WigJig Jewelry Making Newsletter for 7/25/2004

CANADIAN VENDORS:
In many countries we have reliable vendors selling our WigJig tools.  By clicking here you can view the international vendors selling our WigJig tools.  Unfortunately, we have not found a vendor in Canada.  We are continuing to search for one and when we have a Canadian vendor ready to sell our WigJig tools we will advertise that fact here in this newsletter.

ON SALE:
We update the jewelry supplies we have "On Sale" with every newsletter.  A small sample of the products we currently have for sale at a discount are shown below.  Please click on any of the text below the pictures to view our entire list of sale items.  Select the picture itself to view that specific item in our Internet store.  Quantities are limited for these items so please shop early.  This sale will be effective through August 6, 2004. 
 

6mm Square Swarovski Amethyst Beads

Earring Post with Loop and
4mm Ball Sterling Silver

3mm Sterling Silver Round Bead

1 Piece Earrings Online Book
 

Sterling Silver Round Curb
 Jewelry Making Chain
 

22G Natural Silver,
Silver-plated Artistic Wire
 

Jewelry Making Technique:
This weeks jewelry making technique is how to use Stretch Magic to make a simple bracelet.  Stretch Magic is great for making bracelets since it will stretch.  It allows you to make a bracelet only slightly larger than your wrist and yet still wear the bracelet by stretching it to get it over your hand.  The way to make a simple Stretch Magic bracelet is first to measure your wrist.  Cut a segment of Stretch Magic four inches longer than the length of your wrist.  Clamp one end of the Stretch Magic about 2 inches from the end. A plastic hemostat is a good tool to use to clamp the end.  Now string your beads onto the Stretch Magic from the opposite end until you have the length of your wrist covered in beads.  Once this is completed, it is a good idea to clamp the other end of the Stretch Magic so that you beads won't slip off. 

There are several ways to finish this bracelet.  The simplest way to finish this bracelet is to grasp both ends of the Stretch Magic in one hand and remove both hemostats.  Now using both hands tie a square knot in the Stretch Magic as close to the beads as possible. See the picture at right for how a square knot should appear.  Using Jeweler's Cement or other non-water soluble glue, place a drop of glue on the knot you just tied.  Once the glue is dried, cut the excess Stretch Magic, close to the knot.  The use of a drop of glue is very important as the Stretch Magic will not stay knotted with just the square knot alone.  Over time, without the glue, the knot will work itself loose and your bracelet will come apart sending beads everywhere. 

You can also finish a Stretch Magic bracelet by using Crimp Beads, Crimping Pliers, and commercial clasps.  After you have completed crimping the crimp beads it is also a good idea to tie a knot with the excess Stretch Magic close to the crimp and to glue this knot as described above.  For instructions on crimping visit here.

Stretch Magic is an easy way to make a bracelet, but you must consider that the stretching property requires special consideration.  In particular, the use of glue to fix any knot in Stretch Magic is essential.  For other directions on using Stretch Magic, visit here. 

Square Knot

Announcements:
Online Books.  If you are looking for new and interesting jewelry making projects -- try one of our Online Books.  Our most detailed jewelry making instructions are for sale online.  Please select here to view our selection of online books.  These books are delivered over the Internet and there are no shipping costs on an order with just online books. 

Shipping Policy.  We ship all retail orders over $60 for free within the US.  For International orders we ship via FED EX International and charge $34.95 (our average cost) for this expedited shipping service.  Please select here to view our entire shipping policy.

WigJig University.  We provide Over 1,500 web pages of free information, tips, techniques and free jewelry making designs in WigJig University.  We encourage everyone to view this information as a source for new ideas, projects, or a way to learn new techniques.  We now have a page in WigJig University that shows our designs by sorted by the WigJig tool used to make them.  Please select here to view that information. 

International Vendors.  We do have vendors who sell our WigJig products outside the US.  We encourage customers to contact these vendors in their home country.  Please select here to view our list of overseas vendors.

Classes.  We are still working to develop web pages showing who has jewelry making classes where.  If you are interested in classes, please select here.  If you know someone who has classes in using our WigJig tools, please ask them to send us an e-mail so that we can include them in these pages.  Please send the e-mails to custsrv@wigjig.com.