Making Stripy Heaven Jewellry

Staetler kindly gave me a range of Fimo Professional to try out and this is what I created. The clay is really lovely to work with and this project is super easy to do.

MATERIALS
1/8 block Fimo Professional in True Red, Bordeaux, Violet and Champagne Fine chain and chunky chain (length to suit you) 8–10mm large jumpring Clasp Roller Pasta machine Tissue blade

RESOURCES
For Fimo Professional see stockist list on www.staedtler.co.uk All other materials and tools are widely available from advertisers listed throughout this magazine

STEP 1
Condition all four colours of clay. To do this, either roll the clay with a roller and fold the sheet in half as it gets thinner until the clay is soft , or run through a pasta machine about 20 times, folding in half with each roll.

STEP 2
Roll out a sheet of each colour at setting No. 4 (1.3mm) on a pasta machine or with a roller and spacer bars. Cut the sheet in half and roll one half through the machine at No. 6 (1mm).

STEP 3
Cut both sheets in half again and stack. Place the colours and thicknesses so you get diff erent colours/thicknesses together. Roughly tidy up the edges by cutting off the excess with a tissue blade.

STEP 4
Cut the stack in half, lengthwise. Roll one stack to half its depth (approx. 6mm) and the other through No. 1 (approx. 3mm) on the pasta machine, though start with the roller to get it fl atter fi rst.

STEP 5
Cut each sheet into 2mm strips using a tissue blade. Collect all the scraps from the project so far and mix into a solid colour. The easiest way to do that is by rolling it through the pasta machine, folding and rolling until the colour is even. Then fi nally roll the scrap sheet at setting No. 4.

STEP 6
Lay the strips from the last step onto scrap sheet, mixing the two sizes of stripes to make a nicely arranged stripy sheet. Be careful to lay the strips close together so you don’t get any gaps appearing later.

STEP 7
Roll this sheet with the roller until it is a little thinner, then put through the pasta machine fi rstly on setting No. 1 and then on No. 2 so you end up with a thinner sheet that is even, with clear stripes.

STEP 8
Cut out two squares using a 30mm square cutter. Take one square and with both thumbs and forefi ngers, press the two opposite corners together gently to make the top bead (check the main image). Gather the scrap clay again and make another sheet of clay, lay the other square on top and with the tissue blade cut around the shape, leaving a small border. Bake.

STEP 9
When cool, thread the pendant piece on a large jumpring and hang through the bail piece. For this necklace I used two diff erent weights of chain in gold, as that’s my colour of choice this year, but use whatever suits the polymer clay.

Editor at the Knitting and Stitching Show

Visit the GMC stand D25 at this autumn’s Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace (7–11 October) for a range of top craft author events. There will even be workshops from our very own Editor, Sian! Plus, with your chance to buy bargain books and magazines straight from us, as well as craft supplies from many suppliers, it’s a show not to miss.

Weald of Kent Craft and Design Show

Visit the beautiful Penshurst Place on 11 – 13 September for the Weald of Kent Craft & Design Show, where you can fi nd a range of beautiful, handmade crafts for your home and garden. With lots of delicious food to enjoy, demonstrations and activities for all the family, this promises to be a great day out

Macramé and More experience

Join JewelleryMaker’s Guest Designer Mark Smith for a fantastic jewellery making experience. Develop your skills as you follow Mark’s expertise and guidance throughout a fun-fi lled day and a half of macramé, chips and nuggets, paracord and more! The fi rst day will be followed by a relaxing stay at The White Swan Hotel in Henley-in-Arden, including dinner, bed and breakfast. The exciting experience also includes a guided tour around the JewelleryMaker studios, a visit to their incredible gemstone museum, a buff etstyle lunch and a visit to the JewelleryMaker shop. Don’t miss out; book now to avoid disappointment, as places are limited. 23–24 September 2015 Single booking £219.95 Double booking £379.95 (sharing a double room at The White Swan Hotel)

Metal clay master classes

Metal Clay Ltd is hosting two special master classes with Anna Mazon this September. Anna is known for her intricate, one-of-a-kind designs in metal clay, inspired by nature, ancient cultures and literature. The classes will be held in Corfe Castle, Dorset on 18–19 September (£375 for two-day class, making a Herbarium fi ne silver pendant), and on 20 September (£255 for a one-day class, making a twig ring in fi ne silver). Receive a £50 discount, plus a free 50g pack of silver clay when you book both classes together.

The Stitching Sewing and Hobbycraft s Show

Don’t miss this fab craft show taking place at the Westpoint Center in Exeter from 24 – 27 September. Each day the venue will be packed with exhibitors showcasing the best crafty products, giving you tons of ideas for your jewellery making. Plus, with free workshops, talks and demonstrations, there’s even more reason to visit.

Deluxe beading tray

We’ve just come across this great new beading tray from Silaba Crafts. Suitable for use on your lap or on a table, the tray incorporates a beading mat to stop your beads rolling around, with cushioned sides so that you don’t lose them! It also provides comfortable wrist support, and the rim can be used as a pincushion or anchor. When tapped, the beads will align themselves face up for ease of threading. Plus, the rim comes in a number of colour options, with prices starting from just £25.

Jewellery Maker project kits

Ideal for beginners, the JewelleryMaker project kits feature step-by-step instructions and everything you need to create beautiful jewellery. Perfect for all occasions, each kit is adaptable, making it easy to create a number of looks with just one kit. Choose from an anklet for a beach holiday, a headpiece for a festival, or a charm bracelet as a gift for a friend. Whatever you decide to create, JewelleryMaker is your one-stop shop for all your jewellery making needs, with an extensive collection of kits suitable for all skill levels. The Star Charm Bracelet Kit costs £9.95.

Preciosa beads

The traditional Preciosa Ornela glass beads, available under the Preciosa Traditional Czech Beads brand, boast the widest range of glass bead colours and shapes in the world. This spectacular collection begs you to make jewellery with it! Get carried away with creative inspiration as you view their latest colour and shape trends – who knows what you will end up creating?

Restocked lampwork glass colours

Making their highly anticipated return after a prolonged period of being out of stock, Eff etre’s Sandstone and Sendiment are back in stock at Tuff nell Glass. Both colours are highly sought after for lampworking, with attractive earthy tones and unusual patterns that appear when worked. These are a defi nite must for any bead maker, whether you’re experienced or a newbie

How to make Woodland Magig Jewellry

Annemarie is a wire artist living near Lincoln. Inspired by the magic of Mother Nature, her work has a beautiful natural and seemingly eff ortless fl ow and style. Annemarie has used components from the Vintaj range, which includes some really fabulous leaves in both copper and brass. The woodland leaf component, accompanied by fl uid wirework and the autumnal shade of the patina, work together perfectly to create the composition of this design. Once the vine-like technique is mastered, there are endless possibilities to create stunning complementary pieces.

MATERIALS
1mm (18 gauge) copper wire 0.8mm (20 gauge) copper wire Vintaj copper woodland leaf Labradorite cabochon

Designer tips
Practise the vine-like style with some scraps of wire. Twist them together and use random loops and swirls to secure the wires together. Go with the fl ow and see how the wires move. Don’t get too hung up about getting your vines perfect. The best thing about this style is that you can’t actually go wrong, just as long as your stone is secure. When using Liver of Sulphur, dip a number of times rather than leaving in the liquid for a long time, as this gives you more control over the colour of the patina. You can always keep dipping, which is much easier than removing the patina.

STEP 1
Measure the circumference of the cabochon with a fl exible tape measure. Multiply by three and cut two lengths of 1mm wire. Multiply by four and cut one length of 0.8mm wire. Find the centre of the 0.8mm, wrap around the centre of both 1mm wires. Place your cabochon on the desk and lay the wires to the side of it with the right 0.8mm wire on the underside of the cabochon.

STEP 2
Take the top 1mm wire to the left , creating a loop large enough to create some support for your cabochon. Use the tail end of this wire to wrap up the right side of the frame, stopping half way. Holding the cabochon in place, pull the 0.8mm wire (which was at the back of the cabochon) tight, and secure to the top right-hand side of the frame.

STEP 3
Place the cabochon onto the frame, bring the right side 1mm gauge wire across the front of the cabochon into a loose loop and gently curve the end up towards the top of the stone. Wrap the 0.8mm wire around this wire to secure. Use the left -hand side of 0.8mm wire to wind up the frame and create a loose loop to support the back of the top of the stone.

STEP 4
Gently shape the frame so it sits close to the stone, bringing all loose wires at the top together ready to secure the stone. Thread on the leaf and position onto the stone. Wrap the loose wires together with one of the wires, ensuring that the frame is snug on the stone. Tighten the frame by threading wires through the back and front of the frame, tying off when tight.

STEP 5
Use one of the 1mm wires to come down and across the leaf to secure it in place. Twist and curl the remaining wires together to create a vine-like wrap, which will be the bail. Shape around a mandrel to create the bail and poke the ends of the wires through to the front of the frame and stone. Secure by wrapping around various wires on the front.

STEP 6
If there is any wobble on the stone then use the tail ends of remaining wire to tighten and create tension, which will keep it in place. Cut and tie any loose wires, keeping with the vine-like nature of the design. Dip your fi nished piece in Liver of Sulphur briefl y to get a bronze colour and polish lightly so as not to remove too much patina.

Extra Projects Make a bangle and earrings
BANGLE Cut 1m of 1.25mm (16 gauge) wire and fi nd the centre. Thread on the leaf and fold the wire in half. Use one side to wrap tightly around the back and across the front of the leaf to secure. Twist and curl the wires together along the length. Shape using a cylindrical object. EARRINGS Cut a 15cm length of 0.8mm wire, form a loop halfway and use the vinelike style to create the earrings. Curl the end of the wires. Thread a bead onto a headpin, wrap and attach to the bottom of the earrings. Add earwires and gently bend into shape.

Favourite Jewelry Make Friday

On Facebook we run a competition over the weekend (launched on a Friday) where we ask you to upload a picture of something you’ve made that week, and our favourite wins a prize. Here are some recent winners

FANCY FLORAL COLLAR This leather collar will totally transform a simple t-shirt into a high fashion outfit.

Debbie is a jewellery maker and teacher who loves design in every form. Whether it’s fashion, interior design or jewellery, the thread of colour and detail run through them all. This leather collar was inspired by a combination of images from the latest catwalk shows and fabric prints for 2015/16. Raised design, multilayers and multicolour will be in every high street shop. Create a design to complement your own wardrobe.

MATERIALS
Cowhide dyed in Masala: colour for 2015 Leather cord Silk screen: circles Permanent marker pens in colours of your own choosing Studio acrylic iridescent paint in Silver and Gold Garland of fl owers lace in two sizes 40cm x 0.6mm (23 gauge) wire or 8 x eye pins 20cm chain Cord end with clasp and extension chain Self-adhesive dots

Designer tips
Make a cuff with two cords that can just be tied together. Use bezels to sink your leather into then add your design. Be careful when using fabric glue, just let it fl ow and do not force it out

STEP 1
To make sure the collar will fi t properly, cut a template from paper and try it on – use this as a pattern for cutting your leather. Remember to cut one for the back, true to size, and add a border of 10mm all around for the front piece to fold over and neaten the collar.

STEP 2
Wet the leather and stretch it over a glass mixing bowl to give it a curve, allow to dry. Put a little acrylic paint on the edge of an old credit card and place the silk screen on the leather where you want the pattern to be. Pull the card across the screen. Remove straight away and clean the screen thoroughly. When dry, fold the top seam over the cord of your choice to make sure it holds in place

STEP 3
Use permanent marker pens to ‘age’ the fl owers, then add selfadhesive dots in the centre of the fl owers to give texture and sparkle to your design.

STEP 4
Using fabric glue suitable for leather place the cord under the top fold and glue in place then continue around the collar. Take four pieces of wire, making a loop on one end and a spiral on the other; place these with the eye showing along the front edge. Stick the reverse piece of leather in place. Repeat for the other side of the collar.

STEP 5
Stick the fl owers in place, adding the faceted self-adhesive dots in the centre. If you want to add more texture and interest add extra self-adhesive dots in coordinating shades.

STEP 6
Add chain between your eye pins and fold over cord endings on the end of your cord. Finally add a clasp.