Sparkles and Shines.....

This morning Walter and I went to see Sherlock Holmes and had lunch at Applebee's. Both were good, but it is my excuse for this being so late.

I told you that I would show you how to make mini jewelry. Here you go. For today, I am just going to show you the necklace that Tessie is holding in the first photo and the earrings that are laying on her arm and hand with it.

First of all, you need #32 brass beading wire. It is very inexpensive and comes on a spool like thread. Then you need the smallest beads that you can find. The ones in the photo are between #18 and #22.
In this photo the medallion in the foreground is made of # 15. They are the ones that I use for purses and mini bead knitting. They are really too big for jewelry, but if that is all you can find, go for it. I try not to use them for necklaces unless they are a focal bead among the smaller ones. They would be about the size of a large gumball in real life.

The green ones in the bag are # 18 and are the most common ones that can be purchased for mini jewelry. I usually get them at mini shows.

The tools that you need are wire cutters and either needle nose pliers or pointed tweezers.

This sketch shows you where we are going with the wire. First you cut a piece about 8" long. Don't skimp. You need something to hang onto. First you fold the wire in half and with the pliers, crimp the fold into itself as close as you can get it.

Put a bend in the end with your pliers for a hook. The holding the base of the hook with your pliers, wrap one length around the other about 3 times. Start threading beads on both wires in a pattern that you like. You can hold it around a doll's neck once in a while to see if it is long enough. When you are happy with it, loop one of the wires back through 4 or 5 of the beads and pull it down with your pliers or tweezers. Make sure you have the beads pushed down as far as they will go to the hook end. Then wrap the second wire three times around the base of the loop. Snip off the excess wire and curve the two ends up to meet. If you did it right, you have a hook and loop fastener so that you can put it on your mini person.

For the earrings, simply thread 3 to 5 beads on a 2" piece of wire. Twist one end around the other. With the wire that you didn't twist, form a hook. Then trim off both ends.

You just made earrings!

I have to stop writing now. Tessie has seen how easy it is and wants more NOW! I need to fill a jewelery box or two.

See you tomorrow. Have fun!