Laura's Rondelle and Pearl Earrings

1. Cut a 25cm length of stringing wire and thread on beads in the following order: 1 pearl, 1 rondelle, 1 pearl, 1 rondelle, 1 pearl, 1 rondelle and finally; 1 pearl. Position the beads in the centre of the wire.

2. Slip a crimp bead over both ends of the stringing wire and position approximately 2.5cm away from the beads (Fig. 1).

3. Take the loose, right hand side of the cord and gently slide it back through the crimp, creating another smaller teardrop loop (Fig. 2).

4. Once satisfied with the placement of the crimp, squeeze it closed with a pair of pliers, and carefully trim off the excess beading wire. Close a sparkle crimp cover carefully over the top of the crimp to hide it (Fig. 3).

5. Cut a 4-link length of chain and attach it to the smaller loop (the one without any beads) with a 4mm jump ring. Attach the other end of the chain directly to the earwire by gently opening the loop at the base of the earwire and slipping it onto the chain.

6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 to make the other earring, ensuring that both look of equal size and shape.

You Will Need

Available as a kit :

Alternatively, you will need:

Blue Tones by Laura Sclanders\n\n

A random pattern bracelet using summery tones of blues.

Featured in the July 2010 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Here's How

1.Cut a length of memory wire 3 loops long using memory wire cutters.
2.Form a loop at one end of the wire using round nose pliers.
3.Thread on 1 large bead then 4 to 5 Miyuki drop beads repeat this pattern using random large beads between the drop bead units until desired length being sure to end with a large bead.
4.Form a loop at the end of the wire with round nose pliers and trim the wire with memory wire cutters.

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Blue Lagoon by Jenny Stevenson

Classic look repetitive pattern memory wire bracelet in tropical shades of blues.

Featured in the July 2010 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Here's How

1.Cut a length of memory wire 2 loops long using memory wire cutters.
2.Form a loop at one end of the wire using round nose pliers.
3.Thread on 1 x oval bead then 5 x Miyuki drop beads repeat pattern until desired length being sure to end with an oval bead.
4.Form a loop at the end of the wire with round nose pliers and trim the wire with memory wire cutters.

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Here's How

Necklace
1. Cut 15, 14cm lengths of black 0.5mm wire. Thread one piece through a heart crystal and wrap the tail end two or three times around the wire at the top of the pendant using flat-nosed pliers. Trim the shorter end with wire cutters. Thread an 8mm emerald bicone, five seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, four seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, four more seed beads, a 4mm black diamond bicone, and a final five seeds above the heart pendant.

2. Form a wrapped loop in the end and trim any excess wire. Create one flat spiral in the end of each remaining section of wire (see How To... for step-by-step instructions), and separate these into pairs. Thread the first couple each with an 8mm capri blue bicone, a seed, one 4mm mocca bicone, a seed, a 4mm topaz bicone, a seed, a 4mm black diamond and another seed bead.

3. For the second pair, add an 8mm emerald bicone, two seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, a seed, a 4mm topaz bicone, a seed, a 4mm black diamond, and two more seeds. Thread an 8mm capri blue bicone, two seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, two seeds, a 4mm black diamond and two seeds onto the third pair.

4. Add an 8mm emerald bicone, three seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, two seeds, a 4mm black diamond and three seeds to the fourth pair and an 8mm capri blue bicone, four seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, two seeds, a 4mm black diamond, and four seeds onto the fifth pair.

5. For the sixth pair, slip on an 8mm emerald bicone, four seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, three seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, three seeds, a 4mm black diamond, and four seeds. To finish the final set, add an 8mm capri blue bicone, five seeds, a 4mm mocca bicone, three seeds, a 4mm topaz bicone, three seeds, a 4mm black diamond, and five more seeds to the last two lengths. Form a wrapped loop at the top of each length.

6. To assemble the necklace, cut a 65cm length of nyloncoated wire and thread a crimp and a wire guardian onto one end. Pass the wire back through the crimp and close using crimping pliers. Trim the tail end and hide the crimp with a cover, securing it into position with flat-nosed pliers. Attach the wire guardian to one end of a toggle clasp using a 5mm jump ring.

7. Thread between 125 and 130 seeds onto the wire followed by a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds and a bead dangle from pair one. Add a 4mm black diamond bicone, another two seeds, then a dangle from pair two. Follow this with a 4mm topaz bicone, two seeds, a dangle from pair three, a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds, and a dangle from pair four.

8. Next add a 4mm black diamond, two seeds, a dangle from pair five, a 4mm topaz bicone, two seeds, a dangle from pair six, a 4mm mocca bicone, two seeds and a dangle from the final pair. Pass on a 4mm black diamond, four seeds and the heart pendant dangle. Mirror the stringing pattern to finish the other side of the necklace.

9. Thread a crimp and wire guardian onto the end of the wire, pass this back through the crimp and close. Trim the tail end and hide the crimp with a cover as before. Attach the guardian to the other half of the toggle clasp with a 5mm jump ring to finish.

Earrings

1. Cut three, 14cm lengths of black 0.5mm wire. Take one section and form a spiral at the end. Thread an 8mm capri blue bicone onto the same piece, make a wrapped loop above the bead and trim any excess wire.

2. Thread a crystal heart onto a second length of wire, make a wrapped loop directly above it, then add on three seed beads, followed by a 4mm topaz bicone and another seven seeds. Make a wrapped loop in the end and trim any excess wire.

3. For the final piece of wire, form a spiral in one end and thread one 8mm emerald bicone and five seed beads above it. Make a wrapped loop as before and trim any excess wire. Attach the three bead dangles to an earwire with a single 5mm jump ring to finish. Repeat to make a pair.

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Vintage Rose Bracelet by Jenny Stevenson\n

Dusky rose freshwater pearls and smoky crystals on a gunmetal chain create a vintage Victoriana style charm bracelet.

May 2010 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Here’s How

1.Cut a length of chain measuring 16cm leaving a large link of the chain at each end.
2.Attach one part of the toggle clasp to each end of the chain using the jump rings.
3.Cut 36 lengths of wire, each 10-12cm long.
4.Using your round nose pliers, form a loop at the tip of the pliers, then holding the loop flat in the chain nose pliers, gently coil the wire round the edge of the loop to form a spiral of 2 - 3 coils.
5.Thread on a bead and then bend the wire at a right angle 3mm above the top of bead. Form a loop at this point using the round nose pliers, and then thread the loop through the first large link on the chain. Wrap the wire down to the bead and trim with your cutters.
6.Repeat steps 4 and 5 for all the beads - there should be 2 beads on each large link, one on each side of the chain.
7.Cut 2 x 20cm lengths of wire.
8.Fold one length of wire in half and twist the wire, holding the fold with a pair of pliers to form an even twist. Form a spiral about 1cm in diameter, and then bend the wire at a right angle 3mm above the spiral. Form a loop at this point using the round nose pliers, and then thread the loop through a large link on the chain, and wrap the wire down to the spiral and trim.
9.Repeat step 8 for the other length of wire.

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Elegant Drops by Jenny Stevenson \n

These clusters of chain with 4mm bicone crystals hung from dainty cones make an elegant pair of earrings which possess a gentle swishing motion.

February 2010 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Here’s how

1 Remove the dangling jump rings from the elasticated bracelet and discard.

2 Cut an 8cm length of wire for each unit 20 Pearl units and 10 8mm Swarovski Crystal units.

3 Thread a bead/pearl on to a length of wire a third of the way along, and bend both sides of the wire around it to form a triangle. Wrap the short length of wire around the longer length. Form a loop directly above the wrapped section and wrap the wire back over the previously wrapped section and trim. Repeat for the rest of the blister pearls and for the 8mm crystals.

4 Cut 4-8 more 8cm lengths of wire to form the 4mm Swarovski spiral units. Using round nose pliers form a spiral using two thirds of the wire, and then bend the wire at a right angle before adding a 4mm crystal and forming a wrapped loop. Repeat for the number of units being created.

5 Attach all units and charms to the elasticated bracelet by opening the jump rings that make up the actual bracelet, and inserting the unit or charm and then closing.

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Burning Leaves Illusion Necklace by Jenny Stevenson

Crystals and glass beads mixed with a Vintaj woodland leaf and bronze beading wire give this illusion necklace a warm autumnal feel.

October 2009 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Here's How

1. Secure a crimp on one strand of the beading wire about a centimetre from the centre.

2. Thread on a 1.8mm cube bead, a glass bead, another 1.8mm cube bead, and secure with a crimp; leave a 2cm gap and add another crimp, a 4mm bicone and a crimp; leave a 3cm gap and add a crimp, 1.8mm cube, glass bead, 1.8mm cube and crimp; leave a 3-4cm gap and add a crimp, a 4mm bicone and a further crimp.

3. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the beading wire leaving the same size gaps between the beads. Repeat on the 2 other wires altering the starting bead to a 4mm bicone on one strand and to the other colour glass beads on the other.

4. Hold all 3 wires together and thread on a calotte followed by a crimp bead. Secure the crimp bead so that all 3 wires hang at the same length (about 2cm above the top bead). Trim the wire ends and close the calotte. Repeat on the other side.

5. Attach a jump ring and clasp to one calotte and a single jump ring to the other.

6. Attach the jump ring suspending the Vintaj woodland leaf to all 3 wires at the centre of the necklace.

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Eastern Promise Chainmaille Necklace by James Stevenson

Work Japanese style 12-in-2 chain maille with fiery wire wrapped fire-polished dangles to create a statement piece worthy of a princess all for under £10.00! Jump rings have never looked so good!

Featured in Make Jewellery Magazine Issue 5, September 2009.

Here's how

1.Make ten drops with loops on headpins threading a seed bead, a 8mm bead and a 4mm bead.

2.Make fifteen drops with loops on headpins threading a seed bead, a shell bead and a seed bead.

3.Make a three ring length of chain and two-two ring lengths of chain using two jump rings per link.

4.Attach drops to the lengths of chain with five shell units on each and two fire polish on the short lengths and 6 fire polish units on the long chain.

5.Form a loop at one end of the beading wire with the crimp and secure, thread on a seed bead, a 8mm beads, a seed bead, 8mm bead, seed bead, shell bead and repeat the pattern four more times.

6.Add a seed bead small cluster, seed bead, shell bead, seed bead, 8mm bead, seed bead, 8mm bead, seed bead, shell bead, seed bead, large cluster, seed bead, shell bead, seed bead, 8mm bead, seed bead, 8mm bead, seed bead, shell bead, seed bead, small cluster and a seed bead.

7.Repeat the reverse of the pattern in step 5.

8.Form a loop with the crimp bead and secure. Attach half the clasp to each end using a jump ring.

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Deep Blue Sea Charm Bracelet by Jenny Stevenson\n\n

Deep blue freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal wrapped loops give a luxurious feel to this easy to wear charm bracelet.

September 2009 issue of Beads & Beyond,

Olive Branch Cluster Necklace by Jenny Stevenson\n

Three graduated clusters of looped drops add style to a simply strung necklace. Finish with a copper clasp to accentuate the amber beads. Make a matching pair of earrings with two additional clusters.

August 2009 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Cappuccino Drop Earrings by Jenny Stevenson

These elegant but eye-catching earrings are easy to make using headpin and loops on a chandelier base. You can make an even quicker pair by adding fewer drops.

July 2009 issue of Make Jewellery Magazine