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Finishing Jewelry with Scrimp Findings

At Beadalon, we generally recommend crimping as the preferred finishing technique for beaded jewelry making. However, crimping is not for everyone - it can be challenging to get those little crimp beads or tubes closed properly. For more on proper crimping techniques, check out this infographic . Luckily, there are several alternative ways to finish off your jewelry including this week's Facebook Live feature - the Scrimp Findings . Scrimp Findings are an innovative screw finding that takes the place of a crimp. A tiny set screw inside holds bead stringing wires in place. There are also Scrimp Findings for Memory Wire and for Jewelry Cable ! To use: 1. Partially unscrew the screw in the Scrimp Finding. 2. Insert Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire into the Scrimp Finding, through a clasp, and back down through the Scrimp Finding. Be sure to leave a loop with some wiggle room. TIP: Use a Wire Guardian where extra abrasion is likely to occur. 3. Tighten the screw using the screwdriver an
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Viking Knit

Viking Knit is an ancient form of wire weaving that only uses a couple of tools (that you might already have in your stash) to create beautiful ropes of wire that you can use as part of a design, or as the design itself. While Viking Knit is beautiful on its own, it's a great way to showcase a focal piece. I'm always looking for ways to turn my wire wrapped and seed bead bezeled pieces into finished jewelry, and they look fantastic on a viking knit rope. I recommend using a dead soft wire, like Artistic Wire or ColourCraft Wire , in 24, 26, or 28 gauge to weave Viking Knit. In addition to wire, you'll need a round object - I use the Beadalon Mandrel Set   - but you can use knitting needles, crochet hooks, markers, empty wire spools really anything round of a good diameter will work. You'll also need a Draw Plate ,  and a Beading Awl .  Of course, you'll need a good Wire Cutter , and a Nylon Jaw Pliers will also come in handy. From the Beadalon Mandrel Set, I like t

Weaving with RePEaT Jewelry Making Cord on the Jewel Loom

Whether you are an expert weaver, or just starting out, the Jewel Loom , invented by Julianna "Jewels" Avelar, is the perfect loom on which to make beautiful woven pieces. Usually, when I weave on the Jewel Loom, I incorporate beads into designs woven with WildFire, but Jewels opened my eyes to how beautiful weaving using RePEaT Jewelry Making Cord can be. RePEaT Jewelry Making Cord is made out of 100% recycled water bottles. It is available in 10 colors and 2 diameters - 1mm and 1.5mm - and just so happens to be an amazing material to weave with.  If you are just getting started on your looming adventure, or you're a seasoned veteran with many projects completed, the Jewel Loom  is a great loom to have on your tool bench. It is lightweight and portable which makes it great for travel, and is really easy to use. The removable rod system makes it easy to get the perfect tension on your warp threads. Remember what Jewels says: "The Jewel Loom is flexible, not bendable

Four different tools to use to knot beads and pearls

One of my favorite finished looks in a piece of jewelry is when there are knots in between the beads. Knotting can be challenging, but luckily, there are lots of different tools to help achieve the goal of perfectly spaced knots between beads.  The first and most important question is - why is it important to knot between your beads? More secure - when your silk wears out - which it will over time - and the necklace breaks, you will only lose one bead at most Allows you to build in space between your beads to minimize friction of your beads rubbing against themselves Looks nice - shows off more of the beauty of the beads Stretches your bead budget further - knotting between beads, especially in a "tin cup" style can create a longer necklace using fewer beads Once you've decided to create a knotted design, there are a lot of tools that you can use to make your job easier: KNOT-A-BEAD If knotting is a challenge for you, the Knot A Bead might be the tool for you. It allows

Oddly Essentials - Beadalon products I can't live without!

There are essential products in every beaders toolbox and craft space, but here at Beadalon, we like to go above and beyond and offer products that make jewelry making even easier and more enjoyable. How many of these 10 "oddly essential" items do you have?   Bead Counters  - do you need to quickly count beads for a pattern or for making kits? The Bead Counters are the best tool for those jobs. There are 4 in the kit and work with beads 2-3mm, 4-5mm, 6-7mm and 8-10mm.  Bea d Slide Gauge – Patterns usually call for a certain size of beads, and while I often can "eyeball" the size of the beads, it's good to have an easy way to know what size beads you are working with. Quick Change Trays - When you are using the Spin N Bead , Spin N Bead Jr., and Spin N Bead Senior, Quick Change Trays are indispensable for quickly changing out colors of seed beads. I find them most helpful when I'm making French Beaded Flowers , but they are great if you make waist beads, or

The Conetastic Tool Family

The Conetastic Tool is a handle with storage in the base that holds different mandrels in place to make bead cones, necklace cones, bead caps and more. Currently, there are 4 sets of mandrels - the three that come with the tool, plus additional sets of 3  Inverted Mandrels , 3  Hourglass Mandrels , and 5  Bead Cap Mandrels .  There are so many different sizes and shapes of mandrels! To change mandrels, use the allen wrench that 's included with the base to loosen and tighten the mandrels into the tool. Inverted Mandrels Hourglass Mandrels Bead Caps Mandrels Some of my favorite things to make with the Conetasic Tool are cones and caps for finishing Kumihimo and tassel toppers. The inventor of the tool, Sandra Lupo, joined me on Facebook Live to teach a gorgeous earring design using the inverted mandrels to create a tassel topper for a tassel made out of chain. So fun! I love that Sandra also uses a bicone as the "go-to" for between the top of the cone and the loop. It mak

Secrets to Making Stretch Cord Bracelets

One of the best places to get started making jewelry is by making stretch cord bracelets. Beadalon has two fantastic types of stretch cord to choose from  - Elonga and Elasticity .  To get started, all you will need are 3 things: 1. Stretch Cord 2. Scissors 3. Beads. Easy enough! But you know I'm going to take it to the next level with all kinds of add ons!  First things first, what is the difference between Elonga and Elasticity, and which should you choose?  Elonga  is miniature, multi-fiber elastic ribbon that is very supple.  It has a built in warning - once it begins to wear it will start to split, which is easy to see and replace.  Elasticity is a  soft, single strand elastic, all purpose cord that is strong and stretchy.  Elonga is available in 3 diameters - .3mm (.012in), .7mm (.028in), 1.0mm (.039in) - in white, and in 12 colors.  Elasticity is available in 3 diameters - .5mm (.020in), .8mm (.032in), 1.0mm (.039in) - and 5 colors - Rose Gold, Satin Silver, Satin Gold, Bl