Jewellery making needs very little space and only a small outlay. What’s more you can use innovative techniques to make your creations look more expensive than they really are!
This post features three jewellery items, a brooch, earrings and a necklace, which will show you the techniques used to create these popular pieces.
Butterfly Brooch
The Wings
Two loops of wire make each set of wings. After laying them on parchment paper, flatten them out. Sprinkle glitter on the paper and apply Mod Podge’s Dimensional Magic.
Sprinkle some more glitter on top and wait until the wings are completely dry before peeling them off the parchment. Trim off any surplus material.
This method can be applied to other craft projects, such as flower petals.
The Body
Thread 2 small, 4 medium and 3 larger beads to form the main part of the body. Then wrap the wings around the ‘body’ wire very tightly and use a dab of super glue to secure them.
Thread on a further bead and then a large bead for the head.
Form small loops at each end so the dragonfly can be displayed.
Earrings
Tools and Materials
Here are the materials and tools you will need to make a pair of earrings…..
Two wooden discs from a craft store
Drill and drill bit
Wood glue
Wood stain
Stencil(s)
Mod Podge (regular and Dimensional Magic)
Four jump rings
Two earring hooks
Method
Drill a small hole in each of the wooden discs.Use Silouette design software (it’s free) to make zig-zag stickers printed on to contact paper. Apply the stickers to the discs as shown in the photo.
Coat the top of the discs with wood glue using a brush
Wait until the glue is nearly dry before taking off the stickers
Use a bent paper clip to hold the discs as you dip them in a soy based stain. Wipe off any surplus stain and leave to dry.
Lightly sand the earrings and apply a coat of Dimensional Magic. Pop any bubbles which may appear.
Use two jump rings to ensure the earring hang correctly. Connect the larger jump ring to the disc, the smaller jump ring to the larger jump ring, and the earring wire to the smaller jump ring.
Hey presto…..your earrings are complete. This method can be used for any design you wish….the world’s your oyster!
Bead Necklace
This project shows you how to colour wash plain wooden beads to make a necklace.
Mix the Colorwash
This colourwash uses a ratio of 1 to 3 paint to water. If more paint is used the mix will be darker, or it becomes lighter with less paint. As these beads were very small. two spoonfuls of paint were used to six spoonfuls of water.
Place the beads in the mixture and stir until all of the beads are completely covered.
Larger pieces of wood should be sanded prior to applying the mix with a paint brush. Sanding opens the pores of the wood, which ensures deeper saturation of the color wash.
Let the beads dry
Place the beads on wax paper or parchment so they don’t stick
If you are enjoying a warm day, place the beads outside as they will dry so much quicker.
There are so many different ways you can thread your beads…..
Graduate the size of beads from small at the back of the neck to large in the centre of the necklace
Use small spacer beads between large beads
Have a wide range of colours or designs throughout the length of the necklace
Here are some examples of threaded beads……..
Finally here are a few tips to help you design your own original jewellery….
Finish your jewellery using a lacquer. Acrylic or spray paints are ideal for colouring your pieces of jewellery.
Enjoy making some fabulous creations!
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You can source great ideas and innovative techniques in the books featured in this post Wooden Jewellery – An Introduction
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