About Pewter Jewelry

I have noticed that there’s a lot of interest in pewter jewelry lately. I’ll tell you now that I don’t have much experience with them but I’ve done some research. What I’ve found out is that some jewelry artists prefer to use them in their creations because:

- It costs less than sterling silver but can look like silver at first glance

- It is non-allergenic

- It does not tarnish

However, watch out for lead. Although the use of lead is on the decline, some pewter pieces contain a small amount. Another disadvantage is that pewter is soft. Since it is so soft, it’s really not a good idea to use pewter findings on jewelry that you want to wear for a long time. Clasps have to be opened and closed often and pewter clasps usually break after a period of time.

If you are interested in learning how to make pewter jewelry pieces, Naergi’s Costuming Site provides in-depth instructions. Practice with extreme caution however, it seems to be a messy and dangerous job!

This video isn’t about making jewelry, but it shows the process of using pewter – just to give you a general idea. You might find it informative.

Square Stitch

This simple stitch is a good substitute for looms. It might be a bit clumsy in the beginning as you try to hold the first two rows in place, but it gets easier to handle when you have more rows.

For this tutorial, you will need beading thread, beading needle, and beads. I would advise the use of larger seed beads for starters. Consider size 8 or 6. This is just so you can get used to the technique. When you are ready to apply it to a project, by all means use the seed bead of your choice.

There is more space in the diagrams than there should be in your work. They are there just so you can see the process clearly. So we begin.

1. Cut a comfortable length of beading thread and thread your needle. You will use a single thread, so make your working tail longer than the other.

2. String one bead and either tie it or pass the thread through it twice. This is your stop bead, it will prevent your work from unraveling. If you tie it, make sure you pass the needle back through the bead so that you are ready to add more beads.

3. String on 5 more beads. These 6 beads make your first row.

4. To begin the next row, string 1 bead. Pass the needle back through the last bead of the first row.


5. Pass the needle back through the first bead of the second row.


6. String one bead. Pass the needle through the next bead on the first row, from right to left.


7. Continue this process until you get to end of the second row.

8. To begin the third row, string one bead. Pass the needle back through the last bead of the second row, from left to right. Then pass the needle back through the first bead of the third row, from right to left.



Continue to your desired length. Make the thread taut, so that the beads are snug against each other, but not so tight that the work becomes uneven.

Flat Even Count Peyote

Are you interested in learning bead weaving techniques? The next set of posts will be on the various techniques, including even count peyote, uneven count peyote, circular peyote, ladder, herringbone, square stitch and more. We'll start with Flat Even Count Peyote.

Even count peyote is so named because you will need to start with an even number of beads. Use this stitch for flat projects like straps, bracelets, even amulet bags. It's a simple stitch, one of the first that a beader learns to do.For this tutorial, you will need beading thread, a needle, and beads. For practice, you may want to start with bigger seed beads, like size 8 or 6. Make sure you choose beads with holes that are big enough for thread to pass through about 3 or more times. I have spaces between the beads in the diagram to make it easy to understand the process but there should be no spaces between your beads as you work. However, don't pull the thread too tight or your work will bunch up.

1. Cut a comfortable length of thread and pass through the needle eye. You will be working with a single thread so make one tail of the thread, your working tail, longer than the other.

2. String one bead on, about 6 inches away from the end of the thread, and either tie it or pass the thread through it a couple of times to secure it. This bead will act as a stopper to prevent your beads from sliding off the thread as you work.

3. String 5 more beads onto your thread.

4. String one more bead and, skipping the sixth bead, pass the needle through the fifth bead. Pull the thread so that the sixth and seventh beads are snug.

5. String another bead and, skipping the fourth bead, pass the needle through the third bead.

6. String one more bead and, skipping the second bead, pass the needle through the first bead.

7. String one more bead. At this point, you are going to start another row, the third row. Pass the needle through the next protruding bead, bead 1 in the diagram.
8. Continue in this fashion, stringing on one bead and passing the needle through the next protruding bead. After a few rows, your work should begin to look like the diagram below. Of course, this is a rough representation, there should be no space between the beads.

Now, if this is process is a bit confusing for you, you might enjoy the animated tutorial at Michael's or you can watch this video:

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you had wonderful celebrations this past month. I certainly did, and if I never see another turkey it won't be too soon! :)

Did you make any resolutions in regards to making jewelry? Maybe it has to do with finally getting the right tools to make your work easier, setting aside some time for yourself to work on this craft you love, working on that bracelet pattern you've had your eye on or getting up enough nerve to display your work at a craft show. Whatever it is, I say 'good for you'! Some of these are my goals for the year, especially the craft show part. I love this craft but I'm running out of space for my jewelry so it's time to find good homes for them. Also, supplies don't fall off trees now, do they? :)

If you're itching for a new project, check out this pretty right angle bracelet. The instructions are straightforward and easy to do.

Also check out my jewelry site, [Removed] for more patterns, practical information on bead weaving techniques, beads, tools and other supplies. If you want to take a look at some of my work, check out my etsy shop at www.enchantedjewelry.etsy.com. Have fun!

So, it's been a while! What has everyone been up to? I've been experimenting with seed beads. It's amazing what you can come up with if you use different sized beads than the one recommended in the design you're working with. One way to keep the design ideas coming is to subscribe to a beading magazine. Popular bead magazines include Beadstyle, Beadwork and Bead and Button. These are actually top of the line mags. When working with a bead pattern, I encourage you to experiment and add your own touch. Go crazy with it! Use the colors you love and the beads that attract you. What you come up with will be unique and a source of pride.

Take a sneak peak at my new site, [Removed]. It's still a work in progress but you can find some useful information there. Visit often to learn things like what tools you will need when making jewelry, how to bead crochet, how to make resin jewelry, how to make polymer clay jewelry how to do bead weaving stitches like even count peyote and right angle weave, and much more. I moved some of the information from this blog there and expanded it. So, it's [Removed]. See you there!

Have you made something you're proud off? Show it off! Send an email and I'll be glad to post a picture of your beadwork for others to see. It's good exposure. Also, if you have tips to share on anything to do with jewelry, let's hear it! ... or read it :-) Happy jewelry-making!

So, I must tell you that I've been slacking in the jewelry-making department lately. I've been so consumed with the website, my toddlers, and general home life, that I haven't had enough time to do this other thing I love. As usually happens when I neglect it for a while, I started to feel that something was missing and I almost ran to the kitchen to get my beading equipment. My kitchen is the safest place for choking hazards because of my toddlers. There's a gate from the living room into the kitchen and it's just high enough so that... er... never mind, back to jewelry :-)

Anyway, after spending several days writing about the different ways to make jewelry, I had all these designs in my head that I was eager to try out. I decided to try to make a tube with size 8 crystal beads and beading thread. Can you say "bad idea" in five languages? It definitely was. If you've read the page on beads, you'll see that I almost beg you not to use thread for glass beads. I don't know why I didn't take my own advice but I guess I've proven to myself once more that it shouldn't be done.

But moving on. Are you hungry for a project to work on? Here's the first necklace I made with polymer clay beads (I plan to talk about how to work with polymer clay on the new website). You can use regular beads instead. The beads are linked together with wrapped loops and the necklace gets down to the navel.

















I used 34 beads, approximately 8mm in size. You will also need stiff beading wire, side-cutting pliers, flat-nose pliers, and round-nose pliers. You won't need a clasp since the necklace is long enough to slip over your head.

Before we begin, I'll just say this: If you are not familiar with creating loops and links with wire, it's best to practice with inexpensive craft wire first. When you're comfortable with the process then break out the precious metal if you want. You can get craft wire at craft stores.

We'll begin.


1. Cut a piece of wire, about 3 inches long (make it longer if you want to make it easier).

2. Move up about 1 inch from one of the ends. Holding the wire firm, bend it at a 90 degree angle with your flat-nose pliers.

3. Using your round-nose pliers, grip the wire at a point a little less than half the distance from the angle. Turn with your round-nose pliers until you have formed a loop. Don't release your hold yet.

4. Grip the wire sticking our from the round-nose pliers with your flat nose pliers and wrap it around the wire under the round-nose pliers about 3 times to form a complete loop.

5. Cut any excess wire with your flush-cut pliers. Make your cut as close as possible then, using your flat-nose pliers, try to push the cut end close to the wire stem.

6. Make a few of these and set them aside. You will need 34 altogether, or as many as the number of beads you plan to use.

Linking your beads

7. Slide a bead onto a looped wire.

8. Put the loop of one of the other wires on the long end (un-looped).

9. Repeat steps 2 - 4.

10. Repeat these steps until you get to your desired length then loop your last bead to your first bead.

You're done. Enjoy!

Hello again! "It's been a while", you say. I know, many apologies. I haven't been idle though. I've been working on a website for you. How so? Well, it's fun and and everything to post jewelry-making information here, but I realized that a blog isn't really the ideal place for what I would like to do. (Duh!) I want to make it easy for you to see what's available and easy to find whatever you're looking for. The site is still under construction but I'll let you know as soon as it's done. I'll continue to post helpful tips here though so keep on visiting!