Instructions for Making Jewelry
The use of jewelry to adorn oneself is as old as time. Jewelry has transcended every place, culture and time zone and has evolved itself into an important accessory for women and even men. Today one can find handmade jewelry that makes use of crystals, pearls and sequins, as well as trendy beaded jewelry that use colorful beads of varied sizes. While one takes a lot of time and effort to coordinate the entire attire and the rest of the accessories, why leave jewelry out? Is it because it is difficult to run out and get the right color, size and most importantly in the material that you want? Well, I have a solution for your dilemma: try out some of these jewelry making ideas and you will be very pleased with the results.
Colorful Wildflower Necklace
This necklace makes use of beautiful Swarovski crystals, glass beads and pearls. One can alternate the colors of the beads and crystals as per individual taste and requirement. As this particular necklace is quite colorful, you can team it up with any number of clothes in your wardrobe.
Materials Needed:
- Silver threading wire, 1 spool
- Silver Plated Crimps, 1 pkg
- Rose tinted round Swarovski, 1 pkg
- Tanzanite Swarovski, 1 pkg
- Purple pony beads, 1 pkg
- Round pearls, 1 pkg
- Seed beads, 2 pkg
- Sterling silver heishi, 1 pkg
- Silver plated crimps, 1 pkg
- Silver plated tubular bar clasp, 10 pieces
Cut three 19 inch strands of the silver threading wire and string in a bead stopper at the end of each strand.
First and Second Strand: Thread in the beads in the order given below or feel free to experiment with the order. Thread only one of each: pony bead, tanzanite crystal, pony bead, pearl bead, pony bead, tanzanite crystal, pony bead, bead stopper. This pattern or the one you choose should be repeated until you reach a length of 16 inches. The bead stopper should be the last bead strung.
Third Strand: String the beads in the same way as done for the first and second, following this pattern (one of each): rose crystal, heishi, pearl bead, heishi, rose crystal, bead stopper.
Once all the beads have been strung, keep them aside. Take a clasp, keep it closed, string the beaded wires through a crimp, loop it around the clasp and back through the crimp bead. Trim off the excess wire. Do the same for the other side of the beaded strings as well. Before wearing it, one can either twist it or just leave it untwisted.
Beaded Bracelets
Beads are extremely versatile in their image projections. They can be worn with party, formal as well as casual wear, and make an impact with their simplicity and elegance. One of the best reasons why you should try out this handcrafted designer jewelry idea, because besides its beauty, you can let your creativity fly and make a whole necklace instead of a bracelet, as it follows the same technique.
Materials Needed:
- Tiger tail wire, 15 inches
- Colorful bead (assorted sizes), 1 pkg
- Crimps, 2
- Screw clasp, 1
Cut the tiger tail as per the size needed for the bracelet (add a few extra inches for the last loop). Taking one part of the screw clasp, pass the tiger through it, loop and pass it back again. String in a crimp and press it down. Thread the beads in the order you want. Towards the end, string in the crimp, press it down, pass the tiger tail through the other part of the screw clasp and pass it back through the clasp. Cut off excess tail end.
Two Wire Earrings
These two wire earrings are drop dead gorgeous. One can use contrasting colored beads or same colored with varying shades.Decide upon the size and the number of beads to be stringed in, depending on personal taste. I have given a standard size but if you want to keep it short or create a long 'touching-the-shoulder' kind, let your imagination run wild.
Materials Required:
- Earring hooks, 2
- Crimps, 5
- Large beads, any color, 4
- Small beads, any color, 4
- Tiger tail beading wire, 12 inches
- Pliers
Fold the tiger tail in half and cut it into two 6 inch pieces using the pliers. Take one of the cut tiger tail and fold it once again in half. With the pliers' flat end, press the fold. Pass the earring hook from one side of the tiger-tail, until it rests in the fold. Pass the crimp beads through both ends and push it right up close to the earring hooks. String one large bead onto (both) each of the tiger tail ends, followed by one small bead and a crimp. Press the crimp to seal the tiger tail end. Cut off excess tail end. Repeat the entire procedure to make the second earring of the pair.
One of the best aspects of the above mentioned instructions is that they are easy to follow. Well then, what are you waiting for, go out there and wear accessories that are as unique as YOU!
