Posts Tagged ‘jewelry’
Wire Jewelry Making
October 8th, 2008
US $.01
Question: Beading...or wire and chain jewelry making question... please help?
i am trying to make a bead and chain overdress for a senior thesis fashion show. I am trying to find someone who is experienced in working with wire and chain in jewelry making who might be able to give me some advice if i were to explain the project to them...it is very unique...and if anyone has any suggestions or knows any nice friendly jewelry teachers in the new york area it would help me a lot.
Answer: I've worked with metals for decades (also drafting clothing patterns ....), and beading for several years.
If you want to send me some sketches or whatever, I'll try to give you some useful ideas. I'm in northern British Columbia, thousands of miles from New York, so can't give hand-on help, but I'll do what I can.
You may want to look at the ads in 'Bust' magazine. There are so many interesting and innovative jewellers in NY. (What an opportunity!)
Sounds like you've got an interesting project going!
P.S. Just occurred to me a few hours later that magazines and books are other fertile resources. There is such a range, so many specializations. For example, there is a magazine called 'Simply Wireworking'.
There are websites too. The one belonging to 'Beadwork' magazine features both beading and beadworking.
Enjoy!
Jewelry Making - WigJig Basics - Making a Wire Component
Beginning Jewelry Making
October 3rd, 2008
Question: "Lampworking", Glass Bead Making Lessons?
I have wanted to learn to do this for many years. I love crafts and especially enjoy creating things. I think this would be a perfect hobby for me, especially since I enjoy jewelry making. However, I live in an area where there is little education available. No classes are available to me. I have been researching and watching videos on the internet and plan to visit my local library to check on videos and books, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend any helpful books or videos for a beginner that might cover all I need to know in order to begin. Thanks!
Answer: I would recommend 2 things.
First, get involved (or at least lurk) on some of the lampworking forums online. There is scads of information, tutorials, sometimes even videos, and people who are passionate about lampworking and willing to help out newcomers to the craft. These are the top 4 that I know:
1. Wet Canvas
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=89
2. Lampwork ETC
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/
3. International Society of Glass Beadmakers
http://www.isgb.org/forum/
4. Hot Glass Forum
http://www.glassline.net/forums/index.php
Second, try to find someone that can teach you. I know that you said there were no classes in your area, but there may be a lampworker nearby. I am not sure where you live, but if there are any bead, craft, art, or glass stores around, you might talk to the managers and see if they know of anyone nearby who practices lampworking. Someone may be willing to give you a one-on-one lesson, even if they don't "teach."
Also do an internet search for your region and lampworkers (for me midwest AND lampworker OR lampworking) to find any regional guilds or societies. They may be able to point you to someone that lives reasonably close to you.
I had my first lesson when I discovered I lived fairly near someone I met on an online forum. I asked if she would be willing to give me a lesson. She agreed and I gave her a lesson in metal clay in exchange. A great weekend all around:)
Lampworking really is one of those things that is best done the first time with someone who knows what they are doing. Although this may apply more to really uncoordinated people like me. I found it really helpful to have someone on hand to notice when I'd Stopped doing something I was supposed to be doing! (Don't forget to keep turning the mandrel, Megan. Now turn that a little faster - not that fast...)
You'll be OK with books and videos, but if you can find someone that can help you out the first time, you'll benefit a lot from it.
Best of luck in your new craft!
Beaded Jewelry Making : How to Make Beaded Necklaces
Posted in Jewelry Making | 
Tags: beginning jewelry making, beginning jewelry making kit, beginning jewelry making projects, classes, jewelry, photo, sharing, web2.0 | 
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Beads For Jewelry Making
September 30th, 2008
Question: With beading/jewelry making, how do you get the ends to keep the beads on without tying ugly knots?
Stupid question? Probably ... lol
I just took an interest in this and bought a few bits and peices, I have the wires and some clasps and jump rings and earring hooks etc but I cannot figure out if the vital missing peice is crimps?
When , for example I thread an earring I am knotting the end or the wire so the beads dont fall off and then when I get to the top, what do I? I cant tie a knot to the earring hook it look ugly...
I need something so I can loop the wire through the earring hook and then put the clamp thing around the two pieces and squeeze them together... so I dont need to tie a knot...
Gees for something so simple I hope Im not confusing you too much - I know exactly what I mean and I thought it was crimps that I needed but on Ebay most say crimp/spacers instead of just crimp... are crimp and spacers the same thing? I didnt think they were... now I dont know if It was crimps I was after...
What do I need?
Thanks & sorry its so confusing!!! 
Answer: the best way would be to crimp the beads. here is a link on how to properly work with crimp beads.
How to Make Jewelry: How To Make a Crystal Beaded Bead Bracelet