Sep 04 2010

Silver Bead Necklace Making – An Interesting Craft

Silver bead necklace is a precious jewel and the art of making jewels may be regarded as a craft. It is not so that only a crafter can make beautiful designs. Even a person with creative thinking can make wonderful designs. The design made depends on his innovation rather than his experience. When one tries to design a necklace, he finds his work amazing when it is fully completed. So it not considered as a difficult job.

Jewel making can also be regarded as a hobby. Let us see what the steps involved in making a silver bead necklace. First we have to make the plan of how it is to be made, in which design, etc. The layout of the necklace should be first given which should meet the expectation.

For making a silver bead necklace, the following things are essential. They include beads, sterling silver pendant, sterling silver findings, sterling silver beads, black or white towel, etc

The process of making silver bead necklace should be done in a sequence. The steps are discussed here. The first step is to select a variety of beads so that it may be included in the necklace. Also we have to select the beads for the silver findings, silver beads and for the strand. These beads are kept over a towel so that they can be prevented from slipping.

The second step is to study about the beads completely to know the fact that which beads will work together. This difference arises because the beads are made of different materials such as glass, precious stone, shell, crystal, pearls, corals, plastic, wood or resin, horn, etc. The color of the beads varies depending on the type of material used. They may be light or dark, small or large. There may be conditions which makes us to use Thai hill tribe silver beads, Bali handicraft silver beads, etc. These beads will break up the design into sections.

The third step is to do experiments with interesting combinations. Before starting the experiment, the value of the contrast, in size and color and texture are to be noted. The beads with high contrast are mostly preferred. The fourth step is to give importance to the weight of the beads and selecting it. The beads should be as light as possible.

The fifth step is to select patterns for our jewelry design. The design should be unconventional as far as possible. The sixth step is to care about the quality of the beads. The beads that we are using should be attractive and of better quality. There are various ways in placing the beads in positions. The final step is to string the necklace without fastening the clasp. Thus a beautiful silver bead necklace has been made.

silver bead necklace is a precious jewel and the art of making jewels may be regarded as a craft. Why not make the ultimate investment in fine art? More info on beautiful necklaces now available on http://www.overstocksilver.com/.

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Sep 02 2010

Making Your Own Crystal Jewelry

Crystals are among the most preferred jewelry. Aside from being beautiful, they can look very elegant. Not only crystals can be used to make jewelries, they could also make good ornaments and at the same time accessories for clothes. Because of the beauty and charm of crystals, the number of people who are buying and choosing crystals are increasing.

Some popular types of crystals would be Swarovski crystal which is an Austrian crystal, Celestial crystal and Czech glass. In addition to these, there are crystals often referred to as healing crystals. There are often left in their natural state and unfinished. There are also crystalline stones which are made as crystal jewelry like quartz and amethyst. Austrian crystals are the most expensive in the market compared to other crystals.

There are many designs of crystal jewelry available in the market. But handmade crystal jewelry are also increasing in popularity. Hand making crystal jewelries allows the individual to personalize the jewelry. They can select the designs and colors that they want. This would also make jewelries unique and different from those jewelries that you may probably see in other people’s necks and wrists.

There are different styles of crystal jewelries, necklaces, bracelets, crystal earrings and even finger rings. Crystals are available in different colors, it would not be difficult for you to create your jewelry based on your color specifications. Crystals can be very durable. You can see crystal pendants or beads carved out in different forms.

What do you need when making crystal jewelry? The most important equipment will be your pliers. There are different kinds of pliers and cutters, each has its own purpose. If you check a toolbox of a professional jewelry maker, you would notice that they would have different kinds of pliers. But for starters, you can use just the basic pliers, the flat nose, round nose and the wire cutter.

Of course, you would need the beads, wires and locking devices or clasps. You may also need a design board, bead organizers and crimping tools. Crimping tools will secure the clasps in your jewelry. Some would consider getting a jewelry-making kit instead of buying the supplies separately. There are also jewelry making kits that you can buy, they could include beads, basic tools and guide for jewelry-making. There are also different books that would have guides in them readily available in different shops.

Before you start any beading, go to the drawing board first. Design your project. Identify if you will be making a necklace or a bracelet or other jewelries. You would also have to plan what color scheme you are going to use, type of closure or clasps you will be using, and what kinds of crystals you are going to use.

Do not be limited to common designs. There are a lot of crystal products that you can make. You can sew in to your clothes while others would make ornaments and even bouquets out of it. The possibilities are endless, you just need to be take a little risk with the designs. But make sure that the designs you will be using are not just for fun but functional too.

Everybody can learn how to make crystal jewelry. Some would even make a living out of their hobby. To create dazzling and amazing jewelry, you would need to unleash your creativity and at the same time, have a little bit of patience. You can even include other people into craft making, it could be a bonding moment between mother and daughter.

You can even give this crystal jewelry as gifts or keep it to yourself.

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Aug 31 2010

Handcrafted Beaded & Sterling Silver Jewelry – Symbols of Power, Prayer & Prestige

Long before jewelry was used as a fashion accessory, it was used by tribal people, religious orders, shamans, high priests and priestesses and traditional healers as powerful keepers of faith, healing and universal knowledge. Minerals, stones and crystals were gathered into handcrafted beaded jewelry, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry and ornate gold jewelry that were called amulets, crosses, tokens, charms, medallions, prayer beads and rosaries. They believed each mineral, stone and crystal to have unique powers and metaphysical attributes. It was further believed that the wearer absorbed the powerful energies of each stone, crystal and mineral.

Jewelry has long been used in religious ceremonies as well. In Christianity, rings are still used today as a symbol of commitment to one’s spouse in marriage, while a necklace bearing a cross is used as a symbol of faith and commitment to God. Similar to Christianity’s rosary, the Buddhist religion uses prayer beads during meditation to keep count of the number of mantras recited. In India, a bride adorns herself with numerous bangles, jewels, and headdresses as auspicious tokens of the couples’ union.

For centuries jewelry has been used to denote social class and nobility. Pharaohs, kings and queens, princes and princesses, tribal chiefs and emperors each wore their own crowned armor of jewels to distinguish themselves from ordinary classes. The jewels symbolized power, authority, prestige, wealth and nobility.

Today handcrafted jewelry symbolizes a beautiful and unique connection to ancient beliefs, customs and traditions. Handcrafted beaded and handcrafted sterling silver artisan jewelry is a beautiful expression of whatever power you believe it holds for you. There is a universal magic in minerals, stones and crystals, and their magnificence is expressed throughout the ages by every culture on the planet. Whether a symbol of beauty, prestige, nobility, metaphysical power, faith, healing or commitment, jewelry has a rich and diverse history all its own.

Incredibly Handmade is a one of a kind shopping site with unique handcrafted beaded and handcrafted sterling silver artisan jewelry handmade silk shawls, silk scarves, handmade bags, unique embroidered fabric purses and other handmade accessories and ethnic crafts from around the world. Many of these ethnic accessories are handmade by hilltribe people such as the Mien, Karen and Hmong scattered throughout mountainous regions of Asia. From classic and elegant to bohemian-chic, Incredibly Handmade has something unique for everyone. Feel free to visit our online store at http://incrediblyhandmade.com.

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