Making a bunch of stretch rings for the little ones (including those young at heart) and trying to get the range of sizes right.

Sometimes I make them too big.
Sometimes I make them too small.
Sometimes it seems
whatever I do
I can't seem to make them at all.

Lots of little bitty seed beads that go every which way when the knot comes loose because my grown up fumble fingers just can't get into a ring that small to hold it.

Even though I may use or suggest certain color combinations there is NO "right" or "wrong" way for things to look. The bottom line is always "What do YOU like?" You may like a different length, even a different material. Unless it's in some way mechanically inadvisable, and even if it's not, go for whatever you want.

For example, I wouldn't recommend you stringing a diamond slider on fishing line but I had a customer insist on just that. She swore it was only for one day - her wedding - and I wrote up a little disclaimer of liabillity for her to sign. Then I made what she wanted.

Here's my disclaimer - I cannot guarantee that making this jewelry will make you a hollywood star or fashion model. I cannot guarantee that the man (or woman) of your dreams will fall in love with you over your jewelry. I can' t even guarantee that everything you make you'll like yourself when it's done. What I can do is guarantee that you CAN make jewelry by following the instructions I give.

If you would like to see some of the jewelry I've made, my JewelryByD website is at least up with some images. I'm still working on the shopping cart part. Any comments would be welcomed. The EasyMakeIt.com site is registered with the first class (see the fringed earrings section) put up.

The earliest, and still some of the prettiest, jewelry is made by simply putting some sort of thread or cord through things with holes in them. I've made pieces (which HAVE sold) that are just cording with knots and nuts and washers. I've learned to define a bead as ANYTHING with a hole in it that's light enough to wear.

Let's start with making jewelry with stuff you probably already have aroud the house.

What you need to start:

24 to 30 inches of some sort of cord that will hold knots (even kite string or clothesline).

Some things with holes that are bigger than the cord you are using. You can make your own with aluminum foil crumpled up and wrapped around a pencil or paper mache paper strips rolled up around a chopstick. You could even use nuts and washers.

A little bit of Elmer's, or other similar glue that dries clear.

A pair of scissors and your hands.

Put the cord through about 24" of the beads. If you have a small head you may need less. If your head is unusually large because you think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread (and who am I to say otherwise) or wear a beehive hairdo you may need more.

Tie the two ends together with a square knot as though you were tying a ribbon on a gift. Put a little glue on the knot and, after it's dry, snip off the excess and put it over your head.

That's it...the granddaddy of all jewelry.

First Class on Line with plenty of pictures to help you make your own pair of fringed dangly earrings.

Look for particularly colorful ads or pictues in the magazines. Cut them out and then cut long narrow triangles from the paper. put a thin coat of white glue on the paper and then carefully roll them up, from the wide end to the narrow around the toothpick. Stick the toothpick in the styrofoam until the beads are dry.

Take the bead off the toothpick. You may want to trim the ends of the beads a little and / or color the ends of the beads with a permanent marker. String 'em up!

Tips:
You may want to leave the first 1/4 in or so without glue to make it easier to pull the toothpick out. Yo may want to use a coffee stirrer istead of the toothpick if you need bigger holes. Make sure the glue layer is VERY thin. You may need to water it down a bit. Don't forget to cover the work area with some plastic or other easy to clean or throw away cover.