BASICS OF BEAD STRINGING AND ATTACHING CLASPS
Learn the smart ways to make bracelets and necklaces
look good, feel good, and function well.
INTRODUCTION: Why You Need This Course
Learning bead stringing is more than putting beads on a string and tying on a clasp.
Successful designers need to bring a lot of knowledge to bear, when creating a successful piece of jewelry -- one which is appealing, functional, satisfying to the client, and durable.
Jewelry designers need to become skilled at making tradeoffs between beauty and functionality, and designer intent and client desire, Jewelry you make needs to be appealing, comfortable, move with the person as the person moves, and be appropriate for the situation or context.
There is a literacy and fluency and flexibility which is learned over time. Jewelry designers have to know some things about:
- Materials
- Techniques
- Some architecture and physical mechanics
- Some sociology and anthropology and psychology
- Even some things about party planning
In my explanations about bead stringing and the various stringing techniques in how jewelry is made, I reference all these things. It is important that you will have more insights and understandings about bead stringing and jewelry design.
This series of video tutorials takes a comprehensive look at the things you need to know to string beads and make jewelry.
I discuss how to...
- Choose stringing materials and the pros and cons of each type
- Choose clasps, and the pros and cons of different clasps
- Make architectural considerations when creating a clasp assembly
- Set up your workspace
- Select tools, materials, adhesives and other supplies you will want to have on hand
- Organize the overall design process
- Use the different types of jewelry findings
- Crimp the way better designers do
- Use needle and thread for stringing
- Use elastic string the correct way to make stretchy bracelets
- Make simple and coiled wire loops
- Attach end pieces to thicker cords
- Make simple and fancy slip knots
- Make a silk wrap
- Make eyeglass leashes, mask chains, lariats, multi-strand pieces, and twist multi-strand pieces, and memory wire pieces
I go step-by-step. There will be some videos where I demonstrate implementing the steps. There are exercises and handouts for you to work on.
In addition, I discuss the 3 different approaches for teaching bead stringing and jewelry making. I review two cognitive, psychological phenomena, particularly useful to know when stringing beads.
NOTE: With each lesson are .pdf files summarizing the lesson or key technique and are available for download.
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The Curriculum
- Materials / Tools List For This Course (.pdf file)
- INTRODUCTION: SO YOU WANT TO LEARN TO STRING BEADS... (11:45)
- WORKSPACE, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, TOOLS, ADHESIVES (13:49)
- TEACHING STRINGING - 3 APPROACHES (8:57)
- THE DESIGN PROCESS (12:42)
- CHOOSING CLASPS, CLASP ASSEMBLIES, AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS (11:55)
- CHOOSING STRINGING MATERIALS (8:02)
- TWO PARTICULARLY RELEVANT COGNITIVE PHENOMENA (11:44)
- Introduction Summary (.pdf file)
- Slip Knots: Materials and Supplies Needed (.pdf file)
- MAKING SIMPLE AND FANCY ADJUSTABLE SLIP KNOTS (36:41)
- Exercise #10: Simple One-Knot Slip Knot
- Exercise #11: Fancy One-Knot Slip Knot
- Exercise #12: Fancy Macrame Square-Knot Slip Knot
- MAKING A LARKS HEAD KNOT (3:04)
- Mini Lesson: Making Simple and Fancy Slip Knots (.pdf file)
Hi, I'm Warren Feld
Over the years, I have found that people who bead and make jewelry have not necessarily learned how to make the best choices, when it comes to deciding what beads, clasps, other findings and stringing materials to include, and what not to include, in a piece. Typically, they have learned by following patterns in magazines, books or online, taking classes following step-by-step instructions, or purchasing kits. Here, all the choices have been made for them.
So, they have not learned what materials go together, and which do not. What techniques work well when, and which do not. How to buy something, and not. How to make smart, clear, workable choices about things which enhance appeal, things which enhance functionality, and the necessary trade-offs we need to make when trying to achieve both goals. They have an incomplete understanding of the creative marketplace, as they try to sell the pieces they make.
As a result, most jewelry makers all too often do not understand the intricacy of quality issues. They have not picked up enough information in the course of their learning, their doing, and their selling. Many people are uninformed about workable materials and strategies to make their pieces more durable, more drape-able, appropriately finished, and better able to move with the person, as the jewelry is worn over time.
I created these series of Video Tutorials so that you may learn the special insights about jewelry making, jewelry designing, and the business of craft. I want my students to learn what questions to ask about the materials and techniques they are using, about introducing their pieces in the creative marketplace, and to recognize the implications and consequences for they various answers they find.
-- Warren Feld, Jewelry Designer
ORIENTATION TO BEADS & JEWELRY FINDINGS
This ORIENTATION TO BEADS & JEWELRY FINDINGS Series is presented from what is called the Art & Design Perspective. The focus is on teaching you how to make smart choices when creating jewelry.
These tutorials are not only a presentation of facts and information. They are also an introduction to ideas about design. For the novice, they are a tale of how one begins to learn and to work with beads and make jewelry. And for the experienced jewelry maker, they are a great refresher, presenting a lot of often-randomly-learned concepts in a developmental, cohesive order.
This Series of 18 modules, most around 20 minutes, and totaling a full 5 1/2 hours of introductory materials about all kinds of beads, metals, clasps and stringing materials for the beader and jewelry maker.
THE JEWELRY DESIGNER'S APPROACH TO COLOR
THE JEWELRY DESIGNER'S APPROACH TO COLOR. Jewelry creates a series of dilemmas for the jewelry maker -- not always anticipated by what most jewelry makers are taught in a typical art class. That's the rub!
Painters can create any color and color effect they want with paints. Jewelry makers do not have access, nor can they easily create, a full color palette and all the desired coloration effects with the beads and other components used to make jewelry.
Jewelry is not like a painting or sculpture that sits in one place, with controlled lighting, and a more passive interaction with anyone looking at it.
Jewelry moves with the person through different settings, lighting, times of day. Jewelry sits on different body shapes. Jewelry must function in many different contexts. Jewelry serves many different purposes.
People use and understand colors using their senses. These perceptions among wearer, viewer and designer include:
(1) The Sensation Of Color Balance
(2) The Sensation Of Color Proportions
(3) The Sensation Of Simultaneous Color Contrasts
Better designers are able to manage these sensations.
SO YOU WANT TO DO CRAFT SHOWS...
SO YOU WANT TO DO CRAFT SHOWS...
It is very important for anyone thinking about selling at craft shows, festivals, bazaars, markets, or similar settings, to be smart about it.
That means understanding everything involved, from finding them, applying to them, knowing what inventory to make and take, setting up, promoting, and managing.
And, asking the right questions.
I developed this online tutorial to help prepare you for doing this kind of craft show homework.
COACHING
Working with a coach can assist you in many ways. Warren Feld offers coaching services on two levels:
(a) Jewelry Making Skills and Development
(b) Business of Craft Skills and Development
Most important is that coaching
· Helps you get to your result quicker and better
· Gives you some hands-on support
· Provides an extra set of eyes and ears, offering an alternative perspective you would not get taking a course alone
· Offers some opportunity to brainstorm
· Affords you the chance to have someone review your work
· Provides those additional art and design insights, concepts, and perspectives you do not get from regular jewelry making and beading classes, books and video tutorials, which tend to be presented as more mechanical, step-by-step endeavors
