Tutorials

SIMPLE LEATHER BRACELET

Materials

Mykonos cast hook and eye clasp set

Mykonos Charm (optional)

7" 6mm leather cord (or length to fit wrist)

2 x 14" pieces copper wire 18SWG/16AWG
1 large hole bead
Flat/round nose pliers
Wire cutters
LOS
Clear Epoxy adhesive
6mm mandrel/knitting pin/leather scrap

Step 1
Take one piece of wire and wrap around your mandrel 10 times making sure it's not too tight so that you can remove the wrapped piece from the mandrel and get it onto the leather.

Step 2
Using round nose pliers take the end of the wire and begin turning a coil in the wire. Transfer to flat nose pliers and continue coiling until you have 3 rings.

Step 3
Continue wrapping the wire around the mandrel until the coil is level with it. Press the coil flat against the wrapped wire as shown. Trim the tail end of the wire on the underside with the coil on top.

Step 4
Repeat steps 1 to 3 to create a second piece that mirrors the first.

Step 5
File or sand out any tool marks and use LOS to oxidise both pieces together with a jump ring if you're using a charm. polish back with wire wool, tumble or polish.

Step 6
Thread the bead onto the leather and thread a copper element on either side. Make sure the focal element is centred then gently press the ends of the wires on the underside into the leather to stop any movement, taking care not to mar the leather on top.

Step 7
Use epoxy adhesive to glue the closure fittings onto the leather taking care to line the hook and eye up. Leave to dry.

Step 8 - Optional

Use the jump ring to attach a charm to the eye section of the clasp.

And that's all there is to it...

I actually decided that this particular charm was a little too large and I left it off so this is my finished bracelet...

I've been wearing this since I finished it and it's very comfortable. I really like it as it is but if you want to add a charm there are smaller versions available like these cute little shells.

Supplier list

Mykonos components - The Artisan Bead Compan

6mm leather cord - Cords and Wires

Lampwork Bead - Studio Juls     

Copper wire - Wires.co.uk  

Happy creating!

FLOWER TENDRIL EARRINGS

Spring is definitely here in the UK and flowers are popping up all over so today I thought I'd share a tutorial for these quick and easy flower tendril earrings.

To make these you will need two 8" lengths of 19/20 gauge wire, 2 flower beads or similar flat disc beads with reasonably small holes and 1 pair of ear wires. You'll also need a hand torch, wire cutters,  round and needle nose pliers, looping pliers or other round tool and a file.

Please excuse the state of my hands in these photos - much neglected at the best of times and not helped by my thumb having a mishap with a door hinge at the weekend!

Step 1
Using the hand torch ball up the ends of the wires so that they won't pass through the holes in the beads. You can find a tutorial for doing this here. This should also soften the wire and make it easier to bend. I've left the fire stain on the wire but you can clean them up at this point if you want to.

Step 2
Pass a wire through the a bead from front to back and with your thumb on the ball at the front bend the wire up and press gently against the back of the bead.

Step 3
Where the wire comes out of the back of the bead bend it into a loop using looping pliers, mandrel  or a round object like a sharpie marker.

The loop should be visible above the top of the bead.



Step 4
Take the end of the wire and pass it between the bead and the loop over the wire where it comes through the bead then gently pull it down to form a vertical tail. Keeping your thumb pressed at the point where the 2 wires meet while wrapping will help ensure the wire is snug.

Step 5
Trim the excess wire to 2 1/2 to 3 inches from the bead centre, file the end flat and remove any burrs.

Step 6
Using round nosed pliers make a turned loop at the bottom of the wire and then continue winding the wire up the pliers towards the jaws until you get to the bottom of the bead.

Step 7
Remove the round nose pliers and you will have a graduated coil. Use the needle nose pliers to bend the coil down so it sits vertically beneath the bead and loop.

Step 8
Insert the needle nose pliers into the loop at the bottom of the coil and grip the wire. Holding the bead and loop between forefinger and thumb to avoid stressing the bead, pull firmly but gently on the wire. The coil may open up nearest the bead at first and which point it may help to hold the wire there while pulling further on the lower end. Close up the loops at the bottom of the tendrils and file/polish out any tool marks.

Step 9
Repeat steps 1 to 8 to make the second earring and then use your pliers to gently adjust the coils to roughly match if necessary.

Step 10
Add your ear wires and treat with any desired patina and there you have your finished earrings!

All the beads used in the earrings shown here are from Mermaid Glass.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to try it yourself.
Braided bead rope



A couple of months go I made this necklace for a design challenge I was co-hosting and one of my AJE team mates asked me if I would write a tutorial for the braided rope element, so that's what I'm doing for you today. In my design the rope elements are attached to a simple focal bead section by means of decorative links but it is easily adaptable for you own necklace and bracelet designs.

To make the braided elements for a necklace of this style you will need:

Seed beads of your choice
2 decorative rings/connectors
2 bead cones/caps
20 gauge wire
Bead thread
Glue

The seed beads I used were  size 10/0 (2.2mm by 1.5mm) opaque Aztec gold and aged striped picasso mix Czech glass seed beads which came in hank of twelve 12 inch strands - approx. 18 beads per inch from Beads and Babble on Etsy.

Step 1
For each plaited element I used 3 strands from the hank. If you can remove the strands in their entirely and the thread is strong enough you may be able to use them as they are are without restringing but I prefer to restring them onto new thread with a collapsible beading needle...

Step 2
When your have your strands threaded pass one end through your decorative ring or connector.

Step 3
Tie the ends of the thread together taking care not to pull it too tightly - the strands need to be loose enough to braid and for the final rope to be able to drape softly. Add a dab of glue to the knot, leave to dry and trim the thread.

Step 4
Repeat steps 1 - 3 twice more so that you finish up with 3 strands threaded through your rings/connectors and closed into loops. Make sure each loop is separated and not tangled and that the knots are at the opposite end for your rings/connectors.

Step 5
Start braiding by taking each looped strand over the previous one and keeping an even tension that creates a pleasing effect - how tightly you braid will affect the length and drape of the finished
element.

 

Whilst braiding make sure you keep your knots at the end of the loops.

Step 6
when you get to the end of the braid lay each strand on top of each other lining up the knots as closely as possible.

Step 7
Take your wire and create a loop as you would if you were making a wrapped loop.

Step 8
Slip the wire through the beaded strands and gently ease the bead thread into the loop at the point where they are knotted. Leaving some slack when stringing your beads will help here.

Step 9
Using your pliers to hold it, wrap the end on the wire around the loop 3 times to close it and trim the excess from the wrapped end of the wire.

Step 10
Thread the other end of the wire through your bead cone or cap taking care to ensure the knots are enclosed and the strands are hanging correctly.

Step 11
Create another wrapped loop with the wire extending from the bead cone/cap and adjust the cap to fit.

Step 12
Repeat steps 1 - 11 to create your second braided element and then add a clasp of your choice.

And there you are - job done!

Ceramic beads by Blueberri Beads, Bronze connectors by THEA Elements

As an alternative to the decorative rings/connectors you can also use this technique with bead cones/caps at both ends of the braid.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I look forward to seeing it in some of your designs.

Lesley Watt

20 November 2013

Wire Macrame Earrings

 

 

Materials 

Approx. 6" 0.9mm bronze core wire
Approx. 12" 0.5mm bronze knotting wire
2  focal beads
2 accent beads/dangles
1 pair of earwires
Headpins/wire
2 pairs of pliers
Table vice or something to secure your wire

Note: Different types and gauges of wire can be used for this and these will give different effects but remember that you may need to adjust the length of the wire according to the gauge used. The basic knotting technique can also be found here.

Step one
Secure your core wire to something that will keep it firmly in place -  I use a table top vice but you could also wrap it round a rigid object - don't forget to cut extra wire if you do the latter.

Step 2
Place your knotting wire beneath the core wire and bring both ends up around the sides. Pass the wire on your left over the wire in your right and back under the core wire and up through the loop of the wire on the right.

Grip both ends of the wire with your pliers and pull to tighten keeping an even tension. Don't be tempted to do this with your hands (especially with bronze wire) - it may not hurt at first but you'll find you have very sore fingers the next day - I know I tried!

Step 3
Repeat step 2 taking care to pass the wire in the same direction as this will create the spiral pattern.

 Continue repeating step one and the spiral pattern will begin to emerge...

Step 4

When the spiral is the length you want remove it from the vice and wrap one end of the wire around the core wire 3 times, cut off the excess and press against the core wire. Repeat the process with the other end of the wire wrapping it over the first wrap. Trim the excess and file any sharp edges.  This will form the top of the earring.

Step 5
Trim the top end of the core wire to remove any vice marks, file the end and turn a simple loop. Gently push the spiral up to sit snugly against the loop.

Step 6
At the other end add your focal bead, trim and file the wire and turn another simple loop or warp a loop if preferred.

Step 7
Add a headpin to an accent bead and turn a simple loop to create a dangle then add this to the bottom of your earring.

Step 9
Add an earwire of your choice.

Step 10
Repeat this process for the second earring to complete the pair.

Step 11
This technique is greatly enhanced by oxidising the wire and polishing back the high points to give added depth and texture. I've done this when the earrings are complete but if your beads are not waterproof you will need to treat the wire before you make up the earrings.

Lesley watt
April 2013

             
Double Strand Seed Bead and Jump Ring Bracelet 
(Goddess Bracelet)

All measurements and quantities are approximate and may vary depending on the materials used. This example is for a bracelet of 7½" with a beaded section of 6¼". This bracelet can be easily adjusted to fit by adding or removing beads and jump rings.

Materials

1 button

30" waxed cotton/linen cord or supple stringing medium of your choice

68 size 5 or 6  (4 - 4.5mm) seed beads + extra  for the tail decoration

68 5mm (id) jump rings - to avoid snagging make sure all the jump rings are closed before you start constructing your bracelet.

Step 1
Thread the cord through the button holes and draw it through to create two cords of equal length.

Step 2
Tie an overhand knot close to the button.

Step 3
Thread a bead onto one cord and then thread a jump ring over both cords.

Step 4 
Thread a bead onto the second cord and thread a jump ring over both cords. Continue threading beads onto alternate cords interspersed with jump rings threaded over both cords.

Step 5 
Continue until the 68 beads are threaded finishing with the last bead on the opposite cord to the first bead.

Step 6
Tie an overhand knot close to the last bead and a second overhand knot to create a loop to fit over your chosen button.

Step 7
Thread the extra beads onto the tails and knot to secure. Trim any excess cord.

Step 8
Sit back and admire your finished bracelet!

This technique can be adapted for use with necklaces using your preferred attachment technique. On the piece below I used one folded cord attached to the pendant rings with a lark's head knot and coil crimp ends at the clasp.

Note:

Although I have stipulated bead and ring size sizes the technique can be used with other sizes to give different effects - have fun and experiment!