The Basics Of Making A Beaded Necklace
Making beaded jewellery of any kind requires little more than time and patience, although there are certain pieces of equipment and types of materials that will not only ensure that your piece lasts, but will also make its creation a lot easier. There are a few techniques involved but, once mastered, they can be applied to a variety of jewellery-making projects.
To begin with, you will need to choose your beads and these will, to some degree, inform the choice of materials you use. Heavier beads are better suited to Tigertail wire (also know as monofilament or nylon coated wire), which is stiff and does not require the use of a needle. It also has the bonus of holding its shape. Soft-flex wire is more flexible, being constructed of a larger number of wire strands. It has the advantage over Tigertail in one respect; because it is so flexible it is less likely to develop kinks, which the more rigid Tigertail is prone to do. Tigertail may also require the use of a pair of diagonal wire-cutters to achieve flush cuts.
Either types of wire can be used in necklace construction and both need to be finished with crimp beads. These are beads made of a soft metal that is squashed to keep a bead in position or to ?close? the open end of the necklace. A pair of crimping pliers is often useful for flattening these beads and fixing them into place. Effectively, the crimp bead is compressed into a ?U? shape and then folded over onto itself to create a round bead-shape.
For intricate designs, a felt bead board is a useful piece of equipment. Designs are laid out on the board before stringing and the felt prevents unnecessary movement. This is the first stage of the process. Once you have settled on your design, you can then cut the required length of wire, leaving an extra 12cm (5 inches). Around 40cm-45cm (16-20 inches) in total is a good rule of thumb for a short necklace, but of course, if you?re making bespoke jewellery, it is advisable to precisely measure the neck of the person you are making it for.
Next, attach a crimp bead and one half of the clasp to your selected wire, leaving the crimp bead in a ?U? shape. The wire should then be pulled back through the crimp bead, which can then be compressed into a ball and hold everything in position.
The wire is now ready to receive the beads. The clasp and crimp bead will prevent beads falling from the wire. However, in the event that you are making a symmetrical piece but are not sure of the number of beads you will use, you should leave the clasp until you have added the beads ? starting with the central bead and working your way out, adding beads at either end of the wire, until the desired effect is achieved.
Once you are satisfied with your piece, all that remains is to attach the rest of the clasp to the open end of the necklace, using the same process as before.
Adam Hunter ? E-commerce Marketing Manager of cooksongold.com. Cookson Precious Metals offer a choice of supplies from over 10,000 products including gold and silver wire, jewellery tools, findings, precious metal clay and precious metal sheet - gold, silver. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Adam Hunter E-commerce Marketing Manager Tel(DDI): ): +44 (0) 121 212 6491 E-mail: adam.hunter@cooksongold.com
Related Articles:
Leading Online Source for Jewelry Making and Wholesale Beads Celebrates 4 Successful Years of Business
Gemmall.com, the leading online source for wholesale beads and supplies for jewelry making, is celebrating its 4th successful year in business.
Mydreambeads.com Launches Online Specialty Bead and Jewelry Making Supply Store
Mydreambeads.com is pleased to announce the launch of our specialty bead and jewelry making supply store that offers wholesale prices to craftspeople, home-based businesses and retail markets at www.mydreambeads.com.
Learn How Handcrafted Beaded Jewelry is Made
Handcrafted beaded jewelry is jewelry that is handmade using beads and a material to hold the beads together The handcrafted beaded jewelry includes rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, belts, anklets, pendants, children's jewelry, bridal jewelry sets and other jewelry sets
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 pieces to know what would be easy to make, and what would be difficult to make.
Just Bead It!: Wholesale Beads and Charms Influence in a Persons Life
Arts and crafts have always been a part of our lives. It is the foundation of civilization in any given area. Sumerians cuneiform was one of the great contributions of ancient civilization. Cuneiform writing was one of the influences of the alphabet today. In ancient Egypt, glass-like beads became a phenomenon because of its high-market value. Nowadays, beads are sold in bulks but with lesser value. Wholesale bead supplies, wholesale pewter charm, wholesale bead charms, and custom designed charms are used as ornaments in fabric and worn as accessories.
Turquoise Beads Amongst the Favourites for Jewelry
Turquoise beads date back to the time of Egyptian rulers. The Indians and pioneers also used to make jewelry out of turquoise. It is amongst the oldest gemstones. But it is still extremely popular today.
Beading for Fun and Profit: Bracelet Beading Birthday Parties
A birthday bracelet beading party for girls age 5 and up is guaranteed to be a big hit. Most girls are thrilled with the opportunity to make jewelry, and parents appreciate that you're providing both the party favors (the bracelets the girls make to take home) and the party activity (making the bracelets).
The Bead Shop Features John S. Brana - Distinctive Jewelry
In celebration of its 25th anniversary and introduction of 2007 spring class curriculum "Awaken Your Creativity," The Bead Shop (www.beadshop.com) features former student John S Brana.
Call for Entries: Halstead Bead Sponsors $6,000 Bridge Jewelry Business Development Grant
Halstead Bead, Inc. is calling for entries to its third annual Business Development Grant competition for new American designers entering the bridge jewelry trade. The grant will be awarded to a winning candidate in August. The winner of the 2008 Grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as other benefits. Complete application details can be found at http://www.halsteadbead.com/Grant.
The Beading for Beginners Information on Essential Tools for the Beading Trade
When learning to bead you will realize early on that you need more than just beading needles and some thread. There are hundreds of organizers and tools available for beading, and those tools have a direct impact on the look and style of any beading project. Yet there are five basic tools that will get you started:
East European Jewelry Designer Silvia Nikolov Introduces Her Mystic Mediterranean Style Unique Handcrafted Jewelry Collection
Beauty, mystery and distinctiveness are the words that describe best this unique handcrafted jewelry collection that can be found at www.sivani-beaded-jewelry.com. Coming from Bulgaria, a picturesque small country that has existed for more than 13 centuries in Europe, Silvia Nikolov incorporates the rich traditions and magnificent history of her country in her jewelry designs. The result is a collection of timeless jewelry that makes a bold fashion statement and complements every style.
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.
Halstead Bead Sponsors $6,000 Bridge Jewelry Business Grant
Halstead Bead, Inc. is pleased to announce its Second Annual Business Development Grant for new designers entering the bridge jewelry trade. The grant will be awarded to a winning candidate in August. The winner of the 2007 Grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as other benefits. Applications must be received between April 15 and June 30, 2007.
"Bead-dazzle:" Bead Making's Rich and Colorful History
Among the oldest human art forms, bead making dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where glass beads were fashioned from clay with a vitreous coating In 1500 B
Several Bead Jewelry Designs
Working with beads can be fun and exciting in the same time for those who love to participate in arts and crafts . This can turn into a passion, but also into a business as well. Bead jewelry design is used for clothing and shoes decoration, and for many other things. All the spectacular beads can be used in bead jewelry designs, from small colorful beads to large beach theme beads.