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Monday, August 5, 2013

Sore Finger Joints....

 Now I remember why I don't have this as a full time hobby. 

I wrapped all day yesterday....And what did I get?  Sore fingers.

I will definitely  be back to minis tomorrow.

I decided to show you what I finished last night, before I go back.

This first one is some kind of ceramic bead.  I am guessing African.  I wrapped with square silver wire.
This one is lapis.  I wrapped it with antique bronze.  Now all I need to do is find the antique bronze chain or a Kumihimo cord that will match.
These are the ones that I had the most fun with.  I had a lot of loose glass beads of all colors, shapes and sizes.  I grabbed some bronze wire and had a good time just winging it.

One ring lead to another and another and still another. The two larger ones can be stacked and the two smaller ones can too.

I made the bracelets as open bangles with a hook and eye at the end.

They are much easier to get on and off than the ones that you have to slip over your hand.  The added attraction is, they fit better too.  Not all loose and floppy.

The rings were the simplest to make.  I slid three beads onto about a 12" length of wire.  Then I wrapped them around a mandrel to get the size. 

I twisted the back wires together until I got back to the beads and then twisted the wire from one side around each bead and looped it around the wire that they were on.  One from each side.  The ends of the wires were simply twisted into a small spiral.  No muss.  No fuss.  Almost instant rings.

I did the same with the bracelets.  I started with a couple of feet of wire and made a loop in one end.  I wrapped one wire around the other and then twisted about a half inch.  This time I strung the beads on the alternating wires, one at a time and proceeded to twist the unused wire around the on that the bead was on to hold it.

When I got to the end, I made a long twisted loop in the opposite end.  Each one with be different, depending on the wrist of the wearer.

I formed the hook and used some of the excess wire to wrap around it.  With the loose ends that were left, I mad small spirals.  Very simple, once you get the hang of it.

We are off to go to a movie now.

See you tomorrow.

8 comments:

Phyllisa said...

Hi Casey. I like your jewelry,
especially the bracelets. I tried
making wire jewelry once and it's
not as easy as it looks.
Phyllisa

mcddiss said...

que bonito trabajo , es muy alegre

besitos

Mari

Marisa said...

omg it looks like you'd have sore fingers..eye strain and a sore back after all that

elizabeth s said...

Hi Casey! Your jewelry looks like a good bit of fun and is a nice change for you, from all the various weavings that you have been involved with. This "Look" is a kind of weaving too. You have to wind and weave the metal over, through and around, stationary objects. Your jewelry reminds me of ' Bohemian' in its style and very 'free- spirited! I like it!

elizabeth

Caseymini said...

Phyllisa and all, I think that the key to success in jewelry is practice and the right wire for the job! If you are interested in learning, go to utube and put "beadaholique wire wrap" in the search. There are all kinds of tutorials and even information about different kinds of wire. Great videos!

Lucille said...

Love jewelry, Casey! I love all the pieces you made!

Giac said...

Hello Casey,
I just caught up on your posts. it is incredible how much you get done in a week. I hope the sore fingers get better fast.
big hug,
Giac

maria l. said...

Hermoso trabajo
Felicitaciones!