Beadalon Blog

I don't know about you, but I have a TON of top drilled beads in my stash....bicones, hearts, drops, daggers, you name it. I love how they look, but short of wire wrapping each one, I didn't have many techniques in my beading arsenal to use them. That's why I was so happy when Wyatt showed me this way to use top drilled beads to make a fun spiral design. In this week's Facebook Live Video , Wyatt took us step by step through making a bracelet that is truly razzle dazzle! Materials : JW15T-0 19 Strand .018 Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire Clasp of your choice - I like this one Lobster Clasp  315B-030 JFC1S-1.5G Size 1 Crimp Bead JFC2S-1.5G Size 2 Crimp Bead 12 (or more) top drilled beads - Wyatt used 8mm 6301 Swarovski Bicones about 30 4 or 5 mm center drilled beads Instructions : Cut a 3 ft piece of .018 19 Strand Beadalon Wire. Fold it at about 8.5 inches. Attach a clasp in the fold using a Crimp Bead or Tube. String about 2.5 inches of center drilled be

Make your own earrings, even if you don't have those premade hooks! Last week during our Facebook Live , Wyatt demonstrated how simple it is to make consistent ear wires using Artistic Wire Findings Forms . They are fixed peg jigs that allow you to make your own findings. It is recommended to used 20-24 gauge Artistic Wire , Beadalon German Style or any other soft-medium tempered wire. Variety of Artistic Wire Findings Forms in ear wire shapes.  Another essential tool when making ear wires is to use the Wire Rounder Tips with the Battery Operated Bead Reamer to make sure those ends don't poke too hard! Use the Wire Rounder Tip attachments for smooth wire ends!  Artistic Wire Findings Forms are also available in different shapes to make different components like toggle clasps, connectors, ear wires and even holiday shapes (perfect for Halloween since we're officially in Fall season). These are some creative jewelry pieces Sara Ellis did to get in the spirit!

This week's Facebook Live Video showcased one of our newest colors of Artistic Wire - Iron Color. Available in gauges from 14-28, this Wire has a special finish that gives it a funky, industrial look that I think is perfect for heading into the Fall. I wanted to make a fun, fast project, so I used the 3D Bracelet Jig with all of the additional sizes of pegs. Did you know that you can buy not only an additional set of 30 pegs in the size that comes with the Tool, but we also have pegs in 2 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm and 5 mm ? A few of our lovely viewers commented that they had the tool, but hadn't played around with it much. I can totally relate to that sentiment as a professional level hoarder of craft supplies! I hope that today's project inspires you to dust off that 3D Bracelet Jig and start winding some wire. The Cascade Bracelet, designed by Wyatt White, is the perfect jumping off point for all kinds of designs. That's one of the reasons that I love the 3D Bracelet

Yummo! Chocolate Pearls combine two of my favorite guilty pleasures and in this week's Facebook Live , Wyatt demonstrated how to create an endless strand of knotted pearls with some beautiful ones. What a perfect, fashionable, goes with anything project. He hasn't done this technique in a while, but he definitely hasn't lost his touch - it's just like riding a bicycle! Materials: Two strands of pearls Carded Silk Cord to fit the holes of the pearls Beadalon Bead Stringing Glue Tools: Beadalon Knotter Tool Battery Operated Bead Reamer Instructions: 1. Pre-stretch the Silk Cord. 2. Ream out 8 of the Pearls so that a double strand of the Silk will fit through. Be sure to ream under water and ream one side, then the other. Watch this YouTube Video if you need a reaming reminder. 3. Tie a triple knot in the end of the Silk Cord. String the 8 reamed out pearls onto the Silk, then the remaining pearls. Wyatt used two strands for his necklace. 4. Tie an over