Beading 101...and some beaded works of art!
Victoria's Double Flame Earrings with Amethyst and Topaz Beads
I am probably the only jeweler on earth who knows almost nothing about beading! For me, beading is all about adding a little sparkle to my otherwise all-metal jewels, as in the earrings above. So although I use some of the techniques that Adam showed in our metalchik how-to this week, I was excited to learn more about the fundamentals!
Adam did such a great job explaining everything that I feel that I only need add a couple of notes.
Here, Adam is using wire clippers that are a favorite of mine, too. In addition to using them at home, I outfit my classroom with them. They are inexpensive and they LAST - an excellent value at about $6 from our friends at Beadsmith, who also make great beading boards. Adam told me he uses one at home to keep things tidy - unfortunately for him he had to make do with my messy studio this time! Another wonderful wire clipper comes from Lindstrom, the creators of world-class jewelry tools. More expensive at about $44 - OK, a lot more expensive! - but no one tops the quality and precision. Both are available on the web at sites like artbeads.com.
Adam's showing us how to craft a loop to hang another bead on to your necklace. Not only is this a great way to give your project some vertical interest, it's also a fun way to spice up an existing chain or necklace by adding some beads. I call this loop a Roman Twist. (I'm always talking about Roman something-or-other - I must like how it sounds ancient and formal!). My technique pretty much mirrors how Adam demo'ed it, but I find it's easier to use a chain-nose plier (flat inside) to tighten the loop. I also encourage wrapping the wire around itself two or more times. It gives it a nice tight coil, and a finished, professional look. As with anything, making a truly tight Roman Twist takes practice, so get yourself some cheap-o copper wire in 24g and thinner, and have some fun in front of the TV.
Finally, I want to comment on the terminations Adam has here. We didn't have a chance to get into them in the demo, but terminations - i.e., the things that start and finish a piece - are really important, in my view. I think the proper termination can make or break a piece. Use something cheap and it looks cheap. Buy (or make) something special and your piece will look professional and polished. Adam has some cute S-hooks here next to his head pins. These look wonderful AND are easy to make! Email me and I'll be happy to send you my simple step-by-step guide.
NOW, onto some jewelers who use beads in really creative ways! The first is Marianna Trofimova, a Russian-born artist here in New York. She's known for her eclectic enameled work, but her earringTs are some of the most creative I've seen. Eschewing the need for earrings to match, Marianna makes asymetrical pairs dripping with unusual stones.
Like her "Green Flower" earrings:
Here's another pair I love:
Check out more of Marianna's line at her site Karenina Jewelry. Her pieces are truly works of art, each one literally unique!
Another inspiring designer I just found out about is Lori Mendelhall, who makes gorgeous polymer clay beads for her line at Etsy, Sparklebee. Lori's beads have rich and lush colors and patterns. Check out her "Beyond Midnight" bracelet:
Here's another I love - orange is my favorite color!
Both Marianna and Lori's pieces are truly inspirational, and show us metalchiks not only the beauty, but truly different and unusual ways beads can be worked into jewelry. I think I'm better start letting beads multi-task in my jewelry now, too!
jewelry, metal, beads, beading, necklace, beadilliferous
I am really glad you two did this video because I will be teaching my first workshop next Monday, where I will be demonstrating a 'roman twist.' (I have also heard it referred to as a wrapped loop) If any of the students are having trouble, I can just send them over to your site for future reference.
While I appreciate your attempts to encourage the art of jewelry, I'm disappointed in your recent demos of crimping and wire wrapping techniques. Adam's information was flawed and the blog follow-up fails to clear up any inaccuracy.
Crimping is properly done with crimping pliers. Crimping with flat nosed pliers is a major faux-pas for several reasons:
First, you compromise the integrity of the metal when you smash it flat. Many times it will crack along one or both of the flattened edges. A compromised, cracked crimp can not bear much weight.
Additionally, a smashed crimp often cuts into the nylon coating of the beading wire, it will eventually fray through.
Lastly, smashed crimps are unsightly and can scratch the neck of the wearer.
You have also bungled the demo on wire wrapping. If done as Adam demonstrated (twisting the loop), you will over-torque the wire. Over-torqued wire will eventually crack.
With proper technique, the loop is left stationary while the loose end of the wire is wrapped around the stem below the loop. The wire never bends more than once anywhere and nothing is ever twisted.
What I find sad is that all of this information is common knowledge in the beading community and is easily accessed in any number of beaded jewelry magazines and books.
As with metalsmithing, good technique leads to professional, long lasting results. Beaded peices deserve the same attention to detail as we spend learning to properly braze components together or to set stones.
I'm disappointed that neither of you did your homework before attempting to instruct others.
Hi Amy Jay - I don't totally agree with you on this. Like you, I prefer crimping pliers. However, I've seen lots of very accomplished beaders use the method Adam used. I think it's really personal preference. There are a million different ways to do similar techniques. I was pretty impressed with his designs consider how large those beads were. My personal comfort zone tends to be on the small side.
Thanks for the response Tammy. I'm glad to see you making this site truly interactive, commenting on the comments. I totally agree that there are many different ways to accomplish a single task. But I still maintain that to twist a wire loop several times is to stress the wire un-necessarily. Especially if using half hard or full hard wire as many beginning beaders tend to purchase. I find no problem with Adam's design elements and didn't in fact comment on that at all. What I found concerning was that the demonstrated methods for crimp smashing and loop twisting were rather primative based on the fine wire work many artists are commonly producing today. We should always strive for the best results; and like it or not, a smashed crimp or a wire wrapped loop that breaks after purchase are never the signs of an accomplished and skilled bead artisan.