How to make a flower-shaped bead from crystal glass, oval beads...

Welcome to Sandy's jewellery making tip of the week!

Here we learn how to wrap wire around beads in order to create a shape that can be used as a pendant, earring drop or whatever takes your fancy! This principal will work with almost any beads but in this case, we are using oval-shaped crystal beads to make a flower pattern.

For a fully illustrated version of this tutorial, please visit our website here: http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/page.html?id=15

1. Cut an 11" length of silver plated wire and thread on a crystal oval. Wrap the short end of the wire back over the outside of the bead and turn the wire round the long end a couple of time to secure. Trim the short end so it's flush against the surface.

2. Thread on a crystal and turn the long end of the wire back over the outside of the bead (leave a gap between the two beads of 5-6mm). Wrap the wire round a few times to secure, finishing halfway between two beads.

3. Thread on a crystal and repeat Step 2, so that the third 'petal' is between the first and second petals.

4. Repeat step 2 to create the two remaining petals.

5. Bring your wire to the front of the flower. You can twist the beads so that exposed wires are at the back of the flower.

6. Thread on a small, flatish and contrasting bead of your choice together with a seed bead, so that they are sitting in the gap between the petals. Take the wire back through the contrasting bead ONLY, and pull all the wire through to the back of the piece. Wrap the wire in and out of the petal stalks a few times to secure, then trim the spare wire flush.

That's it! Happy beading!!

Sandy's jewellery making tip of the week!

How to create a solitaire necklace using a half-drilled bead!

1. Place the pendant / peg finding into some Blu Tack with the peg sticking upwards. Next, place a small dab of Beadfix glue (or similar superglue type of product) in the cup, being careful not to use too much!

2. Lower the half-drilled bead slowly onto the peg. It is advisable to have a piece kitchen roll to hand to soak up any excess glue that may be squeezed out right away. Be careful as glue will spoil the finish on the bead!

3. Leave until the glue has dried completely. The manufacturers' instructions usually recommend 24 hours to ensure total bonding. To finish, attach the loop of the finding on the pendant, to the chain or cord of your choice.

Easy! Happy beading!!

Sandy x

More new beads!

Hi!

New products are arriving by the day at www.sand-stones.co.uk at the moment
and we thought you might like to know about some of our lovely new
additions:-

To coincide with the festival season, we have designed the perfect rock
chick necklace kit for you to make at home (actually it's unisex but don't
tell the guys that or they might want to steal it!) Check out our Onyx
Plectrum Leather Necklace Kit for further details -
http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/bead-kit-onyx-tooth-plectrum-unisex-leather-necklace-p-1181.html

We have pearls arriving too - todays lovies include -
http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/7mm-freshwater-potato-pearls-white-good-quality-p-792.html

Have you seen our gorgeous Labradorite pendants yet? They are so yummy and
well priced too, but you have to be quick because they are selling fast -
http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/gemstone-beads-other-gemstones-c-4_18.html

Our new starfish glass pendant are perfect summer hol additions - view them
here -
http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/glass-beads-pendants-c-26.html?page=3&sort=20a

And there's plenty of steals and specials on offer including clearance
turquoise, new bead bundles, earring kits and ready made charms.
http://www.sand-stones.co.uk/stealsspecials-c-79.html

Remember, shipping is free on orders over £15 and for orders over £40 use
code 5off40 for an extra 5% discount.

Happy shopping!

www.sand-stones.co.uk