new contact!!!

PLEASE change the contact info if you're trying to email me, my new is

izzyzgumbo@gmail.com

Many smiles, inspire something and be inspired!

~ enjoy your rocks! ;)

LOVE... your creative Nature.

Origami Note Cards

After a few days of making these wonderful little dolls, I decided to set them onto card stock and create unique note cards. They have three blank pages each inside along with a beautiful sheer envelope. Each card and Origami Geisha are created one at a time and each are one of a kind.

So that they don't get 'handled too much', I created simple packaging out of paper and some cute bee stickers. The cards can easily be seen but are also protected until purchase.

I've enjoyed them and hope they give you some creative ideas!

Many smiles and much love.

Sisters Origami

I Sa Ya...

I spent the last two days making the Ladies and also some kiddie bookmarks for the shop. I hope you enjoy the ideas and I hope they inspire some fun times! These are wonderful and easy to make. The Kimono patterns are my own so probably not 'traditional' but I love them anyway. :))

Hugs! Wonderful days and bright smiles!

Hairsticks for Spring!

The tutorial is now in my store! Click here to shop.

An easy and fun project using simple materials which can be found at any local or online craft store! I used simple wooden hair sticks that are six inches in length, beading glue, copper wire and some of my favorite seed beads. I strung the beads along thin copper wire and then using beading glue, attached them onto the hair sticks. I've sold quite a few of these at work and certainly I use them! They're beautiful, fun, easy to wear and very secure in holding up the hair.

If you've never worn them, it's easy. Wrap your hair into a bun, stick a stick through and use more then one! :)) I hope you enjoy the ideas!
Hugs and many creative days!

Altitude Adjustment...

"What I do all day works..."
works much better than
"what i do all day is work".

:) Welcome to Spring!

FREE! Earring Hanger, Display, GemA.Tree Tutorial

Well it's not like I've not been doing anything! :)) I created this small, fun and easy tutorial which I hope you'll enjoy! I've made many of these as gifts and just as a place to put my earrings. They're fun and the materials can be found in any craft store. Use your spare large wooden beads, large glass bobbles, mosaic tiles and crystals to create a variety of whimsy designs.

The file is a .pdf file and can be downloaded from my FREE TUTORIAL PROJECTS page

Have fun! Suggestions and comments are always welcome on my tutorials. I appreciate your eyes, your friendship and your time!

New! Wire Wrap Pendant Tutorials, In Time for Holidays!

Hi everyone! Hope your holidays have been as wonderful and (as busy??) as mine have been :) It's been a while since I've wrapped with gold fill wire but it was such a pleasure to get my hands on it again. This amazing Pietersite cabochon, I've had a while and went back and forth with wire choice thinking that perhaps I'd try it in this or that, but in the end, it is easy to see why the color of gold suits this lovely stone. It's warm colors of rich browns, chocolates, golds and reds look delicious and rich inside of gold.

My Tear Drop pendant tutorial was just finished today so I hope you enjoy that as well! It's in the shop too!

My new tutorials can be purchased at my Etsy shop! I so hope you're tempted :)
Many smiles, much love to you and yours for the holiday and best wishes for the New Year!!!
2010... it's a good one. ;)
x

New Copper Pendants, Necklace & Earring sets!

Click the images to enlarge









Well these are the latest! I've been waiting for the copper beads to come and they did today. I prepared the pendants a few days ago and then strung them up when the shipment arrived. I guess looking back, I started off right where I left off... with copper. It's such a warm color, easy to work with and works so well with many stones.

In these, I have tumbled stones of wonderful colors, I used brown leather cord, finished simply with copper wrap and for the focal beads, there are Lapis, Lemon Jade, Carnelian and Pietersite.
Whew! I'll be listing in the store soon but these might end up at the local shops instead... anyway...

They are meant to be worn as chokers and rather then using a clasp, I leave the leather 'unfinished' and they are worn tied. The bulk of the leather isn't uncomfortable and it holds better then anything! Easy to wear. I've sold them this way before and it seems to work out right fine. :) I always give an option for a clasp certainly, but leaving them this way also makes for easy length adjustments. Just wear them as you like!

I've also worked on some new simple but I think, elegant earrings and silver pendants. I'm liking the 'natural' look these days and I think it's starting to show in my pieces! I'll post more images soon.

If you're interested, all the copper pendants are created with the same basic wrap technique, which is easy and great to use with large focal beads that are drilled top down. I lost some tutorials when the computer crashed but have recreated the Butterfly pendant tutorial. :) It's listed in the store...I'm slowly starting to relist things.
Hugs! I'd love opinions if you have a second.

Click HERE to visit the shop listing.

Thanks for visiting!
Please contact me with comments or questions!
izzyzgumbo@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/izzygumbo

New Deschutes Picture Jasper Pendant!

I'm revisiting my old ways and decided to purchase one of a kind designer cabochons again. I know all stones are really one of a kind but you also know that some are more magnificent then others and that's this one. I fell in love with it the second I saw it and even to the point of revisiting ebay to get it. whew! Haven't been there for stones in a while... but you'll see what I mean and I encourage you, if you wrap pendants, to visit Slabitcabit
His/their cabs are truly of wonderful quality. I've purchased several from them in the past and will continue. It didn't surprise me that when I found the seller, it was them. :)

I hope you love it! Click images to enlarge.









"Beautiful waves and unusual patterns in this classic material; a very unique gemstone!! A well designed and beautifully cut gem of this dramatic jasper from Oregon. This stone has a glossy high polish front and back and is professionally cut. It is slightly beveled. This stone measures 41x23.5 mm and is 4.2 mm thick, the weight is 29.5 cts."

Oh Happy Day!

Computer tutorial update... I thought I had lost them all, some but not some... so I've been working on a new site, please visit me here also...
http://sites.google.com/site/perfectlytwistedjewelry/my-free-tutorials

It's a Google Sites, site and I love it for several reasons but most of all, because it allows for me to post files FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD AND ENJOY! Yeah! Rather then reading the tutorials here, which is always wonderful, I can now also offer them for FREE download as a PDF file from my link above.

Please go there, visit and enjoy! I'm still under construction there, but please bookmark the page and watch for new projects and project files. Google Sites is a FREE tool, so for others of you who offer tutorial and project files, it's a great and easy to use...I recommend it. :)
Hugs and I'll be back soon with new jewelry images!

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 :)


Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
izzyzgumbo@gmail.com
http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/izzygumbo

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.







Hugs and creative days!

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
izzyzgumbo@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/izzygumbo

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 to go to the listing.

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyzGumbo@gmail.com
twitter.com/izzygumbo

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!

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyzGumbo@gmail.com
twitter.com/izzygumbo

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.

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyzGumbo@gmail.com

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.

Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyzGumbo@gmail.com

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.



Thanks for visiting Perfectly Twisted Jewelry! Please contact me with comments or questions!
IzzyzGumbo@gmail.com