Make your emotions your muse

for mixed-bead jewelry

by Jennifer Zimmerman

fairy taleFashion a

necklace & bracelet

facetjewelry.comFCT-

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©2014 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

1necklace • Cut seven 24–27 in. (61–69 cm) pieces of beading

wire. On each wire, string 13–15 in. (30–38 cm) of 2–8 mm beads interspersed with 14 mm beads as desired (see “In the mix,” below). Center the beads. On each end of each strand, string 1–2 in. (2.5–5 cm) of 2–4 mm beads (see “Balancing act,” below). Use Bead Stoppers to secure the ends of each strand as you go.

2 Cut a 4-in. (10 cm) piece of 20-gauge wire. On one end, make

a wrapped loop (How-Tos). On one side, on one end of each wire, string a crimp bead, a large-hole bead and the wrapped loop (see “Foolproof finishing” below). Go back through the beads just strung and tighten the wire.

3a Check the drape and add or remove beads from the strands

if necessary. Crimp the crimp beads (How-Tos) and trim the excess wire. b Repeat steps 2 and 3a on the other side of the necklace. On each 20-gauge wire, string a cone and an 8 mm crystal. Make a wrapped loop.

4 On one end, open a jump ring (How-Tos) and attach a lobster

claw clasp. Repeat on the other end, substituting a 1–3-in. (2.5–7.6 cm) piece of chain for the clasp. If desired, use a jump ring to attach a charm to the end link of chain.

Sister styleAs a teen I did a lot of traveling around the U.S., always with a box of beads at my side. Back then, it was simple stretchy bracelets I made for myself and friends.

In recent years, my sister Caroline (also a jewelry artist!) inspired me to learn patterns and experiment with colors and textures. She also taught me about jewelry photography and introduced me to Etsy. She made a business of her jewelry and inspired me to do the same. We spend a lot of time hunting down the perfect beads and coming up with ideas for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Caroline and I have been on this jewelry-making adventure together, and I might never have discovered the joy of it without her.

my sister Caroline

I strung this necklace in the cold, dead months of winter as I impatiently awaited the warmth and vibrant colors of spring. With a variety of greens paired with shimmering peacock-colored crystals and beads, I’m reminded of a fairy tale forest where everything is alive and inexplicably beautiful. To create this mix, I stuck to my motto: “Use the force.” It’s as easy as getting out your bead stash and adding materials to a tray until the palette and textures are pretty and unique. Let your eye and emotions be your guide!

fairy tale In the mixFor the necklace’s smaller beads, I strung 60 seed beads, 4–8 mm crystal rondelles and bicone crystals, small pyrite nuggets, aventurine and amazonite gemstone chips, gemstone rounds in green agate, glass pearls, and shell beads. All of

these are in shades of green and rainbow luster. The 14 mm round beads are rainbow luster glass beads from Hobby Lobby. For a pleasing mix, string mostly small beads with just one or two 14 mm rounds on each strand.

Foolproof finishing To finish each strand securely, it helps to string a bead after the crimp. The bead’s hole has to be large enough to accommodate two passes of beading wire, so smaller seed beads and gemstones won’t work. Instead, use larger seed beads, crystals, or large-hole spacers.

Balancing actTo get a pleasing mixed-bead balance: String one strand at a time and use Bead Stoppers or tape to secure the ends as you go. Set each completed strand next to the others to ensure the 14 mms are interspersed throughout.

Jennifer ZimmermanAs a wife and mother of two, Jen thinks jewelry making is the perfect creative outlet. “Beading and creating is so infectious,” she says. “I now get to watch as my 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter make bracelets and necklaces for the weekly farmer’s market!” Contact Jen at casualblingandppc.etsy.com.

What you’ll neednecklace 18 in. (46 cm)

◆◆ 700 2–8 mm beads: seed beads;

bicone crystals; crystal rondelles;

gemstone chips, rounds, and

rondelles; shell beads

◆◆ 9–13 14 mm round glass beads

or crystals

◆◆ 14 4 mm large-hole beads

or spacers

◆◆ flexible beading wire, .014 or .015

◆◆ 8 in. (20 cm) 20-gauge wire

◆◆ 2 20 mm cones

◆◆ 2–3 6–8 mm jump rings

◆◆ 14 Bead Stoppers

◆◆ 14 crimp beads

◆◆ lobster claw clasp

◆◆ 1–3 in. (2.5–7.6 cm) chain for

extender, 5–6 mm links

◆◆ chainnose and roundnose pliers

◆◆ diagonal wire cutters

◆◆ 10–20 mm charm (optional)

◆◆ crimping pliers (optional)

bracelet 8 in. (20 cm)

◆◆ 300 2–8 mm assorted beads, as in

the necklace

◆◆ 12 4 mm large-hole beads or spacers

◆◆ flexible beading wire, .014 or .015

◆◆ 8 in. (20 cm) 20-gauge wire

◆◆ 2 12 mm cones

◆◆ 3 4–6 mm jump rings

◆◆ 12 Bead Stoppers

◆◆ 12 crimp beads

◆◆ lobster claw clasp

◆◆ 1-in. (2.5 cm) chain for extender,

5–6 mm links

◆◆ chainnose and roundnose pliers

◆◆ diagonal wire cutters

◆◆ 10–20 mm charm (optional)

◆◆ crimping pliers (optional)

Check your local bead store for

supplies.

1bracelet • Cut six 17–19-in. (43–48 cm) pieces of beading

wire. On each wire, string 4–6 in. (13–18 cm) of 2–8 mm beads. Center the beads. On each end, string about 1⁄2 in. (1.3 cm) of 2–4 mm beads.

2 Repeat step 2 of the necklace. Check the fit, add or remove beads

from the strands if necessary. Crimp the crimp beads (How-Tos) and trim the excess wire.

3 Repeat step 2 on the other side of the bracelet. On each 20-gauge

wire, string a cone and a 6–8 mm crystal. Make a wrapped loop. Finish as in step 4 of the necklace. ✳

“May the force bead with you.”