Daily Blogs : Glass Beads

Crystals: Ways to Add Subtle Sparkle to Your Beaded Jewelry Projects

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

While there is definitely something magical about the look of crystals, my personal style means that I prefer to have crystals play a supporting role, instead of the lead, in most of my beading projects. The good news is that even when crystals take a backseat to other kinds of beads, they can still have maximum impact when it comes to adding sparkle and style to your favorite beaded jewelry designs!

Tiny Crystals = Subtle Sparkle

Above: Balance the sparkle of crystals with the glow of natural freshwater pearls in the Shiloh necklace.

Below: Just a single crystal drop on each earring adds a lot of glamor to the Can Can earrings.

Case in point: the first time I opened a copy of Rachel Nelson-Smith's Seed Bead Fusion, I was completely captivated by her Ootheca Cuff. Reading over the instructions, it's a miracle that I ever finished this beaded bracelet project -- wirework AND hundreds of tiny 3mm crystals? If it hadn't been for the intriguing right-angle weave and peyote stitch structure, I might not have been motivated to make this project, and in doing so, fall in love with wire jewelry making and develop a new appreciation for using crystals in my beading projects.

Get Maximum Impact From Just a Couple of Crystals

Using just a couple of crystals in a beading project, like in Rachel's Cancan Earrings, is also a money-saver: just two beautiful, dramatic black crystal drops are enough to make these earrings into statement jewelry. When using larger crystal drops and pendants in your beading projects, you can play up the dramatic shine of the crystals by accenting them with equally brilliant seed beads and glass beads.

Above: A single O Bersten component makes a beautiful statement with a strand of natural freshwater pearls.

The Ootheca Cuff combines structural bead-weaving with wire work. Tiny 3mm crystals add a lovely, subtle sparkle.

Take a look at the O. Bersten Component in the book, too. It's a single crystal rivoli, surrounded by beautiful seed beads and glass drops, and not a single other crystal bead! Still don't believe me? My recent creation, Samudra Lakshmi, is one giant 35mm crystal stone surrounded by things like Czech glass gumdrops, seed beads, plain glass round druks, and even rudraksha beads. Sometimes you really only need one great crystal component to make a necklace spectacular!

Balance the Sparkle With a Glow

When the crystal beads do take center stage, they are well-balanced with other seed beads, and even natural pearls, like in the Shiloh necklace. Using complimentary colors of seed beads and natural freshwater pearls helps to tone down the crystals, turns the piece from something that you might only wear a few times each year to a special event into something that you can throw on with your favorite t-shirt when the weekend rolls around.

As far as innovative beading projects with crystals go, Seed Bead Fusion is my go-to beading book. If you're a beader who enjoys new ways and ideas to incorporate crystals in your beading projects, this is a book that you must add to your collection of favorite beading books. Get your copy of Rachel Nelson Smith's Seed Bead Fusion, on sale now during the Interweave Sidewalk Sale through June 26, 2013!

You can also save big when you get the digital version of Seed Bead Fusion -- all the same great content as the print version, but downloaded directly onto your favorite desktop or laptop computer and ready for viewing in just minutes!

As part of our fabulous Interweave Sidewalk Sale, you can get a FREE 3-day trial to our new online video service, Craft Daily! Just make any purchase through June 19, 2013, and activate your Craft Daily trial membership before June 23, 2013 to get access to over a hundred premium crafting videos, including beading, jewelry making, wire work, knitting, crochet, sewing, and mixed media art!

How do you like to use crystals in your beading projects? Do you use them sparingly, using just one or two for a subtle and sparkly accent, or do you go all out and create a blindingly beautiful piece of beaded jewelry? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your thoughts with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Make This Easy Wire Jewelry Project Using Your Favorite Glass Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Wonderful Wire Week here on Beading Daily! This week, I'm going to explore just a few of the ways in which wire jewelry has woven its way into my beading and jewelry-making projects, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Not so long ago, I was a wire wimp. I was a great admirer of folks who could make wire jewelry, but never felt comfortable making it myself. A couple of things changed all that for me: the first was working on a couple of innovative wire and bead-weaving projects from the very talented Rachel Nelson-Smith; the second was learning how to do Viking knit. Suddenly, the wire world was my oyster, and I realized that the basic wire jewelry skills that I had been practicing for all those years could easily be used to create spectacular bead and wire jewelry!

One of the things I love about my basic wire jewelry skills is that I can take a handful of leftover glass beads, some pretty colored copper wire, and in just a few minutes, crank out a fun and funky piece of beaded wire jewelry. When I had a few of these beautiful picasso-coated Czech glass beads left over from a larger project, I grabbed my trusty flush cutters and combination pliers and got to work turning them into a fun and easy wire bracelet.

The secret to making this bracelet is to go easy on yourself: don't worry if your wire coils aren't perfect. I didn't have a mandrel handy for making my coils, so I just used the round jaw of my combination pliers to make my coils. If you have lots of different colors of wire and one solid color of bead, you can make each coil a different color for a rainbow effect. Have fun!

Materials:

For this wire jewelry project, you'll need at least 5 feet of 18 gauge copper wire, in whatever color(s) match your glass beads
An assortment of glass beads. I used some leftover Czech glass picasso beads in the shapes of barrels and rondelles

Tools

Flush cutters
Combination pliers
Chain nose pliers
Flat nose pliers

Step-by-step Instructions:

		Step 1: Use short lengths of the wire to make units with wrapped loops on either end. Measure your links to figure out how many wire coils you'll need to make to place in between each wire wrapped bead unit. (I made my beaded units about 1 inch long.)

		Step 2: To make the coils, cut a 6 inch length of 18 gauge wire. Using a mandrel (or the round jaw of a round nose or combination pliers) to make your coils. Place the center of the wire on your mandrel or pliers and make a series of even wraps. Trim the ends of the coil.

		Step 3: To make your end loops, gently bend the coil in the center, and when the ends separate, gently grasp the last wrap with your chain nose pliers. Bend the wrap at a 90 degree angle to form a loop.

		Step 4: Open the ends of the coils the same way you would a simple loop and attach the wire wrapped links.

		Step 5: To make the hook for one end of the clasp, take a 6 inch piece of wire and make a sharp bend in the middle of the wire. Use your flat nose pliers to flatten the loop.

		Step 6: Make a bend in the double wire about 1 inch from the end. Use your round nose pliers to make a subtle upward bend in the tip of the hook.

		Step 7: Grasping the hook with your flat nose pliers, take one piece of wire and make a few wraps around the other piece. Trim the wire close to the wraps.

		Step 8: Before you finish closing the wrapped loop, slip it onto one end of your bracelet. Finish wrapping the loop, and trim the wire close to the wraps.

There are so many ways you can play with this basic design! Include bead caps, crystal beads, or even paper beads or a lightweight alternative. Mix up the colors of your wire, or add a pre-made clasp if you don't want to make your own. But as long as you can make basic wire-wrapped loops, you can take this wire jewelry design and make it your own.

Inspired to start working with wire? Check out the all-new Wireworker's Companion by Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson. Get all the reference information you need about wire gauge, wire tools, basic wire jewelry techniques, and even more advanced techniques like chain maille and working with a micro torch. Or if you can't wait to take a peek, get your copy of the Wireworker's Companion instantly as an eBook! All the same great content as the print version, but ready to read on your favorite desktop or laptop in just minutes.

What about you? Have you tried making your own wire jewelry yet? Was there one special wire jewelry project that really got you hooked on making wire jewelry? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us about it!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Why Should You Learn About Beadmaking?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Why should you learn about beadmaking? Even if you only ever do bead-weaving (or think that you'll only ever do bead-weaving, and nothing else!) knowing a little bit about beadmaking can actually help when you're working on your own beaded jewelry designs, or making a beading project your own through bead substitutions.

Maybe it's not important to know everything about beadmaking, but there are a few surprising ways in which learning about how glass beads, gemstone beads, pearls, crystal beads, and mixed media beads are made can help you save money and create spectacular beaded jewelry at the same time!

Shopping for Beads: How to Get the Best Deal

It may not seem obvious, but when you know about beadmaking, you'll know what to look for when shopping for beads. If you're shopping for handmade lampwork glass beads, you'll know to look for smooth bead holes, and bead holes free of leftover bead separator (the clay-like substance that prevents beads from sticking to the metal mandrels on which they're made).

Knowing the difference between how the genuine Swarovski crystal beads and the Chinese crystal beads are made can also help you out when you're looking to either splurge on a great bead buy, or to economize for a project that's in the research and development phase.

Using Beads as Design Elements

If you're interested in learning about beadmaking, you should also learn about how gemstone beads, pearls, and other natural beads are made. For me, at least, it's fascinating to read about the process of how gemstone beads are made, from the mining of the stone to the final drilling and packaging of the finished bead. And because so many gemstone beads receive treatments of some kind (dyes or heating to enhance color, or injection with resins and plastics for durability), you'll know which beads will stand the test of time when used in your beading projects.

Another important aspect of gemstone beadmaking that you should understand is how the beads are drilled -- I was getting sidetracked far too often by wonky gemstone bead holes in my bead-weaving projects, until I learned that some gemstone beads are drilled twice, once from each end, resulting in bead holes that will not allow a straight needle to pass through! Oops!

Some glass beads are also given treatments, like coatings, which may or may not be permanent. Learning about the pressed glass beadmaking process, including dyes and surface treatments applied to these beads, will leave you better informed when choosing your glass beads for your beading projects.

Handmade Beads: Fiber, Fabric, and Paper

Mixed media beads are also all the rage these days, popping up in beaded jewelry designs everywhere you look. You might not have thought of it before, but some of these beads are also suitable for use in bead-weaving projects where they can be mixed with seed beads. Just like the other types of beads mentioned here, if you know how a good fiber, fabric, or paper bead is made, you'll have a better idea of the best way to include some of these beautiful beads in your bead-weaving projects.

How Do I Learn About Beadmaking?

There are lots of ways to learn about beadmaking. One of the best ways is to ask questions when you go to shows and galleries to buy beads. Beadmakers and bead sellers don't mind answering questions about the origin and techniques used to make the beads they're selling -- once you understand what kind of quality product they're selling, you're more likely to buy.

It also helps to read all you can about beads and beadmaking, and that might include Beadwork magazine. Beadwork magazine has everything you need to know about beads, plus the best in beaded jewelry designs and beading projects for you to use them! If you missed any of the 2012 Beadwork magazines (including the fabulous 15th anniversary beaded bead competition), now you can get all six issues in digital format on a searchable CD! Get your copy of the 2012 Beadwork Magazine CD and find out more about your favorite beads. (The 2012 Beadwork Magazine CD is also available as a digital download, so you can download an entire year of Beadwork magazine and start reading on your favorite desktop or laptop computer in just minutes!)

Has knowing about beadmaking ever helped you out in a design? What do you think is important to know when it comes to beadmaking? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your thoughts and insights with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Five Fantastic Pearl Shapes For Your Beaded Jewelry Designs

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

It's true -- pearls never go out of style. Whether you like to do bead stringing or bead stitching, freshwater pearls are an elegant and classic addition to any beaded jewelry design. Pearls come in so many different shapes these days that it's easy to find just the right style to compliment your beading projects.

If you're just starting to add to your collection of freshwater pearl beads, I can recommend looking for these five popular shapes to get started. Most of them come in a wide array of colors to suit any of your beaded jewelry design ideas!

		Potato Pearls What they look like: Potato pearls are oval-shaped, with a hole drilled through the center vertically, as opposed to lengthwise. They usually have some striations as natural variations on them. What they're good for: Potato pearls are fabulous for adding a little bit of earthy elegance to strung jewelry designs or fringe. They can be found in a huge array of colors and sizes, making them perfect for almost any beading project.

		Button Pearls What they look like: Button pearls have one flat side and one rounded side, with the hole drilled top-to-bottom. What they're good for: Use these almost like end caps up against glass or ceramic beads in stringing projects (flat sides against either end of the focal bead), or stitch them flat-side down for use in your favorite bead embroidery projects.

		Rice Pearls What they look like: Like their name suggests, these pearls look like tiny grains of rice. They are not consistent in shape and size, although most of them are usually smaller than 4mm. What they're good for: Mix them with precious metal beads like tiny gold seamless rounds and smaller gemstone beads like garnets and peridot for simple, classic beaded jewelry designs.

		Stick Pearls What they look like: These are long, rectangle-shaped pearls with lots of bumps and grooves. Usually flat, there are some that are round in shape. These pearls can be drilled horizontally through the center or close to one end, or they can be drilled vertically, from end to end. What they're good for: These are the pearls to use for your best tribal-inspired beaded jewelry designs. In pairs, they also make great drops for earrings.

		Keishi Pearls What they look like: Usually flat, with the hole drilled through the center, these pearls resemble wavy discs, with some natural variations (bumps and lumps and striations). What they're good for: When strung in small clusters, these pearls always look "fluffy" to me, and they give a wonderful, organic feel to more refined jewelry designs. They also work well as spacers between gemstones or your favorite Czech glass beads, too.

My new favorite way to use pearls in my jewelry stringing designs is to mix them up with the big, bold colors of stones like turquoise, carnelian, and even some of my favorite dark agates. And if you want to stay on-trend, try mixing your favorite freshwater pearls with some of the fabulous new neon crystal pearls and beads popping up all over!

Ready for more fashion-forward jewelry stringing designs? Make sure you don't miss out on a single issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine! You'll find dozens of gorgeous beaded jewelry design ideas using gemstones, pearls, and all of the latest and greatest glass beads coming from the Czech Republic. Subscribe to Jewelry Stringing for the best in today's beaded jewelry design ideas.

When it comes to freshwater pearls, do you have a favorite shape? Why? How do you use your freshwater pearls in your jewelry design projects? Leave a comment and share your thoughts and ideas with us here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

From Chain Maille to Beads: Conquering the Dodecahedron

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

After my last couple of experiments with chain maille, I was feeling brave, so I decided to attempt my most difficult chain maille project yet: a Japanese chain maille ball, otherwise known as a dodecahedron.


Pretty little dodecahedron balls, all in a row!

I first saw this style of chain maille when I met the fabulous Kim Edwards at Bead Fest Philadelphia last August. Of course, her chain maille dodecahedron balls were a little more complex than mine, since she makes hers out of glass in a torch. I figured using metal jump rings would be much easier.

To get into the spirit of the mathematical principles behind the chain maille dodecahedron, I decided to watch a documentary about mathematics while I was working. It was a nice idea, but listening to the narrator talk about numbers and math while trying to count jump rings probably wasn't the best idea -- it took me three attempts just to get the base right!


	My two Japanese chain maille balls.

After that, though, the rest of the chain maille ball went together much easier than I thought. Once again, I found myself completely drawn into the rhythmic nature of the linking and closing of the jump rings, and the entire project went together in less than an hour. Spectacular!

I wasn't thrilled with the colors that I chose for my first dodecahedron. After looking at it on my bead tray, I had no idea what I was thinking when I picked those neon yellow and purple aluminum jump rings. Where was I, 1986? I dug through my stash of jump rings and found some lovely brown and brass rings, slightly smaller, that made a delicate and much more aesthetically pleasing Japanese chain maille ball.

Once I finished my two dodecahedron balls, I was hooked: I wanted to do more!

So, I wondered: what if I could do these with beads?

Looking at the instructions that I purchased from Blue Buddha Boutique, I devised a way using Czech fire polish beads and seed beads to make a small dodecahedron. It went together in just minutes, and now, totally obsessed, I grabbed some tiny 3mm round beads and stitched up another.


If you look closely, you can see the tiny dodecahedron sealed inside the larger ball. Fun stuff!

Then the light bulb went off in my head. I wanted to make a tiny dodecahedron and seal it within a larger one!

It was easier than I thought. The first dodecahedron went together with some more 3mm round druks in just a few minutes, and to capture it, I made a second dodecahedron using a strand of vintage glass beads from the Beadin' Path. I threaded a simple piece of leather through it, tied it around my neck, and haven't taken it off since!

What excited me most about this project is that not only did I get a big boost in confidence in my chain maille skills, I'm now hooked on the idea of how I can make and use these dodecahedron balls with my favorite round glass druks and fire polished beads. It seems like the sky is the limit!

Are you looking for ways to give your own chain maille skills a boost, and maybe find some new inspiration for your beading projects, too? Then you don't want to miss a single issue of Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine. You'll find dozens of fabulous projects, tips, tutorials, and product reviews from all your favorite wire artists, plus fresh, new designs from emerging talent! Subscribe to Step By Step Wire Jewelry and find more ways to broaden your jewelry-making skills.

Have you ever created a beading project that was inspired by a completely different set of jewelry-making skills? Or did you combine two different mediums (like chain maille and beads) into something completely new? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your experiences with us. Or better yet, take a picture of your mixed-up beading project and post it in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Alternatives to Using Crystal Beads In Your Beading Projects

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

What I'm about to tell you is something that I've never before declared publicly. You may be shocked. You may be appalled. You may even urge me to seek counseling. But it needs to be said, so here it goes:


I designed this necklace using just vintage glass stones and vintage glass pearls. No crystals needed for some serious bling!

I've never particularly liked using crystal beads.

Now, it's not that I don't enjoy using a crystal bead or stone in my work from time to time. They're pretty, they sparkle, and crystal beads are available in a huge range of colors, finishes, and shapes. But still, I sometimes feel like their sparkle can be a distraction from the beadwork itself. Being kind of a bead maven for the last ten years or so, I've always tried to keep an open mind about the materials that I used in my bead-weaving and jewelry making projects, but if you took a good look at my enormous bead stash, you'd notice a distinct lack of one particular type of bead: crystals.

And, really, I've never seen myself as a sparkly-kinda-gal. Maybe it was because I was more of a tomboy growing up, or maybe it was because I've always felt drawn to natural gemstones for my beading projects.

So whenever I've come across a beading project that calls for crystal beads or stones, I turn to my enormous bead stash to see what I can come up with to substitute for the crystals called for in the materials. Chances are, you probably have a lot of these in your stash, too!

Czech Glass Beads As Substitutes for Crystals

Ever since I was a baby beader, I've been drawn to the amazing range of colors and shapes of Czech glass beads available in bead shops and online. The last few years have been very exciting for me as a beader as I've watched new shapes, styles, and colors of Czech glass beads hitting the market.

My favorite type of Czech glass bead to use as a substitute for crystals is the round glass druk. With all the colors and finishes available, I can easily stock up on these beautiful glass beads for use in all of my beading projects. Another good option is to use a fire polished bead, with an AB coating for extra pizazz, if that's what you want.

Czech glass bicones may not work in a beading project that calls for crystal bicones, since their shape is often a bit "fatter" than than the crystal beads. But if you feel comfortable making a few adjustments to your project instructions, you can discover new ways to include these beautiful beads in your jewelry-making projects.

Gemstones As a Substitute for Crystals


Instead of using crystal drops, you could easily substitute gemstone briolettes in Marcia DeCoster's Little Black Dress Earrings.

If you want to give your crystal beading project an earthier look, there's no better bead to use than a gemstone bead. Gemstone beads are available in an incredible array of shapes, sizes, and materials these days, and given the choice, I'll splurge on a strand of tiny 3mm gemstone rounds over a packet of crystal beads.

Briolette cut gemstones are more popular than ever these days, and they can be substituted very easily for a crystal briolette or crystal drop bead in most beading projects.

Keep in mind that some gemstone beads can be heavier than crystals, so you may want to or need to reinforce your beadwork with extra thread paths to make sure it holds up well.

Vintage Czech Glass Stones As a Substitute for Crystal Stones


	Vintage Czech glass stones work just as well as crystal stones for many beading projects.

Sure, crystal stones like Rivolis are sparkly and all that, but something about them just leaves me cold. If a beading project calls for a crystal stone, I'm more likely to turn to my extensive collection of vintage Czech glass stones as a substitute.

I can't remember where I bought my first vintage Czech glass stone, but it was most likely at a trunk show at my local bead shop. Since then, I've found a few great sources for finding these little glass treasures, mostly on eBay and Etsy. Other great sources include A Grain of Sand, Beadin' Path, and Earthly Adornments.

What I love about the Czech glass stones as a substitute for crystal stones is their subtlety. They're clear and sparkling and beautiful in their own right, without all the flash of a crystal stone, allowing the beadwork to take center stage.

When using vintage Czech glass stones in your beading projects, be mindful that some of them can be fragile and chip easily.

Why Use Something Besides Crystal Beads?

There are lots of reasons why I can think of to substitute gemstones or glass for crystal beads. If you use a slightly different type of bead in a beading project, you give that project an entirely new look -- which can be a good thing. You may find a color of glass bead or a particular gemstone that speaks to you, and substituting that type of bead for a crystal bead is a great way to express your own individuality through your beading projects.

Cost may or may not be a factor when considering a substitute for crystal beads. Some gemstone beads can cost just as much or more than their crystal bead counterparts, so really think about making substitutes for your crystal beads more about a way of expressing your own personality than about saving money when it comes to your beading projects.

If you're looking for more ways to express yourself through your jewelry-making projects, you won't want to miss Beads, Baubles, and Jewels Series 1800. Each of thirteen episodes in Series 1800 is full of great jewelry-making tutorials, tips, and ideas from some of today's top jewelry artists. Whether you're an experienced jewelry artist or just a beginner looking for new ways to get creative with jewelry, make sure you pre-order your copy of Beads, Baubles, and Jewels Series 1800 on DVD.

Do you have a suggestion for swapping out crystal beads with another type of bead? What's worked for you, and more importantly, what hasn't worked? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your experiences with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Unlock the Potential of New Shaped Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Gone are the days when the only shapes of beads we had to choose from were cylinder or round. In the last two years, designers of glass beads have created innovative and exciting shapes of glass beads that have unlimited potential in your own beaded jewelry designs!

I have to admit, though, that as excited as I was to get my hands on a bunch of these cool new shapes of glass beads, I had absolutely no idea how to use them in my beaded jewelry designs. Particularly perplexing to me were the two-holed seed beads, the Twins and the Super Duos -- the only two-holed beads that I had ever used before were some vintage German glass beads that I found at an antique store in Texas.

But after I added a nice collection of Czech farfalle beads to my stash last summer, I decided that the best way to learn how to use these beads was to, well, just use them!

Need some ideas for incorporating the Twins, Super Duos, gumdrops, spikes, and studs into your beaded jewelry designs? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

		Bezels. Gumdrops and spike beads are just begging to have little peyote stitch bezels worked around them! Whether you use cylinder beads or seed beads, stitching bezels around a spike bead or a gumdrop bead is the first easy step to including these shaped beads in a beaded jewelry design of your own creation.

		3-D Components. Once you've made a bezel around your spike or gumdrop bead, you can use that bead to create a whole range of three-dimensional components. Great for earrings and bracelets when you have just a few spikes or gumdrop beads, you can also create fabulous and intricate beaded necklace designs with these bezeled beads!

		Flat Motifs. One of the first things that I experimented with when I started playing with my two-holed Twin seed beads was stitching them together using circular, flat peyote stitch. With the addition of a few round druk beads and some seed beads, I found that they made beautiful little "snowflakes", which I joined together to create a beautiful necklace focal.

		Chains and Ropes. Another easy way to get comfortable with the two-holed seed beads is to use them to stitch up chains and beaded ropes! I followed a tutorial from the Member Free Beading Projects Gallery here on Beading Daily to create a fun twisted herringbone rope using springtime colors and a beautiful handmade lampwork glass bead from Evolving Creations.

Feeling inspired yet? There's a lot more to learn about these great shaped glass beads and how to incorporate them into your beaded jewelry designs. If you're ready to learn more, check out Beading with Shaped Beads with Beadwork magazine editor Melinda Barta. Melinda shows you the ins and outs of working with all kinds of these great shaped glass beads, along with basic instructions for stitching them together using your favorite bead-weaving stitches like peyote, brick, herringbone, and square stitch. Pre-order your copy of Beading with Shaped Beads on DVD and find out how you can unlock the design potential of these gorgeous, exciting new shaped beads!

(If you really can't wait to get started, Beading with Shaped Beads is also available as an instant download -- you can be watching and learning about these fabulous shaped glass beads in just minutes!)

Now it's your turn -- tell us which of these new glass bead shapes is your favorite and why! Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and let's talk about shaped beads!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Fresh, New Wire Wrapping Projects Just For You!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Of all the jewelry-making supplies out there, my favorite (next to seed beads, of course) has to be wire. I wasn't always a fan of wire wrapping techniques, but once I saw just how versatile it is, I started reading up on my wire wrapping tutorials wherever I could.

Wire and beads can be used to create simple wrapped loops that can be used to create elegant wire wrapped jewelry, handmade clasps and jewelry findings, and beautiful, intricate wire jewelry. Learning just a few simple wire wrapping techniques can help you turn your beaded jewelry from ordinary into extraordinary, with just a few twists of the pliers!

We've given our wire wrapping eBook a fresh look, and included four new projects for you to help you look at wire in a whole new way!

Monica Han's Gone Fishin' bracelet is fun, light, and airy - and a perfect example of how you can make a complete piece of jewelry with just wire and a handful of crystal beads.
Even a wire wrapping beginner can make Christine Haynes' Chunky Carnelian Ring using a favorite gemstone nugget and some sterling silver wire. Easy wire wrapping techniques make for a stunning statement ring!
Sally Stevens' Bird's Nest Pendant uses affordable copper wire and handmade lampwork beads to craft a lovely, peaceful wire wrapped pendant.
Melissa Senetar's Pendulum Pendant will really give your wire wrapping skills a workout. Showcase a dramatic gemstone bead when you learn how to wire wrap jewelry.

No matter what kind of wire wrapped jewelry you like to make, check out the wire wrapping instructions in our free eBook, Learn How to Wire Wrap Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Wrapping Jewelry Projects and see just how far a spool of wire can take you.

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Haiku Wire Jewelry with Guest Blogger Barb Switzer

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Sometimes, the simplest designs are the most powerful. Wire jewelry made with clean lines and bold colors can make just as big a statement as a piece of wire jewelry made with intricate bends and wraps. In fact, it can actually be more difficult to create a simple piece of beautiful wire jewelry -- when you're not loading up the piece with crystals and gemstones, each bead is very important in the execution of the overall design.

Today's guest blogger on Beading Daily is the very talented bead and wire jewelry artist Barb Switzer, who shares with us her very beautiful take on what she calls Haiku Jewelry!

A Wire Jewelry Haiku

A handmade glass bead,

framed with elegant chain links,

hanging brilliantly.

Once, back in 2006, I bought beads at a show in Oakland, took them home, and turned them into jewelry before the weekend was over. The inspiration for this miracle was simple: by husband suggested that I attach a jump ring, attach some chain, and just "put together something simple." This idea shook me up. I tend to dedicate a lot of time and thought to each piece I design, and it seemed almost blasphemous to attach some bead, chain, and a clasp and call it finished. As soon as I put on the necklace -- a fine collection of Fordite beads -- I realized that there was nothing at all wrong with this straightforward approach. Honestly, it was satisfying as both a maker and wearer.

I term this very basic design concept "haiku jewelry." A purist ideal of using wire, a few beads, and findings, especially chain, can seriously increase the amount of jewelry you can complete during creative time slots. Attempts to use each treasured purchase in an eye-catching, totally new, one-of-a-kind design, often makes it impossible or too time-consuming to finish a piece of jewelry. Embracing the elemental process based on simple loops and links allows new purchases to be transformed into new jewelry post-haste.

Now be a deconstructionist. Wire jewelry is recyclable. Jump rings, clasps and chain can be re-used. A pendant can be moved to the center of a different necklace. Since you don't have to commit too much time, you can always put together a "wear it now" version of a necklace, and then remake it later on, using the same materials or completely different ones. And since metal smacks of permanence, even if you don't feel committed to a design, it won't look that way to anyone else.

Next time you find yourself with less than two hours to make a new necklace before meeting friends for dinner, dig through your stash, pick out the bead or pendant that yells loudest (or that has languished longest), and make something. Don't get caught up in the process, and keep things elemental. Remember that when that particular bead spoke to you, it had no compelling design "story." You must tell that story. There is no minimum word count, so keep it simple, and design a visual haiku.

Ready to explore your own version of wire jewelry haiku? Check out The Wireworker's Companion by Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson of Step By Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. It's perfect for beginners, with fabulous reference information about both the types of wire used in jewelry making and the tools that you'll need to work with it. More advanced wire jewelry artists will love the detailed techniques and tutorials, including how to use a micro torch and how to do chain maille!

You can pre-order your copy of The Wireworker's Companion now, or you can download the eBook onto your favorite desktop or laptop computer and be reading in just minutes! (It contains all the same great content as the print version, but in digital format.)

Do you have a great tip for someone just getting started with wire jewelry? What would you say to encourage someone to get started learning how to make wire jewelry? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your tips and ideas with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Barb Switzer has been bending wire since 1995. Originally, it was just a hobby that she loved in a ridiculous way. In 2003, she changed states, residences and committed herself to supporting herself by doing what her heart told her. She is also a trained graphic designer and production specialist with a background in printing and photography. You can contact her at beadswitzer@yahoo.com.

Glass Beads I Love: Never Understimate the Power Of The Druk

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

I recently rekindled my love of the glass druk when I started designing my Hoarder of Beauty necklace using a handful of Czech glass gumdrop beads. As I was designing the individual components that went into the finished design, someone suggested that I use bicones. I knew I didn't have enough bicones of the right color in my stash, but I did have a brand-new hank of round Czech glass beads -- also known as druks.

Now, I've been going on all this time thinking that a druk is just a round glass bead. I asked my friend Perry Bookstein at York Beads what he knew about druks, and the first thing he asked me was if I considered round glass beads to be druks, or if I thought of other glass beads as druks, as well.

What, Exactly, IS a Druk?


	What do all of these glass beads have in common? They can all be classified as druks!

Well, Perry's question just stumped me. I'd never seen any other glass beads except the round ones referred to as druks. Were there other shapes of glass beads that could be classified as druks?

The question got both of us investigating. While Perry checked with his contacts in Europe as well as in the United States, I did some online searches to see what came up when I searched for druks.

To my great surprise, I found several European glass bead companies that referred to "shaped" glass druks on their websites!

A little more digging from Perry revealed that the word "druk" is an adaptation of the German word meaning "pressure" or "pressed". Since these glass beads are formed by pressing glass into a mold, they can all correctly be classified as druks! The things you learn when you ask a simple question, right?

Why Use Druks?


I used glass druks to help me work out a tricky spacing issue when designing this little beaded snowflake motif.

Semantics aside, I find that using the round glass druks in my bead-weaving designs is a great way to add some dimension and shape to my pieces, for not a whole lot of cost. Round glass beads like druks come in a huge array of colors and finishes, and you can find them in almost any size you need, ranging from the tiny 3mm druks all the way up to 10mm and larger.

Druks can be found with a matte finish, a rainbow (aurora borealis) finish, two-toned, or even with a peacock pattern applied to them!

Because glass beads like druks cost significantly less than their crystal bead and gemstone counterparts, it's easy to stock up on a range of colors and sizes for use in your beaded jewelry creations. Their smooth, round shape makes them perfect for elegant, organic beaded jewelry design ideas. And because they're so "plain", they stand up well to lots of embellishments.

Try something new with your druks: pair them with your favorite two-holed seed beads like Twins or Super Duos, or use them to make a base of right-angle weave that you can embellish and layer with seed beads. Really, when you let your imagination play with glass beads like round druks, the sky is the limit!

Get Creative With Your Glass Beads and Enter Bead Star!

Have you come up with a creative and innovative design using glass beads? Then enter it in the Bead Star 2013 competition! There just happens to be a category for glass beads, too, so if you're ready to show the world what you can do with your druks (and your other glass beads), head on over to the Bead Star site and find out how to enter. Don't forget -- new for 2013, you can beading projects made with seed beads in any category! Check out the Bead Star competition, and who knows? You might be our next Bead Star and win an all-expense paid trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia!

Bead Happy,

Jenifer

P.S. Want some great sources for stocking up on glass beads like druks? Check out York Beads and Bead Stalkers for the latest and greatest in glass beads coming from Europe!

What You Should Know About Gemstones For Bead-weaving

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Although lately I've been incorporating more and more glass beads into my bead-weaving projects, when I first started learning how to bead, I used lots and lots of gemstone beads in my designs. There's something about the look of gemstones in bead-weaving designs that still appeals to me. Maybe it's the organic nature of the material, or the colors and patterns you find in my favorite agates and jasper gemstones.

But using gemstone beads in your bead-weaving is a little different than using glass beads. Gemstones mix beautifully with seed beads, if you keep a couple of things in mind before you start to stitch.

Holes and Needles and Threads, Oh, My!

Most gemstone beads can be quite a bit heavier than my favorite glass beads, so when I decide to use them in my beading projects, I usually use a heavier weight beading thread. 10 lb. WildFire beading thread is a great option for bead-weaving with gemstones, as is 8 lb. or 10 lb. Fireline.

But before you break out the heavyweight beading thread, check the bead hole by passing your beading needle through it a few times. Gemstone beads are sometimes drilled from opposite sides to meet in the middle, and the lower-quality beads will often have uneven bead holes. (I think the technical term given to those uneven bead holes by my friends is "wonky".)

If the bead hole is straight, but too narrow, use your bead reamer to widen it a bit. (Always remember to use your bead reamer with the bead under water to cool the bead and the reamer and to prevent any particles from flying into the air.) You can also smooth out any rough edges on the bead hole before you start stitching, too, to prevent your beading thread from becoming frayed.

Dye Jobs

Before stitching with any gemstone beads, always find out if the bead has been treated in any way with dyes or colors that may run if the piece becomes wet or damp. As a general rule, I try to avoid bead-weaving with any gemstones that have been dyed, particularly agates or howlite, because those colors can run and ruin the finished piece of beaded jewelry.

If you're unsure as to whether or not a gemstone bead has been dyed or colored, drop one or two of them into a cup of diluted dish soap and let it stand in a window for a couple of days. If you see the color of the bead leaking out into the water, you might not want to use it in your beading project.

Learn More About Your Favorite Gemstones

You can learn so much about your favorite gemstones and their properties in the pages of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine! It's my number-one source for fascinating information about the sources and characteristics of all my favorite gemstone beads. Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine and get six issues of great tips and techniques for jewelry makers of all kinds!

What do you love most about using gemstones in your bead-weaving projects? Leave a comment and share your thoughts, tips, and advice with us here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Start Designing Your Own Beaded Jewelry, Part 3: Putting It All Together

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I showed you how to stitch up some easy herringbone bezels for beads, and then how to make a right-angle weave necklace base, all part of my Beaded Jewelry Design week here on Beading Daily. Today, we're going to look at techniques for putting them all together into one, beautiful beaded necklace!

The inspiration for my color palette on this particular piece was from a handmade lampwork glass bead made by none other than Amy Blevins of Bead & Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey. (I visited Amy's shop when I was in town for Bead Fest Philadelphia last summer, and her beautiful glass bead just had to come home with me!) So, focal bead in hand, and necklace parts strewn across my bead board, it was time to figure out what my final beaded jewelry design was going to look like.

Attaching the Bezeled Beads

Remember when I told you to leave those thread tails nice and long? Well, now we're going to use those thread tails to attach the beads with the herringbone bezels to the right-angle weave base. Once you've figured out where you want each element to go, mark the spot with a small piece of beading thread.

I decided that I wanted to outline each bezeled bead with a length of herringbone stitch, so I made a herringbone tube long enough to wrap around each of the bezeled beads. I attached the first bezeled bead in the center of the necklace base, then wrapped the herringbone tube around it to get the idea for how to space the remaining elements, marking each place with a small length of beading thread that I clipped out after I attached the bead.

Using the thread tail, stitch into the set of 3 beads in the necklace base, then back up into the bezeled bead. Repeat the thread path a few times, then weave through the herringbone stitch bezel to get into position for the next attachment.

Make four attachments per bezeled bead in order to secure them to the necklace base.

After all the beads were attached, I tacked down the herringbone tube. I gave my tube a little bit of a twist as I tacked it down to give it some texture. A good trick here is to work from the back of the necklace, so that you aren't bumping into the bezeled beads that you attached to the front. I also stitched the herringbone tube to the top of the herringbone bezels as I went around for good measure.

Embellishing the Strap

The next step in the beaded jewelry design process is to add a little embellishment to the rest of the right-angle weave necklace base. I had a nice little bag of crystal rondelles in my stash that worked very well with this color palette, so I stitched them into the right-angle corners of the necklace base using size 15 seed beads.


	*The tiny crystal rondelles stitched to the necklace strap add just a hint of sparkle without being too obvious.*

The smaller crystal beads give the rest of the necklace a hint of sparkle without being too overwhelming. For a more dramatic look, you can use drop beads, Magatamas (long drop beads), or peanut beads. Experiment to see what you like best!

Adding Fringe

Designing and adding fringe to a necklace is always the hardest part of the beaded jewelry design process for me. I started out with a strand of branched fringe using deep blue seed beads and cream drops, but I wasn't happy with the placement of it. Back to the drawing board! I'm sure I'll figure out something over the weekend before the final reveal on Monday, right?

Other ideas for fringe don't have to be so dramatic. Sometimes, just a tiny drop or a spike bead stitched between units of right-angle weave is enough. Small loops of seed beads spaced evenly along each side of the necklace also work nicely when you want to make it a more elegant piece -- remember, sometimes less really is more!

More Inspiration for Your Own Beaded Jewelry Designs

I've always said that if you want to learn how to make your own beaded jewelry designs, a good place to start is to look through the pages of your favorite beading magazine. For me, that's always been Beadwork magazine. I always keep my copies handy to look for inspiration and ideas that I can incorporate into my beaded jewelry designs, and now that they're available in digital format, it makes it even easier to find just what I'm looking for!

Whether you're new to beading, or you've been working with seed beads and creating your own beaded jewelry designs for years, you'll want to grab a copy of The Beadwork Ultimate Collection, now at a special price! It's a special collection of seven years' worth of Beadwork magazine on CD, with all the same original content as the print editions. Grab your copy (while you can) of The Beadwork Ultimate Collection and watch the evolution of beaded jewelry design unfold!

I'd love to hear your suggestions for finishing my necklace this weekend! What kind of fringe should I use? Should I add some more embellishment to the neck strap? What about the clasp? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and let's share our beaded jewelry design ideas!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Start Designing Your Own Beaded Jewelry, Part 1: Herringbone Bezel for a Bead

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Warning: Long Story Alert.

Last winter, my husband and I took a parenting class with our son's preschool teacher. One evening during class, I started noticing the patterns on the beautiful purple shirt worn by the teacher, and of course, my beady brain got to thinking about how I could re-create those lines in a piece of beaded jewelry. Well, the beautiful curves and shapes could easily be reproduced with herringbone stitch, but how would I get them to stay straight? The answer came later that evening, when I realized I could tack them down to a collar made with right-angle weave, and I could include some beautiful Lucite flowers and even some crystal stones to spice things up!

It was one of those beaded jewelry designs that sort of designed itself -- all I did was stitch it up and put it together. And the more I played, the more I realized that there were a whole world of possibilities with this kind of beading project.

So, if you've ever wanted to learn a little bit about designing your own beaded jewelry, this week on Beading Daily, I'm going to show you how I created these beaded necklaces and teach you the same beading techniques that I used to create them!

Putting Together a Color Palette

The first thing you need to do is assemble a color palette of beads. For this project, you'll need the following beads:

5 or 6 small crystal stones, cabochons, or beads, no bigger than about 20mm
30-50 grams of size 11 seed beads in colors to match or contrast your cabochons or beads
20 grams of size 8 seed beads in colors to match or contrast your cabochons or beads
Accent beads: think tiny 3mm crystals, large Lucite flowers (my favorites come from The Hole Bead Shop), Czech pressed glass beads, or unusual beads and components like beetle wings
A large focal bead or large cabochon, if desired
Clasp of your choice

Play with your beads, putting them together and moving them around to see what colors and shapes appeal to you. The finished necklace will be in a "v" shape, so try drawing that shape on a piece of paper, then lining up your beads and cabochons to find a pleasing arrangement.

Don't feel obligated to use every single bead you pick out. Picking and choosing the beads should be a continuous process throughout the creation of your beaded necklace.

Next, we'll make an easy herringbone stitch bezel for your smaller cabochons, beads, or crystal stones.

Make An Easy Herringbone Bezel

		Using a 5 foot length of thread and ladder stitch, make a ladder of four stacks with two beads, beginning with two stacks of size 11 seed beads, followed by two stacks of size 8 seed beads. (Using stacks of two beads makes it a little easier to hold on to the herringbone stitch tube in the beginning.)

		Pass through the first stack of two beads again and cinch the ladder into a tube. The two stacks of size 11 seed beads look like they're resting snug up against the two stacks of size 8 seed beads.

		Work in tubular herringbone, adding two size 11 beads over the pair of 11's in the base, and two size 8 beads over the pair of 8's. As you stitch, try to keep your tension snug, and your little herringbone tube will start to curl into a circle.

		Check the fit of your herringbone tube on your bead or cabochon. Stop beading when you have a gap about one bead's width between the beginning and end of your herringbone stitch tube. For the final round, add two size 11 seed beads and pass through the size 8 seed beads without adding another set of beads. You should be exiting from a size 11 seed bead.

		Cinch the tube together by passing through the first two or three beads in the tube, then pass through the set of beads next to them. Join the size 8 beads at the beginning and end of the tube in the same way, and exit through a size 11. If you're using a bead (like I am in the example), pass through the center hole of the bead, then through a size 11 seed bead on the other side of the herringbone stitch tube. Pass back through the center of the bead, and back through the size 11 seed bead you originally exited. Repeat the thread path on the other side of the herringbone stitch tube using the thread tail, then weave the thread into the tube, knot, and trim.

		Stitch up a handful of herringbone stitch bezels for your beads! If you're using a cabochon without a center hole, you can add a row of netting using size 15 seed beads, then cinch it up to hold the cabochon securely.

Get creative with your herringbone stitch bezels -- since the tube is very flexible, it's great for wrapping around odd-shaped jewelry-making components. You can use things like Scrabble tiles, seashells, and gemstone donuts using this technique.

Are you ready to learn more about the best in beaded jewelry design using herringbone stitch, right-angle weave, and peyote stitch? Make sure you subscribe to Beadwork magazine, where you'll find pages of innovative beaded jewelry designs and beading projects using all of your favorite bead-weaving stitches. And don't miss the 2013 Designers of the Year -- Jill Wiseman, Sabine Lippert, Maggie Meister, and Smadar Grossman offer up challenging, beautiful beading projects in each issue! Subscribe to Beadwork magazine today and don't miss out on all the excitement in the world of beaded jewelry design!

Check back on February 27 and March 1 for the rest of this beading project: we'll be making the right-angle weave base, and then attaching our components and adding fringe and other embellishments.

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Are You Captivated By Cabochons?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

In case I haven't mentioned it lately, I'm addicted to cabochons. If you take a look through my bead stash, you'll find drawers and drawers full of them -- gemstone cabochons, handmade ceramic and porcelain cabochons, even vintage Lucite cabochons and cabochons made from things like resin and polymer clay.

I love the challenge in figuring out how to include a cabochon (or two, or three) in my bead-weaving projects. Of course, since cabochons by definition don't have a hole drilled in them, the first step is learning how to create a beaded bezel to securely hold the cabochon so that it can be attached to a beaded necklace or bracelet.

When I first started learning how to bead, I mastered the basic open-backed peyote stitch cabochon bezel pretty quickly, but then I became interested in learning how to use other bead-weaving techniques to capture those cabochons, even cabochons that were triangular or square! Read on for some of my favorite bead-weaving techniques for making beaded bezels for cabochons:

		Part of the challenge of making an open-backed bezel for a cabochon using peyote stitch is getting the fit just right. Too loose, and the cabochon will fall out. Too tight, and there's too much thread showing between beads. Using brick stitch to create the first few rounds of your peyote stitch bezels pretty much guarantees a perfect fit every time!

		Bead embroidery is another popular technique for making beaded bezels for cabochons.Of all the beaded bezel techniques that I've learned over the years, this one was by far the most challenging. But now, after making hundreds of these for beaded necklaces and bracelets, it's almost second nature to me!

		Working with square and triangular cabochons is a snap when you know how to make a peyote stitch bezel for them using herringbone stitch to shape the corners! Make one or two of these, and you'll be looking for square and triangular cabochons everywhere.

		Right-angle weave is one of my go-to bead-weaving stitches, and as it turns out, it makes a fabulous, fast, and secure beaded bezel for a cabochon or crystal stone. Another reason I love using right-angle weave for a beaded bezel is how easy it is to embellish the finished bezel using drop beads, daggers, or other types of glass beads.

		I hadn't really thought too much about using herringbone stitch to make a beaded bezel for a cabochon or crystal stone until I wanted to make a quick beaded bezel to capture this pair of crystal stones I got from Nikia Angel. Using a variation of herringbone stitch for these made for a quick and very secure beaded bezel that can be used for all kinds of beaded jewelry!

No matter how you decide to bezel your cabochons, one thing is for sure: using cabochons in beading projects is one jewelry-making trend that I don't see going away any time soon!

If you're ready to learn all about using bead-weaving to make beaded bezels for your favorite cabochons, check out Melinda Barta's How to Stitch Beaded Bezels DVD. Melinda takes you step-by-step through six lessons that teach you how to use netting, herringbone stitch, and peyote stitch to capture your favorite cabochons, buttons, and crystal stones securely for spectacular beaded jewelry. Get your copy of How to Stitch Beaded Bezels and start using those cabochons in your stash!

Do you have a favorite bead-weaving technique for making beaded bezels? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share it with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Who's Afraid of a Teeny Tiny Microtorch?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It's true: if you've never used any kind of a torch, the idea of holding something in your hand that's capable of spitting out more flame than a barbecue lighter can be a little intimidating. For years, I used a single fuel torch for making my own lampwork glass beads, but the idea of using a butane torch (also called a micro torch) for jewelry making was something that scared the pants off of me.

My first experience using a micro torch was for firing precious metal clay (PMC) in a small workshop, and it really wasn't as scary as I had thought it would be. Part of feeling comfortable using a micro torch was understanding what it was for, and how to set it up. If you're curious about what the micro torch is all about, we'll learn about micro torch basics from Jewelry Making Daily contributor Kate Richbourgh!

Welcome to the world of butane torches (also known as micro torches or even crème brûlée torches)! Micro torches make creating simple soldered jewelry a breeze. I am really excited to share my favorite jewelry tool with you. Using butane micro torches can be intimidating to the novice (or even to the jewelry maker that uses a traditional torch and tank setup), so my goal is to share some tips and tricks to banish those "scary moments" and get you up and torching in no time.

Now, let's begin at the beginning.

Meet My Torches, Blazer and Max Flame
I have two torches that belong to the butane torch family. Both are durable, high powered, and specifically geared for jewelry making. I have put both of these torches "through the wringer" so to speak. They have been in constant use in the classroom and on my workbench for more than five years and are still as good as new.

My Blazer torch is the first butane torch I ever purchased that actually worked well for jewelry. I found out the hard way that with butane torches, you really get what you pay for. When you are shopping for a butane torch, take a good look at it. Is it mostly plastic with a minimum of metal parts? If so, put it back on the shelf, regardless of the great bargain it might seem. Torches that are kept on for an extended length of time (during the soldering process) get hot. That heat centers around the top of the torch and torch head. Too much plastic and you may find that your torch head may melt slightly, and that will affect the delivery of the butane to the torch tip, making the torch impossible to light. (Ask me how I know!) Torches that are mostly metal can be used for extended periods of time without fear of damage in this way.

My other micro torch is my Max Flame torch. The flame on my Max Flame torch is wider and longer; that means that I can solder bigger pieces with the Max Flame torch than with the Blazer.

Blazer vs Max Flame Torches: When to Use Each One
So you may be wondering, "What exactly do I use each torch for?" Here is the breakdown:

Blazer micro torch (up to 2400° F)

soldering jump rings closed (14g and thinner)
soldering thin (4mm and smaller) ring bands
soldering bezels closed
drawing a bead on a wire to make head pins
making a heat patina on a metal surface
soldering a small element or charm on a metal pendant (1" and smaller)
torch firing some types of metal clay

Max Flame micro torch (also up to 2400° F)

soldering jump rings closed (12g and larger)
soldering wide ring bands (5mm and larger)
soldering a large object together, like joining a bezel component to a ring band or a large pendant (1" up to 2-1/2")
annealing metal
torch firing enamel

Filling a Butane Torch

A butane torch isn't much good unless it is filled with fuel. I use regular butane fuel that I get from the hardware store. You may have heard that it is best to use "triple-refined" fuel to keep your torch head clean, but honestly most of the time I use regular fuel right off the shelf, and my torches work great. This is not an endorsement, just my experience.

Filling the torch can be one of the "scary moments" with a butane torch, but trust me--with a little know-how, it's a walk in the park.

Grab your torch and butane canister and go outside (You want to have adequate ventilation when you are filling the torch).
If your torch has a stand at the bottom that can be removed, go ahead and take it off and put it aside.
Remove the cap from the butane.
Turn the torch upside down. You'll see a filling point on the bottom of the torch. Insert the tip of the butane canister and press down firmly.

The butane will flow from the canister into the torch. If you hear fuel escaping out the torch head during filling, stop and tighten the knob that regulates the butane flow. I fill the torch until the butane makes a slight spitting noise at the filling point (about a 10 count). Then I replace the stand on the torch, stand it upright, and let the butane settle for about 30 seconds or so. I store my butane canister out of the way, and I am ready to go!

Turning On the Butane Torch

Consult the directions that came with your particular torch for directions on how to turn on your exact torch, but there are some basic concepts that apply to all micro butane torches:

Cover your workspace with a fireproof surface (a jelly-roll pan works well) and put on a pair of safety glasses before turning on your torch. Point the head of the torch about 8 to 10 inches above that surface at a 45-degree angle and turn on the torch by starting the butane flow and clicking the ignition button. Adjust the flame to its highest point then to its lowest (usually a lever or knob) to get the feel of the size of the flame. I usually keep my flame at the highest point.

Understanding the Flame
Now examine the flame itself. (Sometimes it's best to view it under dimmed light.) You'll see an inner and outer flame. The outer flame is a dark transparent blue. The inner flame is lighter and more opaque in color and comes to a sharp tip inside the outer flame. Just in front of that lighter flame is the "sweet spot" or the hottest part of the flame and the point to quickly heat metal and flow solder. You'll move this tip up close or farther away from the surface of the metal to control the rate of heat on the metal.

If you move the flame too close to the surface though, you'll hear a sound that resembles wind or a slight hiss and see a dark spot in the middle of the heated metal. You have gone beyond the sweet spot of the flame. The inside part of the inner flame is cooler, which means it will take longer to solder your pieces.

After you're done examining the flame, turn the torch off. Place the torch upright on the fireproof surface. Remember that the tip will be hot, so point it away from you.

Congratulations! You have conquered the first steps using a butane torch. Let me also recommend, as with any complex jewelry tool, to get out the instructions that came with your torch and read them. I'll bet there is a wealth of information on that piece of paper! Stay tuned for Micro Torches, Part 2: Torch in Action and Simple Soldering Setup. --Kate


Dancing Arcs by Kerry Bogert is just one of the micro torch projects included in this amazing bundle!

Is 2013 the year that you told yourself you'd learn something new? Learning how to use a micro torch for jewelry making can open up a whole new world of possibilities -- from soldered jump rings to handmade decorative head pins, you can easily find new ways to create custom jewelry findings and components for your beading projects.

If you're ready to jump into the world of using a micro torch, you'll definitely want to check out the Soldering With a Micro-torch Ultimate Collection. With over 100 minutes of video instruction and more than 190 pages of essential how-tos, this is all you need to get started with your micro torch. Learn from some of the jewelry making world's best-known experts as you fuse and solder your way into new territory. And if you're ready to get started right now, you can also get the Soldering With a Micro-torch Ultimate Collection as digital download, including all of the same great content from the DVD and print bundle, but ready to view on your favorite desktop or laptop computer in just minutes!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

P.S. If you're ready to move on and see the micro torch in action, you can read Part 2 of Kate's blog over on Jewelry Making Daily!