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Wire sizing, opening jump rings, beading tips and techniques to help you create stylish and fashionable jewellery. Many beaders may use slightly different ways and tools when it comes to beading techniques, but they all have the same outcomes.
Bracelet Sizing:
Bead size can determine the length of a bracelet. When using big beads or chunky beads the inside diameter will be different to a bracelet with smaller beads. The average size of a woman's bracelet - not including the clasp is 18cm.
Cutting chain to same length:
Place chains on a headpin and hold it in front of you. Using your wire cutters cut the chains to the size you want.
Basic Tools:
Basic tools that every beader should have are long nose pliers, wire cutters and flat nose pliers. Chain nose pliers are similar to the flat nose pliers.
Standard Earrings:
To make your own earring hook use 22 gauge wire. If you use thicker wire the earring may not go through your ear.
Wire Sizing:
There are lots of different beading wire, cords and threads on the market today. Don't try all at once. Get familiar with one type and then move on. You will be surprised what you can do with tigertail, superflex etc when in comes to designing your jewellery. It can become very expensive if you try to become familiar with too many at once. I even get confused with how many types of beading wires and threads that are out there.
The higher the number the thinner the wire.
14, 16, 18 gauge wire - Very thick and heavy. Mainly used for necklaces, bracelet bases and neckwires.
20 gauge wire - Great for wire wrapping. Thick wire so it may not pass through Swarovski crystals and czech beads. Fantastic to create clasps.
22 gauge wire - This is the most common wire to use for your designs. Easy to manipulate, soft wire but still very strong. Great for eyepins and pendants.
24 gauge wire - Medium to thin wire. Used for wire wrapping most beads. This wire can kink and can be straightened with your fingers. Great for beads with small holes such as pearls.
26 gauge wire - This wire can kink and is great for small beads and birolettes. Great to wrap tiara's.
28-30 gauge wire - Very fine wire. It kinks quite easily. Perfect for crocheting, free form ideas, necklaces and wire weaving.
Copper Wire - soft and very easy to manipulate. Great to wrap beads to design necklaces, bracelets and free form earrings.
Crimp Covers:
You can add a crimp cover to add a neater finish. When you have completed your design add your crimp cover. Simply place it over the crimp and using your flat nose pliers carefully close the ends together to make a complete circle. You can get different sizes and shapes of crimps, so make sure your crimp cover will fit over your crimp.
Wrapped Loop On Headpin:
Add your bead or beads onto headpin. Grab the headpin at about 4mm from the bead with your long nose pliers. Bend it at 90 degrees away from you. With your other hand bend the end of the headpin back towards you and around the pliers to make a loop. Hold loop with flat nose pliers and wrap wire around. (If you are adding an earring hook or links that cannot be opened this is the time to add it to the headpin before the wire is completely wrapped around). Begin to wrap the wire around the headpin using your fingers 2- 3 times. (I find using your fingers the easiest way). Trim excess wire with wire cutters and flatten any wire that is sticking out.
Opening and Closing a Jump Ring:
Grab onto a jump ring with your left hand using flat nose pliers and long nose pliers with your right. (Point tools to the ceiling). Move the flat nose pliers towards you and the long nose pliers away from you at the same time. Never pull jump ring apart left and right using your tools as you will distort the ring. To close a jump ring use the same method but moving the flat nose pliers away from you and long nose pliers towards you. (Left handers hold tools in opposite hands)
How to make a simple loop:
Add bead or beads onto eyepin or headpin. Bend wire to 90 degrees. Leave about 1cm of wire and trim excess. With the bent wire facing you and using long nose pliers grab the end of the bent wire and roll the wire around the pliers to form a complete loop. Use your flat nose pliers to maniplulate the wire closer together if the loop is not completely closed.
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"Everything arrived safely and all lovely. Thankyou so much. The "Fluttering Bird Bracelet" is popular. Someone at work wants one already" - Michelle (Hamersley, Western Australia) - December 2009
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"I received my jewellery last Friday. They are very gorgeous. Thankyou" - Maiko (Perth, Tuart Hill - Western Australia) - September 2009
"I received my bracelet yesterday and it was beautiful. Thankyou so much. It is for my wedding day in 2 weeks time" - Melissa (Queensland) - August 2009
"The amythest diamond necklace was exactly what I expected. Great Price. Keep up the great designs" - Natalie (Perth, Atwell - Western Australia) - January 2009
"I have received my Tourmaline necklace and gorgeous coloured crystal necklace. I am really happy with them" - Angela (South Australia) - November 2008
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