Search results matching tag 'wire'

Friday Highlights from the Subscriber Gallery: Round 2, Jill's choice

Jill Erickson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Time flies! I'm up again to choose three favorite posts from our online Subscriber Gallery. I'm going for a theme here this week that I like to call, Keep on a-Rockin' it (work that incorporates some kind of stone in its design).

From the Wire/chain mail gallery: "Basia Mille" by Aden Angier. This necklace shows off a polished drop chalcedony, and a pair of faceted blue topaz stones. Simple and elegant.

From the Metal Clay gallery: Patrik Kusek's wrapped jasper pendants. Patrik is firing the metal clay with the stones in place!

From the Metals gallery: A lovely brooch by Monika Roos. The use of mixed metals in cool and warm colors provide a striking complement to the lapis focal stone.

Keep posting your work. The gallery "doors" are always open for new submissions! Happy Friday, Jill :)

Merry All the Time (Hollow Bead)

shaktipaj — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:21:07 GMT

I had a commisioned trade with a friend fro this one - she gave me free rein and lots of time - I'm very glad she did! I was stuck after the two halves in the second shot, and it took me a while to work out what I wanted for the center, as well as how to achieve it.

The finished bead is 2.25in. by 1.0 in. - a larger focal. She wants me to 'cook' it -that means an LOS treatment, LOL. I think that is a good idea - more detail and drama in the piece. The photos are quick 'n dirty, plus I was trying out a weird grainy texture, almost newsprinty. I'll stick to the basics next time....

So anyway - any thoughts or questions?

Perri

Collar Necklace

Ranyen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:44:31 GMT

Hi everyone. I have just moved into started making my own jewellry from Lapidary. I started to work with Silver (as that is what I wear) with some beadwork. I am getting married in a few years and was thinking about my bridal jewellry.

I was considering a thin Collar necklace that circles 3/4 of the neck with the gap sitting on the back of the neck in White Gold for myself and 2 in 9ct Gold for my 2 bridemaids using Wire. The pendant I will use a stone that contrasts the colour of my bridesmaid dresses that I can cut & shape myself.

I know that memory wire is usually used for these types of necklaces but I wasn't sure if I could use Gold for these types as I didn't know if it is flexible enough to pull slightly open to get it on the neck but hard enough to keep the shape.

As mentioned, I have just started and not too sure of the proper name of it. If this doesn't pan out, I still have a few years to find something else to think of! Also, I have found the PDF of the Swirling Leaf Necklace. I was thinking that if I can't to what I originally thought, I might be able to modify that one.

Thanks for your help.

Re: Introduction

realtychik — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:46:14 GMT

Hiya,

This is a great group for inspiration and information. Hope you really enjoy. I'm a copper lover too and look forward to seeing what you are doing with it.

Lois

Re: How do you do it?? Respect for wire wrappers

shaktipaj — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:56:15 GMT

I think this is a dang good start! Very neat for a first try, and that is saying something. Most Firsts in wire are a tangly mess in one way or another. Perhaps the fiddly bits are what dampen your enthusiasm. I say go for some very simple fully wrapped rings - the ones that teach you spirals and what the wire likes to do and then resists.

Doing wire is not like doing other metal work - Wire has so many qualities that are similar but not quite exactly like other mediums - but they are enough alike that beginners initially expect the similes and metaphors to hold exactly. One of the most popular is that wire is like thread - but that is one reason beginners break wire due to work hardening. They forget that wire is not as flexible or elastic as thread - it doesn't arc gently all the way into a small loop unless handled very specifically - it kinks, and that will lead to hardening and breakage.

When you think that you have a model for working with wire that helps you understand how to manipulate it, by all means, use it. We all use existing models to help us figure out new techniques. But be careful that you don't allow that helping model to replace noticing what is different, so that you can move past it, on to better things. Different mediums require different philosophies for approaching the work - this one does, too.

Keep on keeping on! You will get it if you want it! I do appreciate the compliments you have paid to all of us as wire workers!

Perri

GRAND OPENING

Nix Creations — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:39:45 GMT

I have created a new site for my work. Feel free to check it out. I work with several mediums and techniques.

www.thegearheadfactory.com

Matthew Nix

Re: EYEBALL Wire Wrap Pendant

shaktipaj — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:10:49 GMT

Pretty good for your first time, Matthew. With all your experience, I'm sure you'll figure out a way to close the gaps and neaten weave on the next one! I'll second the vote for VanDyke's taxidermy - The quality is fantastically eery. I have one of Bobbi's rings - they are a perfect combination of freaky weird and gorgeous, at a very reasonable price for the quality in workmanship. :^))))

Re: Matte finish on wire?

Addie Kidd — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:21:57 GMT

Hmm, I think I'd just take a Scotchbrite pad, fold it around the wire, and pull the wire through it a few times. They usually give me a nice matte finish.

Good luck!

~Addie~

Re: looking for 18K rose gold soft wire

WiredByDia — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:59:16 GMT

Hello,

Based on the previous posting I checked out Pasternak Findings and made a purchase. I just received my first order of rose gold wire from Pasternak and I am very unhappy with the quality. I purchased three gauges of dead soft gold-fill. One of the gauges is by far the worst wire I have ever had shipped to me. The condition of the wire is such that it looks like it has been used before or was recovered from the bottom of a bin. Even worse, there are dark and rough patches all over it making it look like either the quality of the gold or the processing of the is substandard. The condition of the other two gauges is better, but the quality of the gold or processing is suspect due to variation in the color of the gold in patches. I cannot use any of this wire in my jewelry due to its poor quality. I will be repackaging this for return shipment. I’m worried that I will lose out on shipping expenses as this company is in Israel. Pending the outcome of the return of the order I cannot recommend purchasing from this company.

Far East

Art Jewelry Magazine — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:54:00 GMT

“I’ve always been a fan of Japanese watercolors and prints,” says Jeffrey Lloyd Dever. “This brooch afforded me the opportunity to combine my take on Japanese aesthetics with my fascination with the natural world.” Dever’s Far East brooch is made of polymer clay, wire, and beading cable. 5 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄4 x 3⁄4 in. (14 x 5.7 x 1.9 cm). Photo by Gregory R. Staley. This piece appeared in the July 2009 issue of Art Jewelry.