Blog posts of '2017' 'March'

How to use a Beading Chain

Materials: 1mm tiny curb chain (101001), tube ends ( 213001), clasp, beads

Tools: Bent chain nose pliers, chain cutters

Using a beading chain is at the very base of basic skills in jewelry making and beading. When doing projects and creating designs that use beading chains the main components to keep in mind is the findings, chains, and beads using and ensuring the sizes all coordinate. When working with such small components even a fraction of a millimeter can make a difference in whether or not the pieces are compatible.

A beading chain is a chain that can fit through the hole of a bead. As both beads and chains come in many different shapes and sizes, this definition leaves a lot of room for variation between the chain and bead used. Typically man-made beads have larger holes than natural stone beads. This is due to the fact that most natural beads are originally sold by weight, so when cutting a hole into the bead, the manufacturer wants to keep as much of the stone or pearl there as possible.

This tutorial is a very basic demonstration on how to finish a beading chain.

Step 1: Cut chain to desired length

Step 2: Grip the center of the tube end with the bent chain nose pliers, feed chain into the tube and squeeze. Squeeze a couple times ensuring the tube end is closed onto the chain. Gently tug to ensure it is securely fastened. ( Note: do not grip the tube end too close to the ends, centralize the tip of the pliers)

Step 3: String beads onto chain

Step 4: Grip second tube end, feed chain into tube and squeeze. Gently tug to ensure it is securely fastened.

Step 5: Open ring on spring ring clasp by just twisting open, loop ring onto the closed ring of the tube end. Close ring on clasp by twisting closed.

Thank you

Beadunion

How to make a Tassel Pendant

Materials: 26 gauge half hard round wire (207002), 2mm tiny cable chain (101020), bead cap ( 210005), bead (211015-4), 2 pearls, closed bail (219010)

All metal materials are made of 925 sterling silver

Tools: Bent chain nose pliers- 2 pairs, wire cutters, round nose pliers, measuring tool

The tassel pendant is a trendy new style that is so popular because of its variety and potential. The possibilities are endless with this style of pendant. This tutorial displays a basic tassel with a sterling silver bead, 2 freshwater pearls, and a bead cap. Using the skills and techniques found in this blog can be a base drawing board for you to develop your own designs using many different components from gemstone beads, bezel gemstones, charms, connector links and more components. 

Step 1: Cut wire - 2-4 inches - the larger the topper of the tassel or the larger the beads, cut more wire 

Step 2: Grip wire with round nose pliers about 3/4 inch from end, twist pliers creating a kink, about 80-degree angle, readjust pliers so close to the tip of the pliers sits at the kink

Step 3: Wrap wire around nose creating loop

Step 4: Feed closed bail through open end of loop so it sits inside of the loop

Step 5: Grip the loop with bent chain nose pliers, with 2nd set of bent chain nose pliers, grip the tail and begin wrapping around wire base creating 2-3 coils around, cut and secure tail end by squeezing closed.

Step 6: String beads onto wire- starting with silver bead ( it will cover coils if the hole is large enough, however, if it is a smaller bead or has a smaller hole the coil will show), Before the last pearl is strung, add the bead cap so it is curved downward and will cover the top of the last pearl. ( This step will differ due to design choices)

Step 7: Grip wire extending from the last bead about 2-3mm from the bead and twist pliers to create another kink, adjust pliers making this loop slightly larger than the first loop and bring wire around pliers. (This loop will hold the chain - if you plan on using many pieces of chain to dangle from the tassel than make sure the loop is large enough to hold the chain pieces. )

Step 8: Cutting the chain pieces - cut one piece to desired length ( 1.5"), then loop onto the tail of the wire and feed into the loop. Add another piece of chain and hold it up to measure and ensure they are the same length, cut the chain. Repeat until you have the desired amount of chain tassel dangling. The more you use the more thick and dense the dangle will be. You can pre-cut all the pieces and add them, however, because the chain links are so small you want to make sure there are the same amount of links on each piece or it can look messy, unless your design calls for different chain lengths which can add an interesting effect to the tassel.

Step 9: Once all chain pieces are all inside the loop, grip the loop with the bent chain nose pliers, avoiding squeezing hard on chain links as this will reduce their strength. With second set of pliers or fingers if there is enough wire to grab begin wrapping around creating a coil up to the bead, cut excess wire off and secure tail end by squeezing. 

Thank you

Beadunion

Simple Loop

Material: Bead, 26 gauge wire

Tools: Chain nose pliers, round nose pliers, cutters

Wire wrapping beads and pearls is a technique every jewelry maker should now. The ability to wire wrap a bead infuses your skillset in such a versatile way. Simply learning a basic wire wrap will allow you to create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, charms, pendants and more. When wire wrapping there are a few different supplies choices to consider. Begin with the bead you are using: is it drilled? How is it drilled? What gauge wire will fit through the drilled hole?

This will demonstrate a basic loop wiring for a bead. The basic loop is a quick and secure way to ensure the bead stays in position, while it does not have too much wrapping. This technique is used in many aspects of jewelry making embellishing earrings, creating pendants, rosary making, adding to a chain and much more.

Steps in a simple wire loop

Step 1: Cut wire, approximately 1.5", depending on bead size. You will need about 3/4 inch space for each loop and then add the bead size.

Step 2: Grip wire with round nose pliers. Ensure wire does not come above jaws as this will distort the loop shape.

Step 3: Twist the wire away from you, using your thumb to press the wire down to the plier jaws. Once twist is complete, slightly loosen and readjust to pliers to perform second twist ( ensure to use the same point on the pliers, if you move up or down it will change the size of the loop). Continue to turn until you hit the wire creating a full loop.

Step 4: Grip inside of loop with round nose pliers, and twist ( away from opening)

NOTE: If using a thick gauge wire like 22 gauge 20 gauge or thicker,use chain nose pliers for your bend because they are stronger and you may have trouble with the round nose.

Step 5: To close loop completely you simply wiggle closed using chain nose pliers

Step 6: String bead onto wire

Step 7: Cut excess wire, leaving 3/4 inch tail to create loop

Step 8: Grip end of wire with round nose pliers and repeat step 3.

Step 9: Grip loop inside with round nose pliers and twist back to round out loop. This will open up the loop.

Step 10: Grip the wire end and twist inward again connecting the tip to the base of the loop

Step 11: If looping the bead onto a chain or another piece of wire loop through the open tail 

Step 12: Close loop with chain nose pliers simply wiggle it as close to base as possible

If loops are not in the right position ie. perpendicular - depending on your design then grip each loop and twist into desired position.

Tips:

• If needed mark a spot on you round nose pliers to remember where to bend and make the same size loops.
• The larger the loop you want, the higher along the round nose pliers you will grip
• Lastly - practice makes perfect - do not expect to have a perfect loop on your first try. Keep at it and you will get a groove going!

Thank you 

Beadunion

How to use a Pinch Bail Connector

This video demonstrates basic skills to use a pinch bail connector. A pinch bail connector is a finding that allows you to create pendants with drilled stones.

Materials: Pinch bail connector, gemstone bead

Pinch Bails are great findings that allow you to transform gemstone beads into pendants ready for a necklace without much fuss. When choosing a bail connector the main aspect to keep in mind is the post size in comparison to the bead hole size. The pinch bail used in this demonstration would not be suitable for a small briolette gemstone, but rather a larger bead with a 1mm hole.

Steps to use a pinch bail connector

Step 1: Grip sides of connector that open, and gently pull. Sometimes pressure is needed, but keep in mind not to tug too hard or you could distort the shape if the finding

Step 2: Feed the prong through the bead hole

Step 3: Pinch the other prong through the opposite bead hole and close

The pendant is now complete, you can finish this piece off by gliding the top bail over a chain and you have a ready to wear necklace.

Thank you

Beadunion