A Super Value for Gemstone Beads

Posted by admin on Aug 25, 2011 in Promotions | 1 comment

The 2011’s “going green” theme has inevitably immersed in jewelry inspiration. To buy the environment-friendly and recycled material is becoming lots of hand-made artist’s first choice. Gemstone beads are one of the materials used to make green jewelry which are usually fashioned to show some part of nature or earth tones.Because of their durability and color, the elegance and gorgeous look, gemstone beads have always been popular in jewelry marking industry, as well as the apple in luxury jewelry designs.

Promotional natural and man made gemstones beads are on sale and have a discount of 20% at Zacoo.com. You can shop with all types of precious, semiprecious and man made gemstone beads in various shapes and sizes that come in translucent or smokey colors and unique natural styles.

A Super Value! You’ll be amazed with the quality at such low prices.

Fashion Color Trends in Fall 2011

Posted by admin on Aug 24, 2011 in Promotions | 0 comments

What are the fashion colors in Fall 2011?
The answer has been demonstrated clearly in Pantone’s Fashion Color Report Fall 2011. Honeysuckle, the color of 2011 still remain in the fashion fall colors list, as well as natural and earthly hues and practical and reliable deep tones. While from the color pallet, it’s no difficult to see Fall 2011 fashion colors focused more on a sensible, spirited, romantic and warm sensation.
So indulge yourself in the art of color and mix and match these colors to create fashionable fall jewelry!

Zacoo’s editors also pick some jewelry beads of fall fashion colors respectively.
Bamboo: a mustard, safari’s yellow

Emberglow: a glowing embers of a dying fire

Honeysuckle: a vibrant pink-coral, reddish pink

Phlox: a rich and royal purple

Cedar:a mid-tone and neutral green

Deep Teal: a strong, blue-toned green

Coffee Liqueúr: a elegance and the new black

Nougat: a tastefully embellished light brown

Orchid Hush: a unique tone of gray tinged with lilac

Quarry:a reliable medium gray tinged with blue

Make Your Own Collage Art Project with Digital Collage Sheets

Posted by admin on Aug 23, 2011 in New Arrivals | 1 comment

Hi, good news here !

We recently are launching the new products line of digital collage sheets that will accurately match for all kinds of mountings and settings you bought from Zacoo.

Digital Collage Sheets are the fastest and most affordable way to obtain images for your art projects.You can design and create different themes of images such as animals, insects, holiday and vacations, people,plants & flowers,science & technology ,spirituality & religion,steampunk & science Fiction,wild west…

Currently,we have designed three themes of images you may interested in, they are Victorian Roses, Fairytale, Starry Sky.

Buy now and make the project with your style.

How to Make A Lampwork Glass Bead

Posted by admin on Aug 22, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

Lampworking is usually done with an Air-Fuel torch (MAPP gas being the most popular fuel) or Oxygen-Propane torch and a few hand tools. The tricks and moves used to form and decorate the glass haven’t changed much in years.

Lampwork beads range from the simple to extremely complex such as lampwork beads in shapes, lampwork beads with silver lining, or gold foil. Modern lampwork beads have many purposes, for holiday celebrations, or to simulate nature, like bamboo, or even the jellyfish.

An artist makes these beads using a rod called a mandrel, sticks of glass and a torch. Let’s get to know the Process of Making a Lampwork Beads.

 Melting Glass: Lampworking involves the process of melting glass in a hot flame on a steel mandrel. The molten glass is    wound around the mandrel until the desired size and style are achieved. The flame used to melt the glass is produced by  mixing gas, either natural or propane, and oxygen. Thus the flame produced is hot enough to melt glass. A torch is the  primary tool for the flame.

  Shaping Beads: Once a bead is formed and the artist is finished with the actual creation process there are several more    steps   involved before the bead is ready to be used in fine jewelry.

  Decorating Beads: After the initial shaping of the bead, it can be decorated by applying molten fibers (stringers) on the    bead’s surface, creating dots or lines. Intricate patterns and designs can be made with the use of a sharp tool. Lampwork  beads can also be sandblasted or faceted using conventional lapidary techniques.

 Annealing Beads: When the design work is finished the bead needs to go through the annealing process where it is  reheated to around 1000°F to reach the proper “stress relief” point. Annealing is the process of bringing down the  temperature of the glass very slowly. Annealing makes a glass bead very strong and durable. When a bead is taken  out of the kiln it is still on the steel mandrel. The cooled bead is soaked in water to soften the bead release agent. Once  the bead is removed the holes are cleaned and filed.

Fashion Friday: Decorate Your Arm Parties

Posted by admin on Aug 19, 2011 in Jewelry Fashion | 0 comments

Hey, it’s Friday and it’s fashion spot.

You know what a Arm Party is ? From my understanding , arm party is the stacking and layering of bracelet. I was totally attracted and lighten up my mood by the  brilliants artistic works on bangles which demonstrated strong features with new styles and characters. It’s the fashion trends for this season’s bracelets：

Unusual patterns of square, triangular, vertebra bracelets….

Strong motifs shown on bracelets such as wolves, snakes, elephants and bugs along with more traditional symbols of flowers, birds, leaves, feathers and coins…

Large, colorful and mixed elements with forward-thinking statement…..

Several structured, stunning combinations, angular and irregular forms of chains bracelets….

The more The better principle. The more bracelets you have on your arm the more fashionable they will look. Plenty of thin and not very thin bangles look nice together.

Enjoy the following pictures and getting your unique arm parties…

New Style Leather Earrings Inspiration

Posted by admin on Aug 18, 2011 in Inspiration Projects | 0 comments

Leather cords are used in garment sector to clothing items and handicraft segment such as necklaces, bracelets and belts. You can make a round leather cord necklace by easily attaching a  pendent,  gemstone beads or charms to get a low key but classic look, or you can make a sophisticated knotting pattern bracelet by using a flat leather cord . Well,  have you ever tried to make earrings by using round leather cord?

I got my inspiration ideas of making leather earrings by simple tools and materials.

Have a look at my designs~~~

All the materials are round leather cord, silver plated copper wire,head pins and the beads you want to decorated with.

Amazing, right?  It needs not high and complex techniques but your infinite creativity. Take action and experiment your unique leather cord earrings.

Stimulate Your Beautiful Lampwork Glass Beads Design Idea

Posted by admin on Aug 17, 2011 in Inspiration Projects | 0 comments

Numerous beads enrich and beautify our life. However, people may also feel overwhelmed by the sea of beads that they are not sure which one is best. If you are planning to get a graceful look, why not consider lampwork glass beads?
Just like gemstone beads, lampwork beads have been involved in jewelry for a long time. With the continuous improvement of design technique, lampwork beads become more beautiful and attractive. I also got inspired by the flat round red lampwork glass beads with irregular golden shimmering powder. Combined with red crystal beads and tibetan silver beads, I worked out my two stands red fire bracelet.

Now the chance is coming. Zacoo supplies lampwork glass beads in various colors, sizes, shapes, designs and styles. Besides 20% discount is giving away plus worldwide free shipping preferential policy. These sales promotions will save you a lot.

Happy Designing&Learning：To Make A Lark’s Head Knot

Posted by admin on Aug 16, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

Hi, it’s Happy Designing&Learning that everyone can enjoy happiness and learn something for a day, especially for the beginners of the splendid beading world.
Knot is one of the fundamental skills of jewelry marking. You would be surprised how different types of existing patterns, besides new patterns and complicated styles are created every day by the craft fans. Maybe you are fond of making your own knitting bracelet on the one hand, on the other hand you probably step back when you see the sophisticated patterns and textures. Well, though different and sophisticated the patterns and textures, they are all derived from the basic knot techniques.
So today, we will learn one of the basic knot techniques—Lark’s Head Knot, to drape a pendant from cord easily with the lark’s head knot.

Step 1 Fold the cord or rope in half.

Step 2 Choose a loop or a pendant of big holes and thread the folded end of the cord through the loop.

Step 3 Take the ends of the cord through the loop created by the folded cord.

Step 4 Pull on the two ends of the cord to until the knot it taut around the loop.

Step 5 You have successfully created a Lark’s Head Knot.

What’s the Right Bracelet for You?

Posted by admin on Aug 15, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

Getting the perfect fit for your bracelet can sometimes be daunting. The bracelet size guide will give you an approximate length to work on.

Generally speaking, bracelet size is your wrist measurement plus 1 inch. So when choosing the right bracelet size, firstly get to know your wrist size.  According to the investigation, the average wrist sizes for American women and their equivalent bracelet lengths can be divide into three types.

Small = 5 3/4 inches or less
Average = 6 to 6 3/4 inches
Large = 7 inches or more

How to measure your wrist

To measure your wrist circumference, use a non-stretch tape measure, string or ribbon. Wrap a flexible measuring tape or a strip of paper/string around your wrist right above the bone.  If using the paper/string method, mark it where the end meets then measure it with a ruler.  If your wrist falls between quarter inch increments, round up to the nearest quarter inch.

Once you know your wrist size, here’s some tips for selecting your bracelet length!

Add 1/4 – 1/2  inch to your base wrist measurement if you like a snug fitting bracelet or you don’t want your bracelet to move up your arm.  This is suitable for small beaded, stretch, or smaller chain designs only.

Add 3/4 – 1 inch for a comfortable fit.  The bracelets will move freely and charm styles will dangle nicely.

Add 1 1/4 inch for a looser fit.  OK for toggles and best for larger, chunky bead styles.  Also works with stretch charm bracelet styles since they are pretty forgiving.

To summary up, I provide a reference for making woman and children’s bracelet more accurately.

Since every rules has its exceptions. Don’t take this as a standard rule, it’s just the common way we use it to get the right measurements.The best way to find the size of such a bracelet is to make a sample bracelet from a lace or a piece of wire first. Try your sample bracelet on, adjust it for a perfect fit and try the bracelet on again. Measure its length or diameter and you’ll know the size you need.

Our Inspiration Projects are continuously updated to provide you with inspirations that are chosen to fuel your vast imagination in your creative pursuits.

Introducing Basic Jewelry Making Tools: Pliers

Posted by admin on Aug 12, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

Hey, today’s Beading tips, let’s learn the essential jewelry making tools—Pliers. Pliers are given different styles and each has its features and functions.
The four basic types of pliers are round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutting pliers, and chain nose pliers.

Round Nosed Pliers
Round nose pliers have rounded jaws and are used to hold, shape and bend jewelry wire. They are used for creating loops, curves, circles and coils and are essential when making such items as earrings and adding bead charms to a bracelet amongst other things. The jaws of the pliers are tapered so this enables you to make a variety of different sized loops and gives a very professional finish to you jewelry. They can be purchased individually or as part of a set.

Flat Nosed Pliers

Flat nose pliers have a slim flat service. They can be used for bending wire and also straightening any bends or kinks out of the wire. They can also be used for opening and closing jump rings and also for crimping crimp beads.

Side Cutting Pliers
Side cutters have sharp jaws that can come in a variety of shapes; these are used for cutting soft wires, threads or metal sheets. The shape of the cutters affect how the cut face will appear; general side cutters will leave the cut edge smooth and even.

Chain Nosed Pliers
Chain nosed pliers are essential in any china beads jewelry maker’s toolbox and are used for almost all aspects of jewelry making. They can be used for bending, holding, turning the wire and also opening and closing jump rings and crimping. Their small ends enable them to get into small spaces and grip the jewelry well.