All you do is…
1 Make a slipknot on one end of your cord and set aside.
2 Onto each head pin thread a silver seed bead (not pictured in diagram) followed by a pearl or rondelle or bicone bead.
3 Use flat nose pliers to bend the wire at a right angle, keeping the bend as close the bead as you can.
4 Using round nose pliers, start at one end and roll the wire around one barrel of the pliers, forming a coil until it stops at the bead.
5 When all bead units have been completed thread them onto the elastic cord (with a slipknot at one end) in the following order:
a. 1 pale pink pearl
b. 1 cream pearl
c. 1 pale pink pearl
d. 1 small clear rondelle
e. 1 cream pearl
f. 1 pale pink pearl
g. 1 cream pearl
h. 1 silver rondelle
i. 1 deep pink pearl
j. 1 pale pink pearl
k. 1 cream pearl
l. 1 pale pink pearl
m. 1 large clear rondelle
n. 1 cream pearl
o. 1 pale pink pearl
p. 1 cream pearl
q. 1 silver rondelle
r. 1 deep pink pearl
6 Repeat step 5, but substitute the large clear rondelle bead (m) with the faceted bicone.
7 Repeat steps 5 and 6 two more times, arranging the beads so the fullness is distributed.
HINT
See Chapter 5 to learn the simple, single-loop method of making dangles.
8 Pull out slipknot; tie a surgeon’s knot and glue. When dry, trim excess cord.
Jade & Onyx Watch Band
Nothing says Asian style more clearly than jade. Confucius attributed to jade such virtues as purity, justice and intelligence. Here, this timeless stone transforms a timepiece into an elegant bracelet.
You will need...
10 12mm round jade beads
6 15x20mm antiqued silver-plated beads
12 10mm matte black onyx rondelle beads
20 antiqued silver-plated decorative bead caps
4 3mm round silver-plated beads
4 15mm lobster clasps 24 inches (61 cm)
1mm clear elastic cord 1 watch face with watchband bars – 35x40mm
All you do is…
1 Make a slipknot at one end of your cord.
2 Thread on in the following order:
a. 1 black onyx bead
b. 1 large silver bead
c. 1 black onyx bead
d. 1 silver bead cap
e. 1 jade bead
f. 1 silver bead cap
3 Repeat twice more.
4 Continue by threading on in the following order:
a. 1 small silver bead
b. 1 lobster clasp
c. 1 silver bead cap
d. 1 jade bead
e. 1 silver bead cap
f. 1 lobster clasp (facing the same way as the previous lobster clasp)
g. 1 small silver bead
h. 1 silver bead cap
i. 1 jade bead
j. 1 silver bead cap
5 Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4.
6 Pull out slipknot and remove the first black onyx bead from step 2 and thread it onto the end of beads from step 5 (you are just transferring it from the beginning of the strand to the end of the strand).
7 Tie a surgeon’s knot and glue. Thread one tail of cord back through the large silver metal bead and pull until knot pops into bead. Trim excess cord.
8 Attach beaded band to watch band bar using the lobster clasps. (Since the watch is removable, try making a few different bands for it!)
CHAPTER 2
Memory Wire Jewelry
Using Memory Wire
Memory wire is a fun and easy yet effective way to create gorgeous jewelry pieces. The metal wire is formed into continuous rings that hold their shape. Memory wire is available in a variety of sizes for creating necklaces, bracelets and rings.
Tools for working with memory wire
Memory wire cutters/shears
Wire cutters (for cutting eye and head pins when making dangles, NOT for cutting memory wire, as this wire is hard enough to damage ordinary cutters!)
Optional extras
The looped ends of memory wire can be left as they are or they can be decorated with bead dangles that you make by threading beads onto a head pin and forming a simple loop.
Basic technique for using memory wire
1 Using memory wire shears, cut your preferred number of rings.
2 At one cut end, either:
a. Glue a bead. Special end beads are available specifically for this purpose. These have a single hole, drilled about halfway though the bead. Use strong glue and let it dry completely.
b. Use round nose pliers to form a closed loop at one cut end.
3 Thread beads and/or chain according to your chosen design. Be sure your beads are placed close together to avoid any wire gaps, and finish your piece by whichever method you chose in step 2.