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Basic
Materials and Tools:
• Tigertail and
Soft-flex wire: Strong, flexible,
nylon-covered wires used for stringing
necklaces. Tigertail is stiff so it does not
require a needle and it holds its shape. Use
with heavier beads and finish with crimp beads.
Tigertail has a tendency to kink, which the new,
more expensive Soft-flex wire has solved
somewhat.
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Beads: There are several varieties of
beads, but the most common are: seed beads, pony
beads, bugle beads, stone beads and spacer
beads.
• Crimp beads:
Soft metal beads that are flattened onto
Tigertail or Soft-flex wire to finish strands or
keep a bead in place. String a crimp bead onto
Tigertail and flatten it with pliers. Crimp
beads often have a corrugated look.
•
Crimping Pliers:
Specialized pliers for squishing crimp
beads.
• Hemp Twine:
A thick fibrous material used for knotting
jewelry patterns. Although hemp now comes in
many colors, the signature “natural tan” color
is still the most popular.
• Clasps:
Metal fasteners used at the ends of
necklaces, bracelets and anklets to connect the
two ends together.
• Cord tips:
Metal coils that go over the ends of cord,
leather thong or hemp.
You may also want to get a bead board to layout
your designs and wire cutters to snip the
Tigertail.
Many arts and crafts stores also offer
classes for amateur to advance hobbyists.
Purchasing a jewelry kit is a great way to get
started without having to buy supplies
separately. Jewelry making is a craft that could
even turn into a business. Your kids could sell
the jewelry they make at your next yard sale!
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Starter
Projects
For younger kids,
try these two designs:
Boy’s Leather
Necklace
Materials:
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Pony bead, red
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Pony bead, white
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Pony bead, green
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Pony bead, yellow
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Pony bead, blue
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Leather lacing, ½ yard
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Lobster claw clasp
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Spring coil closure
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Craft glue
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Scissors
Instructions:
1. Glue spring coil to one end of
leather. Let dry. Tie knot 4 inches from
end.
2. Slide red, white, green, yellow and
blue bead onto leather.
3. Tie knot at end of last bead. Measure
from center and trim excess leather to
make even.
4. Glue second spring coil to end and
let dry.
5. Attach lobster claw to one end and
spring ring to other end.
Girl’s
Turquoise Beaded Necklace
Materials
(from Michael’s Art Store):
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Hirschberg Schutz & Co., Inc. Elite
Better Beads, Glass Beads,
BB3794-42, Blue
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Hirschberg Schutz & Co., Inc. Elite
Better Beads Filigree Pendants &
Bead caps, BB3699-01, Silver
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Elastic Line
String the beads on the elastic in the
following order:
1 bead cap
1 oval turquoise bead
1 bead cap
1 spacer
1 bead cap
1 turquoise medium round bead
1 bead cap
1 spacer
1 bead cap
1 turquoise small round bead
1 bead cap
1 spacer
Repeat this 10 times to create the
entire necklace. Tie a knot when
completed stringing and pull knot
through the hole of a big bead to hide
the knot.
Source: Instructions from
www.michaels.com |
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Stores and
classes: In addition to area Michaels and
Hobby Lobby stores, these are just some of the
many stores that offer jewelry making products
and classes.
• Bead Boutique:
Alpharetta, 678-867-0303
www.beadboutiqueusa.com
• The Bead Bug:
Marietta, 678-565-0704
Alpharetta, 678-297-0706
www.mybeadbug.com
• Brina Beads:
Buckhead, 404-816-8238
www.brinabeads.com
Books:
• Quick and Easy Beaded
Jewelry
by Elizabeth Gourley, Ellen Talbott,
Price: $13.57
• Simply Beautiful
Beading: 53 Quick and Easy Projects
by Heidi Boyd, Price: $13.59
• Hemp Jewelry
(Kids
Can
Do It)
by Judy Ann Sadler, June Bradford,
Price: $10.36
• Beading: Bracelets,
Earrings, Necklaces and More (Kids Can Do It)
by Judy Ann Sadler, Price: $6.95
• Making Beautiful Hemp
& Bead Jewelry
by Mickey Baskett, Price: $10.36
• Making Beaded
Jewelry: Over 80 Beautiful Designs to Make and
Wear
by Barbara Case, Price: $11.55
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