The technology for glass beadmaking is among the oldest human arts, dating back 3,000 years. Glass beads have been dated back to at least Roman times. Perhaps the earliest glass-like beads were Egyptian faience beads, a form of clay bead with a self-forming vitreous coating. Glass beads are significant in archaeology because the presence of glass beads often indicate that there was trade and that the beadmaking technology was being spread. In addition, the composition of the glass beads could be analyzed and help archaeologists understand the sources of the beads.

Common types of glass bead manufacture
Glass beads are usually categorized by the method used to manipulate the glass - wound beads, drawn beads, and molded beads. There are composites, such as millefiori beads, where cross-sections of a drawn glass cane are applied to a wound glass core. A very minor industry in blown glass beads also existed in 19th-century Venice and France.

Wound glass beads

Probably the earliest beads of true glass were made by the winding method. Glass at a temperature high enough to make it workable, or “ductile”, is laid down or wound around a steel wire or mandrel coated in a clay slip called “bead release.” The wound bead, while still hot, may be further shaped by manipulating with graphite, wood, stainless steel, brass, tungsten or marble tools and paddles.

Drawn glass beads

There are several methods for making drawn beads, but they all involvepulling a strand out of a gather of glass in such a way as to incorporate a bubble in the center of the strand to serve as the hole in the bead. In Arikamedu this was accomplished by inserting a hollow metal tube into the ball of hot glass and pulling the glass strand out around it, to form a continuous glass tube. 

The most common type of modern glass bead is the seed bead. They are a modern example of mechanically-drawn glass beads. The micro-bead or “seed bead”, are so called due to their tiny, regular size. Modern seed beads are extruded by machine and some, such as Miyuki delicas, look like small tubes.

Molded beads

Glass beads are also manufactured or molded using rotary machine where molten glass is fed on the centre of rotary mould and solid or hollow glass beads are formed.

Lampwork beads
Modern lampwork beads are made by using a gas torch to heat a rod of glass and spinning the resulting thread around a metal rod covered in bead release. When the base bead has been formed, other colors of glass can be added to the surface to create many designs. After this initial stage of the beadmaking process, the bead can be further fired in a kiln to make it more durable.
Modern beadmakers use single or dual fuel torches, so `flameworked’ is replacing the older term.

Dichroic glass beads
Increasingly, dichroic glass is being used to produce high-end art beads. Dichroic glass has a thin film of metal fused to the surface of the glass, resulting in a surface that has a metallic sheen that changes between two colors when viewed at different angles. Beads can be pressed, or made with traditional lampworking techniques. If the glass is kept in the flame too long, the metallic coating will turn silver and burn off.

Furnace glass
Italian glass blowing techniques such as latticinio and zanfirico are adapted here to make beads. Furnace glass uses large decorated canes built up out of smaller canes, encased in clear glass and then extruded to form the beads with linear and twisting stripe patterns. No air is blown into the glass. These beads require a large scale glass furnace and annealing kiln for manufacture.

Lead crystal beads
Lead is added into the glass for high reflection during the bead production. Their high lead content makes them sparkle more than other glass, but also makes them inherently fragile.

A brooch is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments, often to hold them closed. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material. Brooches are frequently decorated with enamel or with gemstones and may be solely for ornament. The earliest known brooches are from the Bronze Age. As fashions in brooches changed rather quickly, they are important chronological indicators.

Many sorts of European brooches found in archaeology as usually referred to by the Latin term fibula. They may have replaced fibulae made of more perishable Neolithic materials, such as bone to as late as 800 AD. They came in many varieties and held prominent significance for the identity of the wearer, indicating ethnicity and class.

Elaborately designed fibulae were an important part of Late Antique dress, and simpler ones were part of Roman military equipment.

Ancient Fibulae

How to wear the brooches?

For women, you can wear the brooches in front of the chest also on the shoulders, hats or among hair.

For men, the way to wear a brooch is very strict. When you wear a shirt which has a stand collar, you should wear it on the left; when you wear a shirt without collar, then on the right. The wearing is also related to your hairstyle. If your hairstyle inclines left, wear the brooch on the right, otherwise on the left.  

When you are in formal wear, you should choose big brooch which in good materials and color. When you wear shirt or sweater, you can choose mignon one.

For men

Fow women

8Seasons Brooch Types

Lapel Stick Brooch Pin

Used as

Safety Brooch

Used as

Back Bar Brooch

Used as

Button Badges Brooch Pin

This short video will show you how quick and easy it is to make your own self covered buttons. Weather you are making a bridal dress, a jacket or a casual shirt, this technique will allow you to match buttons to any project.

1.  Double round nose pliers(B33689)

Function: It was usually used in jewelry making projects such as the connection of the beads strand, earrings, hair accessories, brooches and so on. Meanwhile, it can also be used to bend the draw point. Just wrap the draw point on the round part of the pliers.

2.Round nose pliers(B33690)

Function: One side of the pliers is round and the other side is groove. It was usually used in jewelry making projects such as the connection of the beads strand, earrings, hair accessories, brooches and so on. Meanwhile, it also can be used to bend the pins into ‘9’shape. The instructions are as follow:

3.Long-handled punching pliers(B33691)

Function: These pliers are used in jewelry punching. The diameter of the hole will be about 1.0-1.2 MM. They can also be used expand the holes on gold chain and the punching of the metal flats which thinner than 1MM, scraps of papers, plastics and so on.

4.Long nose flat pliers(B33688,B33692)

Function: The two sides of these pliers are plain. They are usually used to connect the jewelry chains and also earrings, necklaces and hair accessories.

5.Multifunctional Scissors(B33687，B33686）

Function: They are used to cut the thin chains, iron wires, iron sheets, copper wires and copper sheets during the processes of jewelry making. Meanwhile, they can be used to gardening and the cutting of all kinds of office supplies.

6.Bent nose pliers（B33709,B33701)

Function: They are usually used to cut the tiny components and bend the metal wires and rings to the shape you want. They can also used to hold things and string beads in jewelry making.

7.Pincer pliers(B33708, B33698, B33700, B33705)

Function: They are tools to make the molds and usually used to cut the connection part of plastics and metal. And also have the function to cut the wires and pull out the electric wire. They are the necessary tools of velvet pile of wires. In jewelry making, they are usually used to cut the ‘9’shaped needles, iron wires, metal wires and so on.

8.Flat Nose Pliers(B33702)

Function: They are usually used to bend the metal sheets and metal wires into the shapes you want. In repairing, they are the usual tools to install metal components and electricity and used to install and pull out the dowels and springs. In jewelry making, they are tools to alter earrings and install jump rings. Flat nose pliers are tools to pinch things.

9.Toothed needle nose pliers

   Non-toothed needle nose pliers (B33703)

Function: They are usually used to hold rings, hang rings and connect earrings, necklaces, brooches, hair accessories and DIY components. They are also convenient tools to string beads. We will use long flat nose pliers to pick up the tiny beads and string them in a strand. Meanwhile, they can cut the single or stranded wires whose diameters are thin.

PS: The difference between toothed needle nose pliers and Non-toothed needle nose pliers: If the products are non-electroplating, the xx should be used; if the products are electroplating, the xx should be used.

10.Round nose pliers(B33707)

Function: They are usually used to bend circles of alloyed jewelry. Such as bend the pins to‘9’shapes and string beads.

11. Tweezers with shovel in the ends(B33695)

Function: They are used to check the tiny gemstones and components. With the tweezers, the screening will be more convenient.

Usually, you can change your jewelry clasp if you prefer anyone in toggle, lobster, spring clasps or magnetic clasps. Now you can also do this on European Charm Jewelry. It is easy to change the snap clasp, here is what I did, and you can follow the instructions if you like.

Materials you may need:

A piece of knife

A Piece of Bent Nose Plier

Step 1 Take off the old/broken clasp from your bracelet or necklace

1.Open the clasp, there is a small ring on the bottom of the clasp which locks and attaches it to the snake chain. That’s also the part that you want to open it, here we just call it “lock ring”. 

 Use the bent nose pliers to open the ring to outside.

Now take off the old clasp.

Step 2 Fix the new clasp to your snake chain. First,open up the new clasp, and again, using the bent nose pliers to open “lock ring”. Then put one end of the snake chain into the “lock ring” make sure the chain is locked in the ring. Last, use the pliers to close the “lock ring” tightly. Be sure there is no small gap in the ring or the snake chain may slip off through the gap

^-^ A new bracelet is done

Nowadays, the Italian styled bracelets are more and more popular. This kind of bracelet is not only particular but also simple. Do you have thought about making an Italian bracelet on your own style? This will be meaningful to make it as a gift to your families and friends. The amount of the component depends on your wrist. Usually 18 components can make one Italian bracelet. For the beginners, you will only take 10-15 minutes to finish it. Then after you familiar with it, it will take less time!

Materials you need:1. One repair tool 2. Italian Charm Letter Links

Then, let’s begin!

Step 1: Pick up the letters you want to combine.

Step 2: Choose one of the components and push it by your hand or you can move it aside by the repair tool.

Step 3: Move aside the gap of the letter component on the right side. After you pull it out, just as the picture 2 shows, you will find a hooked part which is curving. This part is used to hook other components.

Step 4: Put the letters which need to be connected into the gap by the repair tool and push it to the left. Then fix it by hands so that it will be more convenient for the next connection.

Step 5: Push the flexible part of the letter component to the left by the repair tool so that it will be convenient for the hooking.

Step 6: The backsides of the repulsive letters are shown as the figure.

 


Step 7: Connect the letters you need in sequence.

Then the bracelet has been finished:

As the picture shows, do you think the Italian bracelet is very particular and simple? You can combine different letters to express your own feeling. You will have a sense of achievement to finish such a bracelet by yourself. Just share the joy with your friends!

Have you ever make a botton by yourself? Here I’d like to teach you a very simple method to make a fabric botton with molds. 8Season provides both the molds and the aluminum tone backs cover metal buttons. It’s easy for you who are not so patient. :) Well, let’s start our DIY journey! :-* Materials and supplies 1.Button Molds 2.Aluminium Buttons 3.A Hammer 4.A piece of cloth（which is fit for the button） 5.An iron bar Now, let’s begin! 1. Put the cloth on the one end of the mold 2. Put the upper half alminium button on the cloth 3. Then press downward together with the extra cloth 4. Put the bottom half alminium button into the opposite end of the mold 5. Put the two ends together and you will see there is no cloth at the juncture 6. Strik the mold with the iron bar 7. Then just separate the each end of the mold Ding! A fabric button was made! It is the simplest tutorial I have written. You can just try to make several this weekend. If you made, just let me know! Enjoy it my dear friends! <3

A signature piece of jewelry makes whatever look new and fashion forward which much like the style of your hair or a swipe of your red lipstick. It is not talking a dainty subtle piece either in the mold of classic eternity rings, or princess cut solitaire diamond ring. It is talking about an overtly extraordinary statement ring that solitics attention! Cocktail rings are things with many celebrities becoming enamored with these eye-catching sparklers. Styles are aplenty for the glam girl, the girl next door, the boho – chic, the preppy, even for the punk rock girl. Cocktail rings can be made with jade, rhinestones, fancy crystals or plastic. Regardless of material, these rings are gaining much buzz for being symbols of empowerment. They can easily infuse glitz and glam to every outfit. Put on jeans and a shirt, an elegant black dress or a sexy Friday night dress, as long as you have a fashion ring in your finger, be sure to enjoy basking in everyone’s admiring glances. However, these rings will generally work very well with elaborated or high neckline. Once you have that kind of neckline style, it’s rather inappropriate to wear glitzy necklaces. You won’t impress that way. It will look bad, a big fashion mishap. Something for the fashion police to critic and bash. If you’re already perfectly glammed up from head to toe, spare your fingers of another fashion statement. The additional sparkle is unnecessary this time. Many fashion people suggest that it’s best to wear them in your right hand. Just avoid at all cost wearing it on your left hand. This sends a message of empowerment, success and confidence. Buying and wearing the expensive piece would give you that sense of triumph when people notice how beautiful your ring is. You can easily find these kinds of rings from downtown hypermart, bazaars to flea markets. You will be accessorizing like the Hollywood movie stars with a right attitude and a little patience. In addition, don’t forget to check the antique shops, they may have the right pieces just perfect for you. If you want to be the ultimate fashionista, just get big, colorful, sparkly fashion rings! Don’t forget it’s fun and fabulous. Cocktail fashion ring is a great way to get noticed. You can find more details about cocktail rings at 8Seasons.

No matter girls or women in all ages, are all quite pay attention to their appearances. In fact, most of girls will not go outside until they comb their hair or wear a hair accessory such as a head band or a hair pin. However, there are some times when a young girl will confused as to what accessory to use and ends up looking silly with the wrong choice of hair accessories. There is one rule to definite fashion is that most of us practice to use and wear something that is just appropriate and proper for our age and personality. Therefore, a same common rule applies to the selection of hair accessories for young girls. A small part of girls will have short while others have a long hair style. Bows, headbands and clips are all ideal materials for short hair styles while elastic holders of ponytails like scrunchies are suitable to use on long hair. Scrunchies are also good for a sporty girl to wear when she’s participating in sports events in school so her hair will be kept neat and in control. The hair accessories, conversely, are not just limited to a particular hair style. In fact, each accessory may be tried on several other hair styles. For example, a ponytail elastic may be used for a single ponytail or for pigtails on one or both sides of the head. Bright colors of hair accessories are most suitable for the youny girls. In addition to that, hair accessories with designs like butterflies, flowers and hearts are appropriate for the grils. Moms will choose to buy simple designed hair accessories and decorate the accessories are preferred by the daughters. The small flowers and beads are readily available craft items can be glued on hair accessory like head bands. Besides, young girls together with their mothers can spend a bonding moment while making the young girl’s hair accessories of ribbons, beads, pins and bows. Moms can build a girl in creating a good image for herself during the pre-teen years, then she will be likely to be her mom. There will be no mom would like to see her young daugther to look disheveled when going to school. Many moms even do the hairstyle for their teenage daughters just to make sure she will look presentable. An important part of grooming lesson that must be taught to young girls is to keep the hair in place. However, it is not just limited to a simple combing or tying of hair. A girl should not only be neat but also be fashionable with the proper choice of hair accessories. Clips, pins and barrettes can be placed on properly combed hair either at the sides or at the top back. The headbands can also keep the hair away from the face. When girls are young, they must be taught how to use hair products and choose what kind of hair products. These hair products should not be causing damage to the young girl’s hair but only to enhance the hair’s good looks like hair mousse and hair conditioning leave on. You will find more details about hair accessories at 8Seasons.

Have you own some acrylic rhinestone pendants? They are affordable and easy match. Any styles of woman can use it in combination with a lot of outfits. Due to the nature of the mounting and the way the artificial gems are built you can’t while chooing them by mistakes. Since the availability of the terms of color is great, you can just find the right one for you no matter what the occasion is. The pendants are now spread widely on the market for a long time. Most of the its buyers are women who can not afford genuine gems but still desire to the same elegance and sparkle that they provide. Since the artificial gems can imitate a lot of types of natural stones, it is very easy for you to combine the jewelry with many types of clothing. No matter casual or work clothing you wear, you will receives the many attentions because the value of the pandants. In this case, you can take the rhinestone pendants with you and you will be very confident that you may be subject to theft. Acrylic rhinestone pendants are regarded as fantasy jewelry, which in turn makes them suitable to be worn by kids as well. In terms of appeal, little girls love the multicolored and multi-faceted ensembles that are available. Sometimes the jewels can imitate classic jewelry, while other times they can be new creations on their own. This means that you have a lot of choices when choosing the right article for you. Heart shaped pendants, geometrical shapes; ensembles consisting of multicolored stones are all possible. If you want to go with a classic look then the classic montages are the most convenient. A definitive plus for the jewels is that they are not intended to be replacements for valuable stones but a re-interpretation of the same values of jewelry. You can both apply them to a serious outfit as well as keep them at the ready for those times when you desire a playful accessory to go with any less demanding costume. The pendants are also a lot of fun because they can be taken anywhere. Because of the value that they have they will not be confused with precious stones and, therefore, you can carry them with you everywhere you go, having no second thought about how appropriate they may actually be for the circumstances given. All in all, the beauty and the variety of those accessories will go along easily in all circumstances and they will certainly offer you the look and the feel you were looking for. Make sure you pick the right color and the right shape for you and you will not look back on your choice. You can see more details about acrylic rhinestone pendants at 8Seasons.