Big Bead Blog from Julesgems.com

Check out the December Issue of Quick and Crafty for instructions to make this gorgeous earrings and bracelet set I have designed.

Using Swarovski Pearls in shades of Deep Brown, Powder Green and Bronze, antique filigree bead caps and gorgeous 50 facet rounds, this set would make a perfect gift. Add your own sterling silver charms for a personlised feel.

Simple stringing and crimping is all you need to use to create the contemporary and beautiful bracelet. The earrings have been created using basic wirework, so try it yourself, perfect timing for the party season.

Click here to add all the components you will need to your julesgems basket in one easy step to create the super smooth pearl bracelet!

Becky

It’s often difficult to see what’s popular in the beading and jewellery making world. By the time you’ve seen an article in a magazine showcasing some new ideas or new beads, everyone else has catched on and you’ve missed the boat.

So how can you see what products are popular?

This is especially important if you’re new to jewellery making, or even if you’re just a little nosey. (And why not.)

Well, for a long time we’ve had our excellent Bead Shopping Lists, but now you can also see items others are putting in their baskets (anonymously of course).

Our Popular Bead Carousel can see be seen at the top of our homepage, and shows items that people are currently buying from the many beads and jewellery making products on www.julesgems.com

For some time I have been trying to think what to do with these lovely pendants that was a bit different, and well, that was just the problem; I was trying to use them as pendants and incorporate them into necklaces.

So I started to think outside the box, and came up with these really simple Icy looking earrings! The column pendants are Crystal and the bicones are Crystal AB - for a bit of extra sparkle.

I think the key to using the Column Pendant is to know how to form a simple bail, which you can then attach to anything.

To make the earrings in the picture use Sterling Silver or Silver Plated wire in 0.6mm. Cut 5cm of wire, find the centre and grip with the chain nose pliers. Bend both sides of the wire upwards, then with one piece twist around the other wire stem twice and snip the excess. With the other stem, thread on the 4mm Crystal AB bicone and turn a loop above it with the round nose pliers. Then open the loop on the fishhook and slip on the drop. Simple!

These earrings take minutes to make and are perfect for a last minute gift or a glamorous night out. The simple facets on the Column Pendant look elegant yet subtle. The pendant can also move about on the wire so this icy pair really catch the light.

Click here to add the components you will need to make the Icy Column Earrings to your Julesgems shopping basket.

Becky

Hi everybody! It’s Becky Hughes here, in-house designer at Julesgems. I’ll be regularly posting jewellery projects and tips on here for you all to try. My first project is this fabulous Bling Ring!

Light Grey Opal is my first choice if I want some contrast in my jewellery. While designing this little number I was concerned things were looking a little too pink so I toned it down with some bold 8mm Light Grey Opal Bicones.

I’m really pleased with the results! This bright and colourful bling ring will brighten up a cloudy summer’s day in an instant!

To make the beaded components, thread your bead onto a headpin, snip about 1cm above the bead and turn a loop using the round nose pliers. Attach the components in a random order to the loops on the ring. Use bead caps and a cute heart centerpiece to complete the look.

Tools you will need for the job are Cutters, Round Nose Pliers and Chain Nose Pliers.

Click here to add all the ingredients you will need to your Julesgems shopping basket and you will have more than enough crystals and findings to make 2 rings!

Watch this space for more jewellery ideas!

Becky