Perfectly Twisted Handmade Wire Wrapped Beaded and Gemstone Jewelry

Lunation

My dearest friends, been working on my book(s), a room mate, new job and just wanted to say I'm still here! Hugs and much love as I weave in and through all the things I love to do in life. I'm currently writing and will be back to the jewelry soon.

~Lunation~
Today is full in the sky Maroon color bubble
of a time we fly in the night a light is seen in
a beam of bright Is the sight it's been there.
All A Long. eYes up. To Knight.

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OM Bookmark.

I painted this with food coloring and glue.
~Enjoy a free book mark

~Click, save image, modify to size desired, print, cut out, glue onto stock paper or cardboard, paint brush all over with decoupage glue. Spray with decoupage sealer for gloss if desired.
~Enjoy :)

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New Wire Wrapped Pendant and EarringsTutorials! April 2009

I just listed these! They're easy to make, fun and a great way to break into wrapping tiny beads onto an earring frame. Enjoy and thanks again for being here and for your support!
Hugs and love.

Updated 4.26, I also just today listed the tutorial for the copper butterflies! It can be found in my Etsy shop also or all of my tutorials can be found in my new ARTFIRE shop! And certainly at JewelryLessons.com!

http://perfectlytwisted.artfire.com

Click on either image to visit the listing. :)

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New In Etsy! Reversible Wire Wrapped Crystal Point Pendants

Yeah, it's late and I'm tired... so I'll just give a quick update.
We're under some snow, I'm sure your news tells you about our Spring blizzard :)

All is well, but my class tomorrow will be postponed until next week (Saturday) please email me and/or contact Caboodles for details.

So today and the past few days, I've been wrapping pendants and working on tutorials. Not everything done and certainly in my chaotic pattern but it's all getting there. Here's the latest post in Etsy!

More pendants to be listed and the Artbead project to be done! Crimany, it's wonderful...
I wrote a few poems too if any of you like to read weird poetry. http://izzysgumbo.blogspot.com/

Now, love me please and go shop ;)
Hugs! lol...

The listing is here...

Here's a quick preview of what will be in the store by the weekend I hope! ;)

And...just so you know.... ;) Very large snowflakes on my slide....
Very pretty.

Copper Wire Wapped Carnelian Butterfly Pendants

Hi everyone! I know I've been laying low for a bit but I've been working on some new things in addition to my upcoming classes. I also have been working on the ArtBeads project but I have to admit that it'll be another minute for that one. The bead, at no fault to them, was larger then I expected. Go figure, through the excitement to blog for them, I didn't check the measurements and now the idea I had has to change. More to come (this was a post from previous days).

Regarding the past day or two, I've been inspired by these beautiful carnelian butterfly beads. I found them at a bead show a couple of years ago but have never really given them a try until now. I got new copper wire and so perhaps this is why the inspiration. I hope you enjoy them.

The tutorial for this will be out in my store soon along with the pendants, so keep an eye out for them! Hugs and thanks for always being here and for sharing yourselves as well. :) Smiles and many blessings!

I used 21 gauge, round copper wire, 3 strands of 7 inches each, the Carnelian beads are approx 1 inch by .75 inch and including the bale length, the whole pendant is 1.5 inches long. The leather cords are finished in copper bands and a copper clasp. Simple and really fun to make. I hope they inspire you!

Sharing Patterns. Copper Wire Scarf and Hair Sticks.

I've had such a great response from these, so I thought I'd share the patterns. If you'd like to support the sharing and contribute, you are welcome to purchase the whole tutorial from my Etsy store here, but if you think this is something you can do, then give it a try! I'd love to see your creations!

A friend said these would make great hair sticks also, if you wear them. ;)

Enjoy!

From Post:
http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/2009/03/copper-scarf-pins.html

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Hooked On, Copper Wire Jewelry

Well, just a few new projects finished, thank the goodness. My hammer is broken, so I started to string some of the amazing beads brought to me from Mexico. The Turquoise, once again, is from the most amazing Magpie and I loved using these Carnelian beads as accents. Very 'Egyptian feeling' to me. :) Again, using a simple leather cord, I create a casual 'finishing end' to the necklaces. Some are simply tied and believe it or not, the leather holds as well as any clasp.

A nice way to finish off leather, at least in my opinion, is by using a handmade clasp in a figure 8. The leather, I add wraps of 21 gauge wire, attached one side, but left the other lopped. It threads through the figure 8 like a slide clasp and 'catches' just enough to hold firm, because of the wrapping at the ends. Take a closeup.... I like doing them this way as it gives an easy and secure way to alter the length of the necklaces. The leather is not large enough to be 'bulky' when knotted at the back, but it is large and rough enough to 'hold tight. Sure, it'll come off if you yank on it, but most clasps will too if you tug well enough. :) It's a secure hold. Give it a try. These beads are a decent weight with the copper wires also and so I found this to be a nice surprise that a simple tie knot would work. The other copper clasp is simply hammered from 14 gauge wire as is the rest of the heavy copper in the designs. The accent wraps are all 21 gauge.

Click any of the images to enlarge. Enjoy the ideas and now I need to run off and list these.

As an update to the Artbeads.com blogging for beads promo I spoke on earlier, I got my bead! I'll be thinking on a project to create and post soon - one quick trip out of town, but by next week, I should have that posted here also.

Hugs and creative days!

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Copper Wire and Turquoise Jewelry Scarf Pins

I love these and I thank a friend named Joyce, for the idea! I had a ball creating these as a friend of mine also makes wonderful knitted scarfs, so certainly, I ran right over to her and shared what I was working on. The knitted scarf you see in this image is from GinaCreations and you can find her new shop in Etsy. Check back there as she is still loading up the store with items, but in the meantime, I decided to get a start and made these pins to compliment her knitting projects. :)

They are created with one 14 gauge wire each for the frame, and then decorative 21 gauge wire for wrapping accents and adding beads. I wanted a nice way to accent the scarfs as well as making it a functional piece of jewelry to help secure the scarf. I've seen some versions of scarf pins where two pieces are used and for me, that would become a 'lost' piece over time, so I decided to create a design using only one piece of wire. These are simple and a basic 'hair pin' or 'safety pin' spring. They thread through the fabric and the decorative front acts as a 'paper clip' gripping some of the fabric as it slides on.

I used 14 gauge wire so that the pin will hold it's shape while worn and while being pushed through the fabric. The wire is thick and hard to work with for muscle, but in my opinion, to make a push through pin with any less a size will allow for the 'pin stick' to bend over time. I meant for these to be worn with thick cotton or decorative knit scarfs, sweaters and shawls. These are toooo thick for a silk or similar fabric scarf. Just FYI if you think to make some.
If you use thinner wire, I would suggest using HARD wire to make sure the pin stick keeps it's shape. Using stronger, but smaller wire will be more suitable for silk scarfs or fabrics that are not a knit.

Tip: the end of the pin is going through fabric and the front is laying on the fabric, so make sure you file ends off smooth so they don't catch the fabric while being put on or off. Same goes for tucking wrapping wires, etc. Tuck them clean and well as this is a piece to be worn on fabric and you don't want a snag nor do you want your wire coming loose after wear.

The tutorial,which contains all three projects is listed in my store! Please visit if you get a chance. Hugs and I hope you are filled with delightful ideas from this.

Click this image to go to the listing.

This tutorial is also available at JewelryLessons.com (in a couple of days anyway ;)

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This is an image of how they are 'worn', but as fyi, they work well laying sideways also. The back 'pin' I left sticking out at the bottom more then should be, but so that you can see how it inserts into the fabric.

Like hair sticks. :) I wear them. Enjoy and show me if you make any! I'd love to see.

UPDATED: 3.16

Todays Kyanite and Silver Wire Pendant

updated: 2.28

I have a friend who does the most intricate wire work and I was asking him and his wife opinion on these pieces. I see some very elaborate wire out there and have wondered 'how do they do that'. I've been quietly poking around JeweleyLessons.com and have found some awesome FREE tutorials there that explain just this process. I'd give you the direct links, but I decided I'd rather just encourage your visit to their site. Explore all that's available and I hope you find some great projects and learning. The website is easily layed out and the tutorials are clearly marked with prices or they say FREE. Most of the tutorials are projects, but there are also many many techniques offered and shared. How to twist, coil, clean metals, how to measure, information about jewelry tools, machinery, etc. ;)

There are so many talented teachers sharing their techniques in well written and well photographed tutorials. These pieces look complex and while some really are complex, some are very do.able for a beginning wire worker or someone just starting out with this type of design. Give JewelryLessons.com a look if you have time. I'm also a teacher (in the learning) there and have only one tutorial posted just yet, but will soon be more.

Artbeads.com

I am sooo excited! I just got an email from Artbeads.com asking if I'd be interested in their blogging for beads promo and if I would participate and YES! Certainly I'd love to, so I hope to have some posts here soon once this gets going. More info on this in later days. :)

I have nothing to write just now about the pendant, other then it's my new today project... my fingers ache. lol!

Just posting the image - it's not quite done but this time I actually 'sketched' out an idea first. Am I close?? I think this helps with keeping the original idea for the piece 'in the mind' while I am wiring. I used to never doodle the image first.... I think I will from now on. The detailed wire is hard for me to do and somewhat a new type of design work for me, so I hope to improve as I go and build some tuts for some of the designs I have in mind. Wish me luck! This is a start.

Hugs all - it's a long day. I'm about to retire the wire for today and get back to the story book... it'll be done one of these days.

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Copper and Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Jewelry In the Making...

Well good morning again everyone! There's fresh coffee, tea, sugars and honey on the table. ;)

I've been head down this week working on a few things. One of them being learning about copper. I'll have a good article posted with links to a few sites and some information I found soon. I'm 'composing' while I create and learn. For now, I wanted to share some images of a couple new copper projects in the works. I have yet to finish earrings and such for these sets but by this weekend, they should be posted.

I find that copper is amazing with turquoise and finally, I have found a way to use the wonderful beads I purchased last year at Magpie Gemstones. The little focal 'Goddess face' there is porcelain and I also purchased this from Magpie. I'm afraid I don't remember the designers name, but I purchased three of these focals from Szarka last year and just love them. I'm glad I found copper to use with them. Check out her beads - amazing quality and the price was outstanding. I have to admit that I've used turquoise before, but didn't 'love it' until I got these strands. I also have some of her focal bone pieces which are outstanding and have waited to find the right application for them. I think copper is going to be perfect and those images are also, coming soon.

Thanks to Magpie! http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

These images are sold but I hope they give you some great ideas. The bone beads, turquoise and porcelain focals are from Magpie. The first image below to the left... those beads are called Pietersite and they're an amazing blend of browns, tans and red colors. I think they all worked very well in copper. :) Enjoy!

These are some additional things in the works... just so you know I'm still here. :)

(the aqua aura pendant is listed. Click image to go there)

Okay everyone - back soon - many hugs!

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Mystery Beads.... and Copper

I love the look of these beads with the copper and leather. My family brought them back from Mexico last year for me, but unfortunately, we've misplaced the name of the beads! They almost seem as though they are a clay of some type because the drill hole seems like a chalk or hardened clay, but... we were told they are stones of some kind. If you have any idea what these might be, I'd really appreciate the information. I've been searching for a while, but haven't found anything even close.

I hammered these copper pieces and then used a mixed color of copper to accent the metal. The necklace is meant to be worn close to the neck like a choker. I think, having chatted with some of you now on this, I might call them Artistic Beads if I can't identify them as a natural stone. They are just beautiful and I hope the images do them some justice.

Again - any further help with the beads would be great, if you recognize them!
Many hugs.

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Simple Hammered Copper Wire Jewelry Sets

I spent a few days in thought with myself. Trying to find some simplicity in a time of confusion and change. As much as I love the rocks and beads... it was all just a bit too much for these days and so I found myself with copper. Just a simple spool of natural wire, a hammer and some brown leather cord. The rhythm of the hammer and the curve of the spirals took me away to a very quiet place. I found some clarity and I found some strength. These pieces almost made themselves as they helped me clear my mind. It's very hard in a time of change to remember and recognize that we ourselves, choose these changes. We are the energy behind the motion of our Universe and many times, we're not even aware of it. We wonder 'what happened' to us, when it fact, we acted upon our need and desire for change in our lives. We are the energy behind the motion of our Universe and I realized that I Create, my reality....

These pieces were comforting. Blessings and much love my friends.

Simple Copper Collection

Welcome new wire workers. Sometimes we find excitement in the jewelry we create with our hands and sometimes, we create to find peace. For me, clarity and peace were the inspiration for these pieces. A mind returning to the simple nature of Universe, the simple nature of 'Self'. I know it sounds funny to think hammering would bring peace of mind, but it did. :) Maybe not for my neighbors, but for me, I began to not even hear it... ha!

The designs here are simple, but this wire is thick (16 gauge) and it's not that easy to work with. Not difficult, but expect to need muscle for it. There was substantial bending and hammering just to get them to the desired look. The small loops are most difficult to make tight with this size wire, even if it be 'soft' wire. Take care when gripping the wires with your round nose pliers, hold onto them firmly and with strength, use the build of the pliers to bend that loop. For further loops in the spiral, a tip is now to move to flat nose pliers. Insert them into the small tight loop, grip firmly but careful to minimize scratching and work with both hands, to control the spiraling. Hold the loose ends of the wire close to the spiral loop and pliers, this will help you roll the bends. Remember to release and reposition your pliers to keep the looping controlled and so that you don't contort yourself.

Once you have your shape, use a flat head hammer and pound the wire evenly on both sides until you get the desired look for your pieces. You will need an anvil or a metal steel block to rest the wire against while hammering. Keep in mind that while you hammer, some loops will loosen and the wire will 'flatten' out slowly. Remember to use your flat nose pliers and keep the shape while hammering. You will find that the wire will also begin to harden the more you work it with the hammer and the 'shine' in the copper will begin to become slightly matte in finish. You might keep rubber coated pliers near, however I find them to slip. Using the metal pliers to hold the wire is the most secure for me, but again, risks scratching. Some buffing might be needed to finish your pieces. Enjoy and I hope this gives you some great ideas for the week. These items are new in my shop! Thanks for visiting.

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Featured Artist! ChezChani

ChezChani is a wonderful shop full of bright, beautiful and unique designs. Roz and Elayne, a mother daughter team, create stunning works of glass, wire and finely beaded jewelry. They reside in the fabulous city of Las Vegas NV and reflect the fun and adventurous nature of that city in some of their jewelry designs. I absolutely love the playing card earrings and the Peyote stitch is mesmerizing in this black and white patterned bracelet.

Visit them and their outstanding art! Click any of the images to visit.

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What Is Wire Wrapped and Beaded Jewelry?

~PerfectlyTwisted
~My Gallery

The art of making jewelry using stones and natural materials from the earth, spans back thousands of years. Wire wrapping is one of the oldest techniques used to create jewelry and can be dated back to the years of BC. Samples from the Sumerian Dynasty and Ancient Rome show that they were using wired loops and wire techniques over 2000 years ago. The ancient Egyptian goldsmiths were credited as the first craftspeople to produce jewelry entirely from wire approximately 4000 years ago. The Vikings were knitting their wire into jewelry and making chains of metal wire.

The technique of wire wrapping specifically, normally does not include the use of soldering or adhesives to keep the stones in place or the wires together. The design in the wire and the placement of the stones within that, are the art of securing the stones in place to create a beautiful piece of unique jewelry. Patterns joining round ‘links’ or beads create unique and intricate designs that can sometimes even resemble or function as ‘fabric’. Chainmaille is one such example of this, in its most complex forms. Stitching with beads is another and sometimes known as 'seed beading'.

~Click the two images to visit ChezChani, one of my amazing jewelry artist friends. This is an outstanding example of pattern in bead work.

With no alteration to the ‘nature’ and only the application of imagination, are these amazing works created. The art is appreciated not only for it’s beauty but also because by way of it’s creation, it can only be done by hand. Machines can produce casts and presses to replicate jewelry designs for mass market. Machines can not however, create the intricate wire weaved designs found in wire wrapped jewelry and other fine wire art. This takes the hand of skilled Artisans and Crafts people.

When creating wire jewelry, all forms of drilled beads, loose rough rocks, polished cabochons, crystals and gemstones can be used. This includes other natural beads such as seeds, shells, wood, paper,

blown glass and clay of various kinds. Corals, fossils, meteorites and synthetic stones included. This is part of what makes this art limitless. Many artists mix metals, wire sizes and types. Some include sheet metal designs, precious metal clay elements and even fabric.

Wire doesn’t stop at jewelry however. Many artists extend their designs into the home, beading lampshades, pillows, creating wire elements for the dinning table such as beaded napkin holders, candles sticks and wine glass markers. Drink stir sticks and hair decorations are other fun projects!

Not to mention… all of this as applied to weddings and other special occasions.

~Ardent Designs

There is a magical peace and joy that come with this art. To sit quietly with Earth’s elements, your imagination, your hands, some simple tools… and to challenge your mind into bringing those things together as an expression of yourself is something… almost indescribable.

I hope this inspires you when you shop for gifts, when you sit to create for your family or loved ones and when you consider ‘what to do next’ to creatively express yourself.

~Please see the links on my side bar to visit some outstanding artists and their creations! Thank you for visiting me also. :)

Blessings and Peace.

~PerfectlyTwisted

~My Gallery

~click the images to visit each amazing artist. Visit the links on my side bar too! Many artists, sharing, caring, learning, creating and exploring. :) Welcome!

eSMArt Team Store

~click to visit eSmarts Team Store, where our sales are always for good causes. There are many artists that I wanted to display here, but alas the time and all the images were too many, so please, visit the team shop and team blog to meet everyone.

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyGumbo@comcast.net
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http://www.PerfectlyTwistedJewelry.com
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