Tag Archives: Wire wrap

Featured Artist

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Hello,

Today I am pleased to bring to you a new shop from Etsy

StaRsbyDi

Pearl Necklace Handmade with Freshwater Pearls and Cape Amethyst Stone Set

Description: This pearl necklace is handcrafted with freshwater pearls, cape amethyst and small glass beads.
This elegant piece of pearl and stone jewelry, is a delicate thin necklace that can give you more than an aesthetic look.
Freshwater pearls used for this necklace are ivory white and have an approx. lenght of 4mm and 5mm.

Cape amethyst is a translucent gemstone that ranges from light- to medium-purple and has white bands. Note that no cape amethyst stone bead is the same with another.

Cape Amethyst is a very powerful and protective stone.

The necklace comes with matching earrings but you can also buy the pieces separately. The price refers to the set.

Amethyst Necklace Wire Wrapped Amethyst Crystal Pendant Necklace

 
Description: Amethyst natural crystal wire wrap pendant necklace, big pendant necklace, wire wrapped jewelry handmade.

I wire wrapped the beautiful lilac amethyst crystal (3*2cm – 1.18*0.78”) with silver plated wire. Two silver plated metal beads adorn the black cotton cord (6 strand) finished with silver plated lobster clasp.

This lovely necklace measures approx. 41.5cm (16.33”) around the neck and the extension chain is 6cm (2.36”) long.

Elegant Black Necklace 

 Description: I handcrafted this black necklace using black glass beads, a beautiful antique silver plated wire bead(2cm – 0.79”), two rondelle crystal ab beads, antique bali style silver plated beads, small silver plated metal beads, silver tone chain and a silver plated lobster clasp.

This extra modern black necklace measures approx. 46cm (18.11′) all around and the hanging part (chain + wire bead) measures approx. 5cm (1.97”).

**Please note there is no extension chain.

Organza Flower Choker with Flower Pendant

Description: I handmade this lovely stylish organza choker necklace with a flower pendant (2.7cm – 1.06”), double black ribbon, silver plated beads and silver plated lobster clasp. There is a lovely wire wrap red coral bead and a metal feather hanging in front of the flower pendant.
This classy choker measures 42cm (16.54”) from one end to the other in a straight line.
The flower pendant is fine quality non-tarnish.

Celtic Knot Necklace with Brown Silk Cord and Green Geometric Bead 

 Description: This is a fine celtic knot necklace that looks fine on a woman’s neck. I handcrafted this cletic piece of jewelry with a geometric green and gold stripe glass bead, gold plated wire and chain, and brown silk cord (3strands).
I finished the necklace with an elegant gold plated lobster clasp and extension chain.
This beautiful necklace measures approx.40cm (15.75”) around the neck and the gold plated extension chain is 6cm (2.36”) long.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

 

Quick Pictorial Tutorial Thursday

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Good Morning!
 
The week is winding down and so am I.  Today I thought it would be fun to look at an easy and relaxing jewelry-making craft, Wire Wrapped Rings. Yes, I said, relaxing. This is actually a really fun and super simple project.  Even the kids can do it!  One of the best things about this project is that it takes just minutes to do.
Wire-Wrapped Rings in Sterling Silver plated Copper jewelry wire

I think every jewelry blogger, designer, maker, or hobbyist, eventually sits down to write about or make one of these simple and pretty little rings.  This includes myself. 

All you need:
Jewelry Wire – *20 or 18 gauge (any type) Colored (anodized) Aluminum works well, too. 
(*I do not recommend 16 gauge or 14 gauge)
Permanent Marker or Lip Balm (or any round object – a “mandrel”)
Pliers – if you like.
*Extra Embellishments (not necessary, but fun to play with).
Button
Glass Seed Beads (Size 6)
NOTE:  Jewelry wire comes in lengths measured in yards, usually between 8 to 10 yards per coil, that’s 24 to 30 feet of wire.  You can make lots, and lots of rings with a single coil.  The Sterling Silver Plated Copper jewelry wire I used for this project is packaged by Darice and available at local craft stores for about $3.99 for 8 yrds.
Simple Tools and Wire
First measure and cut two pieces of wire 8″ long.
Gently fold them in half.
Don’t let the ends cross.
Put them together and place the marker, balm, or other round object ( “mandrel” about the size of your finger), in the fold.  Bend the wires around the marker or balm with your fingers.
Don’t let the ends cross, keep each wire next to each other.
Next, Adjust the wire where you want it.  *Remember it will be a little looser at this stage.  That is OK.  With your fingers, hold the bottom of the wire against the madrel, with your other hand, take the wires between your fingers and twist in a clockwise motion, locking the wires together (like a twist tie).  Keep the wire as tight as possible against the mandrel as you twist.  Twist only once.
Twist the wires once, clockwise.
You may take a pair of pliers or your fingers and bring (pinch) the loops together.
 
Now  continue to twist the wires, one group of two at a time around each other twice or three times.  Stop.  Can you see the “rosette” forming in the center of the ring?  Good.
The Rosette is formed and wires are divided.
Now, divide the wires.  Decide which wires will continue forming the rosette and which to pull away from the center.  Do not cut the wire.  Above the wires closest to the rosette have been left in place, the others have been stretched out and away from the center of the ring.
 
Continuing wrapping around the center wire forming a larger (or smaller) rosette as you choose.
The Rosette is complete, the wrapped wire is now much shorter.
Trim the excess wire from the Rosette.  You may wish to leave a little extra to bend over and tuck under the edges of your ring.  I did not do that in this example.  However this helps to keep the wire from snagging and possibly ruining the ring.
 
Next, and this can be a little tricky.  Remove the ring from the madndrel, choose one side of the ring and begin wrapping the other length of wire around the shank (round part) of the ring.  It helps to bend the wire slightly so it slips into the center of the ring.  Wrap the wire down the shank.  Make sure to wrap both sides.  This will help the ring keep its shape, make it a little smaller in diameter, and adds an interesting design element as well.
 
One side is of the shank wrap is complete here is the other side in progress.
 
Make sure that the wire ends are on top of your ring shank, cut off the excess wire, keeping the ends up and away from your skin so you do not scratch yourself.
 
The complete ring on the marker (mandrel).
You can wear the ring on any finger it will fit on or that you have sized it for.
 
Pretty little bauble
 
Completed ring.
 
 
You can also bead the last twist of the wire around the rosette if you like or you can use a button as a focal point.  As shown in the alternatives below.
 
Black Czech Glass Seed Beads adorn the side of the rosette.
Shell Button Ring
The button ring is made using the same technique.  Once the wire has been placed around the mandrel, side the wire through the thread holes in the button.  Bring the button down as close as you can to the mandrel, and then twist the wires together.  Instead of separating the wires and wrapping them down the shank, use all four to form the rosette in the center of the button, cut off the excess wire and wear for fun or with Kitschy fashions!
 
Reddish-Orange Shell Button with complete rosette
There are many other ways to add to or embellish the ring.  Why not try glass bi-cone beads or a gemstone or maybe even a crystal.  Perhaps a charm or other interesting object, like a gear or tiny vacuum tube could be wrapped as well.  The possibilities are endless.  What might you design?

T.A.V. would like to thank Carrie S. for the use of her camera.

 
Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We hope you found this tutorial interesting and will try a wire-wrapped ring of your own.
 
The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant Thursday.

 

New Items in the Shop – Twisted Tier Earrings

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Good Monday Morning,

It promises to be a lovely day here in Boise.

This morning we have a new item in the shop, a very pretty pair of wire wrapped earrings.  All pairs shown are completed with Sterling Silver plated Copper Jewelry Wire with Silver Plated jewelry findings.  Yes, the copper does show through the wire, but it is not noticeable when worn.

These are also available in Precious Metal on a Custom Order Basis only.

Shown below are “Twisted Tier” Earrings.  Each pair is unique in size, color and shape.  Each earring is individually hand wrapped.

Twisted Tier Style One
Twisted Tier 2

Twisted Tier 3

*Twisted Tier 4
Genuine Amethyst Beads stacked 4 stones high instead of three.

*Currently available in Amethyst and Aquamarine and Clear Quartz Crystal.

Other jewelry wires available are Copper, Nickel, Jeweler‘s Bronze and Gunmetal Wire, this wire is dyed a steel-blue color over copper jewelry wire.

More earrings will be listed as I make them.  Don’t see your favorite?  Custom orders are welcome.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a marvelous work week.

In My Studio – Beginning Jewelry Classes

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Hello,

As many of you may be aware, I was offered a Contracted Instructor position at a local Craft Supply store here in lovely Boise, Idaho.  After much thought, weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and the offer, I have decided that it would be in my best interest to not participate in the program.

However, a little enamored with the idea of teaching in a social atmosphere, I have decided to start up my own class.  The complete and solid details have yet to be worked out and right now I am putting feelers out to see if there is any interest in a Beginning Jewelry class.  If response and class / lesson plans go well, or some people would like to continue past the basics, Intermediate and Advanced classes will be offered.  If you’re interested in private lessons those may be taught as well.  I hope to schedule the first class for sometime in June.

Open to the public and all who wish to attend.  Before everybody get’s excited, these classes will not be free.  You will be expected to provide your own tools, materials and a fee will be charged to include class time, forgotten materials (provided from stock on hand), and of course classroom space.  A list of all the materials, where to buy them and their cost will be provided along with printed instructions and a completed projects to take home when class is over.
Beginning Jewelry or Jewelry Basics will cover the very basics, a sample of class instruction may include and will not be limited to:
What is a finding?
- head pin
- eye pin (difference in pins and their uses)
- jump rings (aka O-rings)
- Clasps (spring, Lobster Claw, “S”)
Ear wires (styles and variations) 
Gemstones, Crystals and Glass beads (Birthstones and alternatives)
Opening and Closing Jump rings properly
Using a head / eye pin
Wire vs. Beading Wire or “Tiger Tail”
Wire Wrapping (We may have a special guest to demonstrate another process / form of wire-wrapping)
Threading or Stringing beads
Metals and their composition (Copper, Bronze, Nickel, Sterling)
Design Elements (Fibonacci Numbers, Focal Points, Accent Beads and Caps)
A completed pair of earrings or project made by you to take home and wear!
There are also other projects that may be offered, such as a Seed bead Flower-chains, a simple charm or crystal bracelet or an easy to string beaded necklace (lanyard for your glasses).

Techniques taught will cover a wide range of how to’s and don’t do’s along with basic finishing touches.  No special equipment is necessary, I bet most of you have at least several pairs of pliers at home, those will work great!
Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  If you are interested in the class you may leave a comment, e-mail, or phone, details will be given at a later date.