Out of the Lab and onto the Jewelry Designer's Bench

 Those new to Jewelry design usually begin with simple components - Czech glass and plated metal beads, stringing wire, crimp beads and a clasp.  But as they soon discover, beading includes a wide array of options that often surprise and inspire the designer to attempt new techniques and materials.  Often, they are surprised to learn the background of some of the materials commonly used.  For instance, iKandies often uses boro glass in its designs.  Boro glass teardrops were used in our Copper Leaf and Glass Autumn Necklace and boro glass cubes were used in our Raspberry Seed Bead and Boro Glass Necklace.  What is boro glass?  


Boro glass is borosilicate glass, a type of glass that consists of about 10% boric oxide. The boric oxide makes the glass resistant to extreme temperatures, and also improves its resistance to chemical corrosion. This glass is very popular in the manufacture of scientific instruments and in the scientific lab. This glass is also used for reflecting telescope glass mirror components because the optical surfaces change very little with temperature fluctuations, resulting in very precise measurements.


Borosilicate glass is thought to have been created by a German glassmaker in the 19th century. In 1915 a famous line of borosilicate kitchen products was released under the Pyrex label.  Borosilicate glass is usually without color, but colored borosilicate was introduced into the market in 1986 and is used by jewelry design artists today.

Acrylics are Hot!

iKandies just sold two of our acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces. They have been a popular item at the artfairs we've participated in this summer and now they're gaining popularity on Etsy. Take a look and let us know what you think...

We're designing  more of these beautiful necklaces for our Etsy site.  We thought it might be fun to show these "creations" in progress..

The first step is to select the color pallet. In this case, Debi chose these colors, with the focus on the pastel pinks and green.  Spring Green seed beads, size 6, were selected as the base for the necklace.

After stringing the base to a desired length using the seed beads and Fireline, Debi added a small loop at one end with smaller seed beads. This will be one half of the "clasp" that will keep the necklace closed. 

Then she began laying out the leaves and flowers and attaching them.

Not only is color important, but equally important is the placement of the components on the base, the sizes of the leaves and flowers that are selected, the textures and the variety of shapes.  Acrylic birch and japanese leaves were used along with pansies, trumpet and five-petaled flowers. Some of the larger flowers were crowned with smaller cup shaped flowers creating a whole new flower resembling a tulip.

Most of the leaves and flowers have a matte finish and some of the trumpet flowers have been hand dipped into pastel contrasting colors making them appear to be more life like.

Check our website iKandies or our  Etsy site where our newest acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces will soon appear!  By the way, matching earrings are available, too!  Enjoy! 

New Project Accessory Show Challenges Designers

iKandies received an email the other day from one of its suppliers, Rio Grande, and discovered this company was a supporter of the new Lifetime Channel show, Project Accessory.  In this program, 12 designers will compete by creating one-of-a-kind jewelry, bags, shoes, and other accessories.  Rio Grande not only supplies some of the tools shown on each episode but is also offering a design challenge of its own each week that coordinates with each episode in the show.   The first episode on Project Accessory challenged the designers to create an accessory for jeans and a t- shirt by using objects found in a storage unit.  Rio Grande’s take on the challenge was an Asian-inspired, industrial collage belt.  For a look at the finished product and a list of supplies and tools used to make it, click on this link. You can also signup to be notified of Rio Grande's weekly challenge and contests they'll be holding in conjunction with the TV program.

Esty Lush - Another Opportunity to Get the Word Out

I recently stumbled upon a third-party marketing website that is advertised on Etsy - Etsy Lush.  Although not affiliated with Etsy, Etsy Lush provides another location on the internet to showcase an artist's handmade items with a link to the item in the artist's Etsy store.  EtsyLush describes their site as a place where the "best of handmade and vintage" items are presented.  The items submitted to the site are carefully checked to see that they qualify to meet the standards of high quality and originality being promoted by Etsy Lush.   Once an item has been accepted, it appears on the site for 2 months.  For a small fee, approved submissions may be added to the Etsy Lush "Gift Guide" for a period of 1 to 3 months.
    Here's iKandies Unique Custom Jewelry's first submission:

Viking Knit Bracelet

Fireline is Not Just for Fishing

In the description for the most recent necklace I posted to our Etsy site, I included the product "Fireline" in connection with the spiral stitch used to create the necklace.  If you are a fisherman, you might wonder why in the world we would use Fireline?  If you're not a fisherman, here's a little info on this wonderful product that is a plus to have in your beadbox, especially if you like to do something more elaborate than bead stringing.

Berkley Fireline is part of their "superline" family of polyethylene microfibered fishing line.  Its known for it strength and the fact that there is little stretch.  Colors such as "Crystal" and "Smoke" make the line nearly invisible not only to fish but also when woven into beaded designs.

I discovered the product several years ago when it was suggested in a project I decided to try and I haven't used anything else for my weaving and stitching projects since.  It's thin enough to thread on a needle and can be tied off and hidden anywhere in your project.  It won't break and beads won't wear it down or cause it to fray.  

Some bead supply houses have been stocking it in recent years, but you can also find it a sports shops such as Cabela's or a local bait and tackle shop. (When the girl behind the counter asked me if I knew how to use Fireline the first time I purchased a spool at my local bait shop, was she surprised when I explained I wasn't fishing but beading!)

Give it a try on you next project; you won't be disappointed!  

Magic Finding Tool - For Multi Strand Jewelry

Just read an email from Artbeads about the new Magic Finding tool.  It's designed to make multi-strand necklaces and bracelets easier without using multiple crimp beads.  Sometimes I'm not happy with a crimp I've made so just thinking about multiple crimps has always been an issue with me. These new, multi holed crimps are available in sterling silver and gold filled.  Follow the link to see how this tool will simplify your crimping process!

New Looping Tool for Wire Wrapping

I wanted to share a new product I've been using that is a must-have tool for any wire wrapper:  Wubbers new Looping Pliers. I saw them demonstrated at the BeadandButton Show in Milwaukee this past June.  Show vendors were out of stock so I ordered online as soon as I could.  These pliers are great for making consistent loops in just several steps.  Click here to view a demo of how you can use these pliers to make eye pins and wrapped loops.