Minlace of colored stones for my favorite nephew

Its been a month since my last post!
Time really flies.
In between, I visited my dear mum for a few days with her.
Back home in Cat City we finally completed the 3 beds...yes DIY beds!
We worked day and night, weekdays and weekends.

While visiting mom, I got to meet my little nephew - Brandon. He was a baby the last time I saw him. He has grown lots, very intelligent and talkative. And guess what? He loves colorful gemstone, just like me. My buddy, we talk the same "language" :)
He kept looking and caressing my gemstone bracelets and necklace during our car journey back to mum's place. Kept saying he loves the colored gemstones.

His request is for a necklace with all the rainbow colored gemstones.
So, once back home, I quickly assembled all the colored gemstones that I have and wire wrapped this Minlace just for him. Otherwise, he kept asking when am I going to send him his colorful necklace.

Look at his happy face. He said "I like it!" Very cute.

Here are the gemstones beads that I use to wire wrap Brandon's Minlace - Prehnite, Peridot, Garnet, faceted and round Amethyst, Swarovski Crystal, Agate and Tourmaline.
Chain: Stainless steel chain link and lobster claw clasp.

Henry tried it on but said its not his style.

Wire Jewelry - Minlet - Rose Quartz and Yellow Agate

Somehow the pictures for Rose Quartz Minlet didn't turn out clear even after some editing ☹
Similar to previous Minlets, they are made wire wrapped with the following:

• Stainless steel chain link and lobster claw clasp (non-tarnish, easy to clean and long lasting).
• 6 mm Rose Quartz and 4mm Yellow Agate
• Length - about 7 inches (18 cm). These two are not adjustable but can be made into adjustable bracelets by adding jump rings like this and this. 

Look at Vera's Creation

This blog is kind of neglected lately...though I have been posting here at OrchidBliss :) Just because many of our orchids are blooming now.

That aside, today I am sharing Vera's creation which are based on my popular (hehe *wink*) Twice Around the World (TAW) Tutorial. It is always very nice to receive feedback from fellow students and wire jewelers after they created something out of my tutorials.

So, keep them coming please....and here are the pieces created by Vera.
Let me know what you think.
I think all of them are very beautiful with her own personal touch.

▼I told her and I am going to say it again. I especially like this earrings.

Check out Vera's other creations here:
FB Page - https://m.facebook.com/WireDreamsJewels

The TAW Bracelet Tutorial is available here if you want to try making it yourself:
TAW at Etsy

Wire Wrapped Sparkly Rings - slow

This is going rather slow.
Two dozens more to go.
I hope to get this done this weekend so I can move on to the next project.

What is your jewelry project this weekend?

Look at my working tray here.
That's all the space needed for this project ;)

Should I or should I not?

The Valentine's Sales at my Artfire shop ended today.
Well, what can I say?
The sales is quite disappointing.
Maybe on my part I didn't do enough marketing.
Maybe people are not interested with DIY wire jewelry anymore, or maybe the market is saturated with too many projects? Or people just don't have the time.
I am contemplating shutting down my Artfire Shop.
It is not making enough to cover the monthly fee.

Do you have a store at Artfire?
How's your sales at Artfire?
If you have both Artfire and Etsy, which one is doing better?
I seems to get customers organically to my Etsy shop but not Artfire.
In fact, compared to Etsy, Artfire is easier to make purchase as it doesn't requires you to register.
Ermmm...wondering.....
Should I or should I not?

On another note, if you are still doing Valentine's shopping, and would like something different from Etsy and Artfire, you may want to check out Wholesale Jewellery. There is a section for Valentine's jewelry as well.

Before I sign off, here is a recently completed wire wrap New Zealand jade (or green stone) pendant for your inspiration.
This is done using the netted method similar to this turquoise pendant.
Love the green color.

Wire Wrap Bail - Wired Rose Motif

Something different this time around.
So far I have only designed my wired rose around rings and earrings.

Here, I managed to twist the wire into a rose's motif bail. The glass bead is rather large and I think the steel rose really complement the blooms on the bead :)

If you would like to learn how to make this wire rose (not this bail though),
you can get the tutorials for 25% less starting today.
I am having a SALES at my Artfire Shop - click here right now! or the direct links down here:
Wire Wrap Rose Ring Tutorial
Wire Wrap Rose Earrings Tutorial

Netted Turquoise Pendant

What to do on a wet rainy Sunday morning?
Nothing much outside the house.
Not that I do a lot of things outside the house like...... gardening,
but I am referring to things like going to the market, coffee shop, etc. etc.
Since I am stuck in the house, I shall post this recently completed wire wrap turquoise pendant.
A large and heavy piece but attention grabbing nevertheless.

Its noon time already....yeah...i got distracted elsewhere while posting this.

Time to think what to have for lunch.

See you next time.

Wire Jewelry 2013 - Feedback

It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback from people who purchase my tutorials and successfully completed the projects based on these tutorials.

Your feedback are very much appreciated and I would like to say thank you all for that.

Comments and feedback are important for me because from them, I'd know what you think of my tutorials and if required improve on them or future projects.

As such, I am starting off my 2013 posting by sharing few selected feedback and a completed project.

Feedback

Great tutorial, very clear and easy to follow. Made a bracelet in one evening and very beautiful. The extra instructions on making a clasp and jump rings are also great. This design is good for beads with small drill holes because there are thicker wires to help hold the links together. It won't fall apart. Thanks so much for sharing this, it's very clever and well thought out -- from Kate

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Friendly seller, and fast delivery of the tutorial to the inbox. Instructions are so easy to follow. Highly recommended. -- from Kristen

Kate and Kristen are giving feedback to this tutorial -  Twice Around The World Bracelet

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Super fast delivery. Clear concise instructions and pictures. I'm sure I am going to have fun making these. Thank you! -- from Sharon

Sharon is referring to this tutorial package - Tutorial Package


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Lightning fast delivery. Excellent, clear step-by-step instructions. Turned out wonderfully the first time I tried making this ring. -- from Mary

Super fast service. Excellent, clear, detailed instructions. Blessings! -- from Diana

Mary and Diana are referring to this tutorial - Sparkly Crystal Ring

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I can't wait to create this beautiful project. The text directions are perfectly synced with the detailed photographs so that even a beginner should have no trouble following along. Thank you! -- from Sue

Sue is referring to this tutorial - Braided Wire Cuff (Meet me Halfway)

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Easy and looks great. I'm a beginner and made a pair in less than 30 minutes. The finished look is very professional. Will make more to give away as presents. Thanks for a great tutorial. -- from Kate

Kate is referring to this tutorial - Wire Wrapped Stud Earrings Tutorial

Completed Project (Need more on this)
Unfortunately there is only one photo to show.
This Braided Cuff is done by Donna based on this tutorial - Braided Wire Cuff (Meet Me Halfway)
Donna used 19ga black steel wire and she'd be busy with this project for a while :)
Thank you Donna for sharing.

If you would like to share your projects based on one of my tutorials, do let me know.

Email me (click on the white envelope at the top right of this blog) or leave a comment here and I shall get back to you.

If you have a website or blog, provide me your links to be included.

Till then, have a great week.

Mayan Apocolypse! No...More Sparklies for Christmas

Today is suppose to be "the end of the world" according to predictions of the Mayan Apocalypse. Some of you may be believers but not me.

In fact I read in the paper this morning that the non believers include today ethnic Maya themselves, who are mostly Christian....hmmmm....

What exactly would happen I don't know but I am looking forward to tonight, tomorrow, Christmas, New Year including Chinese New Year, Valentine Day, etc. etc.

Whatever it is, lets hope it will not end today, tomorrow or forever.

Bring some sparks to Christmas and here are more wire wrap sparkly rings for your viewing pleasure.

These are jade wrapped with 14k gold filled wire and 3mm gold filled beads.

Of Failure, Pearls and Sparklies

Ah...I have been slacking in this posting department for a while now.

Inspiration seems to be taking a back seat for the last few months.

Few days ago I tried something "new", well not really "new" but failed miserably.
It was a request for wire names and I can't seems to get the letters right.
I thought it would be easy but I was wrong. Gave up altogether and feel very disappointed with myself.

Well, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner.
There are still few more pieces to work on and hopefully they all turn out beautiful.

At least these here turn out beautifully :)
Stringed pearl necklace with a wire wrap infinity clasp.

 Close up of the infinity clasp.

Again, I have made lots of this sparkly wire wrap rings, if you have been following my postings. Probably the most popular and you are getting bored seeing the same rings again hahaha...

However, this ring is quite quick and easy to make. As such, it will make great last minute gifts, if you are a very last minute person like me.
Hehe! can't resist doing shameless self promotion here.
I have a step by step pictorial tutorial for this ring at my Etsy shop, click the link here - Sparkly Crystal Ring Tutorial

Wire Weave Stud Earrings and Cross - Lapiz Lazuli

I have written about Lapiz Lazuli
previously – Lapiz as Healing Stone.
Well, it didn't get rid of my migraine
headache…yet….because I don’t put it on all the time but who knows.

However, I am still in awe with this dark blue gemstone which is regarded as a stone of truth and friendship and believe to helps the wearer to be authentic and allow self-expression/confidence.

Few months back, I purchased a teardrop and oval shaped Lapiz suitable for pendant and ring. Been meaning to wire wrap them for self but as usual, many ideas ran through my head when I first saw them but once they reached home, they’ll be sitting in the box for many moons to come…haha....bad habit.

These pair of wire weaved stud earrings and cross is commissioned by a friend. I employed the weaving technique for the cross as well as the Herringbone weave for studs.

How do you like the earrings?
Me too…I love it…hehe
Notice the tiny golden shimmer?
They are not gold, how I wish, but pyrites.

Today is my favorite day....yay its Friday!
Don't we all look forward to Friday :)

Twice Around the World (TAW) Necklace

It seems like rainy season is here.
We have been experiencing a lot of rain lately. Mostly in late afternoon.
Just nice to bring down the temperature at night including tonight :)

While you are enjoying a cool night too, here is a recently completed necklace.
A Twice Around the World (TAW) wire wrap necklace.
Stones are Tiger's Eye, red and golden.

If you'd like to learn how to make the TAW component of this necklace, check out the tutorial here.

Somehow, I am feeling very sleepy now.
Must be the weather.
Signing off here, off to zzz land.

Wire Jewelry - Wire Bookmark

Few weeks back I managed to find and purchase some 16g stainless steel wire (soft). Been looking high and low for this wire for a while. You know wire of this size (especially soft one) is really hard to come by so I was very tempted to buy the whole coil.
Refrain! refrain! :)

On the other hand, I have lots of 16g hard stainless steel wire but they are really tough to work with, if not near impossible (for me at least). I think I mentioned this before, so just bear with me. DH use them for his fishing "accessories" and of course arms and fingers are stronger.

Back to this bookmark, I find that this wire size is the best for this kind of wire bookmark. Thinner wire will feel very flimsy even with hammering.
With hammering, this bookmark is very sturdy and would withstand your reading habit.
This one is adorned with pearl and 8mm Swarovski Crystal and the bottom part with 3 short hammered wires.

Wire Jewelry - Earrings, Borneo Ceramic Beads

These are very special one of a kind beads due to its colorful combination.
The handmade nature of the process and the natural individuality of the clay and colors result in variations from bead to bead, expressed in differences of shape, sizes, texture and color.

You wouldn't notice it from the pictures but one of the beads on this wire wrap earrings is actually smaller than the other one. I guess it doesn't matter when the colors compensated for this :)

This pair of earrings is experimental.
All components are handmade with lots of hammering on the 19g stainless steel wire.
The ear hook was OK as I hammered after shaping them.
The toughest part was twisting the wires that hold the beads.
I can only twist them after hammering the wire ends flat so it was really really tough and hard work.
Almost gave up on that.
Glad I didn't break my pliers.

Before signing off, don't forget to check out my Tutorial Giveaway at Magpie Gemstones.
If you you click on this link - http://www.magpiegemstones.com/news.html and sign up for the newsletter, you'll get the chance to win.
Have a great week.

Wire Wrap Stud Earrings

Here's a bunch of wire wrap stud earrings for your viewing pleasure and hopefully will inspire you to create them too.
This time around, they are of mix stones.
Mostly in natural earthy colors.
No reds or orange, the calling for attention type of colors.

From L-R: pearl, tiger eyes, smoky quartz, turquoise and moonstone.

This project is relatively easy to achieve. If you are feeling adventurous and crafty, you can check out my tutorial for the same wire wrap stud earrings by following this link here:

Click - Simple Yet Elegant Wire Wrap Stud Earrings Tutorial

Simple Wire Wrap Rings

When I first started with wire wrap rings, this is the simplest method I started with.
You wouldn't believe how simple
it is until you try it out yourself.
Once you get the hang of this,
add it with your own creativity,
you can come up with a wire
wrap ring that suits your style.

For these rings here, I just added another loop around the beads/crystals.
Decorated the side/shanks with a wee bit of wire wrap loops to make it less boring to look at :)

If you feel more adventurous, check out Szarka's Bingo Ring Tutorial at Magpie Gemstones.
Have a great weekend!

Herringbone Weaved Rings

When I managed to steal some time the other day, I revisited an older project and here is what I whipped up - few Herringbone Weaved Rings.
This is one of the techniques I fell in love with when I first started with this wire jewelry addiction. Eni has a free tutorial for it and it should be available at her JL site.

This ring variation was created by me back then, when I have not seen it done into a ring (now you see them everywhere! Can I say I made it popular?...wink! I am sure there are people who got something to say about this). I wrote a free tutorial for this ring and shared it with whoever were interested back then. You must be one of them who has gotten them...hehe...
Oh...you can't find the free tutorial in this blog anymore. I have since taken it down.

However, the tutorial is still available for Free if you purchase this other tutorial - the Caged Herringbone Weaved Bead. Yeah! my own variation to the Herringbone Weave.

The pearl HBW rings are quite pretty don't you think so?
Note to self - make more of them.
More HBW Rings here - HBW Rings
More Tutorials here - Wire Jewelry Tutorials

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 :)