Help Please

[Margaretindevon]

I am new on this forum, and totally new to beading, and ask if I could have some advice please? I have just been diagnosed as Diabetic and advised to wear a medical ID bracelet. The ones with chains attached reminded me of convicts shackles more than a piece of jewellery. If I have to wear something I want it to be pretty. I have seen various beaded bracelets which attach to the ID tag by means of two Lobster claw catches, also some which attach with a magnetic fastner. The ones I have seen have not taken my fancy, so I thought I would have a go at making myself some.

Could you advise me on what would be the best thing to string the beads on? The ones I have seen were done on wire, obviously it has to be fairly strong as I do not want it to break and then lose my tag. Also, what size beads would you use? I am not into the chunky look, preferring more delicate things. Such bracelets are not going to take much in the way of materials, being more like a half bracelet.

I bought Bead magazine and Beads & beyond Magazine, and saw some beautiful things in them, which I am sure are going to be beyond me! The mags. also made me more confused than I was before!

Could you also tell me if the sets of mini tools I have seen on some websites and on ebay are a good buy for someone like me, and what other tools would it be helpful to have? Are there any places where you can get patterns for bracelets such as this, and what books would you recommend?

I am 71, retired, and in the fortunate position of being able to indulge myself a little with hobbies. I also thought if I could make some which satisfied me I could do a few for my local Diabetic group to sell for funds.

I am sorry this is so long and with so many questions. Thank you for reading this far.
Margaret

[Pagan]

I'm not a jewellery maker, but I'm sure someone who is will be along soon enough, just thought I'd say Hi Margaret and (welcome) to the forum.

[Caroleecrafts]

Hello Margaret and (welcome)to the forum.

Have you thought of using elastic thread with the beads, easy to do and take on and take off. Just thread the beads add your tag, knot well, dab with a small amount of beaders glue, then finished

[Fiona_JMD]

There are lots of options depending on the finished look your are after. If you just want a string of beads then you would need to use something like a Tigertail beading wire and crimps and add a clasp at each end to attach to your tag - you could make a few in different colours and change them with different outfits.

If you were into stitching then you could do a square stitch strap which might look rather good too.

[beadsbydesign]

I know you'll probably think I'm a real party pooper ........ but.......... your medi alert is just that, an alert to notify people that should you collapse with hypo or hyper or be involved in an accident, that you have diabetes. In these situations people will only make a cursery glance for a medi alert and if it happens to be lost in beads, or look like a charm bracelet, then it won't be noticed etc. You wear it because you need people to see it. Please don't disguise it, or you may as well not be wearing it.

having said that, jewellery making is a very adictive and rewarding hobby.
for starters, you'll need round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutters. A basic set is all you need to start with.

[Louise88]

Ooh that's a really good idea Margaret! I am supposed to wear a medical ID necklace, but it is so ugly and chunky, so I only wear it for long journeys, and going on holiday! :)

[pepsi]

Hello Margaret, Have a look around the forum, there's loads of ideas for beading and all kinds of crafts.There are lots of tutorials on "You tube". for beading and most crafts. Anyway (welcome) to the forum and I hope you find some inspiration, by the way this forum can be Very addictive te he!!! xxx ;)

[gemwaithdebbie]

Personally I find tigertail a little too stiff for beaded bracelets, but really good for necklaces. (everyone's different and depends on what kind of materials you are using) For bracelets I use Soft Touch beading wire by Soft Flex Company (type it into google or on ebay, should come up).

Its softer and more flexible than tigertal bit still strong enough. Fine wire is for seed beads etc and medium is all purpose - glass, mineral and metal beads etc. You can also tie knots in it. You could secure your knots with a dab of glue for security, or use crimps as suggested above.

Hope this helps.... others will have good advice too :)

[gemwaithdebbie]

I know you'll probably think I'm a real party pooper ........ but.......... your medi alert is just that, an alert to notify people that should you collapse with hypo or hyper or be involved in an accident, that you have diabetes. In these situations people will only make a cursery glance for a medi alert and if it happens to be lost in beads, or look like a charm bracelet, then it won't be noticed etc. You wear it because you need people to see it. Please don't disguise it, or you may as well not be wearing it.

having said that, jewellery making is a very adictive and rewarding hobby.
for starters, you'll need round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutters. A basic set is all you need to start with.


I agree with this x

[Critchley]

(welcome)Margaret, do enjoy the forum.

[urbtaf]

Hi maggy:D we make jewelry for a living, and I cant use the mini tools, but I have big hands, my OH auntnet can use them but she have very lovely little hands
The best place to get tools cheap is car boot sales, market tool stalls. They usually cost about £1 each and will do the job.
Dont know where in Devon you are but Ive had many good buys at Exeter cattle market sunday market, its at Marsh Barton.
Dont get disheartened by the brill stuff you see other people making, start simple- practice and the power will come to you

[auntynet]

Hi maggy:D we make jewelry for a living, and I cant use the mini tools, but I have big hands, my OH auntnet can use them but she have very lovely little hands


Typical Man!!!! What does he know???

I don't use the mini tools - when I first started making jewellery about 3 years ago I paid about £20 for a Beadsmith set of mini tools and used them only a few times cos they're so small, they dig into the palm of my hand and hurt me. I personally wouldn't recommend them to anyone except children as their hands are tiny and the right size to accommodate them.

As my OH says, most of my tools are cheapo items bought from cheapo places with the exception of my snips and crimping pliers - both of which are Beadsmith. But if you're just starting out, buy the cheap ones until you work out what you need/want and only splash out on the good stuff if you're certain you're gonna carry on making jewellery.

[Lady Sparkle]

Hi:):)

I think making your id bracelet personal to you is a great idea as I think you will want to wear, as so many of my friends very rarely wear theirs.
There are so many ways to make bracelets,I personally am a visual person and tend to look on "you tube" on the internet as you can physically see how people make things and go through the various steps.I do struggle with instructions in books,I suppose I am a hands on person as the saying goes,but maybe it is my dyslexia!
I also bought the small tool set from beadsmith,waste of my money in my opinion and resorted back to my old originals that are average size and looking worst for wear.As mentioned they may be great for childrens small fingers, but not adults.
You do not have to by any fancy named ones when starting off as sometimes I think the hype is in the name as they do with clothes etc,that is just my opinion.
Maybe it is the start of a new carer for you making one off ID braclets that peopel will love to wear.
Hope this has helped you
Take Care
Jacki

[ejralph]

I wonder if you could make a chain maille medic alert bracelet? I am thinking with the right weave it could still look really fashionable and attractive but still easily identifyable as a medic alert, heaven forbid, should the need arise?

Emma :playball:

[jayjay]

Hi Margaret,
I am also 71, but age has no limits. Go along to your nearest bead shop, ask the lady/ladies for help choosing your beads and tell them what you would like to do and once they know you are new to beading they will take care of you and give you lots of advice without pushing you to buy things you don't need. I have found the beading people to be really nice people and so helpful. I love the mags and have taught myself lots of stitches (beading) and love right angle weave for bracelets and soft flex is nice to use, make sure what ever you use is waterproof if you are wearing it all the time. Good luck and please let us see the end result.
jayjay

[shiner]

I'm with Emma on this a nice flat weave maille will look gret and not detract too much from the fact it is a medi alert tag, jump rings are available in all sorts of colours so you can make a few to go with whatever you're wearing log on to derakons library for an idea of some weaves

[Pebbles]

I too have the beetees and dislike the medi alert bracelets, plus they are really expensive!

I saw, not too long ago, someone who had beadweaved a set for their diabetic relative. I may have bookmarked the link (equal chance that I did not!) but they provided instructions and a pattern, I never got around to making one myself, but will share the link with you as soon as I find it!

Good luck with the diabetes too, it's a bit of a bugger aint it?

[Pebbles]

Oklaydoklay.... I found it

http://www.beadandbutton.com

you need to sign up but then you can get patterns for free. search for peyote medical alert pattern on google and this will take you directly to the right page, you still need to sign up though

Hope the helps, if you manage to do that stitch this early on, you are definitely one up on me!