Wire Wrapped Cab - Embrace It

Today didn't go so well with the little boy (Henry). He didn't want to go to school. Well! he did but only halfway. He got into the car with William and we drove all the way to the school. Once there, he didn't want to get off the car. Started crying/wailing that he didn't want to go to school. Coaxed him and tried to bribe him for about 5 minutes but failed. I gave up and drove him home...late for work again! This little one is really unpredictable and sometimes I just don't know how to deal with him. His mood changes as fast as lightning......

OK! enough about him. Hope you don't mind my rambling.

Here's sharing with you a wire wrapped cab I completed last night. Another one to go.

Lapis Lazuli, the Healing Stone

Lapis Lazuli alleviates pain, especially that of migraine headaches.

This is the statement that got me attracted to this gemstone recently. As some of you may know, I frequently have migraine headaches. I've tried lots of things to help me cope with the pain - panadol, paracetamol (same thing), pain killer (can't remember their names), even 100 Plus, Chinese medicines/herbs, massage, etc. etc but non of them helps. When I got them, I'd be completely "useless" for one or two days. I'd be locked inside the bedroom and try to sleep the pain away. Of course I can't as the boys will come knocking on the door from time to time...mommy! mommy!
Yeah! I am very very desperate. Thank you to friends who suggested other methods to get rid of the pain. Haven't tried some of them out yet but will do.

For now, I have made myself a Lapis Lazuli necklace. They are 8mm beads and we shall see how it works out. I hope it really works :)
For believers, here are other attributes of Lapis Lazuli:

• Friendship, universal truth, harmony, peace of mind, tranquility, honesty, creative expression, expand awareness, intellectual capacity and communication, mental clarity, self confidence.
• Mental clarity & emotional healing, and enhances judgment and wisdom.
• Enhances psychic abilities and awareness & communication with higher self and spirit guardians.
• Helps to openly state his or her opinion.
• Energizes the throat chakra. Helps in recovery from surgery. Aids healing in the areas of the neck, larynx, and vocal chords. 
  
• Protect wearer from physical danger and psychic attacks.
• Cleanses the mind body and spirit of toxins and negativity.
  

Braiding with wire

It's been a while since I last braided with wire and I've never wire braid a ring until today. This is a "training ring" before getting into serious business :) ....Ehm! actually I was not sure if I can make a braided ring or not therefore this "test ring" :)

Why so many spirals? Actually, I don't know what to do with the wire ends. There are six of them. Naturally, I'd go for spirals as they are the easiest and cute too.
Overall, the ring looks fine and surprisingly very comfortable on the finger.
I will do better job next time around :)

If you would like to make your own wire braided bracelet, check out my FREE tutorials - 3-Wire Braiding.

Wire Wrapped Earrings Day

Editted 4th Oct 09.
Not sure what happened to the pictures uploaded previously. Thanks Heather for informing me.
Here they are again.
__________________________________________
Here are couple of wire wrapped earrings completed yesterday and today.

Been playing with jump rings and here are the result.

Very simple and quick projects.

 

 

Finally Oxidized

* Click on image to enlarge
What do you think? Is it better to oxidized or non-oxidized? Check un-oxidized pix here.
As mentioned in my previous post, I finally got these two sparkly rings oxidized last night and polished with steel wool size 000.
Yeah! Did I mention that I found the steel wool? With steel wool, I don't need to use strength to polish them as compared to the green pads (for scouring dishes) that I used previously, before I found the steel wool :).
The funny thing is when you are not looking for it, they are all over the place :)

It will be weekend tomorrow, so I wish you all a happy weekend and happy wire wrapping. 

Planning to Oxidize

This sparkly ring is really tiny - Size 8. The new owner would like it to be oxidized but I have not done so yet.  I seldom get customer who'd like their pieces oxidize but I am not complaining :)

My First Oxidized Ring

If you would like to know how to oxidize sterling silver, check out my step by step instructions with pictures - 1st Oxidized Ring. Its very easy to do and you will not fail. All you need is an egg ;)

Meantime, I will oxidize this one later and share with you the result here.

If you would like to learn to make this Sparkly Crystal Ring, check it out at my Etsy Shop - Sparkly Ring Tutorial. 

Wire Wrapped Clasps with Pearl

Been a while since I made pipa clasps. The last time were in May 2008 (Kissing Pipas) and April 2008 (Four-in-One). More than a year ago. Wow! How time flies...

Made these two yesterday..commission piece.
Got problem starting making them though as its been a while, but turned out ok :)

Love this clasp very much!

Genny's World - Sparkly Crystal Ring

I kept forgetting to post this wire wrapped sparkly ring made by Genny of Genny's World.  

Genny said:

"......I have to say I love the ring! I made one very easily following your step by step instructions and it came out more beautiful than I could have expected!
I've since made a couple more. I need to buy some more supplies so I can get more of a variety. Thank you again for all the work you put into writing your concise tutorials. They make it so much fun to make jewelry! Genny"

Thank you Jenny for sharing this Sparkly Crystal Ring of yours ;D
Happy weekend all!

Feel the Blue-Blue Themed Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Sunday is gone! gone! Been feeling blue, green, green and pink for the last two days. That's because I have been making these type of wire wrapped bracelets the last few days. One thing about wire wrapping these type of bracelets is that I got to use some of my odd bead collection. Beads that I do not know what to do with as they are in odd numbers. Sometimes there is only one of them :) This piece here is wrapped mostly with 22ga wire and measures about 19cm but extendable to 20cm as I added 3 jump rings at the end.

Feel the Green - Green themed Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Green is the theme today. This one measures about 19cm, extendable to 20cm.

Wire Wrapped Bracelet - Green & Pink Themed

It's almost noon (Sunday) and I haven't been doing much. Went to the Sunday Market this morning and bought more than ten magazines. Looks like I need to put aside some time for reading which means less time for other things including wire jewelry.

I really really need to sort out my time and reorganize how I use them. The biggest issue is too little time but so many things to do.

Do you have the same problem?
Hmmm...now I am off to find some time to sort out my time problem.

At least I managed to get this bracelet done yesterday.

Happy Sunday everyone!

More Food and Headache

No! Food don't give me headache. No wire jewelry last Sunday as it's all about food and lying in bed. Was supposed to enjoy these food but no appetite due to headache. Only tried 2 pieces. What a waste! MIL prepared this "Potato Cake". Actually we don't know what to name it so came up with the simplest and easiest. Supposedly a very very old recipe and you can't find the recipe in any cookbook (confirmed by a recipe book collector....hmmm I wonder). Look at the brass mould used....its antique and very very heavy. Taste? YUMMY....even with headache. This second set of pictures is of homemade KAYA. Heavenly Kaya! One of my favorite. It's our local "jam". Best taken with bread/toast. Main ingredients are coconut milk, sugar and eggs. Easy!..ohhh but not so easy. This homemade Kaya is better than any Kaya in town. One day I hope to be "Kaya" (Rich) making homemade Kaya....LOL

Back to Wire Wrapped Pearl Bracelet

Oh well, I'd rather stick with wire jewelry rather than baking although they are 2 different things all together. Just didn't get that "feeling" after baking as compared to making wire jewelry. Made this pearl bracelet after baking the Hong Kong Cake this afternoon. Have a wonderful weekend all!

Hot from the Oven - 1st after more than 25 years

My first Hong Kong Cake! Yeah! If I remember correctly, this is my first cake after more than 25 years. My first and last cake was baked when I was a teenager. Failed miserably that I decided not to bake anymore. Never good with baking and cooking anyway or maybe I just don't have much interest until yesterday when I thought why not give it another try with aunt-in-law guidance :) Aunt is very well known with her kueh making and baking skill. It didn't take long to make this cake - less than 2 hours. The cake turned out quite well although it would be better with a smaller pan. All in all, actually my input is only about 20% or less :) but I am still happy nevertheless. More baking for me?.................maybe...:D

Back to Sparkly Crystal Rings

People really can't get enough of these sparklies. Just completed 32 of this Sparkly Crystal Rings.
In record time I must say - about 4 hours.
I must say this is my best selling ring so far. Lost count of how many I made since started. Guess women love the sparkles.

If you would like to learn how to make this ring, tutorial for this Sparkly Crystal Ring is available at my Etsy Shop. It is not difficult to make but will make great gift.