Free step-by-step tutorials

Handmade Copper Wire Clasp

2009-02-27T20:07:00.007+01:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

Make your own wire clasp for your handmade jewelry!

Materials:
Wire 0.6-0.8 mm (20-22 ga)
Wire 0.3-0.4 mm (26-28 ga)
2 beads
Tools

Level: easy

Cut approx. 15 cm (6”) of 0.8 mm wire.
Wrap a segment of 52 mm (2”) of it with 0.4 mm wire.

Bend the wire in the middle of the wrapped segment.

Fasten the short end of the wire.

Put the bead and make a loop.

Make a hook.

For the other part of clasp cut approx. 9 cm (3.5”) of wire and make a 20 mm (0.7”) wrapping segment.

Make a ringlet out of the wrapped segment, put the bead and make a loop.

The clasp is ready!

The picture shows one way of using it.

Wire Bracelet with Gemstones

2008-09-20T23:02:00.013+02:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

Materials: gemstones o beads, wire 0.6 - 0.8 mm, wire 0.3-0.4 mm, connecting rings and clasp.
Level: easy.

It's really easy! I post photos only.
I think you won't have a problem.

In this bracelet I used natural Ural Gemstones. We can buy it here.

Tania.

How to make convex shapes or Tools from trash (Part 1)

2008-04-21T22:54:00.012+02:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

Many of my tools are “tools from trash”.
Now I'll discover one of my secrets!

For example, to make this pendant I used one unusual tool.

To make convex shapes I use … bottom of beverage cans!

How to use (technical details):

- various cans have different radius of curvature. Use the same cans for twin pieces (earrings).
- the maximum diameter of piese is approx. 47 - 48 mm, sometimes up to 50 mm.
- Take the piece away before it gets cold.

Attention!
Work carefully or protect the sharp edges with sticky tape!

Unbaked pieces look like this:

Finally, some of my works (with the use of can bottoms):

to be continued...
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18 Methods to Clasp Necklace. (Part II).

2008-03-27T00:53:00.007+01:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

Continuation of the set of pictures of the clasps.

The Part I is here.

Some directions for use purchased accessories (rings, carabine clasps, cords):

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18 Methods to Clasp Necklace. (Part I).

2008-03-06T10:05:00.018+01:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

The First Part of set of pictures of the clasps.

Some directions for use purchased accessories (rings, carabine clasps, cords, extender chain):

To be continued...

The Part II is here.

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Beads in the Form of a Leaf

2008-02-05T14:50:00.003+01:00

Author: Tania Zakharchenko

Tutorial: How to make a Beads in the Form of a Leaf such as beads on this photo:

Materials and tools: Piece of Polymer clay, blade, needle, pearl eye shadows (or Pearl-ex) and texture. I used disposable razor for depilation with grooved surface.

Moreover it will be necessary a scrap of glass or CD box, eye shadow applicator, talc powder.

In this tutorial I used Sculpey III Gold.

1. Make a strip of clay from a bit piece of polymer clay 5-6 mm thickness.
A cover of CD box helps to make it.

2. Cut the strip on-the-miter in the rhomb shape…

… for small leaves cut short pieces, for long leaves cut pieces should be longer.
You can see short pieces at right and longest at left in the photo:

3. Put a bit of talc powder to texture to protect an adhesion. Press each piece to texture as it is shown in the photos.

4. Take away leaves from the texture and curve it a form of leaf at the same time. Hold the leaf by “petiole” (right side of the leaf in the photo).

5. Cut off superfluous:

6. Paint the leaves with the eye shadows. Put the paint on the relief parts only. For the gold clay I used the light-beige eye shadow.

7. Mark holes with the think needle, bake and varnish the beads.
Enjoy!

You can find some ideas about applications here

Also, I can make a set of the same beads specially for you. Please, find the set of similar beads at my Etsy Shop or contact me. Any colors are available!

Tania.

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