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Are you new to using rhinestones? If so, you may have noticed that rhinestones have their own unique unit of measurement. You may have seen sizes listed as 20ss or 30ss. While you are familiar with inches and millimeters, you’ve never encountered “ss” before. Since you don’t understand this term, you have no idea whether the rhinestone is large or small. Is there a way to translate rhinestone sizes into something recognizable?  History of Rhinestones To understand the abbreviation “ss”, we must go back in history to when rhinestones were a natural resource. Originally, sparkling quartz was found along the banks of the Rhine River, hence the name “rhinestones”. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their size by dropping them into different size holes. Each hole was assigned a number with smaller stones having smaller numbers. So, whichever hole number the quartz fit into became the stone size. Then, stone size became abbreviated to “ss” As years passed, this natural resource became depleted and manufacturers devised ways to replicate rhinestones. While today companies manufacture rhinestones, stone size is still the unit of measurement used.  Size Charts and Guides Typically, most rhinestone retailers will list the “ss” size alongside the “mm” or millimeter size. This enables you to check the size on a ruler. Many will also have a sizing guide with a picture illustrating the size of each rhinestone. Either of these should be able to assist you in choosing a rhinestone size. Keep in mind too that the larger the number assigned to the rhinestone the larger the crystal. So, a 34ss rhinestones will be a much larger rhinestone than 10ss. Generally too, the larger the rhinestones, the more expensive it is. Nevertheless, you will need less large size stones to cover an area. For example, to cover 1 square inch you will need only about 12 size 34ss rhinestones. While you will need about 67 size 12ss rhinestones to cover the same square inch. Rhinestone Sizes in Millimeters If rhinestone sizes still have you confused, let Rhinestones Etc help you! We have been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. We remember how it was when we first started with rhinestones and how confusing it all seemed. Moreover, we’d love to help you figure out what size and how many rhinestones you need. Contact us here with any questions. And now we're offering free shipping on your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code!
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Macramé is that craft using knotting techniques and some type of cord. Chiefly, common types of cord include cotton, linen, jute, leather or yard. Moreover, the craft is ancient, probably dating back to around 500 BC where the Persians and Syrians used it. From there it spread to other Arab countries, and then finally Western Europe. Today, macramé has become fashionable in jewelry making, mainly bracelets. To make a macramé bracelet, the crafter mainly uses square knots, weaving beads in between. Fancier bracelets use pave beads, which are beads covered in rhinestones. This tutorial shows you how to make a macramé bracelet with beads that is quick and easy.  How to Make a Macramé bracelet For this project you need: Cord in the following lengths: 2 ft, 4 ft, and 2 ft Beads - 5 size 12mm and 2 size 6mm Glue If you have a macramé board, insert one of the 2 ft pieces of cord in the slot. You'll want to leave about 8 inches hanging behind the board. Or you can use a clipboard as I did or simply tape the piece of cord to the table. Take the 4 ft cord and find the center by folding it in half. Place the center of this cord underneath the cord attached to your macramé board. If you are using a clipboard, or have taped the cord to the table, start about 8 inches down. Now you will begin making your square knots.  Take the left piece and cross it over the center cord.  Take the right piece and thread the end underneath both the left and center cords. Now, pull it up on through the left corner between the center cord and left cord. Pull to tighten. Repeat starting with the right cord crossing over the center cord. Then take the left cord, thread it underneath both right and center cords. Again, pulling it up, this time on the right corner between the center and right cord. You now have one square knot.  How to Add Beads to Your Macramé Bracelet Continue making square knots until you have 3 square knots. Take a bead and thread it through the center cord.  Slide to the bead so that it is up against the square knots. Make your next square knot around the bead. Again, continue knotting until you have made 3 knots. Slide another bead on and continue knotting. You can make your bracelet as long as you want, with most bracelets measuring 7 ½ inches. Seal the ends of the left and right cords using super glue, E6000 or some other super strong glue. Allow to dry. Snip the ends of the left and right cords close to the knots. Your bracelet should now look like this:  Form a circle out of your bracelet. One end of the center cord should face up and the other down.  You are now going to make the sliding clasp also using square knots. Take the remaining piece of 2 ft cord and fold it in half to find the center. Place the center underneath both center cords so that one end faces left and the other right. In the same manner as before, make 5 square knots.  Once you’ve made your 5 square knots, seal the ends of the knotting cord with glue. When dry, snip the ends of the cord close to the knots. Thread one of the 6mm beads onto the top center cord. Next, tie a knot about 2-3 inches away from the sliding clasp.  Do the same for the bottom center cord. Seal the ends of the cord with glue and let dry. Snip the ends of the cord close to the knot.  Your finished Macramé Bracelet with Beads These bracelets are easy and fun to make and look fabulous! You can experiment with more beads and fewer knots or different size beads and different types of cord. Try adding pave beads for some sparkle! Each macramé bracelet with beads will be a unique and fashionable piece of jewelry. Do you need some beads to start your macramé bracelet? Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones online for over 10 years with discount pricing and quality customer service. In addition to our stock of rhinestones, pearls, and metal trim, we now carry pave and clay beads. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above the get free shipping off your first purchase! |
Karen I have five kids and often feel like I am running a zoo. I love to craft and do so in whatever spare time I have. On your first purchase of quality embellishments from Rhinestones Etc.
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