Product Review

Hey Everyone!

So today I thought I would do a quick product review for the 1-Step Looper by BeadSmith.

I have been experimenting with it and I have found that I really enjoy working with it! It basically can create eye pins or loops from 26-18 gauge wire.

Before I get into that, another announcement, I created a YouTube Channel!!!!!!!
And my first video was a review for this product!   CLICK ME TO WATCH!!
Subscribe and comment on what you would like to see next.


OK! So as I was saying I really like this tool. It makes making eye pins and loops very easy, from beginners to the most seasoned jewelry maker. Watch the video to learn how to use the tool.
One of my favorite ways to use this is making tons of earrings at once without the worry of making sure your loops are consistent. I have been making tons of earrings lately and I like to make multiple of the same type. I make a sort of single person assembly line. I get ALL the headpins set up with beads first and then just use the 1-Step Looper then hook the loops to the ear wires, close the loops and BAM i'm done.
The other way I like to use this is to make linked necklaces. I use about a foot of  20-18 gauge wire at a time and make the first loop. Then thread on the desired beads for that link and use the tool and make the loop for the other side and repeat. I waste a lot! less wire because i'm not using store bought eye pins that are too long for the project and wasting half of it.

I could go on and on about this tool and how much I LOVE it but I will stop the rambling for the day. If you have any questions about this tool leave a comment either here or on my YouTube video and I will get back to you ASAP.

Hope you have a great day!
~Erin

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Pink and Silver Triple Row Black Leather Cuff w/ Matching Dangle Earrings on Etsy

Hey everyone!

I am a huge fan of black and (insert bright/neon color here)! And in this case I wanted to show you one of my newest creations involving black and pink.

This is a cuff bracelet and matching earring set. It is black leather with silver plated buttons and pink glass beads (with light colored "splatter" design). 

And it's on sale on Etsy!

Just click HERE!

I have other bracelets like this and if you see something you want but would like it made a bit differently then click HERE and fill out the form and I will get back to you on pricing and time.

Have a great day!

-Erin

TUTORIAL Green Single Wrap Bracelet w/ Genuine Leather & Metal Button

Hey Everyone!

So....First Tutorial!
And I am actually excited to share this with you!

This is how I make my wrap bracelets, i'm sorry the pictures aren't the best but I still learning (obviously) to take pictures of what I am doing and not just the end product. So today I will teach you how to make this awesome bracelet.

Lets Begin!

So the materials that you will need..........

1 yard of leather
3-4 yards of waxed nylon beadstring
108 3mm glass beads
Metal shank button
G-S hypo cement (optional but good to have for knot security)
Scissors
Extra fine beading needle
Bead Loom

(remember sizes of beads and amount of beads I wrote down are for how to make this bracelet. Try out different sizes and different numbers!)

This is my set up for making my wrap bracelets. I had this made for me by a family member (my dad is awesome!) but this is the video that he took the basic concept for making the loom.  Click here for video

Step 1: Slide metal shank button onto the leather. Fold leather in half and put around top peg of the loom with the metal button in the middle. 

Step 2: Even out the two ends of the leather and tie to bottom peg of loom.

Step 3: Take your 3-4 yards of beading thread and fold in half around the left string (of leather.

Step 4: Even up both ends of the thread and thread on an extra fine beading needle. (your thread should now be attached to the left piece of leather with the beading needle farthest away from the leather)

Step 5: Thread 3 of the 3mm glass beads onto the beading needle.

Step 6: Put the needle under both pieces of leather.

Step 7: I find it easiest to hold the beads where they are with my thumb and pointer finger of my left and and pull the thread through the beads with my right. (make sure you have plenty of room around you, I have whacked my arm on my wall on multiple occasions, OUCH!) So you thread should be under the right hand leather and attached to the left.

Step 8: Take your beading needle (keeping it on top of the leather now) and backtrack from right to left threading the same beads a second time.

Step 9: Pull needle and thread all the way through using your left hand. Pull taught (but not too tight to warp the shape) and repeat steps 5-9 as long as you need the bracelet to be. 

*KEEP IN MIND For the pictures I started in the middle of the bracelet but you should start about 1/4 of an inch from your button*

I beaded about 5 3/4" (this will come out to be a 7" bracelet) (do not remove work yet this is just to show length)

Now for finishing your bracelet!

Step 10: Bead back through the last row of beads (following the same pattern of being underneath the leather)

Step 11: Thread back (the same last row) again from right to left this time on top of the leather and pull tight.

Step 12: Now we are going to make a knot to finish off our beading. Take your needle and go down in between the second to last and last row of beading. Come up after your last row of beading and through the loop. Pull Tight.

The knot should be pretty invisible.

















Step 13: Remove your work from the loom.




Step 14: Take both ends of the leather and both ends of the string and tie into a loose knot.
















Use about 4-6 drops of G-S hypo cement inside the knot and pull tight.

















The reason I like using this glue is because it has a pin sized applicator and is able to control how much I am putting onto the knot. I have used E-6000 before but I put some onto a piece of scrap paper and used a thick gauge wire to apply it where it needed to go.

















Step 15: Pull the beading thread away from the knot and cut as close to the knot as you can.

































Step 16: Use the button as a gauge for where to place next knot. Glue knot as in step 14.

Cut off excess leather. I usually make 2 sections for the closure so it fits more peoples wrist. This bracelet ended up having a 7" length closure and an 8" length closure.

And Finally!...........

Now its time to rock your bracelet!

I hope this was easy to follow. And if you have any questions please write them in a comment below.

Check out my Website

I love to do custom orders, so if you would like to order a bracelet like this go to the contact us tab on my website and complete the form.

Check out my Etsy

I have similar style bracelets for sale on there as well as tons of other items!

Make sure to follow my blog for more tutorials like this. If you have any requests leave a comment below!

Have a good weekend everyone!

~Erin

Mini glass bottle charm on a single wrap bracelet

Hey everyone!

Lately I had been completely obsessed with mini glass bottles and wrap bracelets. So I decided to put them both together and I think it came out so cute! I used light colored genuine leather and 3mm glass beads in a range of blues. I threaded 3 beads for each row. And the mini glass bottle is filled with blue colored glue with the word live on the front.
Whenever I make charms I always put a crystal (in this case blue (to match of course!)) on top of the cork where the head pin goes in so it camouflages the exit point of the head pin.
I plan on doing a tutorial within the next day or two so follow my blog to make sure you see it!
I do have an Etsy where I sell both mini glass bottle charms and wrap bracelets among other items that I hand make myself. www.etsy.com/shop/dragonflywishesjwlry so make sure to check that out!
-Erin

First Blog!

Hey Everyone!
So this is my first blog, I’m not going to get into anything major but!, I will tell you a little about myself.
My name is Erin and I am the owner and creator for Dragonfly Wishes Jewelry, based out of my home in Connecticut. I love what I do, and I can stay in my studio for hours creating and thinking up new ideas. I make anything from earrings, bracelets and necklaces to wire wrapped pendants and mini glass bottle charms. I love experimenting with new materials, my latest is the aforementioned mini glass bottle charms. Filling them with colored glue and little messages.
Jewelry isn’t the only thing I do. I also make cards. I like taking different patterns and colors and making them work together.
Make sure to visit my etsy for newest creations. www.etsy.com/shop/dragonflywishesjwlry

Erin