Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Beauty of Bead Jewelry Making and Design - by Morgan Hamilton

In the world of creative arts, bead jewelry making and design is quickly becoming the most popular craft. This craft offers boundless possibilities in terms of design and materials and will surely awaken the artist in you. The limitless possibilities in design and form in this craft may be overwhelming and may cause some problems but at the same time may allow you to exercise your creativity freely. An expert in the art of bead jewelry making maintains that problems in the craft may pave the way for the birth of unique design elements. Take for example her experience with designing a bracelet out of jasper and copper. Jasper drill rings are unpopular with crafters because they are generally unattractive and not conveniently functional. She chose a colorful combination of red, brown and green jasper drill rings for her bracelet design. However the result of her effort looked appalling. She decided to try another style to salvage her project. She experimented with copper to compliment the colors in the jasper drill rings. The results were dramatic. The element of copper blended the colors of the jasper drill rings and transformed into a stunning masterpiece. She even accented the bracelet with copper wire. She discovered that the key to working with any element when it comes to bead jewelry making was in the harmony and blending of the colors. The abundance of materials in bead jewelry making gives you plenty of opportunities to experiment. All you need is your imagination and a lot of patience. The initial results of your project may not be impressive but if you keep at it you may be rewarded with a stunning work of art. One of the recent and most fashionable trends in bead jewelry making is cell phone charms. They are easy to make and allows you to exercise our creativity in personalizing your cell phone. They are very popular among young girls and many of them have started to make their own design. Materials that give headaches to seasoned crafters may provide inspiration for young budding artists. Don’t just discard seemingly ugly and unworkable bead jewelry making materials. Work with them patiently and you may come up with an impressive masterpiece.

About The Author
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Bead Jewelry Making. Get more information at http://www.gemsandjewelryinfo.com/gems--jewels/jewelry--watches/the-beauty-of-bead-jewelry-making-and-design.html.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Wire Wrapped Bracelet - by Karla Kam

Step-by-Step guide to Wire-Wrapped Bracelet

Shopping for Beading Supplies by : John Purdy

Most people may not realize this, but beading can end up being one of the most expensive hobbies based on the types of material used. For example, a beaded necklace made from real diamonds can cost up to $100,000. Fortunately, you do not have to be rich in order to enjoy this hobby. By learning where and how to buy reasonably priced beading supplies, this hobby can be ideal for people who are on a limited budget. How do you find the best deals on beading supplies? Do not worry, because it is not as difficult as you may think. Here are a few tips that have proven to work: A. Beading does not always require costly gems or stones. Anybody can create a necklace from shells or small stones that are usually found on the beach. With a durable thread and needle, anyone can make bracelets, earrings, and necklace without spending a dime. B. People who are willing to spend the money must learn how to get the greatest deals in the market. When working on limited numbers of design, it is recommended to buy supplies from local craft stores without the usual $10 shipping and handling fee for online transactions. C. For business owners marketing beadworks that would like to buy large amount of beads and additional supplies, the best place to order is the Internet . Huge mark down are being offered online for beaders who are buying wholesale. D. For buyers who are on a strict budget, the places to go are flea markets and garage sales. There, you can buy quality beading supplies for very low prices. After learning how to save money, it is important for beaders to know exactly what they are looking for. Here are some general tips on buying beading supplies: A. Beads are the most important element in beading. The appearance of the design will largely depend on them. Attentively choosing the color, size, and shape will definitely play a large part in developing quality and attractive beadwork . The most popular ones today are gemstones. These stones are quite costly, so that is why it is recommended that you buy them in authorized and trusted jewelry stores. B. In selecting wire and threads, it is paramount to consider the beads that will be used. For pearls or other gems, it is recommended to use silk thread. This works best with beads that possess very small holes. On the other hand, when working with glass, use nylon or another durable synthetic threads that can withstand abrasion. C. It is important for the beader to get a good set of pliers. The set includes needle nose, wire cutter, flat nose, and round nose. They have color-coded handles and they are lightweight, which is perfect for traveling beaders . These sets will usually run between $30-$35. D. Beaders should also get stack jar containers with lids that are designed to organize the beads and threads according to colors and sizes. E. A designing board is also one of the basic beading supplies. It is used for laying the beads before stringing them together using thread. This is a great tool to get exact measurements so that it will be easier to determine the center of the beadwork . For any person that is interested in this hobby, the secret to in producing remarkable and quality beadwork is learning how to properly choose the beading supplies. Of course, if you are on a budget, the key is to creating the beadwork without spending too much money.

About The Author
John Purdy operates websites for hobby enthusiasts interested in beading (http://www.beading-supplies.net) and model airplanes (http://www.model-airplane-kits.com). For information, resources and inexpensive supplies for these very popular hobbies, be sure to visit his sites today.

Make a Pendant - by Karla Kam

Step-by-Step guide to making a Pendant

Basic Beading - by Karla Kam