Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Fun with jewelry making

I've been having fun with my jewelry making lately. I've been wanting to use chains, jumprings, and wirewrapping, but have been reluctant because of the price of sterling silver. Last time I bought sterling silver wire for wire wrapping, sterling was at about $12 an ounce. Now, it's almost up to $35 !!! So, I decided to go with a more vintage look with antiqued brass, and some copper.

Here is one necklace I did using fine copper chains. A total of 20 strands make up this necklace!

(Click on any photo to enlarge)


Here's the copper clasp I used



This next one I call Swallows in Blue Sky. I got a couple of cute brass connectors in the shape of a flying swallow. I went asymmetrical here, and only put in one swallow on one side. As I was adding a couple of Swarovski crystals for the focal, I noticed a handful of Botswana Agate beads setting in front of me, so I added one to this necklace. Just because it was there!





Speaking of Botswana Agate (I just like SAYING Botswana :-D ), here's a couple of bracelets made with Botswana Agate. This first one is strung on beading wire, with sterling silver.





This second one I wire wrapped the beads with antiqued brass wire into links, and used antiqued brass jumprings to attach the links together. I like the looks of the "more than needed" wire wrapping.



And since I like the over-the-top method of wire wrapping, here's a couple of necklaces I like.

Clear Quartz


Manmade purples and yellows quartz


Ocean Jasper


And how about some earrings !!

Red Aventurine


Blue Lampwork Glass


So, yes, I have been having fun with wire wrapping! To see more, check out my Etsy shop

Jewelry From Tucson


For all you jewelry makers, I have been adding some beads and findings that I got at the Tucson Gem Show this past February to my shop. Check them out, I'll be adding more!

Beads and Findings


I have also noticed on Etsy that some folks like to buy beads that are already wire wrapped and ready to go onto earrings or necklaces. So I have started making up and selling dangles. You can find them in my shop here

Dangles