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Beader’s dictionary


F

FACETTED (See products)

A facet is a flat surface of an object that has several. Stones that are cut and that do not have cabochon cuts are covered with facets. The cut of a stone improves its shine and luster depending on the lights movement on the stone. Thus each facet is oriented in an angle that allows for the light to circulate in the stone and improve its shine. The stone is then said to be facetted. Although, some stones and beads are facetted simply for the look.

FEATHERS (See products)

Various types of feathers are used in fashion jewelry. They are light and quite sizable. According to their color and length, they can bring an edge of madness to a jewel, or at the opposite, make it more dramatic. Some feathers are dyed to make them more vivid or to give them artificial colors. Feathers can be integrated to a jewel with a connector or crimp bead and they can be glued or even tangled in the wire. They are easily cut with scissors. Feathers are formed with barbs attached to both sides of the rachis (central shaft of the feather). The feathers can be used whole or the barbs can be detached for a different use. The longest feathers are those of the wings or tail and they are referred to as "pennae". These feathers are often those used for fashion jewelry. There are a multitude of different feathers, either dyed or natural.

Hen (See products)

The hen's feathers resemble the rooster's, except that they are shorter and rounder. They can be dyed easily, so they are found in a variety of colors. They can be used as a whole or cut to keep only the tip.

Mallard duck (See products)

Mallard duck or wild duck is the most famous of all ducks. The colors of the male's feathers vary from gray-brown to white (bluish highlights) and its head is of an iridescent green (during the breeding season only). The plumage of the female is more discreet, a rather dotted beige-brown. Both males and females have, as juveniles, a blue band edged with white on their wings. We see this band only when their wings are fully extended. The mallard duck's feathers are made to repel the water and they are oily to remain waterproof. Thus, those feathers are slightly stiffer than the ostrich feathers or the peacock's. The feather can be used as a whole or the tip can be used on its own. It can also be cut. Down feathers of the mallard are more delicate.

Ostrich (See products)

The ostrich feathers come from the same-named bird, a ratite bird (bird runner who cannot fly) from Africa. The ostrich uses its feathers to retain its balance and trajectory while it runs. The feathers of male are black or white, while those of the female are gray. Ostrich feathers are composed of barbs that resemble small feathers themselves. These barbs are mostly used in the manufacture of jewelry. Ostrich feathers were often used to decorate accessories, costumes and for the manufacture of feather dusters. A little bit of history: Henry IV wore white ostrich feathers on his hat. The Egyptian goddess of justice Maat is represented with a feather on her head as, at the time of their death, the heart of mortals should not be heavier than that ostrich feather.

Peacock (See products)

Peacock are birds originating from India, their tail’s feathers can reach a length of 1.5 meters. Altogether, a bird's train (or tail feathers) may comprise between 100 and 150 feathers. They have the most majestic feathers. The tail’s feathers are made of a number of tiny barbs that grow from both sides of the rachis (main shaft) and ending at the tip by a ocellus (rounded spot like an eye). The ocellus is the most used in jewelry, and it can be used in full, be cut, sectioned, etc. For a more discreet effect, feather barbs can also be detached from the rachis for a separate use.

Pheasant (See products)

The term pheasant refers to several species, however, it mostly refers to the ring-necked pheasant or common pheasant. This is a bird that has a long tail, quite similar to a chicken. The feathers of the male are found in shades of beige, orange, red, brown to green (on the head), while the female (or pheasant hen) is simply beige or mottled brown. The tail feathers of the male are long, straight and covered with black lines. Their feathered collar is easily recognizable by its golden color, its triangular shape and the border of black stripes.

Rooster (See products)

The rooster's feathers are quite long, flexible and thin at one end. They can be dyed easily, so they are found in a variety of colors. They can be used as a whole or cut to keep only the tip.

FELDSPAR

Gemstone family that includes several varieties of gemstones such as moon stones, labradorite, amazonite, rhodocrosite and rhodonite. Its name comes from the German words “feld” which means field and “spalten” which means split: multi-bladed fieldstone.

FILIGREE (See products)

In jewelry making, filigree is a piece made of strings or thin bands or metal interlaced that provide metal with an embroidered aspect. The strings can be welded together or on a bottom plate. This technique requires a tremendous amount of meticulousness and patience, which allows the pieces to be real artwork pieces. Nowadays, many products are duplicated using casting and are given a filigree aspect. A little bit of history: The filigree technique appeared in Etruria (Etruscan territory which is now Tuscany, Italy) in the middle of the VIIIth century BC.

FIMO (See products)

Fimo is a trademark of polymer clay. This brand first appeared in 1954, invented by Sophie Rehbinder-Kruse and known under the name “Fimoik”. In 1978, the idea is bought by Staedtler (well known for their pencils and erasers). At that time, Staedtler offered the clay in 15 colors, however, they broaden the range bit by bit until they offered 72 different colors and a range of tools and accessories. There are now different several kinds available; Fimo Classic, Fimo Soft, Fimo Effect and Fimo Air.

Fimo Classic (See products)

Polymer clay that can be fashioned and baked per the packaging's instructions. This clay has a rubbery aspect when baked and can be slightly bended without breaking. The FIMO CLASSIC product line offers a vast array of colors specifically designed to be mixed together. The possible shades of color are endless! As this clay is a bit harder to condition than others, premixing it is a necessary step before fashioning it. This clay sticks really well to other materials before it’s baked. It is even more flexible when fresh out of the oven and hardens while cooling. It is ideally used for more advanced projects.

Fimo Effect (See products)

Polymer clay that can be fashioned and baked per the packaging's instructions. The FIMO EFFECT clay is a good complement to the FIMO CLASSIC and FIMO SOFT clays. This line of product offers different color effects, stone, metallic, transparent, sparkling and phosphorescent. It is flexible, malleable and is fashioned like the FIMO SOFT clay.

Fimo Professional (See products)

Polymer clay that can be fashioned and baked per the packaging's instructions. This clay has a rubbery aspect when baked and can be slightly bended without breaking. The Fimo Professional product line offers a vast array of colors specifically designed to be mixed together. The possible shades of color are endless! As this clay is a bit harder to condition than others, premixing it is a necessary step before fashioning it. This clay sticks really well to other materials before it’s baked. 85g (3 oz) packaging.

Fimo Soft (See products)

Polymer clay that can be fashioned and baked per the packaging's instructions. The FIMO SOFT clay is very flexible, easily malleable but can become sticky when exposed to strong heat or excessive manipulation. It is more flexible and more malleable than the FIMO CLASSIC clay but it’s less resistant once baked. This clay can easily be mixed with the FIMO CLASSIC, which can allow for different shades of color and an intermediate consistency. Ready to use, this clay requires no premixing. It can be use to create shades or to make millefiori. It is an ideal clay to fashion.

FINDING

Findings also called finishing accessories, are parts used for the structure or as a base in jewelry making. These elements can be manufactured or handmade, decorative or simply functional. This category of accessories includes clasps, connectors, splitters, eye pins, head pins (nails), single rings, double rings, crimp beads, cones, squeeze beads and knot covers. In short, everything that is considered a basic element or a finishing element is called a finding. Some findings are available in stainless steel, aluminum, sterling silver, titanium or gold (vermeil and gold-filled).

FINGER RING TROBOULET

Aluminum calibrated conical tool that can measure rings, shape them into the right size or hammer them if needed. There are plastic, wood, steel and aluminum finger ring mandrels. Wooden or plastic mandrels are used to measure and make rings out of flexible metals (aluminum, cooper) whereas, steel mandrels can also be used to hammer metal that are more rigid such as sterling silver, gold, etc. Aluminum mandrels can also be used to hammer flexible metal strings (copper, aluminum) but it is possible that the hammer leaves markings on the mandrel. It is important to make sure that the mandrels material is harder than that of the surface that is to be hammered.

FISH HOOK MAKER (See products)

Tool used to easily make earring hooks using metal wires. Thus, it enables to always make identical hooks in a color and wire that match the rest of the earrings. For a flexible wire such as copper, ideally you would choose a caliber 20 wire. For the finishing touch of the hook’s tip, use the wire rounder tool.

FLUORITE

Fluorite is a transparent to translucent stone that can be found in any color. It’s a calcium fluoride. It often presents different colors divided in areas. The most common ones found in fashion jewelry come in the following colors : violet, green and clear yellow. Most deposits are in Germany, England, Argentina, Myanmar, the United-States, France, the republic of Namibia and Switzerland. There are also synthetic fluorite that can be found in any colors.

FOIL

Thin layer of metal that is applied on the back of some beads, stones or crystals to heighten their shine. When making glass beads, a silver foil is inserted in the middle of the bead to provide it with a metallic aspect. The Murano glass is made using this technique. The silver foil can be replaced by aluminum foil for a less costly alternative.

FRENCH KNITTING TOOL (See products)

Tubular tool that enables circular knitting and makes knitted tubes. It includes a knitting needle that has a notch and a hollow cylinder equipped with 4 hooks. While knitting, the string is moved by the needle and successively winds around the four hooks. The knitted thread thus falls down slowly in the middle of the knitting tool up until the desired length. It can be used with flexible cords such as cotton, silk, wool and copper. To vary the results, it is possible to thread beads on the string and to incorporate it to the knitting tool or to insert beads in the middle of the knitting tool. The word spool refers to the technique called spool knitting and also designates the tool that is used.

FRENCH WIRE (See products)

The french wire is a finding that protects wires from friction caused by the clasp. It is a very thin metal wire, forming a spring, or a flexible tube, in which a flexible wire is inserted. Thus, the finishing of jewelry is more resistant. The french wire is available in different sizes and in different colors.

FRIENDLY PLASTIC (See products)

Friendly Plastic® is a light, flexible plastic that is easy to use and 100% non-toxic. It can be found as 7" x 1 ½ " strips that can be cut using scissors. The strips are available in many different colors and finishes. Friendly Plastic® can be shaped, textured and allows to make pretty personalized patterns. How to use it? Simply heat the Friendly Plastic® to soften it and shape it as you wish. It can be heated in the oven, with a heat gun, on an electric stove filled with water or in hot water. It takes about 1-4 minutes to cook. This product is non-toxic, it does not create fumes and can be cooked several times. Once softened it can be manipulated by hand or using tools such as the Friendly Plastic® comb, the hard wood shaping toolor the bead rollers. It is not recommended to expose it to direct sunlight.