Thursday 29 August 2013

Bracelet making workshop - brainstorming

This afternoon I have been playing around with beads and some new findings, working on a new bracelet making workshop idea.
Not a unique design many bead jewellery stalls have similar bracelets, but have you ever wanted to learn how to make these, if so I can set up a workshop to teach you, I have a large selection of beads both glass and semi-precious which would all work well with this design.






If you are interested in attending a workshop please let me know, or are you a member of a craft group or other organisation local to Staffordshire, Shropshire, that might be interested in a jewellery making workshop, please contact me for details.

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Diamante and pearl - a wedding delight

For brides who like a bit of diamante to add some extra sparkle this bracelet would be perfect - made with large diamante flowers, Swarovski crystal pearls and small clear glass beads






I really enjoyed making this -

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Tuesday 27 August 2013

How to make a simple crystal flower with wire and beads - a Jewellery making tutorial by Angela Smith

It has been a long time since I posted a 'how to....'
and these flowers are so easy to make and versatile, they can be used in tiaras,, hair decorations, earrings, and necklaces, and can be adapted to make more elaborate and ornate flowers if you wish.
So here goes - enjoy making....

Materials I used to make these:
10 inches of wire, must be able to pass through the crystals 3 times I have used a 0.4mm silver plate wire,
6 6mm Swarovski crystals bicones
12 clear seed beads

1 pr of snipe nosed pliers
1 pr of wire cutters



Instructions.
thread one crystal and one seed bead onto wire, take beads to approx 1 1/2 inches away from end of wire.

thread the long end of wire  ( your working end) back through the crystal bead and using the snipe nosed pliers gently pull the wire tight



thread on one seed bead, one crystal and another seed bead.



Again thread the wire through the crystal bead only and pull through gently but firmly, making sure that  all the beads remain tight close to each other.




repeat this until all six crystals have been used - making sure you keep the beads close together and wire tight.




You will now have two short tails of wire left, thread your last remaining seed bead onto your working end and then thread the working end back through the first crystal and seed bead pull tight,



 there are now three wires inside the crystal which should be quite snug. using your wire cutters cut what is left of your working end as close to the top seed bead as you can get, then with the back of your pliers gently push down on any wire that may  be sticking out still to help smooth it down .



Following the direction the 1 1/2 inch tail is pointing,  thread through the next seed bead, crystal and seed bead so it comes out at the top of petal, like your previous end pull gently but firmly with your snipe nosed pliers and then cut down as close as you can to the bead with wire cutters, then smooth out with back of pliers.


your flower is complete



handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Saturday 24 August 2013

beaded pendants - animal print

Recently I have seen a number of women wearing animal print clothing, and seen several other items inspired by animal print, so I thought I might as well give it a try too, so today I created an animal print inspiration board on pinterest and made these two beaded pendants.


handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

Thursday 22 August 2013

Time out from jewellery making - Beaded cards

Today, while I was manning Gallery at 12 I had a chance to make up some new beaded cards to replace some of the sold stock

cobweb

sunflower

having made the sunflower and cobweb, a gentleman walked in having selected my last bumblebee card from the racks outside - so guess what I made next!

bumblebee

then I went on to make a couple of celebration style cards - great for weddings or just a  general congratulations !

cheers!
All of the above are one off cards, if you would like a card made for a special occasion and special person, please contact me and I will do my best to come up with a design just for you.

handmade cards by Angela Smith

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Swarovski cream and electric blue

A stunning combination even if I say so myself and I am loving these large blue Swarovski crystal pearls - just gorgeous. perfect for wedding or evening wear or even to wear during the day to add a bit of sparkle to your smart business wear or bling up that T-shirt - basically you could wear it whenever or where-ever you want!!






If your bridesmaids are wearing dresses in this blue and you are wearing cream, this would tie the colours together beautifully, or if you have an evening dress in this blue, this set would be a fantastic addition and the cream pearls would give it a lift.

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith


Sunday 18 August 2013

With sunflowers on my mind

These past few days I have been thinking a lot about sunflowers, so it was inevitable that I would end up making some sunflower jewellery - and after quite a bit of playing around with beads and wire I finally came up with these.




This could be attached to a hair slide,tiara band or brooch pin or something similar - at the moment it is just a sunflower, until I decide!



sunflower earrings 
 Sunflowers are becoming increasingly more popular as a wedding flower, so these would be ideal for a sunflower themed wedding, or equally as good as summer jewellery.

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Sunday 11 August 2013

Sunday best

A lovely relaxing day - pottering about the garden, listening to the test match and a bit of jewellery making too!
My new items for today -

Swarovski crystals 

freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals

Glass bead and Swarovski crystals

Glass bead and Swarovski crystals


Glass beads and Swarovski crystals


handmade jewellery by Angela Smith