Tutorial Tuesday - Tropic Silks Necklace

POW!

Don't you love these colours? I do. I adore this mix of tropical, juicy, fruity pinks, yellows, oranges and reds. I picked up this bundle of sari silk recently and I knew straight away that I wanted to use it with some silk rods that I've had in my stash for a while.  My pack is now a bit depleted, so here's a sample image, in case you're unsure what I'm talking about.

This shop has a good range of these rods (also known as silk carrier rods) in a variety of colours, so if you're interested in following this tutorial, this would be a good place to look. I knew how I wanted to combine the silks and rods and realised it would be a good design to show off a pendant, and I had the perfect one in my stash.

I've been hoarding this Humble Beads lovely for some time.  So what did I make?

Aside from the rod, ribbon and focal, you'll need a selection of toning beads to form the drops hanging from the rod. There are no hard and fast rules on what you use here - it's a good opportunity to use up some of those leftover beads you're likely to have.  I've used a mix of czech glass, with a couple of ceramic beads, some wood, a paper bead and a couple of heart charms from Scorched Earth. You'll also need some 22 gauge / 0.6mm and 26 gauge / 0.4mm wire - I've used antique brass but you could go with a different finish if you prefer or it suits your colour mix.  To finish the necklace you'll need a pair of cone end caps and a clasp (I've used a hook clasp with an extender chain, but again, you can choose what you like here).  Finally you'll need a selection of hoops that  are large enough to slide onto your silk rod.  The greater the variety of finishes and textures here, the better.  I've used mainly plated metal rings in warm metallics, but I mixed in a wooden hoop and a ceramic ring (again from Scorched Earth).

To start making your necklace, it's likely that you'll want to trim down your silk rod to a shorter length. This can be done with a sharp pair of scissors or cutters.  Slide your rings onto the rod, graduating the sizes so that the largest is in the middle and the smallest on the outer sides.

Cut three equal lengths of sari silk and thread them through the rod. You may find it easier if you use a piece of spare wire as a needle to help you here. Position your rod at the centre of your lengths of silk.

Take the ribbons on one side of the rod and plait them together loosely. Take about 12cm of 26 gauge wire and bind the ends of your plaited ribbon tightly. Trim your ribbon ends down to about 10mm from your wire. (You may want to use some Hypo Cement here to ensure the end is secure.)  Then take 12cm of 22 gauge wire and wrap one end over the 26 gauge wraps. Once it is fixed there, thread on an end cone and make a wrapped loop.  Repeat these steps on the other side of the necklace.

You now need to plan your beaded dangles to surround the focal.

This requires a little bit of playing around.  I tend to lean towards asymmetrical designs, which are a little trickier to balance.  If you prefer you could make the dangles symmetrical.  I haven't hung beads from every ring. You could try that if you really want to go to town.  Once you have them planned begin to connect the beads with 22 gauge wire.  I've used plenty of wire when connecting the beads, making mainly chunky, rustic wraps.  Making the wire conspicuous will bring an element of cohesion if you are doing an asymmetrical arrangement.

Finish by attaching a clasp and, if you wish, extension chain, to the loops at the cone ends. As you can see, I've added a final little charm as a finishing touch. 

There's lots of opportunity here for varying the design of the necklace.  Whether you follow the tutorial closely or use it as a starting point for a different design, I hope you'll feel inspired to try mixing these different fibres into your art bead pieces. 

Bye for now, Claire 

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Tutorial Tuesday: Wrapped column earrings

So, today, I thought I'd share how to make these wrapped column earrings. Mine are wrapped with sari silk ribbon and feature a pair of ceramic droplets from Scorched Earth.  However, you could wrap different types of ribbon or fabric offcuts, and you could also use different beads at the bottom. Maybe you have an earring pair - whether beads or charms - and you've been wondering what to do with them? This might be the answer.

The list of other ingredients you'll need is also fairly flexible.  You'll need 26 gauge / 0.4mm wire and 22 gauge / 0.6mm wire. I've mixed the metal finishes here; don't be afraid to do that if you wish. You'll also need at least two pairs of bead caps (around 10mm wide).  However, as you can see, I've used several pairs of caps at the top of these. I've been stacking up bead caps quite a bit recently; it gives extra textural and decorative detail, which I rather like.  Finally, along with some ear wires, you'll need some beads to form the inner columns.  I've used some hematite tubes (approximately 4mm wide) that have been in my stash for an age - perhaps you have something similar?  Alternatively, you could use 4mm seed beads to form the core.

To start, take about 10cm of your 22 gauge wire and make a wrapped loop at one end, attaching your bead or charm before closing the loop. Then, thread on a bead cap, followed by around 3.5cm of tube beads.

Next, take a good length (say, 25cm) of your 26 gauge wire and attach one end to the base of your column by wrapping around the core wire (above the cap and below the tube beads) a couple of times.  

Now to add the ribbon. Cut a piece that is a little bit longer than your column of beads. You'll be wrapping the ribbon lengthways along your wire, folding the edges round, rather than winding the ribbon around like you do with the wire.  Unless you actually want a bulky look, this is the best way to wrap ribbon onto any shape.

To start wrapping, fold the ribbon round the bead column and pull the wire up, making a couple of quick wraps to secure it. Then, continue wrapping, ensuring that the ribbon is fixed at the bottom of the column by wrapping several times. Once it is secured at the base, you will probably need to trim the end of the ribbon there (along with the tail of your wrapping wire), which can be done with flush cutters.  Then, keep on wrapping up the column. Use the wire to tidy and tuck in any loose edges and flatten any little bulges.  Be careful to avoid any gaps forming between your core beads as you don't want the wire to fall between them as you wrap.  You may need to add more wire, which can be done easily, at the top or bottom of the column. Once you have a good coverage of wraps, wrap up to the top of the column, secure with a few more wraps and trim both your wire and any excess ribbon. 

Now you need to add the bead cap(s) at the top. I've layered up three caps at the top of my earrings.

Finally, make a wrapped loop with your core wire to complete your column. Now all you need to do is add an ear wire...

...and, of course, repeat to make your second earring!

Claire

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Wrapped Bangles

Wrapped Bangles

Supplies:

Plastic bangle
2 feet silk sari ribbon
Accent bead
4" headpin

Instructions:
Step 1. Starting about 2 inches from the end of the sari ribbon, press it firmly on the bangle. Begin wrapping the longest end of the ribbon.
Step 2. Continue to wrap around the bracelet until the bangle is completely covered.
Step 3. Tie the two loose ends in a knot. Trim the excess ribbon.
Step 4. String the accent bead onto the headpin.
Step 5. Hold the accent bead close to the bangle and begin wrapping the wire around the bangle. With pliers push the end of the wire close the bangle.