Green Themed Necklace

Today, I finally got this commissioned green themed necklace done! This is really slow, considering I have all the beads and wire ready since last weekend. I used 25g stainless steel wire for the wraps and 20g for the chain. The length of the necklace is about 16 inches, while the pendant from end to end is about 2 in.

Under Construction Necklace

This green themed necklace is still under construction. It will be a wire wrap necklace, not string as you can see here. The beads consist of 6mm bicone swarovski crystal, greenish round glass bead (approximately 10mm), pearl beads and green teardrop cat's eye for the pendant. It is still under construction as I need to show this to the future owner the layout before I wrap them. Any suggestion from you readers out there of how to make this design more interesting and eye-catching? Please leave your comment if you have the time. Thanks in advance.

Beaded Flower Earrings

This pair of earring is modified from Trude Janofsky's "Basket full of pansies" (Bead and Button Magazine Special Issue - "Wirework", page 60). I have added an 8mm swarovski crystal and a white 6mm bicone crystal on top of each earring (not very visible here), to give it more glitter. Quite easy to make I must admit. This is for Ahmi as well and I wish her all the luck when she wears them to the casino.

Peridot & Swarovski Crystal Necklace

Ahmi waited for more than a year to get this done. We have been looking for the right peridot for her necklace since her last trip here last May and we found the "perfect" one last weekend. For this necklace, I alternate every two peridot beads with a bicones swarovski crystal (6mm). I think the color of the peridot and crystal match each other perfectly.

Most Practical Jewelry Tutorials, Tips and Instructions Sites II

This is the continuation of my previous entry with the same title. As we go along learning and improving ourselves in wire wrapping techniques, I will from time to time publish some of the new sites that i discovered and would like to share with all of you. Today, these are the free projects that I recently discovered. Brows around the sites, you may find more free tutorials: Allinfoabout.com - how to determine the type of wire for your jewelry project. DancingFeatherz - free bracelet tutorial. Hippy Twist - an easy way to wrap your stones. Via Murano -how to wrap straight up. Beadshop.com- wire-wrapped bead bezel. Braided bracelet BeadStudio - Tree pendant. Happy wrapping and beading.

Why Handmade Jewelry is Unique

What makes a handcrafted jewelry different from those you find at the malls or jewelry stores where they are mass produced and found everywhere? For me, a custom handcrafted jewelry is unique as it may be the only piece that exists in the whole wide world (I am exaggerating here! “*smile*) but seriously that is why it is unique and original. Given as a gift, it makes the recipient feel special, and the giver happy if the new owner appreciates and loves the gift. The uniqueness factor allowed the owner to feel they own something different from their friends and neighbors. There is no one handmade jewelry which is exactly alike even if someone tried to copy it. Ever since I started with wire jewelry, I have given friends and family numbers of pretties (lost count of it!) and it is a nice feeling being able to give something I handcrafted and love by most of the new owners. Here are some of the handcrafted wire jewelry that I have given away as gifts to family and friends: Bangle1, Bangle 2 (to be claimed later), TAW Bracelet, TAW goes International, Charm Bracelet, Memories, Copper Earring, Fish Hook, Flower Earring and Necklace Set, Flower Earring, Wire jewelry, Pearl earring and necklace set, Pearl Flower, Stringed necklace, Watch with pearl straps.

Crystal and Pearl Necklace

Not much of wire work today. Got one TAW bracelet done today but I am not showing the picture of this piece as it is similar to this one. The picture shown here is a stringed piece of necklace of crystal and pearl. A gift for Ahmi.

Jewelry Tutorials, Tips and Instructions Sites

This post is updated from time to time to include recent discoveries and links.

Many of the sites/links don't work anymore therefore I strikethrough them.

Last updated: 21 August 2020

With more and more people going into jewelry making (either as a hobby or business), it is getting to the point that there is far more out there than you could ever hope to read and learn on a regular basis. When I first started with this hobby, there are many sites that I visited to learn the basics about wire wrapping. Some of these sites provide free tutorials while others provide both free and paid tutorials. I look for the free one most of the time, therefore the listed sites mostly provide free tutorials and instructions. To help you filter that info glut down to a more manageable level, here is my list of the most practical websites and blogs for wire jewelry tutorials, tips and instructions. Hope this will get you started with this very addictive hobby.

Free Tutorial Websites / Blogs:

• Wigjig University – This is a very good site for beginners. The site shows you free instructions, techniques and jewelry making projects. It seems the site has changed its address and most of the free instructions are not available anymore. The new web address is - https://www.wigjig.com/ if you would like to check it out. 
• Remy – Another talented jewelry designer who also offer free and paid tutorial on wire wrapping techniques.
• Connie Fox – Connie is also a very talented wire worker and instructor. She gives free instructions especially for beginners at her site. Her pieces will give you lots of ideas as well.
  
• Beadaroo – Another good site for beginners.
• Many Roads – This site shows how to wrap a simple pendant.
• http://members.optusnet.com.au/felicityrodda/thelaide/cabachon3.html – A simple border wrap pendant.
• My4jewels – I like this ring tutorial as it is very easy to understand.
• http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/beginnerscorner/Beginners_Corner.htm – this site has lots of information on wire jewelry as well as free projects.
• Turtlebay jewelry – Made my caged spiral based on this tutorial.
• Beadstudio – this is where I learn my tree of life.
• Ravenrings.com – Learn to make clasp here.
• Rockhounds.com – instruction on wrapping a faceted pendant that does away with claws.
• Bellaonline – She has a list of interesting wire jewelry tutorials and instructions as well as links.
• MyBeads – I love this site. Easy to follow instructions.
• Robyn – She has links to various resources on jewelry as well as wire wrapping instructions and tutorials.
• Allinfoabout – Great site with tones of useful links on jewelry making.
• Frogsongstudio - Coin Ring Tutorial
• WiredupBeads (WUB)-  Great for beginners
• Nancy Wickman - Woven Wire Bangle 3, Woven Wire Bangle 2, Wire Woven Earrings
• Szarka/Magpie Gemstones - Long list of free jewelry making tutorials available online. 
• Flight Fancy - Wire Wrap Woven Pendant. There are two parts to this tutorial. Just scroll down to the next/previous post.
• Marie Cristine Jewelry - Egyptian Coil Tutorial
• Wonder mind - Ear Cuff Tutorial
• Beadinggem (Pearl) - Lots of free jewelry making tips and tutorial
• Michael David Sturlin - In the Loop - Step-by-step instructions for making a crocheted chain
• Julia Petit - Chain Bracelet decorated with Crochet Work and Lines
• Art Bead Scene Blog - Garden Gate Clasp
• StudioDax - Several tutorials here
• Tela Formosa Designs - Woven Bail 

Journals & Magazines, Forums:

• Lapidary Journal – They have large database on step by step instructions. Check this one out as well - http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/stepbystep/dec04.cfm
• Creative Wire Jewelry Forum – Registration needed to join this forums of helpful members of all level.
• About.com forum – another forum that covers wire jewelry.
• Bead&Button Magazine – You need to register as member to gain access to free tutorials here.
• BeadStyle Magazine – free instruction on making the loops.
• Beadshop.com – free instructions on various jewelry projects.
• Art Jewelry Magazine and forum - another site with lots of free projects. Registration is required.
  
• Some of the wire jewelry/jewelry forum I am familiar with was mentioned here.
• Jewelry Artist Magazine - Long list of Step-by Step Jewelry Making Tutorials.

Metal Works/ Metalsmithing

• Dr. Karen Meador/Magpie Gemstones - Copper Etching
• Linda Woods - Etching Copper or Brass
• Virginia Vivier - Design Transfer for Acid Etched Brass, Copper and Silver Jewelry
• Virginia Vivier - Acid Etching Brass, Copper and Silver Jewelry, Part 2: Hand Drawing Designs on Brass and Copper for Acid Etching and Part 3: Ferric Chloride Acid Bath
• Virginia Vivier - DIY Acid Etching on Metal for Jewelry Making - Part 4: Etching on Silver Using Ferric Nitrate
• Stephanie Lee - Etching Tutorial
• Art Jewelry Magazine - Video tutorials on Metalsmithing
• Spinning Ring - a great tutorial by Kat Brandon featured in workingSilver.com. Check out their archive too.

Video clips:

• Nicole and Kathleen Wright – Video clips showing introduction to Wire Wrap Jewelry.

There you go, that should keep you busy for a while.
If you have or know of other sites/blogs with similar contents, please feel free to leave a comment or provide the links.

Stainless Steel Jewelry

This is not a sponsored post or advertisement but just to show the picture taken of the Stainless Steel Jewelry Shop that I mentioned in my earlier post. Only when I checked the name of the outlet and do a search in the net did I discovered that they actually have a website of their own. So this is for all stainless steel jewelry fan out there.

Air Asia plane at the parking bay. Similar to the one I've taken this evening to fly back to Kuching from KL.

Picture taken from the air showing the hazy condition over Sepang and its surrounding areas.

Beautiful afternoon sunlight and clouds.

Opps! Flower Earrings

Opps! It must be my age or maybe I was sleep walking that night. I actually took picture of the pearl flower earring set made for my sister in-law. Found it a while ago when i checked the camera....."shy! shy!" Kept on thinking I didn't manage to take picture of it....

Pearl Flower Necklace

This flower necklace is the same as the flower necklace I made for Rachel. Only that, I used pearl (blue and white). This is a gift from me to Rachel's mom i.e. my sister in-law. There is a pair of earring to go with it as well but I didn't manage to take any picture of it as I got it done the night before the left and was too tired and late to take picture of it.......:)

Flower Necklace and Earring Set

Rachel and her parents left for home early this morning, before 5 am. We are going to miss her and the parents. This morning when the boys got up at about 7 am, they were already looking and asking for “Jee Chee” (or second (jee) sister (chee) in Hokkien dialect– Rachel is the second eldest cousin sister). The small one, Henry adores his “Jee Chee” and has grown quite attached to her for the last few weeks. We made quite a number of wire jewelry especially the last two weekends they were here. Here is the flower necklace and earring set I made for Rachel last Sunday. I used 6mm green and orange agate, 8mm green agate as well as 4mm green swarovski crystal. The color combination looks great on her. Green is her favorite color. The flower necklace and earring is based on design by Lisa Claxton (Flower Formation) published in Bead and Button Magazine Special Issue - "Wirework".

Jewelry - Amber Necklace

Rachel has an amber necklace that she received as a gift from her grandma who lives in Hamburg, Germany. The string broke off when she was on holiday in Bali so I got it stringed back when she came back. She lost some of them but the remaining amber were enough to fit her tiny neck. She and her mom told me about a lady in Germany who has a whole house full of amber. Unbelievable but this lady has been collecting amber from the beach / seaside near her house. Imagine taking a morning walk a the beach and at the same time collecting amber just like collecting sea shells. WOW! But that was many years ago according to the lady.

That got me interested in amber. First of all, amber is the production of fossilized tree sap of certain tree species believed to be extinct. Because of its origin, amber comes in different colors and is often opaque due to impurities that mixed naturally with the ancient sap. The Baltic coast of Russia is most famous source of the world’s amber. Other places with rich deposits also include Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the state of New Jersey. There are so much fake ambers around today that when you purchase one, you are not even sure if it is real or fake. Many of these are believed to be coming from China. I have come across a vendor who actually told me that the amber he is selling is a fake. Asked where the origin is, he said it is “from China”. I am sure besides China, there are other places producing fake ambers. That aside, amber is still sought after by fans for its decorative value and for the ancient, once living organisms that it preserves. Small insects, leaves, flowers and small animals are frequently found in amber. Often these trapped organisms are extinct species dating back million of year. What a discovery if I can get hold of one of them…..I am only wishing! For scientists, this present an opportunity for studying the species in detail as the preservative qualities in amber keeps the DNA of the trapped species intact. Amber symbolizes longevity. Beads, pendants and other jewelry have been discovered in burial grounds as early as 15,000 years before Christ. More readings on amber here.