Secret Stepping Stones by Chloe Menage

Create a sparkling bracelet using simple bead weaving techniques. The key to this project is using strong thread like WildFire or waxing your usual thread really well.

You will need:

- approx. 15-20 Crystals

- size 11 Miyuki seed beads

- Czech Rulla/Brick beads

- Metal key Charm

- Bead Weaving Thread

- Needle

- Wax

- scissors 

See more of Chloe’s designs on her website www.pinkhot.co.uk or on her Facebook page

Top 4 problems you often come across when using beading wire.

1.  The most common cause of wire failure is when beads are strung too
tightly - people hate to see any exposed wire, so push the beads up has hard
as they can before finishing the end. This results in the wire being
stretched to the point of breakage. Remember the breaking strain of the wire
is at rest - but when you have a tightly strung piece, the length of the
wire acts like a lever and the breaking point is easily exceeded. 

This normally happens at the end or middle of the wire. On inspection, you can
normally see little creases at the edges of each bead. In order to avoid
this situation, before crimping the end, lay out the necklace in the shape
it will be worn - ie with the wire at its longest - before crimping. It is
easy to illustrate this point - if you string on end, let the beads hang and
then lift the finished end, you will see the beads all move upwards. If you
hold your fingers against the beads, you will feel the force being exerted.

2. String square edges beads together or beads that do not allow the beads
to 'Articulate' can also cause stress to the wire and often the effect is
more severe than in (1). Always make sure small beads are placed between
larger beads in order to let the design hang better and take the pressure
off the wire.

3. Over-Crimping. Many Jewellers are nervous about crimping - to the extent
that they apply too much pressure to the crimp, which has the effect of
cutting the wire. Often seen when the wire fails at one end of the design.

4. Kinking. If Beading wire is kinked too much, the result is that the wires
are case-hardened, becomes brittle and then snaps. The fewer the strands of
wire, the more likely this is to happen if the design is not completely
covered in Beads. For this reason, we never recommend using Tigertail -
always use a minimum of 7 Strand beading wire and ideally for such designs,
49 strand.

Trend Alert: Summer 2014 Aztec/Tribal Style

Aztec/Tribal is a big fashion statement this summer. These bright colours look striking when worn with a plain outfit. 

If you want to simplify this dramatic style just sit gold next to light purple, blue or turquoise. 

For something a lot more striking try using vibrant lime green and burnt orange, these colours look great on large statement jewellery.

In regards to shapes, using a variety of different styles works particularly well to achieve the multi-textured and chunky look of this trend. Try using a weaved seed bead design along side larger beads. 

My Top Picks

Here are a few of my favourites from this collection:

Peridot Rainbow Transparent Iris, -0258B
20gm (approx.)
£2.20

Size 11/0 Light Blue Luster Opaque,
 Approx 23gr.
£2.95 

Rulla Beads Chalk White Red Luster 3x5mm
 17g approx
£2.20

Toffee Apple Piggy Beads
Pack of 30
£1.45

Jet Aztec Gold 12mm Twin-Hole Pyramid Bead 
Pack of 5 Beads
£1.45

The rest of the range

Thorn Beads Amethyst Transparent 

Czech Thorn 5x16mm Amethyst Transparent, (55 pcs) £4.75

Juicy Fruit Gumdrops

7x10mm Juicy Fruit Czech Glass Gumdrops

 48p

Size 11/0 Turquoise Seed Beads 
Size 11/0 Turquoise Colourlined, Approx 23gr
£2.95

Thorn Beads Crystal Amber
Thorn Beads 5 x 16mm Crystal Amber, pack of 20 beads
£2.20

Alabaster Matted Twin-Hole Pyramid Beads
 12mm Twin-Hole Pyramid Beads - pack of 5 Beads

£2.00

Clasp Guide, Part 2

Magnetic Clasps

As magnetic clasps rely on magnets to keep them closed they are often easier to use than other types of clasps. This is particularly useful for people with arthritis or other hand problems.

Magnetic clasps work best when used for light to middle weight jewellery pieces.

Remember jewellery with magnetic clasps should never to be worn by anyone who has a pacemaker or other electric cardiac device.

Magnetic clasps come in large variety of different designs. Below is a few from our range:
Click here to buy.

Note the magnetic slider clasps, these are brilliant for mult-strand designs. Due the magnet in their centre these slider clasps hold much more securely in place than their non magnetic counterparts.

S-Hook Clasps

As their name suggests S-Hooks are shaped as a 'S'. They are opened by pulling on the arm of the 'S' and they are then closed by pushing it back.

S-Hooks have double ends, to attach your jewellery to this type of clasp jumprings are needed at each end of your design. 

S-Hooks aren't as strong as a lot of other clasps and shouldn't be used with heavy weight designs. S-Hook work best with light to medium weight designs. 

These are the S-Hooks available on our website:
Can be viewed online here.

Check out the adorable cat and rope design, a particular favourite of mine. 

Lobster Clasps

Lobster clasps are brilliant if you want your jewellery to be very securely closed. The reason these clasps are great for this is because they rely on a spring to tightly fasten the clasp shut.

Much like spring rings/bolt ring clasps they have a trigger mechanism which allows the clasp to spring closed after it is opened.

Lobster clasps are a very versatile and come in a variety of sizes. Larger clasps should be used in heavier design and small clasps in lighter designs. These type of clasps are a popular choice for necklaces, bracelets and anklets.

In the image below I've shown the traditional style of lobster clasps at the top and more unique designs below. The traditional style lobster clasp is available in a wide variety of sizes, finishes and colours.

Click here to view our large range of lobster clasps on our online shop.

Hook and Eye Clasps

Hook and eye clasps are composed of a hook at one end of the clasp and a loop at the other. The clasp is attached by hooking the hook into the loop. These clasps are very easy to hook and unhook being designed very similarly to hook and eye clasps commonly used in clothing.

Click here to buy the examples below.

Hook and eye clasps are also very easy to make yourself using Findings Forms and Artistic Wire. Making your own clasps is a good alternative is you want your clasps to be in a bright and unusual colour not common in most clasp readily available.

The video below demonstrates how to make an hook and eye clasp using a Finding Forms jig.

Simple Leather Cord Bracelet

This simple bracelet is made of Griffin Leather Cord, metallic plated beads and a magnetic tube twist clasp.

The magnetic clasp we have chosen has a twist lock which makes it more secure than a lot of other magnetic clasps. 

The leather cord is available in variety bright colours and the beads we have chosen come in other metallic shades. 

All you need to put this bracelet together is glue. We recommend is E6000, which is perfect for jobs like this where findings need to be securely glued in place.

Clasp Guide, Part 1

Toggle Clasps 

Toggle Clasps are a great choice for necklaces because the weight of the beads help keep the clasp shut.

They work best with heavier jewellery as tension is needed to keep the toggle closed. For use with bracelets toggle clasps work very well with heavy, chunky gemstones and ceramic beads.

Toggle clasps can be easily open and closed with one hand. They also come in a range of different designs including some really eye catching and quirky ones.

Here are a few of some of unique toggle designs on our website:

These toggles as well as some plainer styles are available to buy on our website.

Tube / Slide Lock Multi-strand Clasps

Tube / Slide lock multi-strand clasps are perfect If you're looking for a clasp that's a little more secure and in particular if your design includes multiple strands. These clasps consist of 2 tubes with slide in to another with a spring lock in the centre.

Best for light to medium weight jewellery, they are ideal for multi strand designs such as peyote stitch cuff bracelets.

Tube clasps come in different lengths from 2 to 7 strand. They also come in a variety of metallic colours so you can get the perfect  look for your jewellery design.

These image depicts the strands numbers and colours available: 

See them here.

Bolt Ring (or Spring Ring) Clasps

Bolt ring clasps are easy to operate, reliable and durable. They have a trigger mechanism which allows the clasp to spring closed once the trigger is let go.

Best used on light to medium weight jewellery designs. Bolt Rings are also available in many sizes and look great with almost any necklace, bracelet or anklet. 

Below are two types of Bolt rings, the bottom two are in the more traditional style while the ones at the top have an tag style ring component: 

See a selection of bolt rings here.

Filigree Flower Pendant

Fancy something in the popular vintage style that incorporates some of the fun Czech shaped beads at the same time? Have a go at this simple wirework project by guest blogger Chloe Menage.

You will need:

1 x Large Square Filligree pendant

8 x Czech Piggy beads

Approx. 1g x Rizo beads

28 gauge (0.32mm) Artistic Wire

Ribbon to hang your pendant

Tools:

Chain nose pliers
Cutters

See more of Chloe’s designs on her website www.pinkhot.co.uk or on her Facebook page

Instructions

Sparkly Butterfly Ring Project

We have been beading again today here at CJ Beaders and we have a nice simple project for you all to try.

 What you will need for this project is:

1 x Tube of E6000 Glue

2 x packs of pp14 Chatons

1 x Butterfly ring blank

or buy our kit 

Tools needed:

Fine pick and place tool

Instructions

We hope you enjoy this project!

New Tri-Beads

We now have 4mm Tri-Beads in our New Forest Shop and on our on line store. Lot's of people asking for these so thought I would let you all know. Here is the link to them on line  http://www.cjbeaders.co.uk/default/off/category/Beads_-_Czech_Glass/Tri-Beads  

Happy Beading :)

Perfect for Summer Necklace Kit

We made up this very simple necklace kit today including Griffin Nylon Power Thread, a gift bag and, of course, the beads - approx. 90g
These beads are lightweight & have a shimmery, mirror-like finish & are similar in finish to AB coated beads.
Perfect for those summer days & holidays.
Just £5.95
All you need to do is thread the beads & then knot the ends together, adding a dab of glue for extra security and then wear with pride (or give as a lovely gift)
Available in-store and online.
www.facebook.com/CJBeaders

Make this pretty summer time bracelet.

We have been busy making new things today and this is one of the bracelets we have made. 

Here is how to Make it!

All these items can be found on our website at www.cjbeaders.co.uk

Tools you will need are:

Cutters

Round nose pliers

2 x Chain nose pliers (or you can use a pair of flat nose pliers)

Split ring pliers

7.   Repeat these steps until all the pieces are joined together. Now you can slightly bend the rubber tubing           so it forms nicely around your arm. The bracelet should have 2 of the 10mm beads on either end this is         where you will attach the toggle clasp.

8. Attach the toggle clasp using a jump ring, 

All beads, findings and  tools can be found on our website at www.cjbeaders.co.uk

We are heading on over to Farnham today to get ready for this weekends show. Do not forget to come and see us and your other Favourite Jewellery Suppliers at the Farnham Jewellery Show at Farnham Maltings in Surrey. 10.00am until 5.00pm on Saturday, 10.00am until 4.00pm on Sunday (plenty of time for the men in your life to get home in time for the World Cup Final).
Here is the link to the shows facebook page for more information and updates on the show!  https://www.facebook.com/farnhamjewellerymakingshow

New Beadalon Artistic Wire Finding Forms

These little jigs are useful for making your own earwires, connectors and clasps.  Follow the link to find out more information and watch a short video of how to use them. (The video is demonstrated by Beadalon!) http://www.cjbeaders.co.uk/188463/Findings/Findings-Forms-Teardrop-Connector-Jig-1-pc

 

We have our chain maille beginners course on the 5th June 2014 at 10:30-12:30 with Andrea Barnett. The course is £20 and this includes the beginners chain maille book and a cuppa! Call and book now to secure your place on 01425 279992.

Wire Wrapper Pendent.

All you need to make this wire wrapper pendent is

Beadalon 21.8mm round Artistic Wire wire wrapper

24 and 28 gauge Beadalon Artistic Wire

10 x 4mm Preciosas bicones

1 x 22mm round resin sugar stone bead

1 x necklace chain 

 Wrap the Bicones around the edge of the wire wrapper into the recesses of the wrapper, using the 28 gauge wire. Next place the sugar stone in the centre of the wire wrapper and wrap into place using the 24 gauge wire. Start the wrap on the top right leaving some spare wire to secure later. Count every 4 Bicones and wrap the wire again, continue every 4th Bicone to create the star pattern. Once the star is completed twist and tuck in loose ends at the back of the wire wrapper. Attach to necklace chain.

The pendent takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

We have just added these new Half Tila Beads to our website. They are the same as the Tila beads with two holes but just half the size! Here is the link to them on our website. http://www.cjbeaders.co.uk/default/off/category/Beads_-_Miyuki/Miyuki_Half_TILA_Beads

There are 27 colours available.

We have been trying out our new Thorn Beads and have made this bracelet using memory wire and pellet beads mixed with thorn beads. This is a great project easy and fun to make, it takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.

We have lots of courses coming up here at CJ Beaders!

Workshops include, Beginners chain Maille, Basics for beginners, beaded Kumihimo bracelet, Tubular and Spiral netting, bezel cabochons in peyote and St Petersburg stitich. 

All course dates, times and prices can be found at

http://www.cjbeaders.co.uk/default/on/category/Courses_and_Workshops