Monday, March 29, 2010

Free Tutorial #3-Woven Wire Bangle



Woven Wire Cuff Bracelet Tutorial
This is the third project we completed in a series of classes I did for the Flint Schools. This is the bangle that I posted for Week 9 if you want to see additional pictures. The only thing I did that wasn't in the tutorial was wire a bead on either side of the focal bead to kind of fill that space. You could also put a small bead directly on the core wire if it has a bid enough hole. I used some 26 wire for this and ran the wire behind the bead a couple of times to keep it from spinning. I hope you enjoy trying this out.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Week 13-Rock Quartz and Fine Silver Necklace



I've had this big honking rock crystal quartz briolette for awhile, and when I say big I mean it's 1 1/8" tall by 3/4" wide. I suppose I could have just wrapped it and put it on a chain but noooo, I had to try and get fancy with it. Maybe the folks who are so good at these vining type settings can visualize them in their head but I can't. So I just grab wire and start twirling it. The fact that it was 16 gauge wire didn't make it any easier and I actually had to anneal it a couple of times while I was messing around with it. I ended up with some awkward looking spaces in the middle, hence the pearls. I'm still undecided about this one. Maybe it will grow on me.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Free Tutorial #2-Woven Wire Pendant



Woven Wire Pendant Tutorial
I used a Kazuri bead for this but any large flat bead will work. The one we did in class was made from copper wire.

Week 12-More Earrings



I know, I just can't stop making earrings. These are some fun dangly ones for spring and summer. The top pair are made with seraphinite beads which have a beautiful silvery shimmer like charoite. The bottom pair are sterling silver with aqua amazonite beads.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Week 11-Earrings and More Earrings





I was on another earring making binge during Week 11. I have more earrings than I can display on three racks but I love making them anyway. These are just a few of the ones I completed that were somewhat inspired by the Art Nouveau period with all it's flowing curvy lines. Others I haven't even gotten photographed. The smoky quartz earrings were inspired by Natural Jewels on Etsy.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Free Tutorial-Woven Wire Earrings


Woven Wire Earrings Tutorial
This is a short tutorial I put together for a class I taught through the Flint Schools. I figured out how to upload it to Docstoc.com and make it available to anyone who is interested. I hope you have fun with it. I have two others I will try to get up soon.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Week 10-Floral Fauna Brooch


This brooch is from a tutorial by Deborah Gray-Wurz that she sent me to try out. As you can see, I had really good results from it. The beads I used are pyrite and pink tourmaline. I oxidized mine because I think it's a very vintage looking design to begin with. Deb's tutorial is available in her Etsy shop.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Week 9-Class Project-Woven Copper Bangle




I was asked by the Flint Schools to teach some wire jewelry classes that specifically used weaving as a technique. We first made earrings, then a pendant, all with different weaves. The third and final project was a woven bangle bracelet and this is the bracelet I made in the class. 16 and 26 gauge copper wire with a lampwork lentil bead.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Week 8-Copper Viking Knit Bangle



Okay, time to get caught up again with posting. This piece of copper viking knit was in my spare parts box. The clasp, the flower focal and the core wire are all one piece of 16 gauge copper wire. I embellished the flower clasp with little bead caps, yellow CZs and green peridots.

Monday, March 1, 2010

In Memory of Mickey





June 14, 2005 to February 21, 2010
You brought me so much joy and I will miss you always.