How To Make Flat Spiral Stitch Earrings

Here’s an easy project for you. I made the complete set. Necklace, bracelet and earrings.

To get you started… You can make just the earrings.

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Supplies Needed To Make One Pair of Flat Spiral Stitch Earrings

• 11/0 seed beads (black, red, white)
• 4mm black bicone crystals (6 per earring)
• black round glass beads (5 per earring)
• pair of ear wires
• 3mm CLOSED jumprings (2)
• Fireline beading thread
• beading needle size 10 or 12

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Step 1

Cut 1 1/2 yards of Fireline, leaving a 7″ tail. Add a bead stopper. Pick up two (2) round black beads. Drop beads down to the bead stopper.

Step 2

Pick up 6 black seed beads, one 4mm black bicone, 6 red seed beads. Drop these down on top of the two black round beads added in Step 1.

Take thread up through the 2 black round beads. Thread should exit the top one.

Pull tight. This creates the “black/red arch”, working bottom up. Push arch to the left.

Step 3

Pick up 6 black seed beads, one 4mm black bicone, 6 white seed beads. Drop these down on top of the black round beads. Take needle up through the two black round beads. Exit the top one.

This completes one complete arch. Black/red on the left. Black/white on the right.

Step 4

Add one black round bead. Slide it down to rest on top of your beadwork.

Step 5

Pick up 6 black seed beads, one 4mm black bicone, 6 red seed beads. Drop these beads down on top of the black round bead you added in Step 4. Take needle up through the 2nd from bottom round black bead PLUS the one just added.

Pull tight. Push “black/red arch” to the left. Thread should exit the top black round bead.

Step 6

Pick up 6 black seed beads, one 4mm black bicone, 6 white seed beads. Repeat the same steps as used for the black/red arch.

Now you should have two complete arches done.

Step 7

Repeat Steps 4, 5 and 6 once more to add the 3rd complete arch. Start by adding one black round bead. Slide down.

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That completes the arches. Your beadwork should now look like this. Make sure the black/red is on the left and black/white is on the right. Pull tight.

OK, now ready for the last step.

Step 8

Pick up two (2) black seed beads, one black round bead, one black seed bead, one 3mm CLOSED jumpring. Drop down.

In reverse order. Go around the closed jump ring. And down through seed bead, round black bead, two seed beads. Continue down through the center of ALL black round beads. Exit bottom round bead.

Make your way back up the center of the black round beads. Back up to the top to loop around the closed jump ring. To secure it. Do this a couple times. Pull thread tight. Do the same with the tail thread. Bury it up the center. Cut thread. Add ear wire.

And done!! Now create the 2nd earring.

Enjoy!!

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Here’s the necklace and bracelet.

Siam Bracelet: 2 Row Flat Spiral Stitch

Well, you knew I would try it, right?

Two rows of flat spiral stitch.

Not bad after getting started.

Supplies used:

• 6mm Swarovski crystals in Siam
• 8/0 seed beads in Siam
• 11/0 seed beads in Siam
• Sterling silver multi-strand clasp (center)
• Fireline beading thread

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I made the first row just as I made the multi-color crystal bracelet I told you about. When I got to the 2nd row, needed a bit of help. So watched a You Tube video. Auntie’s Beads again.

Adding the clasp was easy.

If you make this, make sure you start the 2nd row on the RIGHT END. I was three core beads in when I realized I hadn’t done so. The two beginning beads create a distinctive pattern. Line “those” up on both rows.

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Here’s the You Tube video from Auntie’s Beads.

More Photos Of The Crystal Set

I took a few more pictures of my crystal set.

The Whole Set.

Sideview of the earrings.

Another angle of the ring.

Also here are the crystals for the next Flat Spiral bracelet I am making.

Well, that’s it. Just photos.

Finally Finished With Beaded Pillow Beads

OMG!! What a project.

But I was determined to see it through to the end. These little beaded beads really were a challenge. Each one took 30 minutes to make when I first started. Near the end, I was able to reduce that time by half.

I made almost 80 of them. Can you believe that!!

• 40 for the necklace
• 22 for the bracelet
• 12 for 3 pairs of earrings
• two I ended up not needing

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Remember me showing you this picture? I decided to go a different direction.

Went with a stacked look instead of stringing them lengthwise.

To bring out the fuchsia color of the seed beads, I added Swarovski Cosmic crystals. Also used fuchsia crystal connectors with the clasp. Toggle bar has little crystals on the tips. Can you see them?

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Earrings were easy to make. I made three pairs. I only have pictures of two. Forgot to take photo of the 3rd pair. They are similar to this first photo. (OH!! I do have a picture of the third pair. Look up top at the first photo.)

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And lastly. The BRACELET. Sigh. 😦

Trying to find a clasp which didn’t add several inches to the length was so frustrating. I tried about five different styles. Going from a high up bead to a low flat clasp just didn’t work. It looked off balanced. So I ended up making my own clasp from seed beads and a Swarovski Cosmic crystal.

Here’s how I created it.

I cut a 36″ length of no.12 stringing wire. Strung seed beads in the center of the wire and went through the crimp, bicone, beaded beads and green glass beads. (See photos)

On the opposite end, I continued with the wire through bicone, crimp and seed beads. Then crossed over the wires through the Cosmic crystal and then back down through everything.

So… the tip of the day is this. When you can’t find a clasp you really love, make your own.

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Pattern for the beaded pillow beads can be found in More Seed Beads Stitching by Beth Stone.

How To Make A 20 Strand Seed Bead Bracelet

Saturday, October 4

Usually I make jewelry with just one strand but wanted to experiment with multi-strands since the challenge is how to end up with one or two strands when connecting the clasp. After several false starts I do believe I have figured out a way to make this work.

Follow along with my tutorial and try making one yourself. Except for the stringing time, it is really easy to make.

Supplies needed to make a 20 strand bracelet with seed beads. 

• 11/0 seed beads (2 or 3 colors)
• two 8mm round crystals
• bracelet clasp (your choice)
• size 12 stringing wire
• 2 silver beads (for accent on the ends) 
• 2 large hole spacer beads to cover the multi-strand wires
• 2 large crimps size 4 (opening large enough for 20 wires)
• 4 medium crimps size 3 (opening large enough for 10 wires)
• 2 regular size crimps (for clasp ends)

Tools needed:  Alligator clips, chain nose pliers, wire cutter, crimper

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE 20 STRAND BRACELET

Step 1.  Cut 22 lengths of wire 14 inches each. (Set 2 lengths aside. Will be used to connect clasp.)

Step 2.  String 5 inches of 11/0 seed beads on each of the 20 lengths of wire. String some with mixed colors and some solid. Mix up for a colorful look.  Use alligator clips on both ends to hold beads in place.

Step 3.  Make sure exposed wire is even on both ends with the 5 inches of seed beads in the center. Measure carefully. Check each strand.

Step 4.  Arrange strands with the colors in the order you wish. Mix up so you don’t have all one color on one side unless of course that is how you want them.

Step 5.  Remove alligator clips on the left side and carefully insert all 20 strands of wire into the LARGE size 4 crimp.  Pull tight on each wire so crimp touches seed beads. 

Step 6.  Flatten the large size 4 crimp which is holding all 20 wires, with chain nose pliers. 

Step 7.   Separate into 2 sets of 10 wires.  Slide one size 3 crimp onto one set of 10 wires. Slide the other size 3 crimp onto the second set of 10 wires. These will sit right on top of the larger flattened crimp. See photo.

Step 8.  Flatten the two size 3 crimps with chain nose pliers. Make sure to flatten really tight.

Step 9.  Cut off excess wire. See photo showing how much I cut off.

Step 10.  Take one of the 14″ lengths of wire set aside from Step 1 and loop it under the strands of beads and up over the crimped/cut wires.  See photo. 

Step 11.  String through Large Hole Spacer Bead, 8mm Round Crystal, 5mm Silver Bead, Regular Size Crimp and one end of Toggle.  Loop wire over the toggle and downward through crimp, silver bead, crystal and large hole spacer bead.  Wire should exit the underside of the large hole spacer bead. Pull tight so crystal is tight against the large hole spacer bead.

Step 12.  Crimp the crimp once you have everything the way you want it. DON’T cut the wires yet.

Step 13.  Repeat Steps 5 through 12 for the right side of the bracelet.  Braid, weave or mix up the strands however you wish before adding the Large Size 4 Crimp. See photos for how I did mine.

Step 14. Once you are satisfied with the tightness of the wires connecting the toggle, ok to cut the excess wires on the toggle ends.

You are now finished and ready to wear your 20 strand bracelet. Enjoy!!

Note: These instructions will make a 7 1/2-8 inch finished bracelet, after adding the clasp. Add additional seed beads to make bracelet longer. Of course, increase wire length accordingly.

I am always looking for tips and tricks. If you know of a better technique to “reduce” the wires down to one before adding the toggle, please post a comment. Thanks!!

How To Make Earrings From Daisy Spacers and Crystals

30 minutes? Maybe 40 minutes. For sure these earrings are fast and easy to make, you will want to make several pairs.

Think gifts. All those people on your To-Buy-For-The-Holidays List. You can make a few pairs of these earrings and get to crossing off some names.

You only need tiny daisy spacers and a few crystals. Even regular beads as a substitute for the crystals would work. Experiment and change up the design to make it your own.

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Supplies Needed To Make One Pair Of Earrings

• (72) tiny 4mm silver plated daisy spacers
• (2) 8mm round crystals
• (10) 4mm bicone crystals
• (4) 2mm round silver beads
• (2) CLOSED 3mm jump rings
• (2) crimps & crimp covers
• pair of earring hooks
• stringing wire, size 12 

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Step 1

Cut a length of stringing wire about 15″. (Make sure the wire when doubled will fit back through the 2mm bead and the crimp.) Put a bead stopper on one wire end or use an alligator clip like I used in the photo above.

Find the wire center and string in this order. Two 4mm bicone crystals, two tiny silver daisy spacers, one 8mm round crystal, two tiny silver daisy spacers and two 4mm bicone crystals. The larger crystal should be in the center.  The exposed wire on both sides should be even.    

Step 2

String 16 tiny silver daisy spacers on one side of the 4mm bicones. Add a bead stopper or alligator clip to mark the center.

Now add 16 tiny silver daisy spacers on the other end of the wire next to the other two 4mm bicones.

Step 3

Take the right wire end and going left, string through crystals, spacers, large crystal, spacers, crystals and spacers. You should be completely around the left side and back to the middle where the clip is (bottom left) in the above photo.

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Your wires should look like this.

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Gently pull each wire end, easing them close together.

Step 4

Add one 2mm silver round bead to each wire end. Push down close to the daisy spacers. You want very little wire showing.

Now string in this order to BOTH WIRES. One 4mm bicone crystal, one crimp, one 3mm jump ring.

Loop both wires OVER the tiny jump ring and DOWN through the crimp and 4mm bicone.

Step 5

Slowly ease everything down the wire so you end up close to the two 2mm silver round beads. Keep the wire ends even as you push everything down. Tighten each wire end. BOTH wires should exit the underside of the TOP 4mm bicone crystal.

Look over your earring. If you are satisfied, go ahead and crimp the crimp bead. After crimping, give the jump ring a slight tug to make sure it is secure and the wire does not pull out.

Step 6

Open the loop on the fish hook and attach it to the jump ring.

You are almost finished. A few more things to do. You need to add a crimp cover. Position it carefully around the crimped bead. Make sure it is on straight and covers the crimped bead completely. Close up the crimp cover and trim off the excess wire.

Now you are ready to start on the second earring. 😀

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Here are pictures of a set I made with Siam crystals. Earrings and matching ring. The base of the ring was made with sterling silver. I wirewrapped the wire on the sides right above the daisy spacers.

My First Wirewrapped Rings

Monday, July 21

My class went well yesterday. I surprised myself by being able to follow along and not fall behind the other students like I normally do. I tend to want to SEE how something turns out before I pick up my tools. And in this case… I wanted to be safe and not sorry and not make a mess of sterling silver. BUT I have been practicing with wire all month so as the instructor said to do something, I did it!!

The supply packets were already made up but I got to pick out the crystal color for the ring center. I chose Jet Black. The other ladies selected pink, topaz and olive. There were 4 of us. Only 4 students allowed per class which is good. It allows for more personalized instruction and encourages a relaxed, slower paced, conversational atmosphere.

The only requirement for taking this class was a beginner’s wire working class. I took that last year but didn’t sign up for any others since that class was a hand killer!! I must be regaining some of the strength in my hands since I had no major issues yesterday handling the tools.

I used a pen vice and a hemostat for the first time. Felt like I could have replaced Pam Anderson on Tool Time. I’m the new Mrs. Tool Time. Just need a leather holster for all my new goodies. Which BTW are starting to accumulate. Pretty soon I will need a tool box like hubby.

Here is the ring I made in class from Swarovski crystals and sterling silver. The Black One. (The others I made last night and this morning.)

It has 2 silver bead caps, one 8mm round crystal and two 4mm bicone crystals. Used 22 gauge square soft and 20 gauge 1/2 round 1/2 hard sterling silver wire. 22 gauge to build the ring, the shank. 20 gauge to wrap the bottom of the ring.

I made several more rings in Indicolite (aqua) and Siam (dark red) and have another one in Olivine (lime) started. The red one, made with silver spacers, has a sterling silver base and then I wrapped the ends on both sides above the spacers. The olive one will be made the same. I just need to transfer from pretend wire to SS.

Afraid no longer of Sterling Silver. Yippee!! Break out the champagne!!

Bracelet To Go With Onyx & Gold Earrings

Wednesday, July 16

Finished this bracelet yesterday. I LOVE it!! Hubby loves it!! He has asked that I keep this set, including the earrings.

I used the same supplies as I used to make the earrings with two exceptions. I added bead caps to a couple of the Onyx beads. Just to change the look a bit and not have all of them the same. And I added a few daisy spacers when wirewrapping the flat oval Jasper beads. Again, to add variety.

Bracelet measures 8″ and has a gold plated lobster claw clasp.

A perfect match to the earrings.

Dangling Earrings in Onyx and Gold; Hearts & Crystals

Tuesday, July 15

Wirewrapping IS getting easier. I don’t even dread it anymore. Though it takes longer to make, you can go off in many directions as you can see from the earrings I made last night.

 

Dangles with two tiers of gemstones plus crystal charms using links of chain and jump rings. 

I rarely make earrings so I surprised myself in making them FIRST. When I do make earrings it is usually because I have beads leftover, just enough to make a pair. But this time, I had an idea for a dramatic pair and kept changing, rearranging the pieces until it matched the image in my head.

Now, I have to work on the bracelet. The base is finished. Next I will wirewrap the beads and then decide if I want a full look or sparsely filled look. I would like for the bracelet to match the fullness of the earrings if I have enough pieces.

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Supplies used in this project:

• Chain link coils, gold plated
• Black Onyx beads, oval shape
• Jasper beads, flat oval shape and smaller round ones
• Topaz Crystal Dual Channel Connector, gold plated
• Jet Crystal Hearts, gold plated
• Jet Crystal Round Channels, gold plated
• 3mm gold filled round beads
• Jump rings, gold plated, 6mm, 18 ga and 4mm, 21 ga
• Fish hooks, gold plated
• Headpins, 3″, 21 ga, gold plated

Cuff Bracelet and Ohhh My Aching Hands

Tuesday, June 24

Here is my cuff bracelet I made in Monday’s class.

This is my second bracelet made from sterling silver. My first was back in December 2007. The design for that one was diamond shaped with large crystals.

I don’t know if I am cut out for this but I wanted to try it again. My hands ached then and my hands ache now. All that wire straightening, bending, pulling and wrapping. I am going to have to figure out a way to lessen the wear and tear on my hands. Maybe wear gloves.

In class, I had a choice of either the turquoise and bronze above or a mix of bright colors. The sample bracelet used turquoise beads, bronze pearls and 4mm bicone crystals in turquoise and topaz. So I used it as my guide while making mine.

Two different gauges of sterling silver wire were used. 16 ga for the base and 24 ga for wire wrapping.

First, the base was made from 16″ 16 gauge wire. Straightened, bent, cut and shaped to fit my wrist. Then cut ends were wrapped with 24 gauge wire. Next, beads, pearls and crystals were added. Inside base space only allowed for 3 sometimes 4 pieces. I had to constantly be aware of the “shape” of the base and not pull too tight when wrapping or the center would pull in and distort the bracelet frame. I am thinking of inserting a piece of wood next time to maintain the shape.

Finished bracelet measures 6 3/4″ length and 5/8″ width. 101 beads, pearls and crystals were used. It weighs 8 oz.

I am somewhat pleased with the outcome though I do not like how the wire overlaps where the base wire ends connect. I need to work on ways to disguise that area better. If you look closely, it looks kind of messy. (So.. don’t look too closely. 😀 )

July will be the month for me to work on my wireworking skills. I am switching Embroidery Month with Wireworking Month. I will probably take a few more classes to help me get started.