Reading through your messages on Facebook there are often questions about Beadalon memory wire. I thought that I would put together a little project for you to try with Beadalon’s FLAT memory wire. [Read more…]
Crystal and Beadalon Flat Memory Wire
May 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment
How to use crimp beads
May 11, 2017 By 1 Comment
This post is sponsored by Beadalon. All opinions are my own. I’ve been making jewelry since sixth grade though. I’d be writing this post whether they are sponsoring me or not. It just helps to keep the lights on when they do. Beadalon provided me with the supplies to make this crimp beads (crimp tubes) tutorial.
Sometimes the best things are simple. Real simple. Like this beaded bracelet made with gems, beautiful clasps and links.
How to open and close jump rings-for DIY jewelry
November 2, 2016 By 1 Comment
Here is a quick project to show you the ins and outs of using a jump ring.
This post is brought to you by Beadalon–thanks Beadalon for sponsoring my blog posts and supporting my love of DIY jewelry.
One of the very first things I show people how to do when making jewelry is how to open and close a jump ring. It’s such a simple act and you can make so many things by knowing this technique for making connections in DIY jewelry. That’s how I made this sweet moth necklace.
The jump rings at the tip of the wings connect the moth to the chain. In about 5 minutes, you can have yourself an over the head layering necklace (and a really good time). Check out the tutorial and video at the end of this post for details on opening and closing a jump ring.
It’s helpful to use two pairs of chain nose pliers (see materials list at the end of this post) when opening and closing rings. Some people like to use a bent chain nose pliers to help hold their jump ring as well. Beadalon also has a super helpful jump ring tool to make opening jump rings much easier. You will still use your pliers to close the ring when you are finished.
Place the ring’s opening at “12 o’clock” and twist the ring open with the two pairs of pliers. Don’t open it so the ring looks like a “C” because it’s super hard to get the ring to go back into a perfect circle after this.
Connect your clasp, chain, moth, etc… and twist the jump ring closed.
This is a super quick project with beautiful results. You can use any pendant that has two holes as the top to complete this project, let your imagination take over.
Supply List:
Beadalon Ergo Pliers
Beadalon Jump Rings
Jesse James Bead’s Moth Pendant
LIVE from Beadalon-Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendants with Wyatt White
August 17, 2016 By 1 Comment
This post sponsored by Beadalon. All opinions are my own. Thanks Beadalon for supporting mine and many others love of DIY jewelry.
Is anyone else intrigued with pendants like these?
They just. don’t. stop.
Wire turning and twisting, up then down and around and ta daaaa–you’ve got a pendant.
Yesterday on the live show, I had Wyatt White from Beadalon show the basics of making wire wrapped cabochon pendants. He actually shows how to make the wrapped crystal on the right using a Swarovski faceted flat back.
According to Wyatt, you can set lots of things with this technique. He’s a wizard and if you’re curious about wire wrapping and setting cabs, definitely watch this video. He has designed special banding pliers from Beadalon that make the wrapping process really easy. So many comments were expressing excitement about these pliers. We like easy around here so thanks Wyatt!
Materials:
Wire Wrapping Component & Stone Setting Booklet, by Wyatt White
Watch the replay of the live video for how to make amazing pendants like these. And join us daily on my Facebook page at 2:30 EST for fun daily doses of DIY jewelry and mixed media techniques.
Scenic Drive Stone Slab Necklace
August 14, 2016 By 4 Comments
Full Disclosure: I work with Beadalon and LeatherCord USA. They are sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine.
This stone slab pendant (here me sigh a sigh of aw).
One of the women in this week’s Facebook Live video said it was picture Jasper. I believe it because each one is a landscape painting, a forrest, the painted dessert or whatever you see ….
I wire wrapped leather lace with Beadalon’s flat Artistic Wire. So easy! Simply make your leather link, then wrap the middle with the flat wire, crimping it with chain nose pliers in between each wrap to cinch it.
Little knots give the ends of the leather a finished look.
Materials list:
Beadalon flat artistic wire, 3mm width
Leathercord USA deertan lacing, 1/8″ width
Picture jasper pendant: etsy.com/shop/candiecooper
Watch the live video recap here and join me almost daily at 2:30 EST for the Candie Cooper Facebook Live Show featuring easy DIY jewelry making ideas.
Now Watch Me Whip…This Wire Pendant Up
February 26, 2016 By 6 Comments
This post brought to you by Beadalon.com–maker of jewelry findings in all types and metal colors.
Remember that pendant I made a couple weeks ago with the wire piece from the hardware store?
Meet it’s new BFF.
DIY bead wrapped horn pendant. 
The idea of wearing these chains together was a coincidence. I had the first two pendants on when we shot the tutorial. Naturally, I needed this statement horn piece to complete the look.
Can you say, power play?
I’m using Beadalon’s new bail making pliers at in this tutorial. More on those later, plus:
- Artistic Wire in bronze
- Chain
- Ergo tools
- Flush cutters
- Tierra Cast spacer beads
- Jesse James Beads Horn pendant
- a bead I got randomly in Tucson–it’s handpainted and been in my stash for.ever!
So first, make a loop using the bail making pliers. The thing I like about these pliers is that they are not conical like round nose pliers. This makes it easy to get consistent size loops every….single….time! And that makes me happy!
Loop in the horn pendant.
Grab the chain nose pliers and hold the loop while you wrap the extra wire.
String some unique beads…
and make a 90-degree bend just above the last bead.
Use the large section on the bail making pliers and wrap the wire up and around.
Now wrap the extra wire above the last bead.
So easy!
Cut away any extra wire with the flush cutters.
Have I ever told you that I think there should be no spacer beads left behind? That’s my philosophy–I think beads look so nice in a spacer bead frame.
Thread the chain through the wire loop.
Determine the length of the necklace that you want, open a link and connect the ends–No clasp needed.
That’s all there is to it! Let me know if you decide to try those bail pliers!
Have a great weekend!
Lucky Wire Wrapped DIY Pendant
February 10, 2016 By 5 Comments
This post is brought to you by BEADALON–makers of great jewelry findings and tools.
This pendant. I’ve worn it every other day since I made it.
This morning I was watching GMA and they were making dinners that cost $5. (or really close if you play your coupon cards right). It’s just as good, right?
Now I bring you the $5 DIY jewelry edition. You ready?
I’m using a dollar strand of beads, Beadalon’s antique brass chain, a retainer ring from the hardware store (look for it in the washer/bolt section of the store), 20g. antique brass colored Artistic Wire, a couple jump rings and that’s all.
String a row of 20 to 25 beads onto the Artistic Wire. It’s definitely better to have more so you can wrap your heart out.
Artistic Wire for jewelry making and crafts comes in every color under the rainbow. If you’re making this project with tweens, I would work with 22g. vs. the 20g. so it’s extra easy to wrap.
Here’s a closer peek at the retainer ring. This thing is made of steel so you’ll need to rub it with some beeswax or spray it with a lacquer so it doesn’t rust–I learned this from the master of steel wrangling, Brenda Schweder.
Secure your wire with a couple wraps.
Slide a bead next to the retainer ring and make a full wrap.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Each bead is separated with a full wrap of wire to help with spacing.
Anchor the wire the same as when we started with a few wraps. This is the back side of the pendant.
Use jump rings to attach the pendant to the chain.
Boom.
Donesies.
A little design tip after wearing this necklace a few thousand times. Leaving it long is awesome, but if it’s too long, you can make an overhand knot so it hangs shorter–like we used to with super long strands of pearls found in grandma’s closet.
I don’t know about you, but we are in the thick of winter and I need all the instant gratification I can get. This necklace fits the bill.
Until next time, stay warm and visit Beadalon.com for the goods!
Hi, I’m Candie. I design jewelry and crafts, author books, teach classes and host television programs. I thrive on simple ideas that anyone can achieve. I also love projects made from unexpected materials that stand the test of time. Join me as I lead a creative life! 
