Mod flower necklace.

I know I haven't been on in a while. Work yet again has been messing with my free time.

I made this MOD necklace to just wear with random darker outfits, such as my work clothes. Very basic project.

Supplies:
*2 strands of Mod flower pendants
*bead wire (.18mm in silver)
*Lobster claw
*jump rings (2)
*clamp beads (3) #1
*needle nose pliers
*clamp pliers
*wire cutters
*Measuring tape

*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time. This also includes making sure the clasp and clamp beads match the color pallet.

*Tip 2- Measure* Always measure for each project to make sure the lengths that fit best are correct. This is important when making items for other people. Once you have done them enough times you will know the required lengths and can skip this step.

Steps:

- Measure out the length of bead wire you will need to fit around your neck comfortably and then give yourself about 2 inches to loop back through at the ends. Use wire cutters to cut correct length.

-Take a pair of need nose pliers and open a jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the end of the clasp and close the jump ring.

- Take a clamp and thread it on the bead wire; then slide the bead wire through the jump ring attached to the clasp. Loop the bead wire back through the clamp bead and then use the clamp pliers to clamp it the bead in place. This should allow for a loop to hold the one end in place.

*Tip 3- Tight Loops* Try and keep the loop as tight as possible to keep from having a big gap. This can be done by holding one end of the bead wire with a needle nose pliers and then taking the other end of the wire and pulling it tighter. Keeping it tight keeps the wire from rubbing. This is also why using a jump ring to attach to the clasp is important, as the wire attached to the jump ring is not going to move around much if its pulled tight.

-Thread on the beads and gems in the order of the design you picked ahead of time (see *Tip 1* )

-Continue this until you have the length you determined earlier. (see *Tip 2* )

-Once you have finished your design for the length, slide on a clamp and use the clamp pliers to secure it in place. (see *Suggestion 1* and *Tip 4* )

*Suggestion 1* Doing one clamp bead at the end to make sure everything stays tight and then another to create the loop is NOT required. You can choose to use only one clamp bead, just be sure to keep the beads together tightly enough to not end up with large gaps when you wear it. I do it for both ease and strength. Beginners can do this until they get better at re-threading the closure clamp.

*Tip 4 - Consider Material and Purpose* You must always be aware of the type of give and strength your supplies have or you could end up with breaks, scrapping, and no flexibility. The heavier the wire the less bend and flexibility it has. String the beads too tightly together and some will rub together and break. String them too tightly and the beads will bunch and not bend well around your wrist. Some times you need to allow for "give room" with bracelets in order to get the bracelet to wrap.

-Take another clamp bead and thread it on first, then slide on the other jump ring, then thread the wire back through the clamp. Now tighten the wire until you have a small loop. Be sure that the jump ring stays in the loop you create. Use the clamp pliers to close the clamp when you have the loop the size you want. (see *Tip 3* )

-Take a wire cutters and clip off the extra wire as close as possible to the last clamp bead. If the wire is bend-able enough and the bead holes are big enough you can thread the extra wire back through the beads instead of cutting it.

-Take a needle nose pliers and open the jump ring on the end you just finished and slide on the other end of the clasp (Or length of chain if you want to use that instead. This will allow for different tightness around the wrist. This can be very helpful if you didn't follow *Tip 2* and its not long enough to go all the way around the wrist.) and close the jump ring with the needle nose pliers.

That will finish off the bracelet.


***The MOD flower strands listed in the supplies can be found at Michaels. ***

Shades of Color

I had a TON of crystal gem stones that came in strips of color combos. I had so many that I went on a bracelet frenzy. I even had the same color combos in small and regular crystals... as seen in these sets:

Now I am ALL for super easy projects. I make it a point to find things that are easier to make with and to use in general.
I love circle closures (like shown in the first picture). They are simple to string on when making the bracelet and they make it SO easy to put on. Magnetic closures are also very convenient to work with and put on. They are stronger than people think and make getting bracelets on ridiculously easy.
It seems to most people who make jewelry that they have an insane amount of supplies, and some things you aren't entirely sure what you had in mind when you bought them. I feel that way when it comes to seed beads. They are tiny and annoying. Plus I don't actually 'bead' anything with a needle and thread, which is what most sead beads are designed to be used in. I like to use them as spacer beads (as shown in both pictures). It keeps the crystal beads from rubbing against each other and breaking. I only get seed beads in standard colors and only get more when I only have like 3 left.

I use the standard rule of stringing when I make these bracelets. Very easy and basic.

Supplies:
-Crystal beads (set out in the pattern you want to string on)
-wire
-wire cutters
-clamps
-clamp pliers
-seed beads
-closure
-needle nose pliers

*Measure your wrist and cut wire about 5 inches longer than needed.
*Then find a clasp you like (in my case the circle closure clasp).
*Thread a clamp onto the wire; then the wire through the loop on the clasp and back through the clamp. (use the needle nose pliers to pull the loop tight)
*Press the clamp tight.
*Then thread the crystals and seed beads in the design order that you picked.
*Once you have gotten the length you need you need to slide on a clamp onto the wire and then wrap it around the loop of the clasp and finally back through the clamp.
*Squeeze the clamp closed.

Normally I end up with a few each beads (like 8 or 4) left over once I have reached my desired length. I use these to make earrings because its a very quick project that can use a small amount. This way I don't have to waste them. I try and make different types so it doesn't seem like all my bracelet/earring sets are the same. Some times I just feel like using the crystals for basic earrings and not a full set.

Most times however I like to use them all up and thats easiest done by making a bracelet. Hence why I have so many now....

Tutorials on 'Bracket' Bracelets

Once I figured out how to make the bracket bracelets work... I started going a little nuts with them. I made several more for myself. I also wanted to make one from the same purple bracket that I made for Mom. I figured I would make mine with pearls instead of glass beads.

I also found a few more butterfly brackets in blue and purple.

I also found a few longer bracket designs that I like.

They are incredibly easy to make too. Let me tell you how:

Supplies:
-Bracket designs (make sure to pick up as many as you will need)
-wire
-wire cutters
-clamps
-clamp pliers
-glass beads
-seed beads
-closure
-needle nose pliers

*Measure your wrist and cut wire about 5 inches longer than needed; then do it again.
*Then find a clasp you like (in my case the two ring clasp).
*Thread a clamp onto the wire; then the wire through the loop on the clasp and back through the clamp. (use the needle nose pliers to pull the loop tight)
*Press the clamp tight.
*Repeat the clamp steps if you have a second loop (like I did).
*Then thread the beads in the design order that you picked. I did two or three before sliding a bracket on. This allows for a little movement and doesn't push the bracket up onto the clasp. (especially if you used a regular one loop clasp)
*Thread about 5 glass beads and 4 seed beads in between each glass bead. That allows for a decent amount of space between the brackets and shows a visual pattern. 
*Once you have gotten the length you need you need to slide on a clamp onto the wire and then wrap it around the loop of the clasp and finally back through the clamp.
*Squeeze the clamp closed.
*Repeat those steps if you have a second loop on your closure.