HOW TO MAKE A CRYSTAL SHAMBALA BRACELET – TUTORIAL

Nov18

For all my fellow-beaders, I have put up a great tutorial on my website if you are interested in making a Shambala Bracelet.

You can get the full Tutorial at: http://www.beadedcreations.co.za/crystal-shambala-bracelet—tutorial.html

Enjoy

HOW TO MAKE AN EYEPIN – TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS

Sep30

There is no ‘right’ way of making an eye pin or single wire loop.

I will show you 2 different ways (technique 1 and 2) and you can end up using your third way of doing it!!

As long as you end up with a loop at the end of your wire, then you’ve succeeded.

Don’t get discouraged if you can’t master it at first.

It takes a lot of practice to make perfect looking loops.
What you need:

20g or 22g wire (at least 6cm or longer)

Round nose pliers

Chain or flat nose pliers

Side cutters

Technique 1

Step 1:

Step 2:

Bend the tip of the wire 90 degrees by moving your pliers away from you.

Straighten the piece of wire more or less using your hands.

Grip the wire 2/3rd’s of the length with your round nose pliers.

Step 3:

Use your free hand to bend the tip of the wire clockwise around the nose of the plier to form a loop.

You might have to reposition your pliers once or twice.

Step 4:

Use your side cutters to cut the wire where the loop connects.

Step 5:

Use your chain or flat nose pliers to make the loop even.

Technique 2

Step 1:

Straighten the piece of wire more or less using your hands.

Grip the wire 2/3rd of the length with your round nose pliers.

Step 2:

Use your free hand to bend the tip of the wire clockwise around the nose of the plier to form a loop.

You might have to reposition your pliers once or twice.

Step 3:

Use your side cutters to cut the wire where the loop connects.

As you can see the loop is leaning to one side.

Step 4:

Position your round nose pliers as shown in the photo.

Tilt the loop slightly so it’s central to the wire.

HOW TO MAKE A WIRE SPIRAL – TUTORIAL

Sep26

My next “quick” Tutorial

HOW TO MAKE A WIRE SPIRAL

Wire spirals are easy to make, and can be used in many jewelry designs. Practice with a smaller wire size (22g). You can move on to 20g or 18g when you’ve mastered the skill.

What you need:

18g, 20g or 22g wire (at least 10cm)

Round nose pliers

Chain or flat nose pliers

Side cutters

Step 1:

Grip the end of the wire with the tip of your round nose pliers.

Step 2:

Move your pliers away from you till the wire connects to form a small loop.

Step 3:

Hold the loop with your chain or flat nose pliers.

Use your free hand to rotate the rest of the wire around the loop. Reposition your pliers as you work. Rotate the wire until you have the size you desire.

Step 4:

When you stop the rotating process, make sure there is at least 2cm of wire left.

Step 5:

Grip the tail of wire with the tip of your round nose pliers.

Make a small loop in the opposite direction. (This is where you can attach other components). Cut off any excess wire.

And there you have a perfect Wire Spiral!

HOW TO USE A BOX CRIMP

Sep24

Box crimps are also called fold over crimps. They are mostly used for thick cords like leather and suede cords.

Step 1:

Insert the cord into the box or fold over crimp.

Step 2:

Use your pliers to fold one side onto the cord.

Step 3:

Do exactly the same with the other side. The sides might overlap a bit. Release your pliers and pull the cord to make sure it is securely in place.

Step 4:

You can finish off your piece by attaching a clasp to one end of your necklace, and a jump ring to the other end.

For more Beading Tutorials you can head on over to: BEADED CREATIONS

“ROMANTIC IN VIOLET” BEADED JEWELRY SET

Sep23

“ROMANTIC IN VIOLET” THREE TIER STRETCH BRACELET

Feel elegant with pearls glowing softly on your wrist with this graceful three tier stretch bracelet designed with lilacs, turquoise and clear Miyuki squares, and faceted glass beads, embellished with Rhinestone bead spacers.

“ROMANTIC IN VIOLET” THREE STRAND NECKLACE

White & Violet Glass Faceted Bicones feature as the “Focal” for this Necklace.
Arranged with an array of shades of Miyuki Squares which accent this piece, combined with Violet & Clear Glass Bicones. Semi-Precious Amethyst Stone Chips, Violet Square Silver Foil and Clear Crackle Beads.
Silver Bali & Square Spacers together with filigree Bead Caps and a Silver Toggle Clasp conclude this romantic Necklace.

“ROMANTIC IN VIOLET” DANGLE EARRINGS

Beautiful shades of soft violet colours’ prevail in these romantic earrings.
Glass Faceted Bicones feature as the “Focal” and various shades of violet Miyuki Squares and Rounds
accent theses earrings combined with Silver Bali Spacers and Bead Caps.

NEW EARRING ADDITIONS TO MY GALLERY

Sep23

Two sets of handmade beaded earrings have been added to my Earring Gallery on my website.

If you would like to see more of my designs, please follow the link above.

Riana – Beaded Creations

“TRANQUILITY”

Lovely curves handcrafted from glass cubes and the sky blue beauty of the helix wavy shaped beads capture the beauty of these earrings.

“FIRE & ICE”

“Icy fire catches the light – and the eye – whenever you move. Brilliantly sparkling red and clear finely faceted Czech Fire Polished crystals paired with tiny Bali spacer beads, highlights these petite chain earrings.

MORE RHODIUM AND CHROME NECKLACES

Sep17

These mesmerizing edgy and feminine hand-made pieces were designed with a highly unconventional combination of elements.

Large Chrome and Rhodium beads together with filigree and wavy bead spacers were used in conjunction with white and pink faux pearls in bead- frames, Big hole bead spacers, and wooden beads, various glass and lamp work beads, a divine collection of crystals and Rhinestone spacers as well as “Focal’s” which comprise of a 30mm synthetic Glass Pearl encased in Bali Bead Caps, Silver Plated Heart Pendant with eye catching pink Pandora style beads and the Black Necklace comprises of a spectacular silver wire wrapped heart pendant encased between two large Black faceted crystals. All three designs are completed with fancy chain and either a lobster or toggle clasp.

FINISHING MEMORY WIRE – TUTORIAL

Sep15

If you are keen on using Memory Wire for one of your projects, check out this quick “Tutorial” on how to finish off the ends of your Memory Wire.

The Memory Wire Bracelet pictured here was designed from my love for Seed Beads which I incorporate into a lot of my work.

A striking combination of different Blue’s in Miyuki Drops, Bugles, Seed and Squares were used along with Silver Foil Squares.

Finished off on either side with a 14x10mm White with Blue raised Dot Design Murano Style Rondelle and, Blue Organza Ribbon and a Silver Plated Heart.

This 4-Tier Bracelet is perfect for everyday wear and would also make a wonderful gift.

Enjoy!

Riana

Who says all Costume Jewelry is Cheap?

Sep13

Here’s a shock that changed how I look at Costume Jewelry forever. I love costume jewelry, shiny, blinking, and glittering; it mesmerizes me. But for all the Jewel Qualities I admire and enjoy, I always had something in the back of my mind that associated costume jewelry with cheap. You probably know what I mean … right?

Well, all that changed when I started researching Costume Jewelry Collections owned by Hollywood Stars.

Did you know that designers such as Swarovski, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Tiffany are just a few of the household names who have created costume jewelry pieces?

Take a look at this list of Hollywood Star Costume Jewelry collections.

Ann Miller’s extraordinary collection spans sixty years and includes some of the finest examples of costume jewelry produced in the 20th century. On June 4, 2005 the jewelry was offered for sale by Harrice Simons Miller, renowned costume jewelry expert, historian, author and dealer, at a live and online auction conducted by Julien’s Auctions.

Legendary star of Hollywood and Broadway, actress, singer and dancer Ann Miller’s career spanned fifty years. She starred in more than 40 Hollywood films, including “On the Town”, “Easter Parade” and “Kiss Me Kate”. She continued dancing into her 60s with the stage hits “Mame”, “Follies” and “Sugar Babies” co-starring Mickey Rooney. She received numerous accolades ranging from the Best Legs Award to many Life Time Achievement Awards.

Ann Miller was a passionate collector of important costume jewelry until her death in 2004 at the age of 81.

Costume Jewelry items have sold for thousands of dollars at auctions. In the press release issued by Julien’s Auctions the William DeLillo Egyptian-inspired collar and earrings, with simulated aquamarines in gilt metal, circa 1960s-70s were estimated at $10,000 to $12,500. All items presented were in the thousands of dollars mark.

WOW!

Paris Hilton is known to love the Tarina collection and this is how the Tarina Tarantino jewelry gained popularity.

Costume Jewelry has even found its’ way into the Hollywood star media report. On the 1st of July 2003 it was reported that $4,000 worth of costume jewelry was stolen from movie stars.

On July 1, $4,000 worth of costume jewelry worn by Sarandon in Miramax’s Shall We Dance?, which also stars Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere, was reported stolen from the film’s prop room on the Winnipeg, Manitoba, set, The New York Post reported.

If you look at close photos from Emmy and Oscar Awards you see many actresses wearing costume designer jewelry.

Kenneth Jay Lane a famous American costume jewelry designer, has since the 1960s been known for creating unique pieces for Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, and Audrey Hepburn. He is probably best-known for his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by Barbara Bush to her husband’s inaugural ball. Talk about rich and famous!

More often, in everyday life you will see costume jewelry being more popular than fine jewelry. It is not that fine jewelry is out of fashion in any way, but if anyone wants jewelry for every day, every wear and every event, this will not be viable with fine jewelry. It doesn’t offer the designs of costume jewelry, the colors, nor the prices to collect and wear so many pieces of jewelry.

Costume jewelry was initially made to provide common people with jewelry when they couldn’t afford fine jewelry. Today costume jewelry is preferred by some of the most famous and wealthy celebrities.

With that said, today there are also pieces of costume jewelry designs that exceed the price of a regular fine jewelry piece. Isn’t that ironical in so many ways?

Costume jewelry has made its’ way into the homes and fashion of some of the most famous people.

The good news is that costume jewelry unlike fine jewelry is still by far the most affordable jewelry for anyone to buy.

If you look around the beadedcreations.co.za website, check the designs and the prices you will see and understand why costume jewelry is so easily affordable that every lady wants to own as many items as possible to have for every day wear. It is not outrageous or even exaggerated to find a lady that has a costume jewelry piece to wear for every day of the year.

And who knows if you keep your costume jewelry in good condition for long enough, one day you may find you have a collectable item worth more than a regular fine jewelry item.