Addicted already!

So rather than go home and forget about making sparkly things, I took a trip to one of the craft stores nearby and bought two organizers full of beads and findings!  I've made several pairs of earrings, a couple bracelets, and started on a really pretty pink necklace.  We're trying to stick with glass beads, and then move on to semi-precious, but I ended up buying some semi-precious beads to use as well.  I just couldn't resist! 

I must say I'm excited that after only one session, I've been able to start working on my own.  I'm sure the quality of the pieces I've made today will not be totally perfect, but at least I'm getting in some practice!  Those eye hooks are getting easier and easier!

Let's get this party started...

I went to Cindi's today and we worked on some beading basics.  The first thing she showed me was how to use findings and string together different beads or sets of beads to create a necklace.  Findings are just the metal components used to make jewelry, like the part of the earring that goes through your ear, a clasp, or the metal pieces the beads go on.  There are a few things I had to buy first, like a bead palette, two pairs of pliers (flat-nosed and round-nosed) and a pair of wire cutters.  If you want to look at pictures of or purchase tools like this, here's a good site: Jewelry Making Tools

Once we got all set up, Cindi showed me how to lay out my beads on the palette so that I'd know how long a necklace I wanted, and in what order I wanted my beads.  Then we started stringing, using eye pins for this necklace.  Eye pins already have one loop, so I just added each bead, then prepared to create a loop at the other end.  You do this for two reasons: to keep the beads on the strand and to allow for a jump ring to be added.  Jump rings are metal circles that can be used to link sections of bead or as one side of a clasp.  Making the second ring was the trickiest part for me; you have to use your round-nosed pliers to create a loop, which is simple, but you want it to look kind of like a closed question mark which requires bending the metal the other way.  Not easy when you've got beads already on the finding!  It'll take some getting used to, so I'm going to go home and practice making sections of beads for next time.

For this project I had picked out a pendant that I liked and used an eclectic assortment of beads for the chain.  Cindi's beaded chains are often asymmetrical, but I am far too orderly for that!  Both sides are the same pattern.  Being more free is definitely something I need to work on!  Here is a picture of the necklace I made with Cindi's help.  My first piece! 

Introduction

My name is Erin and I'm part of Sankofa Quest Designs, created by my friend Cindi.  She's an amazing artist and has been designing and making her own jewelry for years.  Now, she's going to attempt to teach me what she knows and I will share our experiences with you!  I have never thought of myself as a very creative person, so she has her work cut out for her!  Keep logging on to track my progress!