Easy Beginnings - Make Your First Beaded Bracelet

So you want to make a beaded bracelet, do you? Well, you've come to the right place! As a general rule of thumb, you have to remember that most beaded wrist bracelets are 7-9 inches in length. However, they can be made any length you desire.

Also, if you would like to take a modern twist on your beaded bracelet and make it an anklet instead, add 2-4 inches to whatever length you want. Now that you've got that down, I'm going to tell you how to make the perfect bracelet.

All you have to do is follow the following instructions.

Step One: Cut your wire. There's no right or wrong brand you can use as far as wire goes, just make sure that it's suitable for jewelry making. Once you cut your wire, you should make sure that there is enough length for the bracelet, plus an additional 3 or 4 inches. The reason why I say that you should have an additional couple of inches is just to be on the safe side. You don't want to get all the way to the end of your bracelet and find that you don't have enough room, do you?

Step Two: Pick a general size for your bead bracelet. Whether you want to make it all one size, or have the beads vary in size is completely up to you. I suggest that if you choose to incorporate bigger beads into your bracelet that you use small spacer beads to go in between. That way, your bracelet isn't too gaudy.

Step Three: Pick out a couple findings. You're definitely going to need a clasp, as well as two crimp beads for your beading bracelet. The reason why you're going to need the crimp beads is so that they can secure each end of your wire on your clasp.

Step Four: Prep your beads AHEAD of time. If you have a beading board, that's great. If not, that's fine as well. You can lay the beads you would like to use for the bracelet on a towel or flat surface. It's important that you should lay out your beads in the exact design or style that you want to be reflected on the bracelet. This will save you time and energy later on.

Step Five: It's crimping time! Place one of your crimp beads on the wire, and then add a second at the end of your clasp. You should allow yourself about a half inch of wire before threading through the crimp bead. Using a crimping tool, crimp the bead you attached to the beginning of the clasp. You're almost there!

Step Six: Start threading your beads! Once you have the length you want, wrap it around your wrist to double check that it's long enough. It's better to be safe than sorry, right?

Step Seven: After figuring out the proper length, put another crimp bead on the beginning and ends of your clasp. Thread the wire through, and crimp!

Step Eight: Pull the clasp, making sure the crimp bead is secure. Cut off any extra wire that may be left over.

If you've gotten this far, then guess what? You just created your first beaded bracelet! With more practice, you can create even more fun beaded jewelry.
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Craft At Home : Making Earrings With Beads, Ear Wire And Eye Pins

It is quite easy to make earrings to coordinate with other jewellery pieces by using similar colours and beads. The hoop earring is the easiest; all you have to do is tread on the beads and attach the hoop to the ear wire. The dangling earring means making loops, but is also easy with a little practice.

You will need"

Beads

Earring hoop

Ear wire

Step-by-step for hoop earrings

1. Gently pull the wire at the top of the hoop until it clears the metal clasp and thread on thebeads.
2. Carefully replace the wire into the metal clasp at the top of the hoop.
3. Open the loop of the ear wire and thread on the hoop. Close the loop of the ear wire.

Dangling Earrings

You will need"

Beads

Eye pins

Head pins

Ear wire

Step-by-step for dangling earrings

1-Decide on the pattern of beads to be used.

2-Thread the beads onto an eye pin or a head pin (an eye pin if you are going to attach another bead to it, a head pin if that is the last bead to dangle) and form a loop.

To make a loop

Thread bead onto eye pin or head pin

1. Using the flat nose pliers, bend the open end of the eye pin at right angles, as close to the bead as possible

Using the wire cutter, cut the bent end of the eyepin leaving approximately 6-7mm of wire. The length needed to form the loop depends on amount of wire needed to create a loop to match the loop already in place, at the other end Using the round nose pliers, grab the very end of the bent end of the eyepin, about 5mm from the tip of the pliers. The exact position on the pliers depends on the size of loop required to match the loop already in place at the other end Holding the tip of the wire, roll the pliers along the wire, forming a loop which is centred over the hole in the bead

1. Attach beads, in the chosen sequence, by opening the loop of one bead and attaching to the loop of the next bead.
2. Finish by attaching the beads to the loop of the ear wire.

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Learn Jewelry Making by Getting Started with Bead Stringing

As a jewelry making teacher, I often talk to ladies who want to learn how to make jewelry, but they aren't sure how to get started. I can understand this because it isn't always obvious from looking at jewelry to know what would be easy to make, and what would be difficult to make.

Like most things, if you jump in to soon and work on something you're not ready for, you will probably end up being frustrated, start to think you can't do it, and quit. My suggestion is always to crawl before you walk before you run. That way you can quickly build confidence in your abilities and you will enjoy seeing yourself improve as you start to take on more challenging jewelry making projects.

From my experience with new students the best way to learn to crawl when it comes to jewelry making is to learn bead techniques first. Doing so will get you comfortable with simple jewelry making techniques, materials, and tools before you move on to try something more difficult. And the nice thing is that you can still make a lot of very beautiful jewelry pieces even with simple bead weaving techniques.

For the most part, bead stringing simply involves running a thin wire or a nylon filament string (that's where the word "stringing" comes from) through the holes in an assortment of beads to beautiful necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. With all the colors and types of beads available these days the number of different jewelry pieces you can make is virtually limitless.

To complete your jewelry stringing pieces you just need to learn a few simple finishing techiques like how to add a jump ring and a clasp so that you can wear the jewelry piece. You can master those finishing techniques in a short period of time. Once you've done that you will be equipped to create some very nice handcrafted jewelry pieces in no time at all.


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Fun Times Making Beaded Jewelry

Not only can you look great by making your own beaded jewelry you can also have a blast while you create to your hearts content. The first creation you should consider making is a beaded necklace for its elegance and simplicity. The second creation you should consider making is some beaded earrings.

Before you begin go to a bead or craft store so you can buy some supplies. The only things you really need to start are some thread or wire and some inexpensive beads. Always start with the inexpensive beads to learn with then move onto your favorite gem stones once you have the basics down.

Let's make a beaded necklace first. In the bead or craft store buy some thread or wire, beads, two crimps and a clasp. Next use more thread than you will actually need so you will have enough to attach the clasp with. Layout your beads on the table in the desired pattern you wish to make on the necklace. Now you can string the beads onto the middle of the thread or wire in your desired pattern. Use a piece of tape at the end of each pattern to hold your place. You can also use a spacer bead instead of the tape.

At each end slide one of the crimps onto the thread or wire. Add one half of the clasp, then string the thread back through the crimp and use needle nose pliers and press firmly on the crimp. Now you can remove the tape.

Now you can wear your creation and start all over again to make more. Once you have the knack you will never run out of ideas. So pursue your new found hobby with all the energy you can muster. You'll find it not only fun but also a great way to learn different avenues of self expression.

Next let's make some beaded earrings. First here are the supplies you will need: 2 head pins ( or eye pins as they are sometimes called), 4 spacers, 4 beads, and 2 fishhook ear wires. Next you will begin by putting the beads on in a simple pattern: bead, spacer, bead, spacer, like that. Ok, now follow closely, make a loop right above the top bead: using needle nose pliers, bend the pin at a 90 degree angle. Then using round nose pliers, form a loop. Wrap the wire on the other side of the loop, back around the wire (in between the loop and the bead). Now cut with wire cutters. Next, take the fish hook ear wire, and open the loop. Attach your drop and close the loop. Repeat for the second earring.

Limitless adventures -- that is what you'll have now that you have mastered the first step in creativity. You'll amaze yourself the more you allow yourself to develop and play. Don't put restraints on your designs, instead just let them flow freely. Even if something seems like a long shot take a chance -- what have you got to lose? Never again will you be afraid to walk into a new adventure. Fun and excitement is what you carry inside of you now. Watch it explode and mature as you allow yourself to develop your own style and grace. Remember today is the first day of the rest of your creative life.

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Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do

Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that nearly anyone can do. The materials needed are readily accessible and cost very little money. Aside from the requisite thread, needle and the beads, there are also some other materials that the hobbyist can use in making this kind of jewelry. Hobbyists can also experiment with various beading techniques make and unique creations.

There are several techniques involved in making beaded jewelry. Stringing is one, and wire-working with beads is another. Various types of string are available: cords, plastic, twine. Additionally, silk and nylon threads can also be utilized in making this special kind of jewelry. Using hemp fiber in beaded jewelry making is a nice touch. It makes for an unusual product and would also be a great topic for conversation. Wire of various thicknesses is another popular option. Additionally, wire is used to make jewelry items such as necklaces, hairpins and earrings, and to attach clasps.

Beads for jewelry come in all shapes and forms as well. In spite of beaded jewelry's reputation for being inexpensive, a person can also use precious like pearls and precious metals, such as gold and silver, to make beaded dress accessories. For beginners, however, less costly materials are widely available for making this kind of jewelry: glass, crystal, coral, to name a few. Whatever materials the artist uses, he or she is easily able to customize the type of jewelry to be worn personally, given as a gift, or sold to beaded jewelry enthusiasts.

To enhance the overall visual effect of the beads, a number of knotting and stitching techniques are recommended. There are simple knots and stitches for beginners, and with practice, they will be able to progress to the more complicated and fancier methods used in making this kind of jewelry. It's interesting to note that knots have mystical connotations in some cultures. For some East Indians, knots can be used to curse a person. In Gypsy lore, it is important to untie knots in the clothing of a woman in childbirth. And the expression 'tying the knot' derives from the ancient Romans, when the groom would untie the knots of his bride's girdle before consummating the marriage. In which case, it should be 'untying the knot.'

In the ancient past, beaded jewelry was used to denote wealth and social status where only the highest class of society was allowed to wear them. Thankfully, this is not so today and beaded jewelry can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Making beaded jewelry is an activity that requires no special training and technical skills. Creativity, fun and dedication are the only prerequisites in making these highly fashionable items.

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