Many people think traditional mouth blowing glass is synonymous with glassblowing but that’s only a type of it. A more precise method to create glass apparatuses known as lathe blown glass has also gained the attention of many bead enthusiasts. And this is why here’s a complete guide by us on mouth-blown and lathe blown glass and…
Category: How To & Tutorials
Lampwork beads – How are they made?
Beads have been used for generations to make necklaces, rosaries, and other pieces of jewelry. While traditional beads are adorable, lampwork beads go a step above in adding aesthetics and enhancing the overall appeal of the jewelry. Despite their exquisite nature and unique heritage, few people are aware of their origin and building process. This…
5 ways you can make use of the leftover beads
Only a bead stringer would understand how difficult it is to complete a bead work without leftovers. How many times have you added beads to your bead soup stash? You don’t want to dispose of them, but you aren’t sure what to do with them. Did you know that with little effort you can turn…
Dead Soft, Half Hard, Hard – How to Understand Beading Wire Terms
I feel like we have answered this question before, but we keep getting it. Now those of you who know me, know that beads, specifically Murano Glass Beads are my field of expertise and anything to do with glass, Murano, Venice. So to answer this question I had to do a little sleuthing, naturally on…
Converting Fractions to Inches and Millimeters
Fractions – Hieroglyphics It is said that the Egyptians were using fractions in 1800 B.C. writing in hieroglyphics, using them in their payments and taxes. Inches, Yards The inch was originally the width of a man’s thumb. In the 14th century King Edward II of England ruled that 1 inch equaled 3 grains of barley…
Using a Bead Gauge
We measure our beads in millimeters because that’s how our bead makers work. Millimeters are also how pearls are measured. So most women are slightly familiar with the concept, just ask one if she prefers a 10mm pearl or an 8mm pearl. A handy thing to remember is that 1 inch = ~25mm You need…
Making of a Millefiori Bead
What goes into making a millefiori bead? What are they always different? What makes them smooth? and other questions you’ve always wanted to know about millefiori! First the canes must be made. And since there are many different opaque millefiori slices of canes used in this particular millefiori bead, well there are about 120 opaque canes that…
How to Use a Safety Chain on PerlaVita Bracelet
This is one of my new favorite products, the safety chain for our PerlaVita Bracelets. Most of us have a little trouble putting on a bracelet and taking it off. There are “bracelet buddy” tools, someone in your household who helps you or your co-worker who comes to your aid but this little Safety Chain…
Cleaning Silver Easy and Safe
If you prefer the bright shine ,925 Sterling Silver, not Silver with an Anti-Tarnish coating, which tones down the bright shine we all love, you need easy ways to clean it. This cleaning method works, it’s easy, you have the items in your kitchen so give it a try. (Read the cautions below before you…
Jewelry Making Refresher on Conversion Terms
Just a little refresher on terms we use in jewelry making. Math, it turns out, is also useful for jewelry making. Conversions Factors To Go From To Multiply By Carats DWT 0.128603 Carats Grams 0.2 Feet Millimeters 304.8 Feet Meters 0.3048 Grams Carats 5 Grams DWT 0.6430149 Grams Troy Ounces 0.03215075 Inches Millimeters 25.4 Inches…