Step One: Cut 22-gauge wire and make a wire wrapped loop. Make sure to make a loop small enough so seed beads can not pass through.
Step Two: Knot a bead to the end of the thread. Feed the thread through wire loop.
Step Three: String on your preferred amount of seed beads. (Here we are using size 11 Miyuki seed beads.)
Step Four: Skip the last bead and thread the needle back though the beads.
Step Five: Thread through the wire loop.
Step Six: String on beads and thread back through the beads while skipping the last bead. Then go back through the wire loop.
Step Seven: Repeat until you’ve reached a desired thickness. This thickness is according to how full you want your tassel to look within the bead cap or end that is being used. Tie off the ends and cut excess. You can add fast-drying glue to secure the knots.
Step Eight: Add your bead cap or bead end and make a wire wrapped loop. You’ve completed your beaded tassel.
Guinevere Beaded Tassel Lariat Necklace
Designed by Tory Vezina
If Queen Guinevere wore a tassel necklace, this would be the necklace. With pearl seed beads and spiral rope chain, this necklace is perfect for common folk to feel like a queen!
The tassel was made with size 11 pearl seed beads and gold end caps. Make two beaded tassels. Cut some rope chain at 3-4 feet and attach each end with a brass jump ring and beaded tassel. Wear this lariat necklace loose while wrapped around once or twice. Or tie a knot 2-4 inches away from your beaded tassel.
A simple embellishment you can add to your head pins and wire, is making a wire wrap loop. A wrapped loop adds a decorative and elegant look to your jewelry piece. Here, we’ll explain how to make a wrapped loop, how to connect two wrapped loops together and show you previous projects using wrapped loops.
While we covered the basic of a simple loop in a previous blog post, you can take that knowledge of simple loops and amp it up a notch with wire-wrapped loops. Like, our previous advice; practice, practice, practice.
First, let’s talk about wire gauge. While we recommend your head pins, eyepins or wire to be a 21 – 24 gauge, you can surely use other thickness. Do keep in mind that when wire wrapping a thick gauge, like 20 or lower; it will be more difficult to create a tighter coil. While a thinner gauge above 26 will be more delicate. But when it comes down to beading and jewelry, it’s personal preference.
Wire Wrap Loop Tutorial
Tools you will need:
Round Nose Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers
Serrated Pliers
Side Cutter
Step One: Add bead(s) to head pin or eyepin. Grasp the tip of the round nose pliers on the wire close to the top bead.
Step Two. Bend wire to a 45-degree angle over the pliers’ round nose with fingers.
Step Three: Slide the round nose pliers in 1/4” and grasp the bent 45-degree angle tail. Bring wire over the pliers’ round nose to make a backwards question mark. Note: You can slide the pliers in more for a larger loop.
Step Four: Switch the pliers’ nose so that the bottom nose is in the loop that’s been made. Wrap the wire end under the round nose and over the bead(s). The wire should cross over the bent 45-degree angle section leaving a gap below the loop.
Step Five: Clamp the loop with a flat nose plier and grasp the wire tail with the tip of the round nose pliers.
Step Six: In a clockwise rotation, coil the wire with your round nose pliers around the gap and down. You should get 2-3 coils.
Step Seven: Clip the excess wire with a side cutter. Use a serrated or flat nose pliers to catch the end of the wire tail and tuck it under the coils.
Step Eight: Straighten loop as needed. You are done!
Linking Wire Wrapped Loops
Unlike simple loops, with wire wrap loops you are unable to open the loops up and link them. You will need to add the two parts in the middle of the wrapping process, while using Artistic Wire to make a double wrapped, loop links.
Step One: Make a wrapped loop on 22 Gauge Artistic Wire.
Step Two: Make a 45-degree bent angle and full loop. After the full loop, link finished wire wrapped piece into loop.
Step Three: Finish the rest of the wire wrapping process and you should have a wire-wrap linked piece.
There are many variations of how to form a wrapped loop. Many jewelry-makers create coils while holding the wire end with their fingers. Or others wire wrap an irregular coil. Whichever the look you are achieving, one way to make a wrapped loop.
Sample Jewelry with Wire-Wrapped Loops
Here, we will explore inspirational jewelry from past trends and blog postings that have used wrapped loops.
We linked up wire-wrapped loops to make this waterfall-inspired pearl necklace.
Czech Crescent Bracelet and Earrings with FREE Illustrated Tutorial
Czech Crescent beads are NEW at GoodyBeads. The Czech crescent beads are wedge-shaped beads with two holes. We have two easy and free tutorials using these Czech crescent beads.
Midnight Gold Czech Crescent Bracelet
Design by So Vang
For this bracelet, we used a combination of black and gold crescent beads with Swarovski® crystals in Graphite AB2X. The midnight glow of the AB2X is hauntingly beautiful in this piece.
We love this bracelet because it is simple to make. First, start by threading on 4 seed beads. Keep the ends of your thread untied. Then, you will thread on a top layer with a sequence of 3 Czech crescent, a seed bead and a 4mm bicone crystal. Repeat this sequence until you’ve reached your preferred bracelet length. End this top layer with 3 crescent beads and 4 seed beads. Now, bring the thread down to the bottom 3 crescent beads you’ve ended with. You will now be threading the bottom layer by adding a seed bead and bicone crystal in between each crescent bead grouping until you’ve reached the end. Tie both of your thread ends together. Feed your threads back through a few beads before you cut off excess thread. Add your clasp and chain link to the seed bead loop ends you’ve made with jump rings.
First thread on your top layer with, crescent bead, seed bead, bicone crystal (4 times). Tie both thread ends together to create a cylinder shape. Feed your thread through one crescent bead and loop down through the second hole of the crescent bead. Thread in reverse of your cylinder shape with adding a seed bead and bicone crystal inbetween the crescent bead. Once you’ve reached the end. Tie off thread ends and thread through a few beads before cutting off excess and you’ve completed your crescent bead design.
Slide these beads onto the headpin and make a simple loop:
Seed bead, bicone crystal, 8mm round crystal, 6mm round crystal, crescent bead design, bicone crystal and seed bead.
Open your Ear-wire loop and slide on your crescent bead design headpin loop. Repeat for other earring.
Make a personalized gift with special, customized words for Dad. A new alternative to sterling silver, Alkemé™ stamping blanks make personalizing gifts easy and fun.
Made with a newly formulated, non-corrosive metal alloy, these metal discs allow for intricate, detailed stamping at just a light tap of a hammer. Plus, Alkemé™ stamping blanks are lead-, nickel and cadmium-free. Just buff with a soft cloth, like you do with silver. It’s a great, affordable option to using sterling silver, and looks fantastic.
Leather KeyChain with Alkemé Blank
Designed by So Vang
Dads are heroes, don’t you agree? They fix the sink when clogged, change out the burned-out light bulb, chase away monsters under your bed and even drive you to the mall. We have this easy leather keychain to remind him of his superhero qualities. Refer to our How to Rivetblog post for a tutorial on how to rivet leather and our metal stamping blog post on how to stamp metal blanks.
Step Two: Cut 6” of 10mm flat leather. Punch a hole at the ends. Optional: Cut the corners of your leather ends.
Step Three: Punch a hole 2” away from one end of your leather.
Step Four: Loop your 2” gap hole over your key ring. Loop the other end to sit on top of your other leather end and rivet the three hole layers together with a 6mm rivet.
Step Five: Attach your Alkemé stamping blank with a jump ring to key ring. Done.
Leather Cord Wrap Bracelet
Designed by So Vang
This simple bracelet is for the fishing enthusiast Dad. Using this stylish fish hook clasp, 2mm leather cord and an Alkemé dangle blank, he is sure to wear this bracelet all day, every day, fishing, or non-fishing.
Step One: Stamp your Alkemé stamping dangle blank.
Step Two: Fold your 2mm leather cord in half and tie a loop.
Step Three: Cut to accommodate two wraps around wrist, plus an extra 5” for the knot. Loop the end through the fish hook clasp loop and make a slip knot. Follow arrows. Pull ends to tighten knot. Cut excess leather end.
Step Four: Attach your Alkemé stamp blank with a jump ring. Done.
Letter Stamps: TL00191 – 3mm Bridgette Metal Letters Stamping Set
Memorial Day DIY Jewelry
Memorial Day is a special day to honor those who have died while serving in the United States of America armed forces. We have a few DIY jewelry projects to commemorate this day and all American holidays.
Red, White and Blue Flat Leather Bracelet
Designed by So Vang
Here’s a clean and sleek bracelet made from 5mm flat leather and rivets. First, measure four strands of leather at your wrist size plus two more inches for the loops. You can learn how to rivet leather loops by reading our previous blog. Make sure to loop your ends through the bar end before you hammer your rivets. Add a clasp and you are ready to rock to the beat of an American song.
We made this bracelet easy to wear, make, and adjust. Take a strand of red, white and blue 2mm leather cord and line them up at one end. Take a silver clamp and clamp the three ends with serrated chain nose pliers. Hold your strands together and evenly straighten your strands. Make a flush cut at the other end and use another silver clamp to clamp those ends. Add your clasp and a simple USA charm. What’s versatile about this bracelet is that you can add knots in between your leather cords if you find the bracelet to be a bit loose. Plus, we think the added knots are a neat feature to the bracelet. Wrap 4 or 5 times around your wrist for a fire cracking weekend.
To make the pin, you will make Czech dagger rings by threading on Czech daggers and making a knot with the thread ends. Cut off excess thread. You will need to make three rings with 10 red Czech dagger beads, 9 red Czech dagger beads and 7 black Czech dagger beads.
Next, slide on your headpin the 8mm black round crystal, black dagger ring, red dagger smaller ring, red dagger larger ring and 8mm red bicone crystal. Make a simple loop. Open the headpin dangle loop and attach to the loop on the bow pin.
For this ring, you will need to make two rings with 10 red dagger beads and 7 red dagger beads. Use a fast-drying glue, like Super New Glue to add to the base of your ring. Lay the larger red ring on top and press down with your finger. This will help the ring to lay flat. This should only take a few seconds to dry. Add some glue on the inner part of the red dagger ring and add your smaller red dagger ring. Hold it in place with your finger for a few seconds. Add some glue to that layer and place the jet round crystal on top.
Jump Rings
Jump rings are an essential product to have when making jewelry. Jump rings are used to make connections to clasps, chain links, charms, and many more. We will show how jump rings have been used in various jewelry projects, and also teach you how to open a jump ring correctly.
Step One: Hold one side of your jump ring with one of your pliers, clamping at the middle of the pliers.
Step Two: Take your second pair of pliers and grasp the other side of the jump ring almost perpendicular to your left pliers.
Step Three: Keeping the left pliers steady, rotate your right pliers towards you to open the jump ring.
Step Four: To close the jump ring, rotate your right pliers away from you until the two ends meet.
Note: Jump rings should never be opened by pulling the sides of your jump rings apart.
Jump Ring Video Tutorial
Check out our video tutorial on how to open and close jump rings with Alisun and Kristal Wick.
Sample Uses of Jump Rings
In our April 2016 Trend, we featured stampable charms and connectors. Here we used jump rings to connect to other connector links, as well as chain link. When using a similar size of jump rings, you won’t even notice that jump rings were used to connect these pieces together.
Adding charms to an expandable bracelet? Jump rings work great. Just make sure to use a large enough size to attach the charm to the bracelet like the example above.
Chain maille is a popular jewelry art. The combination of different sizes and colors of jump rings can make an intricate design that looks like a piece of art.
Even in our previous blog on How to Rivet, after we riveted a leather loop we used jump rings to connect the leather strands to a watch face or magnetic clasp. The brass jump rings were selected to match the color of the watch face and clasp, making the overall piece cohesive.
Czech Honeycomb Bracelet Tutorials
Czech Honeycomb beads are popular! We have two easy and free tutorials on how to use these popular honeycomb beads to make a bangle and cuff bracelet.
Honeycomb Bangle by Apollinariya Koprivnik
We followed BeadSmith’s Inspiration Squad Member, Apollinariya Koprivnik’s tutorial to make this stunning honeycomb bangle. We love its mesmerizing, 3D design. We dressed the bangle with the matte jet honeycomb and accented it with gold and silver seed beads and SuperDuos.
To create this wire-wrap cuff, we drew inspiration from Julie Romero’s honeycomb bangle bracelet. Follow our directions below to create this easy wire wrapped honeycomb cuff.
* Note: It is easier and quicker to work with shorter pieces of 26-gauge wire.
Step One: Start with 2 feet of 26-gauge wire. Wrap the end of the wire three times in the middle section of the cuff shown above.
Step Two: String on 26 honeycomb beads and secure it around to the other end of the cuff by making a few wraps.
Step Three: Bring the wire back behind the cuff and thread it through the first honeycomb hole. Bring wire over the bottom cuff frame and make three coiled wraps.
Step Four: Repeat step 3 for every other honeycomb bead on the bottom row.
Step Five: When you have finished the bottom row, coil wraps around the frame to wire wrap the top row of the cuff. See finished cuff above.
We talked about looping and cutter tools in our Beading Essential: Tool Edition Part 1 blog post. In this second part of our Beading Essential: Tool Edition, we’ve selected a few metal working and hammer tools as well as other tools to make your jewelry making easier.
Hammers
These are not your average hammers you have lying around your house to hammer nails. These special hammers are extra sturdy, like steel hammers, and have versatile uses for jewelry making.
A010617 – Metal Stamping Hammer
TL00235 – Metal Stamping Hammer By ImpressArt
These two are metal stamping hammers that have sturdy brass heads ideal for striking metal stamps. Their short handles have comfortable grips to give the user a precise strike.
A012927 – Chasing Hammer
The Chasing Hammer is a great tool to use for metal working. The two-part hammer has a round side that is great for adding textures such as a hammered look (small dents) to metal. While the other side is flat and good for flattening wire and hammering rivets.
Texture hammers provide patterned texture on metal. Each hammer has a double head that has two different texture heads to create a different impression in your metal. Try turning your hammer when you strike, for a variation in your impression. Create unique impressions by changing up the angle and power of your strikes.
A011606 – Rubber Mallet
A rubber mallet will allow you to change a half-hard or dead-soft jewelry wire into hard wire. After you’ve shaped your own wire pendants, ear wires or clasps, for instance, you’ll want to use a rubber mallet to make them stronger, harder and to help them maintain their shape. Because of its soft head, it is also best to use a rubber mallet on color coated wire as each strike does not disturb the colored surface.
TL00146 – Whammer Wire Jewelry Hammer
With this tool, you get three tools in one. There is a convex steel head for flattening wire, an interchangeable nylon flat head for hardening wire or straightening colored wire, and a steel dapping head for creating dents or texture on metal.
First, stamp your designs onto the stamping blank and sand the edges of your blank to smooth out the edges with Sanding Sponge Grit. Then, take one end of the blank and insert into the loop of the bar. Bend the blank around the curve of the bending bar. Repeat to the other side of the blank. Use Nylon Jaw Bending Pliers if you need to create a more curved look.
TL00199 – 1 Step Earwire Maker
Use the Earwire Maker to make ear wires with 20-, 22-, or 24-Gauge wire in one step. Also use the Bur Tool to smooth rough and sharp ends of the ear wire and/or harden the ear wire by hammering it with a rubber mallet or nylon whammer tool.
Note, after you have squeezed the pliers to make the ear wire, do not release the pliers. Remove ear wire while you have the pliers squeezed. Cut excess wire if you need to shorten the length of the end.
TL00208 – Straightener Tool
Wire is easier to use when it is flat. This wire straightener from Artistic Wire can help with straightening your curved, kinked, or bent wires.
Put your piece of wire in the middle of the three bars. Clasp the bars enclosing the wire on the inside. Pull your wire out and you should have a straighter wire. You may need to run the wire through a few times for more prominent kinks.
Beading Essentials: Tool Edition (Part 1 of 2)
When it comes to tools, everyone has their favorite set of pliers, cutters or hammers. But there are newer types of tools that can even help your jewelry-making be more consistent and efficient. In this Beading Essentials: Tool Edition, we hand-picked a few tools that can help you with your next beading project. Who knows, you might even find a new tool to add to your collection.
For this segment, we will discuss different types of looping tools and cutters to assist you in your jewelry making.
Looping Tools
In our previous blog, Jewelry Beading Essentials, we pointed out simple pliers that all jewelry makers should have on hand, like your round nose and cutters for making simple loops. Did you know there are looping tools that can help with the consistency of your loops? Or making wire loops in a shorter amount of time.
Wubbers® has looping pliers in various sizes that helps make simple loops easier.
A012264 – Bail Making Wubbers
This Bail Making Wubbersis great for making small 2-2.5mm loops or coils. Using this tool instead of your round nose pliers will give you a more consistent loop every time.
A012263 – Wubbers Wire Looping Pliers
This Wire Looping Wubbers comes with instructions on how to use this plier to make eyepins and wrapped loops. One side is concave so that it holds your loop in place while you make a loop on the other side of the plier. This tool is also perfect for beginning jewelry makers that are learning about making wire loops because the tool guides the user to make a round loop.
Tip: When you have finished your loop, bend the wire back slightly so that it centers the loop with the wire.
TL00155 – Large Wire Looping Pliers
Large Wire Looping Pliers makes larger loops. This loop is great for making larger loops to attach to thicker chain pieces or making larger eyepin loops. One of our favorite ways to use this tool is making jump rings, especially for chainmail.
Make coils with your looping pliers. Cut off excess wire. Then cut in a straight line across the coils to make 7mm jump rings.
TLZ0207 – Memory Wire Finishing Pliers
These Memory Wire Finishing Pliers are best used to make loops on your round or flat memory wire. Because memory wire has a stronger gauge, these pliers will help make a simple loop end easy. Clamp the pliers at the tip of the wire and roll towards you until you’ve made a full loop.
TL00019 – 1 Step Looper
An innovative tool we have is the 1 Step Looper. Designed to make loops in literally 1 STEP! It loops your wire and cuts it all, in one step.
This tool is perfect if you need to make a lot of eyepins. Feed your wire until it passes the middle lever. Squeeze your pliers and it will make a loop while cutting the excess wire end.
Tip: When you have finished your loop, bend the wire back slightly so that it centers the loop with the wire.
You can use this tool when you are making a lot of dangles. Feed your wire until the top of the beads are close to the pliers. There will be a hole at the other end if your wire is long. Squeeze your pliers to make a loop. Bend your dangle back slightly to center your loop.
Cutter Tools
Side cutters are one of the essential tools you will need for jewelry making. Whether you are cutting excess wire off of a headpin or cutting thin chain links, cutter tools are versatile. But not all cutters are the same. Certain cutters are used for certain projects.
FTTL0005 – Memory Wire Cutter
Memory Wire cutters are used for the heavy duty cutting. Best to use on memory wire or larger gauge wire, but you can use them for cutting thick chain links without damaging your regular cutters.
FTTL0001 – Flex Wire Cutter
Flex Wire Cutter is designed to cut flex wire. With this precision cutter, you don’t have to worry about your flex wire having frayed ends. We also use these for our Beading Wire or Elastic Cordfor a closer cut on a finished project, when scissors cannot.
TL00017 – Xuron® Shear – Non-Serrated
Xuron® Shears are manufactured for cutting high strength fibers, wire, metal sheets, leather cords, and even Beading Wire. They are perfect to cut wire coils to make jump rings because they create a clean, flat cut.
We recommend this tool if you are wanting a flat cut to your jump rings. Because when cutting the coils with your side cutters, you will find that your jump rings will have a sharp, pointed end. This is because side cutters are best for flushing the flat side of your side cutters for a close cut. While Xuron Shears cut clean and flat especially for making jump rings.
As you can see here, the left jump ring was cut with a side cutter, while the right jump ring was cut with the Xuron Shears.
TL00053 – Licorice Leather Cutter
With a comfortable grip, this Licorice Leather Cutter is perfect for cutting your licorice leather or all of your leather or rubber cords with a clean and accurate cut.
Feature: Tool Wallet
TL00064 – Dazzle-It Tool Wallet
For all your pliers and tools, get the Tool Wallet to keep your tools in one area! It has convenient elastic straps to organize up to six pliers. It is the perfect tool storage and slim enough to carry along with you when you cannot part from making jewelry on your vacation.
Mother’s Day is approaching and what better way to say thanks to our mothers by customizing a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day locket. We have two easy DIY locket gift ideas for the loving mothers, special aunts, and caring grandmothers in your lives.
Charmed Locket
Lockets and floating charms are an easy gift to make for Mother’s Day. Choose your glass locket and fill it with floating charms and mementos. Here, we have filled our pink locket with a brass heart stamping blank and three floating charms.
Picture Love Locket
Tell her that you love her with this love locket with a picture inside, so that she can wear it close to her heart. We filled this LOVE locket with a ½” gold-plated blank and used stamping tools to stamp MOM along with two small hearts. We then sized a photo down to fit inside a ½” circle. Glue both pieces inside the locket and add a necklace. This heart-filled necklace is ready for a box and bow for Mother’s Day.
Rainy season is upon us. And what better way to a rainy day then making some leather cuffs. We have an easy leather cuff tutorial that will make you want to put away your rain boots and umbrellas, and “veg out” making these easy leather cuffs.
Instead of using a strand of 10mm flat leather, you can make two layers with two 5mm flat leather. We paired the mustard flat leather with this graphic neon splatter-printed leather on a gold-plated, glue-in-cuff.
(7) CH00047 – 5mm Mustard/Black Flat Leather (out of stock)
To encompass the trend of boho, we have pulled our wonderful stock of silk ribbon and ribbon mixes to show you how to use silk ribbon in jewelry. We will show you how to make an easy wrap memory wire bracelet with silk ribbon and silk ribbon tassel earrings.
Boho Silk Memory Wire Bracelet
Designed by So Vang
This bracelet is perfect to wear on a beautiful summer day. We used the Hand Dyed Ribbon Mix, which has eight 2 yards of ribbon, yarn and fabric mix. When wrapped around memory wire, the colors and various fibers has a boho charm. You can finish off your bracelet with a tassel attached at the memory wire loop end or add charms scattered around the bracelet with jump rings. This memory wire ribbon wrap bracelet is easy to make and to pair with your everyday outfit. Just follow our easy instructions or DOWNLOAD our pdf tutorial.
Step 1: Cut memory wire for 2-3 wraps. Make a simple loop at each end.
Step 2: Gather your strands of ribbon mix to one end. Hold about 3 inches of the ribbon strands with the memory wire. Start wrapping your ribbon around a few times close to the loop.
Step 3: Tightly coil the ribbon strands around the memory wire. Make sure to keep your strands flat and not twisted when coiling the strands. Take your time.
Step 4: At the end, glue to secure. Wrap strands back towards the beginning of memory wire to create a fuller looking bracelet. Once you run out of strands, dab a small amount of glue to hold ends down.
Step 5: Wrap 26 Gauge wire around ribbon strands to secure the strands.
Step 6: Embellish with charms, bead dangles, tassel, or wear as is. Your boho fiber bracelet is complete!
Use silk ribbon to make a trendy pair of tassel earrings. Make some fun pair of earrings like what we have made here. OR create a longer tassel to use in a statement necklace.
Step 1: Cut silk ribbon in half. Take one half and fold in half. Fold again and again for a total of three half folds.
Step 2: Cut 4 inches of 22 Gauge wire. Insert under last ribbon fold a third of the way and cross the wire strands.
Step 3: Twist the two wire strands. Cut excess length of the shorter wire strand.
Step 4: Insert cone on wire and use flat nose pliers to pull tassel snuggly inside cone.
Step 5: Add a small bead and make a simple loop.
Step 6: Cut the ribbon loops.
Step 7: Attach ear wire and repeat for the other tassel earring.
Center a porcelain pendant to these mix ribbon and make knots on both sides. Then make another knot next to those knots and added seashell and starfish charms with copper jump rings in between each knots. This necklace takes you to the beach without even being there!
How to Use Ricks Bead Loom, PLUS Two Ways to Clasp Loom Bracelets
From traditional Native American Indian-loomed wampum belts to popular and modern Julie Rofman wrap bracelets, bead looming has transcended through changes in time, culture and fashion. A bead loom can help you make elaborate, beautiful necklaces to simplistic bracelets.
If you are new to using the bead loom or have been wanting to use a bead loom, believe us when we say that using the Ricks Bead Loom is super easy and simple. Here are some tips and tricks to using Ricks Bead Loom, as well as some inspirational loom bracelets to get you started. We also provide two different ways to clasp loom bracelets.
Ricks Bead Loom
When you purchase a Ricks Bead Loom, you receive the bead loom and its components, as well as a detailed, visual instructions of how to set up and use the bead loom. You can also check out Ricks video tutorial on his webpage on how to use his bead loom.
The basic method of bead looming is weaving a thread back and forth through rows of seed beads that are sandwiched in between vertical strands or “warp strands”. The difference between a traditional bead loom and Ricks Bead Loom is the amount of warp strands you are using. A traditional loom will have multiple warp strands going up and down along the loom, while a Ricks Bead Loom will have only one strand that wraps back and forth, up and around between the two rods. This continuous wrapping of the strands between rods will leave you with two threads at the end.
Like the instructions you will receive, first you insert your metals rods. These rods are where your vertical warp strands will lay. Adjust the wood piece/tailstock to your preferred bracelet length and start making your warp strands. The amount of warps you have is according to the amount of beads you have in a row, PLUS ONE. If you see the image below, you will see that we have eight seed beads per row and thus we need nine warp strands.
Next, lay your card separator in between the warp strands. It is optional to use the card separator. You can use the warp separator card that comes with the kit. Here, we cut a ½ inch piece of cardstock paper to get us started.
Hook your thread end to your peg and insert it into one of the holes in the front.
You are ready to start your rows. The basic motion of weaving each row is by weaving behind the warp strands with your beads and string. You will then weave back into the same row of beads, but when you feed your needle through, you are gracing the top side of the warp strands.
TIP: When bringing your needle back, use the backside of your needle. Using the backside of the needle will give you a smoother glide through the beads. Be careful not to prick yourself with the sharp end when using this method. Makes you wish you had a thimble on hand, huh? I did.
The first two rows will be tricky but after that you get those two on, it will be easier.
After your two rows are done, slide off the separator and pull your two rows down so it is flushed against the metal rod. Twist the peg that attaches to your thread to keep loose thread tight.
And you are ready to continue with your rows until you’ve reached the end.
TIP: When bringing your needle back through the row of beads, press up on the beads so that they protrude upward. Then, when you sew back through the beads, you will go over the vertical warp strands.
When you have finished your piece, unhook your threads from the pegs and sew the end threads through the rows and knot them. Cut excess thread. Slide your loomed piece off the metal bars and spread out your bead rows evenly outwards towards the ends to hide the loops of the warp strands. Then you are ready to add your clasp ends. Here are two types of loomed bracelets with instructions for adding a Miyuki Tube Finding and sewing on a bead loop to add your clasp.
For this bracelet, we used Miyuki Tube Findings, which are used particularly with Miyuki Delica Size 11 seed beads. GoodyBeads has four available sizes at 15mm, 20mm, 35mm, and 60mm, which will accommodate a certain amount of seed bead per row.
You can make a design like our Delica seed bead bracelet or you can use a Miyuki seed bead mix like our bracelet here. For our clasp for this bracelet, we made a loop using seed beads.
Step 1: Tie your thread end and insert your needle halfway through your row of beads.
Step 2: Add two seed beads. Skip one seed bead in your row and insert needle through the rest of your row. Make a knot.
3. After you make a knot, go back through the seed beads you threaded through. Make a knot on the other end.
Step 4: Then, feed your needle and run through your entire bead row and make a knot. Cut excess thread.
Step 5: Your end result.
Step 6: Insert jump ring in the loop you’ve made and add your choice of clasp. You are finished.
How to Use Your Leftover Beads
It is official! Spring is just around the corner for 2016! Soon the snow will be melting and spring will be knocking at our doors. It’s the perfect time to rummage through your beads and do some spring cleaning: to make way for MORE beads, of course. Here are three different ways to use your leftover beads, findings and chains.
As a beader, you know that you always have extra beads from previous projects lying around. We, at GoodyBeads, are guilty about that! There is a whole shelf dedicated to leftover items of miscellaneous beads, findings, chains, cords, tools, crystals and the list goes on and on. It was hard to not open a fresh pack of new beads or a full length of cut chain or a string of gemstones. But with our wall of STUFF, there were enough items for this spring cleaning project!
An Array of Colorful Beads for a Wrap Bracelet
A perfect way to use your extra beads is to make a quick and easy wrap bracelet. Check out our previous blog, How to Make Wrap Bracelets, for a tutorial.
Designed by So Vang
For this particular bracelet, we gathered similar round 8mm of gemstones and Czech glass beads. Using our used roll of Waxed Cotton Cord and Superlon Brown Thread, we made a wrap bracelet that wraps 4 times. Even check out our button piece. Instead of grabbing a new button, we used a Bali spacer (A021466) and made knots to act as a button piece. Love this idea! What a way to think outside of the box, eh?
If you need supplies, head over to our Gemstone and Czech section. If you are looking for a particular size or shape, we have that option on the left hand navigation under “Size Range” or “Shape.” Or you can even check our selection of Bead Set and Mixes for a quick mix.
Chain Chain Chain
Do you have various length of chain bunched together waiting to be used for bracelet extenders pieces or necklace additions? Make CHAIN the main piece of your jewelry!
Designed by So Vang
What we made here is a multi-chain bracelet. Randomly select a few chain pieces, then measure each chain to your bracelet length. Using a 7mm jump ring to combine each piece of chain end. Do the same to the other end. Use another 7mm jump ring and attach to each end with a magnetic clasp. We have to be honest here and say that we cheated. We did have to get a magnetic clasp from GoodyBeads inventory. You can go ahead and cheat too. We won’t tell if you don’t either!
Another idea is to make a statement necklace with miscellaneous chain braided together. What’d you think?
Linking Bead Dangles
We love our selection of glass beads. The vibrant colors and designs are BEA-U-TIFUL! One way to weed through your stash of beads is to find a HERO bead and play off on the colors and shapes. Grab some eyepins and start making simple loop dangles of the beads you’ve chose. By linking them, you can make a bunch of different jewelry pieces.
Our hero bead was this blue and amber glass bead (A013249). We pulled beads with hues of blue, light blue, and amber as well as some bronze Czech fire polish beads. Using gold eyepins, make a simple loop with the glass and Czech beads. We made enough eyepin dangles until we ran out of the bronze Czech fire polish beads. Plus, we made a handful of Black Diamond Chinese crystal dangles.
Start linking them up to make a necklace, bracelet or earrings. Play with the sequence of the beaded dangles and add chain and different findings. Using up every last beaded dangle and with the help of gold plated findings and chain, we made two necklaces, earrings and a bracelet.
Designed by So Vang
Designed by So Vang
LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea because it gives you the chance to use up beads that you can’t find anymore. Even some of these beads we used are styles that we no longer have. It makes it more unique don’t you think?
Now that you’ve used your beads up, there’s room to buy more!
Make a Multi-Strand Necklace with Swarovski® Tahitian Pearls
by Kristal Wick
One of the easiest “go-to” designs I have found is a multi-strand necklace or bracelet. WHAT? You say these look soooooooo difficult? Not true! Once you master the multi-strand, you’ll be hooked! I like to start by making piles of my fave components; for example, sitting in my studio on a chilly (16 degrees below zero) January day in Minnesota, I CRAVED a splash of beach so I grabbed some TierraCast® dolphins and seashells, beautiful blue Swarovski Tahitian pearls and crystals and frosted seed beads to give the piece a sea glass effect. Use three different colors of beading wire with one exposed to add an additional dimension to the necklace. It’s trendy these days to mix metals so I threw in copper components to reflect the shades of glistening sand and a bit of silver to represent the crest of the waves breaking up on shore. Whether you’re physically on a beach or visiting one in your mind, I hope this seashore delight will help you get through this long winter! Use three colors of beading wire – one color exposed – to add an additional dimension to the necklace.
Cut five 16 inch pieces of beading wire (various colors).
Crimp one end of the wire leaving a small loop.
String the following onto strand #1:
Three Lined Light Seafoam AB Miyuki Seed Beads
Seven Matte Transparent Silver Lined Crystal Long Drop Miyuki Seed Beads
Antique Silver Diamond Bead Frame
Indicolite Round Mini Bead
Series: 20 Matte Transparent Silver Lined Crystal Long Drop Miyuki Seed Beads
Antique Silver Diamond Bead Frame
Indicolite Round Mini Bead
Repeat the series four more times and add the following:
Seven Matte Transparent Silver Lined Crystal Long Drop Miyuki Seed Beads
Three Lined Light Seafoam AB Miyuki Seed Beads
Crimp beading wire end leaving a small loop.
Add Copper Oval Jump Rings to the four dolphin charms
Crimp one end of the wire leaving a small loop and string the following onto strand #2:
Slide the following series onto the beading wire:
Series: Crimp tube
3mm Antique Silver Beaded Heishi Spacer
4mm Antique Silver Beaded Heishi Spacer
12mm Tahitian Swarovski Pearl
4mm Antique Silver Beaded Heishi Spacer
3mm Antique Silver Beaded Heishi Spacer
Crimp tube
Lay this strand down next to Strand # 1 and space the pearl series in the center of the first 20 Matte Transparent Silver Lined Crystal Long Drop Miyuki Seed Bead series and crimp on either side of the pearl series.
Gently squeeze the crimp covers over the crimps.
Add the series again and crimp about an inch down the beading wire. Repeat steps 8–10 for the remaining three pearl series.
NOTE: Before doing the final crimp on each strand, make sure they all end up the same length. Adjust the number of beads on each strand to ensure this.
Crimp beading wire end leaving a small loop.
Crimp one end of the wire leaving a small loop and string the following onto strand #3:
Three Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Beads
Series: Antique Copper Scalloped Bead Cap
Bicone Crystal Denim Blue AB2X
Antique Copper Scalloped Bead Cap
Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
Antique Silver Small Spindle Shell Charm
Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
Antique Copper Scalloped Bead Cap
Bicone Crystal Denim Blue AB2X
Antique Copper Scalloped Bead Cap
Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
Antique Copper Small Shell Bead
Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
Repeat the series seven more times alternating the Dolphin charms and Spindle Shell charms, then add two Silver Lined Capri Blue Miyuki Seed Beads.
Crimp beading wire end leaving a small loop.
Crimp one end of the wire leaving a small loop and string the following onto strand #4:
Two Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Series: Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
4mm Antique Copper Beaded Bead Cap by TierraCast
Swarovski® Crystal 14mm Aquamarine Emerald Cut Bead
4mm Antique Copper Beaded Bead Cap by TierraCast
Repeat the series four more times then add the following:
Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Bead
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Five Matte Dark Seafoam Delica Duracoat Galvanized Seed Beads
3mm Crystal Jade Swarovski Pearl
Two Matte Transparent Light Blue Miyuki Seed Beads
Crimp beading wire end leaving a small loop as in Step #2.
Crimp one end of the wire leaving a small loop and string the following onto strand #5:
Transparent Aqua Miyuki Seed Bead
Series: 8mm Baby Blue Czech Faceted Rondelle Glass Bead
Transparent Aqua Miyuki Seed Bead
Sparkle Metallic Gold Lined Crystal Miyuki Seed Bead
Transparent Aqua Miyuki Seed Bead
Sparkle Metallic Gold Lined Crystal Miyuki Seed Bead
Transparent Aqua Miyuki Seed Bead
Repeat this series 17 more times. Add a Transparent Aqua Miyuki Seed Bead and then crimp beading wire end leaving a small loop.
Open eyepin, insert one end loop of all five strands and close the eye pin. Repeat for the other necklace end.
Slide on Antique Silver Spiral Cone Bead Cap, Swarovski® 6mm Indicolite Round Mini Bead, Antique Copper Beaded Bead Cap and make a simple loop on the end. Repeat for the other necklace end.
Add desired chain length (the sample shown uses 2-¼”) to simple loop.
Using a jump ring, add the toggle to the other end of the chain. Repeat steps 20-21 for the other necklace end.
