The Moonstone Prong Ring my Father Made Me

My father is a welder so he works with metal a lot.
He also makes his own jewelry but almost exclusively ring.
Not sure why I didn't catch the jewelry making bug from him back then but he made quite a number of them.
Maybe because he works with stainless steel block and not wire.
As far as I remember, he never sold any of his handmade rings.
He does take his own sweet time in making them though - few months to finish a piece! including my ring here which I collected when we went for our vacation two weeks ago.

This ring (Moonstone) is a special request from me.
He said it's not that well done but I am very happy with it because with this ring I feel a different kind of connection with him...we actually share the same interest..and I am sure I inherited this talent/skill from him...:)

No soldering. The prongs or claws are cut from the same piece that form the ring.

Now, it stays on my finger! <3

Wire Wrapped Jade Donut Pendant

I have been slack in updating this blog lately but I hope it will pick up soon....mmmm...been saying this for the hundredth times? :) but I hope you don't mind and keep reading or at least look at the pictures posted here to get inspired.....
This is a commissioned jade pendant. Completed just before we went off for our two weeks holidays.

Side view, kind of complicated but not really...just follow the flow.

View of the back...simply a little spiral.

Side view of the back, not as complicated.
Have a great weekend dear readers!

The Two Wire Wrapped Donut Pendants

These two donut pendants are for man.
For all that I remember, I have not done a lot of men jewelry and I hope this two are masculine enough that the owner is comfortable wearing them.
Both donuts are really huge. My first time working with such huge donuts..LOL..
The jade measures about 5cm+ while the rutilated one just slightly smaller.

On my palm and you can see how huge they are.
Maybe I have short fingers :)!

Close up of the weaving and "black needles" within the stone.

......and the other one.

Enjoy your remaining weekend......

Spider Web Wire Wraps and Happy Mother's Day (Belated)

Happy belated Mother's Day to all moms and soon to be moms out there.
As usual, I am always belated lately :) especially in updating this blog.
Anyway, it was a quite Mother's Day for me. Just dinner at one of the boys favorite places.
As mother, I am happy when they are happy. After all, that's what being a mother is about....of course there are other things but HAPPY is a big word for children. I am sure a lot of you would agree...yes! yes! yes!?
There is a saying "We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves".

Enough rambling, here is one wire wrapped pendant I completed recently.
This is a relatively big stone (name and origin not known) that looks like palm oil seed.

It is rounded and has no hole so I spent some time figuring out how to wrap and secure this stone.
I ended up with this "spider web wire wraps" and I am quite happy with the outcome.
Here are more pictures of the pendant. Got the idea?
I wonder how this wrap would work with irregularly shaped stones?

Have a great week!

TAW Ring and Bunch of Sparklies

These ring and earrings were made and shared by Martin whom I mentioned back in February when he made this - Martin's TAW Bracelet. He emailed me these pictures right after that and I totally forgot to share them with you all till now. Erm...very forgetful nowadays!
This ring is his third attempt based on my TAW Ring Tutorial.
What do you think?

Here's two pairs of earrings based on TAW Bracelet tutorial and rose ring tutorial (the pair to the left).
I think it would be nice to wrap a bead to each of the bottom ring.

What have I been up to last weekend besides barbecue?
Yeah! More Sparkly Crystal Rings - all of them pearl though.

Was hoping to finish other projects but unable to.
Till the next piece, have a wonderful week ahead :)

Pearl Necklace & Studs

For the last few weeks I have been busy with non-wire jewelry related projects that I hardly have time to work on commissioned pieces. Now that I think about it, its more like I've been busy since the beginning of 2011. That's also why this blog have been neglected for long period of time.
Hope to be back more often soon and start creating :)
Anyway, in between that time, I managed to complete a last minute request for a wire wrap pearl necklace and two pairs of earrings.
I jumped several Qs though :)

These studs here are made based on my own technique, for which a tutorial is available here - Wire Wrap Studs Earrings - Simple Yet Elegant.

This pair is a remake from leftover beads, from a stringed bracelet.
Love those teardrops (Garnet & Amethyst) at the bottom.

You may want to check these out:
Studs - no gluing or soldering
Studs oh Studs
Studs - Variation (with bows) by Louise and Don
More Studs
Dangle Variation
The Tutorial

Wire Wrapped Tourmaline Bracelet (half chained)

Finally a bit of time to post after more than a week.
Been busy with work and travelling I hardly have time to play with my pliers and wires these two months of 2011. This bracelet was completed before Valentine's.

It's a quick project as I only need to insert the tourmaline into two wires of same length, bend them slightly, form the loops on both ends of the wire.
To add a bit more colors and character to it, I added two oval shaped beads - agate (I think) and moonstone.
Hold both tourmaline wires with jump rings and connect them to the chain on one end and to the oval shaped agate on the other.
Lastly, attached a handmade clasp and Done! That's my Valentine's gift for myself :)

Now to student's creation.
I am sharing with you a creation by Martin.
Martin made this Twice Around the World (TAW) Bracelet based on my tutorial.

Martin says "Hardest part seems to be aligning the prongs and getting accurate close fit".
So, that's for you to consider before embarking on this project.
However, I don't think its that hard as you can see, Martin's TAW Bracelet is gorgeous :)
By the way, the stones are Blue Lace Agate and love the heart shaped t-bar fastening.

Ok, before I end this post, I hope the 25% off for this tutorial is still on.
I got this Spiral-Locket Tutorial by Mary Tucker at Interweave Store for $3.00!
Been wanting to get this tutorial as I can't get the magazine here. So happy!

If you are interested, check out Mary's Spiral Locket here.
Happy creating. For me, this is one more project in the to do list.

Valentines Day Gifts

First there is New Year 2011, then Chinese New Year and now its almost Valentine's Day.
Do you have plan for Valentine's Day? Have you gotten that special someone that special Valentine's day gifts? Maybe you are someone who don't have to crack your head on what to get. Lucky you! Or, are you still cracking your head on what gifts to get?

If you can’t think of what to do or get, are bored with the usual romantic candlelight dinner, flowers or taking long walk at the waterfront, why not try this type of Valentines day gifts. If you are after adrenaline rush, this will definitely make it one of a kind Valentine's gift. At the moment there are special buy one get one free offer. Check these out which I think will make great Valentine's day presents for men. There are many activities to chose from. Psst!....I think this is a good way to check out how man is your man.....mean yeah! Flying a jet fighter is really something....its extreme but who knows it might just be his extreme dream.

For me, so far there is no plan besides spending time with the boys and dear hubby.
Guess that’s what happened when you have kids.
Otherwise, I'll go for the extreme :)
Happy Valentine's Day!

Paua Shell Earrings and the Eyes

This pair of Paua earrings was completed few weeks back.
Came across these pictures while clearing some files from the laptop.
They are large, about 5cm across but lightweight.
(Paua shell is gift from SIL who came back for holiday recently - thanks Jee Chee)
Hmmm....I have not wire wrap anything since the last two weeks. Now that Chinese New Year is just around the corner, I doubt I'd be able to hold my pliers and wires just yet.

Besides, William just started his swimming lessons 3 weekends ago. So now, Saturday is full - Taekwando in the morning and swimming in the afternoon. There goes my weekend! Look here...

He was enjoying it in the beginning. After about half an hour he complained his eyes being uncomfortable. Actually they were red. My fault! I didn't get him his goggle. So, off we went in search of his goggle, online and offline. You wouldn't know until you experience them yourself, how time consuming it is to search for their swimming trunk and goggle, etc. etc..well at least here in Kuching....or maybe we got too distracted by these popular sunglasses and these wholesale kids sunglasses. Keep reminding myself that I am not looking for sunglasses for myself :)
Yes, we got William his goggle. He's so happy with them that he wanted to bring them to bed with him..duh!
Still on eyes and eyeglasses, Hubby got his reading glasses last night!
Yeah! he needs them earlier than me...hehe...but I can use them too...which means I am going to need them very very soon :( Not something I am looking forward to though.
Look at this...

 Happy Sunday and take very good care of your eyes.

Blooming Pendant

How time flies and its almost mid January already.
I have not been able to post since school started for the boys earlier this month and I am swarmed with work since 2010 ended. I foresee lots of traveling (for work) these two or three months.....
Anyway, no matter what, lets start the year with this bloom :D
Hope this year would be a smooth one, filled with blooms of happiness and success.

 

Have a beautiful Blooming Year 2011 :)

Related Blooming Pendants:

Discovery of Nectar

Another Flora Pendant

The First Flora Pendant

The Second Flora Pendant

The Third Flora Pendant

My Last/First Post for 2010/2011 - New Medium

Happy New Year 2011!

I hope year 2011 will be the best of best for you and yours.
Best in health, best in career, best in prosperity, best in love, best in luck, best in everything.
PEACE to the world!

No! I have no New Year resolution.
Mostly I will continue on with my 2010 resolutions.
Still a long list to go.....

Actually I have hard time keeping my eyes open at the moment.
....feel so sleepy but I got to finish this last/first post before the clock strike 12:00, 2011.
I can hear fireworks already.

Here is something I am looking forward to this new year...metal work + wire work.
My first time working with copper sheet!

Started off with an easy project - Peas in a Pod...
Google for it and you'll find lots of inspirations for it.
Took me about 3 hours to make these three Peas in a Pod pendants.
No heating or soldering, just hammering to harden the sheet and fold 3.
For now, I think it is easier than wire wrapping...but wire wrapping is still my first love...<3

 

Not sure how thick the copper sheet is but its rather thin...wish it is a wee bit thicker.

Will need to hunt for it next year :)

Getting inspired already :)?

Here I come 2011.

Swirly Square Pendant - Not as Easy as it Looks

This swirly wire wrap square pendant looks easy to make but this is really one of the more difficult one.
Wasted lots of wire on this.
This final pendant is the 4th try.

This is done freehand-no mandrel.
Main tools are flat nose and round nose pliers. Oh! hammer too.
The most difficult part is getting the sharp bend for all 4 corners and ensuring the same for every round of wire.
Well, it doesn't have to be 90 degree but as sharp as possible would be best to get the squarish look.

The first try ended up like half round, half square - not square and not round!
After some hammering, the bends do look a bit rounded but thankfully still squarish.

Back of the pendant.

One of the casualties.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Murano Bracelet and Car Service

So here I am, at Toyota Service Center waiting for my car.
I have another 2 hours to kill but it will not be a boring 2 hours with internet access, comfortable sitting area and a small table all for myself. With free breakfast, perfect!
Haha! Just joking! Here's a peek of the place.
Pic on the left is on my right hand side - registration area, while pic on the right is in front of me - waiting area.

Back to jewelry, here is a recently completed bracelet. A simple wire wrapped Murano Bracelet for Marcia.
It goes very well with her dress but I didn't get to snap pictures of her wearing both in their rush to a wedding dinner last night. But it really matches her dress!!! Next time maybe.

Added some "LingLingLongLong!" (my interpretation of charms) to give it a bit of...well..charms :)
I love those long straight flattened wires. I was going all out hammering them. Ok, exaggerated a bit there :)
Somehow hammering makes me....hmmm....rather happy. Why is that I wonder?
Maybe I am imagining hammering something else or someone else...LOL...

I was actually at the local bead shop looking for pandora style beads but this one caught my eyes immediately, and I was "Hey! this matches Marcia's dress!!". Get it!!
A pair of matching earrings is next but that will be for later today.
Hopefully we don't have other plans for the day and I don't get distracted.
Seems like this is happening a lot these days - distractions! Those unplanned ones especially.

Anyway, while we are still with Murano beads, here are some of my collection.
I have more actually (show off!!!) but I didn't dig deeper into my chest of treasures last night..hehehe.., so these are the easy to reach ones only.

The glassy and black ones as well as the murano pendants (top left corner, orange and white - sorry! I missed taking a good shot at that one. Must have been sleepy!) are gift from Ahmi. She got them when she was in Europe and they are for keepsake. They are awesome glass beads.
Sometimes, I got lost staring at and within them and wonder how they are made and who are the artists producing them.
That's all for now and I wish all of you a happy and productive weekend.

Sparkly Bracelet and Ring

Don't forget to follow and comment at $65 Gift Code from CSN. You may be the lucky one.

Just a short post tonight as my hand (right hand) feels very tired and numb.
Too much typing during the day maybe.
Just post pictures of a recently completed double strand wire wrapped bracelet and ring.
This is a second bracelet for the same person as she lost her first one :(
Both are wrapped with 14k gold filled wire.
Do enjoy and have a great week!