bead blog Archives - Candie Cooper

Fringe Benefits: DIY Tassels

July 14, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by Beadalon–Makers of great findings and DIY jewelry supplies. Thanks Beadalon for the sponsor love!Tassels are still having their moment.

Everywhere.

I ain’t mad about it either. I love flair.You can make your own tassels super easy with Beadalon’s tassel maker and some of that embroidery floss you were gonna use for that cross stitch project. For a tip-I like suctioning the tool to the top of a plastic bead storage box.This is the tassel maker. You can adjust the mandrels and make a ton of different sized tassels. In this tutorial, I’m showing how to make tassel charms. You can also loop a wire through and make a wrapped loop if you want to add a bead cap over the top of the tassel (see bracelets above).Either way, I like to tie off the top of the tassel so it is bound. You can use a contrasting thread color too.Loosen the mandrels and slide the bundle off. I tied mine at both ends so I could get two tassels for the work of one.Cut the bundle in the middle to create the two tassels.You can leave them like this or….Comb them out with a fork to make them nice and fluffy. You can also wrap wire around the tie or add seed beads.Get the tassel maker tool from Beadalon.com.You just never know where a quick little project like this will take you…All you have to do is start.

Filed Under: Beads, Crafting

Lucky Wire Wrapped DIY Pendant

February 10, 2016 By candiecooper 5 Comments

This post is brought to you by BEADALON–makers of great jewelry findings and tools.
This pendant. I’ve worn it every other day since I made it.
This morning I was watching GMA and they were making dinners that cost $5. (or really close if you play your coupon cards right). It’s just as good, right?

Now I bring you the $5 DIY jewelry edition. You ready?
I’m using a dollar strand of beads, Beadalon’s antique brass chain, a retainer ring from the hardware store (look for it in the washer/bolt section of the store), 20g. antique brass colored Artistic Wire, a couple jump rings and that’s all.
String a row of 20 to 25 beads onto the Artistic Wire. It’s definitely better to have more so you can wrap your heart out.
Artistic Wire for jewelry making and crafts comes in every color under the rainbow. If you’re making this project with tweens, I would work with 22g. vs. the 20g. so it’s extra easy to wrap.
Here’s a closer peek at the retainer ring. This thing is made of steel so you’ll need to rub it with some beeswax or spray it with a lacquer so it doesn’t rust–I learned this from the master of steel wrangling, Brenda Schweder.

Secure your wire with a couple wraps.
Slide a bead next to the retainer ring and make a full wrap.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Each bead is separated with a full wrap of wire to help with spacing.
Anchor the wire the same as when we started with a few wraps. This is the back side of the pendant.
Use jump rings to attach the pendant to the chain.Boom.
Donesies.

A little design tip after wearing this necklace a few thousand times. Leaving it long is awesome, but if it’s too long, you can make an overhand knot so it hangs shorter–like we used to with super long strands of pearls found in grandma’s closet.
I don’t know about you, but we are in the thick of winter and I need all the instant gratification I can get. This necklace fits the bill.

Until next time, stay warm and visit Beadalon.com for the goods!

Filed Under: Bead Love, Jewelry, Tutorials

Back to Bead Fest with Jesse James Beads

July 16, 2014 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

It’s time for round two of Bead Fest near Philadelphia! I’ll be there teaching jewelry making classes, partnering with Jesse James Beads!Doesn’t this look appetizing?! We are also collaborating with Beadalon–makers of great findings and tools! I taught two classes there in the Spring and the ladies were delightful. The other thing I love about working with them is everyone’s jewelry project turns out differently because we bring lots of beads to choose from.Here is a handy link so you can take a peek at the class offerings and if you can’t make a class, come say howdy at the Jesse James Beads booth! <3 It’s always a good time being around my fellow jewelry makers, playing in the piles of beads and talkin’ shop. I really do love it!