ARCHIVED TIPS
Metric Conversion Chart,
Measuring Thread and
Working with Clasps,
Finishing Memory Wire
, Threading Beads on Leather,
Multi Strand Necklaces,
Bead Storage ,
Cleaning Beads,
Beading Surface,
Birthstone Colors,
Cleaning Silver,
Opening Jump Rings,
Threads,
Crimps, Choosing
Pliers,
ChoosingWire Cutters,
Drilling Holes In Beads,
All Pliers Are Not Created Equal,
Keeping Track of Loose Ends,
Lighting and magnification,
Photographing Beads &
Jewelry, Getting
Odors Out of Beads,
Headpin Loops,
Straightening Elastic Thread
|
Your input is important to us. ********************
Don't miss an issue of The Beading
Times.
******************** |
Measuring Without a Tape
Click here to see Susan's jewelry line Your cousin's friend in Saskatchewan has asked you to design a custom bracelet for her. You have all the beads, materials, and tools, but you're stumped about the length. She doesn't have a clue about her wrist measurement, or a flexible measuring tape to use, and you're not about to travel that far north to measure her wrist. What do you do? Simple. Ask her to take a piece of string, wrap it around the wrist on which she'll wear the bracelet, and mark where the end of the string meets the string on her wrist. Then she should take the string and measure the length from the end to the mark on a ruler. Voila - measurement! At that point, add 1/2 inch to 1 inch, depending on the style of the bracelet. Dangle bracelets or those with large beads will need closer to an inch, since they "float" above the skin. If you are using a toggle on a bracelet that fits closely, 1/2 inch may do it. Use your judgment. The same technique can be used on anklets. For necklaces, different woman can be very different, depending on build. Therefore I tend to go for adjustability, adding a lobster claw clasp and extender chain about four inches long. A guideline, however, is 16" for a choker, 18" for princess length, 20" for matinee length (casual or business dressing), and 24" for longer pendant necklaces. You can also make your designs modular, adding or subtracting jump rings or components to make the necklace longer or shorter.
If you want the necklace to be a perfect fit
for a specific woman, just ask the woman to hold a piece of string around
her neck and adjust it until it is the same length as the necklace she
wants. Then, the same as with the bracelet, she should just measure the
length of the piece of string and give you the length. Remember to include
the length of your clasp when you are making your necklace!
This is your magazine as much as
it is ours -
Click here
to email a beading tip for publication or to pose a
question for a future tip.
|
Register to win 25.00 Worth of Beads and Beading Supplies Click here to visit The Bead Peddler® Full line of
Wholesale
prices available to the public! **********
|
