http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:06:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Today I took a beginners PMC course with fantastic tutor Di Osman. I had so much fun and I don't think I've ever been so pleased with something in such a short amount of time. The best thing about taking a course (as opposed to experimenting at home) is that ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2009/03/28/i-love-pmc/ It's been a long time since my last post but alas this does not represent a decline in my love of jewellery making. In fact I've gone and opened a bead shop. I know, I know - in this financial downturn? am I mad? well yes but also more happy ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2009/02/05/opening-up-in-the-credit-crunch/ Here I have made a hoop charm pendant with a rose quartz briolette, crystal quartz briolettes and Karen Hill Tribe battered findings. A chunky Amethyst bracelet with Karen Hill Tribe findings and a simple necklace of rutilated quartz and a Karen Hill Tribe flower pendant... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/07/19/some-new-pieces-for-the-summer/ Here I have used some lovely chunks of ametrine and citrine with 24k gold wire which I feel gives a nice warm look and the facets make it extra sparkly! http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/04/20/citrine-and-ametrine-necklace/ I have fallen in love with copper and these colours! http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/03/24/some-earrings/ An experiment with rondelles as I think they're just as beautiful front ways on as they are stacked next to each other when strung. If you'd like to try something similar use 20 gauge wire, cut a strip as long as you want the base to be and make a ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/03/17/rondelle-copper-chain-necklace/ This is made from 12 gauge sterling wire, shaped and hammered flat and then hammemered with a rounded hammer to give it slightly dimpled look. http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/03/09/labradorite-and-silver-link-braclelet/ I am really pleased with the results this technique has given me. It was so much fun to make as well; not at all tedious as repetitive work can be. I simply shaped 20 gauge gold craft wire into 'S' shapes and jump rings and flattened them with a silversmith's ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/03/05/a-hammered-link-necklace/ If you'd like to make beaded jewellery you only have to invest in some basic tools and you'll have a fantastic hobby for life. To make everything shown in the following tutorials you will need; Round Nose Pliers Cutters Flat Nose Pliers Tigertail (strong stringing material) Crimp Beads Open and closed jumprings Reels of wire in varying thicknesses ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/02/11/everything-you-need-to-start-making-jewellery/ 1)You will need a bead, a long head pin (thick or thin), some round nose, flat nose and cutter pliers 2)Thread the bead onto the headpin and grip it with the round nose pliers a third of the way up the shaft 3)Bend the headpin to a 90 degree angle over the ... http://www.howtojewellery.co.uk/2008/02/10/how-to-do-a-wrapped-loop-using-a-headpin/