Vol-019-2 Making Your Own Cord End Findings PcT Tutorial (Intro)
Video #135: “Oh Yeah! The more of a project I can do without going to the store for something, the better.” ~Ken-H
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** This post is an introduction to one of our paid tutorials.
It’s pretty much a given that when you make your own polymer clay beads and pendants, that you’ll also want to create finished jewelry pieces with them at some point. And in order to make polymer clay jewelry, you will need to have some jewelry findings.
But findings can be expensive. And sometimes it’s hard to source them in the size or metal color that you want for a particular jewelry project.
That is why it is so nice to be able to make some of your findings right there at your work table…. In the exact size and color that you want… for just the cost of a few pennies each.
“Would really love to learn how to make the cord ends. They are so expensive to purchase and sometimes even hard to find in the color of wire you want. I am very interested in any jewelry findings you could help me with. That is an area I will take all the help I can get. Cindy as far as I am concerned anything you want to teach will be more than worth learning. I don’t think that talented imagination of yours knows how to come up with something people wouldn’t love to learn. Count me in YOU TEACH AND I WILL TRY MY BEST TO LEARN IT!!!!!!!!” ~Peggy-B
“Please please please do a tutorial on cord ends! I have 4 sons and they all love surf bracelets just like you have shown. I would love the opportunity to make something for them and this is the only jewellery item that they would wear. It is getting very hot here (Australia) and surf bracelets made with polymer clay and embellished with Bali silver beads would be the perfect gifts at Christmas! Look forward to the tutorial.” ~Cara-L
“Yes please, a video!! … Now off to Home Depot for some copper wire ” ~Lisa-W
“I too would like a vid. As much as I love your clay videos, I also would like help in the areas of jewelry findings and design.” ~Carrie-W
“I know how to make wire cord ends however I think you should do a tutorial on it so everyone knows. I find it an invaluable thing to know!” ~Melinda-H
“Amassing so many beads that I’m really going to have to brush up on my jewellery making skills … Must admit to be struggling with all the different types of cording, cord ends and clasps and which wire goes with which.” ~Polyanya
“My biggest problem is figuring out how to put beads together in a finished project which is why I end up with “more beads and more beads and more beads”, they seem to multiply-Who new!!!” ~Anna-S
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I never knew making wire cord ends was so easy! Now I am making those surf bracelets for my sons and their friends also!! God knows I've made enough beads over the months and now they will have a purpose. Your tutorial is so clear and easy to follow as usual. All the best.
Cara L
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Hi Cindy, brilliant video. I've been doing wirework for a couple of years but have never run across instructions for cord ends. Had no idea they were so simple to do. Thanks so much. You're a great teacher.
Sue W
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I'm so impressed with your website, videos, and expertise. I'm a new clayer, but have been making jewelry for 20 years. I was planning to get involved soon, but when I saw that you had a video on making cord endings, I bought in, on the spot. They're perfect and so easy! I'm so proud of my first piece of polymer clay jewelry.
Linda K
Transcript coming soon...
Transcript coming soon...
Our goal is to translate these videos into as many languages as possible. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, then please do contact us and we will figure out a way to make it worth your while :)
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Hi Cindy! Many thanks for all the work you put into your presentations, newsletters and email responses. My question pertains to the Pandora-like bead video. You used a thin barrel clasp that fit thru the Pandora center. I have Googled High and Low for something like that and came up with a big fat NOTHING. Please help, Cindy! Can you tell me where you got them? Much appreciation!
Mary Clare
Thank you for your sweet words Mary! Unfortunately I bought those barrel clasps at a bead store close out, so I can’t point you in the right direction for finding more. I will keep an eye out for something similar and let you know if I find it.
What diameter cording was used in the video?
@Ken H: If you are talking about the leather cording Ken, it is 2mm diameter. Hope that helps!
@Cindy Lietz from Studio by Sculpey Glaze: Yes I was and it does, that was the largest I could get at Michaels the other day so I’m good, I’ve got everything to make the first project out of the beads I got from Carolyn during our visit. Will post photos when complete.
@Ken H: Can’t wait to see what you make with your gift Ken. With your talent and Carolyn’s beads I am sure Awesome, beautiful, inspirational, artistic, just in ahhh of your work will all fit in there somewhere.
Uuuuugggs, Peggy
Finally! I’ve got comments on this page already, but I’ve only just seen the video! I wish I could just buy all the back issues, but my (extremely small) budget won’t allow it. I just got the Vol-019 back issues, though, and I am really enjoying these videos. This cord ends tutorial is excellent, and so well-suited for polymer clay beads. Lots of us tend to make pendants, which look very good on all kinds of cord (leather, faux suede, satin, rubber, etc.) When you make a necklace, you need something on the ends so you can add a closure. These cord ends fit the bill!
They’re the perfect finish for a ribbon/cord necklace or bracelet; & they work perfectly! I just made a couple quite quickly (it’s something I can do w/o getting out of bed & hurting my back!) They work as advertised. Now if I can get back to making my polymer beads, I’ll be in business. I’m thinking maybe I should leave the other 2 videos for another day, so that I’ll keep my promise to myself to make the extruder flower cane tomorrow, whether it hurts my back or not! Hmmm, can I stay away from Cindy’s videos, when they’re sitting there — ready to be watched…?
I just realized that the cord ends at the top of the page have been shown on another post. Someone asked about how to make the black hook set at the top; well, Cindy did an article using these Copper Jewelry Hooks in a convertible necklace to hang Polymer Clay Bead Pendants.