Handmade Beaded Jewelry
Beaded Jewelry
Important to Publish your Original Works in Your Blog
Feb 1st
My blogging guru told me that it is very important to publish original works, first in your own blog before submitting them elsewhere. This will ensure that it is properly documented and dated. And to a certain extent, one prudent way to protect ownership. However, as much as I wished to post updates on my hobby, I had to keep them under wraps for a period of time.
For the year 2011, my Handmade Jewelry was dedicated to the ladybug, the chameleon and the dragonfly. As I find Blogging quite time consuming, rather than going into details, I would try to publish some pictures of my craft, gradually. Here’s the one and only Blue Chameleon that I have made. Only one because it took too long to complete. Look at the eyes….they are large 12mm Carnelian beads.
The Blue Chameleon
Wire Crochet with Beads and Crystals – The Dragonfly Garden Pick
Jan 31st
In 2010, that was 2 years back, I experimented with wire crochet to create the dragonfly as a garden pick using brass wires and crystals. The prototype was done with brass wires and later silver wires. Interesting results.
Dragonfly on a Garden Pick
Dragonfly on garden pick
Bead Crochet Rope – Necklaces and Bracelets
Jan 31st
Looking back, for me, 2010 was a year for crochet projects using seed beads. I was keeping it under wraps because it was a consignment for elegant Bead Crochet Rope Necklaces and Bracelets.
Real DIY after some research on the internet. The co-ordination of the eyes and fingers on the crochet hook was almost robotic once you get the hang of it. The beginning was tough. I had to re-do dozens of times before I finally completed it with great satisfaction. It was worth-while, because I’ve learnt another aspect of fine hand made jewelry making.
It was a good thing that I saved some pictures. Right here. Just for you. Hope you’ll like it.
Bead Crochet Rope Necklace in Gold
Bead Crochet Rope Bracelet in Pearl White
Bead Crochet Rope Slip-on Bracelet in Lilac
Increase Jewelry Book Sales with Gift Token
Jun 19th
We found that an occasional promotion would add a boost to book sales. A gift token or a discount as a kind of advertisement to make your product stand out from the crowd and build a brand name along the way.
I was helping a dear friend to market her jewelry book and picked those tips from her. It cost her a bomb to publish a book. Profit from book sales is nothing to shout about as I realised when I tried to clear a consignment for the author. The transport and delivery charges, free gifts given out at promotions, rental of a booth for autographing, time and efforts putting up free demonstrations, ate almost every cent that was earned. However, the experience was most rewarding, fun and worth the cause, the passion of promoting a hobby we love so much.
So, if you come across a bargain, immediately recognise it. It is a rare offer!
I made some rings like the one shown here. By varing the color combination, each ring appeared very unique by itself. Very simple but very attractive. Swarovski 4mm crystal bicone beads and 2mm metal beads or sead beads for the finger band. You can try this project on your own.
Pretty things are Simple
Stringing Beads is Easy
This is my sketch and I hope that it helps you get started. The star* marks the starting point and end point of this project. The ring is completed with a secure knot.
Try your hand at designing too. There are lots of ideas from “Wonderful Handmade Jewellery”, a source for inspiration, simple instructions and beautiful detail drawings.
You are welcome to share your ideas too.
Beaded Wire Crafts and a Lady Bug for you.
May 24th
Beads and wire crafts is something that I am experimenting while I was away from my blog. I intended to create a brooch but the end result was a bit heavy. It became a good alternative as a paper weight. A great gift idea for a guy. Yes, at least there is something here for the guys too.
Lady Bug created with Wire and Beads
This is the Lady Bug created with wire and beads.
I used brass wires to create a frame and work beads over it.
Wire Works and Beaded Jewelry
I hardly write my blog these days. I will try for to write more often and if the words don’t come easily, I will post more pictures next time. Hope this will light up your day. Cheers.
Keeping My Blog Alive!
Feb 26th
I’m back to keep my blog alive! It’s been a long time since my last update on this blog.
Thank you so much for coming back again and again. I am very encouraged by that kind gesture.
I took an assignment that required certain amount of confidentiality, so it would be prudent to stop blogging in order to avoid any conflict of interest during the contract. My dedication to the job hardly left me much time for blogging anyway. It was a very memorable period of time and experience gained was invaluable.
There were so many things I would like to blog about other than work of course. It was such a long break, I found it very difficult to write again. The words just don’t come easy. The story does not flow, the paragraphs just don’t connect. Does this sound familiar? It’s time to do something about it and break through this impasse.
- Get Past Impasse
What Impasse? I got a much better picture from “Feeling stuck? Get past Impasse” by Martha Lagace.
Where am I now? Where shall I start?
I had a wonderful holiday in South Korea with my daughter to celebrate her graduation in May 2009; I helped my teacher with her autographing / workshop sessions at a book fair at Changi International Airport Terminal 3 in Nov 2009; My family enjoyed a stay at a 5-star hotel suite at the Venetian, Macao while on a short holiday in Hong Kong / Macau in early Feb 2010; I was attending a course in Dec 2009 and another course in Jan 2010; Ups and Downs in between: Blah, blah, blah….
Make A Friendship Band in 15 Minutes in Super Fast Time
Aug 27th
You can make a Friendship Band in 15 minutes or less, in super fast time.
Here’s how : Kumihimo Kumiloom Braiding Instructions – Video demo.
I came across this video demo from YouTube and tried my hand at it. Looks like a very traditional Japanese Art in simplified form. I succeeded in making a wrist band.
Amazing! It turned out to be a great way to braid a friendship band.
Making A Friendship Band For My Best Friend.
For my first try, I used a small paper plate as the kumiloom.
And it works fine for this simple design.
- Using a color marker, mark the edge of the paper plate like a compass, North, South, East, and West. There! You have 4 quarters.
- Then, divide again till you get another 4 segments in each quarter. Altogether you will have 16 segments. fine for this easy to follow video demo.
- Make a hole in the middle of the paper plate.
- Next, cut 2cm slits on all the markings around the edge. The paper kumiloom is ready for use.
I used 2 colors for a start and quite happy with the completed friendship band.
By changing the colors and the number of strings, I would probably get very interesting results.
You can see that I have added a large focal bead to make it more attractive. Actually, I had trouble finding a large bead with large hole, so I made my own focal bead using 4mm crystal beads. It turned out quite nicely.
So What is Kumihimo?
Interesting answer from Wikipedia :
“Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands.
Kumihimo cord was first created by a form of finger-loop braiding. Later tools such as the Marudai and the Takadai were employed to make more complex braids in shorter time. The most prominent historical use of the cords were by Samurai as both a functional and decorative way to lace their lamellar armor, and that of their horses’ armor (barding). Kumihimo cords are now used as ties on haori jackets and obijimes, which are used for tying on an obi (kimono sash).”.
Butterflies for Inspiration In Your Beaded Jewelry Creations.
Jun 7th
“Butterflies” is another great source of inspiration from Nature. From ColorLovers.com,
a beautiful presentation of color palettes inspired by the natural beauty of butterflies. Great inspiration for Fashion Designers as well as Beaded Jewelry Artists. Awesome!
I have to thank NHBeadLady at “Create Your Style” Community for this link. www.ColorLovers.com
From the same source of Nature, the inspiration for naming your creation comes naturally too. Are you curious to know how popular is this naming convention?
I googled for Beaded Jewelry and Butterflies, and Voila! (vwa LAH!) There were at least 400,000 results from these 2 keywords.
My imagination could not have been more vivid until I stumbled on this jewelry site.
This particular creation by Cathy Dailey is very a beautiful interpretation of a butterfly. She had given it a name that very aptly captures my imagination. This is truly a great inspiration from Nature that gives more than life to a creation in color, shape and texture.
I can feel the mood and an influence of culture in the making of a trademark that could be so unique to each individual.
Enchanted Butterflies created by Cathy Dailey
5 Great DIY Jewelry Sites : Tips and Tricks
May 23rd
5 Great DIY Jewelry Sites : Tips and Tricks to Handmade Beaded Jewelry.
5 Great Treats for all Beginners in Handmade Beaded Jewelry, fantastic web sites to visit.
Treat No: 1
Jewelry Making at About.com
Great articles by Tammy Powley. Free tutorials for beginners, large database of resources. Free Jewelry Making E-course emailed weekly.
Treat No: 2
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is America’s Favorite Beading and Jewelry Supply Company. For more advanced designs, beautiful free catalog, how to, free tutorials and Design Gallery. Huge traffic volume can be frustrating, just got to be patient and take a little longer to load the site.
Treat No: 3
Auntie’s Beads
Great instruction videos, basic technicques and interesting projects on video.
You can also find these videos on Youtube too.
Treat No: 4
This beautiful project is from Wig Jig University.
Wiring techniques, choosing the right tools, how to use the jig, beginners instructions and many great projects.
Treat No: 5
Bead Online
Basic Jewelry Making techniques. Graphics to show the steps to beautiful free projects.
Have a wonderful time! Happy Beading!
Jade Forever and Pearl Bling Bracelets by Amethyst Crystal
May 5th
When I first joined the Swarovski “Create Your Style” Community, there was a contest running. Though not prepared, but for the sake of participation, I submitted 2 designs.
Jade Forever Bracelet and Pearl Bling were submitted for the January 2008 Contest.
Jade Forever created by Evelyn Lim of Amethyst Crystal.
Jade Forever Bracelet is a free-style concept, re-designed from a simple single strand of oval-shaped select, beautiful green Jade beads.
At my sister-in-law’s request, I transformed the beautiful single strand of Jade Beads of classic beauty into something more contemporary. In creating Jade Forever, I added emerald green Swarovski crystals and some copper beads to create a more casual style so that it looks great for any occasion.
I used the stringing method, weaving 3 nylon cords of 0.3mm thickness. 4mm Emerald Green Swarovski Crystals to compliment the jade. The string of copper beads is inter-twined around the main strand for a final touch.
Pearl Bling created by Evelyn Lim of Amethyst Crystal.
Pearl Bling Bracelet is also a recreation from a treasured momento of hers. It was previously an elegant 0-0-0 formation. I was fortunate to be given this opportunity to re-design it and give it a fresh look. Metal findings, metal beads and crystal beads were added to enhance the string of pearls and gold tubular links.
If you are a beginner, you will find this site at Swarovski Create Your Style very informative. Look for Beading Techniques.
Have fun making your own handmade beaded jewelry!
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