How to Make Tassels

This post brought to you by Beadalon!Beadalon Break 2015-a week full of DIY Jewelry Making  tutorialsI spent the last day of Spring Beadalon Break at Bead Fest in Oaks, PA!

Guess what?  Beadalon was there too!

Meredity Roddy of Beadalon with Candie CooperSo I got an up close look at their new Tassel Making Tool!  This thing is great for jewelry makers and crafters.

I put Madeline Roddy on the spot and asked her to walk me through tassel making basics with the tool.  It was super easy! Watch and see…Beadalon Tassel MakerSuction the tool to your work surface.  I think we all have a bead box (or 75 laying around) that we can stick this thing too like Meredith did.Tassel Maker from BeadalonWind the desired amount of cord (check out this twinkle thread from Beadalon) around the two mandrels.  You can change the distance to make shorter fringed tassels (or make them long and custom cut the length).  When you have enough cord wound, thread a short piece of cord through the wound threads and tie off next to the mandrel.

Cut the bottom cords open next to the mandrel.How to make tasselsNow you can hook the tied piece to an eye pin and thread it through a bead cone to give it a nice finished look.  This bead cone was made with the ConeTastic.Tassel Jewelry Idea with Beadalon's Tassel MakerCheck out this fancy pants tassel piece I spotted in the Beadalon booth.  So pretty with the metallic thread!

Here is a video of the Tassel Maker from Beadalon so you can see it fully in action!

How to Make a Bracelet

This post is brought to you by Beadalon.How to Make Easy Bracelets on Candie Cooper's blogLooking to add a little spice to your fall wardrobe?  These DIY statement bracelets will do the trick and they only take about ten minutes each to make.
Candie Cooper Jewelry Work BenchWelcome back to my work table up here in my studio nest.  Admittedly,  it’s gotten a little more cluttered because I moved more stuff up from the back porch.  It takes me awhile to figure out where I want things, plus I’d rather be making than cleaning.  Anyone with me?
Jewelry Making Easy Tassel Bracelet Tutorial with Beadalon Elasticity via Candie CooperSo the other day I rode along with my husband to a fun little town where he had to meet some clients.  I worked at a coffee shop for the first couple hours, then we explored during lunch time.  Guess what we stumbled upon?  A bead shop, closing, everything 50% off.  It was bittersweet.  I hate seeing a cute shop closing like this, but the lady was happily retiring so I guess it was bittersweet for her too.  She had a great collection of Czech glass that I loaded up on and that’s what I used to make these bracelets.

You will also need some Beadalon Elasticity, perhaps some sweet charms and tassels, and metal spacer beads.
Chain nose pliers for attaching charms to braceletsFirst things first, grab your chain nose pliers and add a jump ring to each charm so they are ready to string.
How to attach a charm to a braceletOpen your jump ring from side to side (not like a “C”) and attach a charm.  Close the ring how you opened it.  This keeps it perfectly circular.  Beadalon makes findings like these jump rings in a ton of metal finishes and thicknesses.
Beadalon clear beading elastic, ElasticityLet’s talk a little bit about beading elastic.  Elasticity comes in different diameters–.8 and 1mm seen above are the two I use the most.  I use as thick of elastic as I can that will fit through the bead holes so my bracelet is strong.
Beadalon Elasticity in size .8mm for smaller holed beadsWe all know no two beads are alike so check all your beads to the diameter of Elasticity before stringing.
How to make an elastic braceletThank the Lord for bead boards.  I use Beadalon’s version with the case so it stays nice and clean plus it travels well (from my studio to my lazy girl chair or even in a suitcase).  Lay out your beads and charms on the outer row.  This one is in inches so you can see how long your bracelet will be.  Start stringing…How to tie beading elasticWhen you’re happy with the bracelet, check the back of the Elasticity package for how to tie a secure knot.  It’s helpful to slide the knot towards the beads and then pull the tails apart to cinch the knot even more.
How to make an elastic bracelet, seal the knot with nail polish so it stays tightSecure the knot with a touch of clear nail polish.  Leave to dry, give it one last tug and then trim the ends leaving little tails.
Charm Bracelet tutorial on Candie Cooper's Blog
Charm Bracelets on Candie Cooper's blog with Beadalon jewelry making findingsI’ve been wearing these one at a time and all together with some metal bangles, comfy sweaters, brown boots, and my favorite orange scarf.  Cozy.