Jewelry Making goes to Facebook

I was surfing around on beading sites instead of studying for my exams and I saw this link.  

So basically you can post jewelry projects on your wall. Besides showing off your projects in a magazine (old media) or via e-newsletters (new media), you can also do it on social networking sites to let your friends see and admire. I've subscribed the the newsletter to check it out. So have to wait till next month to try it out for myself.

It is an update from the regular forums that only fellow fans and hobbyists can view and comment on your works. This is so interesting. During the holidays, I think I might submit some work.

Meanwhile, you guys can take a look at the many awesome stuff others have made. 

Carol McKinney, BeadStyle Magazine 

Tools of the Trade

Hey!

Reading written instructions might be difficult when it comes to techniques. It is easier to watch and learn.
There is this awesome video on making a bracelet. While I don't have time to make it, if you guys are free, you can give it a shot.



I have found a video on the tools that we need for jewelry making. So you guys can take a look. It is really useful and helpful for newbies.

Metal Washer Necklace

My friend and I went around hardware stores hunting for metal tap washers to make a necklace (see below).

After making it, I had a lot of leftovers. Not wanting to waste them, I began brainstorming on what to make. I made a bracelet by connecting smaller washer with jump rings. (I have no idea where it went, so no pictures of it. Sorry.) I also made a simple necklace with the bigger washers.

But what I loved most was a flower pendant I made. It is really easy and looks very sweet.

As usual, here's what you need.

Wire of any size and colour, depending on your preference; metal washers and a wire cutter.

Instructions

1) Arrange the metal washers in a pattern you like.

2) Take two of the washers and using the wire, go through the hole in the first one and

then the second. Bring it back round and wind it a few times. Make sure it is taut.

3) Repeat step 2 for the rest until you have what you want. Use the wire to go round again for extra security and cut the wire.

4) Take two cords of different colours and fold it in half.

5) Take the loop and string it through one of the washers.

6) Take the one half of the cord and string it through the loop of the other end. Pull it taut.

7) Take both ends of the cord and wrap it around your neck and knot it.

Try and experiment with different washers and patterns. Do send me a picture of your pendant. :D

I still have extra washers though. I think my next project would be this. They make metal washers look different, more like pieces of jewellery. Can't wait to get started.

Friendship Band Earrings

I love experimenting with different techniques and merging them together. I was reviving my secondary school days by making a friendship band for myself. (I DO have friends, I just want to make one for myself. *shifty*)

While making it halfway, I had an idea. What if I used that technique and knotted it round a wire to make earrings? So I tried it out. It was pretty funky.

I have the instructions below for you guys to try out.

Materials

Get some strings, earring hooks, wire hoops and pliers. You can get them at Beadspin behind Tampines MRT station.


Instructions

1) Using the string, make a double knot at one end of the wire hoop.

2) Hold the hoop in your left hand with your thumb, extend your index finger.

3) With your right hand, take the end of the string and wind it around the back of your finger. DO NOT MAKE A COMPLETE CIRCLE.

4) Then bring it through the hoop from the back and through the loop round your index finger.

(steps 2-4)

5) Pull taut and repeat until you have gone round the whole hoop.

If my instructions are not clear enough, you might want to check this out. Just modify it a little, instead of wrapping round another string, it's the wire hoop.


Maybe you could give it to your friends as the alternative friendship band. :D

The Science of Knit Wristbands

I was practicing with some wool I found in my room from the days I made pom-pom frogs (don't ask). After awhile, I got a little bored. I wondered if I could knit with other stuff. So I hunted around my room and found a bag full of ribbons. So I tried knitting with those.

It was a little hard at first because unlike wool, ribbons are stiffer and less elastic. But once I'd gotten used to them, it was much easier than wool. For a beginner like me, I tend to drop my needles and stitches a lot and for wool, the stitches easily unravels. On the contrary, because ribbons are much stiffer, my stitches stay in shape. So that was good.
While practicing, I had an idea to make wristbands. It allowed me to carry out some experiments too. I wanted to know if the size of the finished product would differ between the wool and ribbon. So I knitted 28 rows of 10 stitches. The wool piece was shorter than the ribbon. That wasn't a surprise given that the width of the ribbon is twice that of wool.
I also tried stretching them. They were the same size. So since the wool piece is shorter, wool has more elasticity. That was established earlier when I first started knitting with ribbons, but I wanted to confirm that.

So then I made wristbands out of both materials. As you can see, the ribbon one looks nicer and you can see the pattern of the stitch. However, it was a really tight fit. :( The wool one was looser but also more plain. I think I could jazz it up with beads and sequins. What do you guys suggest?

For instructions on making wristbands, check this out. They have very simple and clear instructions.