Another Version of Fold Formed Necklace

I made a similar version of this necklace last year, and regrettably sold it.  I didn't really want to let it go, but I did.  I've been thinking of it ever since so I decided to try to make another one.  There were two problems though, the first being the copper folded piece.  I had no idea how I made it but luckily I did have a picture.  So I just started in playing with it.  It has a similar feeling to it but isn't quite as nice as the original.  The bead was the second problem.  But I felt confident that I could fabricate something similar with polymer clay.  When it was baked, I added some brown acrylic paint, dabbed on with a paper towel and rubbed off.  It was a real mess, but I'm happy with the final result.  The necklace 'chain' is made from copper wire pieces balled up in the flame and then forged flat.  I connected everything together with brass jump rings and a brass swan clasp.

Here is a picture of the original piece.  I'm still thinking about the little brass tendril poking out from the bead.

Silver and Copper Ringed Bracelet

I've been going back through my old Step by Step Wire magazines for some inspiration and found lots to interest me.  This bracelet started out by having to make fused fine silver rings which was a little bit of a challenge for me, since I haven't done any fusing or soldering in quite a while, and never got adept at it anyway.  But I managed but then ran out of the 14g fine silver.  I substituted some copper washers and just love the result.  These are all handmade lampwork beads, most of which are from the torch of Beth Singleton on etsy.  It's a fun and funky piece.

Folded Metal Pendant with Viking Knit Chain

Sharon, here is the picture of the finished piece, since you asked so nicely:-)
The viking knit chain was made using a 7/16 dowel and 5 e-loops with 24 g copper wire. I worked about 12 inches and when it was done being drawn through the draw plate, it was about twice as long in length. I annealed the chain afterwards but it made it so soft that it actually got too thin in places. Next time, it would be better to anneal the wire immediately after it was removed from the dowel, and before the draw plate.  I used 18 g wire for the bail and end caps.  The bail wire was hammered flat and then wrapped loosely around a knitting needle to size it and then placed onto the chain.

I have made a series of copper toggles and then tumbled them to work harden, shine, and smooth. I used a small one for a copper washer bracelet with swarovksi crystals and used one of the washers for the other part of the clasp. I'll see about posting a picture of the bracelet soon.

More Chain Maille

I've been on a roll this week, after making the first chain maille bracelet a week ago. These three bracelets, one bronze, and the other two sterling, were made in a few hours each. The bronze chain was a kit from davidchain.com, who I can not recommend highly enough. He's a fabulous designer and teacher as well as supplier of his kits. I made the rings myself for the wedding knot bracelet (seen on the black background, on the bottom right) and it's a little rough but I'm still learning. I'm obsessed now.

Sterling Pin with Beads

This shawl pin is 16 gauge sterling silver with some interesting sterling beads and a lovely olive green lampwork bead. It was alarmingly easy to make, but I did run into a little trouble with the point of the pin snagging while inserting it. I finally tracked down some 0000 steel wool which made all the difference in the world. I had great difficulties trying to capture the true color of the bead and was unable to do so

More Wire Mania

Even though my photography has been improving, I can't seem to get the right light conditions for these objects. I am averse to using lights but I tried a lot of other things, including my light box, but I'm still not happy with the shots. But since I'd rather play with beads and wire than experiment with my camera setup, here it is. (NOTE: I just uploaded a couple more pictures which are better.)

The polymer clay beads I used for this necklace and earring set are quite psychedelic, because of the red to purple skinner blend I used for part of the cane. They are very interesting to me.

I used 20 gauge copper wire and my jig to make the links. I don't have much experience with using the jig but it was a lot of fun and quick, in addition. I realize that the copper will tarnish quite quickly and that's okay with me, as I don't think the copper is really the right color wire. I would have preferred gold, but didn't have any.

Red/Violet Wire Bracelet

I actually do not belong to any Red Hat group but I certainly do like the colors. The beads were made quite a while ago, but after purchasing the purple 20-gauge wire, I got inspired enough to make this funky, fun bracelet. I was following Connie Fox's video from her website to make all the wrapped loops and it was great. However, since I am sort of self-taught, I had to modify some of my habits and this bracelet has dings on the wire from my 'death-grip', especially the hook. I'm sure that in the future I will get better about this, but I'm not sweating it now. It's great to wear.

Wire Mania

Okay, I'm obsessed. I admit it. But it's so much fun to make things out of wire and beads! I made a bunch of rings like the reddish flower ring, but I don't really like wearing them. They were, however, fun to make.

The silver and turquoise bracelet is made with 20 gauge silver wire and 6 mm turquoise beads. They are composed of simple wrapped loops and split rings with a hammered S-link clasp. It is very delicate and lovely. Too bad I didn't use sterling, but maybe next time.

The copper and rose charm bracelet is from a tutorial by Connie Fox, one of my heroes of wire working. I've never met her but her designs really appeal to me. I've done a couple of her other designs too. The main links are 14-gauge copper S-links, hammered slightly, and linked to together with 18-gauge copper split rings. The beads are sitting on 18-gauge spiral head pins and then connected with jump rings. My skills are improving, finally.

Stitch Marker

I've been busy making a number of stitch markers so I can practice making wrapped loops. I still have a long way to go but I'm getting better and faster. This particular stitch marker is for those two row repeats, such as a decrease round alternating with a knit round, as in sock gussets, shown above. The fancy flower bead at the top, indicates to me, that I should do 'something' in that round (decrease stitches). When I come to the marker again, I simply reverse the marker, turning it upside down, so that now, the plain bead indicates that nothing needs to be done for that round. We'll see how it works.

Violet/Rose Sampler Necklace

I have been having way too much fun. First there was the marathon polymer clay session which started all this. I still had rose and violet clay left over, so I made some fun beads. Then when I began the design process, I knew that I had far fewer beads than necessary, and couldn't find beads from my stash, but I found the right color wire! So I spent a great day just fooling around with my Twist 'n Curl tool and wire. I am very pleased with this wild piece.

Sterling Silver Slider and Bead

I took a WONDERFUL class with Sally Stevens, who taught us how to create this gorgeous pendant! In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I chose a green-colored lampwork bead for the foundation of this piece. I can hardly believe that I made this! It measures roughly two inches wide.

Pink Quartz Wirebead Necklace

This was also from my stash - pink quartz rounds and then lots of coiling pink and silver wire beads. My mom took it as soon as she saw it! The clasp came out very nice and easy to use.

Teal/Copper Bracelet with Tornado Clasp

Again, I am attempting to use my stash beads! And the tornado toggle clasp I made a while ago. I'm happy with this one too, with the exception of the silver colored beading wire. Copper colored would have blended better with the colors.

Brown Coiled Bead Bracelet

Made with 26, 22, and 20 gauge wire, both brown and copper, plus assorted delica and seed beads. Just experimenting with different techniques, and using my stash (which is HUGE.) I think it came out very well, and I am pleased with it.

Copper Tornado Toggle Clasp

This is the second tornado toggle I have created. Since I have no immediate plans for this toggle clasp, I thought I would leave it simply copper-colored, with no contrasting crystals. The technique is pure fun.

Tornado Toggle Clasp

I took an online class from beaducation.com for this toggle clasp technique, and I'm very pleased with the course and the instructor. This is my first attempt and was a lot of fun to do.
I highly recommend this course!!! There are two pieces in the picture, in case you can't figure it out: the toggle and the ring. Since they aren't attached to anything yet, it may cause you some confusion!!

Colors of the Rainbow Bracelet

Sterling silver handforged links with gorgeous handmade (not by me!!) lampwork beads.

Black and White Bracelets

More of the twisted wire bracelets. These bracelets are better if worn in the summer, when there are no coats to cover them up and catch.

Bronze Age Wire Bracelet

This was so much fun to make. I had a little box of mixed beads and found the perfect colored wire to go with it, and twisted away.

These are also the first pictures taken with my newly purchased light tent. I have a feeling a new camera is in store for me soon too, as my current little camera's battery is failing, and it's expensive to buy a new one. The camera is a SONY Cybershot, and is quite a few years old, but just keeps taking great pictures.