Wire wrapped beads

I just made these wire wrapped bead earrings for my sister to match the bracelet I made her (in the post below). I made them by creating two coils with the wire and then wrapping this around the bead. You can also do this using marbles, although I think it would be harder to keep them in place. You'd have to work out the exact length of wire needed. Anyway, I'm really pleased with these as a first attempt so will be trying this out again.

Bead threading and a coil hook fastener

Experimenting with the Daisy Chain beadweaving technique. You can make this using thread and a needle.

Earrings made using the Daisy Chain beadweaving technique. I made the daisies using very thing wire and then attached them to silver plated earwires.

This is an attempt at a single St. Petersburg chain, using beads and wire. You're meant to use thread, which I discovered is necessary when the wire snapped part way through! This style of chain is from Russia and is becoming more popular around the world.

A bracelet I made for my sister. I have made and added a coil hook fastener instead of using an already made t-bar fastener like the ones in the first bracelets I made. I think it looks more interesting.

The coil hook fastener

Bead rings

Filled wire heart and bracelet using closed loops

 I made this heart by creating the shape free-form but you can also buy something called a jig, which you put pegs in and wrap the wire round them to make shapes. This came out a bit big so I think it looks best as a decoration but you can make pendants and brooches like this.

 I made this bracelet to practice creating closed loops. Closed loops are the loops either side of the beads. You can create them using round nosed and chain nosed pliers. I've found it hard creating loops the same size but I guess you get there with practice!

Some more bits and bobs

Here is some more jewellery I've made recently. I hope you like them.

A starry bracelet

I received all the beads and things I ordered today so was very excited to get home and try making something new. I love the star shaped beads and am very proud of myself for managing to make this bracelet. It took me about 2 hours and was inspired by this project for a retro necklace and bracelet that I found on Beads Unlimited: http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/projects/retro-style-necklace-bracelet/61

I''m amazed I've just created something I will actually wear!

Experimenting

I've been experimenting by trying to see what sorts of things I can do by adapting the cocktail ring making method. These are made using 1mm wire. The bracelet will remain unfinished as it was difficult to get the wire to bend into the correct size, so I chopped some off to try and create a bracelet that you push onto your wrist and it ended up being a bit messy.

I've been limited by the beads and material available to me but have just bought lots of different coloured beads and jewellery findings from two good online shops: http://www.beadsdirect.co.uk/ and http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/ These have all sorts of materials for jewellery making as well as example projects you can try. I'm particularly excited about making a necklace and bracelet from these Italian Millefiori beads and glass lamp beads:

My first ring!

Today my purple sparkly jewellery pliers arrived:

I also ordered some sliver plated beading wire, Japanese Miyuki lavender fringe beads and Czech glass cream pearl beads. I'd been waiting for these in order to have a go at making a Cocktail ring: http://www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk/projects-make-cocktail-rings/ 

These are some pictures of the ring I made. It was much harder to make than it looks, possibly because my beading wire was slightly thicker than that suggested. Some of the beads are a little loose and I'm not very happy with the roundness of the ring (it's a little bent) but I am pleased with it as a first attempt.

My New Year's resolution

My New Year's resolution (well one of them) is to be more creative, so I've decided to take up jewellery making. I intend to write a blog of all my jewellery making efforts in an attempt to ensure I stick at my new hobby. I also hope you will enjoy looking at my creations and will welcome any comments on what you like/dislike about them.