Zip Tie Tiara Project and PDF

We have a wonderful costume design idea for anyone looking for something fun thy can make from home using one of the most simple plastic products:  zip ties.

The outrageous tiaras featured were all designed by Nancy Donaldson who “zipped” her ties into headbands, spray painted them and added embellishments to her hearts delight.

Zip Tie Tiaras Step by Step

Here is a link to the items featured in the Step by Step.

Our project is great for halloween, but also for anytime a unique Tiara is needed.

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Zip Tie Tiaras Step by Step

We don’t sell zip ties but here is a link to some of the products Nancy used.

Global Chic – New Hook Clasp

This gorgeous new bracelet by Fernando DaSilva features a little bit of everything in our new Global Chic collection.  You are seeing Tapestry Cord, Channel Beads with personalized thread and fish leather centres, Sliders and a unique new finding we call a Hook clasp.  Fernando said:

“I selected this style of hook because once a loop is formed on the opposite end of a cord it hooks without a second component. On top of that, it is perfect for mens jewelry, a segment that lacks neutral components.”

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The sliders and hooks are available in gold and rhodium.

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We’d like to show you how it works.

The first step is to thread some tapestry cord through the single hole.  Fold the tapestry cord and cut it at a spot you think it looks best.  An inch or slightly longer looks super.

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I placed a little Quick Grip glue on the cord before I slid my slider in place to give it a little more security.  It is always good to wipe away excess glue at this point.

 

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I also added a tiny bit of glue to the tapestry cord that was cut so it does not fray.6

 

To create the second side we folded the tapestry cord by itself and repeated the steps to attach the slider.  This loop will be used on the opposite side of the hook so use your fingers to make it a little flatter at the end.  Make sure you test the sizing before adding your glue.

Here is what both sides should look like.8

We let the glue set for a few hours.

Global Chic

Then we cut the extra Tapestry cord away and added a little more glue here to stop any fraying.

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The second side now slides right into the open half of the hook.

Most glues perform best if they are left to thoroughly dry over night.  Masking tape will help to shape your bracelet during the dry time.

New Global Chic Channel Beads and Two Part Apoxie

Global Chic

You are seeing unique crystal and clay channel beads that are easy to make and then string on our new Global Chic tapestry cord.

Global Chic Channel Beads

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The project begins with our new Global Chic channel beads which are available is several shapes and sizes.  We also used Apoxie Sculpt, some diamond back crystals and a Crystal Katana tool.

Two Part Apoxy

Following the manufacturers instructions I made a small batch of clay.  It air cures, so no oven needed.

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The “channel” of the bead gives you a perfect place to add clay.  The edges keep the clay from protruding out the sides.  The wooden tool you see is the Crystal Katana.  It makes picking up the crystals easy and fast.  You can see in this image how crystals were simply embedded in the clay.

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A combination of crystal sizes also helps you to create interesting patterns.

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The two finished beads air cured for 24 hours.  Then can now be incorporated into other Global Chic designs.

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We could also pair these finished beads with some of the Global Chic Geometric Chain. Options are endless.  You can switch the color of the clay or crystals to create unique beads that coordinate with any component in this collection.

Global-Chic

Golden Days Necklace – A Fernando DaSilva Atelier Project

Materials

2g Delica 8/0 rd gun metal

8 icy bead pebble metallic gold – 2780 0486-06s8

8 large bronze jump rings

1 topaz 14mm SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS rivoli stone

14 xilion pp18 SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS gsha chatton

2 large wood rings

9 textured 22mm gold curved pewter links

1 pewter bail sun rays 20mm gold plated

Gilder’s paste – Foundry Bronze

Gilder’s paste –Antique Gold

2 part epoxy clay Apoxie – orange

21 pieces of 14inch gold twisted cord

5 antique brass chain

1ft gold-plated German style wire

G-S-Hypo cement glue

Tools:  Side cutter,  Flat noseRound nose

Instructions:

1. Use a small piece of sand paper to sand the work surface of a wood ring. Repeat the same with a second wood ring. Attach one gold-plated bail onto one of the rings and set aside. 

2. Follow packaging instructions to mix 2 part epoxy clay to be molded on top of wood rings. Spread clay on top of sanded area molding around of the edge slightly elevated. Preserve an open area right across gold-plated bail – middle of the ring. The quantity of clay used on each ring will be divided in two portions, leaving two sections of the ring exposed.

3.  Once clay is molded on top of rings, use a sponge, brush or small piece of cloth to rub gilders paste on top of clay before it starts hardening.  Cover both sides and and edges of wood ring with gilders paste. Use one color as background and then add second color to create a ore interesting effect.

4. Adding components on top of Apoxie clay.

Ring 1: topaz rivoli + four gold icy pebble beads + 8 golden shade crystal chatton stones + 74 delica seed beads.

Ring 2:  four icy gold pebble beads + 14 golden shade crystal chatton crystal stones + 38 delica seed beads

Add big components first and then sprinkle delicas and set crystal stones on top of clay.

Please, use the photo as a guide when your placing components on top of clay.

Let both rings cure for 24 hours.

5. Cut 21 pieces of 15-inch length of twisted gold cord.

6. Cut 1ft of 20 gauge of gold-plated German style wire.  Put all the cords together and begin wrapping wire right in the middle to create a tassel with it. Using one of the ends of wire, wrap wire 5 times to secure all the strands of cord together.  Make the sixth turn to go around the other long end of wire and wrap it around its base 5 times and then trim excess wire.  Be careful not to cut the wrong end of wire.

7. Cut a 20-inch piece of twisted gold cord. Wrap each tip of the cord three times around the cords put together on step 6 and holding both tips tight a double know to tighten all the cord ends together and finish forming a tassel. Add several dabs of stringing glue underneath of knot. Use same glue to cover ¼-inch on each cord ends.

8. Use large portion of round nose pliers to make half loop of wire tip form step 6.

Slide over the loop five gold-plated textured rings, then start finishing the loop wrapping several times around its base. Open a large jump ring and scoop up tassel through its loop. Open another jump ring and attach through the loop of bail of wood ring.

9. Section gold antique chain on the following sizes: four pieces of 3-inch, and then two pieces of 21-inch. Set all section of chain aside.

11. Open a link of one of the pieces of chain and attach to jump ring of wood ring. Close link and then add a second piece of chain on same fashion.

12. Repeat step 11 attaching both ends of both chains to another large jump ring and then attach to wood ring # 2. Place jump ring over the open space left between both sections ornate with components set on Apoxie clay. Add a second large jump ring on the opposite side.

13. Open one of the end links of a 22-inch piece of chain and attach to large jump ring attached to previous piece. Add second piece of chain on same fashion.

14. Create a intertwined section over the final 3-inch length of chain linking components on following pattern:

one large jump ring + two gold-plated fancy links + large jump ring + two gold-plated fancy links .

15. Weave the chain inside and out of the rings to create an interesting visual appeal.

16. Finishing necklace attaching both final links of antique gold chain to center large jump ring. Close links carefully.

Designer’s Tips:

1. Many components were “randomly” placed on top of Apoxie clay.

2. Perfect measurements are not important on this project. Create your own version based on this design but feel free yourself to make it your own.

Fernando has created many pieces of jewelry which are displayed in the John Bead showroom.  Some of these designs appear in our catalogues and may have been published.  For those of you who can’t visit in person we will have a regular post on this blog giving you a closer look at the finished jewelry.  Fernando has written all the instructions and is sharing them with you. Welcome to the series we call: Fernando DaSilva’s Atelier. 

Leather Kumihimo and Instant Glam Arrow

I have designed many kumihimo braids this year using different stringing materials and fibers.  My husband is always quite interested in the results and it occurred to me that I should try and make a kumihimo braid that he might wear.

This braid uses lots of different leathers and our traditional black rattail.

 When I set up my kumihimo disk I knew that two of the leathers were going to be too thick for the slots….but surprising, by just placing them on the edge of the disk they stayed securely in place during the braiding.

I used black suede lace, black braided bolo cord, 1mm leather cord, 1.5mm black rattail and black glossy fish leather for this project.

 John Bead has new and extra large end caps.  My braid was very thick and these new caps finished the ends beautifully.  Quick Grip glue was used to attachment the leather braid to the end cap.

I made a photocopy of my Instant Glam Arrow bezel so that I could cut a piece of fish leather which would fit this unique shape.  I then used Quick Grip again to glue my fish leather to my bezel.

These pewter toggles really look amazing.  They are a great weight and I felt like they gave my finished necklace a “manly” feel.

Here is a closer look at this nautical themed set.

My leather kumihimo and Instant Glam necklace is ready to wear!

Jars of Happy = Wood Pendants and Crystals

I can never resist a Treasure Mix!  I love these special jars from John Bead because they are always filled to the brim with great components.  The pricing is phenomenal as well.  Last year in Florida I took my niece to a bead store and paid between $2 and $5 for individual wooden pieces just like these.

The Tropical Adventure jar is so pretty.  You never know what you will get.  This sample shows a zebra, but in my jar I got tigers.  I love them all.  These wood pendants already come with a gold attachment.

I selected three of my favorite animals.  They are pretty as is, but I knew I could make them just a little better….

I used some Quick Grip glue to attach Preciosa Hot Fix Crystals.

I really think these are special now.  Since it is Mother’s Day on Sunday, I’ll show you a few ideas this week on how to use them in finished jewelry.  These would be fun for mother/daughter or auntie/niece projects and gifts!

New Brass Cuff Bracelets!

This new cuff has only three components.  One of the new Metal Complex brass cuffs, an ultra suede strip and some rhinestone chain.

The new cuffs are available in four sizes:  .44, 1, 1.5 and 2 inches.

I have really enjoyed working with the new ultra suede cuffs/strips.  They made this project look so professional with very little work on my part.  I have pulled out all my broken and unloved jewelry for my brass cuff projects this month.

I am very happy to report that Quick Grip was the only glue I needed to securely attach both the rhinestones and ultra suede.

This is cuff project one. Simple and elegant.  Now I’ll move on to gluing other things to the brass!

Repurposed Jewels and Ultra Suede Cuffs

I am always happy when I manage to turn something broken or unused into something new.  These two cuffs are a perfect example of what re-purposing is all about.  I am turning the new John Bead ultra suede strips into cuffs which feature broken jewelry parts.

We all have one.  That drawer or box filled with broken jewelry or mismatched earrings.  You can’t throw them away because you know that one day you’ll do something with them. That day is here!

The blue cuff features a long forgotten earring.  One crystal was lost.  I glued it with Quick Grip to my ultra suede.

Note I used this earring to replace the missing crystal!

I have learned that is is a good idea to let the glue dry on a curved surface.  This way the jewelry you attach will conform to the shape of the finished cuff.

I do like this bracelet a lot!

However, who doesn’t like black suede and rhinestones?  I sewed this broken rhinestone bracelet to the cuff to hold it in place securely.

All I had to do was pin this old brooch in place and I was done!

I used the kumihimo findings kit for my closures!  It could not be easier to create a wearable bracelet in a short period of time.  You’ll spend more time looking through your old jewels then you will making a new cuff.