This project was requested by one of our customers. She wanted to see a demonstration of how to wire wrap a briolette so that she could make earrings out of them. Thanks for the ideas, and keep them coming!
-Karla Schafer, Auntie's Beads Designer
Materials and Tools needed to create this design yourself:
Rose "Quartz" Faceted Briolette, 13x18mm (2 pieces)Sterling Silver Wire, 1 oz, 22ga Large Flower Spacer Strand, Rosaline AB Austrian Crystal, 6mm Bicone, Rose Alabaster (2 pieces)2" Silver Eye Pins, 21 Gauge (1 piece)Sterling Silver Earwire with 2mm BallNipper Tool Chain Nose PliersRound Nose Pliers
Rose Quartz Flat Rectangle Double Strand Bead (3 pieces)Blackstone Flat Rectangle Double Strand Bead, 20 x 30mm (2 pieces) Bali Large Dot, 4x6mm (20 pieces) Austrian Crystal, 8mm Round, Faceted, Black Diamond (10 pieces)Elasticity, .8mm Clear, 25M Nipper ToolG-S Hypo CementOR Clear Nail Polish (for strengthening and securing knots)
Oh just what we need - another obsession! But it has happened. We are in a decoupages craze! We found a new use for our wood links and pendants! All you need is some imagination and scrap-booking papers and you too will be hooked!
Available at Auntie’s Beads:Wood Square Connector, Purple, 30mm- 3pcSterling Silver Jump Rings, Open, 9mm, 18 Gauge- 8pcSterling Silver Medium Hammered Square Connector, 13mm- 4pcElegant S Hook, 18mm- 1pcAvailable at your local craft store:Decoupage Finish Craft Brushes Clear Acrylic Sealer Spray- Matte or Gloss Steele Wool
Learn how to use crimp ends with leather by watching Karla Schafer make a necklace with lampwork and bali beads.
Sterling Silver Crimp End Cap, 2 mm- 4pcLampwork Rectangle Glass Strand, Blue Dalmation, 12 x 15mm- 8pcAustrian Crystal, 8mm Round, With Triangular Facets, Jet- 2pcAustrian Crystal Simplicity Bead, 4.5 mm, Jet-5pcAustrian Crystal, 8mm Faceted Round Rondelle, Caribbean Blue Opal- 4pcAustrian Crystal Cubes, 4mm, Caribbean Blue Opal-3pcBali Sterling Silver Bead, Fluted Ends, Dotted Center- 2pcBali Bubbles and Dots- 3pcSimple Sterling Toggle, 12mm- 1pcSterling Silver Split Rings, 6 mm- 2pcBeadalon 49-strand Wire, 30 ft., .018Crimp Beads, 2 x 2 mm- 2pcBead Smith Magical Crimp Forming ToolNipper ToolChain Nose Plier
Sterling Silver Oval Rolo Chain By the Foot, 2 x 3 mm (2ft)Austrian Crystal Graphic Bead, 18mm, Jet (1pc)Austrian Crystal Graphic Bead, 12mm, Crystal (2pc)Austrian Crystal Cubes, 6mm, Jet (1pc)Austrian Crystal Cubist Bead, 10 x 16mm, Jet (2pc)Austrian Crystal Cosmic Bead, 12mm, Jet (2pc)2 Inch Silver Head Pins, 22 Gauge, Bag of 25Austrian Crystal Cosmic Ring, 14mm, Crystal CAL VSI (1pc)Trigger Clasp, Sterling Silver, 11.5mm (1pc)Sterling Silver Split Rings, Bag of 10, 6 mm (2pc)Artistic Silver Plate Wire Spool, 22 gauge, Non-Tarnish SilverNipper ToolBeadsmith "La Femme" Ergo Pliers, Round Nose
I have taken many emails on how to make a Beaded Watch, so this has spurred the next Karla Kam. My mother loves watches so I have made many in many different designs.
Watch Face, 1pcAssorted Bali BeadsAssorted Sterling Silver BeadsAssorted Hollow BeadsAssorted BeadsClasp, 1pcCrimp Beads, 2pcBeading Wire, Beadalon 49-strand, .018Nipper Tool Magical Crimp Forming Tool
Okay you asked for it, so I did some practice pieces and I am ready for a Pearl Knotting Karla Kam! I am teaching it the way I learned it, from Nick Regine of Swarovski, with the Tri-Cord Thread Knot Tool. This, like many techniques, gets better with practice.
6mm Freshwater pearls or Swarovski Pearls6mm Freshwater pearls or Swarovski PearlsClam ShellsGriffin Silk Bead Cord, #03, WhiteOrGriffin Nylon Bead Cord, #03, 0.50mm White Tri-Cord Thread Knot ToolOrKnotter ToolMini Snip Shear
Here at Auntie’s Beads, it seems like everyone is getting married or has just recently married! We thought it would be fun to demonstrate a few uses of Swarovski Flat Backs. You can "bling" flip flops, votive candles, boxes and organza bags just to name a few!
Your choice of flat backs and Hot Fix Flat Backs for Organza BagGem Tac AdhesiveOrganza Drawstring PouchRose Pattern BoxesRose Pattern BoxesFlip Flops, votive candle holders, invitationsBent Nose TweezersBeJeweler® Stone Styler Electric Rhinestone Applicator
This is a twist on the Spiral Rope Technique. Instead of using two complimentary seed bead colors, I have replaced it with a 4mm Swarovski Bicone. This adds dimension and sparkle! Karla Schafer, Auntie’s Beads Designer
Miyuki Seed Beads, 8/0I used the following:Miyuki Seed Beads, Matte Transparent Topaz AB, 8/04mm Bicone Beads, 70pc or moreI used the following:Austrian Crystal, 4mm Bicone, Padparadscha, 70pc or moreRound TogglesFireline Fine Crystal, 6 lb. Thread, 50 Yards, .008English Beading Needles, Size 10Nipper Tool
I found the pattern for these earrings in a bead magazine and it took me back to one of my Fashion classes in college. The look made me think of Paco Rabbane, a Spanish-born fashion designer that made very modernistic clothing by linking discs of plastic together. There is something funky and fun about these jingly earrings so I hope you will enjoy these, and may they evoke memories for you as well!
Materials needed:34 jump rings, I used the following: Sterling Silver Jump Rings, Open, Bag of 10, 8mm, 20 GaugeOther jump rings, gauges and sizes can be used but it will change the appearance somewhat. 8 small beads or charms to fit on jump rings, I used the following: Sterling Silver Round Mirror Bead, 4mm1 pair of earrwires, I used the following:Sterling Silver Wires with Heart, PairTools needed:Chain Nose Pliers Bead Smith Bent Chain Nose Pliers
One of my favorite pieces is a wire wrapped turquoise stone bracelet. I get many compliments on it and have taken a couple of wire wrapping questions in my email this week so I thought this would be a good Karla Kam project. It really is a fairly easy thing to master. I have the hardest time remembering to link into the next piece, before closing my wraps! And they are usually the best wraps, and I have to cut them and start over. Practice makes perfect!
Italian Murano Caramella Square Bead, Boysenberry, 2pc Italian Murano Caramella Square Bead, Pistachio, 2pcItalian Murano Caramella Square Bead, Rose Copper, 1pc Or 4-5 beads in a 15-20mm range; more for smaller beads Sterling Smooth Saucer Beads, 6mm, 10pc Or Assorted Bead Caps or other Spacer-type beads Sterling Silver Jump Rings, Closed, 7mm, 20 Gauge, 6pcTwisted S Hook Clasp, 22mm, 1pc Sterling Silver Wire, 1oz, 22 Gauge Chain Nose Pliers Round Nose PliersNipper Tool
We've been trying for a while to come up with a great new bracelet using this Right Angle Weave and this one just came out beautifully. Keep checking back because we will be using this Weave in upcoming editions of Karla Kam. It's a wonderful technique to have in your designing arsenal!
Supplemax, .012", 1pcOnyx Round Strand, 6mm, 1pcAustrian Crystal 4mm Bicone, Bag of 10, Light Siam, 10 bagsSterling'> Sterling Silver Clam Shell Tips, 1pcSimple Sterling Toggle, 12mm, 1pcNipper ToolGS Hypo Cement
What you're saying:
I just wanted to say thanks for adding Karla Kam to your website. I love the design ideas she comes up with and am especially grateful that she's willing to teach them to all of us. I'm a fairly new jewelry designer and I was really happy to be able to have been taught how to crochet with wire. It brought a whole new aspect to my designs. Thanks, Michaela
I just wanted to say thank you for the web cam episodes. I have enjoyed every one of them. It has made me want to try it all. I think this has been very nice of you to do this for your customers. I appreciate it very much.
Sharon
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