Totally Different Wire

A couple of days ago a friend called asking if I could make a certain style of necklace.  The style is totally new for me but I think it is something I will work with.  The pictures attached are the first 2 necklaces based on my friend's request.  Need to figure out earrings to go with them that contain matching elements but are still lite enough for earrings.  Maybe they will be the next post.

I think these necklaces are a blend of trend and art.  Large enough for today's bulky jewelry trend but with the staying power of art.  Lots of potential to create beautiful jewelry with themes, popular elements, and color combinations with a price point of $25 to $35.

I started this blog with the idea of reviewing the journey I've had down the path of jewelry creation.  It seems I have learned more since starting the blog than I had up until this time.  The more I have learned the more I want to learn and the easier/faster it seems to happen.  I have goals for more intricate wire work that I hope to share with you soon.

Hope you like these:

Focal bead from Bead Soup Swap

Owls, very popular right now, try to capitalize on the trend

Bead Soup Continued...

Here are the earrings to make the pink wire wrapped stone necklace a set.  They didn't turn out quite like I envisioned they would; but I like them.  The wire used for these pieces is very hard and that made it a little more difficult to manipulate, but I am pleased with the result.  I'm learning that "hand made" usually equals unique and that is a good thing; as planned is not always a priority.  This set will not be duplicated and most people like that fact.

Going to venture into a different style suggested by a friend using more of the bead soup stones; stay tuned for set number 3.

Jasvanti sent beautiful stones

Bead Soup Pieces

I participated in my first bead swap event a while back.  Part of the bead swap agreement was to make some pieces out of what was received and post them; so here are the results.  Note; there will be several more pieces made from Jasvanti's package; she sent so many beautiful beads and pendants.  I've finished a necklace/earring set and a necklace.  I'm posting because today is the reveal day and I don't want to miss it.  I will post the earrings that go with the second necklace as soon as I have them finished (hopefully later tonight or tomorrow).

Jasvanti, I hope you like what I made; what you sent offered so many possibilities.  Thank you again.  More to come.

Owls are popular and this one is super cute.

Beautiful pink stone to anchor the beads and clasp.

Wire Wrap Captured Stones

Again it has been a while since I've made a new post.  Have been working on several non jewelry related projects, research for a truck my husband is restoring (doing it for me, how cool is he), upkeep on rentals that have been vacated for a couple weeks, and a variety of things you have to do just because they need done.  Oh, then there was/is the getting my work room organized, new shelving, storage boxes that actually work. and filling the new space.  Time invested now to save me time in the future; I'm lovin' it.  Now I just need to exercise some self discipline and I should be back on track soon..  O.K. back to the focus of this blog; the latest step in my jewelry journey.

I think I mentioned before that I tend to put off what I haven't done before.  I get the materials, read the instructions, then I look at it for a few days before jumping into the project (another thing I need to get over and stop doing).  This time it was more getting to the end of the day and being too tired to start on a project I had never tried before.  So a couple days ago I tried my first captured stone wire wrap and was pleased with the results.  As is normal I learned a couple things in the process that I could do better next time, so I took a second run at it; liked the second one even better.  Please take a look at them and tell me what you think.  Am I ready to move on to a special project?  Your feedback is always appreciated.

First try, stone is about 1" x 1.5"

Purple stone, Pink wire

Second piece

The stone is about 1: x 1 1/4"

Promote Yourself

I had an appointment this morning to donate blood.  Something I've done for years with varying regularity.  (Insert encouragement to donate blood here.)  This morning I did something different; a double red cell donation.  This takes at least twice as long as a regular donation.  Well, there wasn't much to do but chat with the Red Cross techs for about 30 minutes.  Early on the conversation turned to jewelry and gave me opportunity to do a little promoting.  I had my tablet with me and was able to show them some pictures and explain what kind of jewelry I make.  I passed out 4 cards; one to the man who was in line after me to pass to his wife.  Now four more people have my Facebook Fan Page, this blog, and my website URL.  Whether there will be any sales as a result or not; no way to know right now, but there are 4 more chances out there.  Hopefully they will be reading this post and, if so; know that I appreciate the opportunity to show them some of my work.  As you go through each day, take opportunities to tell people about yourself and what you do.  Have fun and enjoy the journey.

Below are a few pieces I've been having fun with.  Leave me a note to tell me what you think they are made of.  I hope you'll be surprised.

When the technique was new to me.

A fun pendant

Size perspective

Pieces that will become necklace and earring sets.

Bead Soup

Completed my first experience with bead swapping.  Well, not quite complete.  Shipped and received beads; now I need to decide what to make.  Lots of choices.  I opened the package and my reaction was WOW!  Took the box when I met a friend for lunch, exact same reaction; WOW!  Thank you Jasvanti.  I'm so looking forward to creating something beautiful with the soup you sent. 

Presentation amazing, it was better before I "rearranged"

The beads out of the box, beautiful!

Got Brave

I find the hardest part of learning anything new is getting up the courage to take the first step.   This was true of me when I decided to venture into more than simple wire wrap pieces.   I was intrigued by the look but intimidated by the process.  Which type of wire to use, what color wire, should I add some bling, would the end result be what I envisioned.   What I finally realized is that I would never learn if I didn't try; so I took a deep breath and started measuring and cutting wire.  What I quickly found was that it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and when something didn't work it was not a big deal to start again.   The materials did not have to be expensive and the time was invested in improving my skills, not wasted.  The last post had my first try at combining elementary weaving with wrapping.  That wasn't so hard but I needed to do more; rings were somewhere I had hesitated to go so I decided that would be a good next step.  I followed the directions and quickly realized I could make a couple adjustments that would make the finished product a little more to my liking and even a little easier to make.  My point; give it a try and you will learn quickly.  What do you think, OK for my first shot at a ring?  I am enjoying working with wire and will be trying Viking Knit and some other more delicate, intricate pieces in the near future.