New! Jewelry Tutorial, The Marvelous Marquise, Wire Wrapped Earring Pattern

Another little something I put together to challenge your wire desires :))

I’ve designed this pattern so that you can make both earrings AND a wonderful matching pendant from it. They are perfectly symmetrical so that you can simply go through the tutorial, step by step once, twice or three times, to make the earrings and/or the pendant! Additional instruction is included for the handmade ear wires and pendant bale.

There are 20 pages packed full of detailed instruction and over 130 close up images in 41 Steps. Estimated project time = 3 hours (earrings) an additional hour for a matching pendant.

A wonderful and challenging project for any level of wire artist.
Click the images to enlarge and get a closer look.
You can purchase this wonderful project at my Etsy store... click here to go there!

   

Supplies:
22 gauge, round wires (frame wires)
28 gauge, round wire (weaving wire)
Two, Marquise beads, 20mm long, 8 mm wide, side drilled
Six, 4mm, silver beads
Two, machine made earring hooks (optional)
20 gauge, round wires (handmade earring hooks and pendant bail, optional)

Tools:
Round nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler
Grid paper (optional)

New Jewelry Tutorial! Heart of Diamonds, Advanced Wire Wrapped Earrings Project

Heart of Diamonds, what a deal! ;)

I designed this earring project in such a way that you can also use the same steps to make a matching pendant! This advanced wire tutorial contains over 120 clear, up close images and 22 pages of detailed instruction, in 41 Steps. A second digital file is included free, describing how to create your own earring hooks and necklace clasp. It also contains the pendant information including design variations.

This is a wonderful and challenging project for any level of wire artist. Learn the basics of wire weaving as well as a gorgeous symmetrical design. 

Click each of these images to enlarge for a better view.
Click here to visit my Etsy store and the tutorial listing

Estimated Project Time:2 - 3 hours

Supplies
Two, 10mm Briolette beads, side drilled
Four, 4mm Round silver beads
Two, standard earring hooks

Frame WiresSix, 22 gauge, round wire, cut 1 foot each
Weaving WiresTwo, 28 gauge, round wire, cut 4 feet each
Utility WiresFour, 28 gauge, round wire, cut 6 inches each

Tools:Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Ruler
Dowel (or a pen to bend earring hooks on)

Assumed Skills:Coiling
Using jewelry tools (pliers, cutters, etc)
Long wire management

New Jewelry Tutorial! The Galaxy Ring! DIY Wire Weaved Jewelry Project

Are you spiraling?  This is the newest addition to my wire wrapped jewelry tutorials and can be found in my Etsy store ... Click here to shop for it.

I've designed this ring to be clean on the inside, so it's 'scratch free' when wearing.  It makes for a wonderful and challenging project as well as a gorgeous gift for yourself or a special someone.  You will learn the basics of wire weaving a professional ring shank as well as this attractive wire sculpting design.  There are 36 detailed steps with over 100 large, clear images on each page, walking you through every twist and turn.  Have fun with this design and add it to your awesome list of wire jewelry skills!

  

Estimated Project Time: 2 - 3 hours Supplies: Three, 7 inch, 20 gauge wires (Frame wires) One, 5 feet, 26 gauge wire (Weaving wire) One, 8mm round bead. Tools: Wire cutters Round nose pliers Flat nose pliers Jewelry hammer Ruler Ring Mandrel

Using a Butane Micro Torch to Create Copper Wire Headpins for Handmade Jewelry Part 2

As promised, here are a few picture examples of this process and how the wire should be positioned against the flame...

Please read Part 1 for 'the trick' and for safety considerations.

I've seen this process done with the flame pointed in the vertical position, upright and the wire held over the flame.  I don't  care for it as I've had that copper ball 'fall off' of the wire on a few occasions.. the concern obviously being that the molten copper will fall into the tip of your torch.  So I do this sideways, requiring that I turn the headpin once it melts, but I find it a much safer way, if you're new to melting wire.  Have fun!  Be safe!

Click each image to enlarge.

 

How to Create Balls on Copper Wire Ends Using a Butane Micro Torch aka How to Make Copper Headpins Part 1

I love the look of balled ends on wire and I've seen it in many places along the web, in silver wire.  I work mostly in copper, which is a harder metal, but I wanted to create this same effect... so a couple of weeks ago, I went to the local craft store and purchased a butane micro torch.  Copper melts at 1981 degree Fahrenheit, so if you're going to give this a try, make sure the torch you purchase will reach or exceed this temperature.

The exact torch I have can be purchased at Michael's for about $40 ... if you already have this one, it will work for sure.

http://www.michaels.com/Butane-Torch/bd1328,default,pd.html

You can purchase lighter butane almost anywhere... I get mine at the Walgreens.  You can also find it at Home Depot hardware stores.

My first try was a total misery and I wasn't able to get any gauge wire to ball up... including even a 20 gauge wire.  After some time and reading, I finally figured out the 'trick' to getting those lovely balls... and I've managed to ball up wire as thick as 12 gauge using this butane micro torch.

Here's how...

Before you begin

1.  Make sure you are working in a well ventilated area.  

2.  Use either a fire stone and/or a pan of water and work on a surface area that is not flammable.

3.  Use pliers that are safe to handle and long enough to keep your fingers away from the flame.

4.  Make sure your clothing and hair are pulled back and secure.

5.  Make sure your butane micro torch is completely full for best results.

6.  Use safety glasses if possible.

Grasp your wire length with the pliers, either in the center of the wire, or at the end opposite the one you intend to set the flame on.

The TRICK to this, is to get the tip of the wire and the tip of the flame, pointed head on, at each other.  If the flame and the wire are perpendicular when you start, the wire will get red hot, but the end will never melt and ball up.   

You will see the tip of the wire go red hot and the tip of the flame will become green... this is when the wire will begin to melt.  There may be small sparks at this point, so don't be alarmed and don't put your face too close to the heat.  

Once the wire end becomes molten, start to rotate the wire so that the balled end is pointed 'down', while you continue to hold the flame sideways and on the balled end.  At this point, the balled end and the flame ARE perpendicular.  This will create a nice rounded look to the molten ball.

Remove the flame from the wire while it's red hot and dip the whole wire, not just the end, into the pan of water to cool it down.

Keep in mind that your plier heads will be super hot also... so cool them down in the water too!

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Part 2, Pictures! on how to do this...
http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/04/using-butane-micro-torch-to-create.html

DIY Fun & Functional Weekend Projects

 I wanted to share two of the best ideas I've found on Pinterest... that's right, I finally did it and opened up a Pinterest account and have found that I LOVE IT.  The link is up there ^^ in the title bar near my blog header, I hope you'll give it a look.  I have a few boards, one of which is Wire & Bead Inspiration where I've collected images from some of the most amazing wire artists.  Another fave is my board called Origami Paper Arts which contains not only gorgeous origami art works, but also many free patterns for creating your own origami flowers, birds, butterflies and ... gift boxes!  That's right, every wire artist who intends to sell their pieces is faced with 'how to package' them, without it costing a fortune.  Creating your own gift box from recycled household items and simple papers is a fantastic idea and there are links to many DIY tutorials on that board.  Another great board to visit is called Jewelry Patterns & Tutorials, where I've collected links and images to many outstanding free wire tutorials.  I hope you have time to check them out.

From Pinterest, I tried these two wonderful DIY projects this weekend and had a great time of it.  The wire jewelry tree is quite easy to do and not only looks great, but also makes for a fun place to hang your pretties.  I used Wrap IT craft wire which is very inexpensive and the whole thing took about 40 minutes to complete.

I also made these beautiful pillow gift boxes from a project I found on Pinterest, using toilet paper rolls, origami paper and a bit of glue.  They look wonderful and are quite sturdy!  People are so clever!  Who would have guessed you could create such wonderful things from recycling simple household items!  Tie a bit of raffia around these, add your business card and they're ready to go!

Click the images to enlarge them.
Enjoy the inspiration and have a beautifully creative day!