I found that I love making twisted wire jewelry. It's easy to do and the outcome always ends up fabulous and interesting. This post is going to be more of a. "look what I made," instead of a tutorial. Hope you enjoy.
By using just a few beads and wire, you can make a gorgeous pair of earrings.
Materials Used
6 brown beads
18 gauge copper wire
To complete earrings
2 jump rings
2 ear wires
Easy Peasy! Any hole drilled beads will do. Wire? I use anywhere from 18 - 24 gauge. Anything larger is to hard to twist. Anything smaller and the shape won't lay right.
I wrote a very similar post on Dec. 28, 2014. It can be found here. It provides more photos and details for this technique.
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Yesterday, I
crafted some pendants that will be displayed during a trunk show hosted
at a friend's home next month. If you have been reading my blog, you
will notice my brand is creating asymmetric jewelry using warm tones.
Now,
on to the pendants. The polymer clay colors chosen were all Premo
Accent colors of 1oz size bars. The colors used are Red Glitter, Bronze, 18-karat Gold, Copper and Translucent.
All
bars were chopped into little pieces and conditioned. I find chopping
them up first allows the conditioning process to go a little faster.
Some people use a food processor for this step. I just use a sharp
blade.
Another beautiful Sunday means blog time.
I collected my favorite fall colors, mixed them and swirled them. Once baked they are just beautiful.
But, darn it! Where are the holes??? Guess I'll have to wire wrap. I could drill holes now but I like the look of the holes made from wet clay instead of those made when drilling after the clay is cured. Next time I'll remember, "punch the holes!".
Quick Instructions
Condition the clay
roll into logs & lay side by side
flatten evenly with roller 'til clay fits thru largest pasta maker setting
keep rolling thru smaller settings 'til you blend a pleasing pattern
.
Using 14 gauge wire, a steel block and hammer are all that's needed to create beautiful clasps. I plan on using these clasps on some jewelry I've been working on for an upcoming craft fair.
Although copper is an inexpensive metal to purchase, I need to start looking into where I can purchase it in bulk. I believe I'll start visiting the home centers and plumbing shops in my area. Hopefully, these shops will carry copper at a more reasonable price.
This project was a lot of fun. I'm making my own finding now. I use a hammer and steel block to flatten different areas of my pieces.
I am currently making necklaces through wire wrapping the stones, adding chains and topping them off with a homemade clasp finding. Guess my next step will be to hit the flea market.
Selling to friends has turned a nice profit but it's now time to expand. Since I live by the Pasadena Rose Bowl and they have a flea market every second Sunday of the month, that's where I'll start.
