Creative Beads & Jewellery 2

CBJ02 Front Cover_pp 27/04/2010 07:43 Page 1

!

W E N

HOW TO:

CHOOSE THE PERFECT BEADS

MAKE YOUR OWN ELEMENTS

CREATE STYLISH JEWELLERY

over

Issue 2

Ideas and inspiration for ALL

£1,275 worth o f prizes to be w on!

levels of jewellery making and beadcrafts

239

STONE AGE

d n a s tip as ide

BUTTON BEAUTIESttons h bu Inspirational jewellery wit

TIME AFTER TIME es tch Create your own beaded wa

Perfect pearls Create elegant makes with freshwater pearls

Detailed step-by-step instructions inside!

Head-turning tiaras

RING ME!

designs Contemporary ideas and

Only available in specialist retailers

Lampwork masterclass

HOT WIRED!

w w w. p r a c t i c a l p u b l i s h i n g . c o . u k ISSUE 2 UK £3.99

Unique gifts for men

Inspire Imagine Create

FABRIC BEADS! SETTING STONES

QUICK TRICKS WITH WIRE WE SHOW YOU HOW

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

CBJ02 pp002 IFC_Beading 22/04/2010 09:55 Page 2

CBJ02 pp03 Hello_Beading 27/04/2010 17:21 Page 3

WELCOME

hello...

...and welcome to issue 2 of Creative Beads & Jewellery. Thank you so much for all of your positive comments and feedback about CB&J – the response has been quite amazing! Launching a new magazine is always exciting and daunting in equal measure, and your opinions are gratefully received, so do please keep them coming.

We all know that, whether you are just starting out or keen to experiment with something new, the sheer variety of materials and techniques out there can be overwhelming as well as dazzling. That’s why we’ve called on a host of talented designers, all with their own individual styles, to pack these pages full of inspiration and expert tips. We’ve raided some of your favourite jewellery and bead stores for their insider knowledge, too, so you can be sure these projects are all bang on-trend!

All the essentials are covered in our quick guides to techniques, tools and findings, starting on page 106, and if you’re still stumped when it comes to any aspect of jewellery making, our resident Bead Doctor is on hand with the answers on page 74.

Our Design Team has been pulling out all the stops this month to bring you a plethora of styles for you to try your hand at and, whether your preference is traditional or contemporary, muted or shimmering with bling, we have all areas covered.

Judith Hannington kick-starts this issue with a collection of seed bead butterflies on page 20. Simple to make and yet stunning to look at, Judith incorporates copper into her creations to give the designs a modern twist.

Sally Carver delivers a lampwork masterclass on page 38 and, having read her article, I fancy having a go myself! Jo Lochhead has a mouth-watering collection of sweet treats for you to create on page 48, and Lisa Borland is turning heads on page

editor’s

FAVOURITE

EDITORIAL Editor – Diane Grimshaw Editorial Assistants – Lindsey Hopkins, Judith Hannington Art Editors – Roy Birch, Stella Osborne Sub-Editors – Anna Wright, Jamie Stuttard, Justine Moran Photographer – Rachel Burgess CONTRIBUTORS Su Pennick, Judith Hannington, Vivien Perrits, Ellen Kharade, Saskia Rose, Dawn Cotton Fuge, Jenny Williams, Christine Dumont, Carolyn Schulz, Gemma Gray, Jo Porter, Emily Kersh, Kerri McKenna, Alison Williams, Kate Eldridge, Stephanie Burham, Sally Carver, Tracey McPherson, Jo Lochhead, Sue Crane, Lisa Borland, Hannah Hodge, Sandy Kidulis, Simon Scantlebury, Helen Sadler, Jenny Williams

“These stylish makes in fashionable turquoise are simply divine!”

Whilst every care is taken in the writing, research and preparation of this magazine, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors in articles or advertisements, or for the contents of websites reviewed. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. All copyrights and trademarks are acknowledged.

58 with a collection of stylish tiaras and hair accessories.

Fabric and buttons are becoming increasingly popular in jewellery and beading, and Su Pennick and Ellen Kharade show you how to incorporate these versatile mediums into your designs. Su combines buttons with wirework and delicate flowers on page 102, while Ellen guides you through the traditional art of felting in order to create your own beads, bangles and brooches on page 78.

Tracey McPherson incorporates pearls into her designs on the cover and on page 44, and demonstrates why these effortlessly elegant and timeless beauties remain a firm favourite among women across the globe.

Last, but not least, with Father’s Day just around the corner we are embracing jewellery for men on page 64 with Judith’s stylish masculine makes suitable for dads of all ages.

With all of this and much more besides, I think I’ll leave you to it.

Editor diane.grimshaw@practicalpublishing.co.uk

PS...

Issue 15 of our sister title Creative Cardmaking is now on sale. This issue’s masculine special contains projects suitable for sporty teenagers through to retirement cards, as well as 16 FREE papers and 2 die-cut sheets. Get your copy of Creative Cardmaking now – available from your local craft shop.

PUBLISHING & ADVERTISING Publishing Assistant – Janice Whitton janice.whitton@practicalpublishing.co.uk Retail Distribution Executive – Chris Cooke chris.cooke@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 01625 855023 Advertising Sales Executive – Helen South helen.south@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 01625 855005 Group Sales Manager – Kevin Edwards kevin.edwards@practicalpublishing.co.uk Advertising Co-ordinator – Rachael Edmunds Financial Director – Karen Battrick Managing Editors – Diane Grimshaw, Gavin Burrell Associate Publisher – Iain Anderson Publishing Director – Dave Cusick Managing Director – Danny Bowler Chairman – Robin Wilkinson The publisher welcomes contributions from readers. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity.

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Tel: 0844 561 1203 DISTRIBUTION Newstrade – COMAG Magazine Distribution Craft Trade Distribution – Practical Publishing International Ltd Tel: 0844 561 1202 CONTACT Practical Publishing International Ltd, Unit 1, Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK SK10 4NL info@practicalpublishing.co.uk www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202; Fax: 01625 855011

Creative Beads & Jewellery is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd. All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Creative Beads & Jewellery is used under licence from Craft Media Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd. Creative Beads & Jewellery ISSN 2042-5309

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

3

CBJ02 pp04-05 Contents_Beading 27/04/2010 17:50 Page 4

CONTENTS

What’s inside this issue of 64 IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

GIVEAWAYS GALORE!

Masculine jewellery can be tricky, but not with these cool and manly makes

Win some amazing prizes in our fabulous giveaways and competitions

102 CUTE AS A BUTTON

INSPIRATION

Su Pennick shows you how to incorporate beautiful buttons into your jewellery designs

As always, we bring you the very latest jewellery making tips and ideas

28 AS TIME GOES BY...

44 FUNKY FRESH

You’ll be constantly checking the time with these pretty beaded watches!

Stunning makes with pearls and wire – with a little help from Tracy McPherson!

36 RADIANT RINGS

58 HEADS ABOVE

This fabulous collection of fashion rings is a great way to add bold colour to your outfit

Create super-stylish hair accessories for all occasions to add instant glamour

regulars

33 What’s On

06 News

53Competition

What’s new in the world of jewellery and beads

10 Readers’ Letters

Your ideas, views and top tips

18 Giveaways

£££s worth of products up for grabs

26 Letter from America

Beading and jewellery news from across the pond

4

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

A guide to shows and classes in the UK Win tickets to the Stitch & Creative Crafts show!

54 What’s Cooking?

We show you how to make you own glass beads

72 Designer Gallery We showcase your inspiring creations 74 The Bead Doctor

All your questions answered

106 Techniques

Master the basic techniques with our step-by-step guide

108 Findings

Our round-up of the vital components of jewellery making

109 Tools

An essential guide to all the tools of the trade

114 Coming Next Issue

A sneaky peek at what’s coming up in issue 3

CBJ02 pp04-05 Contents_Beading 27/04/2010 17:50 Page 5

CONTENTS

features 86 To The Wire

Judith Hannington demonstrates the multiple uses of wire with delightful results

12 Steampunk

Su Pennick shows you how to transcend crafting barriers by using papercraft products to create jewellery

48 Sweets For My Sweet

Make your own polymer clay sweet treats – Jo Lochead creates mouthwatering projects

58 Head Turner

Lisa Borland shares some glittering ideas for creating the perfect hairpiece for any occasion

94 Colour My World

Turquoise is the inspiration Dawn Cotton Fuge’s stunning array of designs

98 Splendid Swirls

Christine Dumont uses polymer clay to make a delightful brooch

20 Flights of Fancy

A dazzling array of seed bead designs from Judith Hannington

28 Timeless Elegance

Kerri McKenna and Emily Kersh create funky projects featuring watch faces

64 Stone Age Man

With Father's Day just around the corner, Judith Hannington conjures up a selection of masculine makes

100 Tantalising Turquoise

Follow Sandy Kidulis' guidance to make this beautiful jewellery as a gift or a lovely present to yourself!

38 Let There Be Light

78 Fabulous Felt

102 Let’s Twist Again

44 Perfect Pearls

82 Textured Treats

110 Say It With Flowers

Learn all about lampwork beads – Sally Carver shows you how to design them for yourself Tracey McPherson creates numerous designs incorporating different types of pearl and wire

Ellen Kharade guides us through the art of felting and shows us how to incorporate felt into jewellery making Add texture and curves to PMC creations – Samantha Berman shows us how

Su Pennick offers an array of eyecatching alternatives using bold and beautiful buttons Jenny Williams shows off polymer flower beads at their best with some gorgeous creations

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

5

CBJ02 pp06-08 Newz_Beading 27/04/2010 16:22 Page 6

NEWS IN THE GROOVE

LIKE WILDFIRE The Bead Shop (Nottingham) is now stocking Wildfire to replace Dandyline threads. Wildfire comes in two thicknesses and is available in Frost White and Black. The thread is superstrong with zero stretch and highly recommended when weaving with crystals, as it has a smooth thermallybonded coating. Priced at £6.50 for a 45.8m reel, it is also excellent as a stringing thread.

Also new in stock at the store are giant 12mm pearls. As well as adding a new size to the existing expansive pearl range, there are three fabulous new colours available: Bordeaux, Platinum and Mystic Black.

Furthermore, the instant success of the store’s polymer clay cupcakes has led to the expansion of this sweet, fun collection to include several brighter frosting varieties.

Also popular are the sparkly heart and

rectangle-shaped resin pendants, each one lovingly handmade.

For more information go to www.mailorder-beads.co.uk or call 0115 958 8899 We have five 0.20mm black Wildfire reels to give away, so for your chance to win one, send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 Wildfire, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

what’s

HAVING A BALL The glistening new product selection now available from Bead Addict includes a fabulous collection of crystal colours and Swarovski ball pendants.

The latest range of beads available in bicone, round and briolette varieties has been stocked in lovely spring colours including Fern Green and Provence Lavender, and a selection of sizes from 4-6mm.

Swarovski ball pendants are truly stunning and add real sparkle and shimmer to classy creations. Sized at 14mm and 22mm, and priced from £4.25 each, these definitely deserve a closer look!

Visit www.beadaddict.co.uk or call 0161 973 1945

NEW? Sit back and relax as we bring you the latest from the world of beading and jewellery

PRETTY IN PINK Take a look at these fabulously feminine toolkits, now available from Dobra Craft Tools Ltd! This six-piece jewellery pliers set comes stored in a pink zipped case and contains luscious pinkhandled round, chain, flat-nosed and nylon-jaw pliers, along with wire cutters and crimpers.

A complete tool set perfect for the beginner, and a great fun, fresh addition or replacement tool set for the seasoned artisan.

RRP: £29.99 For more details and to see the other tools available, visit www.dobracrafts.com, email sales@dobracrafts.com or call 0845 223 5245

6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Making Memories, a leading papercraft manufacturer, has recently teamed up with designer Jill Schwartz to release the new Making Memories Vintage Groove jewellery collection.

An established designer already in the fashion and gift world, Jill has set out to simplify the construction side of jewellery making to bring artisans essential pieces for all their creations at around a third of the normal cost.

Unique beads, strands, pendant kits and more can all be found among the new releases, which include plenty of products that are just perfect for first-time creators and seasoned artisans alike.

See the Vintage Groove collection at www.makingmemoriesjewelry.com or Making Memories papercraft products at www.makingmemories.com

STICKY FINGERS

We have two jewellery pliers sets to give away, so for your chance to win one send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 Dobra Crafts, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

Take a look at these fun Iced Fingers beads, available from The Bead Shop Scotland. Made from polymer clay with pink and yellow frosting, the new beads are priced at 70p for a mixed pack of six.

There is also a lovely selection of coloured faceted barrels available. Sized at approximately 10x12.5mm, these acrylic beads are 10p each, or come in a pack of 50 for £2.50.

Check out the selections available at www.beadshopscotland.co.uk or call 01620 822886 for more information

CBJ02 pp06-08 Newz_Beading 27/04/2010 16:23 Page 7

NEWS

TOOLS OF THE TRADE This Spring sees Dremel introduce the new Dremel 7700 Hobby cordless multi-tool for creative crafts.

The new tool is lightweight and easy to use, and is compatible with Dremel’s extensive range of accessories. The cordless element allows for greater mobility and flexibility, plus you’ll find two speed settings for better control and accuracy.

A generous array of added elements accompanies the new tool, including a charger and adapter, three unique engraving templates, a blue storage bag and 15 high-quality engraving and routing accessories.

Ideal for all manner of creative engraving projects, such as decorations on glassware, ceramics and wood, the Dremel 7700 Hobby can also be used for carving, shaping, sanding and buffing, which is great for model and jewellery makers, as it makes light work of

INSPIRING PAGES The new Jewelry Inspirations book released this month by The GMC Group, brings you inspirational designs by Sherri Haab, jewellery designer, instructor and author.

Sherri brings jewellery makers into her home studio within these pages, allowing you to learn what inspires her to create her charmingly fresh designs. You will also find

polishing, drilling and carving jewellery from pieces of precious metal.

Not limited to any one hobby, this handy multi-tool can be used extensively for cardmaking, parchment projects and a wealth of other different crafts and applications.

For more information on the tool and accessories available, visit the Dremel website at www.dremel.co.uk

CANDY CANE

We have two Dremel 7700 Hobby multitools to give away, so for your chance to win one send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 Dremel, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

comprehensive instructions on a variety of popular techniques.

Jewelry Inspirations begins with an ‘In the Studio’ introductory section offering guidance on cultivating your ideas and providing an overview of essential techniques, including wirework, polymer clay, metal clay, resin and image transfer. There’s also a great guide with information on resin clay and an eco-friendly technique for etching copper.

In addition, Sherri shares her personal archives and reminiscences about her inspiration for these wonderful new projects.

For more information and to see the great range of books available from The GMC Group, visit www.thegmcgroup.com or call 01273 477374 for more details

For your chance to win one of five copies of Jewelry Inspirations, sen d your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 GM C, Practical Publishing, Un it 1 Adlington Court, Adling ton Business Park, Macclesfi eld, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

These beautiful cane glass bead mixes available from E-Beads look good enough to eat and are truly stunning on finished pieces!

Priced at £9.56 per 20g and handmade in the US, these lovely creations add a bit of colour and variety to your jewellery makes, with a clean and crisp finish for sophisticated projects. There are seven different colour mixes available, including Rose, Orange and Sapphire, each containing approximately 18-22 beads with 6-10mm diameters and 1-3mm holes.

The new addition of Boro glass beads is also well worth a look. Handcrafted by highly skilled glassblowers, the Borosilicate glass is worked at much higher temperatures than ordinary glass and kiln annealed at over 500°c, which makes for a stronger, more durable product. The higher temperatures are also responsible for the rich natural colours, which are fantastic to work with and ideal for creating bright spring and summer designs. The beads are priced at £3.60 for a pack of four.

E-Beads is also launching a European Design competition, organised with Swarovski Crystallized Elements, which is a great opportunity to showcase your work for the chance to design a jewellery piece, fashion accessory or home design object for the 2010 Create Your Style with Crystallized – Swarovski Elements Inspirational Workbook. All winning designs will be displayed in the Swarovski London showroom and featured on www.create-your-style.com.

The competition closes 30th June 2010.

Go to www.e-beads.co.uk for a closer look or call 020 7367 6217 for details

We have five Sapphire cane glass bead mixes to give away, so for your chance to win one send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 E-Beads, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

7

CBJ02 pp06-08 Newz_Beading 27/04/2010 16:26 Page 8

NEWS

FABULOUS FINDINGS As part of an exclusive collaboration with silversmith George Harper-East, Lush Lampwork now carries her ‘very special handmade findings’ as part of its bead fair stock.

The most popular item is a pendant kit containing a heavyweight handforged sterling silver headpin with

spacer and ring-bail, perfect to turn a focal bead into a beautifully dressed pendant. George has even printed instructions for how to create it on the back of the label.

Other items include earring kits, comprising a pair of elegant ear wires, headpins and spacers, and earring hoops, hammered rings, woven bails and clasps – including stylish, textured toggle clasps in both silver and copper.

Lush Lampwork will have a large selection of these handmade findings at the Newmarket Racecourse (20th June) and Hereford Leisure Centre (18th July) shows. The findings are also available direct from George by visiting www.designedbygeorge.co.uk.

Check out all the projects and findings available by visiting www.lushlampwork.co.uk or call 07906 651846 for more details

BEAD BONANZA There’s a great selection of beads available from Paper Cellar, with a huge range of colours, sizes and varieties to choose from.

For just 99p you can pick from seed, long, shaped (including hearts, flowers and facets), pearl and wooden beads, as well as mixed packs and metallics for your projects.

Combine the selections available for great threaded makes in minutes, or use the different packs as spacers and more.

Check out all the beads available by visiting www.papercellar.com or call 0871 871 3711 for more details.

MAGIC LAMPWORK Big Bead Little Bead is pleased to announce that it has recently taken on American lampwork artist, Marcy Lamberson, who makes wonderful glass beads under the name Studio Marcy.

Marcy has made an exclusive selection of lovely focal beads for Big Bead Little Bead, including cute bird charm beads, glass shells, imitation sea glass and small rounds in beautiful colour ranges. All Marcy’s designs are kiln annealed for strength.

Prices start at £7 for a set of seven We have one pair of the lampwork birds and one set of three polymer clay charms worth over £20 to give away, so for your chance to win one send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 BBLB, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

8

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

We have 10 sets of four bead packs to give away, so for your chance to win one send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 Paper Cellar, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

handmade rounds, with more Studio Marcy designs to be added to the website soon.

You’ll also find a new selection of polymer clay charms available, again designed exclusively for Big Bead Little Bead. Charms have horizontal holes and retail for £2.25 each.

To see the exclusive Studio Marcy beads and other supplies available, visit www.bigbeadlittlebead.com or call 01462 438233 for more details

HEARTS UNLIMITED Beads Unlimited is a busy bead business with an avid interest in doing its bit for charity.

On the last Saturday of every month its retail outlet, The Brighton Bead Shop, donates 10% of the day’s takings to charity. Local and national concerns are supported, with the store trying to pick a cause with personal – or locally significant – meaning.

Luckily, the store is in the heart of a thriving trading and residential community, so Beads Unlimited gets the chance to be involved with many local charities and staff regularly participate in events, such as Race for Life.

The Beads Unlimited team also likes to know what customers are up to!

Steve Smith, a regular customer and dedicated runner, ran the 2010 London Marathon supporting Diabetes UK. Beads Unlimited sponsored him in the event and held a charity day on the same weekend in April to tie in with the run. It also followed his training progress on its blog site, www.beadbarmy.com.

In October 2008, a group of Leeds Met students volunteered to travel to a special project at Snehalaya, India to help out with various educational activities for families who have suffered the stigma of leprosy. Beads Unlimited supplied beads and threads for their workshops.

For more information on the Beads Unlimited charity work, to learn about charities that have been supported recently, or to see a great selection of jewellery-making supplies, visit www.beadsunlimited.co.uk or call 01273 740777

CBJ02 pp009 Storage4crafts_Beading 23/04/2010 14:45 Page 115

CBJ02 pp10-11 Readers Letters_Beading 27/04/2010 18:49 Page 10

LETTERS

your

WIRE WORRIES

LETTERS

We’d love to hear from you, so please share your ideas, opinions and top tips with us. Email letters@practicalpublishing.co.uk or write to Letters, CB&J, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL

NIMBLE FINGERS Before I started the most enjoyable craft of jewellery and bead making, my mother (who sadly passed away a couple of years ago) and I used to regularly read your sister publication Simply Cards & Papercraft, and found it a very inspirational magazine. After my mother passed away I got into jewellery making and, as I have a condition known as spondylosis of the spine and also rheumatism, arthritis

and diabetes, I find that it helps keep my fingers supple.

I recently received my copy of Creative Beads & Jewellery from your subscription department and went through the magazine page by page. I found the features, projects, editorials and even some of the adverts were very useful. The publication is nicely laid out, with welldefined photography, easy-to-follow projects, and great competitions and giveaways – keep up

the good work! I am looking forward to issue two, particularly the lampwork project and polymer clay, and hopefully much more!

Phillip Rowland, Derbyshire CB&J: Thank you, Phillip, we are glad you enjoyed the first issue so much. It is lovely to hear positive comments from our readers. We’re sure that the lampwork masterclass on page 38 will live up to – and hopefully exceed – your expectations!

THANK YOU I want to make a piece of jewellery for my mother as a thank you for everything she does for me. I have been jewellery making for a few years now and feel I have got stuck in a rut. Over the years I have made bracelets, necklaces and even rings for her and now want to try something different and make it extra special. Can you help me out with any ideas?

Dawn Harris-Taylor, by email CB&J: We all need a little creativity kick-start now and again, Dawn.

Have you ever thought about creating your own beads? It’s easier than you might think, cost effective to do, and you can be certain that each piece of jewellery you create is truly unique!

10

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Take a look at our watches feature on page 28 – an elegant timepiece could make a wonderful, unusual thank you gift

I wonder if you could help me out – I have wanted to get into jewellery making for a while but find there is so much information to take in. In particular, I am confused about the many types of wire available in different thicknesses, colours and finishes. I like big, chunky jewellery and would love to start making my own, but am a little nervous about taking the plunge and don’t want to end up buying lots of things I will never use.

Lisa Courtney, Harrow CB&J: You have come to the right place, Lisa. The world of jewellery making and bead craft can seem a little daunting at first, with all the terms used and different materials that are available, but once you get started your confidence will grow rapidly.

Wire is sold by weight and length and is sorted by its gauge (thickness). If you are looking to use large beads and chunky designs, opt for an 18- or 16-gauge wire, which has a thickness of 1 and 1.2mm, respectively. If you are working with small, delicate beads, look for thinner wire with a higher gauge. Wire is available in pretty much any colour and in solid or plated silver and gold. The Findings, Techniques and Tools sections, starting on page 106, are just what you are looking for, and will help guide you through your new hobby. Good luck!

CBJ02 pp10-11 Readers Letters_Beading 27/04/2010 18:50 Page 11

LETTERS TOOLS OF THE TRADE After dabbling a little over the years in various crafts, I have now decided that I want to concentrate on the delicate art of jewellery making. I have a very basic knowledge but there seem to be so many tools I need to buy before I get properly

BREAKING POINT Hello there. I’ve just picked up a copy of your magazine and I love it! Having made jewellery for several years, I thought I’d write in with a great tip for all those new starters out there, especially when making necklaces to sell and for family and friends as gifts, particularly if they’re intended for children.

INSPIRE AND IMPRESS I have been making jewellery for about six months and buy the occasional magazine, but often find them disappointing. So I picked up issue one of Creative Beads & Jewellery in the hope it would inspire me and I was impressed to say the least! I didn’t know where to turn to first – I wanted to try all the

stuck in. Any help would be great!

Anita Glover, by email CB&J: Like all crafts, Anita, jewellery making is much easier with the correct tools.

A selection of pliers is essential for a range of various tasks – flat-nosed, roundnosed, chain-nosed and crimping pliers It’s a good idea to build in a ‘breaking point’ when making jewellery – it is a weak spot where the piece will simply come apart if it gets caught. This can prevent some pretty nasty injuries, particularly with the thinner-gauge wire creations. Breaking points don’t have to be obvious – I tend to incorporate a softer

projects out at once!

I absolutely love Carolyn Schulz’s wrapped wire creations – they look so beautiful. And what a fantastic idea to use shrink plastic to create charms and trinkets – I think that is next on my list of things to try.

I look forward to issue two, thanks for a great mag.

Amanda Dover, Cardiff

are a must and we’d also recommend wire cutters and wireworking tools if you are considering making your own wire components.

There are countless more jewellerymaking tools available, but these are the basics and will get you well on the way. jump ring into all my creations, so that if the necklace catches on something, it is pulled open by the pressure and falls apart at that point.

Sally Christie, by email

WHERE DO I FIND? If you are having difficulty locating a particular product, write to: Where Do I Find, CB&J, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL or email letters@practicalpublishing.co.uk with ‘CB&J Where Do I Find’ as the subject Q: My sister and I love beading and jewellery making and we often get together to work on our projects. Do you know if there are any ‘mini’ tool kits available that I can carry with me when I go to her house?

Sarah Harvey, by email A: There are quite a few available and B for Beads produces a lovely mini tool kit.

This cute collection includes flat-nosed, round-nosed, nylon-jaw and chain-nosed pliers, a pair of cutters, split-ring opener and tweezers. It costs £17. For more information, visit www.b-for-beads.co.uk

CB&J: That’s a great tip for all those lessseasoned jewellery makers out there Sally, so thanks for getting in touch!

CB&J: We are glad you have been inspired by the projects, Amanda, and hope that you get round to trying them all out in the future!

Issue two features lots more inspirational ideas – check out Judith Hannington’s article on page 54 and the stunning fused glass beads she has created using a microwave kiln.

Q: I want to get my two children involved in jewellery making with me. They are always asking questions and are now at an age where they want to make gifts for friends. Do you know of any kits to help get them started?

Nicola Hulme, by email A: Lots of companies have products designed for children. Check out The Kids Bead Kit, which is available from The Bead Shop (www.the-beadshop.co.uk) for £19.99 and includes everything they’ll need to get started.

Q: Do you know where I can purchase beads with words on? I have a design in mind but cannot find exactly what I need.

Louise Westwood, Nottingham A: Visit www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk for some funky newsprint-style beads. They are priced at £4.95 for seven beads.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

11

CBJ02 pp12-15 Steam Punkathon_Beading 27/04/2010 11:35 Page 12

STEAMPUNK

steamPUNK Su Pennick shows you how to transcend crafting barriers by using papercraft products to create jewellery

SU PENNICK DESIGNER

T

here are a lot of metal and plastic craft supplies now available, many of which make the leap from papercrafting to jewellery making perfectly. Those of a particularly adaptable nature are the Ideaology products designed by Tim Holtz, as these can be combined with wires and beads for very effective results.

The swivel clasps used here are great for producing chains with a difference. They are especially good for beginners as they can be attached together without the need for wirework, and produce something a little unusual to which you only need add a few charms. Swivel clasps can also be altered and adapted to create items that are more complicated.

The chain section can be shortened or folded in half to give an effect of multiple chains, as used here in the charm bracelet.

Metal bookplates make beautiful focus pieces and can be combined with beads and larger stones depending on your theme and style, and you can make chunky brooches by attaching

12

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

pins to the back.

Book plates have been used here to create a steampunk feel, but can be used for many styles including vintage Victorian, shabby chic, military, Art Nouveau and more.

There are also many charms and embellishments available outside the Idea-ology range. If you explore your stash, you will be surprised what can be adapted by adding some wire and rings. The sprockets and gears used here are ideal for a steampunk style.

Other products that would look great in steampunk creations are metal tags, which can be found both with and without words etched into them. There is also a range of clear plastic ‘fragments’ available that can be decorated and altered to suit the intended project.

This method of jewellery making is very simple and requires only a small amount of experience in turning loops and opening jump rings.

So scan your craft stash – it’s amazing what can be adapted!

You could be wearing your new creation to go out in tonight!

CBJ02 pp12-15 Steam Punkathon_Beading 27/04/2010 11:35 Page 13

STEAMPUNK NECKLACE

MATERIALS • Tim Holtz Idea-ology ornate book plate • Tim Holtz Idea-ology sprocket gear • 4 xTim Holtz Idea-ology large swivel clasps • 5 x turquoise large diamond-shaped beads • 4 x 8mm flat crystal glass beads with copper plating • 3 x white barrelshaped beads • 7 x 4mm brasscoloured beads • 7mm black jump rings • black 0.8mm wire

TO CREATE

1

Thread a large turquoise bead onto black wire and form a loop at each end.

Repeat to create three more and attach two of these to a book plate with jump rings. Attach the other end of each to the fastener end of a large swivel clasp.

Reduce the length of the chain by half on each of the swivel clasps and reattach the jump ring.

Attach each of these to a wired turquoise bead and to another large swivel clasp, which should be three-quarters of its original size. Re-

2

attach the jump rings and add a fastener to one end.

Produce three dangles with a small brass-coloured bead and crystal bead; and three more with a brass-coloured bead and white bead. Add two of each pattern to the swivel clasp chain.

Thread a small brass-coloured bead, a turquoise bead and a crystal bead onto black wire and create a loop at each end.

Attach this to the book plate with jump rings removed from the spare swivel clasps.

Using a jump ring, attach a sprocket

3

4

5

gear and the third white bead dangle to the bottom of the book plate. Add the third crystal dangle to the bottom of the sprocket gear.

WHERE TO BUY All Tim Holtz Idea-ology products are available from www.alteredelement.co.uk All beads are available from www.abacusbeademporium.co.uk www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

13

CBJ02 pp12-15 Steam Punkathon_Beading 27/04/2010 11:35 Page 14

STEAMPUNK

and white bead; a crystal bead and brasscoloured bead.

Attach the turquoise dangle to the clasp end of one of the swivel clasps, and a sprocket gear to the jump ring at the other end.

Attach the swivel clasp chain to an earring wire with a jump ring.

Attach the white dangle to the chain near the sprocket gear.

2 EARRINGS TO CREATE

1

Create two of each of the following dangles: a small brasscoloured bead and turquoise bead; a small brass-coloured bead

MATERIALS • 4 x Tim Holtz Idea-ology small swivel clasps • 4 x Tim Holtz Idea-ology sprocket gears • 4 x large turquoise diamond-shaped beads • 8 x 4mm brasscoloured beads

• 4 x 8mm flat crystal glass beads with copper plating • 4 x white barrelshaped beads • 12mm black jump rings • black headpins • clasp

TO CREATE

1

Attach a black jump ring onto each of the swivel claps through the hole in the fastener.

Attach the swivel clasps together.

Create four sets of dangles, as shown.

Using a jump ring, attach a white bead dangle and crystal dangle to the two jump rings in the clasp.

Attach a turquoise dangle and sprocket gear to the same place on the clasps with black jump rings.

Repeat with the other three clasps, adding a fastener to finish.

2 3 4 5 6 14

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

BRACELET

3 4

MATERIALS • 2 x Tim Holtz Ideaology small swivel clasps • 2 x Tim Holtz Ideaology sprocket gears • 2 x large turquoise diamond-shaped beads • 2 x 8mm flat crystal glass beads with copper plating • 2 x white barrelshaped beads • 6 x 4mm brasscoloured beads • black earring wires • 7mm black jump rings • black headpins

CBJ02 pp12-15 Steam Punkathon_Beading 27/04/2010 11:35 Page 15

BROOCH TO CREATE

1

Attach a large swivel clasp to one of the holes in

TOP TIP

The swivel clasp on the brooch is an attempt to imitate the watch chains worn with pocket watches. It is designed to be placed around a button or through a button-hole in the garment on which it is being worn

the book plate.

Make a dangle including a small brass-coloured bead, a turquoise bead and a crystal bead with a loop at both ends.

2

Using jump rings from the spare swivel clasps, attach these to the book plate.

Use headpins to make two brasscoloured and white bead dangles, and one brass-coloured and crystal bead dangle.

Using a black jump ring, attach the sprocket gear and one of each of the dangles

3 4

TOP TIP

TOP TIP

STEAMPUNK

Don’t worry if your metal components are all different colours. This adds to the industrial, steampunk effect

Why not try including antiqued keys and watch faces along with the sprocket gear charms?

to the bottom hole of the book plate.

Attach the other white dangle to the swivel clasp and finish by gluing two small brooch pins to the back of the book plate.

5

MATERIALS • Tim Holtz Idea-ology ornate book plate • Tim Holtz Idea-ology swivel clasp • Tim Holtz Idea-ology sprocket gear • 1 x large turquoise diamond-shaped beads • 2 x 8mm flat crystal glass beads with copper plating • 2 x white barrelshaped beads • 4 x 4mm brasscoloured beads • 3 x black head pins • 2 x small brooch pins • 2mm black jump rings • black 0.8mm wire

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

15

CBJ02 pp16-17 Beads Unlimited_Beading 27/04/2010 15:26 Page 16

BEADS UNLIMITED

elegant

EARRINGS

GEMMA GRAY DESIGNER

four loops in a row, making sure that the end is neatly curled in.

Thread a 6mm burnt orange bead onto a headpin followed by a 4mm royal blue bead. Trim the headpin 1cm above the bead, bend it into a loop and attach it to the first loop you made in Step 1. Repeat for the fourth loop.

Thread a 4mm burnt orange bead onto a headpin, a 6mm royal blue bead and another 4mm burnt orange bead. Trim the headpin 1cm above the bead, bend it into a loop and attach it to the second loop. Repeat for the third loop.

Open the loop of an eyepin, attach it to the outside loop of the four loop section and close. Repeat for the other end. Thread a 6mm burnt orange bead followed by a 4mm royal blue bead onto both the eyepins, bend into a loop at the end and close.

Thread a 6mm royal blue bead and a 4mm burnt orange bead onto a headpin, trim 1cm off the end of the headpin, bend into a loop and close.

Open a jump ring, join to the top eyepins and headpin, making sure the headpin is in the middle. Attach to the long ballwire and close the jump ring.

2 JO PORTER DESIGNER

MATERIALS • 10 x 4mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0421) • 8 x 4mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0417) • 8 x 6mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0621) • 6 x 6mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0617) • 1 x pack of 12 antique gold finish headpins (HPAG) • 1 x pack of 12 antique gold finish eyepins (EPAG) • 1 x pack of 6 antique gold finish long ballwires (LBWAG) • 1 x pack of 25 5mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR5AG)

TOOLS • multi-pliers (CRMT)

CHANDELIER EARRINGS TO CREATE With the cutting part of the multipliers, cut the head off a headpin. With the round-nosed part, bend the pin around to make

1

16

These elegant earrings are a great, on-trend style statement

3

4

5 6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from www.beads unlimited.co.uk; 01273 740777

CBJ02 pp16-17 Beads Unlimited_Beading 27/04/2010 15:26 Page 17

BEADS UNLIMITED MATERIALS • 10 x 4mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0421) • 10 x 4mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0417) • 8 x 6mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0621) • 8 x 6mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0617) • 6 x 8mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0821) • 8 x 8mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0817)

BUNCH EARRINGS TO CREATE Thread a bead onto a headpin. Using the cutting part of multipliers, trim 1cm above the bead. Using the round-nosed part, bend the pin into a loop and close. Repeat for all the beads.

Open an 8mm jump ring and attach the long ballwire, three 8mm burnt orange

1

2

• 5 x pack of 12 antique gold finish headpins (HPAG) • 1 x pack of 6 antique gold finish long ballwires (LBWAG) • 1 x pack of 25 5mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR5AG) • 1 x pack of 15 7mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR7AG) • 1 x pack of 10 8mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR8AG)

TOOLS • multi-pliers (CRMT)

beads, a 7mm jump ring and four 8mm royal blue beads. Close the jump ring.

Open a 7mm jump ring loop and thread through the previous 7mm jump ring. Attach four 6mm beads in each colour and close the jump ring.

Open a 7mm jump ring loop and through the previous 7mm jump ring, attach three 4mm royal blue beads and four 4mm

3 4

burnt orange beads and close the jump ring.

Open a 7mm jump ring loop and,

through the previous 7mm jump ring, attach two 4mm royal blue beads and one

DROP EARRINGS

burnt orange bead and a 4mm royal blue bead.

Repeat Step 2.

Thread one 4mm burnt orange miracle bead onto another eyepin, follwed by a 4mm royal blue bead and a 4mm burnt orange bead. Repeat Step 2.

Open up a 5mm jump ring, attach two 4mm jump rings and close it up. Open up one of the 4mm jump rings and join it to the beaded headpin from Step 1. Join the beaded eyepin made in Step 4 onto the other 4mm jump ring.

Repeat Step 6 using your remaining beaded headpin and eyepin. Open up another 5mm jump ring and attach your two assembled parts. Add a long ballwire and close the jump ring.

5

TO CREATE Thread an 8mm royal blue miracle bead onto a headpin, followed by a 4mm burnt orange bead, a 4mm royal blue bead and a 4mm burnt orange bead.

Using the cutting part of multi-pliers, trim 1cm above the bead. Using the roundnosed part, bend the pin into a loop and close.

Thread a 6mm burnt orange bead onto another headpin, followed by a 4mm royal blue bead, a 4mm burnt orange bead and a 4mm royal blue bead.

Repeat Step 2.

Thread a 4mm royal blue miracle bead onto an eyepin, followed by a 4mm

1

2 3

4

5 6

7

4mm burnt orange bead and then close the jump ring.

MATERIALS • 12 x 4mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0421) • 12 x 4mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0417) • 2 x 6mm round plastic miracle burnt orange beads (PLBF0621) • 2 x 8mm round plastic miracle royal blue beads (PLBF0817) • 1 x pack of 12 antique gold finish headpins (HPAG) • 1 x pack of 12 antique gold finish eyepins (EPAG) • 1 x pack of 6 antique gold finish long ballwires (LBWAG) • 1 x pack of 25 5mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR5AG) • 1 x pack of 25 4mm antique gold finish jump rings (JR4AG)

TOOLS • multi-pliers (CRMT)

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

17

CBJ02 pp18 Giveawayz_Beading 27/04/2010 18:09 Page 18

GIVEAWAYS COMPLETE JEWELLERY BOOKS

WIRE JEWELLERY BOOKS 5 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £12.99 EACH

5 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £16.99 EACH Anova Books (www.anovabooks.com, 020 7605 1400) has donated these Complete Jewellery books by Mary Helt. The book features a sparkling collection of custom-made designs, using techniques a beginner crafter can easily understand. More complex projects are scattered throughout, to inspire the more discerning crafter, and if you’re new to the craft, illustrated diagrams and instructions make the learning process a breeze.

GMC Publications (www.thegmc group.com, 01273 477374) has donated these handy books. Wire Jewellery explores the exquisite art of using wire and beads, gemstones with crochet, and knitting techniques to create stunning pieces of jewellery. Step-by-step instructions and photographs show the reader how to make 30 projects including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, tiaras and brooches. All require minimal equipment and are easy to make at home.

FLEXILENS MAGNIFIERS 3 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £24.99 EACH These versatile magnifiers, donated by The Daylight Company, have five holes on the mini-base, making it ideal for pinning to lace cushions and for crafts. This 9cm-diameter lens with a 2cm higher magnification inset lens and flexible arm gives you the detailed precision you need. To check out Daylight’s full range of products, for more details about ordering online, or to find your nearest stockist, visit www.daylightcompany.com or call 020 8964 1200.

TO ENTER

GIVEAWAYS

Over £400 worth of prizes to be won!

For your chance to win one of these great prizes, send your name and address on a postcard, along with the name of the product you want to win, to: CB&J02 Giveaways, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

THE BEAD CAFÉ FLAT-NOSED PLIERS 5 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £4.99 EACH

PAPER CELLAR BEAD SETS 10 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £3.96 EACH Paper Cellar (www.papercellar.com, 0871 871 3711) has donated these lovely bead sets, which each include a pack of four co-ordinating beads for your jewellery creations.

18

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Craftime (www. craftime. com, 01623 722828) has donated these flat-nosed pliers from The Bead Café range for an essential toolkit addition.

BEADED JEWELLERY BOOKS 6 TO GIVE AWAY, WORTH £14.99 EACH These Beaded Jewellery books, donated

by DK (www.dorlingkindersleyuk.co.uk, 0870 607 7600), feature 18 step-by-step necklace, earring and bracelet projects for beginner to advanced skill level.

CBJ02 pp019_Beading 26/04/2010 12:02 Page 19

We supply beads for all occasions!

We also stock a wide range of findings and stringing materials!

INCLUDING: ● Semi-Precious ● Czech Glass ● Seed Beads ● Glass Pearls ● Metal Beads ● Glass Pendants ● Plastic and Wooden Beads.

RANGING FROM: ● Fish Hooks ● Clip-on Earrings ● Crimp Beads ● Jump rings ● Split rings ● All in a variety of finishes such as Silver-plated, Gold-plated, Antique Copper-plated, Antique brass-plated to Sterling silver and coloured.

l Regular workshops available for all levels l l Beading Parties welcome l l Try our make ‘n’ take table l l Friendly and knowledgeable staff to help advise you l l Repairs also undertaken. l Why not come and visit our ladies night with your friends and join our party with a glass of wine and nibbles whilst you create beautiful jewellery pieces and make new friends!

OPEN Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm and every Sunday 10.30am to 3.00pm

Visit our website www.madisonsbeads.co.uk or call us direct on 01823 322466 25 Bridge Street, Taunton TA1 1TQ

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

19

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:34 Page 20

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES

flights of

FANCY Judith Hannington offers up a dazzling array of butterfly-inspired seed bead designs for you to incorporate into your jewellery creations hese delightful beaded butterflies are sure to be a summer favourite with little girls and ladies alike! They are simple to make, forming perfect beaded features for a variety of jewellery pieces or as home décor accents. Ideal for making for yourself or as a gift, a simple butterfly can be created in less than 20 minutes. Basic designs require just a handful of seed beads, some fine beading wire and an ordinary pair of scissors. In addition to standard seed beads, I have used some fabulous drop seed beads and Swarovski crystals, which add an

T

extra dimension to a beaded creation.

A pair of roundnosed pliers comes in handy for shaping the antennae and you will need these and some flat-nosed or chainnosed pliers for handling any jewellery components you wish to use. A pair of standard (not pointed beading) tweezers is also useful for pushing or grasping stubborn wire ends, especially when finishing a project. A bead mat is the perfect working surface for creating these projects. To avoid having to handle each tiny bead individually, tip a small pile of each of your beads onto the mat, then pick them up as required on the tip of your wire.

The projects here are

JUDITH HANNINGTON DESIGNER all slight variations on a basic butterfly pattern. All the beading is started from the butterfly’s tail – this allows the two wire ends at the end of the beading to be used to form the butterfly’s antennae.

BUTTERFLY BEADING ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES How to... Fix the first bead or beads onto a length of wire (Fig 1).

For all the designs here, this happens midway along the length of wire.

How to... Add the next two rows of beads (Figs 2 and 3).

20

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:35 Page 21

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES NEED TO KNOW

EARRINGS Once a butterfly is finished, the wire ends need to be threaded back through a couple of the body bead rows to secure them. If the wings get in the way, very gently push them away from the body to reveal the hole in the body beads. If it is difficult to push the wire through the beads, use tweezers to encourage it through bit by bit

MATERIALS • matt orange seed beads • silver-lined orange seed beads • green seed beads • green bugle beads • copper 34-gauge beading wire • copper eyepins • copper fish hook ear wires

TOOLS • flat-nosed and round-nosed pliers

TO CREATE Attach a single matt orange bead to the loop on an eyepin.

Thread the eyepin with three orange beads and create a plain loop at the end, close to the final bead.

Cut a 350mm length of beading

1

2

When the wire ends are pulled snug after each row, the beads should lie nice and close to one another.

At this point you can slide the wire that is wrapped around the outside of the first row of beads until it is neatly tucked between the two rows as shown.

How to... Attach the wing beads (Fig 4).

wire and fix your first bead row of the tail centrally, referring to the beading diagram.

Bead the next two rows of the body, then work your first set of wings through the bugle bead using 15 matt orange beads per wing.

3

1

Wing design varies from project to project but in all projects each pair are started and finished through their own single row in the body as shown.

Add the next bugle body bead and work the second pair of wings through this bead as follows. Create one wing using 15 matt orange beads. For the other wing, thread 10 matt orange beads onto the wire, then thread the wire through the

4

2

4

orange bead on your eyepin loop. Complete the wing with another four beads before threading the wire back through the body row.

Work the last two rows of the body and pull the ends snug.

Thread a single bead onto each wire, then

5 3

fold the wire in half around its bead, about 1cm from the body.

Twist to create the antennae. Secure the ends by threading them back through the final two rows of the body before trimming.

Repeat the beading to make a matching pair of earrings, remembering to thread the eyepin onto the opposite wing so that your earring will be symmetrical. Finish by fixing the eyepins to your ear wires.

6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

21

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:35 Page 22

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES

BEADED HAIR COMB

1 2

MATERIALS • matt orange seed beads • silver-lined orange seed beads • orange bugle beads • orange-lined lime drop seed beads • copper 34-gauge beading wire • copper hair comb

22

row using 15 beads.

The seventh, eighth and ninth beads are drop beads.

Add the sixth row of the body and work the second pair of wings into this row using 13 beads. The sixth, seventh and eighth beads are drop beads.

Work the final row of the body, then thread a single bead onto each wire and fold in half around the bead about 1cm from the body. Twist to create the antennae.

Secure the ends by threading them back

3

4

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

through the final two rows of the body.

Insert the wire ends through two of the holes on the left-hand side of the comb, then wrap the ends over and over the edge of the comb. Work your way through the holes along the comb and add a drop bead to the wire at the fifth from last, third from last and last hole.

Wrap the wire back around the comb in the opposite direction to secure the ends before trimming them underneath the butterfly.

5

6

TOP TIP

Cut 600mm of beading wire and fix your first bead of the tail centrally, referring to the beading diagram. Bead the next three rows.

Create the fifth row using another bugle bead and work the first pair of wings into this

TOP TIP

TO CREATE

If the wire tries to curl up as you are working, you should immediately and gently unwind the curl to avoid it tightening and kinking

Once you have formed the antennae, take care when finishing the wire ends that you don’t pull them too tightly or you risk pulling the antennae back down into the body.

Shape the finished antennae using round-nosed pliers or your fingers

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:35 Page 23

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES TO CREATE Cut 450mm of beading wire and fix your first drop bead of the tail centrally, referring to the beading diagram. Bead the next two rows using another drop bead in the centre of the third row.

Create the fourth row using a bugle bead and work the first pair of wings into this row using 15 beads.

The seventh bead is a drop bead.

Add the fifth, final row of the body – the centre bead is a drop bead. Continue threading the wire ends through the last three beads of the first wings.

Add another 13 beads to each wing.

The eighth bead is a drop bead. Thread the wire ends back through the body row and pull snug.

1

2 3 4

Thread a single bead onto each wire, then fold each wire in half around its bead, about 1cm from the body. Twist to create the antennae.

Secure the ends by threading them back through the final two rows of the body before trimming.

Colour the box with alcohol inks or paints if desired. Cut, punch or die-cut two hearts from patterned paper and attach to the box top. Position your butterfly on the box lid and carefully pierce a hole through the lid on each side of the bugle bead.

Thread a length of wire through the

5

6

7

bugle bead and feed the ends through the holes in the box top to secure your butterfly. Twist the wire ends together taking care not to break them on the hole edges. Trim the ends, then cover the twist with another small paper heart.

MATERIALS • silver-lined orange seed beads • orange bugle beads • orange-lined lime drop seed beads • copper 34-gauge beading wire

• small tin or similar box • patterned paper for embellishing

TOOLS • pricking tool

WHERE TO BUY For a variety of seed beads, including the main beads used here, visit www.bigbeadlittlebead.com and www.beadshopscotland.co.uk.

The Bead Shop Scotland also stocks the drop seed beads and Swarovski crystals You can buy 34-gauge copper beading wire from www.jillybeads.co.uk Copper findings, including the small hair combs, are available from www.thecrystalphoenix.com

TINY TIN

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

23

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:35 Page 24

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES WINDOW/MIRROR DANGLE TO CREATE Cut 400mm of beading wire and fix your first bead row of the tail centrally, referring to the beading diagram. Bead the next two rows using a Swarovski crystal bead in the centre of the third row.

For the fourth row, thread a single seed bead onto each wire then go through the Swarovski bead again before passing the wire ends through the new bead. Pull the ends snug.

Attach a single silver-lined orange bead to a jump ring, then close the ring.

Make nine beaded rings in total.

Bead the fifth body row and work the first pair of wings into this row using 16 silverlined orange beads. Use one of the beads on a jump ring as the sixth bead on one wing.

Thread on the fifth row of the body and continue threading the wire ends through the last five beads of the first wings.

Add another 11 beads to each wing,

1

2

3 4

5 6

MATERIALS • silver-lined orange seed beads • matt orange seed beads • 4mm Swarovski bicone beads • copper wire for creating jump rings • copper eyepin • small suction cup

TOOLS • round-nosed and flat-nosed pliers

using one of the beads on a jump ring as the fifth bead on one wing (on the opposite side to the jump ring bead on the lower wing).

Thread the wire ends back through the body row and pull snug.

Work the last row of the body and pull the ends snug. Thread a single bead onto each wire, then fold each wire in half around its bead, about 1cm from the body. Twist to create the antennae.

Secure the ends by threading them back through the final two rows of the body before trimming.

Use five plain jump rings to connect the butterflies together through the beaded jump rings, alternating the direction in which the butterflies face.

Thread three seed beads, a Swarovski crystal and three more seed beads onto the eyepin. Create a large plain loop in the end, close to the final bead.

Attach this large loop to the suction cup and hang your butterfly chain from the other end.

7

8 9

Note: To connect the butterflies you will need fine wire jump rings. Create your own by wrapping copper wire (I used 28-gauge) around a screwdriver shank, then snipping off one coil at a time. Use the largest gauge of wire you can freely fit through a wing bead and select beads with the largest holes.

24

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CBJ02 pp20-25 Butterfly Seed Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 17:35 Page 25

SEED BEADS BUTTERFLIES

BRACELET TO CREATE For the butterfly, cut 45cm of beading wire and fix your first bead row of the tail centrally, referring to the beading diagram.

Bead the next three rows of the body, then work your first set of wings onto the wire ends as follows: Thread on seven orange beads then take the wire around the final bead

1 2

and back through the penultimate bead before pulling tight.

Thread on another nine beads, then thread your wire end back through the last row on the body. Repeat for the other wing so that your wire ends are back on opposite sides of the body.

Thread on the fifth row of the body and continue threading the wire end through the last five beads of the first wing. Thread on seven orange beads, then take the wire around the final bead and back through the penultimate bead before pulling tight.

Thread on another five beads, then thread your wire end back through the last row on the

3

body. Repeat for the other wing so that your wire ends are back on opposite sides of the body.

Work the last body row and pull the ends snug. Thread a single bead onto each wire then fold each wire in half around its bead, about 1cm from the body. Twist to create the antennae.

Secure the ends by threading them back through the final two rows of the body before trimming.

To create the bracelet band, attach each half of the clasp to a jump ring then slide on a single seed bead before closing it – choose a bead with a large hole.

Working one half of

4

5

the band at a time, thread a 50cm length of wire through the bead on the jump ring, positioning it centrally.

Work each row of three beads, using a silver-lined bead centrally on the fifth and every following third row. Before connecting the butterfly, work the other half of the band and calculate the length required. The bracelet band needs to be a snug fit, but just long enough to be able to join the clasp.

Finish with a two-bead and finally a one-bead row to taper the band. Thread the wire ends through the last

6

7

Note: The bracelet is fairly delicate – if you want a stronger band try creating it using larger beads and crimps on Tigertail wire

row of beads at the top and bottom of the body before threading back through several of the rows on the bracelet band and trimming.

MATERIALS • matt orange seed beads • silver-lined orange seed beads • orange-lined lime drop seed beads • copper 34-gauge beading wire • copper S-shaped clasp

TOOLS • flat-nosed or chain-nosed pliers

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

25

CBJ01 pp26-27 Letter from Amer_Beading 27/04/2010 08:53 Page 26

NEWS

letter from Vivian Perritts went to the recent Craft, Trade and Hobby (CHA) Show in California.

Here, she gives us the lowdown on the exciting event, shares her stunning photos and highlights some future trends have recently returned from The Craft and Hobby Trade Show in Anaheim, California and I am still buzzing with excitement. The show is the largest in the world for general crafts and a good percentage of it was centered on beading – now you can see why I was excited to go!

I

26

Beading is growing fast in the US and UK, and the high numbers of beaders present at the show proved this. I took lots of photos to share with you some of the wonderful exhibits and exciting new products that I saw.

WIRE TRENDS There were several new tools for wire crafting and wire weaving on display and one tool that really got a lot of attention was The Lazy Daizee Viking Knit All-in-One wire tool. It was created by Stephanie Eddy, a well-known jewellery designer who has a patent on this wonderful piece of equipment. The tool makes Viking Knit fast, portable and fun!

There were also lots of other

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

ergonomically-designed tools present with comfortable handles for wire work, many specifically designed for projects with hard-toreach angles in mind. In fact, there were many new tools on display that will make jewellery making easier – I particularly liked the Carson hands-free lighting and magnification devices.

Next came the companies that carry wire, beading components and findings. Katie Hacker has designed Katiedids Creative Components, which make it easy to add that beautiful handfinished look to your jewellery findings.

Furthermore, Beadalon was showcasing Artistic Wire, a copper wire with a huge selection of colors and gauges.

The company also introduced the world’s first ‘kinkfree’ beading wire (which I loved!), and stainless steel and German-style wires, which looked great for intricate wire wrapping projects.

I was very impressed with Amate Studios, who had an extensive selection of bezel blanks.

There were so many possibilities for bracelets, buckles, earrings, rings, pendants, cufflinks and more, that I almost burst with creative ideas!

CLAY AND RESIN MAKES Molded resins proved to be a

CBJ01 pp26-27 Letter from Amer_Beading 27/04/2010 08:54 Page 27

popular – and beautiful – addition to beading section of the show – resin was used to make beads, bracelets and buttons.

Speaking of buttons, I noticed just how important they have become as a jewellery component – further bringing the crossover between jewellery making and traditional papercrafts more apparent.

American designer Elaine Schmidt is one of the best when it comes to everything buttons, and she has written several books on button jewellery.

Polymer clay jewellery was very well represented by several companies.

There were so many stunning polymer clay designers at the show – including some of my personal favourites! I had my eyes on Donna Kato’s (of Kato Polyclay) magnificent creations, including ‘kinetic’ jewellery (jewellery with movable parts), for most of the day!

Polyform’s designer, Amy Koranek, showed me several examples of the company’s pretty clay jewellery. The black & white bracelet (above) is a beautiful example of cane work and the magnificent gold swirl pendant (also above) was made using Sculpy’s mica pearlescent clay.

Lisa Pavelka was everywhere at the show – displaying

jewellery, signing books and showcasing her new line of products.

Her clay designs went down a storm and were simply outstanding.

I bumped into Lisa in the Viva Décor booth, where an exciting display of the numerous uses of crystals, beads and polymer on a variety of surfaces was proving popular. Everyone who saw the display will have learned something new – I mean who knew that these materials could be used everywhere from body jewellery to scarves?

BEAD HEAVEN And then there were the beads – I’ve never seen so many! Chains, of every type of metal imaginable and every size possible, were also on display.

Jill Schwartz has created a beautiful metallic range for Vintage Groove – there seems to be no shortage of metal colour and finish choices this year!

Aubreybeads.com introduced beautiful hand-rolled paper beads that are made from recycled materials in the Philippines. The proceeds from these

unique creations go to less-fortunate children in the poorest parts of Manila. Why not visit the website and have a look for yourself?

TREND ALERT! I found my good friend, Margaret Millsop, on The Beadery stand. She was showing a great selection of kits including Chunky Twist Necklace kits and, one of my favourites, seed bead ring kits. There were so many ring kits available that I think I need more fingers!

Further trends from the show appeared to be glass beads, charms, natural stones and crystals. Also, I found some very unusual metal beads in quite a few different places, so perhaps these are the next big thing?

Also interesting is that several of the day’s most stylish designs incorporated wooden bangles with decorating techniques including découpage and painting. Leather jewellery components also really stood out as a popular material for all types of jewellery.

It certainly was a busy show and I came home full of enthusiasm for all the new products I saw.

One thing is for sure – I can feel a shopping spree coming on!

See you next time!

Vivian

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

27

CBJ02 pp28-31 Timeless Elegance_Beading 27/04/2010 15:33 Page 28

WIRE AND BEADS WATCHES

timeless

few wirewrapping techniques, including wrapped loops, were used to make these delightful semi-precious stone watches. These techniques were also employed on the bag charms featured here, and can be used to make stunning earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

The Crystal Romance and Vintage

A

28

Timepiece projects are strung on Beadalon wire, of which there are a multitude of different colours and thicknesses available.

We used 7-strand wire here, but it is available up to 49-strand for heavier beads. For neat end fastenings, the wire can be crimped and, if desired, the crimps hidden inside decorative calottes.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

We have used chain in some of these designs – a material that is very popular at the moment and great for creating custom bag charms, in addition to necklaces and charm bracelets.

It is simple to add charms to projects by attaching them with jump rings and they are perfect for beaded watch bracelets and dangly bag charms.

NEED TO KNOW

ELEGANCE

Kerri McKenna and Emily Kersh combine semi-precious stones and crystals with metal beads and charms to create funky projects featuring watch faces

All the findings used here – including headpins, end fasteners and jump rings – are nickel-free. Alternatively, the projects can be completed using sterling-silver findings

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from The Bead Shop Manchester, Afflecks Palace, 35 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JG; www.the-beadshop.co.uk; 0161 833 9950

CBJ02 pp28-31 Timeless Elegance_Beading 27/04/2010 15:33 Page 29

WIRE AND BEADS WATCHES TO CREATE Cut the chain into four different lengths of your choice.

1

Place beads on the headpins using your own design and as many beads as you like.

2

WATCH BAG CHARM intermediate

MATERIALS • 4 x turquoise nuggets • 8 x 5mm Tibetan bead caps • 4 x 6mm jump rings • 2 x 5mm jump rings • closed ring • trigger clasp

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

TO CREATE Make a wrapped loop as per the instructions for the White Turquoise Rhinestone Watch on page 31.

Thread a bead cap, a nugget and another bead cap onto the wire.

Create a wrapped loop to complete the link.

Repeat this with all four nuggets

1

and, when complete, attach two nugget links together with a 5mm jump ring for each side of the strap.

See Fig 1, below.

Secure both sides to the watch face with the 6mm jump rings.

Attach the trigger clasp with a jump ring to one end and attach the closed ring with a jump ring to the other side to complete the fastening.

To connect the headpins to the chain, form a plain loop in the pins and connect with a jump ring. Create a plain loop on each beaded headpin in the way described here: trim the wire end to 1cm above the last bead and make a 90° bend close to the bead. Grip the tip of the wire using round-nosed pliers and rotate the pliers away from you to start curling the wire. Release the wire, rotate the pliers back towards you and grip the wire again.

Continue rotating the wire and repositioning your pliers until the loop is formed. See Fig 1, right. If you want to make a wrapped loop you can attach the loop straight onto the chain, as with the 6mm Swarovski crystals (see the White Turquoise Rhinestone Watch on page 31 for how to create wrapped loops.)

3

Attach the beaded headpins to the links using a jump ring, staggering the beads so they hang at different levels.

Attach the clock face and charms with a jump ring. (Use the 5mm jump rings for the charms.)

Once you have filled the chain, attach the first link onto jump rings and attach these to the bag charm.

4

1

5 6

(Remember, you can attach as many lengths of chain as you want to the bag charm.)

MATERIALS • large black 50cm belcher chain • small silver 50cm belcher chain • 8mm jump rings • 5mm jump rings • silver headpins • 9mm silver bead caps • 3mm plain metal spacer beads • 38mm black bag charm clip • padlock watch face • Made for You charm • skull charm • 2 x large angel wings charms • Tibetan-style spacer bead • 5mm metal rondelle

spacer bead • 6mm siam Swarovski crystal • 8mm clear superior crystal • 12mm jet superior crystal • 4 x 6mm clear rondelle superior crystal • 8 x 10mm siam rondelle superior crystal • 6mm black AB coated faceted round Czech bead

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

TURQUOISE NUGGET SEMI-PRECIOUS WATCH intermediate

4 5

1

2 3

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

29

CBJ02 pp28-31 Timeless Elegance_Beading 27/04/2010 15:33 Page 30

WIRE AND BEADS WATCHES TO CREATE Divide the beads into two equal piles. The process will be repeated to create two symmetrical watchstraps.

Thread one length of wire through the top hole of your watch face and fold into two equal lengths.

Place one 4mm Swarovski bicone onto the left-hand length of wire. On the opposite side place one 4mm Swarovski bicone and one 6mm Swarovski crystal.

See Fig 1, below.

Pass the left-hand length of wire back through the top of the 6mm bicone and pull both sides of the wire

1 2 3

4 1

to form a tight cluster of three beads. See Fig 2.

Place one 4mm bicone onto each wire. Gather both ends of the wire and thread on a Tibetan-style rondelle, a large faceted glass bead and a final Tibetan-style rondelle.

See Fig 3.

Split the wire into two sections and repeat the above steps.

Next, insert the two wire ends up through the hole of a bottom-hinged calotte.

Place a 2mm crimp bead onto the wires and secure using a pair of crimping pliers.

Fold the calotte so that the crimp bead is hidden within the ‘clam’ design.

5

6 7

8 2

CRYSTAL ROMANCE WATCH BRACELET

Note: This pattern is designed to create a 9” bracelet. Should you wish to make the bracelet shorter, simply leave out the last section of bicones. If you are unsure, measure your wrist to give you an idea of sizing.

Open a 5mm jump ring and place the lobster clasp onto it.

Feed the open jump ring through the calotte and close.

Repeat the entire process to create a second watch strap.

To finish the second strap, attach a 5mm jump ring through the eye of the calotte.

intermediate

9

MATERIALS

10

• heart-shaped watch face • 4 x 14mm rose faceted glass bead • 8 x 10mm Tibetanstyle rondelle • 6 x 6mm AB Swarovski bicone crystal beads • 24 x 4mm Swarovski bicone Rosaline beads • 2 x 50cm 7-strand nylon-coated wire • 2 x bottomhinged calottes • 2mm crimp beads • 5mm jump rings • 8mm jump ring • 14mm lobster clasp

3

TOOLS • wire cutters • flat-nosed pliers • crimping pliers

MATERIALS • antique copper/gold watch face • gold 6mm spacer beads • 2 x 6mm Vintage Rose Swarovski bicone beads • 2 x 5mm Swarovski Stars • 2 x Amethyst Swarovski 8mm round beads • 4 x 10mm glass pearls • 2 x 8mm black diamanté rondelle beads • vintage buttons • antique copper Made with Love charm • 7-strand gold bead stringing wire (50cm) • gold baby belcher chain (25cm) • 2 x gold tube crimps • gold 5mm jump rings • gold toggle clasp

VINTAGE TIMEPIECE BRACELET

beginner

1

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers • flex wire cutters

30

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

2

3

TO CREATE Design a layout for your beads before you start stringing. Use the watch face as the central point and work outwards on both sides – this will reduce the risk of mistakes and allow you to get

1

CBJ02 pp28-31 Timeless Elegance_Beading 27/04/2010 15:33 Page 31

WIRE AND BEADS WATCHES WIRE-WRAPPED WHITE TURQUOISE RHINESTONE WATCH TO CREATE Cut craft wire to approximately 15cm. Create a wrapped loop in the end of the wire in the following way: grasp the wire about 5cm from the end with flatnosed pliers to make a 90° bend. Hold the wire above the bend with round-nosed pliers and wrap the end of the wire over the top jaw.

Position the bottom jaw of the pliers into the curved wire and complete the curve to form a loop. The wire end should be back at a 90° angle. Slide a closed ring onto the wire and snap into the loop before continuing.

Hold the loop with flat-nosed pliers, grip the wire end and wrap it around the stem three or four times.

Trim the end of the wire using wire cutters and flatten it against the stem using round-nosed pliers to

1

2 the sizing right (standard bracelet size is 8”).

Cut a section of belcher chain 25 links in length (this will act as a safety chain and can be added at the end). Attach the toggle clasp to the ends of the belcher chain using 5mm jump rings. See Fig 1, left.

Cut various lengths of chain and add a 5mm jump ring to both ends of each chain.

Insert the beading wire through the top half of the watch face and proceed to feed your beads and buttons onto one half of the bracelet, remembering to add some chain from time to time. See Fig 2.

2

3 4

Add a 2mm crimp bead at the end of the wire and loop it through one end of the toggle clasp and back down through the crimp bead. Try to feed the wire back through some of the beads to give extra strength.

Pull the wire gently, moving the crimp down, until you have a small loop. See Fig 3.

Secure the crimp to the wire using flat-nosed pliers.

Repeat this process on the other side of the bracelet, securing the other half to the toggle using a 2mm crimp bead.

Use flex wire cutters to trim off any excess wire that might be protruding from the beads.

5

squash any sharp edges.

Thread a bead, a rhinestone rondelle and a second bead onto the wire. Create a wrapped loop after the beads, ensuring you leave enough room after the beads for three or four wraps of the wire. See Fig 1, right.

Take another length of craft wire, make the start of the wrapped loop and, before you make the wraps, attach your first beaded link by snapping it into the loop. See Fig 2.

Repeat the process of wrapping, beading and wrapping to make two joined beaded links.

Repeat the steps to create the other side.

Attach both sides to the watch with a jump ring, then attach one half of your clasp onto the closed ring with a jump ring and repeat for the other side.

3

1

4

2

5 6 7

MATERIALS • watch face • 8 x 8mm white turquoise • 4 x 8mm rhinestone rondelles • 0.8mm craft wire • 4 x 6mm jump rings • 2 x closed rings • magnetic clasp

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

intermediate

6 7 8

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

31

CBJ02 pp32 Store Globa_Beading 27/04/2010 16:24 Page 32

GLOBAHOLIC

candy CANE This stylish ladder-effect bracelet is made from cane glass beads and curved tube beads, as Alison Williams of Globaholic demonstrates

ALISON WILLIAMS DESIGNER

ABOUT GLOBAHOLIC… Globaholic started as a small eBay shop in 2004 and has grown into an online beads and findings superstore with over 1,000 different products.

The store is constantly changing its stock to keep up with current beading trends and the range of cane glass beads is one of

its latest additions. The team is particularly interested in resin jewellery and Globaholic is increasing its selection of resin jewellery blanks.

New customers can receive a 10% discount on their first order, and postage and packing is free. The website also offers a blog and regular newsletters.

WHERE TO BUY All materials used here are available from www.globaholic.com

32

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

TO CREATE Pass the ends of both lengths of wire through a crimp, then through one end of a T-bar fastener and back through the crimp. Pull to form a small loop, then squeeze the crimp with flat-nosed pliers.

Trim any excess from the shorter length.

Cover the crimp with a crimp cover.

Add a tube bead to each length,

1

2

followed by a spacer bead, as shown.

Pass both lengths through a cane glass bead from opposite directions, creating a ladder effect. Follow with a spacer bead and tube bead to each side.

Then repeat for each glass bead, finishing with tubes.

Complete the bracelet by following Step 1.

3

4

MATERIALS • 14 x cane glass beads (similar sizes) • 14 x 20mm curved metal tube beads • 24 x 3mm metal spacer beads • T-bar clasp • 2 x crimps • 2 x crimp covers • 2 x 30cm lengths of nylon-coated wire

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers

DIARY 3RD – 4TH JULY

GEM ‘N’ BEAD SHOW Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne www.gemnbead.co.uk 07817 511360

4TH JULY

THE BEADWORK FAIR The EPIC Centre, Lincolnshire Showground www.beadwork.net

Image supplied by Beads Unlimited, www.beadsunlimited.co.uk; 01273 740777

7TH JULY

what’s ON 16TH MAY

CHESHIRE BEAD SHOW Nantwich Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire www.jlfairs.co.uk 01270 567290

19TH MAY

DAISY CHAIN JEWELLERY CLASS The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

22ND MAY

WIREWORK FINDINGS CLASS

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

23RD MAY

THE BEADWORK FAIR Dorking Halls, Dorking, Surrey www.beadwork.net

26TH MAY

SWAROVSKI JEWELLERY CLASS The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

16TH JUNE

CHEVRON STITCH CLASS The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

PLIER & FINDINGS TECHNIQUE CLASS The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

10TH – 11TH JULY

SWAROVSKI JEWELLERY CLASS

GEM ‘N’ BEAD SHOW

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey www.gemnbead.co.uk 07817 511360

20TH JUNE

14TH JULY

THE BEADWORK FAIR

VICTORIAN-STYLE BRACELET CLASS

Millenium Grandstand, Rowley Mile Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk www.beadwork.net

Wincanton Racecourse www.westofenglandevents.co.uk 01747 852500

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

20TH JUNE

CAMBRIDGESHIRE BEAD FAIR Newmarket Racecourse www.beadwork.net

17TH JULY

RIGHT-ANGLE WEAVE CLASS

23RD JUNE

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

RIGHT-ANGLE WEAVE CLASS

18TH JULY

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

THE BEADWORK FAIR

26TH – 27TH JUNE

25TH JULY

GEM ‘N’ BEAD SHOW

THE BEADWORK FAIR

Elsecar Heritage Centre, Elsecar, South Yorkshire www.gemnbead.co.uk 07817 511360

The South of England Centre, Ardingly, West Sussex www.beadwork.net

THE NEWBURY FESTIVAL: PRACTICAL BEAD & JEWELLERY MAKING Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire www.westofenglandevents.co.uk 01747 830666

13TH JUNE

THE 10TH WEST OF ENGLAND BEAD FAIR

The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

19TH JUNE

27TH JUNE 9TH JUNE

LARIAT/CHOCKER STITCH CLASS

30TH JUNE

PEYOTE STITCH CLASS The Brighton Bead Shop www.beadsunlimited.co.uk 01273 740777

Hereford Leisure Centre, Hereford www.beadwork.net

The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd offers a wide range of workshops, including the popular Crystallized Swarovski Elements courses as well as basic jewellery making, Wig Jig, wire, polymer clay and bead weaving classes. Prices include all materials (unless otherwise stated) and Fair Trade refreshments. All classes are held at the Nottingham city centre shop. For dates and bookings please visit www.mailorder-beads.co.uk or call 0115 958 8899. www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

33

CBJ02 pp34-35 Store Bead Cella_Beading 27/04/2010 12:52 Page 34

THE BEAD CELLAR

purse STRINGS Created using a combination of stitches, this stunning purse is surprisingly simple to make.

Once you’ve mastered the techniques, you won’t be able to stop your imagination running wild!

KATE ELDRIDGE DESIGNER

ABOUT THE BEAD CELLAR… Kate Eldridge has recently taken over The Bead Cellar, based in beautiful Devon. The store specialises in Toho seed beads and also stocks a wide range of other beads and findings, including vintage nailheads, Swarovski crystals and pearls, semi-precious gemstones, Czech glass and much more. Classes are run regularly, and Kate has a host of new ideas to be launched over the next year so do keep an eye on the website!

34

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from The Bead Cellar, Broad Street, Black Torrington, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5PT; www.thebead cellar.co.uk; 01409 231442

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CBJ02 pp34-35 Store Bead Cella_Beading 27/04/2010 12:52 Page 35

THE BEAD CELLAR READER OFFER The beads required to make this purse are available from The Bead Cellar as a special discount package for £8.

Other similar packages are available with different colours FIGURE 1

TO CREATE To make the pouch of the purse in brick stitch, first thread a needle with 2m of thread, doubled over for extra strength.

1

FIGURE 2

Thread on two bugle beads, and pass the needle through both a second time so they lie next to each other.

Pick up another bead and link it to the previous one as in Fig 1. Repeat until the row is approximately 20cm long.

Repeat the process for the second row, starting with two beads as before. Pass your needle through the thread connecting the first beads of the first row and back up the last bead added, as in Fig 2.

Pick up a bead and pass your needle through the next connecting thread, working from back to front. Pass your needle back up the bead just added and pull snug.

2 3

4

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 3

Continue adding beads along the row and step up again, as described previously, until your piece has reached approximately 6cm high.

Zip up the sides of the purse (as in Fig 3) and sew the two edges together to form the bottom of the pouch, then put this to one side.

To make the foldover flap for the top of the purse, first thread on 10cm of size 11/0 seed beads (66 beads). Work eight rows in peyote stitch as in Fig 4.

Repeat the process, starting to decrease every row by one bead at each end. Turn the end of each row (as in Fig 5) to decrease and get in position for the next row. Continue

5 6

until your piece comes to a point.

Using a new thread, sew on the magnetic clasp just underneath the flap.

To finish, embellish the bottom edge of the purse and the flap with accent beads, fringing, crystals and stones as desired.

9

7

MATERIALS

8

• 40-50g bugle beads • 15g size 11/0 seed beads in one or more colours • small, flat magnetic clasp • accent beads • crystals • stones

TOOLS • • • •

needle thread scissors beading mat

FIGURE 5

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

35

CBJ02 pp36-37 Bead Scene Store_Beading 27/04/2010 17:51 Page 36

BEAD SCENE

with this

STEPHANIE BURNHAM DESIGNER

RING FLORAL CANDY

Stephanie Burnham injects a little colour into her jewellery making this issue with an eclectic array of fashion rings

TO CREATE Remove the sieve from the ring base.

Cut a 12” length of wire to start beading.

Empty a few size 11 seed beads of one colour onto a beading mat. Thread one end of the wire through the top of the sieve, towards the side, and bend the end over at the back of the sieve to secure.

Thread on 18 seed beads, passing them down so that they are touching the sieve base. Pass the end of the wire back through the first seed bead and pull the wire down through the sieve to form a loop.

Continue to form loops of beads around the outside edge of the sieve. There are nine loops on this ring, but you can use as many or as few as you like.

Make a second ring of loops in

1 2

3

MATERIALS • sieve ring • 5gm size 11 seed beads in two co-ordinating colours • small Lucite flower • large Lucite flower • 34-gauge beading wire

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers

36

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

4

5

co-ordinating seed beads, but this time use only 15 beads to each loop. (If you want to add more wire, bend the end of the wire over, under the sieve, to finish off. To start a new piece, pass the wire through the top of the sieve and bend it over at the back to hold it in place.)

Pass the wire up through the centre of the sieve and thread on the large central flower followed by two seed beads.

Thread on the small flower, followed by three seed beads.

Pass the wire back down through the two flowers and through to the back of the sieve (missing out the seed beads). Bend the wire over to secure and cut off any excess.

Carefully manipulate the loops into position until you are happy with the result.

6

7

8

CBJ02 pp36-37 Bead Scene Store_Beading 27/04/2010 17:52 Page 37

BEAD SCENE HEARTS AND PEARLS TO CREATE Place a pearl onto a headpin and cut the headpin to leave 1cm showing above the top of the pearl.

Grab the pin with round-nosed pliers about 3mm above the pearl and create a right angle. Move the pliers to the end of the wire and curl it round to form a loop. Repeat this method with all 12 pearls.

1

Open a jump ring and slip it through the fixing loop on the heart. Attach the jump ring and heart to the central loop of the bling ring.

Attach the pearls to the bling ring in exactly the same way.

You may wish to attach some pearls without the jump rings so that they are closer to the ring base (this gives you an opportunity to hide the silver if you feel there are too many gaps, and also adds texture).

2 3

MATERIALS WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from The Bead Scene Studio, Wakefield Country Courtyard, Wakefield Lodge Estate, Potterspury, Northants NN12 7QX; www.thebeadscene.com; 01327 810388

• bling ring base • 25mm silver heart • 12 x different-sized faux pearls • headpins • jump rings

TOOLS • wire cutters • round-nosed pliers

FAIRY FAVOUR RING TO CREATE Pass a jump ring through the medium flower and then through the middle loop of the bling ring.

Close the jump ring.

Using the same method as in Step 1, add the six leaves.

Thread each pearl and bell flower onto a headpin, make a loop and attach both bell flowers to the bling ring without using a jump ring (this will make them sit snugly on top of the other flowers and leaves).

1 2 3

MATERIALS • • • • • • •

bling ring base 6 x Lucite leaves medium Lucite flower 2 x bell Lucite flowers 2 x 6mm pearls 2 x headpins 7 x jump rings

TOOLS • wire cutters • round-nosed pliers

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

37

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 38

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK

let there be

SALLY CARVER DESIGNER

ABOUT SALLY‌ Sally Carver has been making glass beads since 1999 after seeing a jewellery making book by chance. The thrill of discovering that it was possible to make glass beads at home was so powerful that she changed her career completely and began to make glass beads professionally.

She now teaches others to make lampwork glass beads and also makes her own beads and jewellery under the name Redhotsal.

38

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

LIGHT Sally Carver lifts the lid on lampwork beads and shows you how to design them for yourself

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 39

hen making your first bead, you should start by getting a feel for how glass moves when it is hot.

Introduce a fresh glass rod into the tip of a flame. The glass may spit or crackle – this is called thermal shock.

W

GATHER THE GOODS When the glass gets used to the temperature, gradually move your rod lower into the flame where you will be able to work the glass more quickly. Create a molten blob or ‘gather’ on the end of your rod.

Hold the rod with the hot end slightly upwards, so the gather will fall back onto the rod and increase in size, as in Fig 1.

Next, I would suggest that you transfer the rod to your non-dominant hand and pick up the needle-nosed pliers or tweezers with your dominant hand. Once the orange glow disappears from the gather, nip the free end of the gather with needle-nosed pliers.

Pull gently, but firmly, keeping tension between both hands so that the glass doesn’t sag. Pull a long thin rod of about 2-3mm in diameter, as seen in Fig 2.

STRINGER COLLECTION When the glass stiffens, you should break off the thin rod (or

1

‘stringer’) with your pliers. Leave it to cool for a minute or so and put to one side.

Stringers are used to decorate your beads and act like paint brushes so that you can achieve fine detail in your bead decoration. Repeat the process to make a few more stringers in different colours and thicknesses. Remember not to pick up the stringer without allowing it to cool.

Choose a contrasting coloured rod to your stringer and melt a small gather using your dominant hand. Pick up a coated mandrel with the other hand and hold the coated section of the mandrel in the flame until you see the orange glow – the molten glass will not stick to the mandrel unless it has been preheated.

Remove both the rod and mandrel from the flame and touch the hot gather lightly onto the top of the mandrel. Immediately start to turn the top of the mandrel away from you and this will wind the molten glass onto it, as seen in Fig 3.

winding. If you have to tug, stop and allow the heat to work.

Make sure you don’t pull too hard – if you do, the bead may crack and you’ll have to start again.

Keep the flame on the glass rod so that the bead continues to grow in size, until it is about 15mm in diameter, as shown in Fig 4. Pull the rod slowly away and let the flame ‘cut’ the bead and the rod apart.

HORIZONTALLY DOES IT Put the glass rod down safely (preferably on a rod rest) and transfer the mandrel to your dominant hand so that you can put the bead itself directly into the flame. To centre the

NEED TO KNOW

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK Lampwork is glass working using a torch to melt and shape glass. It is also known as flame working or torch working, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fuelled lamps

bead and make it a neat round shape, you have to keep the mandrel slowly rotating and hold everything horizontally, as shown in Fig 5. If you hold your bead at an angle, it will form a teardrop shape. If you fail to turn the mandrel, the bead will drip right off the mandrel and fall onto your table. Make sure you have something that is flameproof in place – like an old ceramic floor tile for

example. This is a much better surface to catch hot glass than your own thigh!

If you feel like the glass is starting to flow out of control at any time, just pull it out of the flame and it will stiffen up in seconds. Don’t forget to keep everything horizontal until the glass has stiffened or it will slump out of shape. Then, hey presto, you have now made your first glass bead!

WIND IT UP Keep winding until you feel the glass start to stiffen, then move both the rod and mandrel so that the glass rod is back in the flame – this will heat up the glass and allow you to carry on

2

3

4

5

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

39

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 40

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DECORATION

To add dots, heat the end of the stringer and touch it onto the bead (out of the flame). Move everything into the flame and pull the stringer away from the bead. The flame will cut the stringer and leave a little dot on the bead surface.

You can either melt this in a little and leave it proud, or carry on heating to form a smooth spot on the bead.

You may choose to repeat this

1

2 1

3

process, and experiment with patterns and see what different effects you can achieve.

Draw lines with the stringer like you would ice a cake. The secret is to push the stringer onto the bead surface – never ‘drape’ it. Work in the very top of the flame or even turn the flame down to prevent the stringer melting too quickly.

You may decide to leave your dots and lines raised.

Alternatively, you can continue to gently heat your bead so you end up with a smooth surface.

Once the bead is finished and still hot, place it into a heated kiln or fibre blanket/vermiculite until it cools.

3

4

5

2

4

LAMPWORK DAISY DESIGN beginner

TO CREATE Pick a pink and small purple stringer and put to one side.

Make a simple round bead as outlined on page 39. Once cool and firm, apply a ring of pink dots to the surface to represent petals (I added five dots), making sure the dots do not touch or they will melt together.

Let the flame cut the stringer away from the bead so that you don’t end up with long ‘hairs’ of glass.

Gently heat the bead and let the dots melt into the bead surface, making sure you don’t overheat the bead and distort the dots. If the bead starts to glow orange you are applying too much heat – pull it out of the flame and let the bead cool a little.

Let the bead rest for a few seconds out of the flame, then heat a group of petals until they glow. Immediately remove the bead from the flame, take a steel pick and plunge a hole

1

2 3

4

40

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

in the very centre of the ring of dots. Take care not to use any tools directly in the flame or they will stick to the bead.

Repeat for all groups of petals and gently heat each hole until it gradually flattens out. You will notice that where the hole was, the petals have been drawn to a point to emphasise the daisy shape.

You may wish to add a tiny dot in the centre to form the middle of the flower.

Repeat this process for the other bead, and also make a few smaller plain spacer beads in pink and purple for the earrings.

5

6

EARRINGS Thread a small silver bead onto the headpin, making sure that the bead’s hole is smaller than the head

1

TOP TIP

Now the fun part – it’s time to decorate your bead! I recommend holding the stringer in your dominant hand and your bead in the other. You will add dots and lines to the bead when it is hot, but not runny.

However, don’t let the bead cool too quickly as it may crack when you put it in the flame – get used to ‘flashing’ the bead in and out of the flame to top the heat up all the time.

of the pin but bigger than the lampwork bead hole. Thread on a purple daisy bead, two spacer lampwork beads and then another silver bead.

Create a wrapped loop in the headpin as seen in Fig 7, above.

To finish, open the loop and attach the ear wires.

2 3

MATERIALS • Thai Orchid Creation Is Messy glass • Light Pink Effetre (591260) • 1.6mm steel mandrels (coated with Fusion Bead Release) • 45mm sterling silver headpins • sterling silver beads • sterling silver earring hooks • stainless steel pick

TOOLS • • • •

needle-nosed pliers flat-nosed pliers round-nosed pliers wire cutters

Never make glass beads without taking proper safety precautions.

Clear your surroundings of anyth ingflammable and make sure you have good ventilation before you light your torch. Don’t forget to wear goggles and never touch the beads when they’re hot

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 41

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK

WHERE TO BUY Bead making lessons and educational DVDs are available from Sally Carver at Redhotsal Designs. For more information call 01455 440361, visit www.redhotsal.co.uk or email redhotsal@lampworkbeads.co.uk Glass and equipment is available from Hamilton Taylor 0141 429 0102, Off-Mandrel www.off-mandrel.com and Glassworks www.glassworks.be; shop@glassworks.be +32(0)54339431

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

41

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 42

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK

LAMPWORK DOTS beginner

TO CREATE

MATERIALS • Effetre white glass • Effetre black glass • thin 1.6mm steel mandrels (coated with Fusion Bead Release) • lentil press (see Fig 7) • Tigertail bead wire • sterling silver crimp beads • Liquid Silver Drops spacer beads • Thai silver ‘S’ hook clasp

Make a basic round bead about 15mm in diameter. (The rounder the bead is, the better it will fit the

1 1

TOOLS • crimping pliers

42

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

lentil press) Add decoration to your bead (Fig 1, below), as outlined on page 40.

(Alternatively, you may choose to do this after the pressing.)

Let the bead cool and firm up once

2 2

you have decorated it, then heat it up again so it is gently glowing (Fig 2).

Quickly position the bead in the press – I used the 18mm diameter shape on this press, as seen in Fig 3.

3 3

Take great care lining up the mandrel so that it sits in the groove.

Pick up the top of the press and line up the register pins.

Bring the top of the press down gently to sandwich the bead

4 4

CBJ02 pp38-43 Masterclass Lamp_Beading 27/04/2010 15:35 Page 43

MASTERCLASS LAMPWORK ANNEALING

5 5

will cause the bead to lose heat and it could crack if it gets too cold.

‘Polish’ the surface of the bead in the flame so that any wrinkles caused by the press are smoothed out (Fig 5).

Repeat until you are happy with the bead, then repeat the process to get all your beads (you’ll need about 18 in total).

Lentil-shaped beads are very popular with jewellery designers

BRACELET Taking a 30cm length of Tigertail, slip a small crimp bead over the wire, form a loop of wire through the jump ring of the clasp and thread back through the crimp bead. Pull tight to make a very small loop – leave about 15mm of wire on the end. Using crimping pliers, fix the crimp in position and tuck any excess wire end into the bead holes.

1

Thread a silver spacer, a lentil, three liquid silver drop beads and another lentil. Continue in this way until you have the desired length.

Adjust the length of the bracelet by

2 3

TOP TIP

between the top and bottom halves of the press (Fig 4).

Take the top off and return the bead to the flame – don’t leave it in the press for more than a few seconds as the press

When glass beads are made using a torch, internal stresses can form, particularly in large beads. These stresses can cause beads to crack if they aren’t eliminated.

Removing the stress is called annealing.

The process is designed to gradually get the glass to the same temperature inside and out and then slowly reduce the temperature so the whole bead is cooled uniformly.

Ideally, a freshly made hot-from-thetorch bead is placed in a hot kiln. This is known as garaging, or hot annealing.

Alternatively, beads that have been cooled to room temperature can be annealed at a later date – this is known as batch annealing.

The beads have to be slowly ramped up to the anneal temperature without them cracking and have to be robust enough to survive the wait before they are annealed.

I use a Kiln Care Maxi bead Annealing Kiln available from www.kilncare.co.uk adding or subtracting spacers. To finish, add the final crimp and a clasp.

When making beads, make sure that your glass is compatible with the other glass you have.

Check the coefficient of expansion number (COE) is the same for each rod and don’t mix glass with different COEs

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

43

CBJ02 pp44-47 Brilliant Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 16:40 Page 44

BRILLIANT BEADS

PEARLS

TRACEY McPHERSON DESIGNER

Tracey is the owner of Brilliant Beads, a highstreet retail bead and jewellery shop located in beautiful Berwick upon Tweed on the Northumberland coast.

Designing has been Tracey’s passion since a young age, and for the past six years she has been designing and selling her jewellery in Northumberland and Scotland. When she is not designing, you’ll find Tracey busy in her bead shop, running jewellerymaking workshops and undertaking bespoke commissions for wedding jewellery and tiaras.

Wedding workshops are available, consisting of a full day’s tuition on making tiaras, hairpins, fascinators and even cake toppers! Brilliant Beads will also be introducing weekend break workshops from this summer for those who dream of a getaway surrounded by beads and breathtaking countryside.

Wedding accessories including tiara frames, ribbons and flowers are coming to the shop in the next few months, and the brand-new website – which is currently under development – will include interesting and unusual beads as well as meeting a huge variety of jewellery-making needs at all levels. Orders can be taken online or over the phone.

44

Tracey McPherson shows you how to create multiple designs using simple techniques, pearls and wire

earls are available in a vast variety of colours, shapes, textures and sizes.

Here I have created three necklaces using different pearls, but the instructions are exactly the same. You can also totally transform the look of these necklaces by changing the colour of the wire – there is a huge array of different shades available in the Flex-rite range. Try ivory and champagne colours for a timeless classic look, or silver and blue, which would be great with jeans for everyday wear. Let your imagination roll...

P

TOP TIP

ABOUT TRACEY…

Bead trays are great for multi-stranded necklaces and bracelets. Some designs are available with a clear plastic lid so you can stop and return to your necklace without the beads escaping everywhere!

These are often called travellers’ bead trays

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

NEED TO KNOW

perfect

All the materials used here are available from Brilliant Beads, 2 Hide Hill, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1AB; www.brilliantbeads.co.uk; 01289 305333

One 15” strand of pearls is enough to make both the necklace and earrings for each of these projects

CBJ02 pp44-47 Brilliant Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 16:40 Page 45

BRILLIANT BEADS COIN NECKLACE AND EARRINGS

MATERIALS • 10 x 13mm coin pearls • 10 x potato pearls (approximately 7mm) • 7-strand .024” pearl silver Beadsmith Flex-rite wire • 2 x 2.5mm crimp tubes • 2 x calottes • 2 x 5mm jump rings • fastener • Hypo Cement glue

TOOLS • round-nose and chain-nose pliers • side cutters • bead tray • bead mat

COIN NECKLACE TO CREATE Cut three lengths of Flex-rite wire to measure 19”, 20” and 21”.

Lay the pearls into three channels of your bead tray – one channel of pearls to one strand of wire. Position the pearls with a space of approximately 3cm between them, starting in the middle and working outwards until you are happy with your design. You can use as many or as few pearls as you like, but somewhere between five and 10 on each strand is recommended.

Obviously, the smaller the pearls the more you will need.

Pick up your longest wire and thread on the pearl nearest to the middle of your design (this will be from the pearls in the bottom channel of your tray). Dab a small amount of glue onto your wire where you wish the pearl to sit and slide your pearl over the glue to secure it in place. Hold for a second. Repeat this until all your pearls are glued into position. Lay flat and

1 2

3

put to one side for 20 minutes so the glue can set.

Repeat Step 3 with your 19” and 20” wires.

Attach a large calotte bead and one crimp bead through all three strands. Close the crimp bead with chainnosed or crimping pliers. Close the calotte and attach a jump ring to the calotte.

Repeat Step 5 for the other side of your necklace. Attach either a lobster fastener and extension chain to

4 5

6

your jump rings or a toggle fastener.

COIN EARRINGS TO CREATE Cut an 18cm strand of wire.

Thread the wire through the earring post into the middle of the wire. Thread on a large crimp tube through both ends of the wire and bring it 6cm up the wire.

Secure the crimp with chain-nosed or crimping pliers.

1 2

Thread one coin pearl on each side of the wire. Position as short or long as you like, depending on the length of earring you require. Glue into position with Hypo Cement glue and leave to set for 15 minutes.

Trim the excess wire with side cutters once the glue has dried.

Thread one potato pearl onto a thin headpin. Cut the headpin, leaving 8cm to make a loop with round-nosed pliers.

Attach the loop to the loop on the fish hook.

3

4

Repeat Step 4 but this time attach the pearl over the crimp bead.

Repeat Steps 1-5 to make the matching earring.

5 6

MATERIALS • • • • •

4 x 10mm coin pearls 4 x 7mm potato pearls 4 x 1” thin headpins Hypo Cement glue .024” Beadsmith Flex-rite wire • 2 x fish hooks • 2 x 2.5mm crimp tubes

TOOLS • side cutters • chain-nosed pliers

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

45

CBJ02 pp44-47 Brilliant Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 16:40 Page 46

BRILLIANT BEADS MULTI-COLOURED FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE & EARRINGS

MATERIALS • 2 x fish hooks • 2 x 3” eyepins • 12 x 8mm pearls (two of each colour) • 12 x 1” thin headpins • Hypo Cement glue

TOOLS

MULTI-COLOURED EARRINGS TO CREATE Holding the eyepin at the loop with the chain-nosed pliers, run nylon pliers along the wire and slightly curve it.

Use round-nosed pliers to make a loop

1 2

at the other end of your eyepin and attach this loop to your fish hook.

Choose three colours of pearls to use on the bunch at the bottom of your earring and thread each pearl onto a headpin. Cut all

3

MULTICOLOURED NECKLACE

MATERIALS • 7-strand .024” pearl silver Beadsmith Flex-rite wire • 2 x crimps • 2 x calottes • 2 x 5mm jump rings fastener • 34 x multi-coloured 8mm freshwater potato pearls • Hypo Cement glue

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters • bead tray • bead mat

TO CREATE Follow the instructions for the Coin Necklace on page 45

46

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

side cutters round-nosed pliers chain-nosed pliers flat-nose nylon pliers

TOP TIP

• • • •

three headpins to 8cm and make a loop.

Attach all three headpins to the loop at the bottom of the curved wire.

Repeat Step 3 but attach the pearls to the top loop of the

4

curved pin.

Repeat Steps 1-4 to complete your matching earring, remembering to mirror the image when attaching the curved wire to your fish hook.

5

Nylon flat-nose pliers are great for running along wire to straighten out any kinks, and they don’t leave any marks on the wire as they straighten it.

They are also useful for straightening any bent headpins or eyepins

CBJ02 pp44-47 Brilliant Beads_Beading 27/04/2010 16:41 Page 47

BRILLIANT BEADS IVORY STICK PEARL AND SWAROVSKI NECKLACE AND EARRINGS STICK PEARL NECKLACE TO CREATE Follow the instructions for the Coin Necklace on page 45

MATERIALS • 25 x ivory middle-drilled stick freshwater pearls • 7-strand .024” pearl silver Beadsmith Flex-rite wire • 2 x crimps • 2 x calottes • 2 x 5mm jump rings • fastener

TOOLS

TOP TIPS

• round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters • bead tray • bead mat

Hypo Cement is an excellent glue for precision jewellery making – it has a very fine point and will just rub off your fingers. If your .024” wire won’t fit through the holes in small pearls, you can try .018” wire, which is still available in a wide range of colours

PEARL CRYSTAL CASCADE EARRINGS TO CREATE Thread one crystal onto each of six headpins. Using your side cutters, cut each headpin leaving 8mm of wire. Create a loop on each headpin with round-nose pliers.

Attach one of the crystal headpins you have just made to an eyepin. Repeat with the other five.

Thread two stick pearls onto each eyepin. With side cutters, cut each eyepin

1

2 3

MATERIALS • 24 x pearls • 6 x patterned 8mm jump rings • 12 x 1” headpins • 12 x 2” eyepins • 12 x 4mm Comet Argent Swarovski bicone crystals • 2 x fish hooks

TOOLS • side cutters • round-nosed pliers

leaving 8mm of wire.

Then make a loop with round-nosed pliers.

Repeat this with the other five eyepins.

Link three jump rings together like a chain. Attach one jump ring to a fish hook earring loop.

Attach three of your crystal and pearl pins to the top jump ring. Attach two to the second loop and one to the bottom loop.

There should now be six pins hanging on your earring.

Repeat Steps 1-5 to complete your matching earring.

4 5

6

WHERE TO BUY Curved eyepin wires are available from www.brilliant beads.co.uk www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

47

CBJ02 pp48-52 Polymer Clay Sweet_Beading 27/04/2010 17:22 Page 48

POLYMER CLAY CONFECTIONERY

SWEET

Jo Lochhead’s mouthwatering array of confectionery-inspired delights went down a storm last issue. So much so that we were inundated with requests from readers asking how to make the individual sweet treats for themselves. And your wish is our command...

olymer clay is enjoying a revival at the moment and, with some basic equipment and a few simple techniques at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless! Before you tackle the projects on these pages, here’s our five-minute guide to everything you need to know to get started: • Polymer clay needs to be ‘conditioned’ before you use it.

This softens it and makes it easier to work with. Roll it, pull it and stretch it.

If you are mixing colours, the act of combining them will condition the clay.

• To make beads of a uniform thickness, roll out your clay with an acrylic roller or pasta machine and use a cutter for each bead. If you can afford a pasta machine, they are also great for conditioning your clay, blending colours and creating marbling effects.

The range of thicknesses makes it perfect for different sizes of beads.

• Join layers of colours together by rolling gently to make the clay stick.

• Some beads are shaped by hand,

P

JO LOCHHEAD DESIGNER

48

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

others are made using moulds. Follow the instructions on the silicone moulding material to make your chosen mould – it’s really easy to work with and the results are great.

• To make the hole in the bead, you can either use a cocktail stick or an awl before baking, or a drill with a 1mm drill bit after the beads have baked and cooled.

• Bake beads for a maximum of 30 minutes at 135ºC. For very small or flat items, reduce this time by 5-10 minutes. Clay that is over-baked will discolour.

• Glaze beads with two thin coats of water-based (nontoxic) glaze once they are cool. Allow time for each coat to dry before applying the next.

TOP TIP

sweets for my

If you’re making beads from moulds, or cutting clay into tubes or strips, pop it in the freezer first for 15 minutes. Clay that is too soft to work with will distort easily

CBJ02 pp48-52 Polymer Clay Sweet_Beading 27/04/2010 17:22 Page 49

POLYMER CLAY CONFECTIONERY MATERIALS FOR ALL PROJECTS

CHOCOHOLIC HANDBAG CHARM

• polymer clay in a variety of colours (Fimo and Sculpey are the best-known brands) • texture sheets • glaze (if desired) • silicone moulding material • jump rings • headpins • short length of chain • keyring finding • bracelet chain with clasp • bookmark finding • links bracelet with loops

TOOLS

TO CREATE TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE BAR Roll out a 3mm thickness of Chocolate Fimo and cut into rectangles using a tissue blade. Create the texture, either with a texture sheet or the blunt edge of a dinner knife. Cut a little bite out of the corner with a small scone cutter.

Bake and apply two coats of glaze.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE DOUGHNUT

BRIGHT IDEA

• gas or electric oven (not a microwave) • acrylic roller or pasta machine • sharp tissue blades • scalpel • cutters in various shapes and sizes • cocktail sticks • round-nosed pliers • chain-nosed pliers • flat-nosed pliers • wire cutters

flatten slightly to make a thick pancake. Roll out a thin piece of Chocolate Fimo for the icing. Use a scalpel to create an uneven shape and place this over the top of the base. Use the end of a child’s paintbrush to push a hole through the doughnut; this will ‘drag’ the icing into the hole for a really authentic look (Fig 1).

Bake, and apply two coats of glaze to the icing only.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE Create a silicone mould using mini cookies from breakfast cereal as a guide to determine the size and shape. Press a large pea-sized ball of tan clay into the mould

and release (Fig 2).

Roll out a very thin sausage of Chocolate clay. Use the scalpel to cut and press tiny pieces of this clay onto the cookie (Fig 3). Bake.

TO ASSEMBLE Attach the cookie and the chocolate bar to the chain of the handbag charm with jump rings. Use chain-

This would also work well as a keyring.

The perfect gift for the chocoholic – calorie free!

nosed pliers to open a jump ring like a gate, and close it the same way (Fig 4).

Thread a headpin through the doughnut (you can bake the doughnut with the headpin in it, if you like). Use two pairs of pliers to create a wrapped loop to fix the doughnut bead securely to the chain (Figs 5-9).

1

2

3

4

6

7

8

9

Mix a small amount of Chocolate Fimo with White Fimo to create a tan colour for the dough. Roll a marble-sized quantity of clay into a ball and

5

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

49

CBJ02 pp48-52 Polymer Clay Sweet_Beading 27/04/2010 17:22 Page 50

POLYMER CLAY CONFECTIONERY

TOP TIPS

WHERE TO BUY Look around your home for things you can use to create texture – for example, the bumpiness of an orange or the top half of a plastic milk bottle; the side of a matchbox or the plastic insert inside a box of chocolates

give you the right amount. Form a ball and gently press it onto the white (Fig 1, right). Bake and apply two coats of glaze.

If you’re feeling brave, use your microwave to warm the clay before you condition it. Heat for a maximum of five seconds at a time ONLY. Take great care as a few seconds too many will start to bake your clay. Disaster!

TO MAKE THE SHRIMP

SWEETIE BOOKMARK TO CREATE

Condition a pea-sized ball of White Fimo.

Roll it out with an acrylic roller and don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round – fried eggs never are!

Condition a small ball of Yellow Fimo for the yolk; about half the size of the White will

TO MAKE THE BANANA Mix equal amounts of White and Yellow

Silicone for making moulds is available from most branches of Hobbycraft. Visit www.hobbycraft.co.uk for your nearest store

Fimo to create a pastel yellow for the banana.

Make a silicone mould from a mini banana sweet. Press clay into the mould, ensuring that it is evenly distributed from end to end.

Release and bake.

BRIGHT IDEA 50

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

2

1

TOP TIP

Cut 2cm of chain with wire cutters and attach it to the hook of the bookmark with a jump ring, using chain-nosed pliers to open and close the jump ring like a gate.

TO MAKE THE FRIED EGG

Mix a very small amount of Cherry Red Fimo with White Fimo to create the perfect ‘shrimp pink’ (Fig 2). Cherry Red has a great deal of pigment so you only need a touch; better to start with less and add more if the colour is too pale.

Make a silicone mould using a mini shrimp sweet.

Press the pink clay into the mould, release and bake.

Acrylic rollers, blades cutters and glaze, and jewellery-making equipment, tools and findings, as well as Fimo Soft in a wide range of colours, are available from www.beadshopscotland.co.uk; 01620 822886

TO ASSEMBLE Attach all three beads to different links in the chain with jump rings. Make sure that the jump rings are securely closed. You could also add some beads or crystals in matching colours for extra sparkle.

7

Before you begin, make sure your hands, your work surface and all your tools are perfectly clean – this is especially important if you are using a mixture of light and dark colours.

Keep a packet of baby wipes handy while you’re working

Never lose your place again with this fun bookmark – the hook goes over the spine of the book, while the selection of retro sweeties takes us right back to our childhood!

CBJ02 pp48-52 Polymer Clay Sweet_Beading 27/04/2010 17:22 Page 51

Just perfect with summer around the corner, zingy colours and a right-on-trend design make this bracelet a real winner!

DOLLY BRACELET TO CREATE TO MAKE THE CUBE BEADS Mix equal amounts of White Fimo with Orange, Raspberry, Lime and Lavender to create four pretty pastel shades. You will need enough for three different shapes of bead in each of the colours. Roll out the clay to a thickness of around 2mm.

Use a small cutter to ensure that all your cubes are the same size.

You should cut enough clay to make a cube with sides that measure

approximately 1cm.

Roll the clay into a ball and use the first finger and thumb of both hands to shape the ball into a cube (Fig 1, below). Very gently roll the cube on your work surface to round off the edges. Repeat with all four colours. Bake.

TO MAKE THE TUBE BEADS Roll out a thin sausage of White Fimo, approximately 5mm thick and 12mm long. Wrap rolled-out coloured clay from Step 1 around the

1

white sausage until the edges join and overlap slightly. Trim each end with a tissue blade for a neat finish.

Gently roll the tube on your work surface to hide the join. Bake.

together and roll gently on your work surface to bond the layers. Use a ruler and a scalpel to make a square block of approximately 12mm (Fig 2). Bake.

TO ASSEMBLE TO MAKE THE SANDWICH BEADS Condition and roll out White Fimo to a thickness of approximately 2mm. You’ll need enough clay for four beads. To make one bead, put a layer of white clay and a layer of coloured clay

2

This ready-made links bracelet comes complete with five jump rings already attached. You will

NEED TO KNOW

BRIGHT IDEA

POLYMER CLAY CONFECTIONERY

need to add another seven so that you have 12 in total for the Dolly beads. Thread each bead onto a headpin. Create a wrapped loop in the pin so that the bead is securely attached to the pin. Open each jump ring with chainnose pliers and attach the beads. It couldn’t be simpler!

Polymer clay is non-toxic and safe for children. However, beads that are made to look like sweets are a potential choking hazard and are therefore unsuitable for use in jewellery intended for children under three years of age. It is your responsibility to ensure that all the jewellery made with these beads is safe and secure.

Neither Jo Lochhead nor The Bead Shop Scotland accepts responsibility for any accident caused by the creation of the beads in this article www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

51

CBJ02 pp48-52 Polymer Clay Sweet_Beading 27/04/2010 17:22 Page 52

POLYMER CLAY CONFECTIONERY

TO CREATE TO MAKE THE PIGLET BEAD Mix Translucent Fimo with a very small amount of Cherry Red to create a pale pink.

The Translucent clay gives the bead more of a jelly-like appearance, whereas White Fimo would make it look slightly chalky. Make a silicone mould from a piglet sweet and press the clay into the mould, making sure it’s nice and smooth on the back. Release and bake.

TO MAKE THE FLUMP BEAD Create a pale pink by mixing White with a touch of Cherry Red. Create a pale yellow

52

by mixing equal amounts of White and Lemon Fimo. Set aside some White Fimo. Roll each colour into a thin sausage around 3mm thick (Fig 1, below).

Lay all three sausages together and twist into a rope shape (Fig 2). Use the tissue blade to slice into sweetie-sized pieces (Fig 3). Bake.

TO MAKE THE LOVE HEART BEAD This can be made in any pastel shade you like. Create a silicone mould from a love heart sweet. Roll out conditioned clay to a thickness of around 2mm, then use a small cutter to create a ball

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

of marble-sized clay.

Press this into the mould, making sure the back is nice and flat. If you intend to drill the hole in the bead after baking, you can leave the clay in the mould while in the oven. Bake.

TO ASSEMBLE Open a jump ring and thread it through the love heart bead. Attach the jump ring to a link

1

FIND OUT MORE

SWEET TOOTH CLUSTER BRACELET

I’d recommend reading Clay So Cute!

by Sherri Haab (published by Random House). Written and presented in a really accessible style, it’s full of useful information and 21 projects for adorable little charms and beads

of the chain near the clasp and close, making sure that there are no gaps in the ring.

Thread the piglet bead and the flump bead onto headpins. Create

2

wrapped loops with the pins but remember to attach the pin to a link of the chain near the clasp before completing the final wrap.

3

CBJ02 pp53 Ticket Comp_Beading 27/04/2010 11:22 Page 53

COMPETITION THE STITCH & CREATIVE CRAFTS SHOW

he Stitch & Creative Crafts Shows are your opportunity to shop for those hard-to-find supplies and stock up on your favourite craft products at special show prices – all under one roof!

At the shows, you will find theatres where you can learn new techniques from experts and a wide selection of exhibitors with all the latest in cross stitch, sewing, cardmaking, embroidery, knitting, patchwork, quilting, scrapbooking, ribbon craft, papercrafts, stamping, beading, painting, dressmaking, tapestry, découpage, crochet and many more popular stitch and creative crafts. There will be something for everyone at these superb shows.

For a full programme of workshops, make-and-takes and to book in advance simply visit www.sccshows.co.uk.

The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show takes place at Manchester Central 3rd-5th September, and at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey on 17th-19th September.

T

We have 15 pairs of tickets to give away to both shows, so for your chance to win a set, send your name and address on a postcard to CB&J02 Manchester or CB&J02 Sandown, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL to arrive by 11th June 2010

Visit www.sccshows.co.uk or call 01822 614671 for ticket and show information

WIN pairs of NB: By entering this competition, you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party.

show tickets

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

53

CBJ02 pp54-55 What's Cookin_Beading 27/04/2010 16:03 Page 54

KILN BEADS MICROWAVE KILN

what’s

Judith Hannington employs a microwave kiln to create fused glass beads and shows you how to add texture using glass stringers efore using a piece of equipment like a microwave kiln, I suggest that you take time to familiarise yourself with it. The Kilnworks Microwave Kiln starter kit used here comes with full instructions on basic techniques, including all the safety issues you need to consider when working with hot glass.

Then, once you’re accustomed to the machine, what better project to create than a

B

54

stringer detailed bead?

Producing a fused glass pendant with textural stringer detail is done in two firing stages. You create your glass pendant on the first firing, then add stringer detail and fire for a second time, remembering to replace the kiln paper before the second firing.

When fusing the pendant for a second time (with the stringer shape positioned on top), as soon as your bead reaches fusing

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

COOKING? temperature then the stringer will start to fuse rapidly into the surface of the glass pendant. I therefore recommend that you check on the pendant at regular intervals, simply by pausing the microwave and lifting the lid of the kiln slightly to see.

For a dimensional finish, you should stop firing as soon as the stringer has formed to the surface shape of the bead and just as it has begun to sink. The

fusing process will continue even when the power is off, so remove your kiln from the microwave as usual and leave the bead to anneal (controlled cooling).

If you heat the glass

TOP TIP

JUDITH HANNINGTON DESIGNER

until the stringer is almost flat on the bead surface, by the time the kiln and glass have cooled it will have fused fully into the bead without any trace of surface texture.

We have not given timings for fusing the pendant as results vary from oven to oven. We recommend that you practise fusing glass in your microwave and record the results for each project you do, to learn over time how to tailor your fusing to perfection

CBJ02 pp54-55 What's Cookin_Beading 27/04/2010 16:03 Page 55

KILN BEADS MICROWAVE KILN STEP BY STEP 1

MATERIALS • Pimento Red Opal 2mm Bullseye glass • cyan/copper dichroic glass • orange opalescent 1mm stringer • glass fusing glue • bail

TOOLS glass cutter glass pliers Kilnworks Microwave Kiln microwave oven candle small pliers or tweezers

TO CREATE Cut two 17x32mm pieces of red glass and an identical-sized piece of dichroic glass.

Cut a piece of kiln paper about 15mm larger all round than your glass and place on your kiln base.

Stack your glass on the paper, ensuring that the dichroic glass is on top with its coated side face down.

Place the kiln in a microwave oven and position the lid on

1 2

3

WHERE TO BUY The Kilnworks Microwave Kiln, together with many replacement and add-on Kilnworks products, can be purchased from www.madcowbeads.com

3

top. Fire the piece so the glass is fully fused.

While the kiln and glass are cooling, create your flower.

Using a candle to heat it, manipulate the orange opalescent stringer into a flower shape, as shown.

Gently wash any soot from the stringer flower using warm water and a clean toothbrush. Pat dry completely.

Once your pendant is cold, wash the kiln paper from the back of it.

Place the cold pendant onto a fresh piece of kiln

4

5 6 7

4

5

paper on the kiln base and arrange the flower and some small lengths of stringer onto the pendant, as shown.

Use fusing glue to secure them to the surface. Once the glue is dry, fire the pendant for a second time to fuse the flower to it.

Once the pendant is totally cold again, wash any kiln paper residue from the back of it, then use jewellery glue to attach the bail of your choice. Leave the glue to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6

7

8

8

For all your fusible glass supplies visit www.creativeglassguild.co.uk and www.warm-glass.co.uk

TOP TIP

• • • • • •

2

To shape the stringer, grip the cool end of the glass rod in one hand away from the flame and use a small pair of pliers or similar tool to grasp and manipulate the stringer section near the flame. Use light pressure to avoid snapping the glass www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

55

CBJ02 pp56-57 Charm Supplies_Beading 27/04/2010 17:59 Page 56

CHARM SUPPLIES

GLASS

SU CRANE DESIGNER

MATERIALS • wine charm rings • memory wire (bracelet size) • charms • jump rings • beads (2-4mm)

TOP TIP

raise a

Many craft shops sell large bags of mixed beads at discounted prices, which is an economical way to experiment with lots of different colours and designs

Wine glass charms are a decorative yet practical solution to the age-old problem, ‘Now, which drink was mine?’ Be inspired by Sue Crane’s exquisite designs

TOOLS

TOP TIP

• flat-nosed pliers • round-nosed pliers

56

Pre-formed wine charm rings are the simplest and most reliable to use, but you can always consider ringsize memory wire as an alternative

BUTTERFLY WINE GLASS CHARMS TO CREATE Open the jump rings using round-nosed pliers and attach one to each of your charms.

Thread a 4mm silver-plated metal bead, followed by a

1 2

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

charm and another 4mm bead onto each wine charm ring.

Using flat-nosed pliers, bend the last 2mm of the straight end of the ring at a 90º angle to create a hook that goes into the hole at the other end. This will prevent the beads and charms from falling off.

3

WHERE TO BUY All materials used here are available from www.charmsupplies.co.uk; 01332 863370

CBJ02 pp56-57 Charm Supplies_Beading 27/04/2010 17:59 Page 57

WINE BOTTLE BANGLE TO CREATE Instead of wine charm rings, take a

1

ring of bracelet-size memory wire and, using the end of flatnosed pliers, bend one end to make a loop.

From the other end, thread on a selection of beads

2

followed by a charm and more beads.

Again, using flatnosed pliers, bend the end 2mm of the ring at a 90ยบ angle in order to create a hook, and close the ring.

3

TOP TIP

CHARM SUPPLIES

Simple 4mm metal beads create a stylish finish, but for luxury, why not try 2mm metal beads each side of 4mm Swarovski bicone crystals?

BRIDE & GROOM TO CREATE Open the jump rings using round-nosed pliers and attach one to each of your charms.

Thread a 2mm silver-plated bead, followed by a 4mm Swarovski bicone crystal and another 2mm silver-plated bead onto each wine charm ring. Now thread on a charm, and the same sequence of bead, crystal and bead.

Using flat-nosed pliers, bend the last 2mm of the straight end of the ring at a 90ยบ angle and put the resulting hook through the hole at the other end to secure.

1 2

3

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

57

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 58

TIARAS AND COMBS

head TURNER

A bijou hairpiece can set off any outfit, especially if it is for a special occasion, such as a wedding, a prom or a glamorous night out, or if you want to accessorise something simple with a bit of sparkle. Lisa Borland shares some glittering ideas

ABOUT LISA...

Lisa owns Adorabubble Jewellery in West Lothian. She says: “I have been making jewellery for some time now and have recently diversified into making tiaras and fascinators for weddings and other special occasions.

“Having been immersed in ballet and the theatre from the age of three, I have always loved the glamour and sparkle of the beautiful costumes. I’m creative by nature and have always been drawn towards the expressive arts. Making jewellery and tiaras is just an extension of that creativity and, to me, twisting crystals and pearls around pieces of wire is like chicken soup for the soul!

“I believe that every woman should feel like a princess on her wedding day. With this in mind, I have tried to create a collection that is diverse and interesting. I love whimsy and glamour and sparkle, but I also appreciate simplicity and elegance.”

Lisa can be contacted at: Adorabubble Jewellery, 67 Elie Avenue, Deans, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 8EU; www.adorabubble jewellery.com; 01506 205037.

58

am the kind of person whose creations begin organically. Not being one for lots of plans, I love to start with some beads and see where my imagination takes me, and the pieces I have created here are all designed to be customised to your own personal preferences. I love to work with wire, Swarovski Crystallized Elements, freshwater

I

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

pearls, semi-precious gemstones and many other beads from my extensive (and evergrowing) collection.

As summer is fast approaching, I thought I would share with you some fun, colourful head dresses, which are simple to make and stunning when worn.

WELL EQUIPPED I tend to stick to my trusty round-nosed pliers, flat-nosed pliers

and flush cutters – you can perform almost any task with these three amigos! You’ll find a decent set in almost any bead shop – try to find tools that fit your hand comfortably.

However, as tiara work involves a lot of wire twisting and shaping, I tend to find that I use my fingers more than tools.

When creating wirework pieces, the type of wire you use

is very important.

My own preference is for the Scientific Wire Company’s 5mm silver-plated copper wire. It comes in 25mm reels and is very pliable but strong. You can use thicker wire to give a sturdier shape to your tiara, but for basic wire twisting, which is used in the pieces in this article, the Scientific Wire Company’s 5mm wire is perfect.

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 59

TIARAS AND COMBS MATERIALS • plastic comb • 5mm silver wire • 17 x jonquil Swarovski 6mm crystal bicones • 5 x amethyst Swarovski 5mm crystal bicones • 50 x coral Czech 4mm crystals • 19 x 6mm chrysolite AB Swarovski Crystallized bicones • 18 x pale blue 5mm round crystals

FAN COMB This is a colourful and playful comb, designed to be worn in a Spanish Mantilla style. It looks fabulous when set off at an angle in your hair, with the stems sticking out to the side.

TO CREATE Start by cutting a 30cm length of wire. Thread five coral Czech crystals, one amethyst crystal, then another five coral Czech crystals, onto it. Bend the wire in half, keeping the amethyst crystal at the top. Twist the wire together to create a petal/leaf shape.

Take the shortest piece of wire and wrap it round the end of the comb until you are left with the petal shape sitting at the top and near the edge.

Wrap the wire round a couple of prongs on the comb and add another five coral crystals, one amethyst, then another five coral crystals.

Loop the crystals down to create another petal/loop and place it next to the first one.

Continue these steps until you have five evenly spaced loops sitting across the top of the comb, as shown.

Cut the wire and wrap it around the

1

2 3

4 5

comb several times, then tuck it in.

Cut five pieces of wire approximately 10cm long.

Take the first piece of wire and add five jonquil Swarovski crystals to the middle.

Loop the crystals round into a circle and, using flat-nosed pliers, grip the two pieces of wire and twist them together to form one stem.

Load the other four pieces of wire the

6 7

8

same way but with three jonquil crystals on each. Twist the two pieces of wire together on each.

Take the wire with the five crystals on it and place it behind the centre petal shape.

Make sure that this stem is the longest.

Wrap the edges of the wire around the comb to secure it.

Wrap the wires with three crystals around the comb between the

9

10

remaining petals, ensuring that the middle two are slightly shorter than the central one, and the outer two are the smallest, creating a fan shape. Make sure you push the ends of the wire down to prevent scratching.

Next, take a 30cm-long piece of wire and wrap the end round the edge of the comb a couple of times. Load the wire with the pale blue

11

round crystals and chrysolite crystals, alternating them as you go.

Begin to wrap the crystals around the base of the comb, creating a neat line of three crystals across it.

Once you reach the end, wrap the wire around the edge of the comb and cut the extra length you have left. Push the wire inside other wires to tidy it up.

12

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

59

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 60

TIARAS AND COMBS

This is a simple comb that can be customised with any colour you like.

MATERIALS • small metal comb • 5mm silver wire • 0.3mm aqua green wire • 10 x emerald Swarovski 8mm crystal bicones • 18 x crystal clear 9mm round beads

60

TO CREATE Cut four pieces of silver wire, each approximately 10cm.

Create three circles by loading six clear crystals onto each piece of wire, then twisting the ends of the wire together.

Create a fourth circle using five emerald Swarovski crystal bicones, looping the wire to make a circle and twisting the ends together.

1 2 3

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Wrap the three stems with clear crystals onto the comb and place them randomly, sitting away from the comb.

Wrap the stem with emerald crystals around the comb and sit it slightly over the prong part of the comb.

Cut five lengths of aqua wire and add an emerald crystal.

Loop the wire down and twist it together to form a stem.

4 5 6

Wrap the five stems at random places along the comb.

7

TOP TIPS

GREEN COMB

Finish by coiling the wire round a pencil to form curly stems.

8

Change some of the crystals for freshwater pearls or Swarovski crystal pearls to obtain a softer look Don’t be shy with your colour palette.

Be bold and bright or tone down with nudes and pastels Always make sure you squash down the ends of the wire so that it doesn’t scratch you when you’re wearing your piece

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 61

TIARAS AND COMBS

BUTTERFLY AND FLOWER COMB This is a whimsical piece that combines a fabulous large flower bead I found in one of my favourite bead stores and my favourite thing to make – butterflies.

TO CREATE Cut a piece of wire and thread it through the large plastic flower. Attach the flower to the comb, slightly off-centre, by wrapping the wire around and through the prongs. Cut the wire and push the

1

edges flat.

To make the butterfly, cut a 30cm piece of wire and load all 45 coral beads onto it.

Separate 12 beads and bend the wire in half, so that you have six on one side and six on the other.

Twist the wire together and pull the two sides apart to create a petal shape.

Separate the petals and twist them until they look like butterfly wings.

Twist the wire to create a single stem and attach it to the comb by wrapping the end between the prongs.

2 3

4 5

Make sure you leave enough of a stem to give your butterfly the appearance of floating in mid air.

Take a 10cm piece of wire and load on approximately 28 lime seed beads.

Double the wire over to make the body.

Wrap the wire under the butterfly to secure the body, then pull the two ends of the wire up to make the two antennae.

Cut the two pieces of wire to the same length.

Add a lime green seed bead at the end of each antennae and, using

6 7 8 9

your flat-nosed pliers, grip the end of the wire (lightly so as not to break the seed bead) and create a small spiral to secure the bead.

Cut a 30cm piece of wire and wrap the end round the base of the comb. Load the wire with all of the blue and yellow beads in a random fashion, and wrap the wire along the base of the comb.

Once you reach the other end of the comb, cut the wire, then wrap it a few times round the end and tuck it in for safety.

10

11

MATERIALS • large plastic comb • 5mm silver wire • apple green large plastic flower

FOR THE BUTTERFLY: • 45 x coral 4mm Czech crystals • 30 x odd lime green seed beads

ON THE BASE OF THE COMB: • 5 x yellow 6mm Czech crystals • 8 x pale blue 5mm round beads • 20 x odd lime green seed beads

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

61

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 62

TIARAS AND COMBS LARGE FLOWER TIARA Another whimsical piece, which would be equally at home at a picnic, garden party, day at the races or summer wedding

TO CREATE Cut a 10cm piece of wire and slide on the large fuchsia flower.

Attach the flower and wire to the

1 2

MATERIALS • silver-plated Alice band tiara base • 5mm silver wire • fuchsia large plastic flower • 6 x fuchsia 8mm Czech crystals • orange seed beads • aqua seed beads • 4 x emerald AB Swarovski 8mm crystal bicones • sun Swarovski 8mm crystal bicone

62

side of the tiara band.

Wrap the wire, cut both ends and push them down with your flat-nosed pliers to prevent ragged edges.

To make the leaves, cut two 15cm pieces of wire and load approximately 100 seed beads onto each.

Bend the wire in half and twist it at the bottom to create one stem. Using your fingers, pull and push the two sides of the leaf to create a shape you like. Give your leaf some depth by gripping the end and bending the wire to give extra dimension.

Hold the two leaves together and wrap

3 4

5

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

them onto the comb next to the large flower.

Cut a 10cm piece of wire and load four emerald AB Swarovski bicones onto it. Loop the wire to form a circle and twist the two ends together.

Attach the wire to the tiara base, just above the leaves, and wrap the ends, cut and tidy them up.

To make the flower, cut a 30cm piece of wire and load it with approximately 10cm of orange seed beads.

Follow the steps for the butterfly in the Butterfly and Flower Comb on page 61.

At the centre of your flower, add a

6 7 8

9

WHERE TO BUY Most of the beads for these projects were bought from www.beadshopscotland.co.uk www.tiaramaking.com is great for combs and general tiara-making supplies Round crystal beads are available from www.totallybeads.co.uk single sun Swarovski bicone and attach the flower to the other side of the large plastic flower, by wrapping the wire and cutting the ends.

Take five of the fuchsia crystals and loop them in a circle on a piece of wire. Twist the two pieces of wire together and secure the circle to

10

the tiara base, underneath the orange seed bead flower.

To finish, cut a 10cm piece of wire and thread a single fuchsia bead on to it, bending the wire in half and twisting the two ends together.

Wrap the end of the wire round the tiara base and use a pencil to create a coil.

11

CBJ02 pp58-63 Tiaras and Combs_Beading 27/04/2010 17:24 Page 63

TIARA This piece is a traditional-style wedding tiara, with a splash of colour to add some intensity

TO CREATE Cut seven long strips of wire.

Starting with the middle branch, thread five clear crystals halfway down the wire, then bring the wire together to form a circle.

Twist the two ends of the wire about four or five turns, then add another four crystals. Twist the crystals into a circle and twist the wire

1 2 3

MATERIALS • tiara band • 5mm silver wire • 159 x Swarovski 4mm crystal clear bicones • 16 x Indian Pink 6mm AB Swarovski bicones

together, until the wire joins the original stem.

Continue adding four clear crystals and twisting the wire in this manner until you have a middle branch that contains six separate fronds.

Repeat Steps 2-4 another six times, but when you complete the last two branches, they should only have five separate fronds.

The trick is to make every pair slightly smaller than the last, so that your tiara graduates and tapers towards the end.

Find the centre of the tiara and wrap the tallest branch onto the base. Remember to wrap the wire neatly and cut the extra pieces away, and push down any ragged pieces of wire with your pliers.

Add the second branch, ensuring it is slightly smaller than

4 5

6

7

the centre branch. Then add the matching branch to the opposite side, being sure to match up the heights.

Continue adding the branches to the tiara base and, once they are all on, pull the branches slightly away from the centre, to create a splayed effect.

Cut four 10cm pieces of wire and thread four Indian Pink AB Swarovski crystals onto each. Loop the crystals round to form a circle and twist the ends of the wire to form one stem.

Add the four crystal stems to the tiara, evenly spacing them between the branches and ensuring that their heights match.

Cut four more pieces of wire and twist one Indian Pink AB Swarovski crystal onto each,

8

TOP TIP

TIARAS AND COMBS

9

10 11

There’s a knack to twisting wire so that it is neat and tidy. Practise twisting single beads onto wire to get used to creating uniform twists. Use your flat-nosed pliers to help you.

Sometimes when using the smaller Swarovski bicones, twisting the wire can be sore on your fingers as the crystal beads can be sharp – to combat this, cover the bead with a small piece of cloth to give you some grip

forming a stem.

Add the stems, evenly spaced, between the branches and the four crystal stems. Play around with the way they stand to add volume and interest to your tiara.

Wrap a long piece of wire around one end of the tiara, approximately 1cm away from the outer branch. Thread on one Indian Pink and 12 clear bicones, repeating until you

12

13

have five Indian Pink crystals between four sets of 12 clear crystals.

Begin wrapping the crystals around the base of the tiara, ensuring that you set them out evenly so that the middle Indian Pink crystal sits at the centre of the tiara. Keep wrapping until you reach the other end, wrap the wire around the base neatly a few more times and cut the wire, then push it down to secure.

14

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

63

CBJ02 pp64-67 Stone Age Man_Beading 27/04/2010 11:19 Page 64

JEWELLERY FOR MEN With Father’s Day just around the corner, Judith Hannington conjures up a selection of masculine makes that are guaranteed to go down a storm. And they’re perfect as birthday or anniversary gifts for that special man in your life, too JUDITH HANNINGTON DESIGNER

STONE AGE

man

and papercraft rubons. The latter method allows you to create a completely original and personal item.

STRUNG OUT

atural stones are a great place to start when creating men’s jewellery. They can be chosen for their colour and design or by the meanings often assigned to them, particularly in the case of precious and semiprecious gemstones.

Featured here is

N

64

snowflake obsidian – it is said to have calming and soothing properties and is associated with the star sign of Virgo.

BACK TO NATURE By combining natural stones in a variety of cuts with shell, wood and glass beads, together with a variety of silver beads

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

and findings, you can create a range of traditional jewellery items to suit your recipient’s personal taste and style.

Pieces featuring words are unique and will appeal to men.

You can use readymade engraved or etched components, or create your own from dog-tag style pendants

You can choose from a variety of stringing materials to suit your design and selected beads. Rubber cord is a great choice for masculine makes as it is chunky yet flexible.

Coil end-finishers can easily be formed from wire and a regular or handmade clasp attached. Tigertail or soft-flex wire is a strong choice and is simple to finish with crimps. If you prefer chain, perhaps opt for either chunky styles or snake chain as used here – it offsets more delicate designs well, while retaining a masculine feel.

START SIMPLE A great beginner project is to create a tie pin or set of cufflinks using cabochon stones.

These are cut and

polished flat-back stones that are ready to be set into your chosen finding and can additionally be used for rings, pendants and pendant-style key fobs. A two-part epoxy glue will give you the strongest bond for setting the stones and the only preparation necessary is to roughen the surface of the setting slightly to ensure good adhesion.

MADE TO FIT For the bracelet and necklace projects, your makes should be of an appropriate length. For masculine jewellery, this usually means a snug, rather than loose, fit.

Stringing material can be bought per metre and cut to size, while finished chains are available in a variety of lengths.

You can remove or add beads as necessary, simply by adding or removing pattern repeats.

CBJ02 pp64-67 Stone Age Man_Beading 27/04/2010 11:20 Page 65

JEWELLERY FOR MEN Lightly sand the flat setting surface of the tie clip and the cufflinks to roughen it a little, taking care not to mark the bevelled edges in any way.

Sit the settings on a level surface – the best way to level the cufflinks is to push them into a piece of foam or polystyrene.

On a piece of scrap cardboard, mix up a tiny amount of the epoxy glue (according to the manufacturer’s instructions).

Spread a tiny amount of glue thinly on each of the setting surfaces, then drop your cabochons into position.

To finish, press firmly and leave to dry.

1 2

TIE CLIP AND CUFFLINKS

3 4

TOP TIP

TO CREATE Clean any excess epoxy glue from your projects with a tissue while still wet, or carefully scrape away once dry

MATERIALS • sterling silver tie slide (10x8mm setting) • silver-plated cufflinks (18x13mm setting) • 10x8mm snowflake obsidian cabochon • 2 x 18x13mm snowflake obsidian cabochons • epoxy 30-minute glue

TOOLS • light-grade sandpaper • cocktail stick

‘ADD A BEAD’ RUBBER CORD NECKLACE

WHERE TO BUY

MATERIALS • black 2mm rubber cord • 4 x silver-plated choker beads • 6 x silver 8mm ring beads • small silver-plated ‘Add a Bead’ pendant • black patterned tube bead • 20-gauge (0.8mm) silver-plated wire • silver wire hook fastener (optional)

TOOLS • • • •

wire cutter knitting needle flat-nosed pliers round-nosed pliers (optional)

Create a tight coil of wire around a knitting needle (or similar) and snip into two pieces with your wire cutters.

Bend out the last complete rotation of wire at 90 degrees to the coil using your flat-nosed pliers and tuck the wire end into the centre of the coil on both pieces.

Slide the rubber cord into one of

1 2

3

the coil finishers.

Squeeze the wire end using flat-nosed pliers so the coil is squashed against the rubber cord, securing it firmly.

Thread the beads and pendant onto the cord, then trim it to the desired length.

Attach the second coil finisher to the cut end.

Create a simple hook from silver wire by shaping a

4 5

Visit www.thebeads knees.co.uk and www.stonecorner.co.uk for a variety of snowflake obsidian beads, including different-sized cabochons and a range of settings All the other beads and components featured here are available online from www.bead-exclusive.co.uk and from globaholic.com and www.dichro-findings.co.uk The rubber cord is available from www.charmsupplies.co.uk small length of the wire with your roundnosed and flat-nosed

pliers, or simply attach a ready-made hook to one of the coils.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

65

CBJ02 pp64-67 Stone Age Man_Beading 27/04/2010 11:20 Page 66

JEWELLERY FOR MEN clasp, thread it back through the crimp bead and add at least one more bead before pulling tight and trimming the end.

Loosen the wire loop around the clasp just a tiny amount before setting the crimp using your pliers.

4

MATERIALS

BEADED BRACELET TO CREATE Thread a crimp bead onto the end of a length of wire, add one half of your clasp, then thread the wire

1

end around the clasp and back through the crimp bead. Pull tight to secure the clasp in a small loop of wire before setting the crimp using your pliers.

Thread on all your beads in the pattern

shown, adjusting the length (as required) by adding or removing an equal number of beads from the start and end of the sequence. (Try to thread the wire end protruding from your crimp through at least

one of the first beads before trimming.)

Once you are happy with the length of your bracelet, thread on a crimp bead and the second half of your clasp. Bring the wire end around the

before setting the crimp using your pliers.

Sort 27 of the tumblechips into size order to go around the necklace so that you start with small chips on both sides and work towards larger chips in the middle.

3

Thread on all your beads in the pattern shown, adjusting the length (as required) by adding or removing an equal number of beads from the start and end of the sequence. (Try to thread the wire end protruding from your

crimp through at least one of the first beads before trimming.)

Once you are happy with the length of your necklace, thread on a crimp bead and the second half of your clasp. Bring the wire end around the clasp,

2

3

• 3 x black patterned tube beads • 4 x silver-plated choker beads • 4 x silver 8mm ring beads • 12 x antique silver 2mm spacer beads • 12 x jet 4mm pressed glass beads • 8 x jet 6mm pressed glass beads • 7-strand soft-flex beading wire • antique silver toggle clasp • 2 x silver 1mm crimp beads

TOOLS • crimping pliers

MATERIALS • 20g snowflake obsidian tumblechips • 10 x 8mm snowflake obsidian rondelle beads • string of black 4-5mm coco beads • 36 x antique silver 2mm spacer beads • 7-strand soft-flex beading wire • antique silver toggle clasp • 2 x silver 1mm crimp beads

TOOLS • crimping pliers

TUMBLECHIP NECKLACE TO CREATE Thread a crimp bead onto the end of a length of wire, add one half of your clasp then thread the wire end around the clasp and back through the crimp bead. Pull tight to secure the clasp in a small loop of wire

1

66

2

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

4

thread it back through the crimp bead and add at least one more bead before pulling tight and trimming the end.

Loosen the wire loop around the clasp just a tiny amount before setting the crimp using your pliers.

5

CBJ02 pp64-67 Stone Age Man_Beading 27/04/2010 11:20 Page 67

JEWELLERY FOR MEN TO CREATE Cut a 15cm length of wire and fold into a ‘U’ shape about a third of the way along using the tip of your roundnosed pliers.

Position the ‘dream’ ring onto the donut bead. Pass the two wire ends through the central hole, front to back, then bring the ends around the top of the bead and feed them through the folded loop before pulling tight.

The loop should be aligned with the outer edge of the donut bead and the ‘dream’ ring should be held to it snugly. Alter the position of the ‘dream’ ring as necessary to ensure it is centred, then grasp the wire ends and pull to retighten the binding wire.

Bend one of the wire ends through 90 degrees, a short distance

1

DREAM KEY FOB

2

3

4 TO CREATE Cut out a section of swirl rub-on of your choice, just larger than the dog tag pendant.

Remove the protective backing and position onto the pendant before firmly rubbing the surface to release the image.

Trim any excess rub-on from around the edge of the pendant using sharp scissors, taking care not to damage the metal.

Ensure both rub-ons are firmly adhered, then apply a very light coat of Glossy Accents over the surface of the pendant, making sure that the coverage is very thin as you approach the hanging hole. Set aside to dry on a level surface overnight.

Once dry, attach the pendant and leaf charm onto an open jump ring and fix onto the chain. Close the jump ring snugly.

away from the folded loop. Snip the other end off in line with the bend, then create a wrapped loop with the remaining wire. (See the Techniques glossary on page 106 for an illustrated step-bystep guide to creating a wrapped loop.)

Open the last link in the key fob chain using pliers and attach the beads to it through the wrapped loop. Alternatively, attach to the key fob chain using a jump ring.

5

MATERIALS • antique silver ‘dream’ affirmation ring • snowflake obsidian donut bead • carabiner-style key fob with chain • 22-gauge (0.6mm) silver-plated wire

TOOLS • round-nosed pliers • chain-nosed pliers • wire snips

‘LOVE’ DOG TAG PENDANT NEED TO KNOW

1

2

Ranger Glossy Accents is a clear, threedimensional gloss medium that dries to a hard, clear finish

3

4

MATERIALS • silver-plated large dog tag pendant • antique silver small leaf charm • snake chain • silver jump ring • BoBunny and Karen Foster rub-on word transfers • Ranger Glossy Accents glaze

TOOLS • • • •

rub-on tool small scissors flat-nosed pliers chain-nosed pliers

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

67

CBJ02 pp68-69 Store Kerno_Beading 27/04/2010 16:37 Page 68

KERNOWCRAFT

set in STONE Hannah Hodge of Kernowcraft uses an array of settings for her designs with fabulous results

HANNAH HODGE DESIGNER

ABOUT KERNOWCRAFT…

TO CREATE First, check how the beads sit correctly on the post – you may need to trim a little off the end with side cutters if the bead sits too high up. Lightly scuff or sand the post to give the glue better grip. Check the bead holes are free from dirt or debris.

Using a matchstick (or similar), mix a small amount of Devcon 5 minute epoxy glue with an equalsized ‘bead’ of glue from each tube.

Apply glue to the posts with a cocktail stick (or similar), place a bead on each post, ensuring it is straight, and allow to dry.

1

MATERIALS • 2 x sterling silver earstuds for 6mm beads (SF162) • 6mm turquoise halfdrilled beads (G71) • wet and dry sanding sheet (C163)

TOOLS • side cutters • matchstick • pin or cocktail stick

3

MATERIALS • 8mm round Snap-tite pendant setting (SP191) • 8mm faceted amethystcoloured cubic zirconia (W39) • sterling silver fine trace chain (SN1)

TOOLS • stone holder (C104) • pusher (C54) or burnisher (C166)

68

• Devcon 5 minute epoxy (C20)

2

TOP TIP

Since 1967, Kernowcraft has been supplying everything that jewellery makers need to make original and beautiful projects. The company’s passion for jewellery making goes hand in hand with its dedication to personal, speedy and high-quality service.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced addict, you will love Kernowcraft’s fantastic free catalogue, full of gemstones, beads, findings, precious metal clay, tools, metals, wire, books and all your jewellery-making essentials. Get ready to unleash your creativity and turn your jewellery dreams into a reality!

CUP & PEG EARSTUDS

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Gently push each earstud post into Blu-Tack to keep them upright while the glue is drying

SNAP-TITE PENDANT SETTING TO CREATE Select your Snap-tite setting and a faceted stone in the same size.

Lay the faceted stone face down onto a firm surface, place the mount over the stone and apply gentle pressure to ‘click’ the stone into place.

Check that the claws are firmly in place – it may be necessary to gently adjust the claws to ensure a secure fit.

Using a pusher or burnisher, gently push or rub the claws over the stone to make sure they are smooth and wearable.

1 2 3 4

CBJ02 pp68-69 Store Kerno_Beading 27/04/2010 16:38 Page 69

KERNOWCRAFT

BACKSET EARRING SETTING

MATERIALS

Snap-tite settings have pre-notched claws that grip the stone, meaning that you don’t need traditional stone-setting techniques to set faceted stones

Select your backset mount and matching sized stone to set in it.

Lay the faceted stone flat down into the mount, push down

1 2

the metal claws with a pair of pliers so that the stone is held securely in place.

Check the stone is secure and make any final adjustments.

3

TOOLS • pliers

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from www.kernowcraft.com; 01872 573888

CABOCHON BROOCH SETTING TO CREATE Check that your stone is a good fit within the bezel (it should fit snugly).

Using a matchstick (or similar), mix a small amount of Devcon 5 minute epoxy glue with an equal-sized ‘bead’ of glue from each tube.

1 2

Put a small amount of glue inside the setting, drop the stone into the bezel (making sure it is pressed down thoroughly) and allow to dry.

3

MATERIALS • sterling silver 5mm round dragonfly brooch (S72) • 5mm round rhodochrosite cabochon stone (H7) • Devcon 5 minute epoxy (C20)

TOOLS • matchstick

TOP TIP

NEED TO KNOW

TO CREATE

• 8x6mm oval earring backset settings (SF152) • 8x6mm faceted oval emerald-coloured cubic zirconia stones (W36)

Backset settings have claws behind the stone, which can be bent into place to hold it securely, giving you a simple and almost instant method of setting faceted stones www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

69

CBJ02 pp070_Beading 26/04/2010 12:03 Page 70

We are a family run business & we have two lovely shops in sunny Cornwall.

We stock everything you need to create wonderful jewellery!

Choose from: • Genuine West African Beads • Karen Hill Tribe Silver • Swarovski Crystal • Preciosa Crystal • Semi-precious Gemstones • Pearls • Locally made lamp work • & everything else you would expect from a great bead shop!

CONTACT US: Red Elephant Bead Shop Quay St, Truro TR1 2HB 01872 272314 OR: Dragonfly Gems 63 Trelowarren St, Camborne TR14 8AL 01209 612089 www.redelephantbeadshop.co.uk Website online as of June 2010

70

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

20% off WITH THIS ADVERT

CBJ02 pp71 Subs_SCP 27/04/2010 12:06 Page 71

Exclusive subscription offer i Ideas and

nspiration for jeweller y makin

Subscribe by for just £12.97 per quarter!

Subscriber benefits: • FREE delivery direct to your door • NEVER miss an issue • HUNDREDS of jewellery making ideas every issue • SPREAD the cost with Direct Debit • COMPLETE step-by-step guides

g and beadcrafts

With beading and jewellery making being the hottest craft for 2010, you too can now learn the secrets and create your own beautiful projects!

Every issue is packed with projects for all levels – from beginner through to advanced.

www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/6002

Call: 0844 561 1203 Quote Code: 6002 Please complete in ballpoint pen and send to: Creative Beads & Jewellery, CDS Global, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EF YES! I would like to subscribe to Creative Beads & Jewellery for £12.97 every quarter (UK only)

Quote Code:

6002

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Name and full postal address of your Bank of Building Society:

YOUR DETAILS:

To: The Manager

TITLE:............................. FORENAME:...........................................................

Address

Bank/Building Society

SURNAME: .....................................................................................................

ADDRESS: ......................................................................................................

Postcode

........................................................................................................................

Name(s) of Account Holder(s)

........................................................................................................................ ....................................... POSTCODE:...........................................................

DAYTIME TELEPHONE: .................................................................................

MOBILE TELEPHONE: ...................................................................................

EMAIL: ...........................................................................................................

To give a subscription as a gift, please complete the section above and supply the recipient’s address details on a separate sheet.

Offer applies to UK only. New subscriptions will start from the next available issue.

I DO NOT want Practical Publishing to contact me by email ■ telephone ■ post ■ ■ Tick this box if you do not wish to receive promotional material from other companies.

Branch Sort Code

■■■■■■

■■■■■■■■■

Office use only Reference

Originator’s Identification Number Signature

Offer expires 11/06/10

Bank/Building Society account number

4

3

2

1

3

7

Date

Please pay CDS Global Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with CDS Global and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building society.

Bank and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions for some accounts

CBJ02 pp72-73 Designer Gall_CBJ 27/04/2010 11:39 Page 72

DESIGNER GALLERY Be inspired by these fabulous designs and send your own creations in to us – we’d love to see them!

designer Each designer featured wins a Miyuki bead jewellery kit worth £12.70 kindly donated by The Bead Shop Scotland

www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Haddington 01620 822886 Edinburgh 0131 343 3222

GALLERY TWO-STRANDED PEARL AND CRYSTAL BRACELET

BY LISA VERNON FROM WADEBRIDGE, CORNWALL MATERIALS • • • • • •

pale peach 4mm and 5mm pearls 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones Soft Flex beading wire two-strand spacer bars trigger clasp jump rings

BROWN SWIRL BONE NECKLACE

BY ELIZABETH BROCKLEHURST FROM COVENTRY MATERIALS • • • • • • • •

brown swirl 30cm bone focal bead 24cm cut bone tube beads amber 7mm and 9mm acrylic beads brown 7mm and 9mm acrylic beads tigertail gold jump ring gold trigger clasp gold crimp beads

RED AND SILVER NECKLACE

BY MARGARET PETERSON FROM SHEFFIELD MATERIALS • • • • •

72

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

silver fashion chain red and silver 16cm flat glass beads silver 12cm flat filigree beads silver wire silver trigger clasp

CBJ02 pp72-73 Designer Gall_CBJ 27/04/2010 11:39 Page 73

DESIGNER GALLERY

BLACK VICTORIAN CHOKER

BY JANE BENNETT FROM CHESHIRE MATERIALS • black seed beads • jet 3mm, 4mm and 6mm AB bicone glass beads • jet 10mm faceted glass drop • fishing line • silver eyepins • silver headpins • silver 4mm jump rings

PINK AND BLACK TIERED NECKLACE

BY ELLEN MEAKIN FROM TONBRIDGE, KENT MATERIALS • black and pink The Beadery imitation freshwater pearls • curb chain • bolt ring clasp • headpins • eyepins

CRYSTAL STRETCH BRACELET

BY CARA NASH FROM NORTHAMPTON MATERIALS • clear stretch cord • 18mm twisted faceted crystal square beads • silver 6mm diamante rondelles

Want to see your masterpiece on these pages? Please send your best creations to: Designer Gallery, Creative Beading & Jewellery, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL. Don’t forget to include your name, address and a list of the materials you used.

NB: Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your projects to be returned.

Alternatively send a JPEG image to lindsey.hopkins@practicalpublishing.co.uk with the subject CBJ Readers’ Gallery.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

73

CBJ02 pp74-75 Bead Doc_Beading 27/04/2010 16:23 Page 74

BEAD DOCTOR

bead DOCTOR Got a beading query or a jewellery dilemma? Ask our expert Carolyn Shulz for the answers ...with Carolyn Schulz

TIME-SAVING TOOLS Is it possible to buy one set of pliers with multiple functions rather than buy several individual pairs of pliers?

Alison, East Sussex

ABOUT CAROLYN… Carolyn has been involved in almost every aspect of the craft industry for the last 25 years. She started out as a hobbyist, making her own creations at home and selling them at craft fairs and to local specialty stores.

Carolyn went on to write several books and became the editor of three UK craft magazines.

Beads played an important part in two of Carolyn’s books and over the last 20 years she has unintentionally become an expert at teaching jewellerymaking techniques! In addition to private courses and personal tuition, she teaches creative jewellery at West Herts College and also writes a regular column for the largest craft magazine in the US, Creative Home Arts.

For the last six years, Carolyn has served on the board of the Craft and Hobby Association, an international trade association for the creative industry.

Although born and educated in California, Carolyn lives here in the UK but flies across the Atlantic 8-10 times a year. As a result, she is acquainted with the styles and trends both in the US and Europe.

74

CAROLYN SAYS...

FEELING PATRIOTIC I am looking for red, white and blue beads to decorate a costume for my daughter’s school play. I really like miracle beads but am struggling to find them in these colours.

Can you help, or maybe suggest an alternative?

Martha, South Wales

BEADS ON THE MOVE I am looking for something to store all my beads and tools in. Do you have anything you can recommend?

I would prefer a storage system I can carry around, as we often go away in a caravan at the weekend and I like to take my beads with me.

Sally, by email

CAROLYN SAYS...

As a jewellery teacher constantly on the go, I know exactly what you mean about wanting a storage system that can easily transport beads and tools.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CAROLYN SAYS...

Good news, Martha – I have found miracle beads (created to give an illusion of added depth or dimension) in the red, white and blue colours you require, available from www.justbeads.co.uk.

They have them in 6mm and 8mm rounds, as well as 7x4mm ovals.

There are several systems available.

One of the most cost effective is the Beadsmith Mini Traveller bead storage case. It has six boxes stored in a zip-front tote bag that has a carrying handle and removable and adjustable shoulder strap. Three of the storage boxes have nine compartments, with the remaining three having a single compartment for larger items or a collection of smaller containers.

Alternatively, one of my students swears by her Portable Stacking Bead Storage System, which has five round containers (16cm

One of my favourite tools is the 3-in-1 tool by The Beadery. It has round-nosed tips for making loops, a flat centre that can be used as pliers and wire cutters close to the handles. The 3-in-1 is perfect for making simple and wrapped loops because you don’t have to keep changing tools – as you can imagine, this is a big time saver! The 3-in-1 is available from most beading shops.

diameter, 3.5cm depth, including lid). Each container is divided into five separate sections with hinged lids, perfect for beads and findings.

Both are available

from www.the crystalphoenix.com, the Beadsmith Mini Traveller at £15.99 and the Portable Stacking System at £7.95.

CBJ02 pp74-75 Bead Doc_Beading 27/04/2010 16:24 Page 75

BEAD DOCTOR NEW RECRUIT

Congratulations and welcome to a fun and addictive hobby! I tell my new students that the essential tools for their kit bag are two pairs of chain-nosed pliers with smooth jaws (these have flat, tapered jaws that come to a point), one pair of round-nosed pliers (these have round tapered jaws that come to a point), one flush wire cutter and a small pair of sharp scissors.

Chain-nosed pliers are useful for wirework, and you need two pairs for opening jump rings, plus you’ll use

round-nosed pliers to make loops. Obviously, wire cutters are for cutting wire and scissors for cutting thread, cord, ribbon, etc. Turn to page 109 for more information on tools.

There are lots of other tools that make various jobs easier, and these can be added to your kit as and when you find the need.

Over time, you may wish to purchase nylon-jawed pliers for straightening wire, memory wire shears for cutting memory wire, thread knotters for knotting between beads, 3-in-1 tools for making wire loops, seed bead threaders for threading seed beads quickly, bead reamers for clearing any blockages in bead holes, split ring openers... I could go on – and on!

ROUND-NOSED PLIERS

CHAIN-NOSED PLIERS

Pliers with round jaws that taper to a point are used for forming loops and curves and are ideal for creating your own jump FOR rings.

MORE

Also known as snipenosed pliers, these have flat jaws on the inside and rounded jaws on the outside and are designed for precision jobs such as creating wrapped loops.

I am an absolute beginner at making jewellery and was wondering if you could give me some advice on the tools I need to get started?

Brenda, Norwich

CAROLYN SAYS...

SEE TOOLS 109 PAGE

FLOAT YOUR BOAT Can you make a floating necklace without using a beading board?

Susan, Manchester

CAROLYN SAYS...

Yes you can – to make sure the beads are evenly spaced, simply use a ruler! Decide on

how big you want the spaces between the beads (for example in 1” increments), then start by threading on your central bead and work up one side using the ruler, placing a crimp on either side to prevent the beads from moving from their desired position.

TRIP WIRE

test strength, the stronger the thread or wire. Alternatively, you can use ‘wire guardians’ or ‘gimp’ (also known as bullion or French wire) to protect threads or wires at the point where they get the most wear. The thread is strung through the guardian or hollow coil of wire (gimp) that you string at the connection between the beaded thread and the finding.

The guardian or coil strengthens the connection while adding a professional look.

I love threading beads and making multi-strand necklaces, but I find that the threads start to wear and break after a while. Is there a stronger thread that I can use to keep my jewellery pieces from breaking?

Annalise, Ashbourne, Derbys

CAROLYN SAYS...

Many thread manufacturers put the ‘test strength’ in pounds on the reel. Obviously, the larger the

INSPIRED WITH WIRE I bought some beading wire recently, and it is far too thin for the purpose I bought it for. I can’t find my receipt so can’t return it, but I would still like to make something with it. It is 0.3mm.

Do you have any ideas?

Melanie, Ely, Cambs

CAROLYN SAYS...

I have had the same problem myself, Melanie! You may wish

to make a necklace, have holes large using several strands of enough to pass through your thin wire. Using two or three strands, crimp beads, ‘float’ but it works really well. beads onto the wire at random intervals.

If yo Similarly, for a questio u have a n for C bracelet I just email it arolyn, to beaddo use two or ctor three strands publishin@practical g.co.uk of wire in o r w rite to Bead D place of & Jewe octor, Creative one. It is a ll e Court, A ry, Unit 1 A Beads dling little more dling Maccle ton Business ton fiddly and you Park, sfield, C SK10 4 heshire must remember NL to buy beads that

STICKY SITUATION Please can you tell me what glue you would recommend for sticking my beads to the thread I am using for my necklace?

Phoebe, Dorset

CAROLYN SAYS...

There is a vast array of adhesives that will work perfectly well. Beadcraft sells Appliglue, which is designed for use with textile craft and decorative artwork.

It is ideal for beadwork such as gluing rhinestones, sequins, wooden beads, etc, and it’s washable so can be used when customising clothing.

It is available from www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk priced at £2.15 for 30ml or £4.85 for 120ml.

There are two other glues that I also use regularly when making jewellery, both by Beadalon. Bead Stringing Glue is perfect for use with silk and thread, as well as leather, synthetic cords,

satin cord and ribbon. It has a precision applicator that helps to apply adhesive with accuracy in small, detailed areas, such as knots between beads. Bead Fix glue is perfect for use with glass, stone, metal, plastic, wood and most other types of beads. It also includes a precision applicator and is resistant to cold, heat and water and is very quick setting.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

75

CBJ02 pp76 Store World of Bead_Beading 27/04/2010 16:20 Page 76

WORLD OF BEADS

shining BRIGHT These modern earrings combine statement lampwork beads with crystals and freshwater pearls for a fun and eyecatching yet effortlessly elegant look

SIMON SCANTLEBURY DESIGNER

ABOUT WORLD OF BEADS…

TO CREATE

The company is a partnership, run by Michele Dobson and Simon Scantlebury, who are more or less self-taught and came into the business quite by accident!

In 2004, they had returned from working selling jewellery abroad, bringing a few things back with them, and were having coffee in Winchester when they came across a stand offering beads and findings. A brief chat with the owner revealed that he was retiring and the business was due to close within a week – so they bought it there and then!

The early days were very much a process of trial and error, but before long they had expanded and updated the business.

They moved into new premises four years ago and Simon started making his own beads.

Inspired by a one-day lesson given as a Christmas present, he found he had a natural flair for designing and creating beads and his garden shed quickly became a studio. His beads are now a popular product in the shop.

Thread the lampwork beads and two Swarovksi crystals onto a headpin.

Hold the headpin in the round-nosed pliers, approximately 2-3mm from the top of the bead, and create a loop by wrapping the wire around the pliers.

Using flat-nosed pliers, wrap the wire end around the gap created between the bead and the headpin, working down towards the bead.

Once finished, trim any excess wire as close as possible and tuck in the end with flat-nosed pliers.

Repeat with all the remaining Swarovski crystals and the freshwater pearls.

To assemble the earrings, thread the lampwork bead and the 4mm crystals onto a single jump ring.

Thread the remaining beads onto the second jump ring and attach it to the first ring and the extension chain.

Attach the ‘loaded’ extension chain to the ear wire.

Repeat the process to make the pair.

1

2 3 4 5

6 7

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from World of Beads, 1 Stonemasons Court, Parchment Street, Winchester, Hants SO23 8AT; www.worldofbeads.co.uk; 01962 861255 76

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

MATERIALS • 2 x lampwork beads • 10 x 4mm Swarovski bicones • 2 x 6mm Swarovski bicones • 4 x 5-7mm baroque freshwater pearls • 15 x 50mm sterling silver headpins

• 4 x 6mm sterling silver open jump rings • 1 x 50mm sterling silver extension chain • sterling silver ear wires

TOOLS • flat-nosed and round-nosed pliers • side cutters

PE55 pp40 CCM15 ad_PE55 pp 27/04/2010 11:29 Page 40

On sale exclusively through all good craft shops ISSUE 15 ON SAL E

NOW!

ur nearest stockist visit o y d n fi To

ativecardmakingmagazine.co.uk e r c . w ww

CBJ02 pp78-81 Fabulous Felt Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 16:52 Page 78

FELT JEWELLERY

fabulous FELT Ellen Kharade guides us through the traditional art of felting and shows us how to incorporate the material into our jewellery making for unique designs

ELLEN KHARADE DESIGNER elting is an ancient craft that goes back thousands of years and was used for functional as well as decorative purposes. Felting is the process of creating a single dense wool fabric from loose strands of wool known as carded wool, tops or wool

F

78

sliver. All of these terms refer to wool that has been combed and is ready for felting. Quite often the wool has been dyed into a myriad of beautiful colours but it can also be used in its undyed form, which accentuates the unusual wool qualities and colour of the breed of sheep.

FELTING FIBRES The wool used for the jewellery featured here is merino from the Merino sheep. It is a good-quality wool and felts really well due to its short, fine fibres. Other animal fibres can also be felted, including alpaca and angora, and there is a wide

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

variety of fancy fibres available from rare breed sheep, both dyed and undyed.

Very fine synthetic fibres called Angel Hair or Angelina fibres, which reflect and refract the light to create iridescent highlights, can be incorporated into carded wool during the felting process.

Once you have picked up all the basics, you can experiment with different fibres and colours to help make your finished pieces truly individual.

FELTING TECHNIQUES In the process of felting, the wool fibres lock together to create a dense

fabric that is both warm and waterproof.

There are basically two ways to lock fibres together – the wet method or the dry method. The dry method uses a large felting needle, which is extremely sharp and has barbs along the shank.

The needle is stabbed repeatedly into the wool fleece, interlocking the fibres until they bond. Other fabrics such as denim and linen can be needle-felted with small motifs, and the advantage over wet felting is that very fine features and detailing can be added accurately using a single needle.

Wet felting is more

suitable for larger pieces and uses water, soap and friction to bond the wool together. The wool fibres are pulled off in tufts and set onto a bamboo blind, then wetted with hand-hot water and rubbed with soap, during which the scales on the shaft of the fibres swell and lock together permanently. The fleece is then rolled in a bamboo mat, causing more friction.

This is known as the fulling process, which thickens the fibres and shrinks them to size. Plain and quite complicated patterns and designs can be built up using this method. Round beads are made by wrapping up lengths of fleece and rolling them into balls, then wetting, soaping and rolling until they shrink and harden to size.

The felt jewellery here has been made using the wet felt method to create three pieces, each with a different look. The felt beads incorporate several layers of colour to make a long section, which is then cut up and rolled to make beads. The bangle is made by plaiting together several different colours of felt, wetting, soaping and hand shaping – the ends are stitched together whilst still wet and rubbed until the right size and shape is achieved.

CBJ02 pp78-81 Fabulous Felt Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 16:52 Page 79

FELT JEWELLERY TO CREATE Cover your work surface with a waterproof mat and lay down a bamboo mat or blind. Starting in the left-hand corner, lay down tufts of pink fleece vertically, overlapping the pieces. Continue

1

MATERIALS • red, dark red and fuchsia pink merino carded fleece • plastic sheet or other waterproof mat • piece of net curtain • bamboo blind and mats • bowl of hand-hot water • bar of glycerine or olive oil soap • cotton cord or string • pink embroidery thread • white rocailles beads • red seed beads • large brooch fixing

down the blind until you have a square measuring about 23cm. Starting in the left-hand corner again, lay down another row of pink tufts, this time working them horizontally across the first set. Lay down a third layer of pink tufts vertically, making sure that there are no gaps.

From the red fleece, pinch off long thick tufts and lay them in a rough eight-petal

2

flower pattern. Pull off tufts of dark red fleece and lay them on top of the red fleece, being careful not to disturb the layers beneath.

Carefully place the netting over the fleece and sprinkle with hand-hot water until the fleece is thoroughly wet but not sopping.

Rub soap over the entire surface, then using the flats of your hands rub over the surface until the fibres beneath no longer move. Turn the felt

3

over, soap and rub until the fibres no longer move.

Remove the netting and fold the felt up, then gently agitate it in warm water until it runs clear. Take care as the felt is still quite fragile at this stage.

Gently lay the damp felt onto a dry bamboo mat and roll up, then tie up the ends of the mat with string. Roll the mat backwards and forwards for at least 10 minutes, checking

4 5

TOOLS

6

7

TOP TIPS

• sewing kit

the felt periodically and turning it through 360° until it has shrunk and thickened to the desired size. Leave the felt in a warm place to dry out overnight.

Pin the flower template to the felt, matching it up with the flower on the felt as much as possible, then cut the shape out.

Using three strands of pink embroidery thread, hand-sew three lines up each of the petals in backstitch.

Hand-sew a large bunch of rocailles and beads into the centre of the flower.

Turn the flower over and sew the first 1cm of the petals together with a few stitches – this gives the flower a more three-dimensional form. Hand-stitch the brooch fixing onto the back of the corsage using strong thread.

Glycerine soaps or olive oil-based soaps tend to work really well for wet felting

FLOWER CORSAGE beginner

BASIC TECHNIQUE Cover your work surface with a waterproof mat and lay a bamboo blind or placemat on top. Cut the fleece into lengths of about 4cm. Pull off tufts of fleece and, starting in the left-hand corner, lay them in vertical lines across the blind. Work a second row, overlapping them as you do so, and continue down the blind

1

Lay your fibres out dry and decide which colours look good together

until you have reached your desired size.

Pull off tufts of fleece, the same size as above, and starting in the top left-hand corner, lay them down horizontally over the first row, making sure that they are overlapping. Once completely covered, lay down another row vertically, overlapping as before to ensure that there are no gaps. Now is the time to add a

2

little more fleece to areas that look thin.

Lay a piece of net curtain gently over the fleece, taking care not to disturb the fibres beneath. Sprinkle hand-hot water over the surface, making sure that the fleece is completely wet, but not sopping.

Rub a bar of soap over the entire surface. Using light pressure and without disturbing the fleece

3

4

beneath, rub over the surface with your hands for about 10 minutes or until the fibres no longer move and the felt has come together. Gently turn the felt over, and soap and rub as above.

Remove the netting and fold the felt up, then gently agitate it in warm water until it runs clear. Take care as the felt is still quite fragile at this stage.

5

Gently lay the damp felt onto a dry bamboo mat and roll up, tying up the ends of the mat with pieces of string. Roll the mat backwards and forwards for at least 10 minutes, checking the felt periodically and turning it through 360° until it has shrunk and thickened to the desired size.

Leave in a warm place to dry out overnight.

6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

79

CBJ02 pp78-81 Fabulous Felt Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 16:52 Page 80

FELT JEWELLERY BANGLE

TOP TIP

intermediate

For small projects, roll your pieces in bamboo placemats or save up several projects to roll at once

MATERIALS • turquoise, lime green, petrol blue and dark blue merino carded fleece • plastic sheet or other waterproof mat • bamboo blind • bowl of hand-hot water • rubber gloves • bar of glycerine or olive oil soap • turquoise small flower sequins • green seed beads • thin hair bands

TOOLS • sewing kit

80

TO CREATE Cut a 30cm length of the petrol blue, dark blue and lime green fleeces and lay them side by side. Pull off two long turquoise strips and lay them over the lime and petrol blue fleece. Hold one end of all of the strands together and secure with a hair band, then plait the fleece fairly tightly.

Secure the end with a hair band.

Wet the length of the plait with handhot water and run a bar

1

2

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

of soap up and down it.

Rub with your hands and roll over the bamboo mat as you work so the fibres begin to lock and mesh together. Dip the plaited rope in hot water and soap and rub again until the fibres no longer move. Rinse the felt in clear warm water.

Undo the hair bands and try the rope around your wrist for size – aim for a slightly generous fit to allow for the shrinking process. Trim the ends

3

to neaten them and, using strong thread, sew the ends of the rope together to form a bangle. Stitch neatly all around the edges of the join and inside to ensure that the bangle won’t come apart.

Dip the bangle in hand-hot water and rub with soap as before, using your hands to form the bangle into more of a tube shape. Bounce the bangle on the bamboo mat to shrink it, and keep rubbing and forming with your

4

hands until it is the desired shape and fit.

Rinse the bangle until the water runs clear of soap then, wearing rubber gloves, shock the bangle in first boiling and then cold water. Wrap the bangle in towels to remove excess water and leave in a warm place to dry out overnight.

Sew small sequins and beads along the length of the bangle roughly 1cm apart, keeping them evenly spaced as you do so.

5

6

CBJ02 pp78-81 Fabulous Felt Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 16:52 Page 81

FELT JEWELLERY

MATERIALS MULTICOLOUR ROLLED NECKLACE advanced

TO CREATE Cut long strips of fleece in the four colours, tease out the fibres so that they are not all bunched up together, and lay the pieces on top of one another, preferably with a light colour on top of

1

a dark colour. Lay the netting on top of the fleece and sprinkle the surface with hand-hot water so that the fleece is wet but not sopping.

Being careful not to disturb the fleece below, gently rub over the netting with the soap, then using the flats of your hands rub over the surface until the fibres beneath no longer move. Turn the felt over, soap and rub until the fibres no longer move.

WHERE TO BUY A wide variety of coloured wool sliver is available from www.texereyarns.co.uk Jewellery findings and wire are available from www.cooksongold.com

Remove the netting and fold the felt up, then gently agitate it in warm water until it runs clear. Take care as the felt is still quite fragile at this stage.

Gently lay the damp felt onto a dry bamboo mat and roll up, tying up the ends of the mat with string. Roll the mat backwards and forwards for at least 10 minutes, checking the felt periodically and turning it through 360° until it has shrunk and thickened to the desired size.

Leave the felt in a warm place to dry out overnight.

Using the cutting mat or scissors cut 15 strips of felt, each measuring 1.5x6cm.

2 3

4

Roll up the strips and secure the ends with a few stitches.

Thread a necklet end onto the Tigertail, followed by a crimp, then thread the end of the Tigertail back through the crimp and the necklet end, so that the crimp sits in the necklet end. Using pliers, squeeze the crimp shut.

Thread on an orange bead first, then a felt bead using a darning needle.

Alternate until all the beads have been used, finishing with an orange bead.

Thread on a necklet end, then a crimp, and push the end of the Tigertail back through the crimp and necklet end, keeping the beads

5

6

7

• plum, yellow, dark pink and purple merino carded fleece (or four colours of your choice) • plastic sheet or other waterproof mat • piece of net curtain • bamboo blind and mats • bowl of hand-hot water • bar of glycerine or olive oil soap • cotton cord or string • 50cm Tigertail wire • decorative necklace fastener or carabiner clasp • 2 x necklet ends • 2 x crimps • 16 x orange matt 8mm beads

TOOLS • sewing kit • cutting mat, metal ruler and rotary cutter (optional) • jewellery-making pliers • long darning needle

under tension on the wire. Squeeze the crimp shut. Push the end of the wire through the first bead and trim away the excess. Attach the hooks at the end of the necklet.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

81

CBJ02 pp82-85 Polymer Clay_Beading 27/04/2010 18:46 Page 82

POLYMER CLAY

SAMANTHA BERMAN DESIGNER

textured TREATS

Samantha Berman shows us how to add texture and curves to PMC creations using both manufactured and found objects.

The results are simply stunning!

1

CURVED HEART PENDANT TO CREATE Roll out the PMC to the thickness of four stacked playing cards.

Use badger balm or olive oil to lubricate a word stamp and stamp onto the clay.

Lubricate the heart cutter and create the shape. Use shaping tools or a brush to smooth any rough edges.

Lubricate a curved plastic spoon. Place the heart into the spoon, as shown (Fig 1), and leave to dry.

1 2

3

MATERIALS • PMC • non-stick surface (a laminated sheet of A4 paper is fine) • Teflon sheet • badger balm or olive oil • curved plastic measuring spoon • texture stamps to include lettering for the main heart • texture sheet for the reverse side of the heart (optional) • roller • playing cards • water spray • brush

TOOLS • • • •

clay-shaping tool diamond-shaped cutters various sanding pads sanding papers and burnishers • mini hand drill • curved plastic spoon

82

OXIDIZING Oxidizing silver will turn the surface black. If you oxidize the entire item and then polish the top surface you will have a contrast between the dark stain of the oxidized areas and the shiny polished top surface.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

HOW TO DO IT: Put a pea-sized chunk of Liver of Sulphur into a glass bowl that is large enough to hold the item you wish to oxidize. Fill the bowl with hot tap water.

Use a plastic or wooden spoon to mix the solution until the Liver of Sulphur has dissolved.

Turn to page 85 for a step-by-step guide to using PMC

1

2

Place your item in the hot water solution and leave it there until it darkens.

The longer you leave it, the darker it gets.

Rinse the oxidized item under a hot and then cold tap.

3 4

2

(Remember that clay reacts with aluminium if left in contact for too long, so it is advisable to use a plastic spoon.)

Roll out some additional clay to the thickness of four stacked playing cards. Using your rubberstamps (or any textures that you choose), stamp the pattern onto the clay and cut out the small heart shapes. Leave to dry (Fig 2).

Once dry, sand all the pieces. For the large heart, I used sixpart polishing papers in stages to shine to a wonderful shine.

Use the small hand drill to make the holes. (The large heart and two of the mini hearts need two holes.)

Fire the pieces by torch or kiln.

Burnish and shine the pieces.

Oxidise the pieces using liver of sulphur and re-polish to a high shine, leaving the dark detailed sections to show off the texture, as shown.

4

5 6 7 8 9

CBJ02 pp82-85 Polymer Clay_Beading 27/04/2010 18:46 Page 83

LEAF PENDANT TO CREATE Roll the PMC to the thickness of four stacked playing cards.

Place a skeleton leaf texture side down onto the clay. Stack four playing cards on each side of the rolled clay. Roll the leaf onto the clay.

Use a toothpick to cut around the edges to create a clay leaf shape (Fig 1). Use shaping tools or a brush to smooth any rough edges (Fig 2).

1 2 3

Carefully remove the skeleton leaf from the clay and discard (Fig 3).

Take five small pieces of clay and roll them into balls.

Set aside to dry.

Use a bail template, or make a bail freehand, and place it over a straw to get a circular shape. Apply PMC paste liberally at every point where the clay will meet the leaf to ensure a good bond. You may want to use a piece of bark for texture. The bail

4 5 6

should be pasted to both the front and back of the leaf and the straw should remain in place until the clay has dried.

Once the clay balls have dried, attach them to the leaf using PMC paste and leave to dry.

Sand the leaf when dry, ensuring that you don’t sand on the textured part. Blunt the point of the leaf.

Fire the leaf by torch or kiln.

Brush, burnish and shine

7 8

9 10

FIND OUT MORE

POLYMER CLAY

For more information on PMC, the Metal Clay Academy is a great place to start. The independent website at www.metalclayacademy.com lists a variety of FAQs and resources, as well as details of suppliers and classes.

For more technical information and a handy users’ bulletin board, visit the PMC Guild at www.pmcguild.co.uk You can also find a wide variety of literature and illustrated books about jewellery making with metal clay

the leaf.

Oxidise the leaf using liver of sulphur and re-polish

11

to a high shine, leaving the dark, detailed sections to show off the texture.

MATERIALS 1

2

3

• PMC • non-stick surface (a laminated sheet of A4 paper is fine) • Teflon sheet • badger balm or olive oil • skeleton leaf • texture for the reverse side of the leaf • toothpick • roller • drinking straw

• playing cards • water spray • PMC paste

TOOLS • • • • • •

brush clay-shaping tool diamond-shaped cutters various sanding pads sanding papers burnishers

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

83

CBJ02 pp82-85 Polymer Clay_Beading 27/04/2010 18:46 Page 84

POLYMER CLAY SHELL SEEKERS

MATERIALS • PMC • non-stick surface (a laminated sheet of A4 paper is fine) • Teflon sheet • badger balm or olive oil • shell • Swarovski butterfly • beading wire • jump ring • pliers • 2-part silicone moulding putty

TO CREATE Take equal quantities of the silicone moulding putty and blend until you achieve an even colour (Fig 1).

Press the shell into the putty so that the entire shell is covered.

Leave to set for

1 2 84

• • • •

roller playing cards water spray PMC Paste

TOOLS • • • • • • •

brush clay-shaping tool diamond-shaped cutters various sanding pads sanding papers burnishers mini hand drill

approximately 10 minutes (Fig 2).

Once the putty has set, remove the shell to reveal the texture. (Fig 3).

Lubricate the shell and the putty with badger balm or olive oil. Roll the clay to the thickness of four

3 4

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

stacked playing cards.

Gently place the clay into the putty and press the shell on top so that you create a doublesided texture (Fig 4).

Holding the shell in place, carefully trim away any excess clay and return it to the packet.

Remove the clay on the shell from the putty and leave to dry. Once it has

5 6 7 2

started to dry, remove it from the shell so that the underside dries.

Once completely dry, sand around the edges ensuring that you don’t sand on the textured area.

Carefully make a hole for the jump ring with the hand drill.

Fire the shell by torch or kiln.

Once cool, brush, burnish and shine the shell.

8

Embellish with a butterfly, jump ring and wire as shown.

12 1

9 10 11 3

4

CBJ02 pp82-85 Polymer Clay_Beading 27/04/2010 18:46 Page 85

POLYMER CLAY

6-STEP TECHNIQUE MATERIALS

Lightly grease anything that will come into contact with metal clay (including your hands), with the exception of the Teflon sheet. Roll the clay in your hands and place on your texture sheet.

Roll the clay with a roller, starting with 10 playing cards on each side and taking them down two at a time until you have no fewer than four cards either side. (Ensure that your cards stay on the texture sheet either side of the clay at all times, as shown.)

1

playing cards water spray brush clay-shaping tool shaped cutters or craft knife hand drill (if required) various sanding pads, sanding papers and burnishers

Lightly grease another texture sheet for the top side of the clay and roll this onto the clay, making sure it is also on top of the playing cards.

Lightly grease a cutter or craft knife and cut out the shape required. If the clay becomes stuck in the cutter, dampen your brush with water and gently push it down the edge of the cutter to lever out the clay, making sure you don’t put any indentations into it. Use a clay shaper or metal tool

2

3

to smooth the sides of the clay and shape as desired.

Set aside to dry, which will take 1224 hours for air drying, depending on your room temperature.

For faster drying, try using a food dehydrator, a hot plate on a cool setting with the clay placed on a piece of Teflon, or an oven or kiln at a very low temperature.

Once dry, begin the sanding process.

This is the most important stage of the whole process, so take

4

5

NEED TO KNOW

• • • • • • •

Each form of PMC will shrink during firing as follows: PMC Original (kiln-fire only) – 28% shrinkage PMC+ (kiln or torch-fire) – 12% shrinkage PMC3 (kiln or torch-fire) – 12% shrinkage

as long as necessary to ensure the piece is fully sanded. For a mirror finish, the seven-stage coloured sanding papers are excellent.

You can also put holes into your pieces at this stage with a hand drill or craft knife.

Fire your piece, either in a kiln or

6

TOP TIP

• PMC • laminated A4 paper or other non-stick surface • Teflon sheet • Badger Balm or olive oil • texture sheets of your choice (shallow for the back) • roller

with a butane torch, and, using a softbristle brush with soap and water, brush the piece until you see matt silver, then burnish to reach the finished shiny result.

(When burnishing, do not use anything sharp as this will scratch the silver.)

If using olive oil for greasing your tools and hands, it is best to put this into a small container with a sponge. Never over-saturate items with the oil, just use a small amount as an anti-stick agent

1

2

3

4

5

6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

85

CBJ02 pp86-89 Wire Quick Tricks_Beading 27/04/2010 16:19 Page 86

QUICK TRICKS WITH...

WIRE

to the WIRE

This issue’s Quick Tricks guide comes from Judith Hannington, who demonstrates the many uses of wire with delightful results JUDITH HANNINGTON DESIGNER

ire is the basis for many staple jewellery components – headpins, eyepins, jump rings, clasps... the list goes on. It comes in many different varieties in terms of size, colour and finish. Wire is measured in terms of its gauge (thickness) – ABOUT JUDITH... the higher the gauge, To find outitmore the finer is. It about is Judith, see page usually sold by20 weight

W

86

so the thinner the wire, the more length you will get.

I have opted to use copper wire for all the projects featured here because it’s ideal for jewellery with a summer feel, thanks to the brightness of the copper. However, combined with green and amber beads, the colours are also wearable into the autumn, making these pieces a versatile choice

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

for your wardrobe.

Copper is a great choice if you are new to using wire as it is solid through to the core (rather than coated) and therefore much more tolerant.

These projects illustrate how wire can be used to make your own findings, such as eyepins and decorative headpins, and also how to add wire details to beaded components and to

create complete pieces of jewellery.

You will need a few essential tools, including side cutters for cutting lengths of wire and neatly trimming ends, and round-nosed and

chain-nosed pliers.

A steel stake and chasing hammer are optional but useful if you want to work harden (strengthen) and flatten any wireformed decorative elements in the pieces.

Different gauges of wire suit different tasks – take a look at our Findings glossary on page 108 for information on the sizes of wire best suited to your projects. The Techniques glossary on page 106 contains step-by-step instructions for creating the plain and wrapped loops used here, and the method for using crimping pliers.

CBJ02 pp86-89 Wire Quick Tricks_Beading 27/04/2010 16:19 Page 87

QUICK TRICKS WITH...

WIRE TO CREATE Cut 25cm of wire.

Using the tip of your round-nosed pliers, curl one end into a tight loop. Hold the

1

loop flat in your chain-nosed pliers and rotate in small degrees, repositioning your pliers regularly to create a spiral.

Position the spiral shape flat on your steel stake and gently hammer to flatten and strengthen it, taking care to hammer only

2

WIRE-WRAPPED DROP NECKLACE

the spiral and not the remaining wire.

Fix a crimp above the spiral then thread it onto your glass drop. Create a wrapped loop close to the top of the bead but do not trim the end.

Continue wrapping the wire down over the bead, making about three rotations before wrapping around the crimp at the bottom.

Trim the wire and flatten the end above the spiral.

Using round-nosed pliers, create twists in the wire wrapping the bead by positioning the tips of the jaws either side, gently gripping the wire and

3

4

TOP TIP TOOLS

• ring mandrel • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters

TO CREATE Cut three 180mm lengths of 0.8mm wire and gently file the ends smooth. Hold the wires together, then stagger them by about

1

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters • steel stake and chasing hammer • crimping pliers

rotating your hand a little. This will tighten your wrapping neatly.

Attach your wrapped bead to the centre of your chain using a jump ring, then fix a clasp to the chain ends, adjusting the length as necessary.

5

The wire and copper findings for these projects can be purchased from a variety of online retailers including www.bigbeadlittlebead.com, www.thecrystalphoenix.com and www.beadshopscotland.co.uk, which also stocks the rondelle, drop and crystal beads featured here

When hammering wire to work harden, use a gentle stroking motion to control the effect and to avoid damaging the wire

• 20-gauge (0.8mm) copper wire • 22-gauge (0.6mm) copper wire

• 22-gauge (0.6mm) copper wire • glass drop-shaped bead • copper 2mm crimp • copper chain • copper clasp

WHERE TO BUY

SWIRLY RING

MATERIALS

MATERIALS

Copper bangles are available from www.madcowbeads.com Mandrels are readily available in many jewellery-making supply stores. Visit www.proopsbrothers.com for ring, bangle and necklace mandrels 12mm lengthways so that the two outer wires are longer or shorter at each end.

Bind the wires together using a 150mm length of 0.6mm wire approximately 65mm from one end. Leave the wrapping wire end sticking out away from the main wires, and ensure that the start of the binding wire is trimmed short and squashed snug to the binding.

2

Shape the three wires around your ring mandrel at the appropriate place for your ring size (you can slide a suitable ring on to the mandrel and mark the position with a pen), ensuring the binding wire is on the outside of the ring.

Once you are happy with the size and roundness of the ring, bring the binding wire around the whole ring to pull the two groups of wires together, then

3

4

wrap the other end of the three wires to match the first binding.

Snip the wire off and squash the end snug to the ring.

Using chain-nosed pliers, bend the two short outside wires on each end of the ring out at 90° to the ring band, and the two long outside wires through about 120°.

Using round-nosed pliers, curl the end of each wire into a tight loop. Hold the loop flat

5

6

in chain-nosed pliers and rotate in small degrees, repositioning your pliers regularly to create a spiral.

Note: As the ring band features three strands of wire laid side by side, we have used thinner wire than normally associated with this type of work.

You can use a smaller gauge wire as desired, but bear in mind that the swirls will be trickier to form.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

87

CBJ02 pp86-89 Wire Quick Tricks_Beading 27/04/2010 16:19 Page 88

QUICK TRICKS WITH...

WIRE

• 20-gauge (0.8mm) copper wire • 28-gauge (0.4mm) copper wire • focal bead • 2mm copper crimps

TOP TIP

MATERIALS Use a metal file to gently round any snipped wire ends that are a feature in wireworked designs before shaping the wire. This will give a neat, professional and skin-kind finish

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters • steel stake and chasing hammer • crimping pliers • metal file

LAPEL PIN TO CREATE Cut three 60mm lengths of 0.8mm wire and gently file the ends smooth.

Thread the bead onto the bangle by unscrewing the ball. Replace the ball and, with the bead positioned centrally on the bracelet, slide your three lengths of 0.8mm wire and a 200mm length of 0.6mm wire through the bead.

Stagger the three lengths of 0.8mm wire slightly. Bend one end of the 0.6mm wire at 90° to the bangle, about 5mm away from the bead, then wrap the end around all the wires and bangle towards the bead. Trim and squash the end between the binding

1 2

3

and the bead. Repeat for the other side.

Use your roundnosed pliers to curl each end of the 0.8mm wires into a gentle loop. Hold the loop flat in your chain-nosed pliers and rotate in small degrees, repositioning your pliers regularly to create a loose spiral.

4

Cut a 150mm length of 0.8mm wire and use your round-nosed and chainnosed pliers to create a heart shape at one end.

Position the heart shape flat onto the steel stake and gently hammer to flatten it.

1 2

SWIRLY BEADED BANGLE

MATERIALS • copper bangle with screw ball • 20-gauge (0.8mm) copper wire • 22-gauge (0.6mm) copper wire • lime green lampwork rondelle bead

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters • metal file

88

TO CREATE

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Cut a 100mm length of 0.4mm wire, position the crimp halfway along it and insert the heart pin close to the heart shape.

Set the crimp using crimping pliers.

Slide your chosen bead onto both wires all the way up to the crimp. Add a second crimp to both wires and set as before.

Wrap the ends of the 0.4mm wire around the crimps up to the focal bead, then snip the ends and squash them between the crimps and the bead.

Trim the pin to the desired length (approximately 40mm below the bottom crimp) and use a metal file to shape the end to a gently rounded point.

3

5

4

6

CBJ02 pp86-89 Wire Quick Tricks_Beading 27/04/2010 16:19 Page 89

QUICK TRICKS WITH...

WIRE TO CREATE Cut a 30mm length of 0.8mm wire and create a plain loop at one end using roundnosed pliers. Thread on the rondelle bead and create a plain loop at the other end to form a

1

double-ended eyepin.

(There should be space left either side of the bead before the loops.)

Cut a 250mm piece of 0.4mm wire and insert it through the rondelle bead on the eyepin, leaving a short

2

end free. Wrap the wire through and around the bead eight times.

Ensuring that the bead is central, wrap the two wire ends around the pin until you reach the loops, trim the ends and squash them close

BEADED LINKS NECKLACE

to the eyepin shank.

Using round-nosed pliers, create little twists in the wire wrapping the bead by positioning the tips of the jaws either side, gently gripping the wire and rotating your hand a little. (This will tighten your wrapping neatly).

Use the tip of your round-nosed pliers in each eyepin loop to create a slight curve in the pin, ensuring you rotate each eye inwards in the same direction you originally created it so as not to open it out.

Create a plain loop at one end of a small piece of 0.6mm wire using round-nosed pliers.

Add a copper bead, a Swarovski crystal and another copper bead.

Create a second plain loop in the other end close to the bead.

3

4

5

Repeat Step 5 to create links with the remaining crystals, and connect the beaded links together by opening the plain loops sideways in the same manner as opening a jump ring. Attach the connected links to either side of your chain and finish with your choice of clasp.

6

MATERIALS • 20-gauge (0.8mm) copper wire • 22-gauge (0.6mm) copper wire • 28-gauge (0.4mm) copper wire • 2 x 4mm Swarovski bicone beads • 2 x 6mm Swarovski bicone beads • 2mm copper beads • lime green lampwork rondelle bead • copper chain • copper clasp

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters

TO CREATE Using 0.6mm wire, complete Steps 1-3 as per the Beaded Links Necklace to create your wrapped rondelle bead.

Use 0.6mm wire to create a doubleended eyepin, fixing a copper bead, one end of the oval bead and a second copper bead onto it.

Slide a copper bead onto the headpin, insert through the other end of the oval bead (from outside to inside), then add a second copper bead before creating a plain loop in the end close to the copper bead.

Attach your rondelle beaded eyepin inside the oval bead using the plain loops top and bottom.

Attach a clasp to your desired length of chain. Using the

1 2

simple loop at the top of your pendant, hang it from the central link on the chain.

DOUBLE PENDANT NECKLACE

3

4 5

MATERIALS • 22-gauge (0.6mm) copper wire • 28-gauge (0.4mm) copper wire • lime green lampwork rondelle bead • amber oval glass bead • 2mm copper beads • copper headpin • copper chain • copper clasp

TOOLS • round-nosed and chain-nosed pliers • side cutters

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

89

CBJ02 pp90-91 Shoppin_Beading 27/04/2010 17:36 Page 90

SHOPPING GUIDE

Shopping

GUIDE

SIZE 11 DYED OPAQUE PINK SEED BEADS

SEVEN SECTION STORAGE BOX

Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £2.25

Stockist: Beads Unlimited www.beadsunlimited.co.uk Tel: 01273 740777 RRP: £1.25

Stockist: Beads Direct www.beadsdirect.co.uk Tel: 01509 218028 RRP: £1.45

This 15g pack of Japanese seed beads add vibrant colour to your projects and can be bought from all of the Shiney Rocks shops, including the recently opened Stroud branch (01453 753609).

120x95x25mm sturdy clear plastic bead box with secure hinged lid. Suitable for keeping your own favourites or holding bead kits for gifts or retail.

These lovely size 8 hex beads (3mm) catch the light beautifully and will accent your work with a high-quality Toho bead, which has a larger hole for ease of use. Comes in 12g tubes and bags of 100g.

4MM SQUARE APPARITION SEED BEED MIX

Enhance your seed bead collection with this bevy of beauties!

JAPANESE TOHO HEX SEED 8

MIYUKI 4MM SQUARE SEED Stockist: Beads Direct www.beadsdirect.co.uk Tel: 01509 218028 RRP: £1.45

Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £2.25 Approximately 16g of mixed cube seed beads.

From Miyuki Shoji, these 4mm-square beads reflect light in every direction and add interesting dimensions and texture when mixed. Square beads measure approximately 3.5-3.7mm, and are a perfect complement to seed bead work. Approximately 120 beads come in a 12g tube.

CZECH TWISTED BUGLE SEED BEADS

SPRING SEED BEAD MIX

10mm twisted bugle seed beads available in a selection of iridescent finishes.

Stockist: Beads Direct www.beadsdirect.co.uk Tel: 01509 218028 RRP: £2.15

CZECH BUGLE SEED BEADS

This limited-editon mix contains a variety of vibrant colours from lime green to citrus and yellow. The selection includes seed beads, squares, hex beads and much more. Approximately 12g.

VALUE SEED BEADS SIZE 10 Stockist: Beads Direct www.beadsdirect.co.uk Tel: 01509 218028 RRP: £3.85 These beads are fantastic for applications where precision is not necessary but great prices are. Ideal when you need a larger volume of beads in a limited range of colours and available in bags of 100g and 500g.

PERIDOT SILVER-LINED CZECH SEED BEADS 11/0 Stockist: Big Bead Little Bead www.bigbeadlittlebead.com Tel: 01462 438233 RRP: 70p These 10g packs come in a variety of colours to suit your projects.

90

Seed beads

Organise and store your beads and findings in style with these great storage ideas

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Stockist: The Bead Shop www.the-beadshop.co.uk Tel: 0161 232 7356 RRP: £1

Stockist: The Bead Shop www.the-beadshop.co.uk Tel: 0161 232 7356 RRP: 90p These 4.5mm matte rainbow bugle seed beads are available in purple, green, berry, teal, topaz, turquoise and red.

12 SECTION WOODEN DISPLAY BOX Stockist: Beads Unlimited www.beadsunlimited.co.uk Tel: 01273 740777 RRP: £15.95 These trays are perfect for open storage of your beading supplies, and for retailer’s displays.

FLORAL SHAPE STORAGE BOX Stockist: Big Bead Little Bead www.bigbeadlittlebead.com Tel: 01462 438233 RRP: £1.90 This floral-shaped sevensegment storage box measures approximately 10cm wide and 2cm tall, with a deep lid to reduce spills.

Ideal for seed bead and findings storage.

STACKABLE CADDY Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £2.95 21⁄2”-diameter stackable caddy for bead storage with a screw-top lid, containing four compartments.

SIZE 11 JAPANESE SILVER-LINED SEED BEADS

BEADSMITH BEAD TRAVELLER

Stockist: The Bead Shop www.the-beadshop.co.uk Tel: 0161 232 7356 RRP: £1.25 for 10g

Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £39.99

You get some lovely glimmering effects with these silverlined Red Rainbow beads.

The perfect portable storage system for beads and supplies. A zip-front tote bag features a carry handle and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap. Includes six storage boxes, each with removable dividers to create up to 20 sections per box, plus one compartment for larger items.

Measures 13x71⁄2x11⁄2”, with boxes measuring 103⁄4x7x13⁄4”.

SIZE 8 CZECH SEED BEADS Stockist: The Bead Shop www.the-beadshop.co.uk Tel: 0161 232 7356 RRP: £1.25 for 20g Made by Jablonex, these seed beads are available in 20g and 100g bags.

CBJ02 pp90-91 Shoppin_Beading 27/04/2010 17:37 Page 91

SHOPPING GUIDE

Storage MINI TRAVEL BOX Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £2.20 It’s possible to create 12-26 different compartments in this handy mini carry case, which comes complete with 14 removable dividers.

ROUND ORGANISER Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £1.50 These plastic storage tubs are great for home storage of beads and some findings.

ADJUSTABLE ORGANISER BOX Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £6.95 There are 15 removable dividers in this box, allowing you to create up to 20 compartments.

MEDIUM KEEPER BOX Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £6.95 There are 20 static compartments in this storage box.

Great for beads, findings and more.

PLASTIC TUBES Stockist: Storage 4 Crafts www.storage4crafts.com Tel: 0800 048 8606 RRP: £2.70 This pack of large storage tubes gives you four 101/2cm long plastic tubes with hole-top screw lids. Stand-free or use the hole-tops to hang.

25 PCE BEAD STORAGE SYSTEM Stockist: Storage 4 Crafts www.storage4crafts.com Tel: 0800 048 8606 RRP:£ 9.30 24-tub bead storage system, arranged in a convenient storage system. Perfect for seed beads.

4.0L REALLY USEFUL HOBBY BOX Stockist: Storage 4 Crafts www.storage4crafts.com Tel: 0800 048 8606 RRP: £8.38 These fabulous stackable hobby boxes are great for storing a huge range of jewellery supplies, from beads to findings and chains.

Inspired by our watch feature on page 28? Then create your own elegant time piece

Watch faces

WFG-34 GOLD COLOUR WHITE FACE

WFBSW-1 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE

Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95

Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95

Create a traditional-style watch with this gold-framed watch face.

This modern style of watch face design can be combined with any number of bead combinations for different stunning looks.

WFC-12 COPPER COLOUR Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95 This copper-coloured watch face is great for stylish creations with wooden beads.

WFCL-9BR SILVER COLOUR BROWN FACE Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95 Lovely scroll detail features on the silver surround of this brown watch face.

WFS-88 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95 Add a floral aspect with this subtle floral-shaped watch face.

WFCL-9BL SILVER COLOUR BLUE FACE Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95

WFS-24 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95 Create a bold design with this silver and black swirlembossed round design.

WFL-1 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £6.50 This weave-effect embossed frame is perfect for traditional pieces.

WFL-102 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £6.50 Create a feminine or romantic piece with this heart-shaped design.

WFL-8 SILVER COLOUR WHITE FACE Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £6.50

A clean and simplistic design with a pale pink watch face for a touch of colour.

This bold and simple design is great for modern-style creations.

WFCL-15PI SILVER COLOUR PINK FACE

WFBSB-8 SILVER COLOUR BLACK FACE

Stockist: Bead Shop Scotland www.beadshopscotland.co.uk Tel: 01620 822886 RRP: £4.95

Stockist: Shiney Rocks www.shineyrocks.co.uk Tel: 01225 332506 RRP: £6.50

An identical scroll-detailed watch face to the WFCL-9BR, but with a pale blue watch face.

Modern and bold designs work well this great watch face as the centrepiece.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

91

CBJ02 pp92 Store Bead Shop Nott_Beading 27/04/2010 17:33 Page 92

BEAD SHOP NOTTINGHAM

pearly QUEEN Helen Sadler’s stunning pearl jewellery set creates a sophisticated look that is perfect for a special occasion

HELEN SADLER DESIGNER

MATERIALS NECKLACE • 2 x 12mm Mauve Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 2 x 12mm Rosaline Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 2 x 12mm Powder Almond Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 2 x 12mm Platinum Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 1 x 12mm Bronze Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 2 x 12mm Powder Rose Pearl Swarovski Crystallized Elements • 4 x 25mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 6 x 20mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 7 x 12mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 7 x 16mm twisted rings • 12 x silver-plated eyepins • silver-plated medium toggle clasp

EARRINGS • 2 x sterling silver fish hooks with ball • 2 x 16mm twisted rings • 2 x 25mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 2 x 20mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 2 x 12mm silver-plated round Quick Links • 2 x silver-plated eyepins • 2 x 6mm jump rings

TO CREATE Create 12 links by threading all the 12mm pearls onto eyepins in a random pattern. Using roundnosed pliers, make a loop on the opposite side. Put aside two of the 25mm Quick Links and one of each of the other sizes.

Using 5mm and 6mm jump rings, start joining loops of different sizes, randomly adding in the pearl links. Create two lengths as close to 26cm as possible.

1

2

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd, 7 Market Street, Nottingham NG1 6HY; www.mailorder-beads.co.uk; 0115 958 8899

92

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Using 6mm jump rings, attach both of the chains to one of the spare 25mm rings.

To create the long dangle, use the remaining rings and pearl links to create a chain, then attach it to the central 25mm ring.

Collect one of each of the three sizes of rings together, hook a 6mm jump ring around all three rings and the loop of the last pearl link, then close the jump ring.

Link five 8mm jump rings together to create a chain and attach to one end of the necklace. Add to this four linked 6mm jump rings.

Attach the bar part of the toggle clasp using a 5mm jump ring

3

4

5 6

to allow for easy closing. Repeat for the other side using five 8mm jump rings and five 6mm jump rings, and attach the ring part of the toggle clasp.

To make the matching earrings, make the pearls into links using eyepins.

Collect the three sizes of plain rings together

7

and hook a 6mm jump ring around all three rings and the loop of the pearl link.

Close the jump ring. Gently open the top link of the eyepin and attach it around the twisted loop. Finish by opening the link of the fish hook and attaching it to the twisted loop.

8

CBJ02 pp093_Beading 26/04/2010 12:03 Page 93

www.thebeadcellar.co.uk Specialists in TOHO seed beads, bugles & cubes Also stocking a wide range of beads and findings including:

Swarovski

Gemstones

Pearls

Vintage beads

Czech Glass

Wood & Shell

New purpose built workshop open and exciting summer 2010 workshops now available to book – from beginners to master-classes!

Shop open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm Broad Street, Black Torrington, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5PT

01409 231 442

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

93

CBJ02 pp94-95 Inspired Turquoise_Beading 27/04/2010 18:23 Page 94

INSPIRED BY...TURQUOISE

colour my DAWN COTTON FUGE DESIGNER

WORLD

Dawn Cotton Fuge creates a stunning array of designs using the colour turquoise as her inspiration

SUMMERY NECKLACE

MATERIALS • 24” silver wire (0.5mm or 0.6mm) • 3 x blue Peruvian Opal 5mm round beads 15” strands • 2 x silver ear wires • 1 x Indian silver toggle clasp No 1 • 1 x Indian silver ‘S’ clasp No 2 • 6 x silver 25mm headpins • 46 x silver plate beads No 14

94

TO CREATE • 8 x sets of silver plate beads No 2 • 6 x sets of silver plate beads No 3 • 3 x sets of silver plate beads No 6 • 2 x silver 2mm crimp beads

TOOLS • • • •

crimpers round-nosed pliers chain-nosed pliers cutters

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

Separate a toggle clasp into two halves.

On one half, attach a 40” piece of beading wire with a crimp bead and crimp into place.

Trim any excess wire.

Begin stringing blue Peruvian Opal round beads onto the wire.

(You will use almost two full 15” strands of

1 2

these beads in making the piece to your desired length.)

Add a combination of large and small Indian silver beads at random points between the Peruvian Opal round beads.

Add the smallest silver spacers wherever you like along the length of the

3 4

necklace. I used them singularly and in groups of up to six, with the middle-sized silver bead in-between.

Add a blue Peruvian Opal round bead at the end, then a crimp bead and the other half of the toggle clasp, and crimp tightly in place.

To finish, trim any excess wire.

5

CBJ02 pp94-95 Inspired Turquoise_Beading 27/04/2010 18:23 Page 95

INSPIRED BY...TURQUOISE EARRINGS TO CREATE Take two pieces of 0.6mm silver wire, each approximately 4” long. Complete a wrapped loop on one end of each and trim any excess.

Thread a blue opal round bead, a big silver bead and another blue opal round bead onto each piece of wire. Begin to create a loop at the other end, but leave open and set aside.

Take six headpins and string a blue

1 2

3

opal round bead onto each. Make a wrapped loop at the end of each headpin, trimming any excess.

You will have six beads wrapped on headpins.

Take three of the beads on headpins and hang them from the end of each open loop on the earring.

Wrap the wire until the loop is closed and the three beads are hanging as dangles, and trim any excess. Attach earring wire at the top of each. Repeat for the other earring.

4

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available at Precious Sparkle Beads, 8 Bridge Lane, Perth PH1 5JJ; www.precioussparklebeads.co.uk; 01738 563264

WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET TO CREATE Cut five lengths of silver wire. With the first piece, make a loop in one end, attach to the end of an ‘S’ clasp closed ring and complete the loop.

Trim any excess.

String a blue opal round bead, a silver bead and another blue opal round bead. Wire wrap a loop at the other end. Close and trim any excess.

With the second piece, wrap a loop and attach to the first wire-wrapped section.

String a blue opal round bead, a small

1

2 3

silver bead, a bigger silver bead, a second small silver bead and a final blue opal round bead. Complete a wrapped loop at the other end.

Continue creating the wire-wrapped sections, attaching them to the last one and alternating the patterns as in Steps 2 and 3. (For a larger bracelet, you may need six sections.)

In the final section, make a loop and attach it to the closed ring on the other side of the ‘S’ clasp.

Trim any excess. To finish, adjust the opening of the ‘S’ clasp so that you can get it on and off.

4

5

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

95

CBJ02 pp96 Survey HouseAd_SBM 27/04/2010 18:12 Page 96

Win a year’s subscription to your favourite magazine, simply by telling us what you thought of this issue!

SPECIAL EDITION

SUMMER ISSUE on sale now!

4 FREE paper packs We’d love to know what you thought of this issue of Creative Beads & Jewellery. Please rate each feature from 1 to 5 (with 5 being very good and 1 being poor).

Including Nitwits Cherry Blossom & Summer Breeze collections

Your score:

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Steam Punk .................................................................................

Flights of Fancy............................................................................

Letter from America .....................................................................

Timeless Elegance ......................................................................

Let There Be Light .......................................................................

Perfect Pearls...............................................................................

Sweets For My Sweet .................................................................

Head Turner .................................................................................

Stone Age Man............................................................................

Bead Doctor.................................................................................

Fabulous Felt ...............................................................................

Textured Treats.............................................................................

To The Wire..................................................................................

Sumptuous Seeds.......................................................................

Splendid Swirls ............................................................................

Tantilising Turquoise ....................................................................

Let’s Twist Again...........................................................................

Say It With Flowers ......................................................................

Any other comments you would like to make about this issue? ........................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

plus 64 inspirational pages of summertime and masculine cardmaking ideas

32 all-new designer papers included inside!

TITLE: ................... FORENAME: ...........................................................

SURNAME: .............................................................................................

ADDRESS: .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ...........................................................POSTCODE: ................................

EMAIL:.....................................................................................................

Send your replies to: Feedback, Practical Publishing, Unit 1 Adlington Court, Adlington Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL. Closing date: 11th June 2010.

One form will be drawn at random.

Some of the many creative techniques covered in this special summer issue are:

• Using templates • Collage • Card sketches • Stamping • Chipboard • Stitching • Doodling AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

CBJ02 pp097 Stitch N Craft_Beading 23/04/2010 14:56 Page 97

CBJ02 pp98-99 PMC Brooch_Beading 27/04/2010 18:09 Page 98

POLYMER CLAY BROOCH

splendid CHRISTINE DUMONT DESIGNER

MATERIALS • 60g Glamour Bronze, 20g Doll White, 10g Neon Light Green and 10g Glamour Antique Gold Cernit polymer clay

TOOLS • • • •

35mm pin back superglue round cutter liquid polymer clay (optional)

TO CREATE MIX THE CLAY FOR THE BASE Condition 10g of each of the bronze and white clays, and roll into sheets.

Using the pasta machine on the thickest setting, superimpose the two sheets of clay and run them through.

Set the pasta machine on the

1 2 3

98

This versatile piece can be used as a brooch or a pendant

SWIRLS second thinnest setting and roll the clay through. Fold in half, and run through with the folded edge leading.

Repeat until you obtain a uniform blend.

PREPARE THE BASE Set the pasta machine on the thickest setting and roll the mix through.

The nine decorative cells are made from thick cane slices inserted into ‘wells’. To determine where to place the wells, use a tissue blade to draw a 3x3 grid, with the lines approximately 15mm apart (Fig 1).

Using a round cutter, cut nine 1cmwide holes, making sure to centre the tool

1 2

3

exactly where the lines intersect (Fig 2).

MAKE THE SPIRAL CANE Condition the Antique Gold, green and remaining white clays. Set the pasta machine on the second thinnest setting and roll the Antique Gold through.

For the pale green mix, keep blending small amounts of green into the white until you have obtained the desired colour. Set the pasta machine on the thickest setting and roll the pale green mix through.

Place the two sheets on top of each other and trim all four edges to create a 4x5cm stack (Fig 3). Set the pasta

1

2

3

machine on the thickest setting and roll the stack through, leading with the width, then use a thinner setting to obtain a long, thin ribbon.

Tightly roll the ribbon up, tucking the green inside (Fig 4).

Once the cane reaches 12mm in diameter, trim off the end of the ribbon, slanting the blade as shown (Fig 5).

4 5

CUT THE CANE SLICES Reduce the cane by rolling it with your fingertips. Start from the middle, and work towards the ends to expel air.

Using the glass sheet, compact and reduce the cane

1 2

to a 9mm diameter (Fig 6). Store it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Cut a slice off the cane that is longer than the depth of the wells by 1mm (you may wish to practise on scrap clay first).

Repeat this process until you have a total of nine slices.

3 4

INSERT THE CANE SLICES Insert a slice in each of the nine wells (Fig 7), ensuring that the cane spirals are oriented in the same direction.

Flatten the slices down, using the acrylic roller, until the slices have sunk into the clay and fit

1 2

1

2

3

4

5

7

8

9

10

11

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CBJ02 pp98-99 PMC Brooch_Beading 27/04/2010 18:09 Page 99

POLYMER CLAY BROOCH

snugly into the wells (Fig 8).

Set the pasta machine on the second thickest setting and gently roll the sheet through.

3 6

CREATE THE BACKING

CREATE THE TRIMS

1

Trim the sheet into a square, cutting well away from the cane slices (the sheet will be trimmed later).

Using the pasta machine, roll out the leftover bronze clay and place it on the tile, then place the front sheet on top of the back sheet (Fig 9).

Using a tissue blade, bow it slightly and trim the piece to its final shape as shown (Fig 10).

1

2

2

13

14

3 12

Set the pasta machine to its thickest setting, and roll out the leftover Antique Gold clay.

Using the tissue blade, cut a strip as wide as the piece is thick and longer than its side (Fig 11).

Press the strip to the edge of the piece (Fig 12), allowing the ends to stick out on either side. Repeat for the opposite side (Fig 13).

3

Using the tissue blade, bow it and trim the strip ends.

Repeat for the two other sides so all four edges are trimmed (Fig 14).

4

ATTACH THE BACK PIN Cure for 10 minutes. If it has curved, press it against a flat surface while still warm to flatten.

Glue the pin as shown (Fig 15).

Set the pasta machine on a thin

1

setting and roll out some leftover bronze clay. Cut a rectangle to 25x35mm.

Brush liquid polymer clay onto the back of the rectangle and press it on the pin back to conceal it. If you don’t have liquid polymer clay, press the rectangle onto the pin back and glue it in place after the piece has cured (Fig 16).

Cure for another 10 minutes. To finish, sand and buff.

4

2 3

5

15

16

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

99

CBJ02 pp100-101 Sandstones_Beading 27/04/2010 16:21 Page 100

SANDSTONES

SANDY KIDULIS DESIGNER

tantalizing TURQUOISE Follow Sandy Kidulis’s guidance to make this beautiful jewellery set – perfect as a gift, or as a special treat for yourself!

ABOUT SANDY… Sandy at Sandstones International has many years experience in jewellery design, and buying beads and equipment from all over the world. She is particularly drawn to pearls, turquoise, coral and jade, and is always on the lookout for the high-quality and interesting-shaped beads that inspire her to create beautiful jewellery.

andstones International’s themed Bead Bundles offer an assortment of different beads in gorgeous, complementary shades to get your creative juices flowing! For those new to beading, the carefully combined colours will begin to give you an eye for what works well tonally and offer an understanding of how beads interact with one another. More experienced jewellery

S

• • • • • •

Bead Bundle 5 x headpins 2 x 6mm jump rings 2 x silver charms silver-plated chain large trigger clasp

TOOLS • chain-nosed and round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

BAG CHARM TO CREATE Thread a seed bead, turquoise heart and second seed bead onto a headpin, then form a loop with round-nosed

1

100 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

pliers. Cut the excess wire using wire cutters.

Attach the heart charm to the bottom of a 3.5cm length of silver-plated chain. Attach the top of the chain to the trigger clasp with a jump ring using chainnosed pliers.

Make five more charms in the same way, using a variety of beads from the Bead Bundle, and attach them at intervals along the chain.

2

3

TOP TIP

MATERIALS

makers will find these handy packs an instant source of inspiration, saving time and money (prices vary from £2 to £4) when preparing for that all-important next creation.

CBJ02 pp100-101 Sandstones_Beading 27/04/2010 16:21 Page 101

SANDSTONES EARRINGS TO CREATE Thread a seed bead, crystal heart, silver glass pearl and second seed bead onto a headpin, and form a loop using round-nosed pliers. Cut the excess wire using wire cutters.

Thread a seed bead, 6mm round turquoise bead and another seed bead onto a second headpin and make a loop.

Attach the heart charm to a 4cm

1

2

length of silver-plated chain, and the turquoise bead charm to the other end.

Using chain-nosed pliers, open the loop at the bottom of an earring wire and thread on the chain three loops from the crystal heart end. Close the earring wire loop to secure.

4

3

MATERIALS • Bead Bundle • silver-plated chain • 2 x silver-plated earring wire • headpins

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here – including the featured Bead Bundles – are available from Sandstones. For more information, phone 0845 224 0843, visit www.sand-stones.co.uk or email sandy@sand-stones.co.uk

TOOLS • chain-nosed and round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

NECKLACE TO CREATE Thread a turquoise teardrop onto an eyepin, wrap the excess wire round to secure the bead, and trim the end with wire cutters.

Secure a silver charm onto a 4mm jump ring, and add a charm and teardrop bead to a 6mm jump ring.

Thread a seed bead, a few beads of your choice and another seed bead onto an eyepin, then form a loop using round-nosed pliers.

Trim the excess wire.

1

2

Repeat Step 2 until you have 12 sections, varying the combination of beads you use.

Join six of these sections together and attach a length of chain onto one end, and the 6mm jump ring (with the turquoise teardrop and silver charm attached) onto the other end.

Repeat for the other side of the necklace, in a pattern of your choice. Add both components of the toggle clasp using the remaining jump rings.

3 4

5

MATERIALS BANG-ON-TREND Pantone, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards in the design industry, announced PANTONE® IS-SS19 Turquoise as the colour of the year for 2010

• Bead Bundle • 2 x 8cm lengths of silver-plated chain • toggle clasp • 6mm jump ring • 3 x 4mm jump rings • charm • 13 x eyepins

TOOLS • chain-nosed and round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 101

CBJ02 pp102-105 Button Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 14:52 Page 102

BUTTON JEWELLERY

let’s

SU PENNICK DESIGNER

With so many beautiful and unusual buttons available these days it seems a shame to use them just to fasten clothing! Su Pennick offers an array of eye-catching alternatives

TWIST AGAIN uttons are an ideal component in the creation of jewellery. They can be used in much the same way as beads, and their flat shape makes them more versatile in some regards as they can be layered on top of one another to create a different kind of dimension.

Small, shaped buttons have been used here, along with fine wire, to create delicate, fun jewellery that can be

B

102 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

adapted for any occasion. Bigger, chunkier buttons can be teamed with cord to create items that are a little more sturdy for everyday wear.

The technique used here – threading and twisting the wire – can be used as a kind of sculpture, with the wire as your starting point. It’s possible to use as many strands of wire as you like. The buttons or beads can be threaded onto whichever strand you choose, which is then twisted to keep the item in place on their own ‘branch’. Two or more wires can then be twisted together with more items added as desired. In this way it is possible to create either a very simple string or a more complicated lattice effect, depending upon the number of wires.

You will find that 24-gauge wire is ideal for this technique as it is flexible enough to allow for twisting by hand. However, it’s important to ensure that you do not overtwist the wire because it will break easily.

Items such as bracelets and necklaces do require a considerable length of wire in order to accommodate the amount of twisting needed for each added item. This can be

CBJ02 pp102-105 Button Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 14:52 Page 103

BUTTON JEWELLERY

tricky to control and work with. It is therefore advisable to construct any larger piece, like the necklace, in parts to avoid tangles and unwanted bends.

Simpler versions of the pieces shown here can easily be created and the earring dangles are a good place to start. A number of these could be created individually and either attached to a chain or connected together with jump rings, provided that a wire loop is created at each end.

This technique can be applied to most types of jewellery and decorations. With a little experimentation you should soon be doing the twist!

1

2

6-STEP TECHNIQUE TWISTED WIRE JEWELLERY TO CREATE Cut the required length of wire and bend in half, using round-nosed pliers to create a loop for attaching to the other items or fasteners.

Twist the wire a couple of times.

1

3

Thread two small buttons onto one of the strands of wire to a point approximately 1.5cm from the previous twists.

Firmly hold the threaded wire, bent in half, at the point where the ‘branch’ will meet the previously

2 3 4

twisted area and twist the buttons until they hold firm. Flatten the button to face the front of the work.

Thread a bead onto the second strand of wire, bend the wire in half at the top of the bead, and twist as before.

4 5

Twist the two wires together for approximately 1.5cm.

Thread a large button onto both wires so that the twisted area sits through the holes on the button and the button covers the area where the two ‘branches’ meet.

5 6

6

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 103

CBJ02 pp102-105 Button Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 14:52 Page 104

BUTTON JEWELLERY BRACELET TO CREATE Cut a 1.5cm length of wire and bend it in half around a pen or other cylindrical-shaped object, which matches the diameter of the larger buttons. Twist the two wires together six times to create the loop of the fastener.

Follow the 6-Step Technique to create a leaf branch from one wire strand and a small flower branch from the second, then thread a larger flower on both strands.

Continue along the length of the bracelet, alternating the leaf and flower branches on each side of the large flowers.

1

2

3

MATERIALS • gold 24-gauge wire (approximately 3m) • 11 x yellow 1.5cm flower-shaped buttons • 21 x yellow 1cm flower-shaped buttons • 21 x green glass leaf beads • Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine mini buttons • gold 4mm curb chain (12cm) • 5 x 5mm gold jump rings • 7mm jump ring and clasp

TOOLS • side cutters • round-nosed pliers

NECKLACE

Continue to the end of the bracelet and use pliers to tuck the ends of the wire safely behind the final large flower button, which becomes the other half of the fastener.

4

MATERIALS • gold 24-gauge wire (approximately 3m) • 11 x yellow 1.5cm flower-shaped buttons • 21 x yellow 1cm flower-shaped buttons • 21 x green glass leaf beads • Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine mini buttons • gold 4mm curb chain (12cm) • 5 x 5mm gold jump rings • 7mm jump ring and clasp

TOOLS • side cutters • round-nosed pliers

are more ‘branches’ along the outer side of the necklace than the inner to produce a slight curve. Create a second loop at the end of the panel and safely tuck the wire ends in.

Repeat Step 2 to produce a second, matching panel.

Cut a third length of wire and follow the photograph to create a centre panel with loops to connect to the other panels.

Connect the panels together with 5mm jump rings. Attach the ends of the panels to lengths of curb chain and a clasp.

3 4 5

TO CREATE Cut a length of wire to approximately 1m, bend in half and form a small loop at the bend.

Use the 6-Step Technique to create a length of twisted wire buttons and leaves, as shown. There

2

104 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

NEED TO KNOW

1

The necklace is intended to sit close to the neck like a choker so some adjustment to the length of chain may be required

CBJ02 pp102-105 Button Jewellery_Beading 27/04/2010 14:52 Page 105

BUTTON JEWELLERY MATERIALS • gold 24-gauge wire (40cm) • 2 x 1cm flowershaped buttons • 2 x green leafshaped beads • 2 x 5mm gold jump rings • gold earring wires

EARRINGS

TOOLS • round-nosed and flat-nosed pliers • side cutters

and mini button.

Thread a leaf bead onto each of the two strands and twist to form ‘branches’.

Fasten off the ends of the wire safely behind the buttons.

Attach the dangle to an earring wire with 5mm jump rings.

3

TO CREATE Cut a 20cm length of wire, bend in half and create a small loop.

Twist the wire together several times and thread on a flower-shaped button

1 2

• 2 x dark orange Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine mini buttons

4

WHERE TO BUY Combs, wire and leaf beads are available from www.mailorder-beads.co.uk Papermania Capsule Collection mini buttons are available from www.kimscrafts.co.uk You can buy flower-shaped buttons from local haberdashery shops TO CREATE Fold the wire in half and secure to one end of the comb.

Create a button and a leaf ‘branch’.

Thread the two strands through the holes in the comb to secure, and twist together for 1.5cm.

Add on a large button and thread the strands through the holes in the comb to hold it in place.

Continue along the length of the comb, safely securing the wire ends when finished.

1 2

HAIR COMB

3 4

MATERIALS • gold 14-hole hair comb • gold 24-gauge wire (1m) • 3 x 1.5cm flowershaped buttons • 4 x 1cm flowershaped buttons • 4 x green leafshaped beads • Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine mini buttons

TOOLS • flat-nosed pliers • side cutters

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 105

CBJ02 pp106-107 Technique_Beading 27/04/2010 18:11 Page 106

GLOSSARY TECHNIQUES

glossary of

TECHNIQUES

Follow these basic techniques to get started on your projects

OPENING AND CLOSING JUMP RINGS

Grip the jump ring on each side of the 1 opening using pliers – either two pairs of flat-nosed, or one flat-nosed and one

To open the jump ring, bring one pair 2 of pliers towards you, opening the jump ring like a door rather than pulling

round-nosed pair.

it apart.

Slide your component onto the ring, 3 then reverse the action of your pliers to bring the ends neatly back together.

FORMING A PLAIN LOOP This is the simplest way of creating a loop on a headpin, eyepin or a length of wire, ready for connecting to other components.

Trim the wire end to 1cm above the Grip the tip of the wire using roundRelease the wire, rotate the pliers back 1 2 3 last bead, and make a 90Âş bend close to nosed pliers, and rotate the pliers away towards you and grip the wire again. the bead using a pair of chain-nosed or from you to start curling the wire.

Continue rotating the wire and repositioning flat-nosed pliers.

106 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

your pliers until the loop is formed.

CBJ02 pp106-107 Technique_Beading 27/04/2010 18:11 Page 107

GLOSSARY TECHNIQUES CREATING A WRAPPED LOOP A wrapped loop is stronger than a simple loop, as it is completely closed and is perfect for heavier pendants and for creating links.

Trim the wire end to 3cm above the 1 last bead, then use a pair of chainnosed pliers to make a 90º bend a short

Hold the wire just above the bend Position the bottom jaw of your pliers 2 3 using round-nosed pliers, and wrap the into the curved wire and complete the end of the wire over the top jaw. curve to form a loop. Your wire end

distance above the bead.

Holding the loop flat using chainnosed pliers, grip the wire end using flat-nosed pliers and wind it around the stem to cover the gap between the loop and the bead.

4

should be back at the 90º angle.

Trim the end of the wire using cutters, and flatten it against the stem using flat-nosed pliers to squash any sharp edges.

5

Stringing materials, such as cord or ribbon, can be knotted and the knot covered with a clam calotte.

Stiffer stringing materials, such as nylon beading wire, should be finished with a crimp, which can then be covered with a clam calotte.

USING CRIMP PLIERS

Position the crimp bead in the ridged 1 section of your pliers and squeeze to curl the crimp.

FINISHING ENDS

Position the crimp bead back in the 2 oval section of your pliers, ensuring it is sitting vertically, then squeeze gently to compress the crimp to a smooth, rounded shape.

Simply thread a calotte onto your stringing material, tie a knot or fix a crimp at the end, then slide the calotte back up to the end and close the two halves for perfect concealment.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 107

CBJ02 pp108 Finding_CBJ 27/04/2010 18:00 Page 108

FINDINGS

fabulous

FINDINGS

From pins and clasps to rings and wire, if you’re new to jewellery making let us guide you through the essentials...

‘Findings’ is the word given to the group of core components needed to make jewellery. They are available in a variety of base and precious metals with a range of finishes; bronze and copper findings are now widely available, and make an interesting alternative to gold and silver. If you are specifically looking for hypo-allergenic findings, niobium and titanium components and wires are ideal and are available in a variety of colour finishes.

CLASPS Used to join the ends of a bracelet or necklace together, either manually or magnetically, clasps are available in a variety of designs.

They can be simple wire components or highly decorative pieces that can be an integral part of jewellery design.

EYEPINS Instead of having a flat or decorative head, eyepins have a looped ‘eye’ so other components can be attached to them.

JUMP RINGS These are simple wire loops that are used to connect different components. Standard jump rings can be opened and closed, and you can purchase jump rings that are soldered closed when added security is required.

THREAD Thread encompasses many different materials, both manmade and of natural origin, and should be chosen according to the beads in your design. Silk is perfect for threading pearls and semi-precious stones, while nylon is more suited to glass beads. You need to be able to tie a knot in the thread that is large enough to stop the beads coming off, so take this into consideration. Flat threading materials such as ribbon and suede lace are perfect for large-holed beads, and can be finished with coils or box calottes to secure the end to your clasp.

SPLIT RINGS Split rings are similar to jump rings, but with two rotations of wire. They are used when added security is required. Unlike closed jump rings, they can have components added to them in the same way that keys are attached to a key ring.

108 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

EAR WIRES Fish hooks are the standard ear wires used to create dangly earrings, but beaded designs can also be hung from ball and pin earrings, or even clip-on bases for non-pierced ears.

HEADPINS Similar to a standard sewing pin, headpins are commonly used to make dangly elements in a piece of jewellery.

Standard headpins have a flattened top, but common variations include ball pins and pins with decoratively beaded ends.

STRINGING MATERIALS: CHAIN There are many different chain designs made from several different metals – or modern polyester for a lightweight but chunky alternative. Use small lengths of chain in a design to link different components, or single links from a large open chain as part of a feature pendant.

WIRE Wire is sold by both length and weight, and is categorised by its gauge (the thickness of the wire). The following table describes the uses for the most common wire gauges.

Gauge

Thickness (mm)

Use

28

0.4

24

0.6

20

0.8

18

1.0

16

1.2

Binding, knitting and weaving Threading small, delicate beads.

Binding and twisting Wire work with crystals and medium beads Wire-wrapping large beads and creating wire components Bold, chunky wireworked designs

Coloured wires are usually copper with an enamel coating. Tigertail is a speciality twistedsteel beading wire with a nylon coating, while Soft Flex wire is similar but more flexible and less prone to kinking. You can buy solid or plated silver and gold wire, and plated wire is often a good economical option (silver-plated wire won’t tarnish as quickly as solid silver).

Memory wire, available in ring, bracelet and necklace sizes, is a stainless steel wire that never loses its shape. It is sold in coils that can be cut into individual rounds, strung with beads and finished with an end cap.

CBJ02 pp109 Tool_Beading 27/04/2010 14:59 Page 109

TOOLS

TOOLS of the trade

Get to grips with your jewellery-making tool kit – we guide you through the essential contents and their applications for professional-looking results

CHAIN-NOSED PLIERS

FLAT-NOSED PLIERS

ROUND-NOSED PLIERS

Also known as snipe-nosed pliers, these have flat jaws on the inside and rounded jaws on the outside and are designed for precision jobs such as creating wrapped loops.

Pliers with round jaws that taper to a point are used for forming loops and curves and are ideal for creating your own jump rings.

These pliers have flat faces on both sides of the jaws and are used for gripping wire and jewellery components while you are working on them, and for bending and flattening wire.

SIDE CUTTERS

CRIMPING PLIERS

MEMORY WIRE CUTTERS

Although chain or flat-nosed pliers will suffice to fix crimp beads, crimping pliers give a neat, professional finish.

They are two-stage pliers, specifically designed to crush and fold crimp tubes to fix the position of beads on stringing material and to secure the ends.

These pliers will handle cutting lengths of soft wire and trimming headpins and eyepins. The jaws are angled for a clean, flush cut.

Memory wire cutters are essential if you want to use this sturdy wire for creating jewellery, as it will damage the jaws of regular wire cutters.

NYLON-JAW PLIERS Nylon-jaw pliers are identical to flat-nosed pliers except that the jaws are moulded from plastic and are used to handle soft precious-metal wires and components that could be easily marked or dented.

WIRE-WORKING TOOLS If you are keen to create your own wire components, a chasing hammer and steel stake are essential for flattening and workhardening (toughening) wire shapes. Chasing hammers are lightweight and easy to handle, and steel stakes on which to hammer your work have an ultra-smooth surface to eliminate the chance of marking your pieces.

BEADING TWEEZERS A pair of beading tweezers is handy for managing tiny seed beads and unpicking knots in stringing materials.

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 109

CBJ02 pp110-111 Flowers Beads Box_Beading 27/04/2010 17:32 Page 110

JENNY’S BEAD BOX

say it with JENNY WILLIAMS DESIGNER

ABOUT JENNY… Jenny is a self-taught jewellery designer from Manchester who also sells a wide range of beads, tools and findings via her website. She particularly enjoys working with metal and is keen to explore the possibilities of precious metal clay.

FLOWERS

KNOT GARDEN CORD NECKLACE TO CREATE Cut 150cm lengths of violet and lilac cotton cord and hold them together. Tie an overhand knot in both cords about 1cm

1

from the midpoint of the cords, and a knot on the other side to balance.

Slide a sterling silver rondel bead onto the violet cord and tie a knot in both cords approximately 2cm from the previous one to secure the bead.

Repeat on the other side of the necklace.

Continue to knot the cords every 2cm or so, adding a rondel bead after alternate knots. Stop once you have added 10 rondel beads in total, and finish with a knot at each end.

Add a flower bead to a ballpin and make a wrapped loop.

2

3

MATERIALS • violet 1mm diameter waxed cotton cord (170cm) • lilac 1mm diameter waxed cotton cord (170cm) • 9 x 12mm purple and white polymer clay flower beads • 12 x pale green polymer clay leaf beads

Jenny Williams shows off polymer flower beads at their best with some gorgeous creations

• 19 x 5mm sterling silver rondel beads • 9 x 50mm sterling silver ballpins • 30 x 5mm sterling silver jump rings

TOOLS • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

110 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

4

Attach jump rings to two leaf beads, then use a third jump ring to attach these and the flower dangle to the middle of the necklace.

Make eight more beaded dangles, two exactly as above and another six with just one leaf each.

Attach these to the necklace in the spaces between the sterling rondel beads. The connecting jump rings should encircle both the necklace cords.

Tie a knot 2cm from the end of each cord (two on each side of the necklace), slide on a rondel bead and tie another knot to secure.

5

6

Trim the cord approximately 5mm from the second knot.

Take the last 20cm lengths of cord and tie a knot 1cm from each side of the midpoint.

Slide a rondel onto the violet cord before tying the second knot. Finish all four cord ends as in Step 6.

Attach the shorter length of cord to each end of the necklace using a slipknot on each side. This acts as an extender and allows the necklace to be pulled on over the wearer’s head and shortened if desired.

7

8

CBJ02 pp110-111 Flowers Beads Box_Beading 27/04/2010 17:32 Page 111

JENNY’S BEAD BOX TO CREATE Slide a polymer clay flower bead onto a ballpin, make a wrapped loop and

1

trim the excess ballpin.

Attach jump rings to two leaf beads, then slide one of these, the flower dangle and the

other leaf onto a third jump ring. Attach this to one of the large jump rings on the bungee bracelet.

Make seven more beaded dangles in the same way, and attach to alternate jump rings on the bracelet.

2

VINTAGE VIOLETS CHARM BRACELET

Slip a 7mm purple bead onto a ballpin, make a wrapped loop and trim the excess. Make three more like this, plus another four dangles using the pink beads.

To finish, add the beaded ballpins to the remaining large jump rings on the bracelet, alternating the colours.

3

4

MATERIALS • rhodium finish bungee scrunch chain bracelet • 8 x 12mm purple and white polymer clay flower beads • 16 x pale green polymer clay leaf beads • 4 x 7mm amethyst purple opaque glass beads • 4 x 7mm pale creamy pink opaque glass beads • 8 x 50mm sterling silver ballpins • 24 x 5mm sterling silver jump rings

TOOLS • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

CANDIED VIOLET EARRINGS TO CREATE Make a wrapped loop at one end of the silver wire and trim

1

MATERIALS • 2 sterling silver fish hook ear wires • 2 x12mm purple and white polymer clay flower beads • 4 x pale green polymer clay leaf beads • 2 x 7mm amethyst purple opaque glass beads • 2 x 50mm sterling silver ballpins • 8 x 5mm sterling silver jump rings • 12cm x 0.6mm diameter sterling silver wire

TOOLS • round-nosed pliers • wire cutters

the excess. Slide a purple bead onto the wire, pushing it as close as possible to the loop, and make a second wrapped loop on the other side of the bead.

Trim as before.

Thread a polymer clay flower bead onto a ballpin and make a wrapped loop to secure. Add jump rings to two leaf beads, then use a third jump ring to attach the flower and leaves to one of the loops made in Step 1.

Use another jump ring to attach an ear wire to the other wrapped loop made in Step 1.

Repeat Steps 1-3 to make a matching earring and complete the pair.

WHERE TO BUY All the materials used here are available from www.jennysbeadbox.co.uk; 0845 165 0339

2

3 4

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 111

CBJ02 pp112_Beading 26/04/2010 12:04 Page 112

ACCESSORIZE... JUST ADD BEADS

SIMPLE!

BEAD CRAZY.co.uk

www.

loose beads & jewellery findings glass, shell, acrylic & wood classes & workshops tools & accessories knowledgeable & helpful staff

Arcadia WE STOCK: ★ Swarovski ★ Czech ★ Miyuki cubes ★ Magatama ★ Indian beads ★ Semi-precious ★ Wires ★ Findings & loads more in store!

Beads, findings, classes & bespoke jewellery.

We are situated in picturesque Cheddar at the bottom of the Gorge where beaders will find a treasure trove of beads, ideas, classes and findings to create fabulous jewellery.

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

30B Market Street Omagh County Tyrone Northern Ireland BT78 1EH 028 8225 9693

Beadwell, Tweentown Corner, Tweentown, Cheddar, BS27 3JF Tel: 01934 744 373

www.beadwellbeads.co.uk

Large selection of beads & accessories

FRIENDLY SERVICE & BEADING CLASSES 9 College St. Swansea SA1 5AF Tel: 01792 467417 e-mail: arcadiabeads@fsmail.net

Bead Shop 112 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

●

Tools ● Beads ● Findings ● Stringing Materials ● An official BeadSmith® stockist

www.jennysbeadbox.co.uk email: jennysbeadbox@yahoo.co.uk

CBJ02 pp113_Beading 26/04/2010 12:15 Page 113

5 Wellfield Court Wellfield Road Penylan Cardiff CF24 3PB Contact Vivienne Whitty on: 02920 491 218 or visit our website www.thebeadsnest.co.uk

Now Offering...

1/2 Day PMC Workshops from just ÂŁ40 Phone & Email Order Service Enamel Charms & Frosted Beads Beautiful bead collections from around the World at affordable prices.

For more details on these and our upcoming Craft Events call 01926 858442 or visit

www.beadingcrafty.com

www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com 113

CBJ02 pp114 Next Iss_Beading 27/04/2010 18:27 Page 114

NEXT ISSUE

coming

NEXT TIME

Here’s a preview of what you’ve got to look forward to in issue 3...

SUMMER HOLIDAY Fun and funky makes for instant poolside charm

TURNING JAPANESE

On sale 11th June 2010

Paper and cabochons combine to create dazzling designs

PLASTIC FANTASTIC Inspirational jewellery using friendly plastic

PROM QUEEN Girlie glamour for a night to remember!

TO HAVE & TO HOLD Delicate designs for effortless wedding chic PLUS an abundance of inspirational beading and jewellery projects, all the latest news and reviews, and much more!

Creative Beads & Jewellery is only available through beading, jewellery and craft stores. If you want to guarentee that you don’t miss an issue, you can ask your local store to place a regular order for you. Once set up, your copy will be held for you to collect. Simply complete this form and hand it in at your nearest beading, jewellery or craft store.

Dear Shop Owner Please reserve me a copy of Creative Beads & Jewellery TITLE Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ............................... First Name............................

Surname..........................................................................................

Address............................................................................................ ........................................................................................................

UNDER THE SEA

........................................................................................................

A stunning Swarovski masterclass with a seascape theme

Postcode ...........................................Tel .........................................

114 www.creativebeadsandjewellery.com

CBJ02 pp115 IBC_Beading 22/04/2010 09:50 Page 115

CBJ02 pp116 OBC_Beading 22/04/2010 09:51 Page 116