28 July, 2009
Contemporary fashion is glitzy, chunky and with plenty of embellishment!
We have just received new stocks of charms in a wide array of themes - dogs, horses, cats, cities (eg. London) and items like lockets and keys.
Charm Bracelets 
Making a charm bracelet is really one of the most simple projects you can attempt as a beader. They are a fabulous project for:
- Beginners who have tried a few basic beading techniques.
- Those that are familiar with tigertail and want to venture into wire.
- If you want to practice making loops and wrapping wire tightly.
- People who just love chunky charm bracelets!
About 4 or 5 years ago, in the early days of WishWare Beads, I had an order for 16 charm bracelets and ever since I can basically do these in my sleep! Which is lucky - it’s a project I teach customers at least once a week in the store.
Charm bracelets is one of those projects that there is no right and no wrong, it’s just a matter of what inspires you at the time…
General instructions:
For the base most people choose a thicker cable chain or crimped chain. I’ve found it easiest to use one that is quite flat but has large enough links so that when you attach all your beads they can move around freely.
From there you can use an assortment of beads of your choosing. I particularly like the large firepolish crystals as they make the bracelets nice and chunky. Lately, I am regularly using the head-pins with the ball at the end as I think it adds a pretty touch.
Examples:
Pandora’s Charm Bracelet
In this bracelet I have used some brushed silver chain, a lock and several key charms and a packet of oval lockets. You can then place small pictures or mementos that you’d like inside the lockets. I’ve used an assortment of deep aqua blue firepolish crystals so that they match the round key charm.
The Cat’s Meow Charm Bracelet
This charm bracelet is made in the same way, but uses a crimped chain and instead of using 3 packets of charms it uses just one cat packet and a few swarovski and firepolish crystals to finish.
27 July, 2009
I know people are going to think that I am obsessed with particular things (owls being just one of them). I’ve spent hours researching for our star style section, but unfortunately, few celebrities are accessorizing their outfits with jewellery - and rarely to photographed events. (Though I have to say that the square shape of current clothing styles isn’t helping the cause with necklace designs.) So given this, we are revisiting the style of Ginnifer Goodwin.
Photo © Getty Images / Ray Tamarra
Ginnifer Goodwin wore these earrings and bracelet to one of her late night with David Letterman appearances. Although the jewellery is a small part of her outfit, it adds elegance to her simple black attire.
For my take on the earrings: I have started with simple 22 gauge wire and wrapped one of a 12mm czech firepolish crystal in dark topaz along with some fancy bead-caps to give it some jazz. I then attached to a pair of earring wires that have the ball on the front.
For the bracelet cuff: I have crocheted 28 gauge wire and large czech firepolish beads, and threaded on a mixture of 8mm and 10mm cathedral finishes with some round 12mm finishes aswell. It’s then just a simple chrochet chain stitch in rows that surround the 1st middle row. Then attach the hook and eye clasp with some remaining peices of the 28 gauge wire.
There are only 4 rows in the bracelet, but due to the sheer size of the crystals the rows bulk up and turn the bracelet into this chunky cuff creation.
21 July, 2009
20 July, 2009
We have expanded our range of tools to include economy pliers in all shapes and sizes to meet your requirements.
READ MORE …
15 July, 2009
We just received these new glaze pens into stock and they are a remarkable product for adding some texture and colour to various beading products.
READ MORE …
13 July, 2009
Ruby Rose has become one of the most popular Australian celebrities at the moment, with her featured as a guest on a lot of TV shows and media events. And fortunately for us: Ruby Rose almost always wears jewellery to accessorize her outfits and variety of looks.
This black simple necklace she wore to one of the MTV gigs that she hosted recently. It’s rather rock chic, yet is very long and is quite slimming when worn.
For my take: I have used some glass connector rings, swarovski crystals in black diamond, cute carved cinnabar hearts in black and assorted connectors. They are all wire wrapped and connected with 22 gauge wire in antique silver. The necklace doesn’t have a clasp as it is just a continuous circle and can be just slipped over your head. If you have a larger frame you could just add some additional connector beads or repeat a section again. It’s that easy!
If you’re on Twitter, you can follow Ruby Rose and don’t forget to follow BeadBlog.com.au too!
