Jewellery Making Supplies Blog

This is a guest project designed by Jane Kharade. Jane is a craft designer who designs beautifully coloured pieces with the aid of clay, crystals and silver.

You will need:

Rubber bracelet 

Silver beads  x2

Silver loops   x3

Charm Beads

Light rose      x2

AB                x2

Copper          x2

Astral pink   Hearts x3

Amethyst helix

3X5mm jump rings 

Tools

Chain nosed pliers 

TIP

As the jump rings are small it may be useful to use two pairs of chain nosed pliers to open up the jump rings when attaching the Swarovski Astral hearts.

Step 1

Place all of the beads on the table and the rubber bracelet. Start by threading one Swarovski Copper Charmbead followed by a silver bead and a Swarovski Amethyst Charmbead.

Step 2

Use chain nosed pliers to open up 3 x5mm jump rings, and thread the silver loop beads onto the jump rings.

Step 3

Carefully attach a crystal Astral heart to each of the jumps rings. Use chain nosed pliers to close the jump rings tightly.

Step 4

Thread a silver loop bead with the Astral heart onto the rubber bracelet. Followed this by an AB Crystal Charmbead then a Light rose Charmbead.

Step 5

Add another silver loop bead with Astral heart followed by one more Light rose Charmbead. Thread on an AB Crystal charmbead than a silver loop bead with crystal Astral heart.

Step 6

Complete the look by adding an Amethyst bead, followed by a silver bead and finally a copper Charmbead.

This article is written by Joanne Varney who holds a BA (Hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing and is part of the Cooksongold team.

As with every large product group, there is usually a percentage which remains unchanged from year to year and forms the main stay of the range. This is known as the core range. Findings and stones are no exception to this and you will find many items remain unchanged from catalogue to catalogue. They become classics that you come to rely on as a jewellery maker, and know you will go back to time and again.

However, it is always fun to try something new and a good way to do this is to tap into some of the jewellery trends of the moment. If you know what to buy, your new purchases will become less of a gamble with customers, many of whom will already be aware of what is ‘on trend’.

 You don’t have to become a diehard fashionista to achieve this, instead simply arm yourself with a few relatively basic pieces of information based around themes, forms and colour. There are many complex factors that dictate global trends from economic to environmental issues and to understand them fully is not necessary for our purposes.

 Instead concentrate on the more tangible pieces of information for example: The Guild of Jewellery Designers has a review of Trends Autumn/Winter 2011 available to view on their website (http://bit.ly/oqu1PH) . In it they describe five themes they are tipping and within those themes are indications of larger scale pieces, layering/stacking and a move away from precious metals due to costs.

This could be interpreted in a number of ways, here is just one:

• Pendants can be hung on leather cord, coloured silks or rubber. Offer a choice with each sale or better still, sell each item with a selection of options e.g. Silver chain, neutral leather cord and vibrant coloured silk. This will allow your customer to layer, but also partake in a degree of customisation which has been a massive trend for many years now. Many of the major chain stores offer sets or groups of jewellery for sale now which has been extremely successful as they represent great value for money.  Even as designer/jewellers we all need to be aware that now more than ever people want value for money.
• Scale can be tricky to overcome without incurring significant cost. One way to achieve this is to use ‘found’ or recycled objects collected from charity shops or flea markets. Another is to use crystals or beads to create bold statement pieces. Swarovski produce a fabulous range of stunning pendants and beads in a myriad of colours, many of which are quite large. They too are a great reference point for trend information as they produce what they call ‘Gem Visions’ trend predictions each year (http://bit.ly/qUrtHF). This is a great resource for colour information.  Published in June of this year ‘Gem Visions 2012’ amongst other things is highlighting neutral tones, black and white and earth tones of orange and red to be big next year.  Get your ranges ‘on trend’ by incorporating some Fire Opal, Topaz or Light Siam Beads or why not try one of the Designer Edition ‘Devoted to You’ Astral Pink Heart pendants which ticks a multitude of trend boxes!

As you can see, being trend aware within jewellery and components doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply taking some time to do some internet research can have extremely beneficial results. Your customers will be impressed if you can reference your jewellery to a particular trend of the moment and it also means that your range will be regularly refreshed which keeps things interesting.

This is a guest post by Tansy Wilson. Tansy is a professional jeweller and runs her business from beautiful rural Somerset. She also teaches a jewellery evening class at her local college. Tansy has a BA in 3-D Design and has been in the design industry for 20 years.

“I loved the pink and white swirls of their stunning glass marbled beads and this gave me the idea of creating the summery strawberries and cream theme influenced by the classic treat at Wimbledon or any summer picnic. I also used their Swarovski crystal pearls to compliment the design. The marble beads are sold in a mixed bag of 50 grams so you do not know what shapes you will receive so plan your design and then you can utilize all the beads you do get so you can make either a bracelet or necklace or both! What you can guarantee is that you know your piece will be truly unique. The daisy toggle clasp adds that extra summery garden feel and is such a pretty feature it won’t matter if you wear the clasp at the front or back.”

You will need:

Necklace

• 2 x 20 inch lengths of 0.5mm Beadalon elasticity
• 2 x silver crimp tubes 2.00mm long
• 1 x silver flower ring and bar clasp
• 21 x glass marble pink beads
• 40 Swarovski crystal pearl white beads 4mm
• 40 Swarovski crystal pearl rose beads 4mm

Bracelet

• 2 x 12 inch lengths of 0.5mm Beadalon elasticity
• 2 x silver crimp tubes 2.00mm long
• 1 x silver flower ring and bar clasp
• 7 x glass marble pink beads
• 24 Swarovski crystal pearl white beads 6mm

STEP 1

Look at all your beads in your mixed pack and decide what shapes you want to use to make your bracelet and necklace. Lay the beads out next to each other planning that an average adult bracelet length is 7½ inches long including the daisy clasp.

STEP 2

Cut two lengths of 0.5mm elasticity 12 inches long for the bracelet and two lengths that are 20 inches long for the necklace. Starting with the bracelet, hold the two 12 inch lengths together and thread onto both a 2mm silver crimp tube. Then thread both ends of elasticity through the jumpring on the daisy clasp and then back through the crimp tube. Slide the crimp tube up towards the jumpring so that the elastic is trapped nice and tightly making sure you still have long lengths of elasticity to bead onto. Using crimping pliers, squash the crimp tube so it secures the elastic and trim excess short ends away.

STEP 3

Starting with your first bead in your design, thread both lengths of elasticity through the hole of this bead.

STEP 4

Now split your elasticity and thread two 6mm white Swarovski crystal pearls onto one length and two 6mm white Swarovski crystal pearls on the other length.

STEP 5

Taking your next larger glass marble bead regroup the elasticity and again thread both lengths through the same hole of this bead. Keep repeating steps 4 and 5 until you reach your desired length of bracelet.

STEP 6

When you have finally added your last glass marble bead, holding both lengths of elasticity together, add another 2 mm silver crimp tube and this time thread both ends of elasticity through the loop on the bar of the clasp and then back down through the crimp tube. Ensure all the beads are nicely packed together before finally crimping in place. Cut off excess ends.

STEP  7

As each 50 gram pack of beads contains a mix you should have enough smaller beads to make a necklace. So again work out your design and lay out the beads planning a necklace that is at least 16 inches in length including the clasp.

STEP 8

Repeat steps 2 to 6 this time using the two lengths of 20 inch elasticity. As I am using smaller glass marble beads for this necklace, I have used 4mm Swarovski crystal pearls. When threading the pearls onto the divided elasticity, I have added one 4 mm white Swarovski crystal pearl and then one 4 mm rose Swarovski crystal pearl to add more colour then reversed this combination to create a pattern.

STEP 9

As you repeat the process of adding the Swarovski crystal pearls either side of each marbled bead try and plan your pattern so the colours alternate all the way down the necklace. Finally repeat step 6 to add the bar of the clasp and secure the necklace. The beauty of a 16 inch necklace on elasticity is you can always double it and wear as a bracelet!

STEP 10

You have completed the project. This is the finished Strawberries and Cream necklace. You can get everything you need to design it by clicking here. Have fun making your own!

You could also try…

Bracelet 

There may be odd shaped beads left over from your 50 gram mixed bag that you could make additional bracelets with. You could combine with beads you have already in your bead box to make quite a different style!

Designer Tip

- Using elastic rather than nylon coated wire means that putting your bracelet or necklace on and taking them off is easy and simple as you do not have to undo the clasp at all!

- If you order two packs of the mixed glass marble beads you will be able to be more selective with bead sizes and then have enough left over to make more designs for your friends!

This project has also been featured in Making Jewellery Magazine.

This is a guest project designed by Jane Kharade. Jane designs beautifully coloured pieces with the aid of clay, crystals and silver.

“Create unique accessories for your own wedding or a friend’s special occasion, with easy to use rubber moulds and precious metal clay.”

Mould pretty charms from silver clay to form Jane Kharade’s wedding gift jewellery.

Use a flexible rubber mould and precious metal clay to create these stunning keepsake gifts for a wedding, all of which can be worn after the special day has long gone. The mould features a selection of pretty elements, that can be used to create charms suitable for a number of occasions. Find out how to design a pretty pendant and stunning charm bracelet for the bridesmaids, embellished with glittering Swarovski crystals, plus striking cuff links for the best man.

You will need:

• Bicones, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, 6mm, light peach x 11
• Crystals, round, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, 6mm, Indian pink crystals x 11
• Chain: snake, sterling silver; plain curb, loose, silver
• Jump rings, silver: 5mm, light ; 7mm, heavy
• Head pins, 3 bead end, silver, 50mm
• Clasp, lobster clasp, 13mm
• Clay, precious metal, PMC 3 x 25g
• Cuff links, silver
• Mould, flexible rubber, Occasions
• Badger Balm
• Needle
• Pliers: round-nosed; flat-nosed
• Cutters, wire
• Mat, Teflon
• Blow torch, hand-held
• Soldering block
• Brush, wire
• Files, needle
• Burnisher, metal

STEP 1

Lightly coat a teacup, teapot, flower, shoe, bonnet, and dress moulds with a thin layer of Badger Balm, using your finger. This will stop the clay from sticking to the mould and damaging the pattern of the charm as it is being removed. You will need to make up six flowers and one shoe, dress, bonnet, teacup and teapot charm for this project. Form each one individually by pinching a piece of precious metal clay from the block, then wrapping the rest back up to stop it from drying out.

STEP 2

Roll the clay into a ball and press it into your chosen mould, then push a needle into the charm to create a large hole for attaching a jump ring. Bend the mould slightly and carefully release the charm out; if the clay doesn’t have a good impression, simply ball it up and re-mould. Lay the charms on a Teflon mat to dry out overnight; once they feel like plaster, use needle files to remove any rough edges and create a smooth finish.

STEP 3

Fire the charms on a soldering block with a blow torch until they glow orange, then maintain this glow for a minimum of two minutes. Alternatively, fire in a PMC kiln on the PMC3 fast programme or 700°C for 10 minutes. Quench in cold water, then brush the charms with a wire brush, front and back, and use a metal burnisher to polish the high points. Thread each charm onto a 5mm jump ring. Hang them from a 18cm curb chain at regular intervals so that the charms are balanced throughout the bracelet.

STEP 4

Thread 10 pink crystals and 10 peach crystals onto head pins. Use round-nosed pliers to form a neat loop. Wrap the end of the head pin around itself three times and trim the excess. Thread one pink and one peach crystal onto 5mm jump rings then hang them between each charm. Attach a lobster clasp to the bracelet with a 5mm jump ring to one end, and a 7mm jump ring to the other.

STEP 5

You have completed the project. This is the finished Special Occasion bracelet. You can get everything you need to design it by clicking here. Have fun making your own!

You could also try…

Pendant

Step 1: Lightly coat a teacup and a flower mould with a thin layer of Badger Balm. Pinch a piece of precious metal clay from the block, divide it in two and push each piece into the teacup and flower moulds. Make holes in the charms with a needle for the jump rings, then carefully ease them out of the mould.Leave the charms to dry out overnight, then remove any rough edges with needle files. Fire the charms with a hand-held blow torch, quench and brush with a wire brush, then use a metal burnisher to create a mirror finish on the high points.

Step 2: Add a 5mm jump ring to each of the charms. Thread one pink and one peach crystal onto individual head pins. Using round-nosed pliers, form a neat loop and wrap the end of each head pin around itself three times with the aid of flat-nosed pliers, then trim off the excess. Open up a 7mm jump ring with pliers and thread the two crystals onto the jump ring, add the teacup charm and close tightly, then slip it onto a snake chain. Add the flower next to this.

Cufflinks

Step 1: Coat the top hat mould with a light film of Badger Balm. Pinch a piece of precious metal clay from the block, roll into a ball and push it into the top hat mould. Carefully ease the charm out, lay on a Teflon mat and repeat to make a second charm. Once they have dried out overnight, remove any rough edges with needle files.

Step 2: Fire the charms on a soldering block, quench and brush with a wire brush, then use a metal burnisher to polish to a mirror shine. Mix up epoxy resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stick the top hats to cuff link findings and leave the resin to cure overnight.

Designer Tip

Take care when filing the charms after they have dried, as they can be fragile in this pre-fired state.

This is a guest design by Tansy Wilson. Tansy is a professional jeweller and runs her business from beautiful rural Somerset. She also teaches a jewellery evening class at her local college. Tansy has a BA in 3-D Design and has been in the design industry for 20 years.

“In this design I have used some Swarovski crystals to make these fabulous beaded balls in different sizes, they have then been threaded onto lengths of illusion wire to create this magical floating crystal ball necklet.”

What you need:

• 1 x roll of nylon coated wire medium 0.46mm
• 2 x silver end caps for cable wire 1.00mm
• 1 x 3mm heavy weight jumpring
• 5 x 5mm heavy weight jumprings
• 2 x silver hook wires with bead and loop
• 1 x 6mm silver bolt ring
• 1 x roll of nylon monofilament 0.3mm
• 1x packet of 6mm Jet Swarovski xilion beads
• 2 x packets of 6mm Crystal AB Swarovski xilion beads
• 2 x packets of 6mm Black Diamond Swarovski xilion beads
• 5 x packets of 4mm Jet Swarovski xilion beads
• 4 x packets of 4mm Crystal AB Swarovski xilion beads
• 2 x packets of 4mm Black Diamond Swarovski xilion beads

STEP 1

Thread 4 x 6mm Swarovski bicone crystals onto a 25cm length of 0.3mm nylon filament, centering them all in the middle of the length of nylon. Taking the right hand end of the nylon, thread it back through the hole of the far left crystal.

STEP 2

Thread 2 x 6mm crystal on the left hand length of nylon and 1 x 6mm crystal on the right hand length of nylon.

STEP 3

Take the right hand length of nylon and thread that back through the hole of the last crystal bead threaded on the left hand side.

STEP 4

Take the right hand length of nylon and thread that back through the hole of the last crystal bead threaded on the left hand side.

STEP 5

Again pull both ends of the nylon so that the crystals pull together to form two small circles at the centre of the length.

STEP 6

Add two more beads on the left and one on the right, so now when you pull the two nylon ends you will have three small circles of crystal beads in the centre of the length. Now add one more bead on each side.

STEP 7

You now need to thread the left hand end of nylon through the top bead of the first circle that you created. Also thread the right hand end of nylon through this same bead but going in the opposite direction.

STEP 8

When you pull these two nylon ends together the crystals will curl up into a perfect small geometric beaded ball.

STEP 9

Now you have your beaded ball but the ends of nylon are coming out of the same bead in different directions. So take one end of nylon (it doesn’t matter which) and pass it through all the beads in that circle until it comes round to meet the other end. Tie the two ends in a double knot and add a small drop of glue for extra security. Then pass the ends through any bead next to the know and cut off excess nylon as close to that bead as possible, this means you are not cutting the nylon close to the knot where it could eventually come undone. Repeat steps to create 11 x 4mm and 5 x 6mm balls.

STEP 10

Cut three lengths of nylon coated wire, 1 x 15.5″, 1 x 16″ and 1 x 16.6″. Arrange your different sized beaded balls in 3 rows so they nicely mix together in varying colours and size. Aim to have 4 or 5 beaded balls on each row. When happy with the layout, take the shortest length of wire and thread your beaded ball on so that the wire passes through the very centre of the bead, add a dab of glue to keep them in place. Continue to thread the other balls onto the remaining wires.

STEP 11

Place the three wires together and roughen the very tips either end with a piece of emery paper. This just textures the nylon coating of the wire to give good adhesion for the glue.

STEP 12

Using a drop of glue, place the three ends of wire into a cable wire silver end cap. You may need to add a few more drops of glue to secure further. Leave to dry fully, as advised on the glue packaging. Finally add a 3mm jumpring and blot ring to one end and a 5mm jumpring to the other end to finish the necklet.

STEP 13

You have completed the project. This is the finished Monochrome Magic necklet. You can get everything you need to design it by clicking here! Have fun making your own!

Designer Tip

If you want to make a really big statement why not make crystal balls using larger beads? This would look amazing! For larger crystal ball beads use memory wire to thread the balls onto instead of the nylon coated wire as it is stronger or check out the thicker size of nylon coated wire as it can take quite a heavy weight too.

This project has also been featured in Making Jewellery Magazine, a GMC publication where Tansy frequently contributes with projects .

It’s 2011 – What’s NEW?

It’s a new year, so to mark the start of 2011, we’re bringing you many sensational new ranges, along with some of the best of our recently added products, New For 2011!

What’s in it for you?

• NEW PMC Accessories – We’ve got the PMC and now we’ve got a great new selection of PMC Accessories including Brass Plates, moulds, cutters and much more.
• Reflections Silver – Introducing our NEW silver alloy, the superior alternative to Sterling Silver. Choose from a great variety of Sheet, Wire, Findings, Loose/Finished Chain and more.
• NEW Creative Tools - Great New selection of digital weighing scales, NEW choice of terrific tumbling barrels and accessories – for both advanced and beginner jewellers -and NEW Anti Tarnish Zip Lock Bags and Non abrasive tabs to protect your most valuable metals.
• NEW colours and sizes of Swarovski pearls, beads and pendants.

PLUS:

• Essential workshop tools from Proxxon and Dremel – a great range of precision tools from two of the world’s leading power tool companies.
• Bullion and Creative Metal Sheets – get your creative juices flowing with our range of Mokume Gane Sheet, Enamelling Wire Silver Findings and much more.

WIN BIG!

That’s right – you could Win a top of the range Dremel Fortiflex, worth OVER £250!
Click here to read our T&C and enter the competition NOW!

Get your order fast, with our superb delivery service – place any order before 3pm for same-day despatch.

P.S. Don’t miss our on our NEW range of Copper Sheets and Blanks!

It’s FREEPOST at Cooksongold on ALL UK orders over £50 this weekend ONLY! FREEPOST is valid from Thursday 1st to Monday 5th April Midnight – so what are you waiting for? Save £££’s on P & P and place your order online NOW.

Claim FREEPOST this Easter

Don’t forget FREEPOST is now even easier, simply spend £50 or more and select ‘freepost’ in the delivery options menu – it’s as easy as that! We will then select the delivery method most suitable to your order. Click here for information on our couriers and their delivery times.

If your order doesn’t quite reach £50, here are a few more suggestions which might just tempt you!