Take a Make Break – Quick and Easy Jewellery Making Projects

If your busy life is leaving you little time for your creative hobby, we can help! We know that being creative is a way of life, a relaxation, a treat. But we all have so much to manage in our lives: work, family, friends, kids, housework, pets… the list goes on. This often means that we put our hobbies and treats to the bottom of the pile. And we think that’s a crafting tragedy! You might have seen Heston bringing back the tea break. We’ve taken it further: Introducing the “Make Break”!

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I recently stumbled across the Firefrost Designs website. Intrigued by what I saw, I got in touch with Karen to find out more about her jewellery business.

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Neon Brights

Neon is one of 2012’s biggest trends, the perfect shades to really put you in that summery mood. Neon finishing touches such as belts and headbands are brilliant for embracing the trend, so why not create some jewellery to do the same. The colours can really brighten your mood and raise your spirits, and let’s face it; neon is always so much fun to wear. Mix neon’s with sorbet shades to add your own twist, whilst still keeping your piece on trend.

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I noticed Rachel Lucie in a magazine and got in touch to see if she’d like to be challenged to make some handmade jewellery from some of our beads. I also wanted to find out all about her successful jewellery making career, her blog and website.

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Yes, we know it’s raining. But we were thinking about holidays…and we’re always thinking about making jewellery…so why not combine the two? This week I caught up with Julia to find out more about the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery.

Founded in 2001, the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery is the longest established independent jewellery school in Europe. With classes for all abilities, the school caters for total beginners as well as more experienced students. The school organises beginner to advanced level technique classes based on demand from working jewellers and the general public. It has become an internationally recognised centre of excellence for jewellery training and students come from all over the world to study there.

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Linked Friendship Bracelet

Download the PDF instructions

Friendship bracelets are back in fashion due to popular sites like Pinterest. What used to be for the brownies now has a cool, modern twist as the cords are mixed with chains, bars and beads! One of the big trends for summer 2012 is wearing a stack of 3 bracelets. Why not try adding in a friendship bracelet as part of your stack.

The bracelets range in their difficulty, from simple plaits to more complicated knotting techniques. A variety of cords can be used when creating these bracelets. Thin leathers and cords like our 1mm Shamballa style cords produce smaller, delicate bracelets. Whereas thicker leathers and suede cords, like our 2.5mm beach bead suede cords, give a thicker and more noticeable braid.

I have loved making friendship bracelets for ages, so for a new challenge I decided to figure out the techniques required for a new style of bracelet that uses all my left over Shamballa style cord and bars that look like tiny little weights!

Four strands of one colour or two stands of two different colours creates a gorgeous bracelet, and adding an 8×8 Shamballa style slider bead adds a fab finish and allows the bracelet to be worn with ease. A four strand plaiting technique is used for making the ends and a knotting technique is used around the bars! A while was spent attempting to figuring out the lengths and the knotting but eventually a final bracelet was complete.

Having made several now, each one gets neater as practise makes perfect! I love experimenting with different cord colours, and although making the bracelets is a little time consuming, it is addictive nonetheless. If you would like to have a go at making one of Read More

As you know we’re excited to be stocking Shrinkles shrink plastic here at Beads Direct. Shrink plastic is a fantastic craft product, with various uses from cardmaking and papercraft to jewellery making and beyond. You can draw, stamp and colour on to shrink plastic and shrink it in the oven or using a heat tool. This makes it shrink 7 times smaller and thicker, leaving you with a more robust, useable charm, motif or pendant. Shrink plastic is fun to use for kids and adults alike!

We wanted to share a this cute shrink plastic project by Natalia Colman, author of the new book ‘Fantastic Shrink Plastic‘ available exclusively at Beads Direct!

Shrink Plastic Keyrings

Hello Kitty Inspired Charms Made with Shrinkles Shrink Plastic

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Swarovski’s Exciting New Gem Colours

Have you taken a look at the new range of Gemcolours that are part of Swarovski’s spring/summer collection for 2013? These beads are gorgeous and offer an exciting new look for the traditional style of pearls. These polished and shiny crystal pearls appear like natural opaque gemstones giving you a fantastic alternative.

The 9 colours in the collection are coral, red coral, pink coral, ivory, jade, turquoise, lapis, dark lapis and mystic black. These beads are available in a range of sizes and can be used for a variety of jewellery and accessories. You could use just one of the colours in your design, or try combining different colour combinations for something really unique. (Click on the photo to take a closer look).

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How to make a Beach Bead Bracelet.

Beads Direct’s exclusive Beach Beads are inspired by the beauty of the beach and its surroundings, from oceans to landscapes. The beads come in a wide range of colours and patterns that will put you in the holiday mood.

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It’s a very exciting time of year for us at Beads Direct. The voting for the Make Jewellery Awards has begun. We are very proud and excited to be nominated as Best Mail Order/ Online Shopping Site and Best Semi-Precious Stone Supplier!

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