Peacock Chandelier Earrings

Make this pair of chandelier earrings using seed beads (size 8/00), head pins, eye pins, and chain.

1. Slide a 3mm metal bead and 4 seed beads on a head pin. Make a simple loop. Make 8 of these end links.

 

 2. Using eye pins and seed beads, make short links:

8 links with 5 beads, 16 links with 6 beads, 6 links with 7 beads, 4 links with 8 beads, 2 links with 9 beads.

3. Make long links:

Link A: end link + 6 bead link + 5bead link - make 8

Link B: end link + 7bead link + 6beads link - make 4

Link C: end link + 8beads link + 6bead link - make 4

Link D: end link + 9bead link + 7 bead link - make 2

4. Assemble: on a eye pin slide 1 seed bead (SB), link A, SB, link A, SB, link B, SB , link C, SB, link D, SB, link C, SB, link B, SB, link A, SB. Make a simple loop on the end as shown below.

5. Fold a 2" (5cm)  chain in half (to find a center link) and attach an ear wire to this link. Attach the  chain to the loops. Attach the first and the last links of the chain to the loops.

Changing the amount of beads for the links and the lenght of the chain, you can change the size of your earrings.

You can buy these earrings here

Earrings for You E-book

Hurray! I finished my second E-book tonight - Earrings for You! (My first one is Beaded Trees)

This is fully illustrated , easy to read 43 page instructional e-book how to create 13 different earrings with wire. This e-book also includes instructions how to make your own ear findings. Techniques used: wire wrapping, coiling, chain maille.

Have a peek:

 You can buy this e-book here .

'War and Peace' Earrings

A week ago I spent a perfect day with my friends Tanya and Alla . We visited a lot of beautiful places of northern and central Arizona. On the way back to Phoenix, we stopped at Bloody Basin and shot a few guns at a target. Well, I am not a sniper, but I found a good use for these brass bullet cases:)

I added gold filled chains, beads, natural fresh water pearls, silver plated clear crystal rondelles, and a pair of one-of-a-king earrings for brave woman was ready! I named them "War and Peace" :) I think it's just a right name for them :)

These earrings will bring everybody's attention to you, I bet!

Beaded Coral Tassel Tutorial

Yesterday I was working hard on my new tutorial how to make beaded coral tassel. It is fun to make this kind of tassels. You can use them for making  bag charms and keyrings or these earrings

My tutorial has printer friendly 5 pages with 16 steps with colorful photos

you will need:

Materials:

• Seed beads #11/0
• Focal bead (or group of 2-3 large beads)
• Beading thread
• Lobster clasp (for bag charm)
• Split ring (for keychain)
• Ear hooks (for earrings)

Tools:

• Beading needle #12
• Scissors (or thread burner)

$3.50

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Everybody knows a popular nursery rhyme that describes the adventures of Itsy Bitsy Spider :

The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.

Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.

Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain,

and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

I wanted to make my own Itsy Betsy Spider with beads and, of course, wire!

So, this pair of grass spider earrings was made. They have 8 legs like all spiders have. I think they are cute and not scary at all :)

I could not stop now. These little creatures asked me about Big Friend. Well, you wish is my command :)

Big Friend could be now friendly Tarantula spider. Do not laugh and do not be afraid- my jewelry pieces are not poison:) ... and this spider came out 3-dimentional! And it is a brooch!

 Look at these guys!Aren't they adorable ? :) They could be the perfect jewelry (or gift) not only for Halloween :)

If you want to make your own spiders, you can buy step-by-step spider earrings and Spider Brooch tutorials at my AroundBeads Etsy store .

DIY Tutorial: Handmade Earwires.

If you love making earrings, you always need earwires, right?

You can purchase commercial earwires almost at any craft store or on-line.
An average price for 1 pair of sterling silver hook earwires is $1.20, the av. price of 22ga sterling silver wire - $2.00/foot. To make 1 pair of earwires you will need 3"- 4" = $0.50- $0.65. Do you see a difference? Plus, you will have fun making them :)

OK, let's start!It's easy as 1-2-3!

CLOSED. Giveaway #4: Christmas in July

Everybody knows that Christmas is on December, 25th (or on January 7th for Orthodox believers). I thought so until I came here, in US. Now I know that there are two Christmases- one is in July :)

My next giveaway is timed to this "holiday".  Today I want to "raffle off'" a pair of very attractive earrings that I made with pure copper ear hooks, antiqued copper jump rings, and 6mm natural green aventurine beads.

 Mandatory entry: 
Leave a comment here telling me what you would like to see (read) in my blog - 1 entry

Make sure to include your email address to contact you if you win (comments without Mandatory entry and email will not be counted)!

Extra entries (make sure you leave a separate comment for each). Current fans are eligible!

* Follow my blog (you can follow by clicking follow in the left sidebar) - 1 entry
* Follow me on twitter / facebook - 1 entry 

* Share about this giveaway on your facebook or twitter -1 entry
* Blog about this giveaway (include a link to your post) - 1 entry
* Purchase anything from AroundBeads or SuperSupplies4U  shops and come back letting me know what you purchased - 4 entries.

By the way, you can use coupon code BLOG10 to get 10% off, or FREESHIP for free worldwide shipping at AroundBeads shop. 

This giveaway will run from July 8th through July 25th, and the lucky winner will be  chosen by random.org on July 26th, 2011. The winner will be announced here, and he or she will have 48 hours to respond with his/her mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another winner will be chosen after 48 hours.
 
This giveaway is open worldwide.

Pearl Jewelry

This month we celebrate the elegant luster of the pearl, June's birthstone.
Pearls are one of the earliest gemstones found by prehistoric man, most likely along the coastline of India. They've been used for personal adornment and coveted by peoples throughout the globe for thousands of years. Ancient myths tell of pearls being formed when oysters opened their shells, rose to the water's surface and were seeded by the early morning rays of sunlight and drops of dew.

Combining metals

Last night I wanted to make something not complicated, but  fun and cute :) And I wanted to use two different metals together. I chose copper and sterling silver. Combining with copper is more affordable and looks so good :)Perfect for summer outfit!

  Hammered copper loops and  faced carnelian beads supplement each other.

Spring Drops Earrings

Hurrah! 

Today I have received my copy of the Ukrainian magazine Модный (Fashion magazine) where my step-by-step instruction was published. This magazine is in Russian language with a lot of beautiful beaded and knitted works.

I have whole double page with instructions, photos, and a little about me :)

The main beautiful shot of my earrings was made by IrinaN . Thank you, Irina!

This pair of earrings is made with sterling silver wire, fresh water pearls, and Swarovski crystals. If you love this earrings, you can buy them now for only $35

Tutorial: Easy Earrings

Today I want to show you how to make a pair of earrings using flat beads. Well... you can use any large beads as well :)

You will need:

- Two flat beads

- 2 Ball pins 20ga, 2.5" long

- Round nose pliers

- Chain nose pliers

- Wire cutters
- Chasing hammer and bench block (optional)

Are you ready to begin?

Story about Viking Knit Coiled Copper Bracelet

First, it was not an idea to make a bracelet. 

I had a link of copper viking knit chain that was "leftover" example from my classes that I taught in Tuscon. This and other pieces were resting in my box for months waiting for their 'lucky' moment. Last weekend I pulled them from the box: "Let's start a new life!". My first idea was to make just something like this pretty Viking Knit Purple Bracelt with Lampwork beads.

But copper chain was not long enough. Just then a piece of another leftover, coiled copper bead, was screaming, "Pick me! Pick me!"

Well, you wish is my command :)

Playing and folding accidentally viking knit chain in half, I came to idea to use this fold as a part of a clasp. I made a toggle with 16ga copper wire and wrapped it with 26ga, just for fun :) ... Added pretty copper bead cups that match to coiled link, green lamp-work beads and a couple of agate beads... and truly one-of-a-kind bracelet was done!

Little Suns for Good Mood

I got new gold tone brass wire a couple weeks ago from Wire-Sculpture.com. It really looks like real gold filled wire, not like yellow brass. I love to play with it! I want to show you the result :)

First, I made Sunny Earrings on golden chains (yes, it's the same pattern for my North Star Earrings).

New series of DVD "Coiling and Weaving Wire Jewelry Designs"

I am happy to announce the release of the latest jewelry instructional DVD Series, featuring my Coiling and Weaving Wire Jewelry Designs!

In DVD 1 you will learn how to make Coil Drop Earrings & Arabian Bracelet:

 DVD 2 - Sprig Earrings & Moonlight Pendant:

DVD 3 - Golden Medallion Pendant and Viking Knit Chain

Do you want to see the prototypes of those jewelry made in copper?

My New Tutorial and more

I was busy last couple days writing my new tutorial. This is 2 -in-1 instruction: how to make secure kidney ear wire and how to make wire capped bead and use it for making earrings, pendants, etc.

 While I was working on this tutorial, I made a couple of jewelry sets that I really love! :)

This earth tone natural picture jasper beads make a good combination with crystal silver  rondelles. I could not stop and make just a pair of earrings - I made a matching pendant, so all feel happy together :).

Giveaway #1. Closed

This is my first giveaway on my blog. You have a chance to win a set of handmade polymer clay pendant with earrings.

I will also add an extra gift, but that is a surprise you will get to see only when you unwrap your package.

Mandatory entry: 
Visit Aroundbeads Etsy Shop , browse around, and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is! Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win!

Extra entries (make sure you leave a separate comment for each). Current fans are eligible!

* Follow my blog (you can follow by clicking follow in the left sidebar) - 1 entry
* Follow me on twitter / facebook - 1 entry 

* Share about this giveaway on your facebook or twitter -1 entry
* Blog about this giveaway (include a link to your post) - 1 entry
* Purchase anything from AroundBeads or SuperSupplies4U  shops and come back letting me know what you purchased (use coupon code BLOG10 to get 10% off at AroundBeads shop) - 4 entries

This giveaway will run from March 1st through the 8th, and the lucky winner will be  chosen by random.org on March 9th, 2011. The winner will be announced here, and he or she will have 48 hours to respond with his/her mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another winner will be chosen after 48 hours.
Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. The more entries you post, the more chances you have to win!

This giveaway is open worldwide.

Have fun and good luck everyone!

I am in a Hearty Mood

It's still January , but I am in a Hearty Mood :)

Tutorial: Spring Flower Earrings

This lesson shows how to make 3-D (three-dimensional) spiral and use it for making earrings, pendants, etc.

Materials:
•    15” (38cm)* of 18 ga Round Soft Wire
•    Jump rings -2
•    Ear wire -2
* The length of the wire depends on the mandrel’s diameter and the number of coils.
Tools:
•    Chain nose pliers
•    Wire cutters
•    Round mandrel (or pencil)