Design Lounge Jewelry with DIY instructions

Back in November 2013, I was invited to design jewelry for the Design Lounge event held at the To Bead True Blue show in Tucson 2014. The idea was to incorporate the hottest, new materials from various supply companies in as many designs as possible. All jewelry designs were to be displayed at the show to provide inspiration for the attendees. Some designs would also appear in an ad for the Design Lounge along with the possibility of a few pieces being published in an upcoming beading magazine. Wow, that sounds like a great opportunity. Count me in!

I received a big box full of jewelry-making materials that included supplies from Leather Cord USA, Garlan Chain, Dakota Stones, Beadalon, TierraCast, Bead Master and Impress Art. I managed to create and write instructions for 3 designs. I wish I could have made more and I wish I could have gone to the show to see the jewelry designs on display in Tucson! I would have loved to see what the other designers created for this event, as well. I have not been to Tucson. I would love to get there some year for the big gem and mineral show in February. Participating in this design challenge for the Design Lounge is the closest I've gotten to Tucson. For now, I'll have to be satisfied that at least my jewelry designs took a trip there! I'm thrilled I had the chance to create some jewelry for the show. Here they are below. Enjoy the DIY instructions.

Colorful Spikes Lariat 

designed for the Design Lounge, Tucson 2014

Erin Siegel

Materials

2 coral Picasso Czech glass baby spikes

2 frosted yellow capri Czech glass baby spikes

2 turquoise celsian Czech glass baby spikes

1 cornelian Picasso Czech glass baby spike

1 coral lumi 7x17mm Czech glass spike

1 green turquoise Picasso 7x17mm Czech glass spike

1 turquoise celsian 7x17mm Czech glass spike

1 yellow Picasso 7x17mm Czech glass spike

1 gold hammertone ring

1 copper 7mm jump ring

36” of rose gold steel cable chain

74” of bright brass 22 gauge wire

Tools

2 pairs of chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Cutters

Finished size: approximately 37”

1: Use 8” of wire to string one 7x17mm glass spike; form a wrapped loop bail that attaches to the first link in the chain. Repeat 3 times, attaching the dangles to every other chain link.

2: Use 6” of wire to string one baby spike; form a wrapped loop bail that attaches to the same chain link as the previous dangle. Repeat 6 times, attaching 2 dangles to every other chain link.

3: Use the jump ring to attach the gold hammertone ring to the last chain link.

Resources:

Czech glass spikes: Bead Master. Ring: Tierracast. Cable chain: Garlan Chain. All other supplies: Ornamentea.

Dancing Dangles Wrap 

designed for the Design Lounge, Tucson 2014 

Erin Siegel

 

Materials

17 silver metalized 4mm diamond beads

10 matte carnelian 4mm rounds

9 matte red creek jasper 6mm rounds

36 antique silver 2” head pins

36 antique silver 5mm jump rings

2 antique silver ½” ribbon ends

19” of cyclamen 10mm leather lace

1 ½” of antique silver extender chain

Tools

2 pairs of chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Cutters

1/16” leather punch

Ruler

Pen

Finished size: 19 ½” adjustable to 21”

1: Use 1 head pin to string 1 carnelian round; form a wrapped loop that attaches to one end of the extender chain. Set aside.

2: Use 1 head pin to string 1 bead; form a wrapped loop. Repeat for all remaining beads. Set aside.

3: Lay the leather lace on the ruler. Use a pen to mark the edge of the leather 1” from the end. Repeat for the other end. Mark the remaining leather every ½”. Punch holes through all the marked places in the leather.

4: Use the jump rings to attach the beaded dangles to the holes in the leather lace in the following order: 1 jasper dangle, 1 silver diamond dangle, 1 carnelian dangle, 1 silver diamond dangle. Repeat pattern for all remaining dangles.

5: Insert the end of the leather lace into 1 ribbon end and close with chain nose pliers. Repeat for the other end. Attach the spring ring clasp to one ribbon end. Use a jump ring to attach the extender chain to the other ribbon end.

Resources:

Leather lace: Leather Cord USA. Carnelian and jasper rounds: Dakota Stones. Silver diamond beads: Bead Master. All other supplies: Ornamentea.

Collector’s Charm Necklace

designed for the Design Lounge, Tucson 2014

Erin Siegel

Materials

1 carnelian faceted trapezoid bead

1 silver metalized 10mm round

2 silver metalized 6mm spacers

1 antique brass key charm

1 antique brass heart lock charm

1 antique brass hamsa hand charm

1 antique silver winged heart charm

1 antique silver 25mm spiral-patterned ring

1 antique silver 3” head pin

7 brass 7mm jump rings

2 antique silver fold-over cord ends

36” of dark brown 1.5mm round leather cord

36” of petal 1mm round leather cord

36” of turquoise 4mm beaded chain

Tools

2 pairs of chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Cutters

Finished size: approximately 35” long

1: Use the head pin to string the trapezoid bead, 1 spacer, silver round and spacer; form a wrapped loop. Set aside.

2: Insert one end of both leather cords into 1 fold-over end and close with chain nose pliers.

3: Use the 1mm leather cord to string the last loop of the beaded chain.

4: Braid the leather cords and the beaded chain together for the entire length. Repeat step 3. Repeat step 2.

5: Use 1 jump ring to attach the loop of a fold-over end to the 25mm ring. Repeat for the other side.

6: Use the remaining jump rings to attach the charms and the beaded dangle made in step 1 to the 25mm ring.

Resources:

Leather cords: Leather Cord USA. Trapezoid bead: Dakota Stones. Ring and charms: Tierracast. Beaded chain, metalized bead and spacers: Bead Master. All other supplies: Ornamentea.