Yesterday I started taking the initiative in getting on with making jewellery and creating designs, colours and textures that are different to the normal kind of jewellery.

About a week ago I went off to Ikea and took what little money I had left to find myself a new table to work on.  I completely tranformed our bedroom (since I'm living with my parents) to create a space for my jewellery making.

I threw out an oldish Ikea draw set and replaced it with a table for only £15 from Ikea (thanx Ikea).  Finally I made a space for me.  Here take a look.

As you can see, if you look closely, I'm already laying out an idea to get myself started.  For the past week I really wanted to create a set of red earrings, and I just recently purchased some red glass seed beads size 11.  Then I stared at the little gold glass sitting near the lamp and begin thinking - loop earrings.  

My second earring project was going to involve using crystals, and I'm usually unsure about using crystals only because they are so beautiful and I feel you need to get the colours right or else it will look tacky and cheap.

Step One:  Preparation

Anyway, below is an image of the beads I want to use for my first earrings project.  Solid silver-plated leaves, and rose spacers.  Red glass seed beads size 11.0, 4mm glass pearl baby blue beads, and a red metallic rose.  Obviously, don't forget other findings like wiring, and earring loops.

Here is my crafting wire 26 gauge soft.  I would suggest using a slightly harder wire and thicker; maybe a 24 gauge wire instead.

Step Two: Shaping
The purpose of my golden glass we to create the loop I need to make the earring design I want.  All I did was simple wrap the wire around the bottom of the glass and measured to a size I felt comfortable working with.
You can adjust to the length of wire that makes you comfortable in using.  There is no right or wrong answer - unless, of course, you decide to measure a ridiculous amount of 20cm long and then I'm just going to shake my head.

Here is an example of my "wrap around the glass" measurement.  You can clearly see it isn't 20cm long.

Step Three: Design & Layout
All you need to do now is think.  Think carefully about how you would like to layout your new design.  Here is an example of my design.

Now that my design is done and I'm happy with it, it's time for me to bring the two ends together and finish the earring.  To be honest, this process can be frustrating and annoying.  At the start of it my methods of getting the two ends together got all a bit messy - but I can assure you that practice does make perfect.  Here is what I ended up with.

Step Four: The Finished Design

The outcome looks pretty good and I really love the colours and design.  The main reason I challenged myself this task was because I was shopping in BHS with my fiancée and found myself near the jewellery stand; where I found a pair of earrings in this shape but the design was simpler, using only small glass bicone beads and guess what BHS were charging? (Send a comment and tell me what you think BHS charged for a pair of earrings similar to these.  Then tell me the price you would be willing to pay for these earrings - be honest - me love honesty.)

Now for my 2nd project.  The steps are exactly the same - the only change you will be making is the bead type, design and layout.  I'm challenging myself to crystals.  Orange rondelle Czech crystals, pale green bicone Czech crystals, the lovely silver-plated leaves again, and 2mm silver spacer beads.

Here is my end result.  It ended up being a totally different design to what I thought.  When it comes to making jewellery, sometimes the jewellery itself chooses to make something instead.  If you do ever try fight it - it can be overwhelming (I speak from experience).  I always allow the jewellery to speak for itself.  That's what makes hand-made more unique.

I have to say, they do look very pretty - let me know what you think and again tell me how much you think these earrings are worth.

My adventures and challenges will continue - look forward to the next chapter.

Happy Beading

ValbiesJ xxx