Double Pearl Elegance

Supplies:

*2 Circle links
*Medium link chain
*Lobster Claw Clasp
*4 large jump rings (to match chain)
*needle nose pliers
*Double string of pearls and gems (Purchased from Michaels)
*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.

*Tip 3 - 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. Use large items if you think the smaller version will not allow for flexibility. (i.e. large jump rings over small/medium ones)

 Steps:

-Measure out the length of chain you will need to fit around your neck. (see *Tip 2* )  Use the needle nose pliers to open a link to shorten the chain to your length needed for one side of your neck, and then do it again for the other side. You should have two chain lengths.

-Take a pair of needle nose pliers and open a jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the end of the lobster claw clasp, then on one end of the chain length you just made, close the jump ring.

- Take a pair of needle nose pliers and open another jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the end of the other length of chain. Then close the jump ring. This is what the lobster clasp will connect to. 

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring and attach one end of the chain (either length will do). Then slide on the circle link and close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open another jump ring. Attach the other side of the circle link. Then slide on one side of the double string. Close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring and attach one end of the chain (The other one now). Then slide on another circle link and close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open the last jump ring. Attach the other side of the circle link. Then slide on the other side of the double string and close the jump ring.


  -At this point everything should be connected and you have a finished necklace.

 

 

Petal Pins

Supplies:

*Clear thread
*Needle
*Scissors
*Gems (match petals)
*Petal package
*Circle pin backs
*E6000 Glue
*Cardboard

Steps:

- Follow the directions from the petal package to thread the petals and gem together.

- Glue circle pin onto back of the flowers you just created.

- Let sit for several hours on cardboard, petals first.

- Finished flower pins.

Gems and Pearls in Purple

This is a very simple project and just a nice bracelet to wear whenever. Nothing fancy or special, but still cute!

Supplies:

*Strand of Pearls and Gems
*bead wire (.18mm in silver)
*Bubble clasp
*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 wrist 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* ). (Or just restring the pattern that was on the strand when you bought it.)

-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 tube listed in the supplies can be found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Jo-Anns in several different color shades. The tubes can come in the same color if you don't want different shades or mixtures. ***

Long Leaf

Supplies:

*Leaf strand (2)
*Jump rings (muted gold) (3)
*Needle nose pliers
*Lobster claw clasp

Steps:

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attack one end of one leaf strand and then attach an end of the other leaf strand. Close the jump ring. This attaches the two strand together.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attach one end of the long leaf strand and then attach the lobster claw. Close the jump ring.

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Attach the other end of the long leaf strand. Close the jump ring.

-You have finished your necklace.

Round Ribbon

I had some extra strips of ribbon that I wanted to use up. I also have some leather straps that I didn't know what to do with. That was an easy thought to fix those issues!

I used E6000 to glue them down to the leather straps. Just have to leave them sit for a couple hours once you pressed them down. Its a great hold too.