Bird on the Wing Pendant with Embellished Chain - Free Tutorial

Birds are a perennial favourite with bead makers and buyers alike and this easy tutorial can be adapted to work with your own favourite examples.

Supplies

1 bird bead and wing(or similar) pendant.

1 flat/curved/disc bead

2 x 15" lengths of chain with link large enough to thread a double strand of waxed linen through.

8" 20 gauge wire

2 x 30" lengths of waxed linen

Seed beads (larger than chain links)

Charms and/or Czech glass flower beads
Headpins and jump rings
Round nose pliers and cutters

Step 1

Using the wire and round nosed pliers create a wrapped loop to attach the wing pendant.

Step 2

Pass the tail of the wire through the flat/curved/disc bead and the bird bead and make another wrapped loop to create a bail (add a seed bead to stabilise if required).

Step 3
Attach a length of chain to the bail either by opening a link in the chain or by adding a jump ring.

Step 4
Double up one length of waxed linen and attach it to the bail using a larks head knot.

Step 5
Thread a seed bead onto the double strand of linen and pass it through the second link of the chain. Add a second bead and pass the linen back through the chain skipping one link as you go.

Step 6
Continue adding seed beads and threading through alternate link of the chain until you get to the end. Check the tension of the linen and that the beads are evenly spaced.

Step 7
Add a final bead and tie of the linen to secure and then trim.

Step 8
Repeat steps 3 - 7 on the other side of the bail to complete the necklace.

Step 9
Add a clasp and jump ring.

Step 10

Use the headpins and seed beads to create charms with the Czech glass flowers if required.

Step 11
Using a jump ring attache the charms to the wrapped loop of the feather pendant.

And that's it - your necklace is fnished!

By changing up your beads and charms you can vary the effect you get with this design... Here's another example of the design that was published in Jewelry Affaire in 2015.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial - happy creating.

Bird and leaf set from THEA elements

Beaded Wreath - Christmas Ornament Tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you a tutorial for a beaded wreath Christmas ornament that I devised by adapting my design for a silk macrame bangle - please excuse the fact that it's displayed on a laurel bush but my Christmas tree is not up yet. For this ornament I've used 15mm organza ribbon and 10mm glass pearls but you can literally use anything you like to create an ornament that suits your own decor...ribbons, cord and even fancy knitting yarn can all be combined with fun and funky results...just let your imagination run wild.

Materials
To make the ornament as I have you will need:

1  1/4 coils of memory wire

48" length of 15mm organza ribbon

12" length of 15mm organza ribbon

16 10mm glass pearls

1 10mm jump ring

1 charm or beaded dangle - I used ceramic birds from Blueberribeads

Round nosed pliers

Memory wire cutters

Scissors

This design is worked with a simple macrame square knot but the nature of the ribbon I used makes it a little tricky to see the technique so if you need clarification you can find a diagram here.

Step 1
With the round nosed pliers turn a loop at one end of the memory wire.

Step 2
Take the 48" length of ribbon, find the centre and tie it around the memory wire adjacent to the loop.

Step 3
Thread a bead onto the wire.

Step 4
Create the first part of a simple macrame square knot by taking the right hand ribbon and passing it over the memory wire which acts as your core. Then pass the left hand ribbon over the right hand ribbon and under the core wire and pull though to secure the bead. Don't pull the ribbon too tight - you want to aim for it to drape nicely around the bead.

Step 5
Add another bead. Create the second part of the macrame square knot by taking the left hand ribbon and passing it over the memory wire then pass the right hand ribbon over the left hand ribbon and under the core wire and pull though to secure the bead ( the reverse of the process in step 4).

Note
Because memory wire is springy this process can feel a little awkward at first but once you have a few beads in situ it becomes easier. I found I got more control by tucking the free end of the wire under my little finger.

Step 6
Repeat steps 3 - 5 until all the beads are threaded and the circle is completed. Tie an overhand knot to secure the ribbon.

.

Step 7
Make sure the beads are snug up to the first loop then trim the spare end of the memory wire and turn a second loop.

Step 8
Thread one of the ribbons tails through each of the loops pull together gently to close the wreathe then knot to secure.

Step 9
Wrap the tails around the loops a couple of times to hide them and then tie in a bow.

Step 10
Attach your charm to the large jump ring then take the shorter length of ribbon and pass it through the jump ring.

Step 11
Place the ribbon and charm under the bow and bring it up around the front and back of the bow making sure to centre it carefully. Knot the ribbon so that it creates a neat finish (not too tightly) to the bow and knot again to secure.

Step 12
Tie the shorter ribbon at the ends to create a hanging loop.

Step 13
Trim the tail ends of the bow and there you have your finished ornament.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and are inspired to have a go at creating some ornaments of your own.

Happy holidays.

Simple Leather Bracelet Tutorial

A little while ago my fellow AJE team mate Caroline sent me some gorgeous Greek cast metal closures and charms with a lovely verdigris patina. They just screamed out leather bracelet and I thought I share this simple summery design with you today...

Materials

Mykonos cast hook and eye clasp set

Mykonos Charm (optional)

7" 6mm leather cord (or length to fit wrist)

2 x 14" pieces copper wire 18SWG/16AWG
1 large hole bead
Flat/round nose pliers
Wire cutters
LOS
Clear Epoxy adhesive
6mm mandrel/knitting pin/leather scrap

Step 1
Take one piece of wire and wrap around your mandrel 10 times making sure it's not too tight so that you can remove the wrapped piece from the mandrel and get it onto the leather.

Step 2
Using round nose pliers take the end of the wire and begin turning a coil in the wire. Transfer to flat nose pliers and continue coiling until you have 3 rings.

Step 3
Continue wrapping the wire around the mandrel until the coil is level with it. Press the coil flat against the wrapped wire as shown. Trim the tail end of the wire on the underside with the coil on top.

Step 4
Repeat steps 1 to 3 to create a second piece that mirrors the first.

Step 5
File or sand out any tool marks and use LOS to oxidise both pieces together with a jump ring if you're using a charm. polish back with wire wool, tumble or polish.

Step 6
Thread the bead onto the leather and thread a copper element on either side. Make sure the focal element is centred then gently press the ends of the wires on the underside into the leather to stop any movement, taking care not to mar the leather on top.

Step 7
Use epoxy adhesive to glue the closure fittings onto the leather taking care to line the hook and eye up. Leave to dry.

Step 8 - Optional

Use the jump ring to attach a charm to the eye section of the clasp.

And that's all there is to it...

I actually decided that this particular charm was a little too large and I left it off so this is my finished bracelet...

I've been wearing this since I finished it and it's very comfortable. I really like it as it is but if you want to add a charm there are smaller versions available like these cute little shells.

Supplier list

Mykonos components - The Artisan Bead Compan

6mm leather cord - Cords and Wires

Lampwork Bead - Studio Juls     

Copper wire - Wires.co.uk  

Happy creating!