Versatile and beautiful, Swarovski crystal beads can be used in a variety of stunning jewelry projects for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to create high-end children’s jewelry, or sophisticated designs for men and women, Swarovski beads can help you achieve stellar project results.
Graduated necklace
You’ll incorporate two lines of Swarovski bi-cone beads into this threaded necklace. For this statement piece, start with larger 8mm beads, placing them in the center of the necklace. Next, flank them with the 6mm beads, completing the necklaces with the smallest 3mm-4mm beads.
Graduated necklace with Swarovski elements
You can make a slightly more complex graduated bi-cone necklace by adding other Swarovski elements into your design, such as Swarovski pendants, or Swarovski pearls.
Bead woven Swarovski necklace
This slightly more complex bi-cone necklace features a right-angle bead woven technique. Elegant and durable, it attracts a lot of compliments – and customers. Search online for “bead woven bi-cone necklaces” for inspiration.
Swarovski threader earrings
These petite, sparkling earrings feature 3mm bi-cone beads. There are dozens of colors to choose from. String a line of beads onto a ball end head pin (approximately 8 per pin). From a simple loop to close the pin, and trim the excess. Attach jump rings and sterling silver ear threads to finish.
Wine Charms
Create a set of Swarovski wine charms for a lovely dinner party gift. Pair unique Swarovski shapes, such as arrows, with colored bi-cone clusters. Make each one different, so wine glasses are easily distinguishable by guests. Loop bicones onto a silver plated headpin, add to eye pin, and lose. String the eye pin through an arrow crystal or other unique Swarovski shape, then make a loop on top, trimming excess wire. Leave about 5mm to make a loop for stringing onto rings. Great options for attaching your crystal creation to glass stems include ring-sized memory wire, 18 gauge wire formed into a circle, or ¾ inch manipulating hoops from our sterling silver beads and findings collection.
Crystal Findings offers a wide variety of affordable Swarovski crystal pendants and beads. Shop our extensive selection of beading supplies online today.
With any job, the right tools are essential to success. Without them, you’ll waste precious time scrambling to collect the tools you need, or resorting to time-consuming, quality-reducing workarounds. Though the tools you will need will depend, to some extent, on the type of jewelry you are making, there are several tools that will play an essential role in your beading tools and supplies kit.
Essential Jewelry Making Tools
These general beading tools play a pivotal role in every jewelry supply kit, from beginner to advanced:
Pliers
You will need a few different types of pliers when you begin your beading journey. These include:
Needle Nose/Chain Nose Pliers
These handy pliers are great for reaching into small spaces, as well as working with jump rings, crimping beads, and bending and managing many types of findings. Some have teeth, and some do not. Those with teeth grip better but may leave unwanted marks on your jewelry if you squeeze them too hard. Toothless models prevent this – but may send items sailing through the air given their limited gripping capacity.
Flat Nose Pliers
Flat nose pliers are ideal for pulling, providing better grip. The square edge profile also allows you to create sharp corners more easily. These are also available with/without teeth.
Bent Nose Pliers
These needle nose pliers feature a strongly bent front end that allows you to reach into a variety of places straight pliers cannot.
Round Nose Pliers
The smooth, rounded jaws of these pliers are great for making wire loops like jump rings or winding wire wrapping, providing a smooth curve, and preventing crimping.
Cutting Tools
A good pair of wire cutters and a good pair of scissors are essential, whether you are cutting wire, chain, string, or ribbons.
Adhesive
Good adhesive ensures your knots will stay put, safeguarding your beautiful design.
Tool or Tackle Box
Keep your tools organized, nearby, and at-the-ready with a tool, tackle, or cosmetics box.
Other Specialized Tools You Might Like to Include
These extra tools and accessories may also be helpful:
Specialty Pliers.
Crimping Pliers
These are shaped perfectly for crimping beads and tubes, so you don’t accidentally cut through threads and wires.
Tweezers
A pair of household tweezers can help you pick up beads, thread needles, tie knots, and pull threads.
Time to stock up for your upcoming project? Save time and money. Shop the wide variety of affordable beads and jewelry making supplies at CrystalFindings today.
Are you looking for a new and exciting craft to pass the time? After weeks of COVID-19 lockdowns, jewelry making has become a popular home hobby. Affordable and easy, handmade jewelry is a beautiful gift for people of all ages, brightening the day for those in your life feeling alone or out of touch. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot to begin this hobby. What do you need?
Jewelry Making Tools You Need to Get Started
Whether you prefer stringing beads or using beading wire, these beading tools are a must for making jewelry.
Wire cutters
Use these to cut stringing wire and eye/headpins.
Bead stoppers
To hold beads in place.
Flat nose pliers
For gripping wire.
Chain nose pliers
These specialized pliers allow you to grip wire without leaving a mark.
Round nose pliers
Used for creating loops and other round elements with beading wire.
Crimping tools
For securing clasps onto beading wire, and also for flattening/rounding crimp beads onto beading wire safely, without creating sharp edges.
String and Wire
The choice of bead wire often comes down to personal preference and style. Crystal Findings offers a number of styles to suit your needs, including:
Clear stretch magic elastic jewelry cord
Clear, stretchy, and strong, this is a great multifunctional solution. Stretch wires are available in clear color in three different thicknesses of 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm , and 1.0 mm
Tiger tail wire
Ideal for heavy weight beads such as stone. Tiger Tail wires and Acculon are available in 30′ , 100′, 300′, and 1000′ spools.
Soft flex beading wire
This coated wire is available in various sizes and colors. It is a great solution for crystal, stone beads, Swarovski pearls, and when creating illusion necklaces. SoftFlex comes in 10′, 30′, and 100′ spools (Most popular for our Crystal Findings beads)
Some crafters also use fishing line, normally available in 660′ spools
Wire size is based on gauge – the higher the number, the thinner the wire.
24, 26 gauge: for beads with small holes like pearls
21, 22 gauge: a versatile size that fits most beads
20 gauge wire: strong; good for making clasps
Choosing Your Beads
There are many different types of beads and findings used for beaded jewelry. You can purchase some of your favorites, creating your own personal style, look to YouTube and Google for design ideas, or simply shop clearance beads and findings, getting creative with your jewelry pieces and stretching your dollar. Some of our most popular choices include:
There are many paths you can take to begin your beading journey. Many start with trial and error; however, with the glut of YouTube tutorials and Pinterest posts out there, there’s no need to fly blind. Simply choose your preferred method of learning and immerse yourself in a project.
Add a little sparkle to your daily routine with jewelry making at home. Shop the affordable collection of jewelry making supplies at Crystal Findings today.
This simple Shamballa bracelet is sure to become a staple in your design lineup. With a square knot design, it can be modified to suit nearly any cord or bead style, but we love to use Shamballa beads for their sparkly flair. The hardest part is learning the trick for the sliding clasp.
Jewelry Making Supplies Needed:
About 12 feet of hemp, linen, cotton, or other bead cord.
Any kinds of beads you prefer, provided they are large enough for two strands of cord to fit through.
Cut two 2-foot pieces of cord and one 6-foot piece of cord. Clip the two anchor cords to your clipboard or board and binder clip work surface, leaving 8-inch tails. Center the long cord, perpendicularly, under the two anchors.
Grab the long cord on the right side, looping it over the anchor cords, placing the right end over the left end.
Next, bring the left end under the anchor cords and up through the loop on the right.
Pull to tighten, creating one-half of a square knot. The second half is done the same, but beginning from the left: Left end over the anchors, under the right end. Right end under the anchors, through the left loop. Pull tight. You should now have a complete square knot.
Repeat this process until you have the number of knots you prefer between beads. Pro tip: Odd numbers of knots look best.
Continue tying the knots, placing beads in between, until your bracelet is the desired length.
To finish the design, sew the tails up through the last section of knots, using pliers to assist you in pulling the need through.
Snip off the ends cleanly.
To make the sliding clasp, form your bracelet into a circle, overlapping the anchor cords. Temporarily tie the anchor cords together with a bit of cord.
Clip the top to your clipboard or board and binder clip work surface. Cut a 12-inch piece of cord, centering it beneath your four anchor cords. Tie square knots as you did to create the original bracelet. Continue for ½-inch. Then, sew the ends back in. This section of knots will be able to slide back and forth on the anchor cords.
Take the tail knots, making slip knots 1-2-inches away from the clasp on each pair of anchor ends. You can add beads here, too. These will act as stoppers, preventing the ends don’t slide out of the clasp. Leave enough length so you can loosen the bracelet enough to fit it over your hand.
Repeat the process many times, making personalized Shamballa macramé bracelets for your family and friends!
Are you looking for inspiring new ideas to make quarantine fun? Check out our blog and browse our many exciting bead styles. Shop wholesale beads and jewelry supplies online at Crystal Findings today.
Swarovski Pearls: Realistic Looks at an Unbelievable Price
Those that adore the classic looks of pearls will fall in love with Swarovski crystal pearls. A surprising realistic imitation pearl, Swarovski pearls are a reasonably priced, infinitely more durable alternative to the real thing.
They’ll Never Know
Like genuine cultured pearls, the temperature of Swarovski pearls changes to reflect that of the wearer. Boasting the realistic color, luster, and feel jewelry lovers cherish in genuine pearls. Whether used to create classic necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, or bridalwear, Swarovski crystal pearls are hard to tell apart.
How Swarovski Crystal Pearls are Made
Each Swarovski pearl begins with a genuine Swarovski crystal bead at its center, giving it the perfect size and weight. This crystal base sets these imitation pearls apart, giving it a more luminous appearance than plastic imitation pearls, with a flawless surface and perfect curves. Each crystal sphere is layered with several coats of mother of pearl, creating a surprisingly realistic imitation.
Telling the Difference Between Swarovski Pearls, Genuine Pearls & Other Imitators
Without attempting to chisel off the coating – which we would not recommend – it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between Swarovski crystal pearls and genuine pearls. Knock-off Swarovski pearls are much easier to sight. Simply look for signs of uneven shape and coloration, rough surfacing or surface imperfections, and stones that are easily scratched. Fortunately, it’s easy to ensure you’re purchasing genuine Swarovski pearls: Purchase them from a verified wholesaler/, like Crystal Findings.
Advantages of Swarovski Simulated Pearls
Unlike plastic imitation pearls, which quickly lose their costing with contact with perspiration or perfume, and easily scratch, Swarovski pearls are washable and resistant to such damage.
Dozens of Pearl Colors
Swarovski crystal pearls can in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, mimicking genuine pearls, from classic white and gold, to the rare black pearl and stunning luminescent hues of deep brown, rose, greens, and blues. Metallic pearlized designs are also popular, in shades of gold, bronze, copper, and antique brass. Crystal Findings offers a variety of popular styles and sizes, including:
Swarovski crystal pearls are reasonably priced, with loose Swarovski pearls selling for $5-40 per 100 pieces, depending on stone size. Shop our factory packs, purchasing in bulk to enjoy significant discounts. Our clearance sales also offer significant savings, and frequently include Swarovski crystals and pearls. Check regularly so you don’t miss out!
Create stunning, high-end jewelry designs for a fraction of the cost. Shop the vast selection of wholesale beads and jewelry supplies at Crystal Findings today.
Do you wish you could create more than jewelry with Swarovski crystal beads and pearls? Swarovski pearls and crystals are quite versatile. In addition to creating sparkling jewelry, they can also be used to enhance garments, furnishings, and much more. There are a variety of methods you can use to apply Swarovski products, depending on your skills, preferences, and medium.
What are the Various Methods to Apply Swarovski Pearls & Crystals?
Sewing & Embroidering Swarovski pearls and crystals can be applied by household or industrial sewing or embroidery machines, as well as by hand using synthetic multifilament threads with a Nm 50-80 thread count using a straight-stitch for multi-row or zigzag stitch for single-row products.
Gluing
It’s easy to glue Swarovski crystal and pearls to a wide range of materials, including fashion and home décor products. To ensure a strong bond, Swarovski-brand glues are recommended. These two-component, epoxy resin systems work for foiled/unfoiled products, forming a strong bond when applied in the correct order. Although, for some materials, cavity production using drilling/milling may also be necessary for a lasting bond.
Hotfix
Hotfix provides a fast, secure application that is permanent and wash-resistant with proper care. It is the perfect choice for interior décor, textiles, and accessories. Hotfix Swarovski pearls and crystals are backed with a coating of hot-melt glue. When activated and melted, it quickly penetrates materials, hardening as it cools.
Mechanical Application
Mechanical application of Swarovski rivets, rose pins, and 3D studs are simple and easy with fly-press or semi-automated machines.
Soldering, Plating & Stone Setting
Swarovski stones may also be soldered, plated, or set into place with the right jewelry making supplies, allowing you to create state-of-the-art accessories.
Ceralun
This new, high-performance, specialized application method uses a two-component ceramic epoxy composite designed exclusively for use with foiled and unfoiled Swarovski crystals and pearls. This adhesive allows for the application of Swarovski products to metal, wood, porcelain, glass, crystal, metal, rubber, cork, and some gluable plastic materials. It even allows for the application of stones and pearls to 3D surfaces, given proper surface tension. Ceralun resists perspiration, humidity, and temperature changes without showing signs of aging.
Other Applications
These application methods are just the start! Swarovski products can also be applied when knitting, weaving, crocheting, threading, and wire working.
What Could You Create Using a Different Application Method?
Add sparkle and shine to a dress, blouse, or scarf.
Fashion a pair of shimmering shoes.
Make a luxe purse for someone you love.
Create a glittering wine glass for your favorite connoisseur.
Devise dazzling décor, applying glistening crystals to a vase or photo frame.
Craft sparkling curtains, tiebacks, and more from shimmering Swarovski stones.
Create something exciting and unique. Shop wholesale beads and jewelry supplies at Crystal Findings today.
