Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
August 2, 2011

Question:

Regarding the Optivisor question, I have seen some that can also be used with your prescription glasses. Is this true? Will this make a big difference in the distance you’re holding your work? My neck is killing me!!

-Linda in Palatine, Illinois

Answer:

Hi Linda, as I mentioned in the original discussion (Optivisor Distance and Magnification), many of my students use the Optivisor 1.75 lens with their prescription glasses! The choice will really be yours as everyone has different requirements for their eyes. Personally, sometimes I just use 300 power "cheater" glasses from a department store (and yes I wear prescription glasses for anything that is 18 inches away or closer). My decision depends on what I am doing! If I am working a live show and the producer wants to "see" my eyes, I have to use these glasses, but when I am in my studio or teaching a class and I am working on seriously detailed items for hours at a time I really need my optivisors.

My best advice here would be to take the time to visit an store that sells all types of magnifying glasses and try them by wearing them alone or with your prescription glasses, looking for the detail in something like the prongs on a ring you are wearing. You may also wish to consult with your personal optometrist. (I take my Optivisors to my eye doctor each yearly appointment.) Just remember, you have to take care of your eyes! We are not starfish and cannot "regenerate" our parts.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
August 1, 2011

Question:

My daughter likes to design accessories, but can she use the same tools the adults use? Is there is another simple way for them to do it?

-Ghofran in Cairo, Egypt

Answer:

Hello Ghofran, because you did not tell me how old your daughter is, I will give you what I hope is helpful advice. I think it is wonderful for young people to begin finding their muse at an early age; even better when an adult family member is there to help the child learn, as well as to encourage them.

I really don’t think there is an actual “age limit” to working with hand tools, I believe it all depends on how much respect a child is taught with regards to the materials they are using. (For example, my Girl Scout troop was learning to use pocket knives that could shave the hair off your arm, at age 9 – but only with adult supervision!) If you have a set of pliers and a cutter that are your “back-ups,” then you can both work together! I would begin by using plated findings, soft, colored craft wire, and inexpensive beads. Maybe by following some of the instructions on our Free Pattern Page like my Nugget Hoop Earrings or Quick Bead & Wire Pendant. Everyone loves rings! The Button Ring pattern by Albina Manning is fun to make and the design can be altered to fit many different styles and sizes of buttons. You and your daughter could make a matching pair in the afternoon, and show them off to the family at dinner that evening!

So plan an afternoon or evening, and begin working on simple projects with your daughter, teaching her how to hold and use each of the four basic tools (flat nose, chain nose, and round nose pliers, plus wire cutters), and then watch what happens!!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
July 28, 2011

Question:

I am trying to replicate a bracelet I saw at a show. It was a heavy-gauge wire or metal piece, bent in to a square shape (closed), and then a thin wire, threaded with beads, was wrapped around it. I’m trying to find out if I can buy the ready-made structures? Have you ever seen such a thing? I’ve been to dozens of sites, can’t find anything.

-Rebecca in Cincinnati, Ohio

Answer:

Rebecca, because most of the Wire Faculty and I make our own wire forms, I do not know if the manufactured shape you are looking for is available. I can tell you that is rather easy to make your own, though. Depending on the amount of beads, their weight and sizes, you can choose from either round or square wire in a gauge from 16 through 14 for the frame. To add the chosen beads, you can use about any round wire that will fit into the bead’s holes.

I did a nice DVD showing exactly how to create a cuff-style bracelet, this one includes handcrafting your own wire filigree and using a chasing hammer and a bench block for hardening and texturing the wire too. Here is a sample bracelet that can be made using Intermediate Series DVD 4.

Perhaps you would like to learn how to coil beads into a stunning bracelet? If so, then I recommend learning the Arabian Bracelet taught by Albina Manning on DVD 1 of her Coiling and Weaving Series (below).

No matter your decision Rebecca, remember that you can take the techniques taught in our DVD lessons, alter and or combine them, and create many new designs!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
July 27, 2011

Question:

Dale, thank you for all the wonderful information you provide. I always see your rings with a wrapped shank. Other than purchasing a video, is there any way I could see how to do it, and what materials are needed?

-Michele in Clinton, Connecticut

Answer:

Hi Michele, you are welcome! I do enjoy working on the Daily Tips. To wrap the shank of a ring, you can use half round wire in gauges 21, 20, or 18: the choice depends on the style of ring you are making (heavy, lightweight, for a male or female) and what size the ring "turned out" compared to the desired finished size.

I know you imply that you do not wish to purchase a DVD, but I have to tell you that besides learning how to properly size rings and wrap their shanks accordingly, on the Ring Series DVD 1 I teach many, many skills and techniques to help a wire jeweler successfully make and sell a wide variety of wire ring styles! The information I share includes: choosing and using ring mandrels, sizers and mallet; why, when and how to make both full and partial ring shank wraps, as well as how to take custom ring orders, pricing tips and more!

Another option to learning about how to make wire rings (including the shank wrap) can be found in my book Wirework where the basic details are covered in both written and photographed steps. (No, the DVD that is included with this second edition of my book does not include anything about rings – sorry.)

I wish you all the best Michele, with your progress creating wire jewelry ring designs!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
July 20, 2011

Question:

I want to make a bracelet out of 14x12mm oval faceted gemstones. I want to use prongs, but do not want it bulky. I cannot find snap sets in that size. I have called places and searched the web with no results. Do you have any suggestions?

-Cynthia in Buchanan, Georgia

Answer:

Sure, Cynthia, you can make prong settings for your small faceted stones from wire! Using the photo below for an example, instead of making a complete prong-frame (all around each stone), use 24-gauge wire to make two Half Frames, one for each side of the stone (wrap between the prongs with 21g half-round wire).

At each end, where the frame meets, use the same 24-gauge square to wrap the frame together, 2 times to show. Now, instead of using the remaining wires to make a bail and embellish (as you would on a pendant) use them to make a connection loop. For strength and durability while keeping all of your settings on the same plane, I would use a purchased Closed Jump Ring between each stone setting. Just remember to insert the ring into the connection loop at the end of a stone setting, before you wrap it closed (the same if you choose to use a purchased clasp such as a lobster claw or trigger style).

For those of you who would like to learn how to make a prong frame for cut stones, DVD 1 of the Advanced DVD series shows exactly how, including the formulas for stones of all sizes!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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