold, silver and rose gold plated metal and feature your chosen constellation to match your star sign. These new coin charms have a sideways facing loop which means they can be threaded straight onto a delicate chain in the matching tone!
- FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL BIRTHSTONE -
If you struggle to find beads and charms that hold your birthstone gem, why not try swapping your precious stone for a crystal alternative, or combine the two! Birthstones can be represented by the beautiful Swarovski crystal tones available to make a long lasting design with even more sparkle and a rich crystal colour.
Each of the antique coin charms features a stamped word on the back which describes the type of person associated with the star sign on the other side. You can see which word is on your chosen charm on the product SEE ALL ZODIAC CHARMS image on each charms page.
NEW PROJECT Virgo Charm Necklace Whatever your star sign, this stunning design is so easy to personalise. The delicate silver chain used in this project features round, clear crystals between the links, making it perfect for wearing alone or embellishing with subtle charms like this. Choose your zodiac charm and matching Swarovski birthstone crystals on the project page.
GET YOUR MATERIALS
THE ROYAL WEDDING 2018 Design timeless jewellery with Swarovski crystals and pearls...
The Royal wedding is almost upon us and is set to be one of the biggest celebrations of the year. What better time would there be to experiment with some of your favourite tones for your own party or bridal accessories! Let yourself be inspired by traditional wedding colours and textures, royal themes and bring them all together to make a new look. The gorgeous colour palette above mixes mauve, lilac and ivory tones to give the traditional wedding theme a subtle vintage twist. Start your jewellery planning with a few of your favourite images and pick out the main colours. Match the colours you find to our range of hundreds of Swarovski crystals, pearls and beads.
Have you dreamt of making your own bridal jewellery or designing wedding jewellery to sell? The Wire & Beaded Wedding Jewellery book by Linda Jones is a great starting point to learning how to make professional wire jewellery and combine it with beads and other materials to make each wire creation truly special. SEE ALL JEWELLERY BOOKS & MAGAZINES
Make a sparkling, royal pendant necklace
10 MINUTE MAKE SOMETHING NEW BRACELET This pretty pearl bracelet is the perfect accessory for weddings, christenings, and any other elegant special occasions. Learn how to make your own timeless design with a combination of Swarovski dove grey crystal pearls, Swarovski crystal clear rondelle beads and sterling silver findings for a dazzling quality and professional finish.
MAKE YOUR BRACELET
Once you've chosen your crystals, you can find hundreds of bead designs to use them in, in the Beads Direct project gallery. Simply select what kind of project you want (written steps, video tutorial etc.), enter a search term in the project search bar (bicone, seed bead, Spring, wedding etc) and see what pops up to inspire you!
SEE ALL NAVY BLUE BEADS AND MATERIALS These gorgeous Elizabeth Earrings were inspired by Pantone's Palace Blue from their latest Spring colour report. Palace Blue has arrived just in time for two exciting royal celebrations - the new royal baby and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This rich, deep colour is ideal for making statement jewellery that stands out against light tone outfits. Try pairing your Palace Blue designs with a white shirt or sew your deep blue beads and crystals directly onto a white or ivory base colour to make the rich tones pop!
- FREE PROJECT -
ITH I W SK E
K V MA RO A
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HANDMADE CONNECTIONS BRACELETS Designed by Debbie Bulford Get all the materials you need in our project gallery here >>
Wire spacers and connectors give a truly unique and contemporary twist to your designs. Apply the techniques you learn in these instructions to make new shapes, smooth corners and swirls to frame your favourite pearl beads! Step 1. Wire connector/clasp: this design can be used as a connector or as a loop to be used with a clasp or toggle bar. Cut 8cm of wire. Place your round nosed pliers on the tip of the wire and twist to make a loop. Place the loop in the tip of your flat nosed pliers, gradually turn the loop to make a coil. Step 2. Place your chain nosed pliers next to the coil. Bend the wire over the edge of the pliers. Step 3. Use your fingers to gradually bend the tail of the wire around the curve of the coil. Place your round nosed pliers on the tip of the wire and twist to make a loop. Step 4. Caged bead (see 4th image) : Complete Step 1 above to make a coil on one end of 15cm of wire. Repeat on the other end of the wire, in the opposite direction. When you coil these two ends together make sure you finish in the centre of the wire so the two coils are the same size.
Step 5. Push your round nosed pliers into the centre of each coil to make a cone shape. Step 6. Fold the two coils together and manipulate the rings to give even spacing between the wire coils. To enclose a bead: place a bead between the cones, close the two halves and thread a piece of wire or headpin through the bead. Make a loop on either side of the bead ready to use in your design. Step 7. Wire hook: this can be made from a single or double length of wire. Cut 10cm of wire. Fold in half, use your flat nosed pliers to squeeze the wires together. Position the pliers leaving 2cm to make the loop. Separate the 2 ends of wire, take one and wrap around the second piece of wire twice, then trim. Step 8. Place your round nosed pliers on the tip of the remaining wire and twist to make a double loop. Step 9. Place your round nosed pliers half way along the length of the double wire, fold in half to make a ‘U’ shape. Remove the pliers and replace on the tip of the hook and kink the wire to give a curved finish. Step 10. Centre coiled connector: Cut 10cm of wire. Place the round nosed pliers in the centre of the wire. Pull the wire around the nose of the pliers and crossover to make a loop. You will need to open and reposition the pliers as you twist to make a coil. Repeat until you have 3 coils of wire. Step 11. Leave your pliers through the centre of the loop. Bend the wire from being across the nose of the pliers, to being in line with the side of the pliers. Bend one forwards and one backwards. Keep going around and around until you have a 1cm tail on each end. Make a loop on each side. Step 12. Bead cap twist: Cut 15cm of 0.8mm wire. Place your round nose pliers on the tip of the wire and twist to make a loop. Feed on a bead (the bead in the picture is an 8mm glass round). On the opposite end of the wire, place your round nose close to the bead and bend the tail of the wire over the pliers nose. Step 13. Twist the tail of wire around the top of the bead. It is easier to hold the end of wire with your fingers than a pair of pliers. Gently pull the end of the wire around and around the top of the bead forming a bead cap. Step 14. When you are happy with the coiled bead cap, take the end of the wire down and around the outside of the bead. Finally wrap around the first loop formed in Step 12. Step 15. Trim the end of the wire so it just coils neatly around the loop.
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 fabulous beady bundle! Drop us a message to the email above with your address to claim your prize.
Just finished these little beauties. These pendants is made with Delica beads in tubular bead crochet technique. Viktoria Denyer
This is gorgeous, Viktoria! I love the subtle blue and grey colour combination. You could wear this all year around!
Hello everyone, xxx Here are a couple of wirework leaf designs. One with just Peridot and one with Peridot and Purple Stones. xx Wendy Wray
Your necklaces are really lovely, Wendy. Your wirework looks really neat and I love your use of tube beads along the straps. My second carrier bead necklace. 'Carnival'. Another 25 beaded beads, each one different. This time I did them in odd count peyote with 7 rows across. Jill Renson
Wow, Jill! Your necklace is amazing. I love how every carrier bead looks a little different and they all match perfectly with your choice of colour palette.
Sat down to make something totally different, but my first attempt at the structure I wanted didn't pan out. Rather than waste it, I changed tack and this is what I ended up with. Size 15/0 and size 11/0 seed beads in gunmetal with 3mm silver glass pearls. Tracy Home
Your ring is lovely and really delicate, Tracy. I hope you love wearing it! One of my first non jewellery projects in quite a while crystallised shoes for my favourite drag queen #CandyLicious. They’ve taken some serious time but I love every sparkle over 3000 hand applied hot-fix crystals on each shoe. Lynda Pearce
These are amazing, Lynda! The shoes look super sparkly and I particularly love the rainbows you've swirled all around them! We can't wait to see what else you crystallise! I only had a few spare minutes but it was enough time to make these beauties. Pink glass bead gold earrings to brighten up a rainy day. Hope you like. Now to make a necklace and bracelet to match. Coisla O'Halloran
Your earrings are so cute Coisla. I love the filigree caps framing the crackle effect beads!
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 /beadsdirect
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FREE GIFT IN ORDERS £20+
YOUR FREE GIFT INCLUDES 1 x NEW Beads Direct Findings Kit in Silver Plated or Gold Plated 1 x Preciosa Size 9 Seed Beads in Pink or Blue 1 x Preciosa Glass Bead Mix in Pastels & Silver or Metallic Dark Blue
Create beaded earrings, elastic bracelets and chain necklaces with this month's fab free gift! Each gift includes the brand new Beads Direct findings kit. Claim your free gift in orders over £20! Simply place your order online and enter the code below at the checkout, or give us a call on 01509 218028 to place your order over the phone.
ENTER THE CODE AT THE CHECKOUT TO CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT!
MAYKIT Free gift can be claimed on all orders over £20 excluding postage costs. One use per customer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Available while stock lasts. Contents may vary. Free gifts are picked at random. Offer expires midnight 31st May 2018.
There are so many uses for the seed beads you'll get in your free gift! Click on any of the projects here to learn how to make them and to get all the materials you need in one place!
Explore hundreds of amazing beaded jewellery designs and save your favourite projects to your account along with your chosen beads for a later date! SEE MORE SEED BEAD PROJECTS
Beads Direct May 2018 calendar kit ‘Navy Braid Choker’ - by Sarah Millsop
Explore NEW craft kits - available now for Spring
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