Greetings!

Hello,

My name is Anne, and this blog is going to feature my jewelry.  My email address is goodjools@goodsol.com

I started beading in the summer of 2005--I had picked up my crochet hook to work a couple of shawls, and I had my eye on a luscious pattern for a beaded shawl that was to be my next project, as soon as I had the beads selected.

But a funny thing happened.  I grew much more interested in the wide variety of beads than in the shawl which they were meant to adorn.  I began to explore the various types of beads, & I used them in making necklace after necklace for my family & friends.  (For some reason, bracelets and earrings and so forth leave me cold.  I just like necklaces.)  Several hundred dollars later, I was still bewitched by all the beads, so I thought I'd better start selling my creations.

What fascinates me most are the beads made from semi-precious stones, ranging from agates and jaspers to garnets and amethysts and beyond.  When I was younger, I delighted in my Great Aunt Betty's immense and varied rock collection, and I'd like to think that she would be just as fascinated by some of the beads I work with.

My favorite style is what I've dubbed "bead-link", which starts with a largish bead (between 15mm & 25mm, which is vaguely between 5/8" & 1") strung on a piece of wire with a loop on each end, turning it into one link in a chain.  I make far too many of these, because I enjoy the process and the result is elegant in its simplicity.  Also, as long as there is no center pendant, bead-link necklaces are adjustable--for a shorter link, just hook the clasp between any two links.  (I use either hook & eye or S-hook clasps for bead-link necklaces.)

I string smaller beads onto beading wire, usually woven of 49 strands & coated with nylon.  (Think thin & incredibly supple picture wire.)  When I started beading, I used plated clasps and metal beads, plated with nickel, silver, & gold.  Unfortunately, plating isn't always as durable as we'd like, so I have moved up to using sterling silver, vermeil (which is silver plated very heavily with gold), and gold-filled clasps & metal beads.  Gold-filled materials are strong, durable, and attractive without costing the earth.

I hope you like the results.

[About length--I don't yet have a full-length bust to drape necklaces on, so some of my longer necklaces aren't shown at their full length.  I will always give the length in each necklace's description, & once I get the hang of categories on Typepad, I'll classify each necklace as short (under 18"), medium (18" or more up to 22"), or long (22" or more).]

Comments

[goodjools]

Debra,
Start with colored craft wire, which you can find at http://www.auntiesbeads.com/ (click on their Jewelry Making Wire category under Supplies) and other suppliers. They also have a tarnish-resistant silver-plated wire that's good for practice. If your local hobby store has jewelry-making supplies, then they probably have colored craft wire.

The wire I use for my bead-link necklaces is 20 gauge half-hard. For wire wrapping, I use dead soft.

I found this post which may give you some further information:
http://blog.auntiesbeads.com/2008/08/25/wire-wrapping-woes/

Good luck, and have fun!