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

Thanksgiving Day Tutorial Giveaway!

Thanksgiving Day Giveaway!
If you are jewelry making lover and would like to try some of my jewelry tutorials, welcome to this giveaway ;) The winner will be able to choose any 4 single Jewelry tutorials from my AroundBeads shop.

 Go to my Around Wire blog for more details. 

Zigzag of Luck

Hooray! I just got the Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine with my article in!

I submitted my design of Zigzag of Luck

April-May 2012 issue.

Tucson Jewelry Classes

I wanted to let you know that you can find me in Tucson this winter! I'll be available to teach classes at Tucson Electric Park/Kino Sports Complex at JewelryTools' Tool Tent, #ES14.

You can see all the classes and days I'm teaching here: http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/albina-manning /

Classes start at just $99 and will be held January 28-February 12, 2012

You can find directions to Tucson Electric Park here: http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/tucson2012-directions

Hope to see you there! 

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 .

Silver Rain Necklace went to final! Please vote.

Hello my friends,

I just got an email : my Silver Rain Necklace went to final at

Jewel School Design Contest!

Please, vote for my entry.    Sincerely, Albina Manning

DIY Tutorial: Wrapped Ring

The other day my friend asked me to make a ring. I made it. And I made a DIY tutorial for it too:) I knew you would love it, right?

Tools and Materials: 

• 20ga round dead soft wire – 2 ft
• 10 mm bead – 1
• Ring mandrel
• Chain nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Liver of sulfur (optional)

Sleeping Tree Wire Sculpture

I think already told you that I started my wire art with making a beaded money tree. Since then I made dozens of beaded and gem trees. I always wanted to make a "pure wire" tree. And I did it finally :).

This sleeping tree wire sculpture was made with silvertone wire. I twisted and hammered each wire end then shaped whole tree with my hands. The tree is attached to the natural rock that I found at Bloody Basin, Arizona.

This tree composition is 4 1/4" (11cm) tall from top to bottom. It has natural lichen on the "ground"!

A perfect gift for a teacher, secret Santa, your boss, or someone special in your life!

I Did It!

My Nautilus necklace made with turquoise donuts and copper wire got Bronze medal in Wirework category :)

Tutorial: Wrapped Rectangular Pendant

While my giveaway is going on, many people requested more DIY tutorials on my blog. I do love free tutorials too :) Well, here it is the next!

I have a habit of collecting beautiful, large gemstone beads. This is one of the ways I use wire to make a stylish pendant with them. Please notice that I use craft or florist wire to plan my design. When I am happy with the results, I create the finished item using a precious metal wire, in this case sterling silver. Although the following pattern uses a specific sized bead, by using my formula you can plan and make these pendants from about any size!

Materials for one pendant:
* 1 rectangular shaped gem bead, approx. 1 ¼”x 1 ¼”
* 22ga round soft wire* with 1 foot of wire you can make 3 wraps around 1 ¼”x 1 ¼” bead.

Tools needed:
* Flush cutter
* Round nose pliers
* Flat nose pliers

 Formula: Wire: 1 foot for each desired 3 complete wraps around a bead + the length of the bead +2 inches

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.

Button into Ring

Yes, I know it sounds funny :)

Till recently I separated these two things. Buttons were for dresses, shirts, jackets, etc. Rings were just rings :)

Now , when I see a pretty button, I always think how I could  use it to make a...ring!

... I had this mother-of-pearl 4-hole button, resting lonely in my box. Why not to give you,  my little friend, a new life?

I love the idea of recycling. The next were  shell 2-hole buttons (plus extra buttons from daughters pants, that usually put in little plastic baggy). So,  Party Shell ring was ready !

I could not stop now! I made really cute ring with Swarovski crystal® button and sterling silver wire.
Perfect for party nights or casual outfit:

You can buy all these rings at my Etsy shop

If you want to make your own ring,  I have step-by-step tutorial, that shows how to make an elegant ring using any (even recycled!) 4-hole button. You can use this method to make a ring with 2-hole button(s) as well.
Only $2.50
 

A licensed copy of the lesson in the PDF format will be sent to your e-mail address usually within 24 hours from receiving your payment .

Hummingbirds

I watch hummingbirds every morning that are flying around. It's hard for mе with my small camera to take a picture while they are flying. 

Photo by Yana.

 Do you know Aztecs wore hummingbird talismans? Hummingbird talismans were prized as drawing sexual potency, energy, vigor, and skill at arms and warfare to the wearer.

Of course, I couldn't resist to make a jewelry with this bird using hummingbird charms.

Like this Copper Moon Pendant that is available at my store:

Or this cute ring made with sterling silver wire:

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.

Necklace-Transformer

When people hear the name of this necklace, Necklace-Transformer, they always smile :) Maybe they think about movie 'Transformers' or about a device that transfers electrical energy. But non of them above:)

You can wear this jewelry in two different ways: as a long necklace on a single chain, or like a choker on a double chain.

 The fun part when I make this necklace is to make a tassel. It is like to put puzzle together. I play with gems, beads, chains, and findings (bead cups, charms,spacers, etc).

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

Lovely Labradorite, or Upgraded Pendants

 Did  I tell you that I love labradorite? Labradorite is truly a fascinatingly beautiful mineral. Its a mineral whose charm is not fully noticed and may be overlooked if not viewed from the proper position.  The usually intense colors range from the typical blues and violets through greens, yellows and oranges.

Labradorite is a tremendously spiritual stone.  It helps us regain our energy and aids our bodies and spirits in healing themselves. Like the sound and glistening beauty of a gentle rain, this gemstone quiets us physically, emotionally and spiritually...

I had a pretty labradorite cabochons.

One  was classic an oval cab, and I made a netted bezel for it :

I liked it, but something bothered me.

 It was kinda small pendant.

I have never thought that it is possible to upgrade jewelry :)

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!

Ear Cuffs

Ear cuff jewelry is great for folks who do not have pierced ears or who want the look of multiple piercings without having to have any additional ear piercings. An Ear Cuff clips to the cartilage at the edge of the ear.Ear cuffs are large and fit on the middle of the ear over the cartilage. Whether they are plain or with dangles, Ear cuffs go on the same way. 

Start at the top of the ear and slide down and push in over the cartilage. Then adjust them once, if needed so they barely fit over the cartilage at the middle of the ear. Just make sure they feel snug and secure... 

Order it