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Homemade jewelery / bracelets

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2006 Jun. ~ 2006 Dec.: Hobby Hall (ARCHIVES): Homemade jewelery / bracelets users admin

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Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, January 08, 2005 - 10:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Just wondering if anyone has made the bracelets with wire and toggles for closures?

I really enjoyed collected the glass beads, making a pattern and then the bracelet, now the 2 I made and kept the crimp has broken, so the toggles fallen off, is this common?

I hate to invest in the beads, and then give them away to know they just break and become worthless...

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, January 08, 2005 - 7:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I've had two professionally made bracelets of this ilk and both suddenly broke! So I'm no help.

Crzndeb
Member

07-26-2004

Friday, April 08, 2005 - 11:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Crzndeb a private message Print Post    
I am so glad I found this thread because I was just wondering if anyone had hobbies. I do make jewelry and it really depends on the type of crimp and wire you use. I have never had anything break. And I don't use a crimping tool, just flatnose. I have heard those tools actually weaken the crimp bead.

Angelicfairies2
Member

07-19-2004

Monday, July 31, 2006 - 7:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Angelicfairies2 a private message Print Post    
This is one hobbie I'm DYING to get into however I'm sooo not crafty and I don't even know where to start.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, July 31, 2006 - 8:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Angelic, do you have a bead store near you? Or Michaels? Both often do classes where you can go for an evening (or day) and learn how to make jewelry, though with Michaels you may have to keep your eye on their calender of events for a few months to find a class for them.

Micheals sells these jewelry kits. I've seen the swarovski crystal ones that are just beautiful. They are great because the kit comes with all the crystals you need, the wire, the toggles, plus a set of easy to follow instructions.

If you want to start out a little easier one of the best things to do is pick up a little box of beads and wire/stretchy elastic string (both Walmart and Michaels have those.) Just lay out a pattern of beads, then string them onto the stretchy cord, when you're done tie it in a knot and superglue it so it doesn't come undone. The nice thing is the cord is fairly inexpensive so if you don't like what you've done, you can take it apart and redo it.

I've been doing beaded/crystal jewelry for a long time, and that's still my #1 technique, lol. If I don't like what I've done, take it apart and start all over!

Cdbga
Member

10-04-2004

Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 3:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cdbga a private message Print Post    
I just started making little bead necklaces as tag holders for my dog. She wears a harness when we go out, so I wanted something cute for her tags. I'm still working out the kinks...figuring out the best kind of clasp, etc. I'm using the plastic line for that. For my purposes, I wondered if it might be a good idea to use a heavy duty fishing line. I'm not sure how strong the craft line is and the fishing line is comparably priced. I bought a variety of beads at Hobby Lobby last week, now I just have to figure out exactly what to hang the tags on, figure out the line thing and I'll be cranking out doggie necklaces!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 8:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Cdbga, that's a cute idea! If you're able, I'd love to see a pic of your pup all jazzed up. Hehe, plus I'm always looking for new craft ideas!

For wire I use Beadalon. It is a very flexible wire coated in nylon, but very strong. I love it, it's incredibly easy to work with and I've never had a problem with it. It's a little more expensive than fishing line or clear plastic threads but much more durable and no chance it'll snag on something and break.

While I'm on the Michaels site, Angelicfairies, THIS is the kit I was talking about yesterday. They cost something like $7 but have all the crystals/beads, wire, and finding you need plus step by step instructions on how to make them.

Cdbga
Member

10-04-2004

Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 5:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cdbga a private message Print Post    
Wargod, I will post a pic or 2 once I get some completed (as the few I've done were the "rough drafts"...I think I have everything figured out now...I just need to go pick up some supplies). As furry as my little Whitney is, though, I don't know how easy they'll be to see on her...so I may post a pic of just the necklace next to the pic of her wearing it.

I am the same way about always looking for new craft ideas. I love to go to craft shows for that very reason! I got the dog necklace idea from an expensive little doggie necklace I saw in a pet store. I'd been wanting to do some beading/jewelry for a while and this was the perfect project.

Thanks for the info on Beadalon. I will check that out the next time I am at Michael's. I was going to go yesterday, but it is just oppressively hot here and I decided not to go out at all...and Whit was in one of her rare moods where she didn't seem to want to go out, either. I love Michaels(and they let me bring Whit in with me!).

Cdbga
Member

10-04-2004

Friday, August 11, 2006 - 4:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cdbga a private message Print Post    
Okay, here are a couple of pics of my Doggie necklaces:

necklace with tags
This one has the tags attached so you can see how that looks. I have a lobster-clasp attached to the tags, so that I can easily attach them to whichever necklace I put on her.

works in progress
These are the other necklaces that I've either completed or am still working on.

Sorry, none with Whitney wearing them. I just haven't had a chance to get a pic of that yet. I think the yellow one is going to look the best on her...the color will really stand out against her black fur.

I did end up going with the Beadalon and I like it. Whitney is a little thing, and when she walks, she is always sniffing around, so I have to keep the necklaces a short enough lenghth that the tags don't drag, but of course, it has to be long enough to comfortably fit her. What I've been doing, is stringing them first with the cheap plastic line to make sure I like the look and have the right fit. That way, it is easy to go back and change something if I have to. One I have it perfect, I go back and string it on the Beadalon and do all the crimping and all that. It works great, because you can usually just thread the Beadalon right through while it is still on the plastic line, then you just pull the plastic line out! We went to the Michael's in Hiram for the first time and it turns out they have a much better bead selection than the Michael's I usually go to...but they didn't seem to have as great a selection of beading accessories (like the Beadalon and the clasps). Crazy!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, August 11, 2006 - 8:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Oh, I like those! They turned out great!

Our Michaels doesn't have a large selection of beads, but is great on accessories. I tend to go to the bead store for beads, crystals, etc. and then swing by Michaels for the rest (they're cheaper too on that stuff.)

Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Monday, August 14, 2006 - 3:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jasper a private message Print Post    
I actually bought some earring kits on Friday to try this out. Our Michaels here is innundated with beads and all the accroutements, several aisles worth, the choice is overwhelming.

Angelicfairies2
Member

07-19-2004

Monday, August 21, 2006 - 2:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Angelicfairies2 a private message Print Post    
Thanks wargod.
I'm most likely heading to Michael's this weekend and see what I can get started on. I'm really into getting started. However I want to make stuff like this (A friend of mine has her own jewlery line-I've asked her but she's not much help lol)

http://www.melanieaulddesigns.com/

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, August 21, 2006 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Later on when I have some time I'll get the link for the tool you use to make stuff like that. The directions make it look far easier than it is though, lol, and I'll admit I haven't really practiced with it much so everything I make on it looks the same no matter what I do different!

Angelicfairies2
Member

07-19-2004

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 10:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Angelicfairies2 a private message Print Post    
Thanks, wargod

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 10:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Geez, Angelic, I'm sorry! I forgot all about getting the link last night til I just saw you're post.

Here it is: wigjig This is an awesome sight, not only for the tools and stuff, but also has a bunch of jewelry with instruction on how to make it.

The jig's have pegs that you pull out. The one I got came with several patterns, you pull the pegs out, lay the pattern on the base of the jig and then place the pegs back in where indicated on the pattern. Basically you follow the pattern with your wire, wrapping it around the pegs, then you pull the pegs (or slip your creation off) and should have a nice decorative piece. You can also do it freestyle without the patters and come up with your own stuff.

I've not had much luck with it, but I also haven't used it very often and I'm pretty sure the few times I did I was using a guage of wire that wasn't good for practicing with (I should have used something in the middle, instead I've used a really soft wire that bends as soon as you move it and a really hard wire that's tough to work with when you're just starting out, lol.) I think I paid about $20-$25 for it, but I picked it up here in town instead of ordering it online.

I've seen some incredible jewelry made using that method, but I'd be thrilled just to get something simple out, lol!

Here's a (fairly) simple earring project using the jig. And a more complicated one for making a bracelet.

If you scroll to the top of any of the wigjig pages you can click on "Beginners Instructions" and there's pages and pages of stuff. It's one of my favorites for getting ideas (thank you Secretsmile for sharing it, lol!) or trying to figure out a technique I haven't tried yet.

Angelicfairies2
Member

07-19-2004

Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 8:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Angelicfairies2 a private message Print Post    
Anyone know of any good DVD's for jewlery making??? There are so many out there I don't know where to start lol.
thanks

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 12:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Couldn't resist, had to show it off! I just finished making this bracelet for my friend Angel. I sure hope she likes it. The winged hearts are her trademark; she even has them painted on her car. And we work together dealing cards at casino parties, thus the dice (don't have beads that look like cards).

I made most of my gifts this year, but the others are knitted things (which are on my blog). This is the only bead project I did. Nothing like the last minute! :-)

b

Ho! Ho! HO!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 3:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Max, that looks great! I love doing charm bracelets as gifts since you can do them with the person and their interests in mind.

I like the little purse you knitted! I spent a lot of time last year looking for little bags for the girls for a beaded project I'd seen and never could find any I could work with. I finally gave it up since I couldn't find good bags and can't sew or knit myself, lol!

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 7:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Looks great Max.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 12:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
ooh I love it!!! what a great idea!

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 11:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Thanks, y'all! My friend reallly liked it, too. I love making things with a specific person in mind. Makes the process all the more enjoyable -- especially when the recipient is as delighted as I am. :-)

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 12:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
It's fun, Max!

Darren bought me a pen from the bookstore for Christmas that I really like. Looking at it, it seems fairly easy to do so I'm going to give it a shot. I think my biggest difficulty with it will be finding rubber bands that are small enough for pens or else coming up with something else to keep them on.

a

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 12:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
War, check at an accessories store -- one of those that only carries accessories, mostly for the younger crowd. They usually have a section of things for babies that includes packs of very small rubber bands.

Looks like a cool pen! :-)

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 12:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
War those bands remind me of the colored band used for braces, don't know where you get them but they might work!