Now that you’ve learned about the Basics of Soft Flex beading wire, take a look at informational videos on how to use it. Get inspired and create!
Plan your design out, string beads onto your beading wire and crimp to finish off a clean bracelet.
See different innovative ways to use beading wire.
Learn about Soft Flex beading wire and how to choose the right one for your project with these informational videos from Soft Flex Company.
Here is an informational video on the basics of the kinds of beading wire that Soft Flex Company produces.
Learn to determine the correct diameter of beading wire to best suit your next beading project.
Once you’ve determined your beading wire diameter, learn about the different types of beading wire, what they are made of and how each can be used. Plus, learn how to read the information that is provided on the label of Soft Flex beading wire.
Swarovski crystals and pearls adds a shimmering and glistening effect to any jewelry project. Here are a few GoodyBeads jewelry pieces that can inspire your next jewelry piece!
Chain link is not only great to add length to necklaces or as chain extenders for bracelets, but they are fun to create fringe with. With its popularity in fashion jewelry and accessories, we have some examples of how we’ve created fringed jewelry with chain.
Dangle chain for some crazy, fun fringe. Keep fringes simple or trail it with beaded dangles. Let these examples inspire the next time you create with chain links.
Using the BeadSmith® Spin and String, Bead Stringing Tool you can create this seed bead necklace and bracelet in no time! Also, learn how to create twists with your strung seed beads.
Check out our BeadSmith Spin and String blog post on how to use the stringing tool, accompanied with a video tutorial.
Coastal Cove Necklace
We created a mix of side 8/0 seed beads to make this necklace just in time for a dreamy, coastal vacation!
Instead of using the bead spinner needle, we utilized the needle that comes with the Griffin bead cord. Please refer to Silk Bead Cord blog post on how to straighten silk cord and learn about clamshell bead tips.
Product used: SB00114, SB00093, SB00106, SB00010, CH00729, Z001016, A006581(2), Z008717, A001528, Z006500.
Seed Bead Twist Tutorial
Seed Bead Twist Silk Cord Bracelet
You can see here we used the same tutorial above and created this bracelet with size 11/0 Miyuki seed beads and gold chain and findings. Find tutorial here.
Add to your jewelry tools with the BeadSmith Spin & String, Bead Stringing Tool. Stringing on seed beads will get easier with this essential tool. Watch an information tutorial video on how to set up and use the bead stringing tool below.
Video Tutorial
Jewelry Example
Here are some examples of how we used the Bead Stringing Tool to make a twist bracelet from our Silk Cord blog post.
Late 2016, celestial-inspired jewelry was making a rise in fashion popularity. Embrace some moon and star jewelry to vamp up your glorious fashionable wardrobe.
Take a trip around the moon as you bedazzle yourself with these simplistic link earrings. Use some glass connectors with some lovely moon and star charms for easy-to-wear earrings.
Products used: A008998, A021746, CH00533, Y011877, Y011543, Z007856
Make this celestial layer necklace with your zodiac charm, moon and star charms, and TierraCast® rhodium pewter charm with Swarovski crystals.
Products used: TC02109, TC00056, TC00055, TC02211, A002413, TC00185, TC02292, A011609, A003562, TC00033.
We can’t get enough of lariat necklaces. We made a chain lariat necklace by using a 24” chain and attaching a filigree washer link to one end and star charms to the other. Loop the lariat around your neck and slide the charm end through your link for a sleek necklace that is out of this world!
Products used: A008128, Z006771, A002413, A007691, A014042.
Moon & Star Wrap Bracelet Kit with Swarovski® Crystals
Another great project to make is an easy bracelet kit like our Moon & Star wrap bracelet. Embellished with moon and star charms, Swarovski star crystals and dainty miracle beads, you are ready to conjure up some magical fashion wear!
Product used: KT00115
Pinch bails are used for top-drilled beads to create a dangle for necklace or earrings. They are easy to use and functional for jewelry-making.
Pinch bails have two prongs at the bottom which will insert into the hole of your top drilled bead. Wedge one prong to one side of your bead, line up the other prong to the other side of the hole and pinch the prongs together. If the pinch bail is difficult to pinch, use nylon pliers to help squeeze the bail. String through the bail with your choice of chain or our favorite, beaded chain.
Here are some examples of how we used pinch bails:
This Cross Tribe Pendant has a simple TierraCast® pinch bail strung on 30” of beaded chain.
Products used: SW01522, TC02316, CH00271.
Here’s a different take on how we used the pinch bail. Gently open the pinch bail and slide a TierraCast Hammertone Ring onto the bail. Then, slide the pinch bail prongs into the top-drilled, Swarovski Sun Pendant’s holes. Gently pinch the bail to close. Lastly, tie your chain into a lark’s head knot around the ring and add your clasp to your chain ends..
Products used: SW01107, A010862, CH00532, TC00613, A008801, Z006530
Create some lovely earrings like these from our December ’15 Swarovski pendant trend. Attach pinch bails to 16mm Swarovski pear-shaped pendants. Open two 4mm jump rings, and slide each through one side of a pinch bail and the bottom loop of an ear wire. Close each jump ring. Repeat. You now have a very classy and simple pair of earrings to wear!
With our popular collection of flat and round leather supplies, choosing a clasp can further personalize your stunning bracelet accessory. Here are some of our favorite leather clasps to inspire your next DIY project.
Use your 2mm leather cord with this curved hook clasp (A019042/A019043) to create a multi-wrap or single-wrap bracelet.
Loop your 5mm leather/cork cord and add this round clasp (A017205, A017329, A017330, Z005112, Z007776, Z014534) for a complete bracelet. Use a licorice leather bead or tie a knot to secure your leather loop.
Our popular half-circle magnetic clasp for 5mm round leather is a lovely addition for a single- or multi-wrap bracelet. Pair this clasp (Z006715, Z006726, Z006746, Z006785) with 5mm round leather that has been wrapped with ribbon and wire, braided leather or kumihimo braids.
Loop your 5mm flat leather with this round hook clasp (A021499). Use a slider beads or charm to create your folded loop while your ends are glued into the clasp.
These half-circle magnetic clasps (Z001004, Z001190, Z007209) create a focal piece to your 10mm flat leather.
A different kind of clasp can create a whole new look. Take these wishbone disc clasps for flat leather (Z006859, Z006945, Z006861, Z007208), it widens two strands of 5mm flat leather to mimic larger band bracelets. We love the
idea!
These magnetic clasps for licorice leather are a popular choice. Choose from antique silver (A015313), antique brass (A015314), or antique copper (A015315) and pair it with our large selection of licorice leather or combine it with two strands of 5mm round leather.
These magnetic clasps for licorice leather are a popular choice. Choose from antique silver (A015313), antique brass (A015314), or antique copper (A015315) and pair it with our large selection of licorice leather or combine it with two strands of 5mm round leather.
Also, check out our previous post on leather cutters and adhesives.
Having the right tools and adhesive for leather projects will make it easier to create stylish accessories. We will show you the basic tools for cutting leather and the types of adhesive to use when adding clasp ends to leather.
When cutting leather, you want a precise and straight cut. This will help with adding clasps and keeping your measurements accurate.
Flat and small round leather (i.e. 1mm, 2mm, or 3mm) needs a pair of scissors. Before making your cut, measure your piece of leather and mark with a pencil lightly.
Licorice and round leather are thicker and need a heavy-duty cutter. Below, we have a two cutter tools you can use to cut thicker side leather.
The Little Cut (TL0053) has a sharp angle blade that cuts leather by squeezing the handles together.
The Licorice Leather Cutter (A015862) has narrow handles, but cuts a perfect edge on your leather.
Pinch the handles to open the cutter. Slide the leather under the cutter, lining it up with the middle groove. Bring your blade down to wedge the leather in place. Grasp the cutter towards the front and squeeze down.
NOTE: Make sure to always have your angle blade facing down.
We have two adhesive options to use when adding clasp ends.
Super New Glue
We like to use super new glue (A015821) for its quick drying and superior holding quality.
Precut your leather. Put 1-2 drops of super new glue inside your clasp ends and swirl the glue inside to cover the edges and corners. Insert your leather and let it dry lying down on a flat surface. Dry time should take a few seconds to a minute or two.
E-6000
E-6000 (A011455) is used on heavy-duty beading and crafting projects. While it has a slower drying time, E6000 is a good filler especially when filling excess space or gaps around your leather when inserted into the clasp.
Precut your leather. Scoop up some E-6000 with a toothpick. Swab the inside of your clasp end. Repeat if necessary. You want to apply enough to coat the inside of the clasp. Insert leather ends and let it dry for 12-24 hours lying on a flat surface. Wipe excess glue cleanly if it flows out after leather is inserted.
Extra Note: You can use rubber bands to keep licorice leather in a round shape as the glue dries. And always use E6000 in a well ventilated area.
Important Notes:
With thisBeadalon tassel maker, you can a make tassel in no time! Check out how to set up and use this tool. Embellish your next project with customized tassels.
Learn to easily make tassels with the tassel maker (TL00230).
Grab some of your favorite thread or pick up some Beadalon cotton thread and check out the tutorial video below, provided by Beadalon.
We are in love with bracelets that wrap around and bling, of course! We have an EZ DIY tutorial on how to create this sparkling wrap bracelet with flat memory, Swarovski emerald-cut crystals and 24-gauge wire.
Items used:
Tools use:
With the popularity of the Czech Honeycomb two-hole bead, comes the Honeycomb Jewel bead. Here are two projects where we used these beads to make a bead-stitched bracelet with DiamonDuos and as a wire cuff bracelet with bead wire.
What makes Czech Honeycomb Jewel beads different than other honeycomb beads? Honeycomb jewel beads are faceted on one side, to give depth and dimension, and flat on the other.
We paired the Honeycomb Jewel shape with DiamonDuos, which plays off each others’ faceted look. We took the Chalk Lazure Jewel (Z018620) and gave this bracelet a pop with a bold hue of the Pastel Montana Blue DiamonDuo (SB03347).
Products used for this bracelet: Z018620, SB03347, SB00106, TC00185, A010902, Z004093, A006588, A015210.
Download and PRINT out this bracelet tutorial.
Using the same pattern, we used bronze and black beads for a striking contrast. And the clasp coordinates with the black hue.
Products used for this bracelet: Z018614, SB03322, SB00066, TC00873, A010905, A008804, A006588, A0015210.
Download and print out this tutorial to create these two bracelets. Play off on your own color schemes!
Create this unique cuff bracelet using two different jewel bead colors, see our easy-to-follow tutorial.
Products used for this bracelet: Z002579, AW00088, Z018620, Z018622.
Designed by our own Heidi Urlaub, this gorgeous necklace was featured in our 2015 December seed bead fringe trend. We love her edgy designs. See her wear another similar style and learn how to make the simple loops needed for this piece on our YouTube video: How to Make Simple Loops. This statement necklace is a showstopper and very easy to make!
With a basic understanding of how to make simple loops and opening and closing jump rings, this necklace is quite easy to make. Made with a combinations of size 8/0 and 11/0 Miyuki seed beads and bugle beads, you can make this necklace in many different colors.
What you will need to make this:
