Tutorials

Table of Contents

Snapseed Tutorials

Snapseed Healing Tool

Your Step by Step Tutorial on How to Use the Snapseed Healing Tool. 

Snapseed is a free app available on both Android and IOS devices. It’s layout is nearly identical on both devices. I am not an affiliate, I just really like this tool. 

Step One: Select a Practice Picture.

I know that one seems obvious, but I suggest selecting photo that:

  1. Has item or items that need to be edited out. 
  2. Has good photo quality. Most smart phones take excellent pictures. (Yay for technology!)

Step Two: Upload your photo into Snapseed. 

If you have never used the Snapseed App before then this step is for you. 

Simply open the app and follow the prompts to upload photos from your phone or device 

Now get ready to edit. 

Step Three: Locate You Healing tool. 

  1. Open the tool button on the bottom of the app and click on your healing tool.
  2. Zoom in. You want to have as much detail, or pixels, to work with as possible. 
  3. After you have zoomed in move the healing tool over the item you wish to remove by using one finger to gently touch the image.
  4. Note: you will need to use two fingers to zoom in and out and move the image around. 

If you mess up no worries, just hit the back button and try again. 

That’s it. Super easy. 

I hope this video has been helpful. Feel free to refer to this tutorial as often as needed. 

Have a wonderful day and Happy Healing. 

Snapseed Tutorial Using The Selective Tool

Your Step By Step Tutorial on How to Use Snapseed Selective tool.

Snapseed is a free app available on both Android and IOS devices. It’s layout is nearly identical on both devices. I am not an affiliate, I just really like this tool. 

Step One: Add Filter to Photo

After you upload a photo you can add a filter to your picture. This may be all you need, but if it still isn’t feeling quite right then head to your tools. 

Step Two: Select the Selective Tool. 

In the Selective Tool you have

  1. Brightness
  2. Contrast
  3. Saturation
  4. Structure

You select one of these four tools within the selective tool by touching next to the letter and hold then swipe up or down. 

Once your tool is selected use the bar at the top to increase or decrease to tool, i.e. you can increase or decrease the brightness of an area. 

Step Three: Determine the area to be edited. 

To see what area of the photo will be affected by the tool simply use two fingers to move in and out. The red areas are those that will be affected by one of the tools. 
 
You will also see as you move the letter of the tool around it will give you a magnifier so as to place the edits in specific spots.

Step Four: Work in small areas

For best results work in small areas in small batches. 
 
To zoom in, tap away from the letter. It will then turn from blue to white. You can then zoom into the photo. Tap the letter again to reactivate the tool.  
 
Step Five: Cut and Paste
Once you have some of your edits established tape on the tool, select the copy. 
 
This will allow you to past the same edit (brightness, contrast, saturation, structure) to various parts of the photo.
 
This will let you quickly edit your photo. 
 
NOTE: You can only apply eight (8) selective tool edits at a time. But you can layer as much as you need by simply going in and out of the tool. 
 
Hit the check mark to save edits and select the selective tool again to add more layers of edits, or you can select another tool to edit your photo. 
 
That’s it. This tool is a little more complicated than some of the others. It does take some practice and patience but once you have played with it for a bit I’m sure you’ll find it as useful as I do.
 
Happy Editing 
 

Jewelry Tutorials

Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Rose Ring sitting on the fore finger of right hand
Photo By Kay McWhorter

How To Measure Your Ring Size

Do you know your ring size? If not, know that you are not alone, few people know their ring sizes. 

Keep in mind:  ring sizes can change from day to day depending on diet, weather, weight gain or loss, and time of day. 

Note: Your fingers tend to swell during the day, so measure in the afternoon.

If you are one of the many who are unsure of your ring size, then here is a quick and easy way to learn with a few items! 

Things You’ll Need:

  • Seamstress Measuring tape or a Ruler
  • A thin strip of paper (if using ruler)

 Directions: 

  1. Cut a thin strip of paper (if using ruler)
  2. Wrap the measuring tape or paper around the base of your finger.
  3. Mark the spot where the measuring tape meets.
    • Or where the paper meets, and measure the distance with your ruler.

Use the following chart to determine your ring size.  Half sizes will fall in between.

  • 1 13/16 inches  = Size 4
  •  1 15/16 inches = Size 5
  •  2 1/16 inches   = Size 6
  •  2 1/8 inches     = Size 7
  •  2 1/4 inches     =  Size 8
  •  2 5/16 inches   = Size 9
  •  2 7/16 inches   = Size 10
  •  2 9/16 inches   = Size 11
  • 2 5/8 inches      = Size 12

If you don’t have any of the items listed above, then stop by a jewelry counter and ask them to measure your ring finger. Write it down and update as needed.

 

How to Make A Wire Hoop with Spiral Bail

HOW TO MAKE A WIRE HOOP WITH SPIRAL BAIL: YOUR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS. 

This post may contain affiliate links.

Always wanted to make your own pendant or matching earrings set but not sure how? 

Or maybe something larger to hang on the wall? 

Then this tutorial is for you. By the end of this tutorial you’ll be able to make a hand made hoop with a decorative spiral bail. 

Let’s Get Started.

Materials Needed

Step One: Making the Bail

  1. Take the end of the wire and fit it into the third notch on your round nose pliers.
  2. Loop it around the pliers then bend it back around and straighten the wire. 
  3. You should now have a perfect little hoop.
  4. Next place wire in the second notch, pinching just above the hoop, with the hoop facing up.
  5. Bend at a ninety degree angle.

Step Two: Make the Hoop

  1. Place hoop with the 90 degree angel against the wire mold (can use a mandril or medicine bottle. No Glass). Wrap the wire around the mold and hook it around loop pulling as tight as you can.
  2. Wrap three times.
  3. Then Cut up with about an inch of wire left making a tail.

Step Three: Making the spiral bail. 

  1. Take round nose pliers and make a small loop at the end of the one inch tail.
  2. Use the flat head groovy pliers to pinch the loop tight.
  3. Use the tool magic coated pliers to pinch the base snug then start to spiral the loop. 
  4. The spiral takes some practice, so be sure to practice a lot.

Step Four: Work Harden. 

You may be tempted to skip this step but don’t! This is the step that will force the copper to hold it’s shape. 

  1. Place the hoop back on your mold and use your hammer to tape on the metal.
  2. This will harden the copper wire forcing it to keep the shape you’ve created. 
  3. Next harden the inside of the hoop:
    1. Place hoop on a hard surface, such as a small jewelry anvil, and give it a few gentile taps.
    2. Be sure to tap all around including the top bail loop and your spiral.
    3. Flip over and repeat. 

It only takes a few taps to harden the metal, so don’t get carried away. 

Congratulations!

You’ve created a copper wire hoop. Now you can make a tree of life, or a dream catcher or whatever you want.

Be sure to refer to this tutorial as often as needed. 

Happy Jewelry Making with Kay at Dancing Tree Gifts.

How To Add A Clasp and Tail Extension To A Chain 

Your Step by Step Tutorial On Finishing or Repairing A Chain Necklace

This post may contain affiliate links

It happens to us all. You go to put on your favorite necklace and the clasp breaks. Or worse it breaks while you’re wearing the necklace causing it to fall, hopefully into your shirt and not on the ground. Either way, the necklace is now broken, and you have a choice. 

Fix the necklace or let it live out it’s years as a broken relic in your jewelry box. 

If this situation sounds familiar then this tutorial is for you. Here you will learn which tools to use, the correct method for opening and closing your jump rings.  

Ready? Let’s get started! 

Step 1: Gather your supplies. 

For this tutorial you will need the following supplies:

For your convenience I’ve added links to the supplies I’ve used.

Lay your necklace on your workbench with the pendant at the top with the end chains closer to you 

Step Two: Open the Jump Rings

  1. Using both pliers, use a gentle twisting motion to open the jump rings. Open both, setting one aside. 

Step Three: Add Clasp

Here you can choose to make your necklace a left or right handed clasp. As I am right hand dominant I’ll demonstrate putting the chain on the right. To make it a left handed clasp simply attach clasp to the left side of the chain. 

  1. Using your pliers, pick up the chain and one of the open jump rings. Loop jump ring  through the end chain, then through the loop on the clasp. 
  2. Use pliers to gently close the jump ring. 

At this point you can add the other jump ring to the necklace chains opposite end and be done. 

But if you’re like me and like to vary the length of your necklaces you’re going to want to add a tail chain. 

Step Four: Adding the Tail Chain 

In this tutorial I am using a peanut chain to add length to my necklace with the use of a tail chain. It’s called a peanut chain due to the peanut-like shape of the loops. 

  1. Using your measuring tape, measure out a desired extension length that is just right for you. 
  2. Using your pliers gently twist open the peanut chain. This will detach it from the rest of the chain leaving you with your tail chain. Gently pinch shut. 
  3. Loop remaining jump ring through both the necklace chain end and the peanut chain. 
  4. Gently pinch close. 

Step Five: Attaching Optional Signature Stamp. 

A signature stamp is a simple way to add a professional look to your work. You can add this to your necklace while you are assembling or later. 

  1. Prepare Signature Stamp by using one of the smaller loops from the excess tail chain. Open loop and connect to tail chain, pinch close.
  2. If adding during Step Four: Loop Signature through jump ring before closing jump ring. 
  3. If adding Signature Stamp after assembly: Carefully open jump ring, loop the Signature Stamp loop through. Gently close jump ring. 

Bonus Step: A Decorative Tail. 

I like to add a decorative touch to the peanut chain tail. I’ve pre-assembled an amber gemstone with beads. These decorative touches are optional. 

  1. Choose or assemble a decorative ending. 
  2. Using a small jump ring, or if the decoration as a loop use that. Loop on to the end of the peanut chain. 
  3. Gently close 

As Simple As That

Now you have completed or repaired your chain necklace. Feel free to refer to this tutorial as often as needed. Or watch the video above and follow along. 

Happy Jewelry Making with Kay at Dancing Tree Gifts.