Wire Jewelry - Sparkly Swarovski Crystal Bracelets

The last four weeks were craaaazy pack.
Firstly, I was "forced" to attend a two weeks audit training and exam which actually was a 3 weeks program because the one week "off" in between was actually spent compiling the audit report.
My hesitation (that's why felt "forced") about attending the training was because of the "exam" at the end of the training.
I am soooooo terrified of "exam"!!!
In the end, I actually enjoyed the training, learned lots of things and made some friends.

Now, waiting for the exam result - I am hoping for the best.
Also, busy catching up with the last 3 weeks work.
Duh!!

That aside, I hope to embark on more wire jewelry projects this weekend - finishing off commissioned pieces and maybe write a new tutorial....mmmmm.....if I have the time.
Anyway, here's sharing my most recent sparkly Swarovski Crystal (4 mm - yeah tiny) bracelets completed early April but only managed to post now.
All wire wrapped with 24 gauge wire.

Looks good with lots of them together.
Have a great weekend and happy wrapping.

Wire Jewelry - Pearly Wire Woven Cuff

Hello January 2014!!!
Here is my first post of the year.
A pearly woven wire cuff.

Used lots and lots of 30 gauge wire.
Not easy to keep them align to the shank as sometimes I pulled too hard and other time not hard enough.
It's easier at the start but got difficult towards the center of the cuff where it's wider.
Look at the edges, they are not smooth.
But, there is beauty in imperfection :)

Have a productive January!

Wire Craft - Sparkly Crsytal Bracelets

The sparkly season is back.
This time around, its the Wire Wrapped Swarovski Crystal Bracelet.
Although they were wire wrapped with the simple wire loops, it took me about 45 minutes to an hour to complete one bracelet.
Wire size - 26 gauge
Swarovski Crystal - 3mm bicone
Clasp - Lobster clasp

If you would like to try DIY this sparkly crystal bracelet, there are lots of free online tutorials that teach you how to wire wrap this simple/basic loop.
The most basic tools required - round nose pliers, wire, clasp and a big dose of healthy crafty juice :)
I checked out Pinterest and here are all the available tutorials that you can check out.
Click on the link below and you are on the way to create this sparkly bracelets, just in time for Christmas.
How to Wire Wrap Loops

Looks way way nicer if you wear a bunch of them on your wrist.

Why are they so Cheap? Too Good to be True

Yeah, I am referring to these silver necklaces and bracelet that I got from Bangkok recently.
I came across them at a small stall, inside a huge mall.
Everything was spread out on the table - necklaces, rings, bracelets, cuff, and each of them priced at a flat rate of 100 Thai Baht. The size and weight does not matter.
They are all 100TB/piece.
Wouldn't you go crazy? :)
I did for a while....hehe.
I just couldn't resist grabbing a few as souvenir and just out of curiosity.
Genuine or not doesn't really matter for that price right?

Assuming they are genuine, a piece of similar necklace would have cost around RM100 or more here.
That's about 1000TB.
So, 10 pieces for 1000TB is really very attractive no?

Are they genuine? Judging by the price, its too good to be true/genuine.
Well, honestly I wouldn't know and of course they are silver if you ask the vendor.
He pointed to a piece of paper at the corner that says "Chiangmai Silver".
Mmmm....so its genuine? Nevermind. I grabbed a few anyway.

Out of curiosity, I googled for Chiangmai Silver but couldn't find anything similar to that I purchased.
Most searched results referred to sites located in Chiangmai.

They are really shiny though.
They do tarnish after a while as you can see the cuff in the picture above.
No worries about tarnishing as I can clean them up easily.
Check my posting on the easiest and safest way to clean silver here.

If you have any knowledge about Chiang Mai Silver, do enlighten me and my readers here.
You can leave me a comment or contact me with the contact form at the top right of this page.

Wire Wrapped Glass Bead Bracelet

These glass beads been with me for ages.
Now they are out there with their new owners.

All components of the bracelets except for the glass beads and Swarovsi crystal are handmade.

Both bracelets measure about 7 inches in length but adjustable up to 8 inches.
Extra jump rings added for that purpose.

I especially love the wire wrapped double heart focal :))

Close up of the hearts. Did some hammering there.

DIY Tutorial - Stringing your Own Beaded Bracelets and Necklace

As mentioned in the previous post, here is the tutorial on how to make your stringed beaded bracelet or necklace.

You may find this slightly different from what you are used to seeing as I didn't use any crimp bead. Nevertheless, the end result is still the same.

How much time needed?
Allocate about an hour to make 3.
Yeah! A quick and easy project.
Lets get started.....

Materials:
The above picture shows materials required for 2 bracelets and a necklace.
For each, you will need:

Metal string

2 Metal beads

1 Split ring or jump ring

1 Clasps

Beads/stones of your choice (number of beads depend on the length of the bracelet and necklace).

Step 1: Thread all the beads. I thread all at once as I will string each bracelet one after the other. This way also ensure no wastage of your string.

Step 2: Insert the metal bead followed by the clasp.

Step 3: Bring the string back through the metal bead.

Step 4: Move the metal bead towards the clasp to tighten and tie a knot close to the metal bead.
Yeah, a knot instead of crimp.

Step 5: Tie another round of knot if you like and cut off excess string.

Step 6: On the other end, insert the metal bead, bring the wire over the split ring and back through the metal bead. Tighten and tie a knot or two.

Step 7: Cut off excess string and your are done.

Repeat the above with the next group of beads.

If you have questions, feel free to add comment or use the contact form at the top right hand side of this page.

Happy stringing!

DIY Simple Stainless Steel Chain Bracelets

I said to myself to post more often.
Said that many many times.
But.....erm...
Been weeks since my last post.
Seems like I can only post during long hols and there are lots of catching up to do. There are few projects completed. Pictures were taken but have not gotten around to edit them yet.
Will do that in the next few days.

Here is a simple bracelet project....made for self.
Just feel like wearing something simple.
Its a fast and easy project.
Less than an hour.

Purchased a stainless steel necklace, pry the links apart (that's the hardest part), wrap the stainless clasps and jump rings.
tada......got myself 3 simple chain bracelets.
Added a huge Amethyst to one of them.
Best thing about them, when I don't want my wrist to be too crowded,
just take off one or two of them :)

Wire Jewelry - Roses Are Red 2

Remember the Adjustable Wire Rose Cuff from the other day?
One of them is that plain looking wire rose cuff.
I decided to add some color to it and here is the result.

Not so plain anymore.
This time around the crystal are tinier - 2mm Swarovski crystal bicone beads

Which one do you prefer?
I prefer the "Now" :)

Adjustable Rose Ring Tutorial is available at my Etsy Shop via direct download.

Wire Jewelry - Roses Are Red - Adjustable Cuff

These two adjustable wire wrapped rose cuffs were completed a week ago.
However, I only managed to take pictures of them yesterday and between that a day have passed.

This two wire wrapped cuffs are constructed using the same method as the Adjustable Wire Wrap Rose Ring. (Click this link for the tutorial).

For these cuffs, I used 18ga stainless steel wire (they are tough!) and adorned one of them with Swarovski Crystals and a smaller rose at the side. For the smaller rose, I use 20ga wire.
I think the 3mm Swarovski crystals are too big for this wire rose.
Kind of over-populating the wire rose.

 

This wire only rose is kind of plain and bare.
I am doing something about it.
Keep posted and have a great Sunday.

Wire Jewelry Tutorials Direct Download, TAW Bracelet

22 Aug 2020 Update: Craftsy no longer exist therefore all links in this post have been removed.

If you are interested in my tutorial, please visit my ETSY Shop. 

First thing first.
All my wire jewelry tutorials are now available via direct download at Craftsy.com
Here is the link to my my Craftsy Pattern Shop - http://www.craftsy.com/user/684248

How do you purchase patterns at Craftsy?
Very easy - register with your email address and have a PayPal account.

Here is a short blog post of "How Craftsy Patterns Work?"
Click on this link - http://goo.gl/a8ohz

Check out the FAQ if you have more questions about selling or buying patterns at Craftsy.
I was a bit lost when I first started but the FAQ helps a lot.

Now back to pretties.
Here is another Twice Around the World (TAW) Bracelet and simple earrings.

Are you inspired yet??
I have a tutorial for this. Just follow this link - TAW Bracelet Tutorial

I have recently updated all my tutorials - edited steps, replaced some pictures, removed non-relevant links, spell checks, standardized the document formatting, etc.

Cover page of tutorials at my Etsy Shop (as well as Craftsy) have also been replaced with minima design which I feel is easier on the eyes.

Yeah! Eyes growing old prefer non-cluttered look :)

I hope you enjoy the new look (until I change my mind *wink*wink*) and have a great week.

Wire Wrap Malachite Necklace & Murano Bracelet

Look at these.

They have been sitting around in the hard drive for a while.

I totally forgotten about them....erm....blame that on "time" again and forgetfulness...hehehe.

Anyway, this wire wrap necklace is of Malachite and "yet to remember the name of the stone". Duh! 

Its pale blue in color....I think the name has something to do with "water".

I'd appreciate it very much if any of you know the name of this stone and care to let me know in the comment section. Thanks.

I ever made an almost similar bracelet before.

The same Murano Glass Bead with some handmade hammered wire charms.

Hammering wire is very therapeutic :)