Find free beaded jewelry patterns at the website below:
http://www.beadbuddies.net/Free_Patterns.html
Monday, July 5, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tips For Working With Scrimp Findings
If you have difficulty working with Scrimp Findings or beads you may want to purchase some type of magnifier. I personally used a headband magnifier, but there are many other types on the market to choose from.
The screws for the Scrimp Findings are extremely small, if you drop one it is difficult to pickup. I found that the best way to pickup up the screw for the scrimp finding is with a pair of spilt ring pliers.
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Scrimp Findings To Attach Clasps
In my articles I refer to the usage of crimp beads to attach a clasp. Using crimp beads is the best cost saving method, however, I favor using Scrimp Findings which are an alternative to a crimp beads. These are Precision components contain a screw inside the barrel that crimps and holds wires in place. You simply insert Beadalon wire into the Scrimp, through a clasp, and back through the Scrimp and tighten securely. The Scrimp Kit comes with its own screwdriver and ten Scrimp findings with screws. Six additional screws are stored within the handle of the screwdriver. Scrimp findings are a great tool to make your jewelry pieces look more professional. A watch I made with Scrimp Findings.
Scrimp Findings are very forgiving and allow for easy length and design adjustments from the beginning. You can even make adjustments later if you find a need to do so. If you are using crimp beads and detect an error after you have made the final crimp, then you have to completely disassemble the jewelry piece and start over.
Scrimp Findings are very forgiving and allow for easy length and design adjustments from the beginning. You can even make adjustments later if you find a need to do so. If you are using crimp beads and detect an error after you have made the final crimp, then you have to completely disassemble the jewelry piece and start over.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Making Watches
Making watches is a great way to make some extra income.You can make so many different looks and styles and there are so many gorgeous beads to choose from. A beaded watch can be made either single or double stranded.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
Rose nose Pliers
Nipper Tool
Crimping Tool
Tweezers
Beading Board
Crimping Beads
49 strand or 19-strand stringing wire
Clasps
Beads
SINGE STRANDED WATCH
A single stranded watch is beaded from the watch face back to the clasp. The size of each person’s wrist is different and some people like to wear their watches snug while others like a loose fit. It is important to take measurements every single time.
MEASUREMENTS
Lets say if you have a somewhat small wrist and like to wear your watch loosely then you want to make a watch that is approximately 7 ½ inches. If the watch face measures '1' inch then you are now down to 6 ½ inches. If the toggle takes up one quarter of an inch then you are left with approximately ‘6’ inches for beads. Basically you will have ‘3’ inches of beads on the left side and ‘3’ inches on the right side. Bead the left side totally first, then the right side
LAYOUT/DESIGN
Lay the watch face on the beading board, and put a ‘6’ or ‘8 ‘millimeter spacer bead next to the watch face (‘6’ or ‘8’ millimeter spacer bead has a large hole and will conceal the crimp bead); continue to layout the design of the beads going outward from the watch face ‘3’ inches for each side;
When all the beads have been laid out on the beading board then:
• Cut the beading wire about ‘6’ inches
• Make a checkmark at the end of beading wire
• Let the crimp bead fall into the checkmark
• Put the checkmark through the small hole on the watch face
(the end of the watch that has the #6)
• Bend the checkmark so that it can be inserted into the crimp bead
• Slide the crimp bead toward the watch face as far as you can
• Pull the beading wire tightly and crimp down by the watch face
• Nip the beading wire to about 16th of an inch.
• Put on a ‘6’ millimeter spacer bead to cover the crimp and proceed to bead up to the clasp.
When all beads are strung into place then:
• Add a crimp bead
• Put the stringing wire through small hole on the open toggle
• Thread the stringing wire down through the crimp bead and through the first bead
• Pull the beading wire tightly and crimp.
• You may thread the stringing wire through a couple of more beads and then nip the remaining wire.
Follow the same instructions for both sides of watch.
Just remember Instead of crimping to the clasp you are going to crimp to the watch face.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CRIMP
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/finishingtechniques/ss/100408_7.htm
DOUBLE SIDED WATCH
Basically with a double sided watch you crimp at the clasp, bead to the watch face, put your beading wire through the watch face and bead back down to the clasp. This is a watch that I beaded for myself, I have a larger wrist so the measurement would be larger then I am referencing in this article.
MEASUREMENTS
Once again measurements are very necessary. If the watch face measures an inch, and toggle is about an inch you will have approximately ‘6’ inches left for beading. For the double stranded watch you are beading from the round clasp to the watch face, through the watch face, and back down to the bar clasp.
You will have ‘3’ inches on left and ‘3’ inches on the right side for beads. Spacer beads are not needed for the two stranded watch because you crimp at the clasp, opposed to the watch face. You will however need to use at least ‘2’ tapering beads that are about '4' millimeter, so that you will be able to get the toggle through the round part of the clasp.
LAYOUT/DESIGN
First place the watch face on the beading board, then from the top down to the watch face layout the bead pattern beginning with two ‘4’ millimeter tapering beads. There will be ‘3’ inches of beads on each side.
• Cut the beading wire about ‘8’ or ‘9’ inches
• Make a checkmark at the end of beading wire
• Let the crimp bead fall into the checkmark
• Put the checkmark through the small hole on the open toggle
• Bend the checkmark so that it can be inserted into the crimp bead
• Slide the crimp bead down toward the open toggle as far as you can
• Pull the stringing wire tightly and crimp down by the clasp
• Nip the stringing wire to about 1/8 of an inch.
• The first bead goes over the little strand that’s left
String the beads all the way down to the watch face; then put the beading wire through the watch face hole (the end of the watch that has the #6) and bead back up to the bar toggle. When all beads are strung in place then:
• String on two ‘4’ millimeter beads
• Add a crimp bead
• Put the stringing wire through the small hole on the bar toggle
• Thread the beading wire through the crimp bead
• Thread the beading wire down through the first bead
• Pull beading wire tightly and crimp.
Repeat the same instruction for the other side of the watch.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
Rose nose Pliers
Nipper Tool
Crimping Tool
Tweezers
Beading Board
Crimping Beads
49 strand or 19-strand stringing wire
Clasps
Beads
SINGE STRANDED WATCH
A single stranded watch is beaded from the watch face back to the clasp. The size of each person’s wrist is different and some people like to wear their watches snug while others like a loose fit. It is important to take measurements every single time.
MEASUREMENTS
Lets say if you have a somewhat small wrist and like to wear your watch loosely then you want to make a watch that is approximately 7 ½ inches. If the watch face measures '1' inch then you are now down to 6 ½ inches. If the toggle takes up one quarter of an inch then you are left with approximately ‘6’ inches for beads. Basically you will have ‘3’ inches of beads on the left side and ‘3’ inches on the right side. Bead the left side totally first, then the right side
LAYOUT/DESIGN
Lay the watch face on the beading board, and put a ‘6’ or ‘8 ‘millimeter spacer bead next to the watch face (‘6’ or ‘8’ millimeter spacer bead has a large hole and will conceal the crimp bead); continue to layout the design of the beads going outward from the watch face ‘3’ inches for each side;
When all the beads have been laid out on the beading board then:
• Cut the beading wire about ‘6’ inches
• Make a checkmark at the end of beading wire
• Let the crimp bead fall into the checkmark
• Put the checkmark through the small hole on the watch face
(the end of the watch that has the #6)
• Bend the checkmark so that it can be inserted into the crimp bead
• Slide the crimp bead toward the watch face as far as you can
• Pull the beading wire tightly and crimp down by the watch face
• Nip the beading wire to about 16th of an inch.
• Put on a ‘6’ millimeter spacer bead to cover the crimp and proceed to bead up to the clasp.
When all beads are strung into place then:
• Add a crimp bead
• Put the stringing wire through small hole on the open toggle
• Thread the stringing wire down through the crimp bead and through the first bead
• Pull the beading wire tightly and crimp.
• You may thread the stringing wire through a couple of more beads and then nip the remaining wire.
Follow the same instructions for both sides of watch.
Just remember Instead of crimping to the clasp you are going to crimp to the watch face.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CRIMP
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/finishingtechniques/ss/100408_7.htm
DOUBLE SIDED WATCH
Basically with a double sided watch you crimp at the clasp, bead to the watch face, put your beading wire through the watch face and bead back down to the clasp. This is a watch that I beaded for myself, I have a larger wrist so the measurement would be larger then I am referencing in this article.
Once again measurements are very necessary. If the watch face measures an inch, and toggle is about an inch you will have approximately ‘6’ inches left for beading. For the double stranded watch you are beading from the round clasp to the watch face, through the watch face, and back down to the bar clasp.
You will have ‘3’ inches on left and ‘3’ inches on the right side for beads. Spacer beads are not needed for the two stranded watch because you crimp at the clasp, opposed to the watch face. You will however need to use at least ‘2’ tapering beads that are about '4' millimeter, so that you will be able to get the toggle through the round part of the clasp.
LAYOUT/DESIGN
First place the watch face on the beading board, then from the top down to the watch face layout the bead pattern beginning with two ‘4’ millimeter tapering beads. There will be ‘3’ inches of beads on each side.
• Make a checkmark at the end of beading wire
• Let the crimp bead fall into the checkmark
• Put the checkmark through the small hole on the open toggle
• Bend the checkmark so that it can be inserted into the crimp bead
• Slide the crimp bead down toward the open toggle as far as you can
• Pull the stringing wire tightly and crimp down by the clasp
• Nip the stringing wire to about 1/8 of an inch.
• The first bead goes over the little strand that’s left
String the beads all the way down to the watch face; then put the beading wire through the watch face hole (the end of the watch that has the #6) and bead back up to the bar toggle. When all beads are strung in place then:
• String on two ‘4’ millimeter beads
• Add a crimp bead
• Put the stringing wire through the small hole on the bar toggle
• Thread the beading wire through the crimp bead
• Thread the beading wire down through the first bead
• Pull beading wire tightly and crimp.
Repeat the same instruction for the other side of the watch.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Instructional Videos For Beading -Polmer Clay
The website Jewelry Supply has some great instructional videos.
Find videos on how to:
http://www.jewelrysupply.com/
Find videos on how to:
- Use scrimp beads,
- Use bead tips
- The process of how to Crimp
- Use Wire Guards
- Use Wire Hoops
- Open Jump Rings
- Make A Simple Loop
http://www.jewelrysupply.com/
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Make And Sell Beaded and Polymer Clay Jewelry
The Job market is very challenging with millions of jobs lost since the start of the recession. There are so many families struggling to make ends meet. Homes have been foreclosed at record rates and delinquency is still an alarming problem. Many Retirements saving have been almost or totally depleted leaving so many people at the brink of financial ruins. I recall a statement from some of the leaders in Washington stating that people are going to have to start creating their own jobs. That’s a very broad statement but believe it or not many people have created their own jobs.
Most likely everyone can think of something that they do well outside of their normal job, or you may want to start something new. Many people have started to do craft projects and become quite profitable selling their work. You could consider making beaded jewelry. This is one of the cheapest hobbies to get involved in because you can find tons of beads at garage or estate sells and you can buy locally from stores like JoAnn’s Michaels, or Hobby Lobby. Those stores generally run very good weekly sales. The internet has many online craft stores and often times you find really good deals.
I personally like to bead jewelry as well as make it out of polymer clay. You can choose to make beaded earring, necklaces, bracelets, or as you get more advanced watches. The supplies for a basic beaded necklace would be beads, bead board, stringing wire, clasps, crimp tool crimp beads. Crimp beads are small metal tubes that are squeezed tight around beading wire with a crimp tool to hold beads in place. They allow you to easily attach a clasp to the end of your design.
As you get more advanced with beading jewelry you will to add items like wire cutters, flat-nose, rounded nose pliers and chain nose. There may be other supplies you may need according to the style of jewelry you would like to create. There are many options for getting started, the internet has a variety of free tutorials online, or checkout You Tube for jewelry videos and there are many books that may be purchased. Supplies are available a local Michaels, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or at many online retailers. There are many beading books on the market today.
Click the link below to browse:
http://astore.amazon.com/makingjewelry00-20
Another suggestion for making jewelry is polymer clay which is a pliable, blend-able man made alternative to clay. It can also be purchased from most local craft stores including places like Wal-Mart. It is generally sold in 2oz blocks and comes in a multitude of colors. Some people use the clay free form while others use molds for their creations. There is a little bit of a learning curve working with polymer clay, and you mostly learn by trial and error. The completed clay piece has to be baked and the baking time is included on the package. Polymer clay opens a new level of creativity far beyond making jewelry.
There is also how to tutorials online, You Tube videos, and books that maybe purchased. Basically all you need to get started making jewelry with polymer clay is the clay and an oven. I recommend having a clay extruder, sharp blades, Sandpaper which enables you to give your clay a smooth and crisp finish. Polymer clay should be sanded underneath water with 400 grit or higher wet/dry sandpaper. A Steel wool or buffer would be a benefit because these tools help to give your finished project a glossy or shiny appearance. You can purchase a liquid gloss finish for polymer clay. The most common liquid gloss finishes used on polymer clay are polyurethane (usually Varathane, indoor, gloss) and Future floor polish (now renamed Pledge with Future Shine).
Click link to browse for polymer clay books and more:
http://astore.amazon.com/polymerclay-accessories-20
Click link to browse jewelry mold designs:
http://www.madaboutmolds.com/index_files/Page1214.htm
I find lots of my crafting items online for a good price at create for less;
click link below:
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3378466-10359119%22%20target=%22_top
Find lots of good tips and info at:
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/
Most likely everyone can think of something that they do well outside of their normal job, or you may want to start something new. Many people have started to do craft projects and become quite profitable selling their work. You could consider making beaded jewelry. This is one of the cheapest hobbies to get involved in because you can find tons of beads at garage or estate sells and you can buy locally from stores like JoAnn’s Michaels, or Hobby Lobby. Those stores generally run very good weekly sales. The internet has many online craft stores and often times you find really good deals.
I personally like to bead jewelry as well as make it out of polymer clay. You can choose to make beaded earring, necklaces, bracelets, or as you get more advanced watches. The supplies for a basic beaded necklace would be beads, bead board, stringing wire, clasps, crimp tool crimp beads. Crimp beads are small metal tubes that are squeezed tight around beading wire with a crimp tool to hold beads in place. They allow you to easily attach a clasp to the end of your design.
As you get more advanced with beading jewelry you will to add items like wire cutters, flat-nose, rounded nose pliers and chain nose. There may be other supplies you may need according to the style of jewelry you would like to create. There are many options for getting started, the internet has a variety of free tutorials online, or checkout You Tube for jewelry videos and there are many books that may be purchased. Supplies are available a local Michaels, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or at many online retailers. There are many beading books on the market today.
Click the link below to browse:
http://astore.amazon.com/makingjewelry00-20
Another suggestion for making jewelry is polymer clay which is a pliable, blend-able man made alternative to clay. It can also be purchased from most local craft stores including places like Wal-Mart. It is generally sold in 2oz blocks and comes in a multitude of colors. Some people use the clay free form while others use molds for their creations. There is a little bit of a learning curve working with polymer clay, and you mostly learn by trial and error. The completed clay piece has to be baked and the baking time is included on the package. Polymer clay opens a new level of creativity far beyond making jewelry.
There is also how to tutorials online, You Tube videos, and books that maybe purchased. Basically all you need to get started making jewelry with polymer clay is the clay and an oven. I recommend having a clay extruder, sharp blades, Sandpaper which enables you to give your clay a smooth and crisp finish. Polymer clay should be sanded underneath water with 400 grit or higher wet/dry sandpaper. A Steel wool or buffer would be a benefit because these tools help to give your finished project a glossy or shiny appearance. You can purchase a liquid gloss finish for polymer clay. The most common liquid gloss finishes used on polymer clay are polyurethane (usually Varathane, indoor, gloss) and Future floor polish (now renamed Pledge with Future Shine).
Click link to browse for polymer clay books and more:
http://astore.amazon.com/polymerclay-accessories-20
Click link to browse jewelry mold designs:
http://www.madaboutmolds.com/index_files/Page1214.htm
I find lots of my crafting items online for a good price at create for less;
click link below:
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3378466-10359119%22%20target=%22_top
Find lots of good tips and info at:
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/
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