Hints & Tips

BEADS - HINTS AND TIPS

 

Storing Beads / Samples 

You can store Seed Beads, Gemstone Beads, Pearls, Findings, threads and cords in order using Ring Binder rings. If you save your beading supplies inside Grip Seal Bags and then punch holes in the center of the top of each bag. Open the binder ring, slide on the bags and close the ring. Hang the rings on hooks, underneath shelves in your work area or anywhere else you can! The ring is easy to grab and the clear plastic bags are compact and make beads visible for ease when you have that design in mind.

 

Chipped Bead Repair

If a bead starts to chip or break in your completed design, you can use a clear nail polish or glitter nail polish to smooth it out and erase the imperfection in the bead.

 

Dropped Bead Pick-up

There are two quick ways of doing this, when mass beads ahve been spilt, either place a sock/tights on the end of your hoover and use the gentil suction on your hoover, this will suck the beads to the sock/tights without loosing them up the hoover! Alternatively you can Wrap sticking tape in a large closed circle around your hand (sticky side out!), this is also a great way to pick up any size beads off the floor!

 

 

 

FINDINGS - HINTS AND TIPS

 

Loose Scrolls / Butterfly Backs

 

You can easily tighten "too loose" Scrolls / butterfly Backs or adjust them for use on smaller Earposts with round-nose pliers. Place the nose of the pliers into the scroll loops and tighten them together.

 

Crimp Cover Fixes

If you have spaces on your necklace or bracelet piece after you have crimped the ends and the beads have settled into their final position a crimp cover can be used. You can use crimp covers in the spaces, and they look just like another silver or gold bead! (you will need to amke sure you add two if the design is symmetrical!)

 

 

 

HARDWARES - HINTS AND TIPS

 

Threading Needles

You can thread many needles onto a spool of thread or Elastic. Pull 1 near the tip, cut off thread as long as you like, but leave the others on the spool. Once you run out of thread on your project, you'll already have another needle that's threaded!

 

The Easy way to Thread Needles

When threading needles, hold the thread in your non-dominant hand so that just a tiny portion (the size of a pin head) is visible between your thumb and forefinger. Then place the needle eye on the thread and slide the thread up through the hole.

 

Recycle Spools

Save your empty wire and thong spools so you can re-use them to wind other cord, ribbon, or wire on them. This is especially good for transporting portable projects and storing those loose ribbons and cords.

 

Using Crimp Pliers

Crimping pliers are specialised pliers with two sections for crimping. The first section pinches the bead in the back groove to create a curved shape. Make sure the beading wires apart so the curve separates the two wires. Then pinch it again in the front groove to create a tube shape. You now have a neat and professional finish!

 

Cleaning Wire Jewellery

Copper wire will patina (darken and discolor) with age. To keep the copper wire bright, you can coat it with a clear sealer by polishing before stringing the wire and let dry. You can also soak copper wire in white vinegar will help to clean it.

If brass or copper wire is used to make jewellery that is worn on a part of the body that has a lot of natural oils, such as around the neck, ears or chest, the wire can become coated with corrosion and grime. To keep your project looking clean, it is best to use a high quality metal wire that will resist corrosion, or plan your designs around beads that won't easily show the dark build up!

Periodically cleaning the items in a gentle, soapy water solution can help. If your project contains coated beads or natural gemstones that are sensitive to cleaners or scrubbing, test a small area before cleaning the entire piece.

 

Cutting Memory Wire

To cut loops of memory wire, use cutters that are made for hardened wire. Memory wire will cut into regular wire-cutter blades, and eventually ruin them. When placing beads onto the wire, it's important to keep the wire in its natural shape and avoid pulling the wire straight, the ends of the wire may bounce back, causing the beads to fly off and vause an accident.

 

 

GENERAL - HINTS AND TIPS

 

 

Perfectly Centered Necklaces

It is easier to make a symmetrical necklace if you mark the center of the thread or wire first. Then work from the centre of the piece in short sections to ensure the symmetrical pattern on each side. Also it is much easier to catch and correct a mistake.

 

Chain-Necklace Construction

Making a dangling chain necklace can be difficult and cumbersome if you are constantly picking up the necklace to gauge the balance of the beads, count the links or add new beads to it. Hanging the piece on a necklace display stand while you work on it frees up your hands from holding it, and allows you to attach beads and findings much easier. Also, because the necklace is draped as if a person is wearing it, you can see the design as it takes shape and make alterations as necessary.

 

Illusion Necklaces

To make sure that your beads are evenly spaced on illusion designs, it is a good idea to use correction fluid to mark where your crimp or knot should go, the fluid will dry quickly and come off (or be covered up) after you place your stopper onto the project.

 

Finishing Wire projects

Beading wire can scratch if it is not clipped close enough to the crimp. A good technique to finish a necklace / bracelet so that the wire is hidden is to make sure your last bead or two are large enough for the remainder of beading wire to be threaded back through and crimped in place.

 

Crimping Beading Projects

It is hard to keep beads in place when tryign to crimp the second crimp bead. If you can Crimp the first half of the clasp/beads then use a toothpick to apply a small dab of hypo cement or superglue onto the wire next to the bead or clasps then Immediately slide the next few beads over the glue (before it drys!). Let the glue dry, then attach the other half of the clasp and trim wire.  

Beading Board

Bead boards have tray compartments to hold beading components while you work and long channels which are marked with ticks to help you measure the finished length of jewellery. The channels are very helpful in making graduated and multiple-strand necklaces and bracelets that will drape properly.

Once you have strung the beads you have placed on the beading board, it is a good idea to re-lay the finished strand back onto the board again to double check length and bead placement. Make sure that the clasps length is taken into consideration for the finished length when completing jewelry designs.