Pearl Blay
feature designer
Halloween
unusual jewelry
Candy Inspired Jewelry
Trick or Treat Part 6 of 6
For those of you who aren't fond of Halloween, this is the last in the series! I am pretty sure many elementary school teachers are also grateful Halloween falls on a Saturday this year as it will be all over by Monday. They won't be dealing with the sugar highs this weekend! So in celebration for all the sweet delights, let's enjoy some of our favorite candies in calorie-free jewelry by some pretty amazing artisans!
For those of you who aren't fond of Halloween, this is the last in the series! I am pretty sure many elementary school teachers are also grateful Halloween falls on a Saturday this year as it will be all over by Monday. They won't be dealing with the sugar highs this weekend! So in celebration for all the sweet delights, let's enjoy some of our favorite candies in calorie-free jewelry by some pretty amazing artisans!
Pearl Blay
Halloween
necklace
tutorial
video tutorial
How to make Halloween Jewelry with DG3 Art Gel
Trick or Treat Part 5 of 6
If you like the look of resin jewelry but are turned off with having to work with toxic material, there is a solution!
Digital artist, John Golden who produced a great set of resin jewelry tutorials I wrote about before, has come up with another video tutorial where he uses the less toxic DG3 Art Gel. He uses his Halloween graphics available from his Etsy store Golden Supply Company but this type of project is obviously not limited to the trick and treat season.
If you like the look of resin jewelry but are turned off with having to work with toxic material, there is a solution!
Digital artist, John Golden who produced a great set of resin jewelry tutorials I wrote about before, has come up with another video tutorial where he uses the less toxic DG3 Art Gel. He uses his Halloween graphics available from his Etsy store Golden Supply Company but this type of project is obviously not limited to the trick and treat season.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
brooch
feature designer
Halloween
unusual jewelry
vintage
Bone up on Skull and Skeletal Jewelry !
Trick or Treat Part 4 of 6
There is plenty of skull and skeleton jewelry out there especially with Halloween coming up, making it hard to choose. But here are a couple of truly innovative designers who do something unique.
Zipper Skulls and Bones Jewelry
First up is Toniandtree on Etsy who make a whole range of awesome handmade vintage zipper brooches in their original colors.
Shown here are their Halloween heart pins decorated with skulls, Swarovski crystals and charms.Although the basic shape is a heart, every one has been embellished in a different way.
There is plenty of skull and skeleton jewelry out there especially with Halloween coming up, making it hard to choose. But here are a couple of truly innovative designers who do something unique.
Zipper Skulls and Bones Jewelry
First up is Toniandtree on Etsy who make a whole range of awesome handmade vintage zipper brooches in their original colors.
Shown here are their Halloween heart pins decorated with skulls, Swarovski crystals and charms.Although the basic shape is a heart, every one has been embellished in a different way.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
Halloween
necklace
photo shoot
rings
Creepy Vampire Jewelry Photo Shoot
Trick or Treat Part 3 of 6
One of the best Victorian Gothic novels was Bram Stoker's Dracula, a fast paced, highly readable and downright scary tale published in 1897. Whilst not the first vampire novel, his book is the most influential as is evident by the countless books, movies and other creative works that followed.
One of the best Victorian Gothic novels was Bram Stoker's Dracula, a fast paced, highly readable and downright scary tale published in 1897. Whilst not the first vampire novel, his book is the most influential as is evident by the countless books, movies and other creative works that followed.
Pearl Blay
brooch
earrings
Halloween
tutorial
unusual jewelry
video tutorial
How to Make Wire and Bead Spider Tutorials
Trick or Treat Part 2 of 6
I've covered how to make witch earrings before. They are perfect for Halloween. How about spiders instead? The sort that don't send you running and screaming? Shown here are my copper version of the wire and bead variety you can easily do. Mine is a variation of the classic wire and bead spider without beads on the legs. For the basic instructions check out the first free tutorial link below.
I've covered how to make witch earrings before. They are perfect for Halloween. How about spiders instead? The sort that don't send you running and screaming? Shown here are my copper version of the wire and bead variety you can easily do. Mine is a variation of the classic wire and bead spider without beads on the legs. For the basic instructions check out the first free tutorial link below.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
feature designer
Halloween
necklace
unusual jewelry
Frankenstein Stitch and Zombie Bloody Chokers for Halloween
Trick or Treat
Part 1 of 6
Did you know that the novel Frankenstein was written by a woman? The authoress was Mary Shelley, wife of the tragic English poet, Percy Shelley.She wrote it in 1818 in an era when the Gothic novel - a mixture of horror and a dash of romance - was popular. In the book, Frankenstein is not made from body parts but so many films have shown him to be a stitched together creation that it has become ingrained in our popular culture.
Part 1 of 6
Did you know that the novel Frankenstein was written by a woman? The authoress was Mary Shelley, wife of the tragic English poet, Percy Shelley.She wrote it in 1818 in an era when the Gothic novel - a mixture of horror and a dash of romance - was popular. In the book, Frankenstein is not made from body parts but so many films have shown him to be a stitched together creation that it has become ingrained in our popular culture.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
feature designer
supplies and displays
tutorial
How to make PVC bracelets
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. The material is extensively used in construction because it is cheap, easy to use and is very durable. Softer and more flexible types are produced by adding plasticizers in order to make many things including upholstery, flexible tubing, electrical insulation, waterbeds, clothing and - thanks to creative artisans - even jewelry.
Pearl Blay
bejeweled object
gemstone
$3,000,000 Bra : Victoria Secret's Fantasy Diamond Bra
I don't get underwear bling. Nobody else is going to see it unless you count the large male audience tuning into CBS's Victoria Secret's Fashion Show airing on December 1!
This year's star attraction at the show and in their Christmas catalog is the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Harlequin bra, a $3 million dollar creation by Diamani with 150 carats worth of over 2,350 white, champagne and cognac-colored diamonds. They adorn the convertible bra in the distinctive harlequin pattern which took 15 artisans at Valenza workshop 800 hours to complete. In the Entertainment Tonight video, model Marisa Miller shows off the rare heart-shaped 16-carat champagne diamond dangling in the front during a photo shoot.
This year's star attraction at the show and in their Christmas catalog is the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Harlequin bra, a $3 million dollar creation by Diamani with 150 carats worth of over 2,350 white, champagne and cognac-colored diamonds. They adorn the convertible bra in the distinctive harlequin pattern which took 15 artisans at Valenza workshop 800 hours to complete. In the Entertainment Tonight video, model Marisa Miller shows off the rare heart-shaped 16-carat champagne diamond dangling in the front during a photo shoot.
Pearl Blay
book review
tips and tricks
Review : 2009 Fall/Winter Color Report for Beaders
We often hear this question at our workshops - "What color goes with these beads?". It's not hard to match a couple of colors together. What is trickier is working with more than two. There are some help guides such as the Pantone seasonal palette. Margie Deeb, whom I had written about (see Spring Report review) takes the current Pantone set and applies it to beading and jewelry making.
Pearl Blay
beader design
earrings
necklace
Wire Wrapped Copper Pendant with Long Bugles
This was Sabrina's first proper attempt at wire wrapping at a workshop. As you can see she did a fabulous job with the fine, tight and controlled wire wrapping around the main handmade copper pendant. She put her very own stamp on this design as she used extra long royal blue bugle beads. Her design was accented with tiny red seed beads, heart beads and antiqued copper leaves. You can't get more one of a kind than this!
Pearl Blay
gem facts and fun
high tech jewelry
social media
Virtual Lockets for Facebook Fun
Facebook Fun
Part 2 of 2
Calling all Facebook fans! If you like to give virtual presents to your friends and family,and are tired of the usual birthday cakes and cutsey gifts, try out this latest app from the locket manufacturer, Heartsmith. It was launched on Facebook last month.
Part 2 of 2
Calling all Facebook fans! If you like to give virtual presents to your friends and family,and are tired of the usual birthday cakes and cutsey gifts, try out this latest app from the locket manufacturer, Heartsmith. It was launched on Facebook last month.
Pearl Blay
social media
The Beading Gem on Facebook
Facebook fun
Part 1 of 2
I finally caved and set up The Beading Gem's Facebook page! It's really difficult to dabble with too much social media as there is only so much time. However, Facebook is wildly popular and I wanted to join in the fun.
Part 1 of 2
I finally caved and set up The Beading Gem's Facebook page! It's really difficult to dabble with too much social media as there is only so much time. However, Facebook is wildly popular and I wanted to join in the fun.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
PaperMode and Harrison Hollow Designs Giveaway winners
Time to reveal a couple of lucky winners. Papermode certainly garnered new admirers for the paper folded earrings were sweetness themselves. Random.org picked number 7 so counting in the extra entries by people who signed up for Camille's newsletter, the lucky winner is Michelle of Evie's Tool Emporium. Michelle actually said " Wow! I have never seen any jewelry like this before." Well, she'll be seeing AND wearing them for real pretty soon.
Pearl Blay
necklace
swarovski
tutorial
How to make a Swarovski Bejeweled Button Neckwire
Keeping clasps to the back
Part 2 of 2
Neck wires are inexpensive. They make great gifts if you know several budding fashionistas or need something quick and easy to make for your craft table. What I didn't realize until I had made several pendants for them was that the clasps tends to migrate to the front.
Part 2 of 2
Neck wires are inexpensive. They make great gifts if you know several budding fashionistas or need something quick and easy to make for your craft table. What I didn't realize until I had made several pendants for them was that the clasps tends to migrate to the front.
Pearl Blay
necklace
tips and tricks
tutorial
How to Stop Clasps from Moving to the Front of Necklaces
Keeping clasps at the back
Part 1 of 2
Don't you just hate it when your necklace clasp moves to the front? Virtually all necklaces do that unless it is a claspless necklace.
There is not a whole lot you can do to stop it from happening as your daily movements will shift the necklace. The clasp ends up near your pendant because it can't get past it once it works its way down.
I've always thought that a counterweight on the clasp in the form of a charm will help keep it to the back provided the pendant is on the light side and the charm is hefty. This works to some degree but if you are like the energizer bunny, forget it.
A proven solution is to move the clasp to the front. Shown here is a toggle and bar clasp at the front of a necklace with a pendant hanging down from it.
Then I came across Domestic - divaonline's multi-clasp necklace tutorial and thought it is yet another solution to that pesky problem. This is likely the best one for chains without pendants. It is actually a design to make an adaptable length necklace. The identical "links" are several short chain lengths each with a decorative clasp. You add as many links as needed for the right length necklace for a particular outfit.
With so many clasps, it really doesn't matter if the necklace moves around your neck because they are part of the necklace design. Brilliant!
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Part 1 of 2
Don't you just hate it when your necklace clasp moves to the front? Virtually all necklaces do that unless it is a claspless necklace.
There is not a whole lot you can do to stop it from happening as your daily movements will shift the necklace. The clasp ends up near your pendant because it can't get past it once it works its way down.
I've always thought that a counterweight on the clasp in the form of a charm will help keep it to the back provided the pendant is on the light side and the charm is hefty. This works to some degree but if you are like the energizer bunny, forget it.
A proven solution is to move the clasp to the front. Shown here is a toggle and bar clasp at the front of a necklace with a pendant hanging down from it.
Then I came across Domestic - divaonline's multi-clasp necklace tutorial and thought it is yet another solution to that pesky problem. This is likely the best one for chains without pendants. It is actually a design to make an adaptable length necklace. The identical "links" are several short chain lengths each with a decorative clasp. You add as many links as needed for the right length necklace for a particular outfit.
With so many clasps, it really doesn't matter if the necklace moves around your neck because they are part of the necklace design. Brilliant!
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Pearl Blay
humor
online selling
Regretsy : Hilarious Unfavorites from Etsy
Ouch. Part 2 of 2
I adore arts and crafts and thoroughly enjoy browsing through the gorgeous handmade items offered for sale on Etsy. But as the new Regretsy website points out, buried in the tens of thousands of craft items are some awful doozies which make you go "Handmade? It looks like you made it with your feet." After seeing the real moose poop necklace on the right, I get what they are about!
Pearl Blay
contest
humor
2010 Ugly Necklace Competition
Ouch. Part 1 of 2
One thing's for sure. There is plenty of time to send in your entry to the 8th Annual Ugly Necklace Contest sponsored by Land of Odds.You're going to need until March 3, 2010 to come up with a design that goes against every grain of pretty jewelry creativity you've got. As they say, "It ain't easy doing ugly." The prizes, $992 and $399 are for shopping sprees on the online store. Pictured here are some of the past winners.
One thing's for sure. There is plenty of time to send in your entry to the 8th Annual Ugly Necklace Contest sponsored by Land of Odds.You're going to need until March 3, 2010 to come up with a design that goes against every grain of pretty jewelry creativity you've got. As they say, "It ain't easy doing ugly." The prizes, $992 and $399 are for shopping sprees on the online store. Pictured here are some of the past winners.
Pearl Blay
feature designer
necklace
unusual jewelry
Weather Inspired Jewelry
Weather and Climate Part 2 of 2
1.Rain and rainbows
It made me feel a little chirpier when I came across this delightful rainbow necklace by Mixko on Etsy called Here comes the sun cleverly made with ribbon and a plastic dove.
1.Rain and rainbows
It made me feel a little chirpier when I came across this delightful rainbow necklace by Mixko on Etsy called Here comes the sun cleverly made with ribbon and a plastic dove.
Pearl Blay
gemstone
science
Blog Action Day : Melting Glaciers Reveal Nirvana Quartz
Weather and Climate Part 1 of 2
Today is Blog Action Day. One day a year, thousands bloggers from around the world choose to blog about a single theme to millions of readers. Alone we can't make a difference but together, we can bring attention to climate change, a pressing problem for our planet.
Not only is the polar ice melting like crazy, glaciers everywhere are in rapid retreat. As they melt, new gemstones are revealed like the rubies in Greenland I wrote about before. A new type of rose quartz called Nirvana quartz or Himalayan ice quartz was discovered a few years ago at high altitudes in the Kullu region of India when the ice there thawed.
Today is Blog Action Day. One day a year, thousands bloggers from around the world choose to blog about a single theme to millions of readers. Alone we can't make a difference but together, we can bring attention to climate change, a pressing problem for our planet.
Not only is the polar ice melting like crazy, glaciers everywhere are in rapid retreat. As they melt, new gemstones are revealed like the rubies in Greenland I wrote about before. A new type of rose quartz called Nirvana quartz or Himalayan ice quartz was discovered a few years ago at high altitudes in the Kullu region of India when the ice there thawed.
Pearl Blay
beader design
bracelet
earrings
gemstone
Mother of pearl and tiger eye gold jewelry set
The actual construction of these memory wire bracelet and the chandelier earrings designs is not unusual or difficult. However Carol's clever choice of the colors and shapes of the beads to compliment the triangular bluish-green mother of pearl beads made this jewelry set really stand out. The overall earth tone effect was achieved with pearlised seed beads and tiger eye cube beads with the mother of pearl beads giving just the right touch of color accenting.
Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
necklace
unusual jewelry
Writing Inspired Jewelry
Pen to Paper
Part 3 of 3
For a long time, writing consisted of putting pen (or quills)to paper. Then typewriters were invented. Today many of us write on computers and indeed I would have difficulty reverting back to pen and paper. But the act of writing, be it pen and paper or keyboard produces the same results. It visualizes thoughts, gathers ideas together and sparks the imagination with stories. It is a creative process in itself. So it's not surprising some jewelry artisans particularly those who love books are inspired by writing.
Part 3 of 3
For a long time, writing consisted of putting pen (or quills)to paper. Then typewriters were invented. Today many of us write on computers and indeed I would have difficulty reverting back to pen and paper. But the act of writing, be it pen and paper or keyboard produces the same results. It visualizes thoughts, gathers ideas together and sparks the imagination with stories. It is a creative process in itself. So it's not surprising some jewelry artisans particularly those who love books are inspired by writing.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
necklace
Harrison Hollow Designs' Giveaway Polymer Clay Pen
Pen to Paper Part 2 of 3
This is the second special giveaway for this week - check yesterday's post for the first.
The word pen comes from Latin, pinna for feather. That's because feathers (and sticks) were the first writing implements used. The first recorded use of these pens was by ancient Indians in 5000 B.C. We've moved on since to more sophisticated pens!
This is the second special giveaway for this week - check yesterday's post for the first.
The word pen comes from Latin, pinna for feather. That's because feathers (and sticks) were the first writing implements used. The first recorded use of these pens was by ancient Indians in 5000 B.C. We've moved on since to more sophisticated pens!
Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
giveaway
hair jewelry
necklace
unusual jewelry
Papermode's Folded Paper Jewelry Giveaway
Pen to paper Part 1 of 3
Woo-hoo! A double giveaway this week celebrating this special theme Pen to Paper.
Did you know for the longest time the best anyone could do was to fold paper in half only 7-8 times? But in 2001, Britney Gallivan whilst still in high school, rose to the challenge in math class and figured out how to fold paper up to 12 times!
Woo-hoo! A double giveaway this week celebrating this special theme Pen to Paper.
Did you know for the longest time the best anyone could do was to fold paper in half only 7-8 times? But in 2001, Britney Gallivan whilst still in high school, rose to the challenge in math class and figured out how to fold paper up to 12 times!
Pearl Blay
necklace
tutorial
wire work
How to Wire Wrap Sea Glass Jewelry
If you are lucky enough to have sea glass or are willing to purchase them, you can easily make them into jewelry. I found a number of tutorials on the web to get your creative juices going.
This simple pendant tutorial from the Sea Glass Journal involves making a wire wrapped bail and then scrolling the ends of both wires. One is longer than the other and is also wrapped around the glass. Add wire "kinks" to tighten the wire if it is too loose by grabbing it with a flat nose pliers and turning it 90 degrees. 18, 20, 22 G round wire should work well.
This simple pendant tutorial from the Sea Glass Journal involves making a wire wrapped bail and then scrolling the ends of both wires. One is longer than the other and is also wrapped around the glass. Add wire "kinks" to tighten the wire if it is too loose by grabbing it with a flat nose pliers and turning it 90 degrees. 18, 20, 22 G round wire should work well.
Pearl Blay
tips and tricks
tools
tutorial
video tutorial
How to Drill Sea Glass
Pearl Blay
earrings
recycled jewelry
2009 North American Sea Glass Festival
Sea Glass Part 1 of 3
Some artisans make really lovely sea glass jewelry - see my past post History in the Sand about a Nova Scotian artisan's work. If you live anywhere near Erie, Pennsylvania, you're in luck. The 2009 North American Sea Glass Festival will be held there on October 17-18 (next weekend).
Why Erie? That's because "sea" glass can also be found on the shores of inland lakes - courtesy of dumping by the heavy shipping traffic.They are known as beach glass there. Just as there are many beadaholics, sea glass enthusiasts abound. The Festival is expected to attract thousands of them.
Some artisans make really lovely sea glass jewelry - see my past post History in the Sand about a Nova Scotian artisan's work. If you live anywhere near Erie, Pennsylvania, you're in luck. The 2009 North American Sea Glass Festival will be held there on October 17-18 (next weekend).
Why Erie? That's because "sea" glass can also be found on the shores of inland lakes - courtesy of dumping by the heavy shipping traffic.They are known as beach glass there. Just as there are many beadaholics, sea glass enthusiasts abound. The Festival is expected to attract thousands of them.
Pearl Blay
gemstone
historical
photo shoot
vintage
Vintage Fashion Jewelry Photo Shoots
Vintage Jewelry Part 5 of 5
A reader asked in a comment on my last jewelry photo shoot post if she could see some vintage pictures from the past. Ask and ye shall get! Some of the pictures include publicity shots of celebrities and starlets who often, as they still do today, promoted jewelry and all kinds of products.
If you see a gallery bar across some of the pictures, just click on the triangle on the right of the bar to move it out of the way so you can see the entire photo.
UPDATE : IMAGES NO LONGER AVAILABLE
A reader asked in a comment on my last jewelry photo shoot post if she could see some vintage pictures from the past. Ask and ye shall get! Some of the pictures include publicity shots of celebrities and starlets who often, as they still do today, promoted jewelry and all kinds of products.
If you see a gallery bar across some of the pictures, just click on the triangle on the right of the bar to move it out of the way so you can see the entire photo.
UPDATE : IMAGES NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Pearl Blay
tips and tricks
How to Quickly Age Your Photos without Photoshop
I enjoy looking at old photos. Want to know how to age your pictures without Photoshop? Just check out this easy to use and free Japanese site which allows you to convert them almost instantly into 100- 150 year old looking photos! Just choose the English language at top left (unless you can read Japanese), upload from your computer and hit the convert button and viola!
Pearl Blay
bracelet
bridal
brooch
tips and tricks
vintage
So what are the options if you collect vintage jewelry? Let me count the ways...
1. Wear them
As a history lover, it was inevitable I would appreciate vintage jewelry. I do not have much of a collection but here are two of my favorite pieces. Both bracelets have hinged sections. The top elephant one is in stainless steel - on second thoughts, it might be some form of tin alloy like pewter. The bottom one has lovely mother of pearl inlays.
What To Do With Your Vintage Jewelry Collections
1. Wear them
As a history lover, it was inevitable I would appreciate vintage jewelry. I do not have much of a collection but here are two of my favorite pieces. Both bracelets have hinged sections. The top elephant one is in stainless steel - on second thoughts, it might be some form of tin alloy like pewter. The bottom one has lovely mother of pearl inlays.
Pearl Blay
historical
vintage
All About Bakelite Jewelry
Vintage Inspirations Part 3 of 5
Plastic has been around since the 19th century. Arguably the most successful plastic for costume jewelry was Bakelite. Like many inventions, it was accidentally discovered in 1907 by Belgian chemist, Dr Leo Baekeland (1863-1944) when he was trying to develop a synthetic alternative to shellac, a resin which came from lac beetle cocoons.
Plastic has been around since the 19th century. Arguably the most successful plastic for costume jewelry was Bakelite. Like many inventions, it was accidentally discovered in 1907 by Belgian chemist, Dr Leo Baekeland (1863-1944) when he was trying to develop a synthetic alternative to shellac, a resin which came from lac beetle cocoons.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
design makeover
necklace
rings
supplies and displays
tutorial
video tutorial
vintage
How to Make Vintage Style Jewelry Tutorials
Vintage Inspirations Part 2 of 5
If you love the look of vintage brass and copper from yesterday's post, you can easily make your own using pre-patinaed findings or those you have antiqued yourself (see my past post on 8 ways to patina metal). Here are more inspirational ideas to get you going down this path.
If you love the look of vintage brass and copper from yesterday's post, you can easily make your own using pre-patinaed findings or those you have antiqued yourself (see my past post on 8 ways to patina metal). Here are more inspirational ideas to get you going down this path.
Pearl Blay
brooch
feature designer
necklace
rings
vintage
YoursTruli's Beautiful Vintage Style Jewelry
Vintage Inspirations
Part 1 of 5
Not everybody likes shiny silver or gold. There is also something to be said about the mellow tones of older design styles. Put them together and you have vintage jewelry! One outstanding vintage jewelry artisan I recently came across is Truli of YoursTruli.com. She had followed me on Twitter and I naturally checked out her site. Her work is so good that I had a lot of difficulty picking a representative selection for this post!
Part 1 of 5
Not everybody likes shiny silver or gold. There is also something to be said about the mellow tones of older design styles. Put them together and you have vintage jewelry! One outstanding vintage jewelry artisan I recently came across is Truli of YoursTruli.com. She had followed me on Twitter and I naturally checked out her site. Her work is so good that I had a lot of difficulty picking a representative selection for this post!
Pearl Blay
beader design
lamp work
necklace
Red, White and Black lamp work necklace
Some of the beaders who come to our workshops are already very accomplished. Johnette is a prime example. She loves making jewelry although her lessons in the past have been sporadic. One class she did was lamp working. Imagine our delight when she brought her own handmade focal bead to a workshop!
The red, white and black lamp work bead was a vibrant color combination. I like how she stayed true to the colors with
The red, white and black lamp work bead was a vibrant color combination. I like how she stayed true to the colors with
Pearl Blay
bracelet
earrings
science
tutorial
worthy cause
Awareness Jewelry To Aid Research and Help Families
It's bad enough to have a life threatening condition but it is just tragic when the person concerned is young and has a lifetime still ahead. I don't think anyone of us can truly imagine the anguish faced by the parents involved.
So this post is about some of the amazing people (and one company) who make and sell awareness jewelry in aid of research and to support those whose young lives have been so cruelly blighted. If you'd like to help raise funds too, there are a couple of awareness jewelry tutorial links at the bottom.
So this post is about some of the amazing people (and one company) who make and sell awareness jewelry in aid of research and to support those whose young lives have been so cruelly blighted. If you'd like to help raise funds too, there are a couple of awareness jewelry tutorial links at the bottom.
Pearl Blay
rings
tutorial
wire work
If you are really up to the challenge, then try making knot rings in wire! Here are tutorials to help you get started.
1.Turk's Head Knot Ring
The ring version of the Turk's Head knot is just gorgeous. Someone uploaded a free tutorial here which shows you
How to Wire Wrap Knot Rings
If you are really up to the challenge, then try making knot rings in wire! Here are tutorials to help you get started.
1.Turk's Head Knot Ring
The ring version of the Turk's Head knot is just gorgeous. Someone uploaded a free tutorial here which shows you
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gem facts and fun
gemstone
humor
science
Synthetic diamonds can be made from many carbon sources ... even Michael Jackson's hair ! But did you know earlier this year some Mexican scientists published their method of creating diamonds from a liquid? Not just any liquid, they used tequila. The aim is to manufacture industrial diamond films. Really.
Tequila Diamond wins the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Pearl Blay
bracelet
necklace
tutorial
video tutorial
There is a specific terminology for variations of this knot. Take this blue 3-lead, 10-bight Turk's head knot for example. The 3 lead refers to the main strands used - i.e. 3 pairs of working strands. The bights refer the number of crossings.
You work either with just your hands or weave it around something cylindrical like a can. The ends are tucked in and usually made more secure with glue or sewing. Game to try? Then here are the tutorials to get you started.
2. Selfmadesailor's quick video on how to make a turk's head knot also shows you how it can be converted into a ball - this is a super idea for making knotted jewelry albeit with finer cord than he is using!
2.Selfmadesailor has another great video tutorial where he shows us how to make the turk's head knot in a flat fashion to create a mat. But watch what he does at the end where he easily turns it into a cylindrical turk's head knot like for a bracelet.
3. One super site with free tutorials on knotting is Stormdrane's blog. He has a useful idea for making turk's head knot lanyards which can decorate anything from cell phones to Swiss Army knives as well as ways to make luggage handle wraps - helps identify your black bag amongst zillions of other black bags at airports! Also check out his videos on Youtube.
4. For utter inspiration on colored cords and the introduction of beads into turk's head knot bracelets is George who writes the Whatknotnow blog and has an Etsy store. This black one with red beads below is lovely!
Disclosure
How to Make a Turk's Head Knot or Sailor Jewelry
Turk's head knots go back centuries. They were and still are useful for numerous applications especially on sailing vessels. The knot could be used as foot or hand holds on ropes, in lifelines and on the up and down (king) spoke of the ship's steering wheel - when it is upright, it indicates the rudder is centrally located. Shown below is the knot in shipboard netting. Some racing crews wear a turk's head knot bracelet or anklet.
But landlubbers also love the knot for its many practical and decorative uses as hand grips on fishing poles, archery bows, vaulting poles and in basketry, bell ropes, napkin rings as well as jewelry.
As you can see the turk's head knot is actually a closed loop braid. It's usually formed circularly but it can also be worked flat for a mat.
There is a specific terminology for variations of this knot. Take this blue 3-lead, 10-bight Turk's head knot for example. The 3 lead refers to the main strands used - i.e. 3 pairs of working strands. The bights refer the number of crossings.
You work either with just your hands or weave it around something cylindrical like a can. The ends are tucked in and usually made more secure with glue or sewing. Game to try? Then here are the tutorials to get you started.
1. Turtledove on ehow.com wrote the instructions for how to make a sailor's knot bracelet using nylon cord.
2. Selfmadesailor's quick video on how to make a turk's head knot also shows you how it can be converted into a ball - this is a super idea for making knotted jewelry albeit with finer cord than he is using!
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
EASY GUIDE TO SMARTPHONE JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHY- Read more here
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