|
 Tips From Rena
by Rena Klingenberg
August 2004 Tips From Rena
 Using Hemostats When Beading
If you often adjust the pattern or number of beads after stringing symmetrical bracelets and necklaces, begin stringing the design from the middle and work to one end. Check the length and design of this first half, make any necessary changes, and then make the second side identical to the first. As youwork, clip a pair of hemostats or another powerful clip to the end you’re not working with, to keep the strung beads from running off that end as you work.
 If your beads roll off your work surface and get lost on the floor, put a big piece of rubberized shelf liner on your work surface. It will hold your beads in place and also provide a cushion in case you drop a fragile bead. Rubberized shelf liner is available in stores alongside the rolls of adhesive shelf paper. As an option, but it accomplishes the same purpose, bead stores also offer an inexpensive foam rubber mat.
Dyed Gemstones Can Stain Your Day
 Many gemstone beads are dyed to achieve their beautiful colors. Garnet, iolite, black onyx, black jasper, colored howlite, and colored “jade” are among the most commonly dyed. Unfortunately, the excess dye is rarely removed from these beads, which means anyone wearing jewelry made with dyed beads may be surprised with color rubbing off on their skin. Always wash dyed beads before using - usually several changes of water will remove the excess dye. Keep changing the water till it stays clear and color-free. Dry the beads thoroughly before using.
Bead Trades to Kick-Start Your Creativity
When you get into a jewelry designing rut, try trading some beads or jewelry components with a fellow beader. Having some new beads or findings next to your old ones can help you see your current supplies in a new light and jump-start your creativity again.
The Bead Orphan Box
 Here’s a good use for “bead orphans” (those single beads left over from projects, that you can’t find another use for). Collect your bead orphans in an interesting basket, box, or treasure chest. Add some strips of beading wire, leather, or whatever will fit through the holes of the beads. Now when you do art/craft shows, you have an activity that will keep children endlessly busy and out of your jewelry display while their adults shop at your booth. Kids love to string and unstring your intriguing variety of beads, arranging them in different patterns. Having several pieces of beading wire or leather will permit more than one child to play with your bead orphans at a time. If you have a lot of orphans, you may even decide to let each child choose one bead to keep from your collection.
Photographing Beads That “Roll”
 Photographing beads and bead jewelry can be tricky, especially when round beads are involved. They can roll around maddeningly and take forever to arrange for a photo. Here’s a trick professional jewelry photographers use: Put a small amount of modeling clay under the misbehaving beads, to stick them to the exact spot you want
them. You can also use this trick for shooting some of those neat photos of a bracelet, ring, or other piece of jewelry standing up dramatically with no visible support.
About The Author
You’ll find thousands of tips for marketing your handcrafted jewelry on Rena’s website, Home Jewelry Business Success Tips (www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com).
She is also the editor of Jewelry Business Success News (www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/subscribe-to-newsletter), an e-mail newsletter filled with innovative information on the business of handcrafted jewelry.
|
