December 17, 2012

A Colourful Bracelet with Wooden Beads

These lovely and colourful wooden beads are combined with macramé cords.

1. Thread a large wooden bead onto the middle of the thick macramé cord.

2. Tie a knot as close as possible to the bead.

3. Feed the thin macramé cord behind the thick macramé cord and feed the two cord ends through the small bead from either side.

4. Now place the two thick cords over the thin cord.

5. Once again feed the thin cord ends through the small bead.

6. Once again place the thick cords over the thin cords and continue like this until the bracelet has reached a desired length.

7. Tie a knot with the thin cords around the thick cords.

8. Plait a small section with the ends.

9. Bend the plaited section to form a loop – large enough for the large bead to fit through.

10. Wrap the thin cords around to secure the loop.

11. Tie a knot.

12. Cut off the ends.

13. Melt the ends lightly to secure them properly.

A Necklace with a Buffalo Horn Bead

A buffalo horn bead and black wooden beads are threaded onto a piece of waxed cotton cord with knots.

1. Thread a horn bead and a wooden bead onto a piece of cotton cord using a beading needle.

2. Tie knots onto the cord before threading any beads onto the cord. The knots function as stoppers for the beads.

3. Close after the beads by tying a knot onto the cord.

4. You may use a needle for pulling the knot as close to the bead as possible.

5. When the necklace has the desired number of beads, make an adjustable knot on either side of the cord.
See Jewellery School - An Adjustable Knot

Another variant.

December 16, 2012

An Ice Crystal from Drop-Shaped Glass Beads

The drops are threaded onto a thin silver-plated wire and wound around a thicker silver-plated wire.

1. Thread a small bead onto the middle of the wire. Double over the wires and thread ten small beads onto the gathered wires.

2. Divide the wires and thread 20 medium sized beads onto each wire followed by five large beads; one wire with glass beads and the other with matt white glass beads.

3. Wind the beads around a 10cm long piece of bonsai wire at one end. Repeat at the opposite end.

4. Wind the excess thin silver-plated thread around the bonsai wire a couple of times. Make three in total.

5. Put the pieces on top of each other and assemble with a thin silver-plated wire.

6. Tie the pieces well together.

7. Thread the beads alternately onto a thin silver-plated wire. Gather to make a ring and place on top of the whole piece.

8. Fasten with the excess wire.