How to make a Bead Bracelet, Lave Beads, & Ruby

This month is how to make a bead bracelet and July's birthstone ruby. Scroll down, or click one of the links below on the html version to go to a section. For the HTML version with color pictures click http://www.mrbead.com/june08.htm
To go to the MrBead store click MrBead.com. For our UK bead shop in pounds click MrBead.co.uk
Note: Some orders between 10th July to 6th August may be delayed due to summer vocation - e-mail to check if this is a problem.

Making a Bead Bracelet
Volcanic Lava Beads
Ruby - July's Birthstone
Special 15% Offer

How to Make a Beaded Bracelet

Making a bead bracelet is fun and very easy. Fashion a wrist or ankle bracelet, and when you get the hang of it you can churn them out to sell. And unlike necklaces, bracelets don't need many beads. A single 16-inch strand will usually make two bracelets. You can also add spacers to make the design more interesting and to make the beads go further.

Things You Need:
Jewelry Clasps
Beading Threads
Flat Work Surfaces
Beads
Bead Tips
Glue
Scissors
Towel
Measuring Tape
Flat-nose Pliers
Long Straight Pins

1. Choose a length for your bracelet and purchase beading thread at least a few inches longer. A standard wrist bracelet length is approximately 7 inches. Add two or three inches to the length for an ankle bracelet.
2. Choose beads for your bracelet. They can be all one size or varying sizes. Choose spacer beads (the small beads that go in between the larger beads) as well.
3. Choose findings for your bracelet. You will need a clasp and two bead tips. The bead tips are used to secure the ends of your bracelet so that the clasp can be attached.
4. Lay out your beads on a towel placed on a flat work surface. Take this opportunity to determine the order in which your beads will be strung. A little planning now will save you a lot of frustration later.
5. Knot a thread end and use scissors to trim off the excess thread. The knot should be at the very end of the thread.
6. Push the unknotted end of your thread through one open end of the bead tip and thread the end through the hole. Pull the thread all the way through so that the knot you made rests inside the bead tip and firmly against the hole.
7 Place a small amount of craft glue onto the knot and allow it to dry. Use a pair of flat-nose pliers to close the bead tip.
8 String your beads. Thread on the other bead tip so that the open end of the tip faces away from the strung beads.
9 Tie a loose knot in the remaining thread end and use a long, straight pin to push the knot down into the open end of the bead tip. The knot should rest securely against the hole. Trim the excess thread and use pliers to close the bead tip.
10. Affix one clasp piece onto one bead tip hook so that the loops at the end of each are joined. Use the pliers to securely close one ring over another. Repeat with the remaining clasp piece at the other end of the bracelet.

Tips

Measure your wrist or ankle with a tape measure to determine the most comfortable length for your bracelet.
Look through online and print jewelry catalogs and jewelry shops to get ideas for the type of beads you want and possible color schemes.
Use a double strand of beading thread for extra strength. If you are making a present, always make it bigger so they can adjust it to the size they need. You won't have to give away the surprise by asking what size they need.

And if this is too much trouble for a rushed gift, you can buy our ready-made bracelets at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk

Volcanic Lava Beads

Beads of volcanic lava are very popular right now. Lava rock is an igneous volcanic rock produced in intense heat conditions. A stone of strength and fertility. It provides stability in times of change, and helps to dissipate anger and provide guidance and understanding as it assists one in "bouncing back". A very grounding stone, black Lava will strengthen our connection to Mother Earth.

Rock melts at very high temperatures - between 600-1200 degrees Celsius. However, even deep within the interior of the Earth, most of the rocks are solid, not molten. This is because both pressure and temperature together determine whether a rock will melt. Also, different rock types melt at different temperatures. Beneath active volcanoes the pressure and temperature are just right to melt the rocks. When these molten rocks erupt at the surface they begin to "freeze" almost immediately at the very cool temperature of our atmosphere.

Lava flows are streams of molten rock that ooze from an erupting vent. Lava flows destroy everything in their path, but most move slowly enough that people can move out of the way. Fluid basalt flows can extend tens of kilometers from an erupting vent. They can travel as fast as 30 km/hour on steep slopes but they typically advance less than 1 km/hour on gentle slopes. Everything in the path of an advancing lava flow will be knocked over, buried, or ignited by the extremely hot temperature of lava. Beads from these rocks make very unusual jewelry. Used as pendants or parts of a necklace, these black beads ooze quality and mystique, as well as drawing attention and questions whenever worn.

To see our lava beads click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk

Ruby & July's Birthstone

Like a perfect red rose, the Ruby's rich color speaks of love and passion. July's birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history. The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was thought to grow darker when danger was imminent, and to return to its original color once safe.

The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. Ruby is the hardest mineral after diamond, a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. It comes in a variety of colors, and is called a sapphire in any color except red. Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red. Large rubies are very rare and valuable. The most beautiful crystals are thought to be from Burma, but they are also found in many other countries.

Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a ruby would boil water instantly. Ground to powder, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion - and it has been said that the ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love. And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer.

Special Offer Worth 15%!

Sample our beads with an 15% discount on any order in our MrBead bead store, just key in "lava" at the checkout (without the inverted commas) and click "Redeem Coupon".

Offer valid until Tuesday 8th July 08 only - so act now! Only for use in our store at the checkout and not valid with any other offers. Sorry, because of holiday, no free shipping in July.

To go to our MrBead store click MrBead.com
To go to our UK MrBead shop click MrBead.co.uk