Once you've begun your journey as a jewellery-maker, you're always looking for something that will put your new skills to use but that you can confidently complete successfully. This cuff-style memory wire bracelet is sure to fit the bill. It's a simple strung design but with the addition of some spacer bars and a flower slider focal, so it will challenge you a little without being overwhelming. And with the long hot days of summer ahead of us, this pretty pastel cuff-style bracelet is sure to become a favourite piece you'll wear all summer long. The bracelet is made with five individual coils of memory wire that are connected with spacer bars for stability. You'll need a couple of hours to string the design but it's easy enough for a beginner to tackle. In fact, you only need to know one technique - how to turn a loop on memory wire - making this a great place for a beginner jewellery maker to start. And, if you're new to jewellery making (or just need a re......

There are a few basic jewellery-making skills that every jewellery maker should master and turning a loop on memory wire is one of them. It seems quite straight forward... until you actually go to do it and end up with a lopsided, half-open loop that small beads slide around or catches on your clothes. But this simple trick will change all that and make your memory wire jewellery look really professional. Read on.... You'll need: Memory wire Round nose pliers  - this is the style I use. Memory wire shears . These are absolutely essential. Memory wire is made of steel and trying to cut it with your regular jewellery wire cutters will destroy the cutting blades. I know this from first hand experience!  Cut the memory wire long enough to go around your wrist PLUS 5cm (2"). This will give you a little more than you need but it's better to have a little extra than not enough. Grip the very tip of the wire in the jaws of the round nose pliers. How far along the pliers you place ......

For a neat and secure way of linking components together, the wrapped loop will give your handmade jewellery a professional finish. Wrapped loops are especially useful when using heavier beads such as lampwork beads. For a more organic look or homespun feel, you can make the wraps a little messy to add some visual interest. You'll need the following tools: flat nose pliers round nose pliers flush cutters crimping tool or chain nose pliers Cut a piece of wire measuring 7.5cm (3"). Grip the wire with flat nose pliers at the 3cm (1 1/4") mark. Bend the wire at a 90° angle. Remove the flat nose pliers and place round nose pliers in the neck of the bend. Grip the tail of the wire with your fingers and wrap it around the top jaw of the pliers to form a loop. Keep wrapping the wire around the jaws until the loop is complete. The wire should now cross in front of the neck and sit perpendicular to it. Remove the round nose pliers and hold the loop in the jaws of the flat nose pli......

There are times when you want your handmade earrings to have a more sleek and modern look and using elfin   earring wires  (aka elven or almond earring wires) can do just that. It's easy to source shepherd hooks or french earring wires but finding elfin earring wires is a little more difficult so this tutorial will show you how to quickly and easily make your own. And the beauty is, you can make them in any colour or size to suit your design. So, grab your jewellery making pliers and let's get started. Here's what you'll need: Two 41mm eye pins Flat nose pliers A ring mandrel (or other round form to shape the earrings - a 3/4" diameter bottle works well) Cup burr tool or a metal file Permanent marker Ruler Baby wipe or methylated spirits (denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol or similar) Place the eye pin around the outside of the ring mandrel with the loop sitting perpendicular to the mandrel. You will need to press it firmly around the form so that it is......