"Weighing" In

Look what I found the other day at the thrift store!

I've been wanting one of these for a long time.

It's not as old and as cool as some of the ones I've seen around blogland but I was happy to find it! So much so that I went against my usual "wait for 1/2 off day and if it's still there I'll buy it" policy and paid the full price of $4.99. I have no idea if that's too much or a good deal, I just know it was worth it to me!

The most obvious place to use it would have been in my kitchen but I don't like to clutter up my counters. It makes a great plant stand at the end of my hallway though!

Sharing with: Funky Junk Interiors: SNS, Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Blogger's Party, Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tuesday

Links: Beaded and Crazy -Tutorial - Basic Wire Working Technique Series

Welcome back to my teaching series featuring basic wire working techniques. I hope you've had a chance to practice the first technique in the series - "Wrapped Loops" - as it is a building block for today's tutorial "Links: Beaded and Crazy". If you missed it, you can check it out here.

Today I will be sharing how to make a few different styles of links; a couple with beads and one without, that I like to call a "crazy" link. The link is an important technique to learn because it will allow you to incorporate uniquely handcrafted chains into your jewelry.

Tools and Supplies:

Pliers: round-nose and chain-nose

Flush cutters (one side of the cutters are flush and make a straight cut, the other side makes a "V" cut)

Small jewelers file

Wire: I've used copper for my photos. I suggest you begin with copper; it's malleable which makes it easy to work with and it's inexpensive.

Beads of your choice

Single Beaded Link

Begin by making a wrapped loop (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops). Add a bead.

Place the chain-nose pliers below the bead.

 Make a wrapped loop. 

It's as simple as that! Your finished link should look like this.

To make a chain, use another piece of wire to make a loop and thread it through the loop of the previous link.

Wrap the wire and finish the link as before.

 

Swirl Wrapped Double Beaded Link

Use a long length of wire to make a wrapped loop (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops). Add two beads. Make a wrapped loop but do not trim the wire.

 

Wind the wire tail around the beads.

Wrap the wire a few times just under the loop.

Trim the excess wire.

Your finished link should look like this.

Crazy Link

Make a wire link with a wrapped loop at each end (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops).

 

Place the chain-nose pliers about 1/3 of the way into the link.

Use your fingers to put a slight bend in the wire.

Place the pliers about 2/3 into the link and make another slight bend.

Your finished link should look like this.

Or, if you're really feeling crazy, kink the wire a little more.

Here are a couple of examples of how I've used

beaded and crazy links in my jewelry designs.

If you would like to learn more techniques, please return in a few days for the next tutorial in my Basic Wire Working Series

as I will be showing you how to make

"Jump Rings"

Sharing with: Too Much Time On My Hands: Get Schooled Saturday, Craft-O-Maniac: CraftOManiac Monday, Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Blog HopParty

My New Friends and CHA

I started this blog to provide myself with an avenue to share my creative side and to share the projects that I've made. I was not a social networker so what has surprised me the most is how many new "bloggy" friends I have met over the last few months! For me, It is the best part of having a blog.

I've been lucky enough to connect with several artists who represent ICE Resin® - a fun product that I have used in a few designs: Shake It Up, Road Trip, and Value of a Postage Stamp. My new friends, Kristen Robinson, Jen Cushman , Tina Schiefer , and Cat Kerr have made some wonderful new and innovative projects that will be shown at the Craft and Hobby Association Conference & Tradeshow at the Anaheim Convention Center, January 29 - February 1. Several of them along with other talented artists; including the Ice Queen herself, Susan Lenart Kazmer will be in the booth demonstrating techniques and projects.  If you are in the area and get a chance to attend the show stop by the booth and say "hi".

Here is the schedule of events.

Amazing Giveaways will occur at the commencement of every demo/signing time however you must be present to win!

Sunday and Monday
Come have your snapshot taken in the ICE Resin Booth with the ICE Queen herself Susan Lenart Kazmer

Tuesday and Wednesday
Have your snapshot taken with the Stars of ICE Resin which include well known Industry Authors and Artist's in the ICE Resin Booth #1029

Sunday
10:30 - 11:30 Demo Joanna Pierotti - ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

12:30 - 1:30 Demo and Book Signing with ICE Resin Creative Team Director, Artist and Author Kristen Robinson (books will be first come first serve)

2:30 - 3:30 Demo Joanna Pierotti - ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

4:30 - 5:30 Demo with Artist and Author Kristen Robinson 

Monday
10:30 - 11:30 Demo with Artist and Author Kristen Robinson 

11:30 - 12:30 Demo and Make and Take with Fiskateer Tami Bayer of Fiskars

1:30 - 2:30 Demo and Book Signing with ICE Resin Education Director, Artist and Author Jen Cushman (books will be first come first serve)

2:00 - 3:00 Book Signing with Kristen Robinson, Author of Tales of Adornment - Techniques for Resin Jewelry in the R&M Booth # 1329

3:30 - 4:30 Demo with Tina Schiefer ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

Tuesday
10:30 - 11:30 Demo Joanna Pierotti - ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

12:00 - 1:00 Book Signing with Kristen Robinson, Author of Tales of Adornment - Techniques for Resin Jewelry in the F&W Booth # 868

1:30 - 2:30 Demo with Tina Schiefer ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

2:30 - 3:30 Demo and Make and Take with Fiskateer Tami Bayer of Fiskars

4:30 - 5:30 Demo with Artist and Author Kristen Robinson 

Wednesday
10:30 - 11:30 Demo with Tina Schiefer ICE Resin Creative Team Member and Published Artist

12:30 - 1:30 Resin Paper Demo

 

Wrapped Loops Tutorial - Basic Wire Working Technique Series

I taught myself basic wire working skills by surfing the net, watching videos, and studying tutorials and with lots and lots of practice! I was surprised at the willingness of so many artists to share their experiences and techniques; it was through their generosity that I was able to develop my own set of skills.

Now that I have my own blog, I'm excited to have the chance to share some of my knowledge with you. Over the next several days I will be posting a few basic wire working techniques. Please keep in mind that I am self-taught and am sharing what works best for me; I suggest you browse several other artists' blogs also to learn their techniques and suggestions.

Today I will be showing you how to make a wrapped loop. In my opinion, wrapped loops are the most basic, yet essential technique to master as they are used in almost every wire design to connect links, dangles, charms, chain, etc.

Tools and Supplies:

Pliers: round-nose and chain-nose

Flush cutters (one side of the cutters are flush and make a straight cut, the other side makes a "V" cut)

Small jewelers file

Wire: I've used copper for my photos. I suggest you begin with copper; it's malleable which makes it easy to work with and it's inexpensive.

Place the chain-nose pliers about 1 1/2" from one end of the wire length. Use your finger to bend the wire at a 90 degree angle.

Place the round-nose pliers at the bend on the wire end that you just bent. The loop size will be determined by where on the pliers you place the wire; smallest at the tip and largest at the bottom.
TIP: I almost always place the wire at the very bottom; this helps to keep consistency in the loop size when I am making several loops for the same project.

 Use your finger to bend the wire around the pliers.

You will need to reposition the pliers and then continue to bend the wire around until you form a loop with a tail extending outward.

Now place the chain-nose pliers over the loop

(this will help you to hold it without it slipping).

Use your fingers to wrap the tail tightly

around the wire directly below the loop 3-4 times.

Use the flush cutters to trim the wire; be sure to

place the straight cutting side against the wrappings.

Use the chain-nose pliers to tuck the wire down tightly.

If necessary, file the cut edge smooth.

Your finished piece should look like this.

This necklace is a good example of how the wrapped loop was used to make several beaded links to fashion a handcrafted chain.

Start practicing and by the time I post the next tutorial

"Links: Beaded and Crazy"

you will have mastered the wrapped loop and

will be ready to learn how to make links.

Sharing with: It's Overflowing: Overflowing With Creativity, The Shady Porch: Rock 'N Share, Southern Lovely: Show & Share, Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday, I Gotta Create: Kiss & Tell, Delicate Construction: dc Friday, Creation Corner: Friday Link Party, Fireflies and Jellybeans: Show Off Your Stuff, Happy-Go-Lucky: Your Time to Shine, One Artsy Mama: Shine on Fridays, funky Junk Interiors: SNS

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Metal Mania

I'm a bit of a metal maniac...love it...all of it! I'm especially drawn to mixed metal pieces with aged and rustic patinas. They have the feel of warmth and I seem to be able to imagine a story behind them that gives them character and charm.

I don't have to imagine the story behind this piece. I already know it...I created it.

Last night I went into my work room with the intention to get started on some basic wire working tutorials to share here with all of you. As often happens, I was sidetracked when I spotted a napkin ring that I had picked up at a thrift store several months ago

(eight rings for only $2).

I used half the napkin ring and two pieces of broken jewelry from my stash to create this pendant; three dangles from the earring and two copper ring links

(not pictured since I didn't take any before photos).

I hammered half the napkin ring to flatten it out a bit - not completely flat as it would have broken from the stress - I did hammer the ends flat though. As you can see from the photo below, the ring did begin to crack a little from the stress but not enough to compromise the strength of the piece. I think it just adds to the character of the piece.

I smoothed the edges and roughed up the surface of the piece.

This removed most the silver exposing the brass underneath.

I soldered on the copper rings.

I connected the metal dangles with rivets that I forged from copper wire.

Finally, I created a heavy patina. I wanted the pendant to look as though

it could have been a found object from hundreds of years ago.

I loved the pendant and did not want to distract from its rustic beauty with a fancy chain so I added a simple oxidized copper chain which allows the pendant to take center stage.

I still plan to put together those tutorials on basic wire working techniques. If you are interested in learning how to make jump rings, wrapped loops, beaded links, and hook clasps, be sure to return soon. I will begin posting those tutorials in a couple of days.

Sharing with: Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special, Creation Corner: Friday Link Party, Here Comes the Sun: Fabulous Friday, Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Blog Hop, Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Polish The Stars: Monday Party, Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got, The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade, Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday