Gailavira - Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Just Practicing

2012-01-28T12:15:00.000-05:00

After seeing a question someone posted in a jewelry forum about setting small stones (and the link she posted to metalworkers.org) I was inspired to try it out for myself. This stone is no where near as small as the ones she was asking about though. I decided to try the technique with a larger stone so I could work out the basics of it. Now that I have an idea of how to do it I'll start trying it out with smaller stones when I get the time (I have some 4x6mm rhodochrosite cabs that I'm dying to try this out on!)

This one obviously needs a lot of work. There are a too many mistakes to count,and a couple spots look quite sloppy, but it feels like a good starting point to me.

Since this is only a practice pendant (and not for sale) I decided to use craft wire for it instead of sterling silver and gold filled wire. The stone is a dark Amethyst crystal point.

Web-Site Redesign Is Finally Finished!

2012-01-24T19:00:00.003-05:00

For several months now my web-site has been down so I could re-do it (again). Not that it actually took me that long to do all the work. In fact, once I got started, it only took a few days to do it. I'm just one of those people who tends to put things off for as long as possible. Last week I finally decided enough is enough and made myself get to work. Today, after working an hour or so here and there over the past week, I got sick of it still not being done. So I planted my rear end in a chair and for 9 hours straight I did nothing but work on getting my web-site done. Hey, it was either that or do my taxes. What would you rather do?

Well, after 9 hours today (13 hours if you include last week's work), my brain is mushy and making crackling popping sizzling noises as though it's sitting in a frying pan full of hot grease, my hands hurt so bad I can barely finish typing this, my joints are so stiff they feel like someone stuffed cotton into every one of them and my rear end is a little bit flatter and 3" wider than it was this morning. But, *cue angels singing "Hallelujah"*, my web-site is DONE.

The best part about the re-design is I had always been putting off offering instant downloads of tutorial purchases on my site because I was too lazy to do the work to add it. Since I was doing all this work anyway, adding the instant downloads really didn't add much extra work at all. So now anyone who doesn't want to wait for me to email them the tutorials they buy, (like they would when buying from my etsy and artfire shops), can order from my web-site and get their tutorials almost immediately! Who doesn't like instant gratification, right?

Here's hoping I don't get bored with it any time soon (like I usually do). I really don't want to have to do all that work again! lol

BTW, here's the link: http://www.gailavira.com

A Few New Adjustable Rings

2012-01-17T09:06:00.003-05:00

Created with flickr slideshow.

Working on two things at once: a new ring design and a blog post comparing different brands of craft wire. The rings are actually a variation of an older design of mine, Genesis: On the First Day. I wanted to see if I could use that ring design to hold a cab instead of a bead. For the rhodonite and red glass rings, I pretty much stuck with the same basic design, except I used a different weave and made the spirals smaller (easier for most people to wear). For the blue one I decided to use coiled swirls instead of spirals. So far, I think that one is my favorite. :)

All of the silver rings are done with parawire (which is why I didn't oxidize them). Since I've always had so many students asking me which brand of craft wire is the best I've decided to start playing around with a few of them so I can do a review. Hopefully I'll get that done and on my blog soon.

Holiday Sale!

2011-11-24T11:51:00.004-05:00

Black Friday Weekend Sale in two of my shops!
Sales runs through Cyber Monday.

Gailavira Jewelry
50% off your order (not including shipping) if you use the code HOLIDAY during checkout.

Stocking Stuffer Shop
20% off your order (not including shipping) if you use the code HOLIDAY during checkout.

For both shops you must use coupon code HOLIDAY during checkout to receive the discount. You MUST put the coupon code in the correct box to receive the discount. Codes put into the notes to seller box will not be honored. If you are unsure where to put the coupon code during checkout, see this image: http://www.gailavira.com/howtousecouponcodes.jpg.

Retiring a few Tutorials from Certain Web-sites

2011-11-14T15:55:00.006-05:00

Due to a post I made on jewelrylessons.com I've received a lot of questions asking about the tutorials that I am retiring from web-sites other than my own. All of those tutorials will still be available from my own web-site, http://www.gailavira.com/tutorials. Here is a list of tutorials that have been retired from JL.

Woven Band Ring
Sensu - Adjustable Ring
2 in 1 Filigree Style Bracelet
Spiral Button Earrings
Woven Front Pendant
Prison of Enchantment - Wrap for an Un-Drilled Crystal Point
Glory
Carry Me - Wrap for a Drilled Crystal Point
Rosebud Earrings

The following free tutorials are also being retired. I will edit this post to add new links to them once I have them uploaded to my web-site (and are not available on my web-site at this time).

Wrapped Mosaic Link
Quick and Easy Donut Wrap

September's Student Feature: Cindi Hendrickson of Creative Habits

2011-09-06T07:04:00.009-04:00

Cindi Hendrickson is a wire student of mine (and many other teachers) that I have been watching for quite some time. She has the unique ability to take what she learns from one design and turn it into something more than it was ever meant to be in the beginning. Though she has only been working with wire for about a year, she has developed amazing skills and has an excellent eye for design.

Here is what Cindi has to say about herself and her work:

"I was trained in the visual arts (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts-Houston), where I learned design, drawing, weaving, ceramics, and metalsmithing (the metalsmithing I have forgotten!)

"I quit making art for many years; attended college; obtained two degrees. Now, I am a high school science teacher. Despite not "making" art, I found myself needing a creative outlet in my life. I have designed clothing for myself and family; faux painted walls in the house; created a native plant garden; and scrapbooked.

"I started beading jewelry about 10 years ago and discovered wire one year ago. I took a class on setting a cab in wire and that was all it took to have me completely addicted and wanting to create more complicated pieces. I have a love of gemstones (and a background in geology) and have most of my stones cut by one person. I started to attend art shows two years ago and now am attempting to jury into the better shows with my wire pieces.

"I am still a novice and am learning as much as I can. My goal is to re-learn metalsmithing by taking classes at the local college (or at the Glassell School). Hopefully, I can retire from academic teaching and start to share my craft with others by teaching wire classes."

"I think of myself as a stone-talker. My passion is working with interesting cabochons and letting the stone dictate how the wire will embrace the cab. I decided that calling myself a "stone whisperer" would engender too many teasing comments from friends, colleagues, and foes!"

You can see more of Cindi's work on her web-site, Creative Habits.

All images in this blog post are the sole property of Cindi Hendrickson.

Why I Love my Job

2011-07-25T13:59:00.002-04:00

I get to play with a torch and hammer.
No one makes comments about gender roles if they see me with a pair of pliers in my hands.
I can blast Alice Cooper at full volume all day long and no one can tell me to turn it off.
I get to play with rocks.
I can shop for lots of little toys and call them tax deductions.
I get to play with a torch and hammer.
I don't have anyone breathing down my neck talking about deadlines.
I can sing along with 100 Monkeys all day long (at the top of my lungs) and no one can tell me to shut the hell up.
I can hang out in my bath robe all day if I want and nobody cares (or even knows).
I get to play with a torch and hammer.
If I mess up I can say "I meant to do that" and nobody knows I'm lying.
I get to do something different everyday.
Even if I'm doing something I've done before, I still get to learn something new at the same time.
When I'm really pissed off at someone, I get to play with a torch and hammer.

Yep. I love my job. ;)

Waiting

2011-07-01T20:11:00.003-04:00

I'm the one in the shadows, no one ever sees
slinking through the forest, hiding in trees
searching for a glimpse of me
among the dead and fallen leaves
I see my dreams fly through the air
only to find them dying there
water running beneath the ground
carries my soul to places unfound
through branches I catch a flash of blue
and wonder if it's really true
that the sun may shine upon my fears
but in my face it laughs and sneers
there is no light, no hope, no peace
so I wait again for the rain to cease

____

The ear cuffs and the poem both inspired by a picture I took last New Year's day (below).

Demon in the Dark

2011-06-28T08:59:00.003-04:00

She guards the dark with silver light,
the wind blowing through her hair.
Forgotten souls filled with fright,
no one again to care.
She holds out her hand to all who would fight,
beckoning them to her lair.
Woe be to those in their endless plight
hence she lured them there.
Her smile, a knife as she returns to the night,
seeking another to ensnare.

New Free Tutorials

2011-06-28T08:46:00.003-04:00

As I said in one of my previous posts, I've done several tutorials since I last kept this blog updated regularly. I posted the ones for sale yesterday, so today I'm posting links to the free ones.

How to make a coiled frame for an undrilled stone
This is a very quick and easy wrap for an undrilled stone. It works great for crystal points (both single and double terminated) as well as tumbled stones. The pendant pictures only took about 30 minutes to complete. I've done some smaller ones in less time than that. This is a style that is great for men's jewelry because it's simple and not overtly feminine, but can also be worn by women as well.

Beaded Spiral Earrings
This lesson teaches you to make a pair of dainty earrings that can be worn for almost any occasion.

Cleansed by Fire

2011-06-27T11:07:00.002-04:00

I've walked through the fires and have returned
My soul cleansed in the flames of truth
The guilt of days gone by
The confusion
The fear
The anger
The hatred
All have burned in the blaze
The innocence of youth
The love of a child
The light
The hope
Are once again inside of me
And the flame continues to burn

Most Recent Tutorials

2011-06-27T09:46:00.002-04:00

I've done several tutorials since the last time I posted here, so instead of wasting time with a super long intro promising that I'll post more often I'm just going to get right to business. Hope you enjoy them.

Click on the images to go to the tutorial listing pages on artfire.

Sword Pendant

Ornate Ear Cuff

Beaded Frame Pendant

Treble Clef Ear Cuff and Ring

Snake Wrapped Donut Pendant

Wire Wrapped Ammonite Pendant

Long Time No Blog

2010-11-09T08:18:00.006-05:00

As usual, I'm running a little late with everything. That includes keeping up with my blog. So, here's a quick update on a couple things that have happened in the last few months.

I released two more tutorials since the last one that I blogged about. Both of them are available in my Tutorial shop on Etsy: http://gailaviratutorials.etsy.com

Odyssey Pendant Tutorial

Lace Pendant Tutorial

I've also opened a new shop for the holiday season. This is where I'll be listing all the cute little stocking stuffer items that I had been putting in my main shop the last couple years.

http://stockingstuffershop.etsy.com

Etsy
StockingStufferShop

Newport Aquarium

2010-07-26T16:02:00.011-04:00

I spent the day yesterday at the Newport Aquarium (Newport, Kentucky) with my daughter and my mother. It was a long day, and a long drive, but my daughter loved it. When I came home and emptied my camera I saw that I had taken 955 photos! lol

Ok, so not all of the 955 photos turned out all that great, but about 253 were at least passably decent. Of course, that's still a bit too much to post here! I've narrowed it down to the best 25 shots. Hope you enjoy them.

The Carnival Pendant Tutorial is Finally Finished!

2010-07-05T08:32:00.004-04:00

Available in my Tutorial Shop on Etsy:
http://gailaviratutorials.etsy.com

At certain angles, the pendants made in this style remind me of the tilt'a'whirl my friends and I used to ride at the fair every year when I was a kid. At other angles, for some strange reason, I just want to tie dye them. They make me remember all those times when I would burst out laughing for no reason at all, and keep laughing and laughing and laughing. For me, they evoke a feeling of sheltered innocence. The kind of freedom you feel as a child running through the county fair, looking for the next “thrill” to ride, or twirling round and round in circles until you become so dizzy you fall, laughing with glee.

So far I have not been able to duplicate, exactly, any of the designs I have made in this style. For that reason, please do not think of this tutorial as directions that are set in stone. They are really more of a set of techniques combined in a certain way to achieve a certain type of look. These pendants can end up elegant and graceful, fun and spirited, modern and industrial, or anything in between!

You will need the Basic Weaving Techniques tutorial (available free on here: http://www.gailavira.com/tutorials/basicweavingtechniques.pdf) as a reference for this lesson.

Skill Level:
Very Advanced

Material List:

* 25’ of 28g Round Dead Soft Wire
* 7” of 20g Half Round Half Hard Wire
* 54” of 20g Round Dead Soft Wire
* 1 25mm round cabochon

Tool List:

* Chain nose pliers
* Round nose pliers
* Wire cutters
* Flat nose pliers
* Bent nose pliers
* Ruler
* Marker
* Tape (optional)

New Tutorial - Woven Cage Pendant

2010-06-15T08:56:00.006-04:00

I've finally done a new tutorial. This is one that received many requests over on jewelrylessons.com, so I figured I had to do a tutorial for it soon.

This lesson teaches you to make a woven cage to show off your beautiful focal beads. There are many ways to alter the final look of the cage.

Skill Level:
Advanced

Material List:

•24” of 22g Round Wire (dead soft or half hard)
•13’ 28g Round Wire (dead soft)
•1 5’ headpin 20g or 22g
•1 10mm focal bead
•9 4mm spacer bead
•1 accent bead (size depends on your personal taste)
•8 2mm beads

Tool List:

•Wire cutters
•Round Nose Pliers
•Bail making pliers or mandrel that is the desired size for the bail
•Needle file or wire rounder

I hope to have time to work on another new tutorial sometime this week. If I do, it will be for the technique I used to create the two pendants below.

Learning New Things

2010-05-15T07:15:00.009-04:00

It's been a while since I've updated my blog, posted a new tutorial, or really even added new jewelry to my Etsy shop. That's because I've been learning new things.

See, when I get started on something new, everything else seems to fall by the wayside (don't worry, it's only temporary). For the last month or so I've been playing with polymer clay. Before that, I was teaching myself how to do metalwork. Hopefully I'll get around to taking pictures of all the stuff I've made so I can put them up here soon.

Next week I'll finally be working on a new tutorial! Problem is, I haven't decided yet which tutorial I want to do first. Should I do one for my Carnival Pendants, or my Woven Cage Pendant first? Eventually I'll get them both done, but deciding which one to do first is such a pain in the butt!

Oh, don't forget to check out the Last Chance Sale section of my Etsy shop! Everything in there has been marked down to half off it's price. That's means you'll be getting them for at (or slightly below) the wholesale price without having to buy in bulk. None of these items will be renewed again, so once the listings expire it will be your last chance to get them. At 50% off their regular prices, it's a great deal!

A Day at the Carnival?

2010-02-24T06:06:00.005-05:00

I've been working on a new design lately and it's just so much fun! With lots of swirls and twirls, coils and loops and... well, you get the picture. Making them has been a very enjoyable challenge. It's been fun deciding where to put each swirl, and figuring out how to get them just right. It's even more fun looking at the finished products. They remind me of riding the Tilt-a-Whirl ride at the county fair.

For more information about each piece, click the links below the pictures.

Midnight Carnival - Sterling Silver and Black Obsidian Necklace

Love's Fortress - Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz Necklace

Spring Carnival - Sterling Silver and Green Aventurine Pendant

New Artfire Studio for my Tutorials

2010-02-04T16:18:00.007-05:00

A lot of people have been telling me that I should open an Artfire studio for my tutorials. Well, my customers asked, so I listened! Now you can purchase my wire jewelry tutorials on both Artfire and Etsy, or web-site, whichever you prefer!

Gailavira Tutorials
Gailavira Tutorials on Etsy
Gailavira Tutorials on Artfire

New Tutorial - Eternal Sanctuary!

2010-01-20T09:32:00.001-05:00

Eternal Sanctuary

Wire Pendant Tutorial

This lesson teaches you to make a woven rosette pendant with a single center bead, reminiscent of a pearl hidden safely within its shell.

Price:
$8.00

Skill Level:
Advanced

Materials:
• 9” 20g dead soft round wire
• 8’ 28g dead soft round wire
• 4” 26g dead soft round wire
• 1 6mm round bead

Tools:
• Round Nose Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Needle File or Wire Rounder (Cup Burr)
• Ruler
• Fine Tip Marker

Available in my tutorial shop: http://gailaviratutorials.etsy.com.

New Tutorial! Woven Ear Cuffs!

2010-01-08T09:30:00.002-05:00

This tutorial teaches you to make a simple, but very stylish, wire woven ear cuff. The cuff made in this tutorial is shaped as more of an oval to make it more comfortable for most people. However, if you would prefer a traditional round shaped ear cuff, that is also possible with this tutorial.

The ear cuff in the second image is the one illustrated in the tutorial.

Skill Level:
Easy

Material List:

* 3” 20g wire (either dead soft or half hard will work)
* 3’ 28g dead soft wire
* 1 4mm bead

Tool List:

* Chain nose pliers
* Round nose pliers
* Wire cutters
* Flat nose pliers
* Needle file or wire rounder
* 6mm mandrel or a piece of a 6mm wood dowel

© Donna Spadafore, Gailavira Jewelry
You may use this tutorial to make jewelry for sale. If you do so, please link back to Gailavira Jewelry ( http://www.gailavira.com or http://gailavira.blogspot.com ) in the item description, if possible.

File will be sent to you in PDF format.

Please include the email address you would like the download instructions sent to in notes to seller during checkout. If no address is specified, the download instructions will be sent to the address provided by Etsy.

And the WInner is.........

2009-11-30T10:02:00.001-05:00

Announcing the winner of my 25$ gift certificate giveaway!

The winner is Danica, of Stinkydancer.etsy.com!

25$ Giveaway Ends at 8am Monday Morning!

2009-11-28T12:41:00.004-05:00

Just a friendly reminder to let you know that the 25$ gift certificate giveaway ends on Monday morning at 8am Eastern Time.

For more details, check out this blog post here: http://gailavira.blogspot.com/2009/11/gailavira-jewelry-blog-giveaway-25.html

Also, everything in my Etsy shop is already discounted 20%-50% for my Black Friday Weekend Sale! All prices will return to normal Tuesday morning. (cannot be combined with any other discounts) http://gailavira.etsy.com

"Knotted" Headpin Tutorial Now uploaded to Instructables.com

2009-11-21T09:49:00.002-05:00

I still have a few more tutorials to post over on Instructables.com. Here's the one I posted this morning. Enjoy *s*

Knotted Headpin Tutorial

Also, don't forget to check out my Half Off Holiday Sale (this week's theme is BLACK) and the 25$ gift certificate giveaway going on in my shop right now!

Another Free Tutorial Posted on Instructables.com

2009-11-20T11:56:00.002-05:00

Here is my Wrapped Connector Post Tutorial over on Instructables.com.

Wire Jewelry - Wrapped Connector Post - More DIY How To Projects