Red Crystal Necklaces

Here are two pieces I made from Red Crystals. For that you need:

Red Crystals

Gold plated discs

Gold plated nuts( small thin discs)

Clasps (I have used chain and hook type)

Pendant

String or wire

These crystals are sold string wise either 60 or 100 per string and cost depends on this. This is smallest size and known as cut crystals as the surface has many facets. The light falling on these facets is reflected and gives it a shine. The difference between these crystals and ordinary (uncut ones) is that these look more like made of some precious stones due to their shiny surfaces. There also bigger ones and also transparent and opaque. These are available in rainbow colours. So choose according to your taste and colour preference.

The first one is very simple and does not have any pendant.

I have first stringed a gold disc then red crystal again gold disc so on till I finished with the crystals. Then I have finished off by adding the clasp.

You can add the discs one for every two or three or five beads or more than one gold disc between the beads depending on your taste and choice. it is better to string in a few crystals and gold discs in different combinations to see which one you like and then finally go for the design. You can also use gold beads, stone studded discs or beads according to your choice. 

The second one I have added a simple pendant. Also I have used gold plated nuts between the beads. Near the pendant and in between I used five discs to give it a bit of rich look. Then I finished it off with adding the clasp.

Both these designs I have kept simple so that it can be worn daily or even to work. So try it out...

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Quilled Shapes-6

V Scroll

                       V Scroll

Take a strip of paper and mark the center point. Fold the strip at that point and crease it firmly so that it stays folded. 

Now roll one end (Right side) of the paper clock wise and the other end (Left side) anti-clock wise till you reach the mid point.  That is both the ends should be rolled outwards. Ease off the roll and let it settled down. Pinch the center of the strip once again and adjust the "V" shape.

Quilled Shapes-5

S-Scroll

                             S-Scroll

Take a strip of paper and mark the center with a light pencil mark. Now insert one end of the paper into the slot of the tool or around the tooth pick and roll till you are a little away from the center. Ease of the coil to the work surface and let it settled down to a loose coil.

Now turn (flip) the strip to the other side (reverse) and then roll the other end similarly till you reach a little away from the center. Ease of and let it settled down.

Both the coils should be rolled in the same direction. The size of the coils can be same or  different. Arrange the strip in the shape of "S" and glue it to the base paper or card. since I have not glued mine, the shape of S is not perfect.

Watch out for more tutorials on basics of quilling....

Quilled Shapes-4

C-Scroll

                C-Scroll

Take a strip of paper and identify the mid point. No need to fold. Roll one end clock wise till you reach a little distance from mid point. Ease it off the tool and let it set itself. 

Similarly roll the other end anti clock wise till it touches the first coil. That is both rolls should be towards inside and touching each other. Now ease it off to the work surface. 

Both the rolls should be of the same size. They will be loose and form a "C" shaped curve .

Practise this with shorter lengths of paper first till you get it right. 

More to come...keep a watch on my blog......

Quilled Shapes-3

Open Coil or Scroll

Open Coil or Scrolls are left loose and not glued like the closed coils. Many shapes can be formed in scrolls. These are used for making letters or other designs. They give a delicate appearance to the design.


We will see the shapes one by one. The first is simple scroll.

            Open Coil or Scroll

Just roll a strip using the quilling tool or tooth pick. Remove it from the tool and let it fall onto your work surface. The roll will loosen up. Don't glue the end. This is the simplest form of the scroll. There are other shapes which I am going to post one by one.


So keep a watch on my blog.....

Quilled Shapes-2

Loose Coil

In the previous post we have learnt about "Tight Coil". Now we will learn about "Loose Coil". Both belong to "Closed Coils".

Roll the paper strip as explained earlier. While rolling, hold the paper a bit loosely. To make loose coil, after rolling the entire strip, gently ease it off the quilling tool or tooth pick and drop into the circle templates, to make circle of your choice.

If you don't have one, while rolling itself lessen the tension on the paper. That is don't pull it too tightly while rolling. Once rolled gently ease it off to let it fall on to your work surface. The coil will expand or loosen itself. Adjust the roll with a toothpick to get the size and coil of your choice then glue the end. 

                LOOSE COIL

This is known as "Loose Coil" or "Loose Roll".

Watch out for my next lesson......

Quilled Shapes-1

Tight Coil

Quilling is an art of rolling paper strips. The Designs are made out of rolled paper. So the most basic shape is the "Coil" or the "Roll". All the other shapes are created by pinching these coils.

Now we will see how to roll the paper. If you have the quilling needle you can use it or else you can use a tooth pick or a big strong needle(or knitting needle).

When using the quilling tool, hold the tool in your right hand (or left if you are a left hander) and paper strip in your left hand. You should hold the plastic handle firmly. 

Now insert the paper through the slit in the needle, so that a small bit of the paper comes out. Now with your index finger hold the protruding end, by pressing it on to the needle. Roll it once by rotating the needle towards the left hand. While doing this the paper strip held by your left hand should be held a bit tightly. But not so tightly that it may tear off.

                Using Quilling tool

Now keep on rotating the needle again and again till all the strip is completed.

If you are using a tooth pick or a needle, hold it in your right hand and the paper strip in your left hand. Just roll one end of the paper on the pointed end and keep rolling the paper . The rest is all same.

When you reach the end, smear a bit of glue on the edge of the paper and stick it to the coil. Hold it for a few seconds before gently easing it off the tool to get your coil. Or you can turn the tool upside down, ease off the coil and then glue it. This is known as "Tight Coil", "Tight Roll" or "Peg Shape" .

                    Tight Coil

Keep in mind the following things:

• While rolling the strip around the needle, see that the paper is being rolled evenly.
• After every few rolls pull the strip of paper (held in your left hand) a bit tightly so that you get a tight coil.

See even my rolls are not perfect. I need more practise. As they say practise makes a man perfect...So keep practising...

Watch out for more tutorials....

Learn With Me -Quilling

Basics

I want to share with you my experiments and experiences with Quilling Craft. I want to share with you the techniques, designs patterns and how I did them. I will post tutorials, links and my creations.

So come Learn With Me Quilling.....

A Little about Quilling:

Quilling- is the art of rolling strips of paper, shaping, sticking together and on some back ground. In case of 3D shapes no back ground is used.

Since the Quill or feather was used for rolling the paper strips, this art got its name Quilling.

There is lot of uncertainty as to the origin of Quilling or Paper Filigree as also known as. Some say the French and Italian nuns and monks used this art. Some say this is an old art form and originated after the invention of paper and hence may be in China. 

Metal filigree-filigree in gold, silver etc was much in vogue since ancient times in making of jewellery and other things. This was and still is popular in India where we have silver nd other filigree works. But this was restricted to rich and royal because of its cost. Subsequently filigree in other metals like iron etc came into existence. So some believe that paper was used as an inexpensive material for creating filigree items and this became popular as Quilling Craft.

During the 18th century quilling was popular with elite European ladies and from there it spread to America. Furniture, purses etc were decorated with quilling. But it lost its popularity over a period of time. 

Any way today this craft has become popular across the world and there have been changes in the art form, materials and styles/techniques used. At present dimensional or 3D quilling is also popular.

Materials Required:

Paper: Quilling paper is (acid free) available in solid colours, two toned, graduated etc. solid means one colour through out, two toned is solid colour one side and a softer shade on the other side and graduated means the colour starts with darker shade and slowly fades away into lighter shade or white. Apart from this today we have metallic and jewel shades too.

We can get sheets and cut into desired width. But it is better to buy the strips available in the market. These are available in 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 8mm and 10mm strips in Indian markets. They are available in bunches(packs) of single colours or rainbow colours.

Quilling Tool: This is of two types, needle type and one with a slot. Both have handles made of plastic for easy holding. The slot type has a small slit in the needle through which the paper is passed. This helps to grip the paper strip and thus easy to roll. One can always use a tooth picks, pins or hat pins etc too for rolling.

Quilling Circle Template Board: This is an useful tool for creating rolls or circles of various sizes. This is available in many sizes.

Quilling Comb: Is useful for some techniques. But one can manage using ordinary hair comb or pins too.

Pins: long pins with pearl or bead head are ideal for holding the work in place while coiling or making the desired shape.

Scissors: Small one with sharp point is good. Use any simple scissors used for paper cutting or in crafts.

Tweezers: Quilling tweezers with pointed or fine tips are useful in handling small rolls or when working on rolls, soils etc.

Ruler: This comes in handy for measuring.

Glue: Any craft glue is enough.

Crimper, Fringer are other tools which come in handy while creating designs. Crimper helps in crimping the paper strips where as fringer helps in cutting the fringes.

But the basic tools required are paper strips, needle or toothpick, pins, scissors and glue to start with.

    My tools

  Quilling Papers

In the next post we will learn the basic shapes and how to make them...So keep an eye on my blog...

Learn With Me- Making of Necklace-3

I did not post much on making of jewellery. I have made many and gifted to my friends and relatives. I have lots of friends and relatives with Birthdays in September and October -Virgos and Librans.  :) :) :).... Well they appreciated a lot and when told them I made it and asked for their critical comments. But they assured me my jewellery was very good and looking like as if made by a professional.

Any way I have a long way to go. I am only trying out simple things. But I have lots of ideas on complicated designs too. I am also making bangles, ear rings, bracelets, anklets etc. to go with them. I will be posting tutorials in my coming posts.

The problem is many a time I have to make them at a very short notice- like some one's birthday engagement or some occasion and in all my hurry I forget to photo graph them. Well I will be making many more.

Here it is


Required:


Red beads
Gold (Matte finished) beads
String or wire
Clasp
Pendant set


Before Starting...


The Red beads are I think Garnet- not of very costly variety. I am not so sure because I have bought some different types in red colour and I am not too familiar with the names yet. I have used 24 on one side-total of 48 numbers.


Gold beads which I have used in between the beads are available in various sizes and varieties; mostly round or somewhat oval. They are available in plain, matte finish, cutting designs etc. In this necklace I have used matte finish. They do look dull but then they are in now. I have used 25 on one side- a total of 50 beads.


The pendant is pomegranate shaped with seed beads and matching ear rings. I have posted about it in my last post. I chose this because the white of the beds stands out in contrast to the red beads. It also has matching red beads dangling at the bottom both for the pendant and the ear rings.


I have used 0.45 mm wire. You can use any string that will hold the weight. Strictly speaking using same coloured silk thread is most prevalent practise.


Method:

• Decide the length of the necklace you want and cut the string accordingly after allowing an extra five inches or so for attaching the clasp. I prefer to string the beads first without cutting the wire or string. This way we can cut off the required length after attaching the clasp without any wastage. 
• The length of my necklace is 27 inches in total. 28 inches is considered to be ideal.
• First string in a gold bead then red coloured bead followed by a gold bead and so on...till we reach half way through.
• Then string in the pendant. Actually the hook of the pendant was too big. So I had wind the wire (to the back side of the hook) to keep it place, or else it would slide along the beads.
• Now string in the rest of the beads and attach the clasp.

Here it is.

This red coloured beads are very popular here. It goes well with many a silk sari-white, yellow, green as contrast and matches maroon shade saris.  But these days contrast coloured beads and jewellery are much in preference than matching ones. Red colour signifies, auspiciousness, prosperity. So Indians prefer red coloured saris or jewellery. 

I have used a very simple design. But one can use more gold beads. Similarly, I have used both gold and red beads of the same size. Actually both are available in different sizes and shapes too. Red beads are of different shades too. Suitable pendants can also be used-made of gold (polished if not of real gold), pearls, kundan, meenakari, glass, fibre etc-either contrasting coloured ones or matching ones.  

Hope you like it.

Learn With Me-Making of Necklace-2

Blue and Gold Metallic Beads

Friends, I have been extensively scouring the jewellery market-not the precious metals or gems kind -latest in fashion like beads, crystals etc. which are less expensive but more in vogue. With the prices of gold and silver increasing day by day, these beads have gained popularity. Moreover, since these are stringed they can be redone in a different design if one gets bored by the present one.

My visits to these market is enabling me in absorbing the new trends and fashions. I have realised so much can be learnt just by watching other customers, shopkeepers..and so on. Especially when I meet the designers, whether young and up coming, amateurs or even professionals who visit these bazaars I realise that I can learn so much. I love to watch what they are buying, strike up a conversation with them about the latest fashions. I have learnt about the types and varieties of raw material being used in making of this kind of jewellery, right colour combinations and much more.

Any way here is my second project:

Required:

Metallic beads 50 numbers

Gold coloured metallic beads  51 numbers

Wire or String

Clasp

Method:


These metallic Beads are available in three or four colours all pastel-as a pack of 25. I bought two packs of Blue colour. Gold beads which I have used in between the beads are available in various sizes and varieties; mostly round or somewhat oval. They are available in plain, matte finish, cutting designs etc. 

• Decide the length of the necklace you want and cut the string accordingly after allowing an extra five inches or so for attaching the clasp. I prefer to string the beads first without cutting the wire or string. This way we can cut off the required length after attaching the clasp without any wastage.
• The length of my necklace is just enough to circle my neck. that is I have not made a long chain.
• First string in a gold bead then metallic coloured bead followed by a gold bead and so on...till all the beads are finished off.
• Join the clasp on both the ends by securing the string/wire tightly .
• I have not used any pendant as I could not find any matching or complementing the blue beads. You can add a pendant.

Here are the pictures...

Blue Metallic beads

Gold Beads. You can see the cut design on them. The cutting on these beads reflects light and makes them appear more shiny than the plain ones.

This is how I string cutting the string only in the end.

This is the finished product.


How do you like it? Isn't this easy? 


This is not only easy to make but less costly as compared to those which we buy ready made. This also allows us to create the way we want it and also gives us immense satisfaction of wearing our own creations.

Learn With Me -Making of Necklace

Friends I have been bitten by this bug-Jewellery making. :) :) 

This is the  first time I am trying my hand at making some....

Here is the first  attempt....

Its very simple one, as I dont have any experience or fancy tools with me...I used what I could find in my brother's tool kit. Here is how to make it:

Required:

White metallic bead studded with white stones :

Big size     -1 (one)

Medium sized  -  40 numbers

Gold coloured buttons studded with stones- small size -43 numbers

Silver coloured square bits studded with white stones smallest size-2 numbers

0.45mm wire of sufficient length

Clasp-one

Pliers

Method:

These are the ball shaped beads made of white metal and studded with white stones. I chose one big one for the center and forty small ones twenty on each side.

These beads have holes like this.

Then I selected some gold plated buttons (I don't know what to call them) which are studded with small white stones on the sides. 

These are white metallic squares with stones studded on its side.

This is the gold plated clasp-or rather hook and rings.

• First string a gold button then a small silver bead
• String twenty silver beads with a gold button after every silver bead 
• Now string  one silver square
• Now string the big silver bead followed by the silver square and the gold button
• String the remaining twenty small silver beads followed bye a  gold button
• Now pass the string into last one of the rings on one side of the clasp. Wind it to the ring four five times pulling tightly. Now bring the wire down (just after the last gold button) and wind tightly around the re two three times .
• now hold up the string on the other side so that all the beads come to the side where you have wounded it to the clasp. See that there is no gap left any where in between
• Now pass this side of the string through the ring on the other side of the clasp and wind it once pulling it tightly so that there is no space left between the beads and the ring. Wind it three four times. Bring it down and wind it to the string (holding the beads) two or three times pulling very tightly
• Cut off the extra string on both sides of the clasp as nearest as you can and slightly press the ends with pliers so that they don't pierce when you are handling them or wearing them
• You can also use an ordinary cotton thread that can hold the weight of the beads or nylon thread or fishing wire. I am surprised that fishing wire is available in various sizes and colours.

The end product looks like this. Oh I just placed them in heart shape that's all. Sorry friends I could not photograph them well. Try as I might, the reflection from the stones made it difficult to capture them clearly. This I feel is simple but elegant without being loud. The length is just enough to loosely circle the throat. You can adjust it according to your choice.

The White beads are available in three sizes. The big one I used in the center and the medium ones I used for the rest of the necklace. A smaller size is also available. Also these ones are available in multi coloured stones studded in silver or gold coloured metal. 

Similarly the gold buttons and the silver buttons are available in round and square shapes and different sizes but studded with white stones. I have not found any with multi coloured stones.

All these beads are a bit costly but worth it for party wear specially with a black dress..

Friends hope you like this. I will post more . The latest in fashion in jewelery .......Keep a watch on my blog.