Basic Wire Wrap

Some basic technique in wire jewelry world. Just clik this site :
http://www.beadstylemag.com/en/How%20To/Basics/2007/06/Wire%20and%20loops.aspx

Have fun!

Basic Tools for Beginner

Hi there,
as a beginner to wire jewelry making, you may be a little overwhelmed by the huge variety of tools available for jewelry makers. Many get a bit intimidated when it comes to the world of tools. Let me share what I know for basic tools.

- Round Nose Plier: good for bending and forming loops.
- Chain Nose Plier: use for opening and closing small loops, getting into tight space. Chain nose plier has NO teeth.
- Flush Cutters: before you buy, cut a piece of wire with them. Look at cut ends. A "flush cut", is one where the wire, after cut, is not left burred. You need a good flush cut for making proper jump rings, or for making any kind of chain from rings. The wire needs to have as flat a surface where you have just made the cut as possible.

- Wires: round, half-round, square. For some first project, I use round wire. It is easier, cheaper and available at mostly beads shops. It is size of the wires called wire-gauge. The smaller the number, the thicker the wire. You can watch complete size here http://www.wire-to-jewelry.com/wire-gauge-chart.html
Mostly we use 26ga, 22ga, 20ga and 16ga.


Look at bead-shop near you to find basic tools and wires. There are plenty online shop too. Like here:
www.firemountaingems.com
www.LimaBeads.com
www.riogrande.com
or other shop as Mr.Google guides you ;-)

xx

Cabochon....

I love cabochon. Just like another jewelry maker, cabochon is like magic. With nature and warm colour, or strong and shiny colour, big and small... every piece of cabochon is magic!

So here they are... my cabochon collection! I worked with some of them and not have it by me anymore. Happy to give them new home. And I bought already some others, but can't find time to make picture.
Mostly my cabochon came from online shop.

Enjoy!!!!
xx Dian

I'm IN PRINT at Stepbystep Wire Jewelry Mag.

Look at the MASK!!! Yes ... MASK!!!! OMG... my Mask in print!!!! what a beautiful mask... lol
I made this mask some months ago. For challenge with wire lover's friends in FB. We had to make a piece based from picture. I got a Venedic mask picture. Took some weeks to pressed my idea out. Til I spent my last 4 days (before the dateline) making this mask. And you know what? This print means so much for me. Even I'm not alone in that page, but this is my FIRST! and it gives me sooooooooo good feeling...yay ;-)

I used 26ga gold plated wire. Drew the core on paper and bent my wire along it. The eyebrowns are 4mm metal beads and using technique from Riqzmie Creation. You can find it under 'Pegion Earing' at www.riqzmiecreation.com.
The hair is shiny brown and yellow cz squarebeads, black glass leaves, and big brown wood beads as the highlights!! Under eyes are 3 big brown leaves and 3 swirl wires.
Truly, it is heavy mask. So I got to twisted 3 20ga wires together as the handle.

I'm happy.... and thanks for being with me in this small world. Luv youuuuuu!

Viking Knit

Finally I made viking knit. This age old technique of weaving wire took my attention too much, as I saw my friends made it. So FABULOUS pieces....
Bought tutorial from JanRaven here www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/viking-knitting and started the long night, played with viking knit.

In the beginning I had to digging in my man's working room. Searched for vice. It is important tool for holding the wire as our hand are busy with knitting. Find out that it is useful too for taking care our not-yet-ready knit, if we leave it for short or long time. Some bead-store has this tool too. Mine is from hardware store.
Next is search for mandrel. Use Allen wrench...very cheap and good!
So I set up my table. Clamped the vice on table and was ready with work... ;-)


2 hours later...This is what I made. 10' wire became 2,5'' chain!!!!! Not very happy about it, but hey...I made viking knit and this is my first attempt. Let's celebrate it.... lol.


I made Viking-Fischy Bracelet... after 4 hours hooked and felt slowly sleepy :o)
Enjoy my Viking Knit journey.... thanks for coming!!

Artfire... ;-)

---------- Earrings from EmiKaz's tut ---------------
I dream of my own online shop. Ever tried one in Germany... not happy with it. And searched again..spending much time for reading every forum about that. Etsy, artfire, ebay, 1000markets,artfolk, dawanda, etc. Lol.... instead of finding out which is the best, I had headache!
But the show must go on... made up my mind: ARTFIRE! Yipiiieee!!!!!
Curious why I took it? okay..let me tell you some reasons.
1. Listing is free. And NO commissions paid out if I sell something. Yep, this is my first self-employed bussiness. I can't pay too much fee yet. Got to see how it develops and who knows... (wish me luck) :-)
2. I can upgrade my membership to Verified, means got to pay monthly fee but got more services and that's all fee I have to pay.
3. Artfire has article for comparing their service to Etsy, allowing me to understand how is the competition.
4. It is worldwide known, even Artfire has different way from Etsy.
5. This will be fabulous site and hope my shop goes very well!

Thanks for reading... Now got to find out how I put my Artfire in this blog. Oh you can see my shop if you clik this :
http://www.artfire.com/users/CindelarasJewelry


xx Dian

Week 22....

A pendant in purple. Lampwork focal with glass teardrops beads.