by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com
If Dale “Cougar” Armstrong’s series of Gem Profiles on Quartz were a semester college class, today would be the mid-term!
There’s no test – not today at least – but this is still a good time to brush-up on your Quartz knowledge. Remember Amethyst, Citrine, and Aventurine? Let’s take a look back on the Quartz articles written by Dale!
by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com
Why does a jewelry artist need to pick out colors? You may say, well, I just pull out my bead tray and I go with what goes together, I trust my eye. That’s great, and that works for many of us some days, when the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and we have a calm, quiet house to ourselves.
However, when you’re under pressure, or designing a new collection of jewelry – several pieces that go together to create a cohesive “look” – you may need to do some planning, based on your materials that are available, the look for that collection (bridal? floral? autumn? children? fantasy?), and the people who will wear it (can they afford the gold-filled wire? will they feel they overpaid if the plated wire chips?).
Whether you’re designing your business logo, your craft table color scheme, your new collection of jewelry, or even a single set of jewelry based around a stone – say, a colorful opal or tigerseye – it helps to plan. Here are 3 tools you can use to plan your color schemes so you’ll create wire jewelry with confidence and joy, without a look back!
You may recognize Adobe as the software company behind creative programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and InDesign. But those aren’t the only things Adobe has developed to help creative professionals (you’re a creative professional – just like photographers, graphic designers, fashion designers, and interior designers the world over).
Kuler is a free web-based program from Adobe that allows you to create color palettes using up to 5 colors. You can choose to relate the colors based on Analogous, Complementary, Triadic, Monochromatic, and other color relationships, or freestyle. Simply use the color wheel to select a color; advanced users can specify certain RGB, CMYK, Hexadecimal, or other color values to perfectly match logos or images.
You can save these color palettes if you create an account (it’s free), and if you’re an advanced user, you can export the swatch and import it into a program like Illustrator, so you don’t have to write the color codes down. This has helped me match just what beads would go with my copper jewelry, and I can even guess how the colors will look as the copper patinas!
ColourLovers is much like Kuler, with a few additions. First, you can upload a photo, which allows you to use colors from that photo without touching Photoshop or any image software.
It seems a lot like Kuler at this point. However, now that you have a palette, you can now create a pattern with it (might be useful when choosing your company’s logo color – you can make a website background)
ColourLovers also seems more social than Kuler. While you can share palettes with others and comment on them in Kuler, ColourLovers allows you to join groups; you’ll meet a great community that loves color. Paid products on ColourLovers include fabric made from the palettes and patterns you choose, posters, and a color-matching software program.
Have you seen the pages of the fashion magazines that have pictures of pieces of an ensemble, with information on each piece, its price, and where you can find it? Polyvore is a site that will allow you to create your own fashion spreads online. If you’ve mastered ColourLovers, Polyvore is next on your must-explore list.
This site has a bit of a learning curve to use, but it’s a fun way to piece together outfits and see what others have made – a bit like Pinterest. But the very cool thing is that you can add your own images and jewelry to Polyvore using its Clipper tool. Due to legal & copyright business, Etsy doesn’t allow Polyvore to use images that are on Etsy, but you can still clip pieces from your blog, Artfire, or Flickr. Then you can add your own jewelry to outfits!
After you publish, you can choose to get the code to place the fashion collage on your website; the images will automatically link to their respective sources (including your Artfire listing or website).
If these online resources for organizing color and looks are a bit too much, don’t worry, you can do practically the same thing without a computer. For a totally off-line method of choosing colors, you can take advantage of color fans, which you can buy from Pantone (if you have a suitcase of cash) – thrifty options include visiting graphic design firms and printing companies to see if they have old Pantone color fans and paint shops.
Can’t find color fans, or are you bootstrapping along? Head to your big box home retailer and pick up some paint chips. This requires more effort in the long run, if you have to rush in every time you’re planning a piece – but it’s free, and it’s an okay substitute until you can find a color fan or be comfortable with online options. And I do recommend being professional here. Most of the folks that work in the paint departments are pretty friendly; I don’t recommend hiding what you’re doing. They would probably be interested to hear what kind of unique jewelry you make. And of course, when you do need to buy paint, patronize the shop that’s been kindest.
As far as imitating Polyvore: there’s the old standard of clipping clothes and accessories from magazines and taping or gluing them to a piece of paper for a “mood board” or “inspiration board.” You can even add a picture or sketch of your jewelry to that paper for a complete ensemble. That may make a fun photo backdrop, catalog addition, or sample sheet to show your customers – the possibilities are endless!
Happy Jewelry Making!
by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com
Tool of the Week for
April 2, 2012
This week’s tool: Pocket Size Stone Holder, #HOL-653.00
Demonstration by Kate, JewelryTools.com
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Jewelers and gem setters use this Stone Holder to avoid getting dirt, fingerprints, or oils on the stones. With this thumb-operated stone holder, you can pick up small stones in one easy move. This allows you to measure stones with a caliper, place the stone on tape to set in a snapset, and gently move the stones on your workbench. This is also a great way to present your loose stones to customers who may be interested in purchasing a custom-made ring or pendant from you. The wire prongs fit back into the tool when not in use, so you can safely stow this tool in your pocket or purse if needed. JewelryTools.com offers this useful gem tool in several options; this tool is 5" long with 3 prong jaws. You can also find the mini 2-1/2" stone holder and the 4-prong stone holder on JewelryTools.com. |
Click here to see the 5" Pocket Size Stone Holder, only available on JewelryTools.com: Click here to see more stone holders on JewelryTools.com
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by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong, Wire-Sculpture.com
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
March 30, 2012
Summarizing Macrocrystalline Quartz, one in a Series on Quartz
Shop Quartz Cabochons | Shop Cherry Quartz Beads, Quartz Beads
Within this brief conclusion of macrocrystalline quartz I need to mention a few varieties that I have not yet touched on, such as:
Strawberry Quartz
In the late 1950′s, some sensational vivid strawberry red quartz was discovered in Mexico. This water clear quartz had been naturally included with so many microscopic hematite plates that it looked red. Many of these imperfectly formed crystals were used by lapidaries to make into cabochons and heart shapes. A cache of beautiful, natural strawberry quartz has also been found in Kazakhstan (a country between Russia and China). Please realize that these two examples of true strawberry quartz are extremely rare! Most of what is called strawberry quartz on today’s market is found mainly in Brazil and Russia and is quartz that has inclusions of iron oxides like lepidocrosite, hematite or goethite.
This translucent quartz cabochon could be referred to as "strawberry" quartz, due to its many red inclusions.
Buyer beware! Several years ago, I remember when the jewelry supply market was flooded with a beautiful pink "quartz" that carried the label "’strawberry." The first pieces I saw were rather small, pinkish cabochons that looked as though they had red streaks and spots or "seeds" included. Most of my rockhound friends and I were perplexed. Just where was this new strawberry quartz deposit and how large was it that so many things were being made from the material and sold for really low prices? The Internet was buzzing! We later saw a larger piece with visible air bubbles identifying it as just glass. But because quartz is silica and glass is made of silica, vendors thought they could label glass as quartz! Soon after came Cherry, Blueberry, Pineapple and Kiwi "quartz", that have been grouped together as Fruit Quartz. Very affordable, these different glasses do make up into pretty jewelry for summer and spring.
A variety of fruit quartz, including pineapple, kiwi and cherry surrounded by blueberry briolette beads.
Prase
There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is labeled as "prase" these days. A transparent naturally leek-green colored silica also known as emerald quartz, prase is extremely rare and can be mistaken for nephrite or jadeite. Modern vendors tend to call any green quartz prase, which has also become a nickname for chrysoprase; a cryptocrystalline quartz I will cover later.
Flame Aura quartz, vapor coated with a combination of titanium and niobium. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Stands of smoky quartz beads that have been vapor coated. I wonder if the original quartz was white?
Treatments
We already have learned that heat treating certain varieties of amethyst and smoky quartz will produce citrine, irradiated amethyst turns it green and that irradiating white quartz can make it smoky, but what about the metallic and seemingly opalized colors? Fortunately due to its crystal structure macrocrystalline quartz doesn’t take a dye well, but there is one special treatment that can turn an otherwise dull quartz crystal into an unusual beauty: vapor deposition. Simplified: individual quartz crystals or clusters are placed into a special vacuum chamber where they are coated with a thin film from vaporized elements that have been mixed with oxygen. The multitude of different colors and slightly metallic aurora borealis effects can be due to the following combinations that I have listed, along with some of their marketing names:
Opal Aura or Angel Aura, pastel AB: platinum and silver
Clusters of vapor treated quartz, called "Aqua Aura." Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Difficult to photograph well, Opal Aura treated quartz is also called Angel Aura.
Of course although beautiful, each of these treated crystals or clusters is said to have special metaphysical powers. Although I am not personally opposed to the power of natural stones that have history and science to back them up (such as quartz watches and radios) I feel the need to warn you about spending large amounts of money while seeking a special "fix" to normal human challenges. If it sounds too good to be true…
Wow! The past several weeks of quartz Gem Profiles have been fun, but we are not done with quartz yet! Next week I will continue by opening the subject of cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline quartz.
Print Resources:
Internet Resources:
Gem Profile by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
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by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com
Wire Jewelry Idea for March 28, 2012
Stuck in a jewelry-making rut? Maybe it’s time to step away from what you’re used to, and try adapting your style to a different type of jewelry. Stuck making bracelets, and sick of it? Wrap your bundle around a hair comb or hair stick for dramatic results. Need a man’s gift? A bolo tie, tie clip, or cuff links would be a special treat. If you can think of even more ideas, leave them in the comments below!
Above the neck:
Headdress
Bridal Tiara or Circlet
Hat Pins
Hair Comb, Hair Clip, and Hair Sticks or Pins
Fascinators and Headbands
Earrings and Ear Wraps
Nose Rings
Nose Chains (originating in India – a nose piercing with a draping chain that connects to the ear)
Jewelry worn above the neck is some of the most ornate and delicate jewelry a person can wear. This is because most things worn on the head don’t come into contact with anything else, whereas rings and bracelets are constantly touching desks and steering wheels, or can come in contact with food or dishwater. However, tiaras, earrings, and combs generally are left alone except to tuck hair behind the ears or in a gust of wind. Therefore, we can afford to use thin wire and eye-catching crystals in these zones, and fantasy jewelry does especially well here.
Neck:
Collar
Necklace
Pendant
Lanyard
Bolo Tie
Torc (a thick collar, popular with Celts)
Neck jewelry is one of the first things you notice about someone when you see them. Whether it’s a tight collar or a relaxed lariat, what a person wears around their neck can tell you a lot about them. I’ve worked in places that required lanyards – and a handmade lanyard showed a lot of personality. A gent wearing a bolo tie is a statement himself, and would remind most people of the American Old West. The length of a necklace must complement the wearer’s neckline of the shirt or dress they are wearing, which is one reason many pre-made neck cords are an adjustable 16-18". In my jewelry, I make my own neck cords because I prefer a 14" cord for pendants to show above my neckline; total customization of a piece is one of the many abilities of wire jewelry artists.
Arms and Hands:
Upper Arm Cuff
Bracelet & Bangle
Watch
Rings
Slave Bracelet
Cuff Links
Rings are always popular at shows – a simple ring made from 5" of wire at the edge of your booth can make passers-by pause, and a custom-designed wire wrapped prong ring is a highly-valued piece. Bracelets and bangles are also lots of fun to make, and can feature many, several, or no beads, as you desire. However, as I mentioned, with little exception, bracelets and rings are in "high traffic zones," so counsel your customers to remove them before doing dishes and cleaning. More exotic Arm accessories include the upper arm cuff (reminiscent of Xena or mythology in most cases – generally a spiral design to allow the cuff to expand over the elbow) and the slave bracelet, which is a ring that connects to a bracelet, usually with a flexible chain or perhaps chainmaille.
Body:
Tie Clip
Corsage, Brooch
Belt
Shawl Pin
Belly Chain
Belly Button Piercing
You might not expect the torso to be a decorative place, but it is a playground for jewelry artists. Why not make a light wire wrapped chain that could be worn as a long necklace, a doubled necklace, a belly chain (worn with a two-piece swimsuit), and a belt – that’s 4 jewelry accessories in one, and a huge value to your customer! Let’s not forget special occasions: if your daughter’s prom is coming up, you could create a beautiful colored wire or silver-and-pearls corsage (worn as a brooch, or around her wrist). Decorate with real flowers, and she’ll have a beautiful piece to wear at the prom, and to treasure for years afterward. If your son appreciates wire jewelry, you can wire wrap a design into a tie clip.
As a knitter myself, I can vouch that knitters love to fasten shawls and sweaters with handmade shawl pins – a quick search on Etsy for "shawl pin" will inspire you in no time. (Bonus: Many shawl pins can double as hair accessories!)
Legs and feet:
Bride’s Garter
Anklet/Boot Jewelry
Toe Ring
Footless Sandals
When you’re making a custom set for a bride this spring, you’ve probably arranged to make her a necklace and earrings; perhaps a tiara; perhaps you have the honor of making her ring. I’m sure you could find a plain wedding garter and spice it up with some wire wrapped pearls or beads in her wedding colors – as a gift to such a good customer, or for a little fee to increase the sale!
While most of us are familiar with anklets, some may not be aware that certain parts of the country love to wear boots, and they especially love to adorn those boots with chain and beads – it’s practically a bracelet for the boot itself. It’s a very niche market with avid customers. Toe rings are also popular with customers; made with inches of wire and maybe a bead, they’re inexpensive and easy to sell. Build up on the toe ring with chain or chainmaille and wrap around the ankle to create a footless sandal, or barefoot sandal! Much like a slave bracelet, but with a toe loop or toe ring and an anklet, this is becoming a popular trend both in the fiber and wire worlds, and can be worn with bare feet, flip-flops, or strappy sandals. Be sure to use round wire or a satin cord on the toe component for comfort – a Google search on barefoot sandals will return a host of inspiring images.
Happy Jewelry Making!
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