Blog for Beaders

Every master craftsman (or woman!) knows the importance of his (or her) tools. Jewelry making is no different. It’s essential to have quality tools for any project and ensure that your tools will last. If you have ever wondered which jewelry making tools should be used for what specific tasks and how to care for them, today’s your lucky day. We’ll explain to you some of the most basic tools, their functions and how to keep them in pristine condition.

The most important thing to know about caring for all of your tools is where to keep them. Sometimes sneaky spouses and kids will stumble upon high-quality crafting tools and use them to fix any number of odd jobs, potentially damaging them. Make sure to store your tools in a place you frequent but no one else does, and lie them flat to protect the ends. Humid areas can be especially harmful to tools, so take note that your tools should stay in well-ventilated places. If your tools somehow end up collecting a touch of rust, most of the time they can be cleaned with steel wool.

Now that you know how to store your tools, let’s explore some of the basics…

Side Cutters
Side cutters should be used when cutting head pins, eye pins and other very fine metals. The semi-flush cut is most common.

Nipper Tool
The nipper tool is perfect for cutting jewelry wire and soft wires up to 20g thickness. This tool is a good go-to cutter when performing basic beading projects.

Chain Nose Pliers
Chain nose pliers are ideal when shaping and bending wire. The tapered tips and smooth jaws make closing bead tips or crimping in tight places easy. You can also use chain nose pliers to open and close jump rings.

Round Nose Pliers
Round nose pliers should be used when making loops or for wire wrapping. They should not be used to open jump rings as the rounded ends make it hard to grip correctly.

Flat Nose Pliers
Use flat nose pliers to shape jewelry wire into right angles or to bend jewelry wire straight. The pointed ends allow you to grip flat objects with ease and are great for opening and closing jump rings as well.

Crimp Tool
The bead crimper tool is designed for finishing crimp tubes. This tool should only be used for this purpose. Its two separate notches in the jaws work in stages to ensure a professional crimp every time.

Heavy Duty Cutter
Use heavy-duty cutters for thick chains and other heavy-gauge components.

Nylon Jaw Pliers
Nylon Jaw Pliers are perfect for smoothing out wire ends in wrapped loops or for pinching crimp ends.

It’s also important to regularly check the jaws of pliers and cutters for any scratches that may appear over time. Sometimes you can file away tiny imperfections, but eventually you will need to invest in new tools. With these precautions, though, you can ensure that your tools will have the chance to live long and meaningful lives.

-Marissa

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SilverSilk is a delicate, lightweight material you can use as a lovely alternative to other stringing materials. Made from thin knitted wires, SilverSilk is delicately beautiful and amazingly durable. With their growing popularity, SilverSilk has released different types of knitted wire. Here we will explain to you the differences between three different types so you can decide which style of knitted chain is best for your project. Whether you like flat, capture or pearlesque, all of our SilverSilk products for give you beautiful and unique results.

Flat

The Flat jewelry chain is made from knitted wire that is knitted round, and then put through a rolling mill to flatten it. This knit is a supple, light, flexible ribbon-like mesh that is created from a permanently enameled pure copper wire. It would be perfect for making bracelets and comes in a variety of different finishes.

Capture

The original Capture knit gets its name from the six wires are knitted around a beaded chain, capturing the shimmering light reflections and strength of the chain. You could use this material to create a simple necklace or bracelet, or you could pair it with other stringing material for a cool multi-stranded idea.

Pearlesque

The beautiful Pearlesque is is similar to the Capture style. However, this type features six AB metallic threads surrounding a beaded chain on the inside, which is then covered by a third layer of knitted threads. Its three layers allow for more dimension in your designs, and the AB finish on the inside plays with the light to make this strand sparkle. Use it to make lovely necklaces and bracelets.

-Marissa

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Happy International Earthy Day, everyone! Today is also the first day of Spring, although it may not feel like spring where you are just quite yet. International Earth Day was initiated as a day to raise awareness on the care of our planet. We should all come together and remember to take good care of Earth so future generations can enjoy the wonders that we have today.

This holiday was established in 1969 by John McConnell of Davis City, Iowa, when he proposed the idea to the San Francisco, CA Board of Supervisors. In 1970, the United Nations signed a proclamation by McConnell to make all earthlings aware of this holiday. It should be noted that International Earth Day is different from Earth Day, celebrated in the United States every April 22.

So get outside and tend to the Earth, or stay inside and make International Earth Day jewelry! You can also celebrate the coming of spring with colorful spring designs and the use of our flowers and leaves collection. Find great spring jewelry ideas in our Learning Center for some fun inspiration, like the Home necklace featured in the image above.

-Marissa

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Liven up your Easter brunch with homemade Easter egg ornaments. Many families honor the tradition of Easter trees, decorating branches white and then placing them together to create a festive tree. These trees are often decorated with colored eggs and other treats to celebrate the day. Learn how to make these découpage-style eggs in five simple steps!

If you’re not sure how to blow out an egg, there are a lot of great videos and instructions on the Internet! Make sure to blow out the egg before working on it and rinse thoroughly.

Step One:
Choose a decorative tissue paper to use, or any other piece of thin, printed material. Be sure to only use the first layer with the inked pattern. Otherwise, the paper will be too thick to stick to the egg.

Step Two:
Apply a layer of sealant to the surface of one half of the egg and then cover the egg with the tissue paper. Allow it to dry and then do the other half.

Step Three:
Apply a second layer of sealant to the egg to make it stronger, and allow to dry.

Step Four:
Cut a strand of hemp cord twice the length of how far you would like the egg to hang. Fold the cord in half and then tie a knot. Add a dab of glue and allow it to dry. Once dry, apply more glue to the knot and the strand ends and place it on the top of the egg.

Step five:
When your cord is dry you can now hang the egg on a tree or anywhere else for a fun decoration!

If you like, you can use transfer sheets to cover the egg or adorn it with cute Swarovski crystal rhinestones to make it sparkle. You can even color it with Gilders Paste for a new approach to colored eggs. It’s up to you how your lovely egg ornament will turn out.

-Marissa

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For those born in the month of March, their birthstone is the alluring aquamarine. Here’s a short poem written from the Gregorian calendar from which our birthstones are determined:

“A March born shall always be
Soothed by Aqua, gem of sea
This mermaid’s treasured stone you wear
Will bring happiness, love, affection and care.”

This soft sea-blue stone is thought to hold metaphysical properties such as awareness, quick response and the ability to easily communicate. Aquamarine is also believed to represent faithfulness, courage and friendship, making it a wonderful gift for your friend or for someone born this month. Blue has been a popular shade for representing heavenly grace, too. Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words aqua marina meaning sea water, a fitting tern for this sea-colored gem.

Add your own touch of sweet aqua blue by browsing all of our aquamarine jewelry supplies and create fun homemade gifts for close friends.
This soothing color is the perfect way to breeze through winter and be prepared for spring!

Source: birthstoes.org

-Marissa

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This contest is now closed. Click here to view our winner post.

The Magic Finding plier tool is one of the best jewelry making essentials out there, and when paired with the magic finding components, you can create multi-stranded designs with professional polish and feel. This multipurpose finding is a simple and fun way to create multi-strand jewelry designs without the need for countless crimp tubes. The round finding features seven small openings in its center, which allows you to thread up to seven strands at once in a necklace, bracelet or earring design and with the Magic Finding pliers you can clamp down on all of the openings at once for a good, even hold every time.

Now here’s your chance to win both the Magic Finding pliers and a bundle of multipurpose findings with our Magic Finding Giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog telling us what magical jewelry design you would create. Use your imagination to come up with an incredible new idea. Two winners will be randomly selected to win this amazing prize.

If you need help sparking some inspiration, head on over to the Learning Center to read our Handy Tip on how to use a Magic Finding.

No purchase necessary, must be 18 or older to enter. Please one comment per person. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Contest valid in the US and Canada only excluding Quebec. Prizes valued at $50 each. This contest runs from tonight, Wednesday, February 29, 2012 and ends Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:59PM PT. Winner will be announced Wednesday, March 7, 2012.

By submitting a comment on the Blog for Beaders, you agree to its terms and conditions.

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Here at Artbeads, we know tarnish never sleeps! Exposure to air and moisture create tarnish and it darkens the bright, white shine of silver. We do what we can to keep silver products from getting tarnished—store in sealed plastic bags with carbon paper strips to absorb moisture—yet the tarnish still settles on anything it can.

Different types of silver items require different handling. For example, a silver-plated tray cannot withstand weekly polishing with an abrasive cleanser because the plating will eventually wear off. Similarly, a highly detailed design that has been oxidized (blackened) to enhance the pattern should never be chemically cleaned or it would lose the detail. A delicate chain shouldn’t be pulled through a polishing cloth because it might stretch or break fine links. For these reasons we carry several tarnish removal products. Some require more elbow grease than others, but we will explain when to use these different types of cleaning techniques, including an old home remedy to remove tarnish.

It’s important to note that for very soiled silver, you must first carefully wash it with mild soap and water and dry thoroughly. You run the risk of scratching silver if you don’t remove any dirt first.

Polishing Cloths and Pads

The two-part polishing cloth will be familiar to most. The inner part is treated with jeweler’s rouge and will bring out the luster of your silver while removing any tarnish and dirt. The outer part is a flannel material that buffs away any residue and really makes a shine. These are never washed and can be used well after the inner cloth turns completely black. If it ever stops removing tarnish it’s time to purchase another one.

Euro-tool makes 2×2-inch polishing pads that are ideal for reaching tight spots and to avoid removing oxidation. These traditional Native American pieces would have been spoiled if the darkened patina was removed from the recesses. Here we were able to polish the high spots to a mirror shine and still maintain all the detail. These pads are disposable once they’re blackened and come in a package of twenty.

Microfiber has become as common as denim and nearly as useful! Our Artbeads microfiber cloth is perfect for any piece of jewelry and will not cause damage. Soft stones such as opals, malachite and pearls set in silver should only be cleaned with an un-treated cloth like this. These cloths are machine washable and last a long time. We keep finding other uses for them like cleaning electronic screens, wiping fog from windshields, and keeping eye glasses free of smudges. While we wouldn’t choose this to clean a very tarnished piece, it’s perfect for a quick wipe off when you notice it’s become a bit dull. Natural pearls should also be wiped with a soft cloth after wearing and before storing in a soft pouch, and the microfiber cloth is just right for the task.

Jewelry Cleaner

It may be time to bring out the “big guns”— Precious Metal Liquid Jewelry Cleaner. If you need to clean silver chain, elaborate filigree, wire work, delicate earrings, or other items that could be bent or damaged by rubbing with a cloth, this is what you should use. Be aware that if you were to spray it on an antique piece you could reduce its value by removing patina of age. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully, being certain to rinse the cleaned items and dry thoroughly.

Home Remedy

You may have seen silver cleaned with an old method that involves aluminum foil and baking soda. It can effectively remove tarnish, provided the items are in direct contact with the foil. First, line a glass pan with foil. Lay the item to be cleaned inside, fully submerge it in very hot water and then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the piece. Keep in mind that your results will vary, and this method is not recommended. However, it’s a fun science experiment, doesn’t cost much to try and will continue to fascinate people!

For sparkling silver, maintenance and preventative measures will save you a lot of work. Keep your silver free of skin oils and dirt, and keep it sealed from humidity and air. If you store items that are difficult to clean carefully you won’t have to clean them as often!

-Marissa

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Ready to get in the spring spirit and be done with winter? So are we! That’s why we are excited to share with you Pantone’s choice colors for the Spring 2012 season. Explore a plethora of playful colors, including their color of the year—Tangerine Tango! You’ll find that the designers were inspired by different lifestyles, from a breezy barefoot stroll across a grassy knoll to a street side catwalk in heels. This season is all about rejuvenation, springing into optimistic attitudes, which is especially apparent from the flirty orange Tangerine Tango. Mix and match these colors in a variety of ways to create fashionable spring jewelry! Below are the picks with a Swarovski crystal color that closely matches the shade.

Tangerine Tango -A deep juicy orange — Try Swarovski’s Hyacinth

Starfish -A warm, neutral tan perfect for the coming months — Try Swarovski’s Crystal Bronze Shade

Bellflower -A fanciful purple hue– Try Swarovski’s Lilac

Margarita -An uplifting yellow-green shade– Try Swarovski’s Peridot

Cockatoo -A light blue-green perfect for spring fashion statements — Try Swarovski’s Pacific Opal

Driftwood -A blend of beige and grey — Try Swarovski’s Greige

Sweet Lilac -A delicate pink blush lilac shade– Try Swarovski’s Vintage Rose

Cabaret -A Sensual rose pink — Try Swarovski’s Fuchsia

Sodalite Blue -Traditional maritime blue hue — Try Swarovski’s Dark Indigo

Solar Power -A radiating golden yellow meant to cheer up palettes –Try Swarovski’s Sunflower

Browse our collection of Swarovski crystal bicone beads by color to create incredible jewelry with hot spring style!

-Marissa

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When working with metal, one of the most helpful tools is a die and punch. This tool comes with a six-sided die with circular indents on each surface that vary in size, as well as punch indents. The use of this tool is called dapping, which means to dome metal. There are lots of materials that can be dapped such as sheet metal, coins, bottle caps, tokens, gears and charms. Dapping is a great way to make one of-a-kind jewelry components such as beads and bead caps, but it’s also an easy way to add some visual appeal to a charm or pendant. This is because a curved surface reflects more light than a flat surface, which results in a more captivating piece. A wood dapping set is ideal in jewelry making because it is gentler when curving the metal and will not scratch or mar precious metals. Here we will provide a few guidelines to follow when using the wood dapping set. Please note that safety should be your primary concern. Always wear eye protection!

Note: All stamping, texturing and holes should be completed prior to doming. Holes may need to be perfected after the dapping process. You can do this with a bead reamer, hole punch or re-drilling the hole site.

Step 1:

Place the metal, design side down, into one of the depressions in the dapping block. Be sure to use a much larger depression than the metal piece.

Step 2:

Hold the dapping punch firmly with one hand over the metal piece. I like to start close to the center of the piece I am doming.

Step 3:

Tap the dapping punch with a rubber or rawhide mallet several times. This process should be done gently because if you strike the punch with too much force the metal may not shape up evenly. You will see the metal start to take on the shape of the depression in the dapping block.

Step 4:

Continue to tap the dapping punch repeatedly with the mallet while moving the punch at an angle around the depression. This will help to ensure that the metal piece shapes up nicely.

Step 5:

Once you have dapped as much as you can in this depression you can move the metal piece to the next smaller depression and repeat the dapping process to create a deeper dome. Continue gradually decreasing the size of the depression used until the metal piece reaches the desired depth.

You should now have a curved shape rather than a flat one.

-Marissa

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A hole punch, or hole punching pliers, is an essential tool when working with metal in jewelry designs. It creates a perfectly uniform hole every time and is ideal if you work with rivets, screws or other cold connection techniques. The hole punch you want to use depends on the thickness, or gauge, of the metal you are working with.

When working with 36-gauge copper metal sheets it is best to use standard hole punching pliers. This gauge is thin enough to not damage the punch. To use this tool, simply mark with a pen where on the metal sheet you want holes. Firmly grip the pliers, line up your mark with the peg of the pliers and squeeze.

For thicker gauge metal it is best to use a heavy-duty hole punch. This tool can create a 1.5 mm hole or a 2mm hole.

First, mark where you want the hole with a pen. Decide which size hole you want and turn the appropriate handle until you can fit your metal into the slot. Line up your mark with the punch. Turn the crank handle until it pushes the punch through the metal.

-Marissa

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