How to make Ceramic Beads and Buttons

Good morning! I just updated the Jennifer Jangles Shop as well as the Jangles Etsy Shop with all sorts of ceramic goodies. When I was mentioning it on Facebook the other day, someone asked me about the process. I realized these days I talk so much about sewing that there are probably lots of you folks who would like to know about my process of making my ceramic items goes. Here we go, I will walk you through step by step.

I start by rolling out clay to cut out buttons and pendants. The edges are rounded and smoothed by hand so they don't chip once they are out of the kiln. I hand form all of the three dimensional beads as well.

If the beads and buttons are flat, they are sandwiched in-between two plaster boards to prevent warping as they dry.

After a couple days of drying, the beads go into the kiln and are fire to almost 2000 degrees F. This is called the bisque firing.

They come out bright white and no longer brittle. They are ready for glazing.

I used underglazes to paint my beads. They are like paints where they can be layered and they don't move in the firing.

The beads and buttons are out on skewers while I paint them. This way I can get all sides with glaze.

After they are all underglazes. I put a clear coat of glaze on top of the pieces. This is what makes them shiny. But when they go in to the kiln, they are all pink, the glaze isn't clear yet.

This time when the beads and buttons go in to the kiln they can't touch anything. The clear glaze runs and will stick to anything it touches. So everything is suspended on a wire in the firing.

The kiln fires for about seven hours and then it has to cool completely before you can open it. I crack the lid once it's getting to cooler to speed the process up a little.

Now they are all shiny and bright and ready to be unloaded.

I put them on a tray and then they are ready to be sorted, put on cards, and photographed for the shop.

This is my book, Ceramic Bead Jewelry, that teaches you the process in detail if it's something you want to learn. You can find it on Amazon.

Have a great day!

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New Jewelry and Kits

Hey, Hey, Happy Spring! New jewelry and kits are arriving in the Etsy shop. They were in the newsletter last week, so if you're a subscriber you might have seen them there. I've been making lots of spring colored jewelry and beads. I am lovin gold these days with these lighter colors.

Did you see the handy dandy visual guides for jewelry making? You can Pin them or print them here.

Next on my list is a bracelet made with these flowers...

Happy Spring!

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Eye Candy

Eye Candy....that's all I've got for today. I am busy getting ready for the Puget Sound Bead Festival and filling lots of orders. I am heading out to the studio to glaze away. Enjoy these necklaces, they are bright and cheerful.

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Jennifer Jangles

Buyers Market of American Craft

I made it! It never fails, it's always an adventure getting to the Buyers Market. The weather in Philadphia in February is always challenging. Yesterday was no different. It was only a half hour delay in theirport and then a half hour of sittng at the gate, so I can't complain. Last year my flight was changed three times and they lost my luggage.

I am here and almost set up. Just need to tag my jewelry and get it out. The show conists of around 1000 artists of all mediums. Its such a fun show to walk. Theres is so much creativity. I almost like to walk the show today during set up just as much. The artists are just as creative with the set up as they are with there product For instance, I have a 10 by 10 booth. I have flooring, walls, lights, and display pieces to get t the show. I manage to ship one small box and carry the rest on theplane. I usually have a different display every year. This year I used foam core to make display pieces for my jewelry. Of course I don't have a picture because I couldn't bring my camera. Not enough space!

The photo is a picture of the floor a couple of years ago. My booth is just out of the photo in the bottom right hand corner. Darn it, I didn't make it in the picture. But it gives you an idea of where I am this week.

It's nice to be surrounded with people who all have the same job as I do. You know, I spend most of my days at home in my sweats glazing beads and talking to my dog! These people do the same thing and it's nice to catch up, have some good food, and take some orders. This way I get to go home and get back in my sweats to make more beads!

My Book

It's an exciting day in the world of Jangles! I got the color proofs of my book! This is the final step before the book goes to the printer. I am so excited. So those of you who don't know, it's titled "Ceramic Bead Jewelry". It's being published by Lark Books and it will be out at the beginning of June.

My book covers everything you need to know to make all kinds of wonderful ceramic beads. The book covers all types of decorating processes, like raku, underglazes, chalks, slips, and, more. And if that isn't enough, I also have 30 jewelry projects in the book all with full page photos and complete instructions. The folks at Lark Books have done an amazing job with the layout and look of the book, I couldn't be happier.

As you can tell, I am so excited about this book! I think you'll love it too.
Jennifer