Tools: round nose pliers, wire cutters, flat nose pliers
Materials: sea glass, wire (22-26 gauges), beads (optional)

1. Cut about 1 foot of wire using wire cutters.
2. Using your round nose pliers, hold the wire about 1″ from the end. Create a “wire wrapped loop” by bending the wire around the plier with your hand to make a loop. Then hold the end of the short piecewith your flat nosed pliers. While holding the round nose pliers, use the flat nose pliers to wrap the short piece of wire around the longer piece of wire a couple of times.  Trim the excess wire with cutters.
3. Now let’s get wrapping. Place the loop at the top of the sea glass. Hold it in place with one hand as you wrap tightly with the other. You can wrap as much as you like as long as it holds the glass from falling out (criss-crossing helps).
4. To finish, wrap your way to the top where you created the initial loop and wrap to blend in with the initial wrap at the bottom or overlap the existing wraps working up. Use your flat-nose pliers to push the sharp cut end into the piece.

Depending on the size of the glass, you can use it as a pendant or make two for earrings.

Enjoy, and happy summer!

Materials:
Assortment of crystals and beads (as many as you desire)
6mm Blossom Bead Cap
64x21mm Diamond Trellis Filigree
2″ Head Pin (depending on the number of beads used)
4.75mm Jump Ring

Tools & Supplies:
Round nose plier
Chain Nose Plier
Side Cutter
Ring Mandrel

Other materials:
Freshwater pearls & Swarovski crystals (or the beads of your choice)

Instructions:

Step 1: Create your dangles.
A: String one 6mm round crystal onto a 2″ head pin.
B: String all of the remaining crystals and pearls onto individual head pins and form a wrapped loops.
C: Open the 4.75mm jump ring to string all of your crystals and pearls in your desired order. Close the ring to secure.
* Alternatively, you can string them onto wire and weave and wrap beads through the filigree. This skill is demonstrated in our Beaded Hoop Earrings Class.

Step 2: Create your ring base.
A: Use a ring mandrel to form the diamond trellis filigree to desired ring size by holding the center of the filigree to the mandrel and form the edges around using your fingers or chain nose pliers. Adjust the size by tightening or pulling open the back of the filigree.

Step 3: Assemble your ring.
A: Using chain nose pliers, pull each petal of the bead cap upward to create a flat daisy-like piece. Repeat for second bead cap.
B: String the 6mm round crystal on the 2″ head pin through the center of the jump ring that contains the dangles and then through the flattened bead cap.
C: While firmly holding all pieces together, thread the end of the 2″ head pin through an opening in the back of the filigree ring base.
D: String the second flattened bead cap through the head pin from the back of the filigree ring base.
E: Using round nose pliers, curl the tail of the head pin upward towards the top of the rin and wrap the excess wire around the filigree to secure.

Swarovski-Spider-Web-Earrings

Enjoy!

For more ideas, you can take a look at our “Green” series classes:

Jewelry Reinvented
Embellished T-shirts
Resin Bottle Caps
Bangles and Charms

You can also make your own gift bags with recycled newspapers. Check out this great tutorial by Jessica Jones of the “How about Orange” blog.

To open a jump ring properly, hold either side of the jump ring in a pair of flat-nose pliers. Then simply turn one of your wrists so the jump ring rotates on the point opposite the split. Just twist until there is a small gap. Do not try to uncoil the jump ring as it can weaken the jump ring and makes it difficult to close.

To close a jump ring properly, again grab either side of the jump ring with a pair of pliers. Then turn your wrist in the reverse direction from opening so the jump ring rotates shut. Do not try to squeeze the jump ring shut or to coil it back into place, as neither of these techniques will result in as tight or symmetrical a close.

Not interested in using a clasp? Then try using a slip knot on leather or cord.

Don’t forget, Abeille carries many styles of lace including vintage. If you don’t see it out, just ask one of us.

Materials:
Metal Blank
Embossing ink
Embossing powders
Decorative Rubber stamp of your choice
Paint or Marker

Tools:
Letter Stamp Set
House-hold hammer
Chain nose pliers
Cutters

How To:
1. Clean surface of the metal blank
2. Tape metal blank down to bench block or wood. Imprint name with a Letter Stamp Set available at Abeille (you can line up the letters in a straight line using a piece of masking tape.)
3. Apply black paint or colored Copic marker to the letters and remove excess paint with a paper towel.
4. Wipe edges of the blank clean to prepare surface for embossing powders.
5. Apply clear embossing ink to a decorative rubber stamp and randomly stamp onto the blank.
6. Cover the surface of the blank with embossing powder.
7. Shake off the excess powder revealing the pattern.
8. Use an embossing gun (or hair dyer with defuser) to heat the powder. Let cool for 5 minutes.
9. Once cool, add a jump ring, chain and any embellishments to create a versatile gift tag/pendant.

You can take it one step further and adhere mini-rhinestones to the wings for added embellishments.