by Roni Johnson

Raspberry Red, Imagine’s color of the month, is the perfect color for February! It is such a bright, vibrant cheery color and it also inspires fond memories of summertime fun. Just a few simple steps using Tsukineko’s new VersaFine Clair, clear and sparkle embossing powders and copper tubing to create stunning one of a kind beads all your own. Nothing more satisfying than a DIY piece of jewelry for yourself or as a gift for someone you love. VersaFine Clair ink has a lovely translucent quality when combined with the embossing powders will yield a look resembling the sugary outer coating of a candied apple. This unique quality allows the warmth and beauty of the copper to shine through.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 45 minutes

Directions

Step 1

Uncoil the copper tubing and straighten. The ¼” copper tubing is very soft and easy to manipulate.

Step 2

Mark out desired bead size. The beads for this example are ½” pieces.

Step 3

Use a tube cutter to cut out the individual beads. Tubing cutters are very simple to operate. Place the tubing in the groove between the two wheels; tighten the tube up against the blade with the screw handle; twist the cutter around the tubing one full rotation. Tighten the screw a quarter turn or until the tube is once again tight. Twist the cutter one full rotation and repeat. ¼” copper tubing can usually be cut in 2-3 rotations. This entire operation takes only 30-45 seconds per bead.

Step 4

Cut the desired number of beads. A total of seven beads were used for this example.

Step 5

Place a tube bead over the end of a paintbrush or a wooden chopstick. Make sure that is heat resistant. Roll the copper bead over the Tulip Red VersaFine Clair ink pad.

Step 6

Dip the inked bead into clear embossing powder. If you’re worried about cross contamination, sprinkle some powder into a shallow dish or embossing tray and dip into the powder.

Step 7

Heat the embossing powder to melt; let the bead cool. Repeat steps 6, 7 & 8 for the second layer of clear embossing powder on the tube bead. Once the bead has cooled, roll it across the ink pad once again. Dip the inked bead into sparkle embossing powder. Melt the powder with a heat tool. Roll the bead round and round until the molten powders have cooled, approximately 30-45 seconds.

Step 8

Gently slip the bead off the paintbrush and let it continue to cool standing up on the craft mat. Gather necessary findings and assemble bracelet or other pieces of jewelry as desired.

Enjoy!

Supplies

Imagine

• VersaFine Clair – Tulip Red
• Embossing Powder – Clear, Sparkle
• Craft Mat

Other

• ¼” Copper Tubing
• Tubing Cutter 
• Beadalon – Wire, Jump Rings, Crimp Beads, Spacers
• Glass Beads
• Jewelry Pliers
• Heat Tool