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.

Thank You

The year end sale just ended.
However, the 25% Off ("Thank You" Coupon) is still on forever.
This "Thank You" coupon is meant for encouraging repeat business.

This is How it Works
A coupon code will be emailed by Etsy to you (buyers) as a Thank You after a purchase to encourage you to come back in the future.
Yeah! I really love you to come back :)
For future purchase, just enter the coupon code you received in the email at Checkout and the 25% Off will be applied to the purchase.
There you go, easy peasy.

Direct Download at my Etsy Shop
Here is the link to my Etsy Shop - WireBliss at Etsy
All tutorials (except for some tutorials packages which still requires me to email them manually) are directly downloadable upon purchase and successful payment.

Direct Download at my Craftsy Shop
If you prefer Crafty, you can visit my shop at Craftsy as well.
Here is the link to my Craftsy Shop - WireBliss at Craftsy.
All 19 tutorials are listed here and downloadable directly upon purchase.
Tutorial packages offer is not listed here though.
They are only available at my Etsy Shop.
Visit Wirebliss's Craftsy Pattern Store »

Year End Sale is Back

How time flies.
We are at the end of the year again.
For some, it is a season of giving and celebration.
If you are planning for DIY jewelry as gift this season, check out my jewelry tutorials here.

I am having a SALE time again.
20% OFF all my wire jewelry tutorials!
Sale ends 8 December 2013.

Visit my Etsy Shop now.

The coupon code is TUT20.
At checkout, click Apply shop coupon code above "Item total" to enter the coupon code for your order.

Click this link to visit my Etsy Shop - WireBliss at Etsy

After your first purchase, you'd be qualified for 25% OFF your second purchase.
An email with the coupon code will be emailed to you after the first purchase.
So, don't hesitate too long,

Now only USD56.00 - for 18 tutorials.
Visit my Etsy Shop now.
Have a great week.

The Chasing Hammer 2

Then....I discovered this Chasing Hammer the other day.
As usual I can't resist and paid RM30 for it.
Another addition to my tools collection :)

Brand new and shiny but the wooden handle is not as good as our handmade handle here- Chasing Hammer 1.

Side by side with Chasing Hammer 1.
Chasing Hammer 2 is tiny.
Big brother and little brother...hehe...

The Chasing Hammer

Another addition to my tools collection.
I think this is a Chasing Hammer or is it goldsmith hammer?
Doesn't matter as long as I can use it to hammer the wires and metals.

Hubby found this one fine day at a second hand shop.
A very rare find for us on this side of the world :) So kasian.
Anyway, one fine weekend we set out to work on it and gave it a new body and a little bit of shine.
Actually it was over several weekends and evenings.

It was all rusty and ugly when hubby brought it home.
The previous owner/s must have use it very productively.
Notice how worn out it is with all the kinks.

Found a piece of nice wood for the handle and we both set out to work on it, taking turns.
Tik tok! Tik Tok! Tok tok tok!.....

Tok tok tok! Me, rounding up the handle.
Hardwork involved and not that easy especially to get a well rounded handle.

Then hubby gave it a bit of shine and this is how it turned out.
Not that shiny but way better than when it was brought home.

After all the hard work, smooth and brand new although the flat face is not that flat.

This is the final product, all shiny and smooth.
Happy!

Beading Community - Borneo International Beads Conference 2013

Well, this is also an overdue post.
The Borneo International Bead Conference took place more than a month ago, from 11-13 October 2013.
I did not take part in the conference but had the chance to visit the bead bazaar set up by both local and overseas beads artisan. There were also hands-on workshop and demonstration organised but I missed that out too due to timing. Maybe next round.
Not many visitors were around when I was there - less than 10 person. Yeah, very quite.
Maybe not many people were aware of it or not maybe people are not interested in beads? Dunno!
Anyway, here are some photos of the interesting beads I managed to capture with my hp camera.

The venue - 1st Floor, Four Points by Sheraton Kuching

Beaded Shoes from Melaka. Very intricate and detail work.

 

Beaded Corsages

Paiwanese Beads from Taiwan, bold and colorful - beautiful.

The Paiwanese is an indigenous group from Taiwan.
Each patterns on the glass beads has different meaning and motifs.
Refer to the handwritten explanation below.

 

One of the local artisan, Ramsay Ong and his beadwork/jewelry.

Ramsay's Creation with local motifs

Ramsay's Creation - Pua Kumbu Beads.
Pua Kumbu is a traditional woven multicolored ceremonial cotton cloth used by the Iban tribe of Sarawak.

Ramsay's Creation.

They are from the Rungus tribe of Sabah.
Love their headgears and traditional clothing.

They are popular and got interviewed by the reporter here :)

This Bakelalan lady brought along some very rare items from the highland of Sarawak - Hill Salt and Beras Bijan (sesame rice, literally translated).

The rice is really tiny. I have never tried this rice before.
Very expensive!

These rings are by a Sri Lankan Jeweler.
I like his work of combining the two different metals - copper and silver.

These necklaces are made from recyclable material including bottle caps.

And here are other beads from our local Sarawak beaders. 

Paper Beads

Close up

Orang Ulu's Beadwork and design

 

Ah! I forgot to put watermark on the pictures.....nevermind.

Have a great week.