Can't Comment!

Arrrrrrgh! I can't reply to comment on my blog.
Why? Why? Why? Been trying for two days.

Dear readers, do you have the same experience before?
How do you solve this?
I have never experience this before.

Looks like I have to reply to comment here.
Hope there is no problem publishing.

Banae, I hope you are reading this.
Banae Phelps,  Monday, January 16, 2012 11:35:00 AM GMT+08:00
What gauge of wire are you utilizing here? I am just starting and thought this would be an easy item to make to learn how to work with the wire and tools before I purchased your other tutorials. THank you.

Referring to this tutorial - http://www.wireblissmei.com/2009/01/free-tutorial-basic-3-wire-braiding.html

Reply: 

I used 16ga wire for this project. However, finer wires up till 22ga is suitable too. You will get a finer looking cuff.

Try out with craft wire first if you are not very sure. Thanks.

New Tutorial - Heart to Heart Earrings, 30% Discount or Free Tutorial

"Heart to Heart Earrings Tutorial" is now available at my Etsy Shop for $5.00.
As a token of appreciation, you can get 30% off this tutorial OR get free tutorial/s from my Low Cost Tutorial Section on Etsy Shop if you do the following. Read on below:

How to get 30% Off Heart to Heart Tutorial OR Free Low Cost Tutorial
1. Post about this Heart to Heart Tutorial post on your blog/website/Facebook/Tweeter and link back to this post. I leave it to you to decide on the length of post. 
E.g. Heart to Heart Earrings Tutorial is now available at Wireblissmei.com. You can get 30% off or opt for a free tutorial if.........Check it out now at wireblissmei.com.....

2. After posting, please come back here and do either one of this:
a) Post a comment or
b) Email me at meiky6@gmail.com, if you want privacy.

    Information to include in your comment or email:
    If you opt for Heart to Heart Earrings Tutorial:
    * URL of your post where the link back is located, so that I can clarify your post and linking.
    * Your email address, so I can email you the invoice for $3.50.

   If you opt for Free Low Cost Tutorial
   * URL to your post/s where the link back is located, so that I can clarify your post and linking.
   * Your email address, so I can email you the low cost tutorial of your choice.
   * Your choice of the Low cost tutorial - Top Wrapped Stud Earrings OR Wire Wrapped Rose Ring

Disclaimer:

• The 30% off is valid for Heart to Heart Earrings Tutorial only.
• Only one entry per person or per post/per blog/per website. If you have two blogs/websites and posted in both, then you can claim for 2 free low cost tutorials that I have. I only have 2 low cost tutorials to offer right now. So, 2 will be the maximum.
  
• The discount of 30% for Heart to Heart Tutorial will be given once I have clarified your posting and linking. I will email you a PayPal invoice for $3.50. The tutorial will be emailed to you once payment is approved.
• Free low cost tutorial will be emailed to you immediately after I clarified your posting and linking.
• As of now, there is no deadline to this offer.
• This type of offer may be extended to my other tutorials in future. So, keep posted by subscribing to my RSS Feed - click here or Follow Me (right hand column of this blog). 
• Due to our different time zone, please allow 24 hours for respond and delivery.
• Wireblissmei reserve the right to change the terms and conditions.

Thank you for your interest.
This kind of offer is my first time so let us learn together and see how it works out.
I am all for comments and suggestions. 

That said, if you don't want all the hassle, head on to my Etsy Shop to purchase this tutorial :)
Have a great week ahead.

I Heard What You Want!

The poll ended two days ago but I procrastinated in posting them till now.
For those who participated in this mini survey, a "BIG Thank You" from me.

Now I know what you want, hmm...at least the majority....:D, although only 29 voted.
The Wire Wrapped Butterfly Pendant is the most popular judging by the poll result (48%). This is followed by Facing the Cobra Bracelet (24%) and Twice Around the World Bracelet (17%).

I better get to work soon...:D
WireBlissMei

Free Tutorial - Simple Wire Hook Earrings

I got distracted again! Instead of finishing those in my "to do list", a sudden urge to create a simple hook earrings for myself consumed me yesterday. Since I am in taking picture mood, I took some pictures to show the steps involved in creating this simple pair of wire earrings. Click on the pics for larger view.
Do Enjoy! :) and leave me feedback if you have the time.

Not much, just 2 pieces of 5in wire and beads of your choice.
I used 3 beads for each side. The number of beads is up to you. Less beads, less wire :)

File wire ends that will be the ear hooks. You don't want to get your earlobes prick :)

Hammer flat the other ends.

This is how they look like after hammering.

Insert the beads with the hammered ends acting as stoppers.

Form the hook with round nose pliers.

Yeah! bend the wire all the way down. This is one big round nose pliers. Found it in hubby's toolbox...LOL...now unofficially mine.

After bending......

....back to hammering, to harden the hook....I loooove hammering! Be careful! Don't hammer the beads.

Compare the hammered one (left) and un-hammered (is there such a word?) one.

When done with hammering, use flat nose pliers to bend the hook ends this way. Bend about 0.5cm, about 45 degree.

Done! Here is my simple hook earrings. Easy to put on and take off.
Definitely will put on later :D

WireBlissMei

Wired bird's Nest Tutorials

Just sharing what fellow artists has recently shared.

Someone asked me months back if I have the tutorial for a wired bird's nest pendant. The answer is no but then shortly after that, Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made shared a tutorial on how to make this little cute wired bird nest.

Then very recently, Deryn also shared her own bird's nest tutorial (for a small fee). Could it be the spring season that people are making lots of bird's nests?

Anyway, both tutorials look great although you may notice some differences in the techniques.

I haven't got the time to make them yet but will be soon.
If you have the time, check out both sites and get inspired.

WireBlissMei

Free Tutorial: Basic 3-Wire Braiding

This is like a "Commercial Break" for me.

Do enjoy this Basic 3-wire Braiding Tutorial.
It only takes about half an hour or less to finish a simple bracelet with this Basic 3-wire Braid Tutorial.
Once done and you are feeling adventurous enough, you may even want to try create something like these| Facing the Cobra II or Meet me Halfway :)

HAPPY WRAPPING!

Note: Read the pictures from left to right.

Step 1| Cut 3 separate wires of about 9 inches each.
Step 2| Grip all 3 wires with a quick grip (I used hubby's quick grip here :)).

Step 3| Take wire 1 on the left over wire 2 in the center.
Step 4| Take wire 3 on the right over wire 1 which is now in the center.
Step 5| Continue by repeating Steps 3 and 4, keeping the wires as close as possible to each other.

Step 6| Stop braiding when you almost reach the end.
Leave about and inch to form spirals later.

Step 7| Use something round (here I use Oil of Olay Suncreen Lotion bottle) to shape the bracelet.
Step 8| Once done, use round nose and flat nose pliers to make tiny spirals of the remaining wire ends.

Well done! You made yourself a simple braided bracelet.

Are you ready for more?
Maybe you can try these out| Facing the Cobra II or Meet me Halfway :)
or wait for the tutorials - Coming Soon :)

Wire Crocheted Bracelet - My First

My customers are wonderful people who always give me new challanges by requestiong something that I have never done before. This time around is a request for a tourmaline chips wire crochet bracelet.

I was quite hesitant to start as I am not very sure if I can make it or not. After all I have very basic crocheting skill. I can only make the loop or what is known as chain stitch. But fortunately, that is all you need to know to make a wire crochet bracelet - make some loops. Oh! don't forget the crochet hook.

Look at my firts attempt with the tourmaline chips. Broke some chips in my first try. They are so brittle. Most likely due to the wire I used, 26g wire which is too thick for crocheting.

On my second attempt, I use 28g wire and the result is my first wire crocheted bracelet! Not that difficult after all. Learn to crochet a loop and you will be on your way to many many more wire crochet bracelets, necklaces, etc. etc.

If your are interested to learn wire crocheting, here are three sites that provide free wire crochet tutorials that I found online and they are easy to follow:

You tube - Karla Kam

Craftideasinfo - How to make crocheted Beaded Bracelet and

Dianne Gilleland at Craftstylish - How to Crochet a Bead and Wire Bracelet
Genny Smith - http://www.new-bel.com/files/Crochet_wire___bead_necklace.pdf

Happy trying :)

Crochet Wire Jewelry

This is one of the wire wrapping techniques or rather crochet jewelry technique that I have been wanting to learn. This video shows you how simple it is to start making one. Oh well, another one into my to do list.

You Tube - Jewelry Making 1

This is a short video clip I discovered at You Tube. It teaches you how to make a pair of ear hooks.
Enjoy.

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.

Most Practical Jewelry Tutorials, Tips and Instructions Sites

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

Last updated: May 16, 2012

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.

Also, if you're looking to buy materials and supplies for jewelry making, you can buy them here with coupons.

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.
• 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

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.