The Beading Gem's Journal

More Wire Name Writing Video Tutorials

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Wire name writing is a super technique to try because the resulting necklace focal is created from one long piece of wire without any soldering!

There are no easy short cuts - practice is required. You should use thicker and firmer wire to form the letters- do not use soft temper. The harder tempers will keep the shape better as you go along. Making your letter formations smaller sized will also help. I learned that the hard way as I had a go myself (see link below).

Note that there has to be places where the wire doubles back on itself. So try writing out the name in one continuous motion first to figure out where those doubled up areas are.

Remember too that wire name writing can result in distinctive styles just as hand writing differs. If you are willing to learn more, check out the following video tutorials by Andy the Name Bender. He forms the name Samantha over 3 video tutorials.

What is neat to watch is how he adds a heart and and underline. The heart is actually one of the places where the focal attaches to the chain. The underline flourish adds strength to the design. He also turns an ordinary jump ring into a split ring by overlapping the wire ends.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

He also covers a dual name design in this video tutorial.

Before You Go :

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Eco Skateboard Jewelry by MuKee

2012-02-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Broken skateboards need not be sent to the dump. Not if Derek Keenan, the artisan behind MuKee on Etsy can help it! He reclaims old skateboards and gives them a new lease of life as jewelry!

This Denver based artisan cuts out various shapes from the skateboard decks, taking full advantage of the different kinds of patterns and colors. He adds, "Any small scratches or scuffs on them all come from their previous life as a skateboard, making each pair unique and one of a kind!"

They are fun and environmentally friendly. As if to prove that they did come from broken skateboards, the earrings are sometimes delightfully photographed hanging from the jagged edge of said skateboards. Neat!

The cut out shapes for pendants are suspended on grouped wire necklaces for a contemporary look.

MuKee also offers belt buckles sporting a rectangle of reclaimed skateboard in the front.

Before You Go :

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Winner of Ezistock's $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway

2012-02-06T19:15:00.000-04:00

The jewelry from Ezistock featured in last week's giveaway were simply spectacular! If you haven't already done so, check out their blog too which has some interesting features about Thailand. Who knows? You might even visit there some day!

Many of you appreciated the craftsmanship and dedication by these remarkable artisans. So thanks for checking them out and for spreading the word about them. But only one person could win. So who did?

I numbered all the eligible entries and hopped over to random.org. The site generated the winning number assigned to Deci Worland of GemRio. Congratulations!
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

How to Make a Beaded Bezel for Cabochons

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Making a beaded bezel for a cabochon is much easier than one created with metal strips as in metal smithing or with wire. But you got to like working with seed beads!

Cyndi Lavin over at the Beading Arts blog has a lovely beaded cabochon tutorial with different edgings shown above. It's a must see because she also includes the instructions for a square stitch bail at the back.

Not ready to try variations like Cyndi's? Then check out Ann Brodrick's basic beaded cabochon tutorial. It first appeared in the October 1998 issue of Lapidary Journal. As you can see, once the beaded surround is complete, necklace or fringe sections can be added.

Most beaders tackle round or oval cabochons. What about the other shapes like squares or even triangles? Well, Beading Daily's editor, Jen VanBenschoten has a tutorial which combines peyote and herringbone stitches to do just that.

Before You Go :

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Ray Gabriel's Gemstones From Around the World

2012-02-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

I thank Aparna (Melisma Wirework), who is a wire work artisan I featured before, for this tip on Colorado based Ray Gabriel's gemstone store on Etsy. I can see why she is a fan because there is a wide range of lovely gemstone cabochons available at affordable (wholesale) prices.

The vast majority of his listings are under $10. Shown above is a gorgeous faceted green tourmaline.

So it's no surprise when I found out that Ray's gemstone importing business is precisely aimed at jewelry artisans and students, instructors and art departments and has done so for over 35 years. The business is now operated entirely from the Etsy store.

Spessartine Garnet, Trillion cut, South Africa

Ray has been traveling the world over since 1975 to source gemstones from cutters and dealers. So he is exceedingly knowledgeable about gemstones and is willing to field any questions about them. He notes what flaws (inclusions) there are and shares what he knows about gem treatments.

Shown here are some lovely specimens from his store. One could learn more about gemstones just by wandering through!

Tourmalinated Quartz Cabochons

His wife, Hannelore, is also a metal smith like him. Both of them attend juried national craft shows around the US.

Cat's Eye Scapolite Cabochon

Canadian Ammolite Fossil Shell Cabochon (doublet)

Before You Go :

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips