us for so long and in so many ways that it has slipped into our consciousness. We don’t always know why or how a thing looks or feels Asian; we only know that it does. As I pulled together the beads and components for this book, I also began to examine my own views of the Far East and how Asian culture has influenced me when designing jewelry. I didn’t have far to look. My mother’s family were Portuguese immigrants to the Hawaiian Islands, where East meets West. Cultural diversity abounds in every aspect of life from food to fabrics to religion to architecture, so it wasn’t hard to see how Asian color and texture have become part of the creativity I so enjoy. The arts of Asia can be highly practical or purely decorative. They range from the most austere and simple to the most ornate and intricate. The Eastern ability to observe, appreciate and capture beauty, especially the beauty of nature, is such that the most mundane objects can seem an act of worship.
Beads, too, have been a part of many cultures from time immemorial. They have served as currency, as well as ornaments, and even expressions of status. They have been invested with power and spiritual meaning and are a wonderful medium for creative expression.
This book aims to bring these two fascinating phenomena together. The designs included here borrow from the Asian use of color and texture as well as from aspects of Asian design. Some are simple pieces that can be completed in minutes, while others are more challenging but equally fun and rewarding. Hopefully, the designs in this book will inspire you to try variations and experiment with your own sense of Asian style.
NOTES ON MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Beads
Beads come in all shapes and sizes and in wide variety of materials, both natural and man made. They are available in every color, shade and hue you can imagine. Finding just the right color and texture can be the difference between a nice piece and a fabulous piece. Some people seem to have been born with the natural instinct for what goes best with what. I am not one of those people—it’s through observation and experimentation that I have found my style and area of comfort. My advice, even to those with a great innate sense of style, is get out and about. Look at what people are wearing around you. Look at the colors and textures of beads in the pre-made jewelry being sold in the stores. Then, experiment by mixing and matching and finding exactly what works for your design.
Findings
For those of you completely new to beading, findings are the metal components used to hold the piece together. Clasps/closures, ear wires and jump rings all fall into this category. The right findings depend on the weight of the piece and level of wear the piece will be exposed to, so be careful to choose accordingly. This book shows you just some of the many different styles that are out there so, again, get out and look around. You’ll find that it’s not unusual to build a piece around the perfect closure or ear wire—that’s how beautiful some findings can be.
Cords, Threads and Wire
Cords, threads and wire come in a variety of different materials and strengths. While you’ll see many different types in this book, new stringing materials are becoming available seemingly day by day. I encourage you to experiment with whatever appeals to your senses to create own unique jewelry.
You’ll note that stringing material lengths are given in both inches and metrics. If your ruler doesn’t offer metric measurements, it’s a good idea to invest in one that does. Metric measurements are a bit more precise, which will be especially helpful when working with multiple strands of different lengths. The slight difference it makes in the drape of a piece can result in a more polished look.
Stringing
Cotton, leather, wire, ribbon, tubing—the list of wonderful stringing materials goes on and on. Pictured are some types used in the projects in this book (from top): Stringing wire comes in many strengths, thicknesses and colors. Cotton cord is also available in many colors and thicknesses, and can be waxed or not (waxed cord is more resistant to fraying). Memory wire comes in several gauges as well as in different coil sizes. The length you see here is suitable for bracelets. Larger coils are available for necklaces, smaller ones for rings. Elastic/stretch cord comes in different thickness, and in black as well as in clear.
Chains
Base metal chain is available in most craft stores. Precious metal chains, such as gold, gold-filled, sterling silver, and others can generally be found in bead shops or through online vendors.
Pins and Rings
Like most findings, head pins, eye pins and jump rings come in many sizes, thicknesses and materials, and are extremely versatile. A good assortment of these is invaluable. Most craft stores carry a basic variety. A wider selection of sizes, and materials can be purchased from bead vendors.
Crimps and Covers
Crimp tubes and beads vary in size and thickness to suit the many different types of stringing materials available. If a crimp detracts from the look of your piece, a matching crimp cover is a great fix.
Clasps
(From top) Toggle clasps, claw clasps and safety clasps are just a few of the closures available. Some clasps are beautiful enough to be works of art in themselves.
Earring Findings
Earring findings come in a number of forms, including hoops, posts, threads and hooks. Pictured here are different hook styles. Like clasps, some earring findings are interesting enough to be part of the design.
Tools
Many crafting tools are simply a special version of everyday tools, refined to fit the needs of the crafting materials. Different cutters are chosen according to the material being cut and even the angle at which the cut is being made. Pliers can be round nosed for wrapping, flat nosed for grasping materials, and other shapes that make metalworking easier. Specialized tools such as a crimping tool (more in chapter 3) and memory wire shears (more in chapter 2) are just a few of the other tools jewelry crafters come to invest in. And there’s always something new. Check major beading sites on the internet for a tour of tools and components. Many sites offer full glossaries of beading/jewelry making terms. If you’re new to the craft the internet is great place to start.
CHAPTER 1
Elastic Cord Bracelets
