Teri's Knotted Pearl Necklace

Teri’s Knotted Pearl Necklace

Teri’s Knotted Pearl Necklace is a stylish twist on a timeless classic. Everybody loves hand knotted pearls. Teri gives us a great way to freshen them up using sassy colored pearls and fun Vintaj charms.

Necessary Skills:
Cord Knotting
Using clamshells
Jump rings



You Will Need:
3 pieces of brass chain (1/4 inch, ½ inch and ¾ inch)
Size 5 Griffin pearl knotting silk (2 meters)
8mm teal freshwater pearls (1 strand)
Vintaj charm, sunflower charm and teeny lizard charms
5mm Vintaj jump rings (4)
7mm Vintaj jump ring
Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals
Clamshells (2)
Trigger clasp
Awl or knotting tweezers

Instructions:

1. Tie a knot in the end of the knotting silk opposite the needle. Thread the needle through the hole in the hinge of one clamshell. Pull the silk all the way through, so the knot sits in the cup of the clamshell. Tie a knot and press it against the outside of the clamshell, using your awl or tweezers.

2. Leave a ¾ inch space. Tie another knot and pull it tight. String on one seed bead, one pearl and another seed bead. Tie a knot and press it against the seed bead, using your awl or tweezers.

3. Repeat this technique until you reach the desired length. Be careful to use an even number of pearls! (Teri’s is 18 inches long.) Add the second clamshell and carefully knot inside the cup. Apply superglue to both knots, trim the silk and press both clamshells closed.

4. Open the loop on one clamshell, string on the trigger clasp and curl the loop closed.

5. Open the loop on the second clamshell, string on the 7mm jump ring and curl the loop closed. You now have a functional necklace!

6. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the end link of all three pieces of brass chain and the silk in the center open space. Carefully close the jump ring.

7. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the longest piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the butterfly charm. Carefully close the jump ring.

8. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the medium piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the sunflower charm. Carefully close the jump ring.

9. Carefully open the last 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the shortest piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the teeny lizard charm. Carefully close the jump ring. Your necklace is finished!

Esther's Butterfly Necklace

Esther’s Butterfly Necklace

This advanced wire wrapping project gives you many opportunities to customize your look. Choose different charms, or various sizes and colors of crystals to create a totally different impression. You’ll love your finished piece, no matter what choices you go with! Enjoy!

Necessary Skills:
Wire wrapping and top drilled wire wrapping
Building wire wrapped chains
Jump rings
You Will Need:
2 pieces of Vintaj brass chain (approx. 4 inches each, to fit)
Silk ribbon (approx. 24 inches)
Vintaj Hammered Ring and Toggle Bar
Vintaj Butterfly pendant, bumblebee charm and two dragonfly charms
4mm Swarovski crystal bicone (3)
Gemstone briolettes OR Swarovski top drilled bicones (2)
7mm Vintaj jump rings (4)
24 gauge brass wire, cut into 3 inch lengths (at least 20)
Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals
Instructions:
1. With one of the pieces of brass wire, form wire wrapped loops on each side of a 4mm crystal bicone. Make a wire wrapped loop on another piece of brass wire and attach it to one of the loops before wrapping it closed. Add one seed bead, and then form another closed wire wrap loop. Continue adding in this manner until you reach 3.5 inches in length. Then repeat the process on the other side of the crystal bicone unit, until you reach about 7 inches total.

2. Carefully open one 7mm jump ring. String on the last link of one piece of Vintaj chain, one end of the wire wrapped chain and the opening in the hammered ring. Carefully close the jump ring.

3. Carefully open another 7mm jump ring. String on the other end of the piece of Vintaj chain as well as the top corner of the Filigree butterfly pendant. Carefully close the jump ring.

4. Carefully open the third 7mm jump ring. String on the end link of the second piece of Vintaj chain and the loose end of the wire wrapped chain. Carefully close the jump ring.

5. Carefully open the last 7mm jump ring. String on the other end of the second piece of Vintaj chain as well as the opposite top corner of the Filigree butterfly pendant. Carefully close the jump ring.

6. Pass the silk ribbon through the loop on the toggle bar and tie silk in a knot to hold it in place. The ribbon forms the back of the necklace. Now, pass on side of the same ribbon through the jump ring on the end of the chains on the right side of the butterfly and tie the silk in a bow. It should be starting to look like a necklace!

7. Wire wrap on the Vintaj charms, briolettes and crystals on to the Vintaj chain in a decorative manner. Use the photograph for inspiration. Enjoy!

Brittany's Swooping Swallow Bracelet

Brittany’s Swooping Swallow Bracelet

This adorable and very stylish bracelet was designed by Bead World Glendale's Brittany Egidi.  This quick and easy bracelet design has real impact.  Make it your own by varying the colors you dangle from the clasp, or add some charms.  Have fun!

Required Skills:
Wire Wrapping
Jump Rings

You Will Need:
Vintaj Swirl Clasp
Vintaj Swooping Swallow pendant
8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)
7mm Vintaj brass jump rings (3)
2 inch, 24 gauge Vintaj headpins (3)
6mm freshwater pearls (2)
6mm Swarovski crystal bicone (1)
Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals (6)
2 pieces of Vintaj brass chain (approx. 6 inches each, to fit)
Instructions:
1. Carefully open one 7mm jump ring. String on the first link of each piece of chain as well as the loop on the swallow’s tail. Carefully close the jump ring.

2. Carefully open another 7mm jump ring. String on the last link of each piece of chain as well as the loop on the swirl portion of the clasp. Carefully close the jump ring.

3. Carefully open the last 7mm jump ring. String on the large link portion of the clasp as well as the loop on the swallow’s head. Carefully close the jump ring. You should be able to close the clasp now and have a functional bracelet.

4. Thread the following onto a head pin: seed bead, freshwater pearl, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

5. Thread the following onto a second head pin: seed bead, crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. The two dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire.

6. Thread the following onto the last head pin: seed bead, freshwater pearl, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. The three dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire. Ta Da! Your bracelet is complete!

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Vintaj Arte Metal

Just when we thought Vintaj couldn't get any better, they've launched a new line - Arte Metal!  Designed to coordinate with gunmetal and blackened silver, Arte Metal features a rich, black patina.  We are so excited to offer a selection of Arte Metal stamping blanks, ribbon slides and pendants.  Let us know what you think!

Marcasite Butterfly, Vintaj Arte Metal, $2.65 at Bead World

Compass Ribbon Slide, Vintaj Arte Metal, $3.45 at Bead World

Waterlily Ribbon Slide, Vintaj Arte Metal, $3.45 at Bead World

Fran's Vintaj Bumblebee Earrings

Fran’s Vintaj Bumblebee Earrings

You Will Need:

• ½ inch length of Vintaj brass chain (2 pieces)


• 1 inch length of Vintaj brass chain (2 pieces)


• Vintaj bumblebee charm (2)


• Vintaj ear wires (2)


• 8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)


• 2 inch, 24 gauge Vintaj headpins (8)


• 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (8) shown in greige


• 6mm Swarovski crystal bicone (2) shown in indicolite


• Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals (4)

Instructions:

1. Carefully open the loop at the bottom of one ear wire. String on the bumblebee charm, the last link of a ½ piece of chain and the last link of a one inch piece of chain. Carefully close the loop.

2. Thread one 6mm bicone onto a head pin. Form a wire wrapped loop above the crystal, making sure to attach the loop to the bottom link of the ½ inch piece of chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

3. Thread another 6mm bicone onto a second head pin. seed bead, crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the crystal, making sure to attach the loop to the bottom link of the longer one inch piece of chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

4. Thread the following onto another head pin: seed bead, 4mm crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the link in the middle of the one inch chain before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

5. Thread one 4mm bicone onto a headpin and wire wrap it to a link in the one inch chain in between the ear wire and the wire wrap from step 4. Then thread one 4mm bicone onto a headpin and wire wrap it to a link in the one inch chain in between the wire wrap from step 4 and the 6mm crystal dangling from the bottom of the chain. Your earring should now look like the picture.

6. Repeat all steps for the second earring.

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Vintaj Fabulousness

Three really cool chicks.  I mean, the kind of chicks you'd just want to snatch up, carry around in your pocket and keep forever.  Those are the kind of women that are behind Vintaj natural brass beading components.  Sisters Wendy and Jeanne, along with their dear friend Jess, started the Vintaj company to bring innovative, vintage inspired beading items into the marketplace.  These hip mamas wanted to work for themselves, so they could have a flexible work environment and keep their focus on their children.  Plus, they figured that we would want all of this gorgeous stuff to play with.  They were right!

An instant favorite of beaders everywhere, Vintaj items have been repeatedly featured in every major beading magazine.  What's not to love?  Unlimited creative options, gorgeous hand rubbed patinas, pieces that work together in a variety of ways, "alternative" setting techniques (yes, a dragofly wing is a perfectly reasonable prong!) -- all created using an eco-friendly, lead free process that's healthy for both the earth and your children.  (Yes, they are going to put that in their mouth!) 

At Bead World, we are unabashed lovers of the entire Vintaj line, and we carry a lot of it in our stores.  Just look at the gorgeous things you can make with their unique pieces!  (Yes, I gush.)  We "borrowed" these great design ideas from the official Vintaj Co. website -- there are a million more where these came from.  Check out their blog, too.  It's always full of great ideas.  I want to hear all about how much you guys love this stuff.  Send me pics of your projects, and I'll add them to the blog!

Think Outside of the Box!

This fun little bracelet was created by Frongelyn Booker at our Phoenix store.  It highlights a number of non-traditional elements in a very sophisticated, cohesive way.  The large double-drilled pietersite sets the rich, organic color pallet for the piece.  Small faceted garnet rondelles bring in some light and sparkle.  The metals used in this bracelet, Vintaj antiqued brass and copper, are a perfect compliment to the gemstones.
Frongelyn did two particularly interesting things with this piece.  First, she used a single strand toggle with a two stranded bracelet.  Contrary to popular, this is a completely reasonable thing to do!  You just need to be certain that the last few beads on the toggle bar end can fit through the toggle ring opening.  Secondly, she used small copper jump rings as a spacer!  This bracelet looks great, and shows that you can do amazing things when you think outside of the box!