The Candie Cast

Simple Stringing...

Hi Everybody-

I've missed you guys!  Where have I been you ask?  Well, it seems I've relocated to the south of China in a little (big really) town called Shenzhen. Tune in to hear all about bad luck, simple stringing, a super bead artist and some great podsafe music!  Happy Stringing!  Candie :-)

email questions and comments to the CC president: candieATcandiecooperDOTcom

TUNE in to The Candie Cast!

Music from the-POD-SAFE Music Network-

Keep it Clean and Happiness is Like a Kiss-Mike McGill

One Day-Dafni

TODAY'S POD-CLASS-SURVIVAL BEAD STRINGING

Basic Jewelry Making Pliers Set:

From L to R: round nose, chain nose, flat nose, wire cutters, & crimping pliers

Basic Wire for Stringing:

Beadalon 49 strand is my favorite.  Super flexible!

Crimp Beads:

These come in different sizes (i.e. #1, 2) and shapes like tubes. They correspond with the wire diameter so check your wire package for a size suggestion.  If you look closely at the above wire spool picture, you can see that they recommend a #1 crimp bead or tube #2.

Basic Materials:

• Beads, beads and more beads
• Nylon Coated Stringing Wire
• crimp beads or tubes
• clasp
• crimping pliers
• chain nose pliers (optional)

Lay your beads out in desired pattern.

String your beads onto the wire while it's still attached to the spool.  Most bracelets are 7-8 inches.  Be sure to take into account your clasp length too.

Connect the clasp to end of the wire like this...

With crimping pliers, place the crimp bead in the opening with a notch (or the one closest to your hand) and clamp down.  Then...

Turn the bead ninety degrees and place it in the second opening and clamp down, folding the bead over.

Confused? BEADALON CRIMPING INSTRUCTIONS with VIDEO-CLICK HERE

Slide all the beads up next to the finished end and trim the wire from the spool so that there is an approx. 2 inch tail remaining.  String one crimp bead and the opposite end of the clasp onto the wire.  Thread the tail back through the crimp bead and the next 2 beads.

Remove the slack between the beads.  I use chain nose pliers to hold onto the main wire while I pull on the tail to snug up the loop.  Take care to leave enough room in between the beads and also the loop that holds the clasp.  This is so the bracelet moves freely vs. being rigid. Crimp again.

Trim away excess wire with wire cutters.

Ta Da! A Simple Strung Bracelet.  Make one today!

BEADALON CRIMPING INSTRUCTIONS-CLICK HERE

Behind the Cover:  Sensational Bead Stringing by Katie Hacker published by Beadalon

Lots of different ways to string beads presented in this book.  Clear instructions with a lot of color photos.  31 pages and at around $6, the price is right! Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

--BEAD ARTIST--Sheri of Embassy Designs--

EMBASSY DESIGNS-Washi Paper Beads and More:-Click here for her store! You won't be sorry!

If you or someone you know would like to be a featured bead artist on the CC, send me an email.  candieATcandiecooperDOTcom  I'm taking names, er, beads. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

DIY EARRING PARTY

Hi Everybody,

A-heh, a-choo! DIY Earring Party aftermath...i.e. a cold.  Pearl Town, DIY Earring Party, simple earring making, ColdHeat Glue gun test drive and behind the cover of Fabulous Woven Jewelry.  I noticed I didn't quite finish my thought in a few spots on the podcast.  Sorry.  Blame it on the stuffy head, right?!?!  or maybe just the excitement of going home!  :-) Take care and happy making, Candie

Dose of Vitamin C advised before listening HERE:

POD-SAFE MUSIC NETWORK:

Jody Aaron-Orange Soda

Kingbenny-A Pearl

Bryan Howard-Coming Home

Throw A DIY Earring Party!!!

I forgot to snap off a picture before everyone left, but you get the idea.

Pod-Class:  Earring Madness!

Materials:

• 2" head pins
• ear wire findings
• beads
• 10mm bead (optional)
• wire cutters
• round nose pliers
• flat nose pliers

Set of Pliers-LtoR chain nose, wire cutters, round nose

String the beads onto a head pin and make a 45 degree angle bend just above the last bead.

Slide the 10mm bead onto the head pin and trim the wire so that it is flush with the bead.  This creates a perfect length of remaining wire to make a loop.

Make a loop at the end of the wire using the round nose pliers.

Almost finished...

Sometimes I simplify the appearance of the ear wire by removing the coil and round silver bead.  Here's How:

Cut the loop off of the ear wire just below the round bead.

You can save the left over pieces if you like.

Make a loop starting at the bottom of the wire and rolling it around until it meets, making a loop.

Open the loop from side to side with chain nose pliers so that it will keep it's round shape.  Connect the beaded head pin and close the loop.

Finished!

Ear wires can really change the overall look of the earrings.

You can make any of the above using head pins and simple loops for connections to beads and chains.

Product Review...

I got sh sh steam...er, ColdHeat!!!

I recently test drove the Cold Heat Glue Gun and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

2 Thumbs Up for ColdHeat!

The glue gun comes with a small book of instructions and crafty ideas.  Who doesn't love that!?!?  I took them up on one of the projects involving found objects. I made a small jewelry making modification and voila'... Firework pins!!  Simply hot glue the tie tack finding to the back of a glittery pom pom for an instant explosion!  And Boy, does this thing heat up fast!  1 minute til' glue time!

ColdHeat Website

Behind the Cover of...

Fabulous Woven Jewelry by Mary Hettmansperger

Published by Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing

FEATURING:

plaiting, coiling, knotting, looping and twining with fiber and metal

This is an excellent book with clear instructions and interesting projects.  If you are looking for a new technique to add to your repertoire, textiles, mixed media or all of the above; then this book is for YOU!

Listen to the podcast for all of the above details.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

*comments and questions to the CC secretary please; candieATcandiecooperDOTcom

Home Sweet Home...

Hi Everybody!

I can't believe I'm finally typing this-Show number 007 is here!  Back to reality: aka China, Grow Pendant: stamping text into metal, liver of sulfur patina, what's behind the cover-Hip to Bead and more, but ya gotta listen to find out... Send me an email if you are an author that would like your jewelry book featured on the show.  Happy making and relaxing this weekend!  :-) Candie

Send comments and Q's to candieATcandiecooperDOTcom and thanks to all of you that write!  Mucho appreciated!

Click Here to Listen to Show #007: Home Sweet Home

Pod-Safe Music from the Podsafe Music Network:

China Town-Maestross

Stuck in the Middle-Geoff Smith

Paddelin' My Canoe-The Manatee Man

Pod-Class:  Stamping Text into Metal and Liver of Sulfur Patina

The following is the bare bones of this process.  The podcast has the full scoop.

Supply List:

• Alphabet Punch Set
• Steel surface plate
• Plastic or Rawhide mallet
• liver of sulfur chunks
• tweezers or gloves
• brass brush
• pumice
• dish soap

Part 1-Supplies

If you have the bench pin that I do (seen in using a jeweler's saw tutorial), the steel surface with it will work fine for supporting your metal too.

Examples of the different sizes of punches.

Place your piece on the steel surface and with the letter in the correct position (not upside down-been there, done that)  strike down on the punch with the mallet. 

Part 2-Supplies

The small can with the tweezers on top is filled with the LOS chunks.  Keep all water drips away from your can of LOS, one drop can ruin the whole can and that's a real bummer!

Make sure your piece is free of dirt and oil or else the patina won't take to the surface. Clean it with dish soap and a tooth brush. Dip the piece into the solution or leave it to obtain black.  Note the chalky black appearance at this stage.

Wet your thumb and then dip it into pumice powder.  Rub the pumice on the surface to remove the patina leaving the LOS in the recessed areas.  Rinse when finished.

Wet the brush and add a drop of dish soap.

Burnish the patina with the brass brush.  Remember when I mentioned the chalky black surface?  If left like this, the patina will eventually flake off and bare metal  will be exposed.

I added some small dots around the square with a center punch for fun.

Behind the cover: Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker

www.hiptobead.com

Have the book and want to Bead-A-Long?  I did!

http://hiptobead.blogspot.com

Check out http://theanticraft.com for great stuff like the Henry the VIII's wedding gift necklace pattern.

Enjoy!

Easter Party! And You're Invited!

Happy Easter from me to you! 

Amsterdam adventures-Easter Jewels and X rated material...as the song says; who could ask for anything more?!?!  May you all have a relaxing and safe holiday weekend and all your eggs be filled with jewelry or chocolate!   Thanks always for tuning in-Candie

Email:  candieATcandiecooperDOTcom

Crack open an egg and click here to LISTEN TO THE EASTER PARTY

ANNE FRANK HOUSE WEBSITE-Click

Doin' the Van Gogh Hustle!

POD-CLASS=Easter Grass Party Rings!

Materials:

1. metallic pom poms
2. clear beading elastic
3. beads (large seed beads or whatever you have on hand)
4. glue

FAST Version (adjustable ring shank and a pom pom)

Stash them in an egg or make them on Easter for a fun family activity.

Thread your needle with the clear elastic and string the pom pom onto the needle/cord.

String however many beads you need to fit around your finger.

Tie the elastic in a square knot.  Dot the knot with some glue and trim the ends.

FASTER! FASTER!

Did we really need a step by step for this one?!?! 

Adjustable ring + glue + pom pom=Easter Grass Party Ring!

X Rated X Rated Warning X Rated X Rated Warning X Rated X Rated

A little detour from jewelry making, but I thought you would have fun with this.

Peep Show!  Get it?!?  Graham Cracker, Chocolate, Peep and a microwave are all you need to experience pure bliss!  See for yourself!

5 seconds....

10 seconds, oh boy!

What are you waiting for?!?!?  Take a bite already!!!

Happy Peeping!

Guten Tag!

Guten Tag Everybody!

Wow, how's that song go again..."what a long strange trip it's been?"  Indeed it has been, but a good sort of strange.  I'm in Germany and I've eaten so much cheese, chocolate and gummy bears.  What a combo, but do you blame me?  I'll pass on the German Chinese restaurants, thanks.  The podclass for this show features a technique...beaded decodedrons?!?!  My present to all you lovely beaders out there.  The grow pendant had to take a back seat in the tram, but I'll get back to that as soon as I get home.  Gallery hopping, podsafe music, talking to strangers, the most special cake and more... xo-Candie

ps.  email me your thoughts and comments:  candieATcandiecooperDOTcom 

Big thanks again to all of you that emailed..keep em' coming!  I don't feel nearly as lonely!  :-)

Spiele or Play this Show

Special Cake I tell you!

GALERIE CEBRA=Wonderful Schmuck (jewelry)

PODSAFE MUSIC!

Automat=Sie hat die besten Jahre noch vor sich

Justin Winokur=Just Go Out with Me

Smallfish=Thank You

Today's Pod-Class=BEADED BEADS! 

 

I warn you these are addicting to make.  They will be spilling out of your pockets, purses, drawers etc....  I warn you!  Now have fun!

Materials-

• 30 beads of any shape and size (just be sure the hole in the bead is big enough for the cord to pass through twice)
• good quality nylon cord
• bit of glue

Here goes nothing:

Cut 20" of cord and double it over so the ends meet and string 5 beads onto the left end/side of the tail.

Thread the right end of the cord through the 5th bead in the opposite direction that the left tail is going-I call this a 'cross'.

Pull the two ends snug so it makes a star in the middle of your bead cluster.

String 4 beads onto the left tail.

But on the 4th bead thread the right tail through in the opposite direction that the left tail is going (I call this a cross).

 

Look carefully at the orientation here.  At the top is the original 5 beads and in my fingers is the 4 beads.  The right cord comes out and goes into the bead directly to the right of it.

This is how it should look.  Notice how the cord looks like it is going through two beads side by side.

String 3 beads onto the left tail.

And cross the right tail through the 3rd bead.

And the right tail goes through the bead directly to the right of it again.

**Repeat the last three steps TWO more times so that you will have a total of 4 clusters around your central star at this point. 

Now run your right tail through the two beads to the right of the bead where the right tail comes out (as seen in picture) and string 2 beads onto the left tail.

Cross the right tail through the 2nd bead and pull the two ends snug.

This completes the top half of the bead, making sort of a dome shape.  Deep breath, let's push on!

The right tail goes through the bead just next to it.

String 3 beads onto the left tail.

Right tail goes through the 3rd bead, making the cross.

Now this time, the right tail goes through not one but TWO beads to the right of it!

String 2 beads on the left tail.

Right tail crosses through the second bead.

**Repeat the last the last three steps TWO more times!  We're almost there!!!!

Now, do you see that tiny gap....and notice you have one bead left? 

String the remaining bead on the left tail.

This is where it gets a little confusing, but I think you will understand the idea.  The left tail with the bead on it goes across and through the bead on the left, then it keeps going through the remaining 3 beads in the cluster of 5.  Same goes for the right tail except it goes through the right side, opposite the left.  Remember that the cord should make a triangle at each bead junction and the cord must pass through each bead twice.  Tie the tails in a knot where they meet up. 

Trim the ends and dot the knot with some glue to secure.  Yay!  We made it!

Please, please, please let me know if you try to make these and the pattern has a glitch.  I've checked over it, but I need a proof-reader so to speak!  And also, if you make something with these, send me a picture of the finished project and I'll make a little flickr galleria so we can all enjoy each others jewels.  projectsATcandiecooperDOTcom

Thanks again for stopping by.  Have a great week!

Weekend,er,uh..WeekDAY Special!

Greetings Friends-

Wow, Thanks for all the downloads and subscribing!  I truly appreciate it and it does make me look forward to doing the next Candie Cast.  Some exciting things to come in future shows, a new jewelry book review, stamping text into metal, I'm going to participate in a Beadalong, a visit to a far off land and more.  Stay tuned!  :-) Candie

P.S.  I know you are all busy, but if you have a second, please drop me some feedback at candieATcandiecooperDOTcom  I'm feeling a bit lonely.

PLAY WEEKDAY SPECIAL!

PODSAFE MUSIC NETWORK:

SMALLFISH-Coffee Shop

GEOFF SMITH-Not on the Radio

THE FIBER CAST-A podcast for the fiber-arts community

------

POD-CLASS NOTES! FILE & SAND the GROW Pendant

Materials:

• #2 hand file
• set of needle files (miniature set of files, come in plastic sleeve)
• wet/dry sandpaper (320 down to 600 grit)

See a picture of needle files here.  Please understand I'm not endorsing this site/product.  I just wanted to show you what to look for.  I think a decent set should cost about $6.  Thanks!

All can be found at your local hardware store.

Use the angled side of your bench pin to support your piece.  Try not to angle your file and file on the upstroke (pushing the file away from you).  Removing material on the backstroke can actually dull the teeth on your file.  The teeth are what cut.  I leave the paper pattern on so I can see how much metal to remove.  Please note that files can be used on metals, plastics, wood, polymer clay (once baked) and so on.

Needle Files fit into small spaces. 

Raw material scratches, I must sand it!

320 grit sand paper.  I sand in the same direction, in this case up and down until all my lines are going the same way and I can't see any of the original random scratches.

 

Now it's time for 420 grit sand paper.  I turn the piece and sand in the opposite direction (so it makes a cross with the 320 lines).  I sand in the new direction until all the lines from the last grit (320) are gone and all I can see are the new 420 lines.  Continue this pattern until you have worked your way down to 600 grit.

You can sand the edges of the piece with 320-420 sand paper to smooth them as well.

Get ready to stamp some text next time!  We are almost done! 

Thanks for checking in!

Show #2

Hey Everybody-

Have you ever had one of those days where you are standing in the shower and you can't remember if you washed your hair?!?!  This is how my whole week has been!  So hold on to your hat as I bring you another Candie Cast.  As always, Thank You for checking it out! :-) Candie

my email: candie(at)candiecooper(dot)com

Play Show #2

Podsafe Music Network:

Chaz-Black Coffee Caffeine Remix

Beatrice Ericcson-Reach Out

Project for the next few days...."GROW" Pendant with Bead Dangles

This project includes some great basics like:

sawing, filing, sanding, stamping text into metal, applying the liver of sulfur patina and attaching the beaded bits.  Then top it off with a matching bead bracelet.

Where can I get a Saw Frame, blades and bench pin?

I ordered mine from Rio Grande. (Prices may be different than catalog tells me-not sure)

• Bench pin ready to go item #110-010 $6.50
• Bench pin/anvil where I have to saw my own v-slot according to my prefs. item #110-014  $13.75 This is the one I have. (I like this one because it has an anvil with it, but the disadvantage is that you have to cut your own slot with the hole)
• Saw Frame item #110-042 $13.00
• Saw Blades 1/0 there are different quality levels of these, I'm listing a "middle" item #110-044

Those are the basics that you need to get started and you can saw more than metal with these supplies/tools.

Materials:

• Saw frame
• Saw blades
• bench pin
• #55 drill bit (for piercing)
• dremel tool (for piercing)
• 20 guage metal of your choice
• beeswax

Simplified Step by step:

What you need- please pretend the crayon is a little block of beeswax! :-)

Decide which way you want to transfer your image to the metal, center punch, put safety glasses on then drill the hole using a dremel tool.  Notice I am drilling on top of scrap surface, please don't forget to do this, I don't want you to mess up your good work surface. I just realized it looks like I'm going for her jug! Ha! Yikes! Sorry.

Note orientation of the blade.  It should look like a pine tree when turned to the side-teeth facing down.  Inserting the saw blade at the top peg point first.  Be sure it goes all the way to the top and tighten the peg.

Be sure the saw blade hangs straight down, not angling forward or back.

1/3 of the way down is where the end of the blade should be at the bottom peg or close to anyway.

If you are piercing, thread the piece on the blade so that you can see the design facing up.

Then put the handle end towards your sternum and the opposite end, pushing in, tighten the last peg.  Remember when you pluck it, it should ping, not thug.  Please note too, that the bench pin is parallel to the work table.  This is for sawing, later you can flip it over and use that side for filing.

Add a tiny amount of beeswax to both sides of the blade, but not the teeth side!  Using your index finger-nail as a guide, saw at 45 degree angle, make an up-stroke, then back down, up, down and all the while straightening up the saw frame a bit at a time.

Take nice, long strokes with the saw.  Try not to angle the saw either.  Take caution to keep your digits behind the blade! Now it's practice time.  Take your time and remember to saw on the outside of your shape, not on top of it.

Pretty raw at this point, but we'll begin to fix that next time.

This is a piece that I made and it also has stamped text along with the liver of sulfur patina.  The only difference is copper vs. this one is silver.  But you get the idear!

Kris's Charity Dolls, All 100 of them!

I'm amazed!  Thanks Kris for sharing your inspiring story.  And the dolls look great.  From one crafter to another, I'm proud of you!

Want the charity doll pattern? Click here.

Please feel free to email me your thoughts, feedback, shout outs, whatever at feedback(at)candiecooper(dot)com  just be sure to replace the at with @ and dot with .  Thanks!

SHOW #1 CLASS NOTES

Hey kids-the first show is up and ready for download.  Like I said in the beginning of the show, please hang in there with me while I figure this stuff out.  Already, 24 hours after recording the first show, I have new ideas and ways to improve.  I guess that's the process we crafters have to go through-try it and march onward.  Let's go!

LINK TO PLAY SHOW #1

PODSAFE MUSIC NETWORK:  Songs/Artists from this Show

Slau-Act Upon My Love

Ruby Shuz-Time Will Tell

Smallfish-Thank You

Thank you all for putting yourself out there for us to listen too!

The Project for Today=Happy Heart Pin Instructions....

Materials:

1. wooden heart piece
2. acrylic paints
3. semi-satin acrylic varnish
4. colored pencils
5. epoxy
6. pin back finding
7. sand paper
8. paint brushes

The blank page....

Base coat the wooden piece with one or two coats of acrylic paint-leave to dry.

Choose a few colors and paint a really simple design.  As you can see it doesn't have to be "perfect."  Yes, I used that giant bamboo brush to paint all of that.  Ha!

Doodle away with the colored pencils, Dears.  Basically, you are just enhancing the colors from the design and adding surface texture.  Add two coats of acrylic varnish to protect your surface-let dry.

Choose your weapon pin-back.  Don't forget to sand the back of the pin back.

Glue the pin back in place, remember, above the center line so the pin doesn't fall forward while being worn.

And ta-da! Ready to wear.

Here's another one...

Also, I'd love to have a listener gallery.  So if you make this project or your own version of it, send me pictures with your name and location (if you want) and I'll post them.  projects@candiecooper.com