Daily Blogs : Mixed Media Jewelry, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine, Beaded Jewelry Design

5 Essential Jewelry Making Techniques from Tammy Jones

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Not too long ago, Tammy Jones wrote a great blog over on Jewelry Making Daily about five essential jewelry making techniques for jewelry artists. And it got me thinking -- while my primary interest for jewelry making still remains with my beloved seed beads, there are so many great new jewelry making techniques to experiment with!

My first foray into a jewelry making technique outside of bead stringing or off-loom bead-weaving was when I decided that I wanted to learn how to make my own lampwork glass beads. The idea of melting glass over a torch hot enough to burn down my garage was a little intimidating, but learning those glass bead making skills was also really empowering! Once I realized that I could take a solid substance like glass and make it bend to my will over a three thousand degree flame, there wasn't a lot that scared me. (Except for the possibility of an explosion that would send a hundred pounds of glass shrapnel flying into my skin!)

Since then, I've played with wirework, precious metal clay, and mixed media jewelry. I also recently purchased my first butane micro torch for making chain, too. It makes me feel so accomplished to have actually tried these jewelry making techniques, even if I'm not very good at some of them.

If you're looking to expand your jewelry making skills, here are five essential jewelry making techniques recommended by Tammy Jones for anyone who wants to try something new.

Jewelry Making Technique #1: Soldering. The only experience I've ever had with soldering was putting together a couple of those make-your-own radio kits from the electronics store when I was kid. But since I've learned how to use a micro torch to fire precious metal clay, I'm starting to see how easy it is to move on to other jewelry making projects that use soldering techniques. (Don't tell my husband, though. I still haven't cleared a space in all of my glass lampwork and fusing supplies in the garage workshop to accommodate my new micro torch!)

Jewelry Making Technique #2: Wirework. Truly, wirework used to be the bane of my jewelry making existence, until I realized that all those little wrapped loops and eye pins can translate into some pretty spectacular wire jewelry. If you're new to wirework, start small by trying to make your own jump rings and ear wires. Once you have the hang of working with wire, trying projects that include some type of free-form wire bending will not only help you get the feel of working with wire, you'll be making some pretty spectacular one-of-a-kind wire jewelry.

Jewelry Making Technique #3: Metalsmithing. I have to admit, I've always been a little bit awed by jewelry artists who can do metalsmithing. The idea of taking something like metal and being able to melt it, fold it, cut it, and shape it into jewelry still seems sort of like magic to me. (Dangerous magic, but still magic!) The closest I've ever come to doing any metalsmithing was the time I signed up for a stering silver bead-making class at my local arts center, but had to cancel at the last minute. Still, I love watching my metalsmithing friends when they work at the bench, even if I don't think it's something that I'll ever get into.

Jewelry Making Technique #4: Metal Clay. One of the first jewelry making classes I ever took at Bead Fest Philadelphia was a precious metal clay class where we played with covering bisque beads and leaves with different forms of precious metal clay (PMC). Since then, I've taken a couple more classes and learned how to make easy rolled metal clay beads, used stamps and texture plates on some metal clay, and even made a few nice-looking metal clay rings with a butane micro torch.

Jewelry Making Technique #5: Mixed Media Jewelry. Mixed media jewelry was another one of those jewelry making terms that used to send shivers down my spine. (And not in a good way.) But then a few months ago, I started playing with some wonderful inks for coloring metal beads and jewelry making components, and I realized that mixed media jewelry isn't nearly as scary as I thought it was! I've always loved mixing fibers and fabrics with my beadwork and beaded jewelry making projects. So now I can safely say that I really enjoy jewelry making projects that include resin, painting, fabrics, and fibers!

Are you one of those beaders that enjoys learning new jewelry making techniques? Do you love to push yourself to expand your jewelry making skills? If you want to keep up with what's hot (and what's not) in the jewelry making world, make sure you subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. Each issue is full of the latest and greatest in jewelry making techniques, tools, and supplies that you'll want to keep handy as you continue your journey with handmade jewelry. Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine and spend some time this summer branching out into a new jewelry making adventure!

Have you tried a new jewelry making technique lately? What is it? Did you love it or was it enough to make you decide to stick with beads for now? Leave a comment and share your stories, tips, and recommendations for other budding jewelry artists here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Tammy Jones' Top Picks for Gorgeous Resin Earring Projects

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:00:00 GMT

Tammy Jones is the Online Editor for Jewelry Making Daily

A note from Jennifer: Resin is my latest jewelry making obsession. It started a few months earlier after I purchased a gorgeous pendant from Andrew Thornton and then saw what some of my fellow handmade jewelry artists from Love My Art Jewelry were doing with it. Resin jewelry components are so versatile, they can be used for just about anything - charm bracelets, earrings, pendants, you name it!

Because I'm just starting to dabble in making resin pendants and jewelry, and since I don't have access to any in-person classes near my home, I have been teaching myself as I go. So I decided to ask Jewelry Making Daily's Tammy Jones what her favorite picks are for some easy and inspiring resin projects! If you're interested in making beautiful resin jewelry, check out her suggestions!

Resin Earring Projects That Look Like a Million Bucks with Jewelry Making Daily's Tammy Jones

		In the August issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine, you'll find instructions for these stunning resin earrings and a matching pendant. These resin earrings are a fabulous way to experiment with resin and find out everything that it's capable of doing when used for jewelry making projects. The best part about these earrings and the matching pendant is that they are truly unique and no two sets will come out exactly alike!

		My earliest crafting experience involved paper crafts, specifically card making. I still make cards for every occasion, but my affection for paper has long outpaced my need for cards, and now I've got a serious paper surplus. (That's a long-winded way of saying I'm a paper junkie!) So, I'm always on the lookout for ways to use paper in other ways, and if I can combine my paper love with my jewelry love, even better! These musical note earrings are beautiful if their own right--there's just something so romantic and old-fashioned about sheet music--but I also love having the option of using any kind of paper in the design to completely change up the look. Handmade paper, newsprint, scrapbook paper, even parts of old books or love letters would be lovely; you could even use fabric instead of paper. The resin forms a protective layer over it, so nearly anything goes!
		I love enameled jewelry, and I LOVE glitter, so these resin and glitter earrings that resemble plique-a-jour enamel are a favorite project of mine from a previous issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. They look very complicated, like fabricated metal jewelry with cloisonné-like wire and enamel sections, but in fact, the enamel effect is achieved using glitter and five-minute two-part epoxy. And while you could use any color scheme you like, there's something about the combination of these springy colors that make me smile.

If you want to learn more about a wide range of jewelry making techniques, including resin jewelry, you won't want to miss a single issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. With projects that cover the basics as well as more advanced jewelry making techniques, you'll get expert advice and pages of inspiring jewelry making projects. Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine and take advantage of everything it has to offer!

Have you tried resin jewelry making projects yet? Share your experiences, tips or advice here on the Beading Daily blog! You can also post pictures of your gorgeous finished resin jewelry projects in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Bead Happy,

For the Love of Making Jewelry

Kristal Wick — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:44:00 GMT

Kristal Wick
is the editor of
Beading Daily

Candy conversation hearts, flowers, chocolate, bubbly, and JEWELRY! Those are my faves for Valentine's Day (not necessarily in that order). I've long ago determined Valentine's Day to be celebrated, no matter that my only kisses come from my 4-legged loves on February 14th! I still insist on celebrating Valentine's Day with those goodies, even if I have to buy them for myself. (A paper route for Bling would solve that problem).

Yours truly at 3

How I Fell In Love With Jewelry

I've never considered myself a jewelry fashonista (point proven by frequently wearing crocs). But lately, sorting out some old photos, I came across this black and white picture of myself on Valentine's Day at three years old. My paten leather shoes were shiny red, bonnet and gingham dress bright pink, and I was given my first heart necklace from my parents. It was a gold textured heart (surely base metal, I was only three), with a sparkly shiny stone set in the middle of it (most likely glass). Pirate's booty from a sunken treasure chest in that three-year-old baby fashionista's noggin! I've had a love affair with jewelry ever since!

When I was six years old my dad brought home a little box filled with jewels. They were shiny ovals and squares of every color of the rainbow. I would run my fingers through them, amazed and memorized by their brilliance. So sure of the incredible value of these riches, I secretly hid them under the bed in an old cracker box in case we were robbed. Surely no criminal would think to look inside a cracker box for hidden treasure. It wasn't until many years later my dad told me those jewels were rejected class ring glass stones his jeweler buddy was going to toss out! It's the thought that counts...

From my childhood days of hand cut and pasted cardboard lacy valentines, (one for each classmate so no one felt left out) to today's popular choice of blingy baubles, nothing says Love like handcrafted jewelry for Valentine's Day.

Whether you're your own Valentine this year, or pondering a special something-something for that special someone, here are a few of my favorite projects from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist to give to your BFF, sweetie, or make for yourself.

Three Projects I'm Head Over Heels In Love With

		Three Stone Earrings Helen Driggs March 2010 I love the combination of faceted ovals, flat baked stones beads, and freeform cabochons Helen uses in this design. I might use reddish stones instead of purple, such as poppy jasper or garnets for a Valentine's Day celebration. Helen says one of the tricky parts to making these earrings is getting matching stones. This would be a great mission when Tucson shopping at the gem shows. Note to self: purchase stone sets when possible!

		The Lovers: a Two Finger Ring Nanz Aalund Jan./Feb. 2011 Who could resist a project called "The Lovers" for Valentine's Day? Seriously! I love the multi-finger ring trend popular these days. They're eye catching; a real conversation piece. It takes a confident powerful person to carry off one of these rings, and what a compliment to make and give as a gift to your Valentine!

		Wire Wrapped Metal Clay Bouquet Paula Bastian-De Leon Dec. 2009 This project looks like a blast to make and a bit easier than the previous projects so I might take a stab at it sooner than later. What could be lovelier than a metal clay bouquet for Valentine's Day? Metal clay origami looks enticing and doable even for the beginning metal clay artist and I love the versatility in using silver, bronze or copper metal clay. I'd probably venture into all three and mix them together so the pin could go with any attire.

Fall in love over and over again with visits from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist all year long. The detailed instructions and pretty pictures are better than those 3^rd grade handmade Valentine cards (well, almost).

The best is yet to bead!

Creatively,

Show Off Your Cabochons

Leslie Rogalski — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Working with cabochons

I used to have something called a worry stone. It was a small polished stone with a smooth indentation, offering a tactile path to serenity, like a kid who rubs the satin on a comfort blankie. I have the same sense of “ahhhh” when I touch a shiny cabochon. Made of stone, glass, gemstone, or other materials, cabochons usually have no holes. They’re level on one side and domed to some extent on the other and come every shape and size you can imagine.

Bezels
Bezels are the rims that hold a cabochon or other focal piece in place. I know many of you have already made pendants with wire or metal, enclosing stones, shells, even buttons. Some of you have even used metal techniques such as prongs to hold a special stone in design. I haven’t ventured too far into metalsmithing myself yet, but I am such a fan of cabochons in jewelry––whether rings, pins, or pendants, cabochons can be showcased in beadwork, wirework, even clay, as well as metalsmithing.

Jeff Barber is a lampwork artist known for his beads but who also makes glass cabochons such as these with their striking swirls of pattern and color. And look, a couple have beaded bezels.

The Entangled Wire Bezel by Lisa Niven Kelly shows the adaptability and texture of wire for different-shaped focal cabs.

Editor Helen Driggs shows an unusual approach to a metal bezel in her Carrasite and Copper pendant. Her bezel plays around the shape of the focal piece.


Bead a cabochon pendant Here’s one of the ways I incorporate a cabochon as a beader: I use circular netting because it allows more of the focal to show than if I covered its sides with a more solid beadwork stitch. It's more a cage than a bezel. Use a symmetrical round or oval shape for your first go at this. Shown here: a 35mm black tigereye cabochon, beading thread, and two sizes of beads: size 11˚ seed beads and 3mm round crystals.

1: On a comfortable length of thread, string a circle alternating 1 crystal and 1 seed bead, to form a ring that will fit on top of your cab but well within the perimeter, leaving about ¼" around the edge. My ring uses 18 crystals and 18 seed beads. Tie the tail and the working thread securely.		2: Form a starburst of picot points around this ring: string 3 seed beads, 1 crystal, and 1 seed bead. Pass back through the crystal. String 3 seed beads. Skip 1 crystal in the ring and pass through the next, forming a point. Repeat for 9 points around the circle.

3: Exit the 3 seed beads, the crystal, and the tip seed bead in one of the picot points.		4: Work another round of netting, looping between the tip seed beads of the picot points: string 10 seed beads,1 crystal and 10 seed beads. Pass through the next tip seed bead. Repeat to form 9 large loops.

5: When you return to the first loop, pass through the first 10 seed beads and the crystal in the center of the loop. Lay the cabochon face down inside this netted circle.		6: String twice through all the center crystals for a secure circle, pulling them into a snug ring in the middle of the back of the cabochon. And yes, you can wear this side facing out!

		7: For a bail, exit near the top of one of the back strands of seed beads. I used 2-drop square stitch to form a strip and joined it to a bead at the front of the cabochon.

Learn to bezel with the best
If I were working in metal, I’d be at my bench instantly after seeing the 10 Cabochon Pendant Jewelry Projects eBook from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. These designs are so unique and the stones and gems so gorgeous, I get goose granulations all over just looking at them! See if you don’t, too.

Have you found a way to wear a fabulous cabochon? Share it on our Beading Daily galleries!