These bracelets and necklaces are really neat for many reasons. One big reason is you can customize them. Secondly, you can make something that looks great and have little jewelry making experience.

They can have your name, your loved ones names, awareness themes, deployment bracelets, you name it.. and you can make it!

As I said, you can make them any way you want, but they all contain some basics:

* The  Alphabet Beads spelling out your name, your loved ones, or a specific cause.

* Some kind of clasp to connect it to

* Some kind of cording or chain to string the beads.

Additional items you might want to add to your bracelet or necklace:

Alphabet Charms Galore

Jewellery Findings You Need

Basic Information On Alphabet Beads

Basic Info On Sterling Silver Findings

Letter Beads For Jewelry

Gather all of your supplies together before you start:

1. Measure the length of the bracelet you are creating to get the right
size, or use a piece of string around the wrist to mark and measure. Make sure
that it is a little loose. You don’t want it too tight.

Cut a length of stringing wire that is the desired
bracelet length plus at least 2″ extra. (If you want a finished bracelet that
is 8″, you’ll need to start with a 10″ piece of wire.)

2. Next, make a loop with the wire. String a crimp bead on the piece of cut wire.
Slide the wire through a wire guardian. Take the end of the wire as it comes
out of the guardian and slip it though the crimp bead as well. Pull to tighten
so that the crimp bead is tight against the wire guardian, and you don’t have
excess wire hanging out of the crimp bead. Use the beading pliers to squeeze the
crimp bead closed.

3. Begin stringing your beads. Be sure to lay out your design before you begin. You can put spacer beads, Swarovski crystals, or group all the sterling silver alphabet beads together.

4. Once you’re pleased with the design, place the second crimp bead after your last
decorative bead (you should have approximately 2″ of wire left) and then slide
the second wire guardian on just like before. Carefully take up the slack, being
sure not to pull the wire too tight, so the bracelet can move and bend, but also
not so loose that you see the wire between the beads. Now squeeze the crimp bead
closed and then trim any excess wire away.

5. The last step is to attach the clasp either a lobster or toggle clasp to the right side of the
bracelet using jump rings. You can also attach a 1″ extender chain on the left
side to adjust the bracelet for comfort.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Hickok
http://EzineArticles.com/?Personalized-Name-Bracelets—Make-Your-Own-Mothers-Day-Gift&id=1087680

Your finished! See that wasn’t that hard, was it? Now you know how to make personalized bracelets with and you know how to use an alphabet bead for something other than spelling.  One last tip, alphabet beads can come as gold alphabet beads or sterling silver alphabet beads, which offers you even more opportunities to create something incredible.

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They are the hardware employed in making jewellery. In particular, findings are the items used to hold your chains and gemstones together. They are either made from sterling silver, gold or a base metal plated with a valuable metal.

A lot of people who make jewelry, buy the most beautiful gemstones or chains, etc and then use the least expensive findings. This is a HUGE mistake! A word to the wise though, for a few pennies more, get the genuine deal…you won’t regret it!

For instance, if you are making sterling silver jewelry, the best advice is to use only sterling silver findings. Why, because it will look cheap and it won’t hold up if you use stainless steel or some other inferior base metal. Why would you put all this money time and effort, only to save a few pennies and then have your work of art come out looking less than it could have been?

Now that you know you need quality, let’s talk about the different types of jewelry findings. Don’t you love toggles? I have always adored the way they looked, but wondered if they might stay fastened on my body. I can honestly say, I’ve never lost any jewellery due to it being a toggle clasp. Talk about dressing up a piece of jewelery, let me tell you, a classy toggle can do just that!

However, for folks that just don’t feel safe with a toggle clasp, let me tell you about an alternative. A sterling silver lobster clasp offers you a secure option that still looks good.

Ear Wires and Earring Findings are extremely popular jewellery findings. These are used for all the dangle earrings you see adorning individuals worldwide.

Crimp bead and tubes are tiny metal beads that flatten when squeezed with a crimping tool or pliers. You use them with flexible beading wire to glue a clasp.

Just like with anything new, it can be overwhelming at first.  But don’t let that stop you!  Just let your enthusiasm for creating unique pieces of jewelry carry you through the learning curve. You will be throwing these terms around in no time.

Find out more about Jewellery findings you need and how to use them and where to find the best deals. You won’t believe how easy it is once you start experimenting.

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