Daily Blogs : wire necklaces

Create an Artsy Pinwheel Necklace

Michelle M. — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:07:00 GMT

Have you ever created a necklace with more than one focal bead? When I saw Katie Hacker's free Perfect Pinwheels necklace from Beadwork, I admired how she managed to use more than one large bead in her asymmetrical necklace. While I've combined smaller beads together to make larger pendants, I've never used multiple large focal beads in a single design. The key seems to be to use two different sizes of focals if you are placing them next to one another. Otherwise, spread them out throughout the necklace for balance....(read more)

3 Quick Tips for Dealing with Wire Warts

Michelle M. — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:30:00 GMT

If you're going to rate pesky problems in wire work, this one rates pretty high. Yes, wire warts are just what you think: those nasty little marks on the wire made with your pliers. After putting your best creative and technical skills into your design, it is so frustrating to see those unwanted and unintended marks! What can you do about it? ...(read more)

How to Finish (or Start!) Viking Knit

Michelle M. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:29:00 GMT

Last weekend I took a break from my beads and tried my hand at Viking Knit, a type of wirework that creates beautiful wire cords that you can fashion into bracelets and necklaces. For months, I've been admiring some Viking knit bracelets the same way I admire a wonderful painting: Wow, I wish I could do that. ...(read more)

Create Oxidized Wire Post Earrings

Michelle M. — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:32:00 GMT

Some days (OK, most days) you amaze me! In the Reader Showcase area of the forums, I was blown away by Australian member Huan Pham who created the beautiful wireworked seahorse pictured here. Isn't it amazing? View the larger photo in the forums if you want to be impressed by his precise wirewrapping skills!...(read more)

The ABCs of Oxidizing Jewelry

Michelle M. — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:44:00 GMT

I don’t remember when I first became aware of sterling silver jewelry that was purposely NOT shiny. When I think of the hours I’ve spent over the years trying to shine up my sterling pieces! I bought every chemical, every cloth, every dip I saw that promised my jewelry would come out looking like new....(read more)

Create a Perfect Wire Spiral: Free Video Class

Michelle M. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:51:00 GMT

Along with simple loops, the spiral was the first wire technique I learned. In fact, my mom still wears a pair of earrings that I created back then with 8mm black rounds and a silver spiral dangle. (I try not to cringe when I see them--my technique has greatly improved since then!)...(read more)

How to Wire Knit with a Knitting Spool

Michelle M. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:41:00 GMT

If you’re like me, when someone asks you to make a piece of jewelry for them you automatically go to beads, findings, wire, and thread. But after reading through Elements of Style, I think I’ll open my mind a little wider next time. ...(read more)

Free Wire Spiral Earrings, Plus New Reader Gallery

Michelle M. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:40:00 GMT

What makes a piece of jewelry a "winter" design? Is it jewelry type? I hardly ever create bracelets for winter because I know they'll just be buried under miles of sweaters and jackets. ...(read more)

Learn to Create Wire Jewelry on a Budget

Michelle M. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:40:00 GMT

One of the things I love most about jewelry is the diversity it affords (no pun intended!). Sure, I drool over the Tiffany’s catalogs, and gawk at the windows in the Diamond District when I’m in New York City. But my favorite pieces of jewelry contain no gold and no precious stones. Instead, they’re made from rubber tubing, scrap fabric, lampwork beads, copper, steel, and craft wire....(read more)

How to Create a Wire Bail for a Marble

Michelle M. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:56:00 GMT

I was cleaning the other day and ran across a bag of marbles. My kids used to run them through these elaborate Rube Goldberg-style obstacle courses they’d create with stuff around the house, the course ending with a little “ting!” against a miniature gong. It brought back a really nice memory. “Wouldn’t it be nice to wear this memory?” I thought. But alas, no hole for stringing. ...(read more)

Seed Bead and Wire Halloween Earrings

Michelle M. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:36:00 GMT

Do you bead for the holidays? Which ones? Halloween? Easter? Christmas? How about National Chocolate Day (October 28), Poppy Day (November 11), or Read a New Book Month (December)?...(read more)

Simple Wire and Crystal Ribbon Earrings

Michelle M. — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:15:00 GMT

I recently heard from my high school friend Kristy who was planning on running a race in California to raise money for cancer research. When I saw Sandra Lupo's wire earring project, I immediately bought some half-round silver wire and a 5mm rose Swarovski crystal pearl to make a pendant version for Kristy. As much as I loved the original earrings, I wanted to give my friend some flexibility in wearing this design. By adding a closed jump ring , she can wear the ribbon like a pendant on a simple chain or cord. She could also add an open jump ring and lobster clasp and attach it to a jacket zipper....(read more)

Wire Gauges: How to Find the Right Size

Michelle M. — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:51:00 GMT

I recently redesigned a pair of earrings using a different gemstone colorway. I found out pretty quickly that the new stones I was using had very small holes. So, with my stash’s head pin box before me, I started trying…22-gauge? Nope. 24-gauge? Nope. (I was starting to feel like a toddler with a shape sorting ball!) Wow—26 gauge? Yes! Luckily I have all those gauges on hand—how frustrating it would be if I didn’t....(read more)

The 7 Best Tools for Working with Wire

Michelle M. — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:02:00 GMT

It wasn't too long ago that I knew nothing about making jewelry with wire. I started as a beader, for a long time, then dove headfirst into metalsmithing. But wire . . . that was a step I'd missed along the way....(read more)

Original Jewelry Designs: Is It New or Just New to You?

Michelle M. — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:19:00 GMT

When I was in my teens, platform shoes came into fashion. Remember Elton John on his tall elevator boots? My mother was quick to point out that she’d worn platform shoes all through the '30s and '40s. Of course, I was not in a position to recall the '30s or '40s. But when bell bottoms (or flared, as they’re called today) and hip huggers (or low rise, as they’re called today) came back into style in the '90s, you can bet I had a laugh about how we’d all worn those in the '70s. In fashion, if something is new to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s new. ...(read more)