ObjectsandElements.com

Making Wire & Bead Jewelry

First things first....congrats to Lynda and Cecile for winning The Overflowing Stash this week!   Thanks for all your comments, it's very helpful...and fun!

Here is a photo of the cover of a new wire working book out by my two favorite wire workers!

Tracy and Janice live in the Seattle area and I learned all my wire working skills from them.  When I heard they wrote a book I knew I needed it...I wasn't wrong.  This book is a great addition to any workbench as wire working is a great addition to any jewelry. 

The work is strong and adaptable for your own designs and the step by step photos really help you see how to do the basics and some of the great new techniques shown here.

Here is some eye candy from inside.... 

                                           

 

If you read my blog you know I'm a sucker for cages, this one is pretty cool...

              

Never one for patterns, I'm tempted by this one!!

These wrapped links are great to add strength to your work and go right along with heavier work made of sheet metal/found objects.

                                        

 

 

Wire work can be strong, lean and mean or strong pretty and fluffy... I think this piece is all of them!

                                

If looking at these pictures makes you want to play with wire right away go to the Cages or  Forged Wire Vine blogs and try your hand at it then order this book and try these great projects--most of all have fun!

If you would like, leave a comment to enter the giveaway of a copy of "Making Wire & Bead Jewelry"  generously donated by the publisher Lark Jewelry & Beading.

Check out our new Resin!

Backless bezels are my favorite way to use our new Objects and Elements Epoxy Doming Resin because of the light that is able to pass through and the variety of things that you can add to it.  The resin dries to a glass like surface and allows you to collage to your heart’s content.  It’s a great way for a mixed media artist to really shine.   You can add anything dry so when I found this butterfly wing on my car I decided she should be remembered for her beauty...watch out dead bugs!

Choose a backless bezel or get your jeweler’s saw out and make one!  For the backing I use a nice quality clear packing tape, it seems to get the most consistent results.  Cut a piece of packing tape larger than your bezel and burnish it onto the back of the bezel. To burnish, rub the tape with your thumbs to warm the glue and get a tight seal.

Tip:  There will need to be enough of a lip on the back of the bezel to seal or the resin will just run out.

Before you add anything to your bezel lay down a thin layer of mixed resin to cover the sticky side of the tape.  If you forget this step you run the risk of your inclusions sticking to the tape and not being imbedded in the resin.

Layer your items in the bezel and balance it all before adding more resin.  This will keep you from creating overspill.  Take a toothpick and wiggle your inclusions to make sure that you don’t have trapped air bubbles.  You can then fill to the top and even dome if you want to do it in one pour. 

Set a timer for about 15-20 minutes and come back to make sure that there are no air bubbles that can’t escape.  Use a toothpick to “lift” them to the top rather than trying to stab them.  Let dry overnight or for at least 6-9 hours and remove the tape from the back. 

Tip: Once in a while the tape will leave a sticky residue when removed.  Leave it until the resin has cured—three days—and then use a “goo remover” to take the residue off. 

If you want words in your piece, use a purchased transparency sheet or make your own at a copy center.  I also love to include old paper, very thin and old turns the most transparent.  

 

Making a Chain of Stone or Pearls

                          

My recycled "rake" fish is holding some of my favorite pieces to wear!   Some of these pieces are very old from my first foray into jewelry making and wire work.  I find myself using this technique over and over as it's very useful.  I use it like the photo below so my heavy metal pieces have a little more feminine feel.  The piece below is the Pinwheel Tabs and part of the Objects and Elements Architecture classes that I'll be teaching this year at Bead and Button and BeadFest.    

    

Use this technique for any stones or pearls that you want to make into a chain.  First determine what gauge wire will fit in your bead.  I prefer to do this technique in heavier wire such as 14 gauge, so I frequently have to use a bead reamer to enlarge the holes.  It's monotonous work but oh so worth it!    

Once you figure out what wire gauge, make a practice piece and determine how much of a wrap you want and how long your wire needs to be to accomplish the wrap on both sides.  Cut several pieces of wire and get started. 

Make a loop like the one above but keep the pliers in the hole and add the pearl.  If you are using a tapered pliers mark the spot with a sharpie on the pliers so your loops are consistent.

                                            

 start the wrap so the pearl stays in position. 

 Make the wrap at the other end  then finish off the first end too.

 

 Tuck the sharp end into the wrap.  You could also make your wrap much larger and fatter with more wire.

The next pearl will need to be connected to the first one to start the chain.  This is a very strong chain as there are no openings.   You can also connect the component in the photo directly above with jump rings to another component that is the same.   See the second photo in the series for this sample.  

 You can make it as long as you like or use as a component with ready made chain too!

Leave your comment to enter The Overflowing Stash contest....

If you are loving this technique check out the new wire working book by Tracy Stanley and Janice Berkebile for lots of great instructions, photos and variations.  "Making Wire & Bead Jewelry".    I just got mine in the mail today and will be reviewing it and sharing some photos later.