Create your Own Chain in Jewelry Making

Bracelet by Carol Bradley necklace by Mary Newton on Lucid Moon Studio blog.

Sweet Bead Studio on Etsy

If you enjoy making jewelry, then creating your own chain is something you may want to try at some point. Whether you decide to use a torch to solder the links together, or choose not to, the options vary greatly in chain making. For those who appreciate asymmetric designs you will like these one of a kind links (top) by Carol Bradley and Mary Newton both found on Lucid Moon Studio blog spot. The fun one of a kind link bracelet below them is by Sweet Bead Studio.

 

Braceley by Maison Martin Margiela 

Chain making is more than just connecting round links. The devil is in the details. Linking actual rings is a personalized and / or romantic keepsake. Where the rings come from, ( family, ex, yourself... ) is completely up to you. This great example by Maison Martin Magiela gave me a good idea.

 

Wire Workers Guild

Wire Work Guild

In unit four of Sheffield's Jewelry making course, the forging technique is taught. Hammering different forms from various size wire gauges to create shapes. These shapes can be linked to create a chain, with or without jump rings. The graceful beauty in these forged metal links by wire workers guild are great examples. I see them as being versatile enough to even add stones to them.  

Silver Bench Jewelry

The S hook chain and earrings by Lisa Nortz are one of many spectacular hand crafted chains she creates at her shop Silver Bench Jewelry.

Spanish style chain, also known as the money chain, was mainly made of silver and gold and used as a money since the links are easily removable. This pair of earrings are made by Patrick Ober found on Etsy.

Chain Maille bracelet by Patrick Ober

Of course we can not leave out chain maille chains when talking about chain making, or chain mail, depending on your preference. The origin of the word maille means sheet of metal. Jewelry designers use the term chain maille when creating a flat pattern of jump rings, the interpretation of the word means mesh of net.

If you're interested in learning more about jewelry design, we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

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DIY- Semi Precious Gemstone & Driftwood Sail Boat Tutorial

Wood before it was bleached.

Inspiration can strike at any time. I was walking on a path near the west side highway in NYC and noticed what appeared to be driftwood. In actuality they were just sticks washed up from the Hudson River - lots of them, almost a mile long to choose from. My first thought was to make a mobile or window hanging with them by using random gemstones I have left over from other projects.

Wood after it was bleached.

As soon as I returned home, with the bundle of specifically picked sticks, I put them in the bath tub to soak them in bleach. This is not only to kill any bugs and germs that may be in the wood but to give them that driftwood look. 

Two pieces nailed together, with screw eyes in place.

Since I had settled on the idea for a mobile that involves using my nephew's matchbox cars, that were not in my home, I had to come up with another plan for my pseudo driftwood that I could get started on immediately. So... what happened next was the gemstone sail boat.

I hammered a long nail through the bottom piece of wood into the vertical piece and secured it with some glue. I suppose I could have been neater with the glue. I then bought small screw eyes from my local hardware store and screwed them in where I wanted the gemstone sails to be tied. The screws went into the wood fairly easily, just by pushing and twisting, no tools needed. 

Gemstones are knotted on string and tied to screw eyes.

Then I tied string to the top screw eyes and started knotting some glass and semi precious gemstones I had sitting around in a small dish, just waiting for a purpose. 

Haley's semi precious wooden gemstone sail boat.

This is how it turned out- meet the semi precious gemstone driftwood sail boat! Need to come up with a better name. I should have a Sheffield School student contest with photo entries of creative ways to use leftover jewelry materials. 

Are you interested in taking a great jewelry design course and learning more about how to make your own jewelry or get started professionally in this creative field? Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

 

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

 

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Spectacular Macrame Jewelry

Macramé is a stitch that requires knotting, rather than weaving. Going way back, long before the 1970's made it a fashion statement that spread into home decor with owls and plant holders, it is believed to originate around the 1300's by Arab weavers.

It was popular with sailors who would decorate knives and wine bottles, while at sea, for trade when they reached new towns. This helped spread the technique globally. It was most popular during the Victorian Era. Homes were filled with macramé blankets, table cloths, draperies and wall hangings. 

Making its resurgence in the 2000's, Danielle Welmond has created some spectacular updated and exquisitely crafted weaved pieces. Above are hoops and a bracelet with sterling beads incorporated into the weave.

For Sheffield School students who love weaving techniques, these are some alternative ideas for setting stones. Whether you use rocks like Little Owl or decide to wrap a beautiful gem stones like HyppieChic on Etsy these are not only interesting to look at but can get you inspired. 

These colorful bracelets were found on Marta Mccall's blog by an unknown artist. I thought they were quite impressive but I have no idea how they were made.

This beautiful wrap bracelet by Chan Luu reminds me of friendship bracelets from the 70's that are remade in an upscale way for grown ups. 

Are you interested in taking a great jewelry design course and learning more about how to make your own jewelry or get started professionally in this creative field? Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

 

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

 

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Fall and Winter trend Jewelry Entry Contest

Sheffield students often ask me where they should purchase jewelry making supplies. The first question I ask is what exactly are you looking for? I use several different sources for various reasons. The information I pass on to students is from my personal experiences over the past decade of purchasing my own materials for jewelry making. 

Rio Grande has been one of my sources for a long time. Yesterday I received an email for a contest entry from Rio Grande, teaming up with Pinterest, to submit a Fall / Winter collection. This is an ideal contest for Sheffield students to enter.  I encourage Sheffield students to enter not only for the prize but for the experience - particularly for those who are working on photographing the collection they are creating in units 5 & 6. This contest is also great for our graduates who have completed photographing their collection.

All that is needed to enter is to submit to Rio Grande (pinterest@riogrande.com) a link to your images on a Pinterest board that you created with your collection, along with descriptions of your pieces. Not only will you be entered to win a Rio Grande credit towards materials - and what jewelry designer does not want more materials! - but it is a great experience to launch a collection. You will receive exposure for your work leading traffic to your online store, and you will see what it is you are doing correctly and where you need to improve. This is a natural growth process and builds confidence.

I will be posting other contest entries from other vendors that I like as I see them, but this one is unusual because it calls for a submission of an entire collection. Generally contests call for an entry with only one piece.

Enter by August 15th. Good Luck !! 

Are you interested in taking a great jewelry design course and learning more about how to make your own jewelry or get started professionally in this creative field? Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

 

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

 

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Organizing Ideas For Your Beads and Jewelry Supplies

Christine Marie Studio blogspot

Many Sheffield students ask me what is the best way to store their beads - by color, size, or shape? When you develop a jewelry making addiction the supplies seem so tiny and harmless, but they start to add up and take over your room real fast. This can lead to a confusing mess unless you are willing to put your creativity into your organizational skills and find a solution that works for your space. 

Jars of beadson 2 me 4 art blog.

There is no right or wrong way to store your jewelry supplies, but it is far better to see your materials and know what you have to work with, rather than relying on memory. Separating materials properly creates the need for lots of small storage spaces but will make your life easier when you are scanning your materials for the perfect stone or bead for your project. I have always liked the look of glass jars for storage but do not trust myself with all that glass. 

Whether you keep them separated with trays inside a drawer to tuck them out of site, or visible in jars on shelves, it does not really matter if you separate them by by color, size or shape. Depending on what you make you will find that you reach for some things more often than others. Figuring out what those items are will help you start the organization process.

Nick and Caeli blogspot

Not only will it be easier for you to see what you have to use when working, but it will save you from going out and purchase something you already had. 

Haley M bead storage idea.

My gemstones and findings are separated in tins, with clear lids, inside drawers. I can easily see what I have when working and keep the items I use most in the top drawers. In a larger bottom drawer I keep my larger gemstones inside zip lock bags. Inside each bag I write how much each stone costs. When I purchase a strand of stones I write the cost of the strand (for comparison shopping) and I count how many stones are on the strand. I then divide the price of the strand by the number of stones, which gives me a price per bead. When reaching to use that stone in a design a year later, I will know how to calculate my costs for pricing the piece I am working on. 

If you are more of a part time addict, or live in a really small space, you may want to tuck your supplies away in a trunk and slide it under a bed or inside a closet. If you want your part time addiction to be displayed proudly, Amy Powers shows us how to convert an old suitcase into fun storage with this great tutorial.

A parts storage container meant for screws and washers is a great way to neatly store beads and findings. They can be be purchased at nearly every hardware store. The small drawers are clear so it is easy to see what is inside, while keeping everything in a contained area so it is not taking up too much space.

Martha Stewart hinged 2 bookcases together, Pinterest.

Martha Stewart hinged two bookcases together to form a closing cabinet. It is so beautifully organized if it were in my house I would feel no need to close it. It feels almost too perfect to mess up by actually working on it. Love that the tools are neatly hanging in front and the beads are stacked in clear containers on the shelves at eye level. 

Are you interested in taking a great jewelry design course and learning more about how to make your own jewelry or get started professionally in this creative field? Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

 

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

 

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.