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Harry Winston, who needs him? We’ll make our own jewelry! Well, that didn’t go over that well actually (we tried using some beads, and vague enthusiastic attitude and ended up with something that looked like a candy necklace). Fortunately, designer Philippa Roberts was able to give us the following helpful tips about how to craft your own accessories.
1. Trust yourself and your design ideas.
You know what you like and what looks good, so believe in those ideas and don’t over think things. It’s best to just start making things and see how your style will evolve. One idea usually leads to another.
2. Have the right tools.
Must haves are round nose, flat nose pliers, and wire snips.
If you are going to do soldering, get a mini oxygen/acetylene torch. You do not need a lot of equipment to get started.
3. Learn to wire wrap.
The best way to add stones to earrings or necklaces is to wire wrap. You need to practice this so your wraps look neat.
This necklace with the large chalcedony stone and andalusite is a great example of wire wrapping.
If you are right handed use round nose pliers in your left hand and flat nose in your right.
Cut 24 or 26 gauge wire to 2 ½” and make a loop around the top of your round nose pliers about 1/3 of the way down the wire. Then hold the wire with your round nose pliers at the point where it intersects . Grasp the short end of wire with flat nose pliers and wrap the end around the longer side twice, snip the wire.
Thread the stone onto the wire and make a loop around the tip of your round nose pliers on the other side of the stone. Hold the wire with your round nose pliers and wrap the short end around twice, snip and tuck the wire in close to the stone.
To add the next stone, take another 2 ¼” piece of wire and make a loop at the top of your round nose pliers, thread that loop into one of the loops from your first stone and repeat the above steps.
4. Go to a gem show or find a bead shop to inspire you.
There are gem shows every couple of months in most major cities and bead shops everywhere. I get so inspired by walking around and touching the stones. You will find that you get ideas for mixing colors, new chains, and new techniques. It is exciting to see what is hot in the stone world, it usually reflects what is going on in the fashion industry.
I got the idea to mix soft green amethyst with black onyx like in this bracelet at a gem show.
5. The best way to finish off a necklace end is to use French wire.
You can see an example of how French wire gives a very finished look in this necklace. French wire comes in gold or silver color, so chose whichever will match your piece. You will also need crimp beads, and some sort of beading wire like Beadalon or Soft Flex. Cut a ½” of French wire, thread the crimp bead onto the beading wire, next thread on the French wire and your clasp, turn the wire back through the crimp bead and flatten. Bead all your stones onto the beading wire and repeat the French wire and clasp on the other end.
