Saturday, July 24, 2010

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.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

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.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My Stash-Sea shell Embellishments

This post is in response to the comment from Iniyaal-

These are the embellishments made from sea shells. You can see the heart shaped, petal shaped and also coloured ones. Apart from these they are available in many shapes like flowers, circles, oblong, square etc. and also in different sizes. I have not tested the colour fastness of the coloured ones.


Unfortunately some more of these I had, I gave away and I don't have any pictures of them or any pieces left with me now..
These are breakable so one has to be careful in handling them especially while washing if embroidered onto fabrics.

The ones below are fish shaped. 
You can see the holes in the above shapes. They can be tacked to the fabrics with a thread through them and beads, kundans, etc. can be used to enhance the beauty of the design.

These are available in the shops selling embroidery materials. Hope you do find them Iniyaal... and hope this post was helpful to you....