What is Chainmaille?

You may have heard the term Chainmaille if you're just beginning your jewelry or beading hobby.  I have to admit I was curious when I heard the term and so I set out to do a little research.  Most of the comments included the word patience.  So, I thought I'd start out simple.  I purchased some 9mm and 12mm jump rings and went to work learning the Mobias.  It was much easier than I thought.  I combined mobias with a Simple Loop technique to create my "Sedona" bracelet kit for my Bead and Bloom Jewelry Workshops.  The bracelet features reconstructed turquoise, rust sparkle spacer beads, silver daisy spacers and German Style 20G Silver Plated Wire.  Between each beaded set is a mobias.
So if you're thinking Chainmaille is tedious or time consuming, try combining it with other techniques in your jewelry designs!

So You Want to Make Jewelry? A Recommended Book...

Jewelry making is becoming quite popular and if you're just getting started and you've recently been hit with the fascination of beads and maybe even strung a few bracelets or necklaces, you'll soon discover you've only scratched the surface in learning the art of jewelry making.   There are so many web sites offering video tutorials and How To's.  New ideas are popping up every day on techniques and designs.  It can be quite overwhelming for a beginner.  

If you've strolled through a bead store or your local craft store and looked at all of the various findings, wires, beads, storage, displays and books and just don't know where to start, I recommend getting a book called 200 Beading Tips, Techniques and Trade Secrets by Jean Power.  I have purchased quite a few books on jewelry making and this one really stands out.   In her book, Jean Power manages to cover bead stringing, wirework and beadweaving.  Within each of those categories she includes Tips, "Try-It" Panels, very clear step-by-step sequences and finished samples all beautifully photographed along the way.  There are even "Fix-It" panels that contain useful advice on how to avoid or correct a beadwork mistake and pictures showing the right and wrong way to attach a finding or other technique.  All 159 pages are full of useful information.  I especially liked the Glossary of Terms and fold out flap on estimating bead quantities and wire sizes at the very back of the book.

Metal Stamped Jewelry

Designing metal stamped jewelry is one of my favorite jewelry projects to do.  The supplies needed to create metal work can put a little dent in your jewelry making budget but the results are so rewarding.  This ID bracelet was made from 24 Gauge metal sheeting, a metal punch to punch the tiny holes to attach the chain, 1/4" letter punch set and some chain.  The clasp was handmade from wire and I've added a sunflower charm because sisters are like sunflowers.  Metal sheers are required to cut out shapes from the metal sheeting.  I then use a 4-sided nail buffer to shape, smooth and soften any rough edges.

Woven Beaded Bracelet

Woven beaded bracelets are very popular right now and there are so many ways to make them.  The great thing about making your own is choosing your colors and your button clasp.  The decorative button that acts as part of the clasp is actually a simple shank button purchased from a fabric store.  Add some black leather and toho seed beads and weave away!  Make it extra long and it will wrap around your wrist twice or even three times!

   





 

The True Essence of the Meaning 'Handmade' - A quote from an Etsy Artisan

I would like to share the following quote I found today by Dawn Dodson, an Etsy Artisan, with all my followers.  I feel it captures the true and exact essence of the meaning 'Handmade'.....

"Handmade is something made with intent, design, care, inspiration and time." — Dawn Dodson

Etsy Fee Calculator

Etsy artisans will find this very helpful with calculating etsy and paypal fees.

http://www.rolbe.com/etsy.htm

What is a Briolette and How to Attach One

To me, briolettes are one of the prettiest and brilliant cut stones for jewelry making. I kept falling in love with them when I attended bead shows... usually found strung together and come in many sizes. These pear-shaped or oval gems, cut in long triangular facets gives them their brilliance. There is a very easy and clear video on You Tube on how to wrap a briolette. Go to http://www.youtube.com/ and search "how to wrap a briolette video".  I like this video because she includes bending the wires at very particular angles before wrapping them.  Practice a few times through using some old wire scraps.

A Craft Fair Check List

Preparing for your first Craft Fair can be a very exciting time. One of the necessary items to prepare for that craft show is a checklist of items you will need to take with you. I 've experienced rain, wind, and caught off guard hauling all of my things for what seemed like a half a mile to my 8 x 8 spot. I've included the consolidated craft fair checklist created from lots of input from artisans here. Thank you for all your great input!

A SPECIAL Special Order: Young Women in Excellence

I received a request to make 39 very special bracelets for the Young Women in Excellence. These young women range in age from 12 to 17 and commit to 8 important values to live their life by: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice of Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virture. Each color of the bracelet represents one of these values. The theme of this year's honorary event was the crown. I loved supporting this project and the purpose and meaning behind it made this a very special SPECIAL ORDER.

Beaded Eyeglass Holders

There's always something to learn from your customers. One of my customers liked my badge lanyards but she was looking for an eyeglass holder. Like me, she was always laying her glasses down and forgetting where she left them. Using my badge lanyards as a starting point, I created a special eyeglass holder just for her. Since then, I have had orders for more in different colors and was recently accepted into a juried craft fare because of my eyeglass holders! Made with either gold, silver, or black highlighted rubber eyeglass ends, I accent them with tiny beads, crystals or whatever my customers ask for.

Photographing Jewelry

When I first starting taking pictures of my jewelry, I was taking the picture too far away and couldn't quite get the right light. It was time to learn something about all those features on my camera like the Macro feature and White Balance. If your camera has these features, use them! They make a world of difference. Taking photographs at night and getting a good picture was impossible before my light box. With my homemade light box, I don't have to wait for the sun to come up. I made my light box from foam board and tissue paper. The tissue paper is taped on both sides where I cut out the foam board. Desk lights were placed on each side and one on top. This inexpensive light box costs about $6.00 (plus lamps) and I made it in 2 hours. Depending on the time of day and shadows, I might turn on just one light or all three. Taking pictures against a white background requires a White Balance test on your camera. For more color in some pictures, try using a piece of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper as a background.
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