My Apologies

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. My internet decided to die and I had to wait for Comcast to come install everything after we switched over. Everything's all good now! Expect to see new posts soon.

ArtFire Shop is Up

Finally, the PayPal verification went through. I will be adding items to my Artfire shop now that people will be able to buy them. Here's a link to my shop: Hana Creations on Artfire. For now I'm only a Basic member, but if I find that I like it I may chose to upgrade to a premium account.

ArtFire Shop is Up... Almost

Yesterday I created an ArtFire Shop. I'm testing the waters to see if I like online selling. As of yet there are no items up, and there won't be till PayPal has verified my bank account. That should be done in the next few days. I'll update when that's all taken care of.

Project Thursday

Basic Earring Tutorial

Here's what you'll need:

 

2 Earwires (you can use posts if you prefer), 2 small jump rings (I used 4mm), 2 Headpins, and 2 Beads of your choice (I used 8mm Cream Pearls). This project works best with beads that are center drilled (the hole is at the mid-point of the bead. For instance, you could use a bicone Swarovski crystal or a pair of handmade lampwork beads if you like. For Tools you'll need each of the following: chain-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, and flush cutters or wire snips.

Start by opening the jump rings and making any necessary adjustments to the earwires to make sure they match up as perfectly as possible. Set aside the jump rings and earwires where they won't be in your way and are easily accessible. Next, slide a bead onto a head pin. Repeat for the other bead.

Next, make a bend in the wire and curl it around your round-nose pliers to make a loop. It can be any size you want, I made mine larger for easier photographing. Also, if you do not want a wrapped loop, simply bend the wire and make the loop closer to the bead to make a simple loop and skip the next step.

Now, using your chain-nose pliers, grasp the end of the wire to wrap it around the exposed wire at the top of the bead, making a secure loop that won't come open. When you are close to the bead use your flush cutters to clip off the extra wire.

 

Finish wrapping the wire. Now take one of the open jump rings you set aside and use it to connect one of the earwires and your bead. Repeat for the other one and voila, you have a pair of earrings!

And there you have it. How to make a pair of basic earrings. For added variety, try using a fancy headpin.

Creating Your Own Space

Anyone who is more than an "every-once-in-a-while" beader knows that you need a designated area for storeing your stuff and a good place to do your work where it won't be disturbed when you take a break. It is very important for your space to be well lighted and uncluttered. You don't want to have to shift everything around when you want to find a specific item and it's unhealthy to do detailed work like jewelry making in bad light.

First things first, you need a table. I use a multi-purpose craft table (available at almost any craft store). It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as it's flat and level. When I first started I used a coffee table and later the dining room table.

Next you need adequate lighting, natural is best. If possible use an area near a large window where you'll get lots of light. If that isn't possible make sure to get a lamp to place off to the side of your workspace. They're nice for evenings too, when it starts to get dark but you still want to work. I recommend a swivel neck desk lamp, one that you can adjust to various positions depending on what you need.

Now you are ready to set up your jewelry making space. There is no wrong way to do this, just find a setup that works for you. I recommend having the stuff you use most often out and ready to go on your work area, a designated space for item assembly, and a small area to set your finished pieces. I repeat, there is no wrong way to setup your space. Everyone is different and what works for me may not work so well for you. It's just a matter of experimenting to find a way that you like better than the others.

Below is my current work area. I have two bead box organizers on the table that hold my jump rings and different findings and a small work area. The pink bead mat is just a folded up piece of fabric from my quilting stash. The bead boxes on the side hold the portable portion of my bead stash. Please ignore the mess... it used to be my sewing table.

New Earrings!

I've just finished a round of earring making and here are some of the results...

 

Pictured above are Basic Pearl Earrings in green, Crystal Fire Swirl Earrings, and Basic Pearl Earrings in Cream respectively. I have quite a few others as well, I just didn't feel like photographing them and the light wasn't good anymore. I have about a dozen different colors of the Swirl Earrings so far, with more waiting to be made.

For those of you who want to learn how to make a pair of basic earrings (like the Basic Pearls above) I will be posting a short tutorial tomorrow for what I call Project Thursday. It's gonna have pictures and everything!