Word to the wise --1. "Never use your beading scissors to cut this wire". It is definitely a hard wire, and can do real damage. I would suggest using a wire cutter from a hardware store. In this way you will not have a lot of frustration. 2. For the ends, I always make a loop, then attach some sort of a designed, wrapped wire (with a bead/or beads. You can even glue beads onto the ends, but be sure to use a strong glue, so the bead/s will not fall off. I find this to be one of the toughest wires. Don't allow it to beat you up. 3. What you might want to do is to -- measure the wrist size. If you don't have a tape measurer, then you could use a string. Wrap it around the wrist, then add a few inches -- now it's off to find a ruler. This will definitely accommodate the actual size, once it has been completed. The extra leverage is always a safety net for me -- leverage meaning extrra wire, or thread. After you have the wire measured, and cut, then what I often do is to see how many beads will fit per inch. I have a beading board for this, or you could also buy a piece of velour, or felt (whatever you have available). I like the velour thingie, and it is often sold in beading shops. I know that my shop, where I frequent often, has this on hand -- probably $1.00 a piece. It can be used, when you are setting up designs --making necklaces, or whatever. I like these, and have a few, so that I can do a balancingggg act. I'm often working on a number of projects -- when I'm waiting for the genius to sneak in, That is me, not to be confused with you. Ha! Ha! Anyway, once I have aligned the beads into some sort of acceptability, then I begin to place them onto the wire. I will always make a loop on one (1) end, then begin to place the beads onto the wire. I've made a number of them for my grandkids, and would also like to make one for this kid. I'll use a few crystals intersparsed, and work the design element into there. You can virtually go in any direction with this stuff -- rings, earrings, and necklaces too. For the earrings, and rings, you can buy it in smaller circles, and just follow the same procedure. As for me, I don't like crystals all over the dargone place, although I have to take that back. Ahem! It depends on if I'm feeling like a Gabour. Ha! Ha! You will, however, spend alot of money on crystals, so it is wise to use them in moderation. I use alot of fire-polished beads, and some pearls, and (Oh my!) My brother's closet is just filled to the brim with my beads -- and it's a biggggg oneeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipes, poor guy! I've been beading for a number of years, and there isn't a bead I don't love, love, loveeeeeeee!!!! I am dangerous at a bead convention -- but then again, all of us are!! You can just ask my beading friends.
What I started out to say is -- do what suits you, and you'll know it when you have pulled yourself back and taken a look at it (your accomplishment). Don't take yourself to seriously, that is destructive --Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! Have fun with it -- get into a Beading Society (or around a few other beaders). Most of us are ten cents short of a dollar. Ha! Ha! This means that anything goes, and you will have a gret time of it.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Beaders are harmless, that is, unless someone is touching our stash -- then we go ballistic. Ha! Ha!
By the way, I'm getting into making clay beads too. In case you have any interest in this, there is a Cindy Weitz (I believe) out of Vancouver, B.C., whom offers a great blog on this. She has one for free, and a cheapy investment one (like $3.00 a month). I find her to be extraordinary, and she is never afraid to share what she knows. Great Teacher, and on the internet, so I don't even have to leave the house. You can also ask her questions (on the blog), and she's right there for you. I believe that the more information we have, the better it is. Most of us are willing to offer that small portion of our brain that is working. Ha! Ha! I'm glad that you were not afraid to ask, and now I say, "You are defintiely hooked on Beads!" Welcome to our Clubhouse! Ahem! If you think I'm joking, you wait and see. Although, I'm also experimenting with my artwork too. I'm all over the place, and at sixty-four (64) my brain is not slowing down -- not for this CHICKY!!!
Have a Great Time!
DianaQM
P.S. I was just thinking -- wouldn't it be great for all of us to have some type of imaginary, short-wave radio, then we'd really be on top of things. Da-Rum!!!!
