MAKE YOUR OWN FINDINGS

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

For once I am in the Northern hemisphere, visiting my daughters and grand children for the holidays. I'm spending any spare time at the library and book store catching up on jewelry trends.

This post is a result of one of my library finds.

I don't know how many of you already make your own findings for  your ceramic beads, but if you are thinking of starting, It's not so hard.  If I only had one book on the subject, I would choose EASY AND ELEGANT BEADED COPPER JEWELRY   by Lora Irish

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1565235142/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books Over 300 links are demonstrated, and of course you can use the techniques with any wire, not just copper.

Here's a bracelet I whipped up 

to show you how to make your own findings and links.

BASIC TOOLS

 Mark the wire where edges of the bead are.

 I used 5" of 18 gauge wire

Grasp the wire about 1/8th inch above the mark you made in step 1.

and make a 90 degree turn over your round nose pliers.

 Now begin to wrap along the straight edge of the wire.

After a wrap or 2 add your bead so you can wrap tight to it.

 Repeat for the second side

Ta da a  bead link.

Make dangles by curling  one end, and making a closed loop on the other end.

I used 20 gauge wire

I love this tool for jump rings, but you can actually wrap over anything that is the right size. After wrapping just cut through the loops.

Now for the clasp

I cut my 18 gauge wire 6" long, then bent it at 2"

Turn on it's side and bend this part in half.

Bend the remaining straight part of the wire back over your round nose pliers to begin the loop

Bend 90 degrees over your round nose pliers and begin to wrap toward the double wires

Wrap as far as you need in order to secure the end of the loose wire

Ta da        finished clasp

I hope this inspires you to try making some findings of your own.