Dear ,
As we move closer toward the end of summer and the start of school, I always ask the samequestion, "What happened to summer?" For those looking to learn something in the few weeks left, I've included information about a a new type of wire, two book reviews and answeres to a few reader questions. Also, try out this newsletter's fantastic free project, Silver Spacers Bracelet & Earrings, for a jewelry set that is perfect for any season or occasion.
Gold Rush
When I make jewelry for my mom, I normally work with 14K gold-filled wire. It has the look of gold but a reasonable price tag. It is more expensive than the sterling wire that I work with most of the time, but we're talking about my mom here! Often the price tag is less important than the beauty of the finished jewelry.
For Mother's Day, I created a lovely necklace using antique brass wire and findings. It was beautiful and mom liked it. Antique brass wire is actually color-coated copper wire, which gives the brass a beautiful color. Despite its beauty, however, coated wire is slippery, and pliers can easily scrape or mark the wire, exposing the base color underneath. In spite of my success with antique brass wire I was still searching for a gold-colored wire with a feel similar to sterling but a more moderate price tag than gold-filled wire.
My search led me to bronze wire. Bronze wire is a soft, lovely gold color with a temper (hardness) close to that of half-hard sterling wire. A mix of roughly 90 percent copper mixed with 10 percent tin makes this wire work perfectly with Bronzclay, in addition to being a perfect material for basic wire work. Called Tin Bronze Wire, this lovely product can be found at CoolTools.us in 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 gauge. The cost is 17 to 52 cents per foot, depending on the gauge.
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Book Reviews
Knit One Bead Too
by Judith Durant
$18.95, Storey Publishing
I am familiar with Judith Durant's beadwork, but until this book landed on my desk, I didn't know she combined beads with knitting. Five bead-embellished knitting techniques are covered-- bead knitting, beaded knitting, slipstitch bead knitting, carry-along bead knitting and hook bead knitting. Each technique is explained clearly, and the book also includes a primer on bead and yarn options. Projects include purses, coasters, gloves, hats, scarves and sweaters. Lovely colors, clear photos, illustrations and instructions guide you through the construction and finishing of each inspirational project. I might even be willing set my pliers down for a week and pick up some knitting needles!
Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping
by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
$22.95, Interweave Press
Dale Cougar Armstrong's new book is a step-by-step guide for intermediate-level wire artists. Armstrong celebrates her jewelry style in eighteen projects that use hard wire and traditional techniques. Dale shows her favorite tools and explains which tool is appropriate for which technique. Step-by-step photography shows each project in detail. A gallery section showcases inspirational jewelry by the author and her students who used techniques that were shown in the book. Learn Dale's amazing techniques and transform jewelry into your own style.
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 Free Project: Silver Spacers Bracelet & Earrings
Design by Carole Rodgers
Silver spacers never go out of style, and like potato chips, one is never enough. This bracelet, made with flat disk spacer beads and an embellished chain makes a delicate yet definite statement.
Materials
- 2-hole silver flat disk spacers:
- 9 (12mm) center hole
- 10 (9.4mm) solid
- 20 (3 x 4mm) silver oval jump rings
- 5mm silver round jump ring
- 2 (25mm) silver kidney ear wires
- Small silver lobster-claw clasp
- 6 inches 3.8mm silver rolo chain
- Chain-nose pliers
- Wire nippers
Finished Sizes
Bracelet
7 3/4 inches (including clasp)
Earrings
1 7/8 inches long
Instructions
Bracelet
| 1) |
Open an oval jump ring and slide on a 5mm jump ring and a 9.4mm disk; close ring. |
| 2) |
Cut nine pieces of chain each five links long. Set aside two pieces for earrings. |
| 3) |
Open another oval jump ring and
attach it to other side of 9.4mm disk from step 1; slide on a 12mm disk and one end of a 5-link piece of chain before closing jump ring.
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| 4) |
Open another oval jump ring and attach it to other end of 5-link chain and other side of 12mm disk from step 3; attach ring to another 9.4mm disk before closing jump ring. The chain should be lying across the center hole of the 12mm disk. |
| 5) |
Repeat steps 3 and 4 six additional times. |
| 6) |
Use an oval jump ring to attach clasp to the end of the bracelet.
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Earrings
| 1) |
In the same manner as in step 3 of bracelet, use an oval jump ring to attach one piece of chain and a 12mm disk to a 9.4mm disk. |
| 2) |
Attach other end of chain to opposite side of 12mm disk with an oval jump ring. |
| 3) |
Slide top loop of 9.4mm disk on ear wire. |
| 4) |
Repeat steps 1-3 for second earring.
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Sources: Silver disks, jump rings, ear wires, clasp and chain from Beadalon.
Copyright © April 2008 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved.
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Reader Question & Answer
When you string beads on thread, how do you make the ends of the thread disappear?
-Ruth, via e-mail
My reason for running this particular question is simple: Don't string beads on thread! Thread is not strong enough for strung designs and, breakage is inevitable. For stringing, use flexible beading wire and crimps. Wire ends should be fed back through several beads on the end of the strand or trimmed close next to the crimp.
For bead designs woven with thread, tails should be woven back through the design for a few inches and knotted with a few half hitches. Trim edges close to beadwork, and the end normally slides into nearby beads and disappears. A thread burner can cauterize the thread ends and prevent fraying, but it isn't necessary.
I want to make a necklace that is one piece but wraps around the wearer's neck three times, so it becomes a necklace with three lengths. I am uncertain how to decide what total length to make it. The longest length would be 22", then 20" and 18". Thanks for your help with this.
-Barb Zachow, via e-mail
You won't need a clasp on your wraparound necklace, so all you need to do is add the three measurements and make the overall necklace the same length as the sum (60"). The only design issue I can foresee is that a wraparound style necklace won't necessarily sit in three measured strands since it can move freely.
To ensure a perfect three-strand necklace, use a multi-strand finding or clasp on each end, so each strand is attached to the finding or clasp. Constructing a necklace with three separate strands will maintain a consistent length and create the look I think you're trying to achieve.
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