Happy What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday once again. Today I’m working on prep for an upcoming video tutorial on kumihimo braiding with beads. I first gave this technique a try over a year ago and decided it was time to add a couple…
These earrings use wire wrapping in a rather different way, to create shapes surrounding our beads. You can use as many beads and wires as you like, perhaps even use larger beads and longer wires to make a pendant. How about changing up…
In today’s video I explain the basics of wire gauge. It’s fairly easy to understand once you get used to it. 🙂 This Jewelers Wire Gauge is similar to the measuring tool I show in the video. It measures from 0 to…
These earrings get their unique shape from an unexpected jewelry supply: Memory Wire. I think just a couple sparkly Swarovski bicones on each “swoosh” is quite elegant, but as I mention in the video, you could fill them up with beads if…
Wrapped loops are a staple of jewelry making. They are perfect to use when your wire is finer than 22 gauge as anything less than that will not make a strong simple loop. I love wrapped loops not only for their strength…
Don’t be intimidated by the heavy gauge wire in these bangle bracelets. It’s not hard to work with, it just may take a little more time to hammer it to the point you want. Which bracelet do you prefer? I like the one…
Simple loops seem like they should be, well… simple, and they are. But if you want your beads and jewelry to hold together securely, there are a few things you need to know, especially how to choose the right wire. In the…
The muted earth tones in this necklace make me think of the soft light at dawn or dusk in the desert. I love the contrast between the earthy jasper beads and the sparkly Swarovski bicone crystals. Even though they contrast, it’s the colors that…
Top drilled beads add a lot of interest to a piece because they aren’t necessarily so perfectly symmetrical as center drilled beads. Also, all those wire wraps give great opportunity to make nice neat coils or add lots of fun messy wraps….
Two of the dragons so far have been bracelets, and I decided this next one should be a necklace. Check out this post on Errol, dragon #1, for the details on why I am making a dragon every week in 2015. Click on any of the…
