The number one thing I used to get asked almost weekly when I had my jewelry shop on Etsy was: “How did you make those beaded clusters in your jewelry?”
At the time, I used to politely decline to answer or artfully dodge the question because those clusters were my signature thing, and part of my style. But now that I’ve closed the jewelry shop, I don’t need to hold on so tightly anymore. And since this month’s theme is all about sharing information, this is the biggest thing of mine I can think of to share, so here you go. Enjoy!
One extra note that I forgot to mention on the graphic – I liked 26ga headpins for rondelles because some just wouldn’t take 24ga. Rather than have a ton of each size headpin on hand (since I made my own), I went with the smaller size. If the rondelles you’re working with will fit 24ga, and you’d prefer that size, go for it.
Please, please – if you’re going to share the graphic above, link back to this specific post, not just my blog. You have my gratitude for it.
Thank you for sharing this, Brandi. I always loved your jewelry with the clusters and am still learning this jewelry stuff so this is really helpful. I truly appreciate your sharing the knowledge!
Sally Anderson recently posted A Long Month
You’re very welcome, Sally!
When I want to make a tight cluster, I use the exact same technique! Great minds do indeed think alike!!!
Vicki Potter recently posted Green Amethyst Earrings with Olive Green Accents . Sterling Silver
We do!!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this!! I always loved those clusters – I’ll be trying this soon with a little stash of amethyst rondelles I’ve been saving….
I’d love to see a photo of what you come up with, Francesca!!
That’s so cool of you to share this. It makes me want to run out and buy supplies. I always loved your clusters I think it’s was your signature in a way so I’m trying to imagine if it was hard for you to share the technique.
Libby recently posted Circle logos :: help me choose three
Hey Libby! I’m not going to lie, it was a little hard to share it. I’d like to think it was a signature of mine, since when I started doing it years ago, it felt like not too many other people were doing or using clusters. So, it gave me joy to have something be just mine (or feel like it) for a while.
But ultimately, it felt right to give away the information – I learned from a lovely friend how to do them, and since she didn’t mind sharing the info when she could have told me no, I thought I’d follow her lead!
I think I was there during the conversation about how to make them and it involved a fellow wine aficionado.
For the record… Brandi makes this look easy. Getting the loops all the same size and making the rondelles sit nicely all clumped together is not as easy as it looks.
I’ve got 5 posts to catch up on. That’s what I get for going on vacation. LOL
Smooches.
K
Pfft, vacation. What do you need vacation for??
Actually, I’ll be heading off myself in a few weeks and I can’t wait.
And yes, I think you were there! The conversation probably involved wine, True Blood, and beads, too, now that I think about it. Thanks for the kind words, Kristy!
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