Don't Run Out of Room

Please come on over to my new website:

Jewelry Making Journal

I've got lots cool new things for you there - including
my videos, a unique tutorial, and Jewelry Business Insider interviews.

See you there!

- Rena Klingenberg

Don't Run Out of Room

by Doug Kelly
(Blairsville, GA)

Whether you are making a necklace or a bracelet, make sure you cut the length of your piece longer than you need it. There is nothing more frustrating than after having laid out your design and "loaded" the wire than not to have enough room to add or work with the crimp and clasp.

I use one of those Bead Palettes to lay out my design. If I am doing a 20 inch necklace, I will cut 24" of wire (or cord). My hands are not dainty (being a man) and they are not as nimble as they used to be, so having the extra wire to work with makes it easier for me.

You may be tired after doing all of that stringing and who needs the extra frustration of trying to finish the end off getting those tiny wires through those just as tiny crimps!

Doug Kelly
JD Kelly Jewelry
JD Kelly Jewelry Blog
Georgia Mountain Crafts

Comments for
Don't Run Out of Room

Click here to add your own comments

Great tip
by: Leigh

Great reminder that will not only save time but lots of frustration.

Thanks
by: Doug Kelly

Thanks Leigh. Of course it comes from "several" first-hand experiences and flying beads! :)

Running out of room
by: Anonymous

I thought I might add that if you are using magnetic clasps to let your " BUYERS BEWARE " in case they have a pacemaker .
Just a little bit of obscure information !

running out of wire
by: Kate

thans for the ewminder I did this a few years ago and learnt my lesson. Doug i have been onto your blog site and found that your views make me think again about markets. Thanks for the insights.

My Blog Site
by: Doug

Arrrrr..thanks for the reminder. I get so caught up in everything that I need to write more on my blog.

Agree
by: Ana

That's exactly what I do. You have no idea how many times I cut the material too short and then went through all the hassle to see how to finish the piece. Great advice.

Don't run out
by: Dita

Doug,
Your suggestion and the reminder( about the extra length ) are very important. We have learned that with experience, didn't we, yet forget it...

I went to your blog. Your ideas about pricing are also so valuable. PRICE IS RIGHT is a big thing.

One interesting experience I'll share with you. Once I raised my price of certain pieces and they were gone then. I tried it at lower prices in previous shows and I think they were considered inferior or cheaper some how.

Marketing is interesting:)

Dita from http://www.alankarshilpa.etsy.com
http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Don't cut till the end
by: KathyB

Doug,

I used to have a piece of practice wire that I had crimped into a loop at one end so that I could do a preliminary stringing of the components and then check for size. One day when I needed that test wire, it was nowhere to be found.

My solution at that time was to "test" string my beads and components on to the wire before cutting it from the spool. I used a bead stopper (one of those little spring looking things) on the end nearest the spool to stop the beads at the length that I had estimated.

This has saved me countless errors and mistakes - especially on bracelets - as I can string the beads, check for fit, add or remove beads. All before cutting the wire from the spool.

Click here to add your own comments