JustATish Designs: wire wrap

Showing posts with label wire wrap. Show all posts

Tutorial - Wire Wrapped Pendant and Link Connectors for Necklace - How To

Quick and simple wire wrap pendant how to :)

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Beautiful Super Clear Quartz Pendant Wire Wrapped in Copper - Jewelry with Meaning - Amplified Energy

Quartz is life!

Quartz the most abundant mineral and is found all over the world, and you can find it growing in other crystals and minerals!

Quartz has a hardness of 7 making it very useful in the making of glass and electronic components.

Quartz is a master healer, a stone of power and a stone that amplifies the energy of others stones and you! So if you are happy that is amplified, but be warned if you are in a bad mood, that can be amplified as well! It is said to absorb, store, release and regulate energy.

I chose copper wire to wrap this stone because copper is also a conductor of energy. It seemed to be the perfect wire with its properties to accent the properties of the quartz.

I love this little stone, it is one of the clearest quartz I have ever seen. There is an indention in the front of the pendant, where this crystal may have had a another crystal growing across it and it got knocked out. So this little quartz crystal has a missing friend.

Jasper Cabochon Wire Wrapped in Yellow Brass Pendant - Jewelry with a Purpose - Gentleness and Nurturing

Sometimes the wire wrap needs to be very simple because the pattern in the stone is so beautiful

This jasper cabochon is breathtaking to me.

Astral swirls of green, gray, cream and white make it look like a satellite fly over of a distant planet.

If I stare at it, I swear I can see the clouds swirling like they do on Jupiter!

Jasper is a stone known for gentleness and a nurturing spirit. It is one of my favorite stones.

If you like this pendant, you can find this one and more at my Etsy Shop!!

Labradorite Wrapped in Sterling Wire Pendant - Jewelry with Meaning - Stone of Magic and Transformation

A picture doesn't do this little pendant justice. You have to see the fire in this stone from all angles.

Just beautiful!!!

Labradorite brings your magic to the surface, opening up intuition, communication with spirits and more. It brings strength during times of change or conflict. It is a congenial stone, encouraging courtesy. Reduces depression and negativity. It brings hope to the hopeless. It is a strong protection.

Called the temple of stars - it is a connection to energy from other worlds.

It is a great creative stone and helps with writers block.

If you like what you see, this bracelet and more of my jewelry creations are listed in my Etsy store! Stop by and save your favorites today!

Bamboo Jasper Copper Wrapped Pendant - Jewelry with Meaning - Strong Healing

This bamboo jasper is another one I got from KGNShop on Etsy.

I love the off set cut of this cabochon.

It has a beautiful shiny finish on the front, and a matte finish on the back.

Bamboo jasper being part of the jasper family, has a gentleness and nurturing quality. It also helps to eliminate negativity. It is a strong healer and can be helpful when energy is low. Bamboo Jasper also protects against negativity and is good for grounding.

If you like this pendant and want to see more of my creations, click here to see what is in my Etsy store!

Rose Quartz Wire Wrapped in Copper - Jewelry with Purpose - Love and Forgiveness

I got these rose quartz cabochons from KGNShop on Etsy. When they have a sale, someone hold my wallet, please!!

These are real beauties, and fun to wrap. I got them in ovals and tear drops and they are a big hit in my shop.

The way they are cut, it leaves the natural form of the rose quartz on the top of the stone, and a matte finish on the back of the stone.

Did you know that rose quartz is always translucent, but never transparent? It never forms in crystal faces or in crystals, that would make it pink quartz!

Photo by Jonathan Zander

. Borrowed from Wikimedia Commons

It has a beautiful almost waxy look to it.

Rose quartz is the stone of love and forgiveness. It helps with understand and having empathy with others. It clears out anger, jealousy, lowers stress of the heart, and allows healing of heart issues and dis-ease associated with holding on to such negative emotions.

I try to practice being peaceful and kind, and am grateful that somedays I have a rose quartz with me. It can be tough out there!!

If you like this pendant, you can find this one and more at my Etsy store!

Ceramic Bead Wire Wrapped with Copper Wire Pendant - Wire Wrap for Beginners

Sometimes even the simplest little bead can be the most beautiful pendant.

On occasion I find a strand or two of really pretty ceramic beads. They work great into a necklace design as accents, and are not has heavy as a stone bead of the same size.

In these ceramic beads, I find a few that the pattern or the color after glazing it just too pretty to make it part of something. It needs to be the showcase.

These are so simple to make, and are so pretty!!

Most ceramic beads have a big hole, so you can use two strands of wire This is 22 ga copper wire.

Make a bale at the top of the wire, add an accent if you want and slide the bead onto the wire.

Bend the tail of the wire up to the front of the bead and form a spiral or two, and then wrap the tail around the bale again to secure it into place.

Separate the two wires on the bale to create a butterfly bail and you're done.

The wire accent is on the front, and the back is nice and smooth.

It's that easy.

What are you wrapping today?

Elephant Skin Jasper (Calligraphy Stone) Pendant

I fell over backwards when I saw this elephant skin jasper cabochon. I ordered a cabochon lot on Etsy from KGNShop

This big elephant skin jasper was in it!!

The pattern in the stone is mesmerizing. I could look at it all day. The pattern is made from fossilized shells.

I wrapped it in sterling silver wire, and added an imperial jasper accent.

Elephant skin jasper or calligraphy stone is a stone that brings happiness. It removes negative thoughts and brings in positive thoughts. It is a great stone to have if you are working through difficult situations in your life. Use this stone in meditation to clear your mind of useless or harmful thoughts and allow yourself to focus on what is really important.

Multi Color Disk Bead Wire Wrapped Necklace and Earrings on Yellow Brass

I found a strands of these rainbow colored disk beads of dyed howlite. I fell in love at first site.

I had to have them.

Now what to do with them.

I have had them for well over 2 years really wondering what I could do with them, other than the occasional accent bead in earrings or pendant.

I was pushing them around on my work bench, and then just for fun began to stack them.

That was when I go the idea!

Wire wrap the stacks into segments and make a necklace out of them.

I used 20 ga yellow brass wire for the links and 18 ga yellow brass wire to make the hook.

I added an accent of vintage crystal to the hook.

It can be worn, with hook in front or in back.

Versatile little necklace!

The earrings I wire wrapped on 18 ga yellow brass with a hammered spiral on the bottom.

The ear wires are of hammered 20 ga yellow brass.

Howlite is used to relieve anxiety, tension and stress.

Maybe that is why it is dyed so many happy, bright colors!

Titanium Coated Quartz Point Pendant

I got several drilled quartz points that were titanium coated, to give them this awesome rainbow finish. I can't remember where I got these from!!!

So easy to do just a quick wrap with sterling wire on the top to create the bale and a shabby chic design with the wire. I wanted the quartz point to be the focal, not the wire.

I really am surprised at the weight of the pendant. It hangs beautifully from the sterling chain.

The light hits the quartz just right, and all the colors show up!

So much fun, and so versatile. Wear it alone or stack it with other necklaces to make your own look!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

"Citrine" Earring and Necklace Set - Abundance and Success

Big debate, is it really citrine or is it heat treated amethyst. If you are buying it as beads and you are getting a great deal, most likely it is heat treated amethyst.

These little faceted briolettes were sold to me from Firemountain Gems as citrine (heat treated) and that is why I am a huge fan of their site. They know their product, and they share all information with their buyers. Plus the deals there are awesome!

These little beauties made the cutest little earring/necklace set. Tiny little faceted briolettes, wire wrapped with sterling wire, on a sterling loop. They are the perfect dainty length, and have just enough swing to them to be a bit sassy!

Beautifully uniform so it was easy to just pick two to make the earring set, and add one for the pendant.

Citrine is the stone of abundance and prosperity. It repels negative energy.

Thanks Firemountain Gems for making this set so easy to create!

Copper Swirl Pendant with Agate

Staring blankly at my work table, there are times, I just can't get my creativity going. I have found a good fix for that is to fiddle. Not play a violin ( :) ) but to just pick stuff up, mess around, put it down, 99 bottles of beer on the wall...

Wait where was I...

So, I have made this design before, smaller in a pair of earrings. It really is simple, easy, the wire makes its own self into this design kinda thing. Playing with this, I noticed the tree agate briolette... hrm.....

Dig, dig dig...

Yes, I like these little pieces

And - WAH-LA!!!

I love how it just forms all by itself in your hand

Hair Comb Fun

It takes longer to pick out the color/stone combination than it does to make the design. So quick and easy and so cute!!!

Copper earrings - Opps!!! - Giveaway - CLOSED!

Leave a comment and tell me what the "oops" is and you will be entered in the drawing for a pair of earrings like these with your choice of color!!!! Doesn't matter where you are in the world, I want everyone to play!!

Link back from your blog - get another entry!

Tweet it - leave a link to your tweet - get another entry!

Facebook it - leave a link to your post - get another entry!!!

Drawing on Tues, Jan 11, 2011!!

Good Luck!!!!!

New Copper Pendants!

Found some time to make a couple pendants yesterday, thought I would share em here.

African bloodstone bead

This is a quartz - what kind I am not for sure. It is a top drilled pendant, so I just made a huge wrap at the top and added a swirl and seed beads for accent.

This one is a basket weave for lack of better words. I don't know what this style is called. This one is surprisingly easy, but time consuming. I thought I would try and break it down for you.

Create your loop or bale at the top of the wire, and then measure it around the cab. Lay the cab on your table, and measure the wire around the cab, slightly above where it is touching the surface. Make a wrap with the tail to secure it to the bale.

Turn the cab over. Make a loop at the end of the wire, and now measure the wire around the inside edge of the cab, and make a loop on the other end of the wire.

Use wire to connect the loops, to stabilize the base wire. (1) Wrap some wire around the base to stabilize the bottom of pendant (2) You will remove these as you work thru the piece

Start on one side (1) and begin your wrap. Wrap several times around the loop on the wire back then bring it over the top wire, and then back under the bottom wire - making a figure 8. You can do single wraps or make additional wraps on the top wire to space out the figure 8. EX. Two wraps on the top wire, down and under the bottom wire, two wraps, up and over the top wire, two wraps and so forth. Make several wraps to stabilize the one side, and use a second piece of wire and start on the other side. (2) Work your way down either side, alternating to keep the wires even and tight. If you want to add the decorative wire, (3) make a loop in a separate piece of wire. As you are working down the side of the pendant, position where you want your decorative piece to start, and when you wrap over the top wire, wrap over both pieces of wire. Then continue on with your figure 8. Leave the decorative wire til last.

Continue down both sides of the cab, until you get close to the bottom where you have anchored it. Clip the anchor wire off and continue with the figure 8 wrap til you meet at the bottom. Finish the wrap by wrapping it around the bottom wire a couple of times and giving it a good mash with your needle nosed pliers. Remove the anchor wire from the back of the pendant

Free form your your decorative wire, around the top. You can wire wrap the wire to give it extra texture, wire in crystals to the loops, the possibilities are endless.

I hope this gives you some insight on how to do this wrap. If this is clear as mud, leave me a comment, I'll wrap another one, and do step by step pictures.

Happy Wrapping!!!!

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - Pendant

Getting packages in the mail an be so fun, and when they are from Rings & Things it is like Christmas!!

This post from Tuesday shows you all of the AMAZING pendants that showed up in the mail! Rings & Things draws 10 names each month, and these winners receive a packet of goodies to review! How awesome is that!

This is the first of seven design that will come from this months goodie package!

21-341-33-092 - Pendant, Gemstone, Faceted Trapezoid, 50x43mm (Dumortierite), wire wrapped with copper and accented with Swarovski crystals and rhodonite heishi cut beads.
It is a fun free form wrap, full of expression and just a little bit of attitude :)

What makes this such a great combination, not only is it a great color scheme, but did you know,
Dumortierite enhances organizational abilities, self-discipline and orderliness. Rhodonite decreases anxiety while increasing attention to detail. How cool is that!!!

If you haven't done so already RUN to Rings & Things and sign up. Your name could be drawn next month!!! This is way to much fun!!!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Rethinking the booth - luring them in with wire wrapped rings

Couple of weeks ago at the market - I re thought my booth. Instead of putting all of my inventory out and over crowding my tables and displays, I cut my displayed items in half. In my mind - if i have EVERYTHING out on the table, all of my pieces will have exposure and my rate of sales should increase, right?

Wrong.

Sensory overload - too much to look at. The items are no longer individual pieces but part of a huge display. Another way to look at it - if I have everything out on the tables, what is there new to look at to get customers to come back. There is also another selling point. When you see customers looking at specific pieces, it gives you the open door to approach them with an up sale. Notice what they are looking at, and let them know you have other pieces not shown that would go perfect with that item. When you pull your inventory tub out to get the piece, they want to see what else you have. Then close the deal.

But how would I display them. In my mind I thought "What would Barbara do?" Barbara is a dear friend of mine who owns Gifts with a Heart in Raleigh. She has some of the best displays in her store. I love how she ties everything together. Wouldn't you know it, just as I thought it, here she walks into my booth!! I told her my dilemma and being the person she is set to work to show me about displaying product. Now I have them grouped by stone, by sets, by targeted age, by price point and so forth.

One thing she did was to put my ring displays to the front of the table. They are the first thing you see when you walk by, and priced to get your attention. People will stop and look at the rings, and then come in to see if there are earrings or a bracelet to go with them.

As a general rule I don't duplicate my pieces, but when it comes to earrings and rings, you can only do so many different things before you have exhausted your creativity. These are my biggest sellers.

Re thinking my booth is one of the best things I have done this season. What do you do to bring people into your booths?

Wrap it up - I'll take it!

Got a request for a couple 'purpose pendants'. I love making these. The whole process is very therapeutic to me.

This first one, the customer wanted a pendulum for a friend, wanted it simple, and it was for a 'pisces'. The research began. I found that pisces are imaginative and sensitive, compassionate and kind, selfless and unworldly, and intuitive and sympathetic. Sounds like jasper to me :)

I used jasper and iolite for this pendulum. Jasper - nurturing stone, bringer of joy. Iolite - awakens inner knowledge, gives direction. Silver - energized the stones

This request was a bit more difficult. This customer has a family member who is battling cancer. She wanted a pendant that would keep them focused and positive. Recovery from anything is sped up with positive thinking and staying focused on a goal. Treat the patient, mind body and soul.

silver energizes the stones
tibetan quartz - healing and meditation
azurite/malachite change, rebirth, cleansing. Healing lore - prevents cancer
agate balance of mind/body/soul. Healing lore - heals stomach issues
lepidolite hope peace, stone of transition. Healing lore -helps the immune system

Fun pair of copper earrings I made this morning to go with the necklace I was wearing. I created the large links by wrapping 14 ga copper around my ring mandrel. Then I hammered the links to strengthen, flatten and texturize the copper. Then I had to deal with the break in the link. I have my torch, but that is as far as I have gotten. Still need flux, copper solder, pickling solution, tumbler.........

So I did the next best thing. I call it a weld wrap :) I just wrap the link with a smaller ga wire, here I used 22 ga, so it covers the gap of the loop, and then give it a good mash with my pliers. Decorative and functional!

This was my morning, between cups of coffee, cleaning up after the cat, wearing out the dogs and laundry - i am ready for a nap :)

Rings & Things blogger challenge - July bong

That title makes me think of Law & Order. I said it in my head with my mocking announcer voice and magically I heard the *bong* from Law & Order.

Wonder what that means???? Mebbe I should turn my head from side to side to view the piece so I get a better understanding of what it is I am trying to convey.

I looked and looked at the Gold Filled Connector. Turned it over in my fingers absent mindedly trying to think of how to use it, but not to it's full capacity. Give it new meaning and new life outside of what it is intended.

*think* *think*

Nothing.

I set it off to the side and began and clean and organize my workspace. I am the worlds worst at keeping organized. One thing I have found is when I have no inspiration, when I clean it helps. The other thing that motivates me to clean is we are going out of town for a few days this week. We are going back to NY to visit with family and friends. I am so excited I just pee'd my pants! I haven't been 'home' in over two years and I am on pins and needles wanting to get up there. I wanted to make something new and fun to wear while I was up there and thought if I cleaned up a little, I would get that inspiration to hunker down and get to work. Normally when I go thru and regroup and re categorize my things, I always stumble upon something that makes me say - "Oh wow, I forgot about you!"

As was the case this morning. As I was cleaning I found a washer. One of those little things I find while out walking that I tuck away for a rainy day. As soon as I touched it, the cleaning stopped and the work began. I dug out my wire, and a couple crystals and this was the outcome -

High Voltage

Here is what I used:
Connector, Gold Filled, Round, 34mm, 4 Loop (Closeout) (Gold Filled) - Rings & Things

Wire, ColourCraft®, 20g, 15yd (Black) - Rings & Things

5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads

5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal AB - Art Beads

I threw it on a ribbon and called it done.

For part two of the blogger challenge, I feel I copped out a bit with these, but I wanted something new, simple, and versatile. These are great for running around, and for going out to dinner. Jeans and Silk, know what I mean :)

Here's what I used:

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Topaz/ Aurora Borealis) Rings & Things

Filigree, Tower (Antiqued Copper Plated) Rings & Things

5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads

There is 2 down and a few more to go. Still have so many ideas knocking around, can't wait to use the pouch of beads!!! Designer Beads!! That makes me a designer!!

Ok Kids - off to do a days work!

Friday quickie - I am at my dumb

"I am at my dumb" is an expression that was born from a nite of 'porchin it' and has become a household expression.

See, wha hah happened wuz - So many nites are spent on the porch. We get to talk. There is no t.v. no distractions, only the dogs in the yard and the traffic on the road. We talk about our day, our frustrations, plan vacations, defend the righteous and side with the underdog. Because of these nites I have fallen in love with my husband all over again.

Some off these nites are spent with coffee, some off them with beer. One nite in par-tick-you-lar was a nite of beer. Porch eh-teh-cut states that if you go in for a beer, you must always ask the participants if they would like one too. I was asked, in my mind, I declined with - "No thank you, I am done" My mouth decided it was time to play a little trick on me and spouted - "I am at my dumb"

*insert laughter, pointing of fingers, repeating of statement*

*sigh*

It stuck. This statement is interchangeable, that is the beauty of it. For instance -

If you are done, do not want more, etc... I am at my dumb
If you want to lightly pointout someones mistake ...I am at my dumb
If you want to point out that a particular situation is uncomfortable or ridiculous.....I am at my dumb
If you are stooop-eh-fied, impressed, delighted, overwhelmed, exhausted....I am at my dumb

You get the idea. So now that I have taken you on a journey around my elbow to get to my ankle, i'll explain why this blog is about a co-loke-you-all-ism (can't say it much less spell it).

Yesterday, with great enthusiasm I began to work on wrapping the sea glass that was given to me by my friend. I was so thrilled with it when I was finished, I literally sat back in my chair, folded my arms and nodded. This isn't to say that it is a work of art, or that it is going to be my most expensive or used as a way to markets one of my skill sets, this is to say - this piece I made for me - a reflection of me and what I am, personally. I have no intention of selling this, in fact I would almost say this is going to be the piece that defines me - the piece that I wear the most. I don't expect it to speak to everyone, but I hope it may give you a better insight as to who I am.

I am at My Dumb

How it started

Where it took me

and i am wearing it today :)

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