Clamshell Bead Tips can be the perfect way to finish the ends of your stringing materials like chain, flex wire or beading thread. Here are two ways on how to use clamshell bead tips.

These versatile clamshell bead tips can be used with all types of stringing materials. You can use it to finish off Nylon Silk Cord, Chain, Soft Flex Beading Wire and more. There are two types of bead tips we carry.

One opens and closes from the side like a book. And the other opens and closes at the base with a hole in between.

The process of how to use the clamshell bead tips are as followed:

1st Clamshell Bead Tip

This clamshell will fold like a book. We have used here, Nylon silk cord. You will make a knot at the end of your thread and cut off the excess end. Cup the knot by sliding the bead tip to surround the knot. Bring both sides of the bead tip together by squeezing your finger together. You can also use a plier to gently close and enclose the knot within the bead tip.

You can find these bead tips in Silver, Gold, Antique Silver and Brass.

Plus, this clamshell bead tip has a loop at the top, which makes it easy to use a jump ring to attach your clasp, chain, etc.

2nd Clamshell Bead Tip

This clamshell (Z010740) folds upwards and has a hole in the middle of the hinge/folded part. We are using Soft Flex Beading Wire and a crimp tube with this clamshell bead tip. Slide end of flex wire through hole. Slide a 1mm or 2mm crimp tube on beading wire and flatten it with a flat nose pliers. Slide crimped tube inside the clamshell and close. This tutorial works well with .7mm beading chain (CH00724). 

This clamshell bead tip has an open loop, where you can slide on your clasp, chain, etc without the use of a jump ring. All you do is slide your clasp through and use a flat nose pliers to close the loop.

Here are samples of jewelry using this clamshell bead tip.

Beading chain is a hot hot item at GoodyBeads. Check out this alternative to using beading chain for drop earrings!

We previously used beading chain for making adjustable bracelets. Now here’s an easy DIY using beading chain for making modern drop earrings. For this tutorial, it is helpful to learn about the Magical Crimping Pliers from a previous blog post.

What you’ll need for this DIY tutorial:

• 0.7mm Silver Beading Chain (CH00724)
• 8mm End Cap (X001505)
• 2mm Crimp Tubes (TC01897)
• And your favorite beads!

Tools:

• Magical Crimping Pliers (TL00288)
• Flush Cutters
• Flat Nose Pliers

Tutorial

For this tutorial, we are using dainty Miyuki Delica beads for a cute pair of minimalistic earrings!

Items used in Miyuki Delica drop earrings:CH00724, , X001505, TC01897(2), TCZ0078, SB00269, SB02322, SB00141, SB02334

Drop Earrings with Beading Chain

We are loving these Swarovski Fine Rocks tube beads. To make this pair:

1. Cut two piece of beading chain at about 2.5 inches.
2. Use Magical Crimping Pliers, crimp one end of the beading chain with a 2mm crimp tube. (Make sure to leave a little beading chain sticking out of crimp tube so that when you crimp, the crimp tube will catch onto the beading chain.)
3. Use flush cutters to cut excess beading chain tip left from step two.
   
4. At this time, repeat steps 2 and 3 to other beading chain. After you’ve done this, make sure both beading chains are still the same length. Cut chain to adjust length if needed or for desired length.
5. Slide onto the crimped beading chain a silver spacer, crystal tube beads and another silver spacer.
6. Slide top end of beading chain through end cap and flat crimp the middle of the end cap with flat nose pliers.
7. Open ear wire and slide on end cap loop. Close ear wire loop.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 on other crimped beading chain.

Items used in crystal fine rocks earrings:CH00724, X001505,TC01897(2), Z002570, SW01965 (2), TCZ0077

Here, we used the same instructions as above with a simple 8mm Swarovski Pearl bead. Use a piece of wire or headpin first, to slide through pearl bead, so that beading chain can run through it. We had also trimmed the beading chain to 1.5 inches after we crimped on the 2mm crimp tube.

Items used in pearl drop earrings:CH00724, X001505,TC01897(2), SWZ0878 (2), Z012031

New from LeatherCordUSA is 1.5mm round leather cord. This popular size is a must-have for your leather projects. Here is a simple leather wrap bracelet project using 1.5mm leather cord, curved tubes and adjustable sliding clasp.

Here are components you will need to make the leather wrap bracelet:

• 1.5mm Leather Cord
• 50mm Curved Tubes (A014097/A014101)
• 3mm Barrel End Cap (A010432/A010433)
• Bracelet Sliding Clasp (Z012510/ Z012511/ Z012512/ Z012513/ Z012176/ Z012678)
• Super New Glue
  OR
• Clasp optional: 2 jump rings and clasp of choice.

Tutorial

1. Measure your wrist length and multiple that by 3 and subtract 2 inches.
2. Cut leather cord to 3 equal lengths to your measurement from step 1.
3. Take an end from each of your 3 leather cords and pinch them.
4. Add a drop of Super New Glue to your end cap and slide the cord ends into the end cap. Let it dry for a few minutes for it to set.
5. Slide curved tubes onto your leather cords. You can add as many tubes you want to each leather cord.
6. Add a drop of Super New Glue to the other end cap and slide the other three ends into the end cap. Let it dry for a few minutes.
7. Open the jump ring of your sliding clasp and slide on end cap loop. Close jump ring.
8. Repeat to other jump ring and end cap.
9. Complete!

As an option, you can add your own choice of clasp with a jump ring or split ring instead of the sliding clasp.

A trendy fashion statement piece for your wardrobe are Mala necklaces. And a Mala necklace isn’t complete without a Guru bead. Watch this informative video on how to thread on your Guru beads from DakotaStones.

Mala necklaces are an easy statement necklace that you can make with your favorite gemstone, wood or lava beads, strung on simple Griffin silk cord with a knot knotted between each bead. Check out our previous blog on Tassel Jewelry, which also tackles the ever-popular Mala necklaces.

Mala is a strand of counting beads used in Hindu or Buddhist practice for praying or reciting a mantra to aid concentration during meditation. Depending on the type of chant, counts of strung beads may vary.there are no knots between beads in a Hindu or Buddhist mala. Often, there is even empty space on the strand, so that the beads can more easily be slipped as they are “counted”. It is said that with each count, people recite a mantra to bless the beads. The strand is also accompanied with a larger bead named the “Guru” bead and a tassel.

Here is a video from our friends at DakotaStones on how to thread on a Guru bead with Griffin Silk Cord.

Here’s a super simple TierraCast Feather Necklace using all TierraCast components. It’s simple enough to have John, our photographer, put this ensemble together.

This necklace is made with simply using a pinch bail to connect the feather and necklace. Read our previous on How to Use Pinch Bails.

What you’ll need:

• 3 Inch TierraCast Feather Pendant (Silver TC02508/  Brass TC02510/Copper TC02511)
• TierraCast Ball Chain Neckalce (Silver TC02063/ Brass TC02067/Copper TC02065)
• Pinch Bail

Video Tutorial

Items used in video tutorial:TC02511, TC02319,TC02065

Lava bead jewelry is all the rage, whilst combining them with essential oils. Learn about basic essential oil healing properties and create an easy DIY lava bracelets using lava beads from Dakota Stones.

Essential Oils Healing Properties

The aromatic scent of essential oils add extra healing and therapeutic property to calm your mind and your soul. While essential oils are used in aromatherapy, it’s even trending for medicinal uses.

Here are some healing properties of 5 basic essential oils. 

1. Lavender
   Healing Properties: calming and relaxing, stress reliever
2. Peppermint
   Healing Properties: uplifting and invigorating, energy booster
3. Eucalyptus
   Healing Properties: clarifying, enhance concentration
4. Tea Tree
   Healing Properties: cleansing and clarifying
5. Lemon
   Healing Properties: moon enhancer, cleansing, freshening, improves concentration

One way to use essential oils is adding a drop or two to jewelry made with lava beads. Let lava beads absorb the essential oils for a few minutes before wearing your jewelry!

DIY Lava Bracelets

An easy DIY you can make are stretchy bracelets! Pair lava beads with wood beads for a natural look. And we couldn’t resist these dyed lava beads! What we did to make this bracelet was pre-stretching a 9″ piece of elastic. String on your beads and make a surgeon’s knot. (Check out previous Stretch Bracelet blog for surgeon’s knot).

Item used in bracelet: LVA6RD-TQS, WD-BYG6RD, Z002570, A021634

We made this bracelet using wavy disc and the popular gray lava beads. Cut a 9″ soft flex wire. Slide on 9 lava beads. Slide on 10 wavy discs by sliding one bead concave out and slide another concave in so that the two discs cup together. Repeat for the rest. Then slide on 9 more lava beads. You can add more lava beads to either sides to customize your wrist size. Slide on a crimp tube to one end and loop of your clasp. Loop flex wire back through the crimp tube and crimp your tube. Cut flex wire with a 1/4″ tail. Repeat to other end but adding a jump ring.

Items used in bracelet: LVA8RD, Z018418, TC01896 (2), A012353, A011517, Z011537

Who doesn’t love a simple gemstone cuff? We made this Gemstone Coin Cuff using Dakota Stones’ coin-shaped gemstones and Nunn Design Thin Cuffs. Watch this short video and learn how easy it is to wire wrap gemstones onto a cuff.

What you’ll need:

• Nunn Design Thin Hammer Cuff (Z016227/Z016228/Z016229/Z016230)
• 24 Gauge Artistic Wire
• 8mm or 12mm Coin Gemstone Beads

Video Tutorial

Watch Video Here on our Facebook Videos.

1. Cut a 30″ piece of wire.
2. Wrap an inch of wire end to the bangle.
3. String 6 gemstone coins onto the wire.
4. Coil the wire a couple of times around the other side of the bangle. It is alright if the beads sit loosely on the cuff.
5. Make sure to center the beads on your bangle.
6. Coil wire three times around in between each bead, across the bangle. Make sure to adjust the beads so that they sit flushed on top of the bangle.
7. Coil wire end around bangle to secure the wire. Cut off excess wire.

Item/Components used in video:

• Blue Crazy Lace: BCL8DC-8, Z016230, AW00050
• Matte Blue/Gold Amazonite: BGA8DC-M-8, Z016228, AW00052

Tory and Candie Cooper are back in this video to demonstrate how to make simple bracelets using memory wire, leather, end caps and beads!Making bracelets with memory wire is one of the easiest way to make jewelry! Make sure to stop over to our Memory Wire Hot Category page to shop for memory wire, end caps, tools and leather with an inner hole that can be used with memory wire. Don’t forget to get some of our favorite beads to accompany your leather memory wire bracelet like glass beads, gemstones, TierraCast beads, Swarovski crystals and more.

Because memory wire comes pre-coiled, it will sustain and keep its shape. We personally like the Beadalon® Heavy Duty Memory Wire (WR00120/WR00121), which Tory and Candie use in the video. And most importantly, having the correct tools will help create your bracelets: Memory Wire Shears and Memory Wire Finishing Pliers

These pliers will help with looping the memory wire because wire itself is a thick and sturdy wire.

Video Tutorial

Bracelet Examples

Here are different variations of bracelets we’ve made using a combination of gemstones, metal beads, spacers, Czech beads, Swarovski crystals and more.

You can find other ways we’ve used memory wire in other blog posts: 

• Memory Wire Leather Wrap Bracelets
• Beachy Flamingo and Palm Tree DIY Bracelets
• How to Use Silk Ribbon in Jewelry
• 6 Multi-Wrap Memory Wire Bracelet Ideas – Video Tutorial
• How to Make a Leather and Memory Wire Bracelet – Video Tutorial

How do you design your memory bracelets? We would love to know!

We invited Candie Cooper to tag along in this super fun video tutorial on how to make easy bracelets with beading chain and slide on clasps.

What you will need.

0.7mm Chain bracelets:

• 0.7mm chain (CH00724/CH00725)
• 4x5mm Slide on Clasp (Z008576/Z008577/Z008578)
• End Cap (X001505)

Or 1.25mm Chain Bracelets:

• 1.25mm chain (Silver CH01003/Gold CH01004/ Ant. Brass CH01005/ Ant. Copper CH001053)
• End Cap (Silver Z008570/ Gold Z008574/ Ant. Brass Z008575)
• 5.57mm Slide on Clasp (Silver Z008579/Gold Z008580/Ant. Brass Z008581/ Ant. Copper Z008565/ Satin Gold Z008566)
  -OR-
• 8×5 Round Slide on Clasp (Silver Z008584/ Gold Z008585/ Ant. Brass Z008586)

Tools:

• Super New Glue
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Memory Wire Cutter

Optional:

• Crimp Covers

A fun tip when making bracelet with beading chain, is for you not to be afraid to mix metals. Watch video for a step-by-step tutorial in making your own DIY adjustable bracelet!

Video

Beadable cuffs are an easy DIY bracelet to wear or gift. Here is an easy tutorial for making your very own beadable cuff with Miyuki Delicas.

This simple tutorial is easy for all beading levels. Plus, it’s a trendy piece of jewelry you can layer with all of your bracelets!

Items you will need to make a beadable cuff:

• beadable cuff finding (Silver Z001859/ Gold Z01860)
• Beading Thread (A006587)
• Miyuki Delica 11/0 Seed Beads

Ladder Stitch

One basic technique when bead stitching your beadable cuff is the ladder stitch, also known as the invisible stitch. For sewers or quilters, this technique is used to cleanly close fabric openings. But in our case, we are using the same technique to loop through the holes of the beadable cuff while adding Delica beads in between the channel of the cuff.

Add a stopper bead to the end of your beading thread. To do this, loop your thread TWICE through a seed bead, leaving a 6 inch tail end. Sew up through one hole and pick up three Delicas. Sew down through the hole across the channel. Sew up through the next hole, add three Delicas and sew down through the hole across the channel. Repeat until you’ve reach the end of your Cuff.

NOTE: to strengthen your beading thread, sew back up through the beads and holes using the same ladder stitch technique.

Tie both ends off and use a tiny dab of glue to secure the knots. Cut off excess thread.

Beadable Cuff

Items used in cuff:

TOP – Z001859, A006587, SB00269, SB00229, SB00223

BOTTOM – Z001859, A006587, SB03546, SB01824, SB02334

Wide Beadable Cuff

On our website, we also have a Wide Cuff (Silver Z001451/Gold Z001542) that requires 10 Delicas in between ladder stitched. Make fun designs like our chevron design we have here.

Items used in cuff: Z001451, A006587, SB03545, SB01822, SB02334, SB00269

Beadable Ring

Don’t forget to complete your cuff with a Beadable Ring (Z001454/Z001455). This beadable and adjustable ring can easily be designed with the same ladder stitch technique.

Items used in ring: Z001455, A006587, SB03546, SB01824, SB02334

Here at GoodyBeads, we love a good TierraCast® finding and tassels. So combined these favorites to make a fun and flirty pair of boho earrings.

This tutorial is as easy as opening and closing a jump ring, which is all there is to making this easy pair of DIY earrings.

Items you will need for a boho tassel earring:

Gold version –

• 2 – TierraCast Gold Ethnic Ring Fan Link (TC02461)
• TierraCast Gold Coil Earring Wire (TCZ0140)
• 5mm Gold Jump Rings (A011519)
• Tassel with Gold Cap

Silver version –

• 2 – TierraCast Silver Ethnic Ring Fan Link (TC02460)
• TierraCast Silver Coil Earring Wire (TCZ0078)
• 5mm Silver Jump Ring (A001528)
• Tassel with Silver Cap

EZ DIY Tutorial

Items used in tutorial: A011519, TCZ0140, Z013670, TC02461 (2)

Make an easy wire bangle bracelet using Artistic Wire 14 Gauge Artsy Olive Color Kit with Connectors (Z012739) and a few helpful tools.

The Artistic Wire kit consists of 3 feet of 14-gauge wire and 5 connectors/crimp connectors. Here are items/tools you will need to complete a bangle:

• Z012739 – Artistic Wire Olive Color Kit
• Tools:
  • Artistic Wire 6cm Round Sizing Drum – TL00320
  • Flush Cutter – TL00317
  • Crimp Tool for Large Wire Crimp Connectors – TL00310
  • Nylon Jaw Bending Pliers – TL00319
  • Straightner Tool – TL00208
• Optional Findings:
  • TC01187 & TC00598
  • Jump Rings

Here is a step-by-step instruction sheet that shows how easy it is to make a wire bangle bracelet.

Click for PDF file instructions. (Tutorial by Beadalon)

Candie Cooper is back with us again! Watch this informational video today and learn some tips and tricks to customize leather jewelry with Vintaj Patina paints.

Video Tutorial

Vintaj Patina is versatile to use with metal, wood and even leather! With the help of Candie Cooper, she and Tory have a fun and innovative way of making leather jewelry with Vintaj Patina and the Sizzix Big Shot.

Here are some tips and tricks that were used in the video tutorial:

• Use metallic patina paints over matte leather
• Paint patina on bubble wrap and press leather on bubble wrap
• Use a fan brush to lightly brush patina while creating hashing designs
• Glide the tip of the patina paint bottle over leather in quick strokes and scribbles

Sizzix Die Cuts used in video: Leaf Die Set (SZ00062) & Wide Bracelet Die (SZ00028) 

Ready yourself for the festive holidays making seed bead snowflake ornaments with snowflake ornament forms.

Items you will need for the seed bead snowflake ornament:

• Snowflake Ornament Form (A006240/A006241/Z009715/Z009790)
• 8/0 Miyuki Seed Bead
• Tools:
  • TLZ0207 – Memory Wire Finishing Pliers
  • A001682 – Serrated Chain Nose Pliers

Tutorial

Items used in tutorial: SB00106, SB00093, SB00114, SB00109, A006240

Make an easy necklace pendant when you have the Beadalon Instant Pendant.

The Instant Pendant has a removable ball or point end that unscrews off. The mandrel is 1.5mm thick and 33mm long, so it is perfect for large-hole gemstones, large heavy beads, etc.

There are two styles; one with a ball tip and the other is a cone tip. They come in silver or gold finish. AND you get THREE with each package. So many combinations to think of!

Gold: Z016435 (ball) & Z016437 (cone)

Silver: Z016434 (ball) & Z016436 (cone)

Here is a step-by-step instruction sheet that shows how easy it is to make a necklace with an Instant Pendant.

Click for PDF file instructions. (Tutorial by Beadalon)

Components in step-by-step tutorial:

Findings: Z016436, Z012742, Z012746

Tools: TL00316, TL00317, TL00318

Beads: WAF8RDLH-8, A009055, NBWB0011, A021464, A021481