In case you don’t know or don’t remember, women love jewelry – jewelry of any kind.  Some women even like to create their own jewelry.  That’s why giving the gift of wire jewelry making supplies can be even better.  Either way, you can shop online to find the right pieces or parts needed to give the woman / women in your life the best gift this year, or next.

First of all, you need to know what style the intended recipient of your gift likes.  Does she like dainty jewelry or large outspoken pieces?  What is her favorite color?  And what textures is she drawn to?  Does she like silk, nylon and soft cotton which lean toward fragile designs or thick nubby wool with big buttons which would reflect the desire for sturdy pieces?  Is she always in a hurry and need something that’s easy to adorn herself with?  Or does she leisurely put on her pieces?

Next, take a look in her jewelry box if you get a chance.  See what might be missing.  Does she have many pieces of jewelry or only a few special ones that she wears all of the time?  This is important to know since you want her to appreciate what you buy for her.  If she only wears a few pieces because she only has a few pieces, then you might want to buy her the makings of a “matching set,” which means earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring.  If she has many pieces and matching sets then consider buying her tools and materials plus instructional material to be able to make plenty more.

Finally, look at the quality of her jewelry.  Does she like only diamonds and rubies?  If so, then you’ll have to go toward more semi-precious materials and gold wire.  Maybe this is where you buy a few pieces of high quality material with a design pattern so she can make it herself.  Again, remember, if your gal is a brainiac and works with her mind and not so much with her hands, consider just buying her a custom piece of wire jewelry.   Whatever you decide, the most important aspect is to think of her and what she would love and you’ll pick a winner every time.

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
November 29, 2009

Last Day of The 3 Day Thanksgiving Sale – Don’t Miss Out!

Question:

I have a pin vise to twist wire, but every time I try to use it, it bites off the end of the wire before I can twist it.  I was told to use only square wire, which I have. I’ve watched the videos and tried to do what I’ve seen you do. What am I doing wrong?

Answer:

Unfortunately I have seen this happen in my classrooms as well and you are probably not doing anything ‘wrong’, rather the tool was improperly finished when it was made.  I have tried to remedy this situation by filing the inside surfaces of the point that holds the wire, but then it doesn’t grip firmly. The best solution is to return the device to the source, with a note that describes what is wrong with the tool, and ask for a replacement.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here!

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
November 28, 2009

Check Out the 3 Day Thanksgiving Sale!

Question:

What is Tibetan Silver?  Is this another name for silver plated?

Answer:

Honestly I had never heard of ‘Tibetan’ silver when referring to my medium of wire, so I did some research and this is what I discovered: many years ago, ‘Tibet Silver’ described entirely handcrafted, very fine silver pieces created by silversmiths in the region it was named for; however like a lot of other things today, modern ‘Tibetan’ silver is manufactured in other countries and may contain a variety of metals such as zinc, pewter, copper, tin along with a small percentage of actual pure silver. Today (2009) this type of silver product is mainly used to create jewelry components.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here!

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
November 27, 2009

Question:

If taking an order for a custom piece, when finished, it isn’t what the client wanted, how do you charge for your labor and supplies, other than saying upfront it isn’t refundable.  I try to guarantee client satisfaction and this can become an issue.

Answer:

I agree that this is a difficult situation, however if you are ‘up-front’ and firm about your ‘custom order’ policies, your client should appreciate your honesty. One sure way to state your custom order policy is to either print it on the reverse of a few business cards that you hold back just for this type of order, or on a separate card with your contact info that you can give to a client. My personal policy is to take full payment, which guarantees my customer that I will pay for any necessary shipping and insurance, and that I cannot refund their money if they don’t like what they have agreed to, until I actually sell the piece they had me create just for them.

The best way I can respond to your question is based upon my experience. This is how I personally take a custom order (which is also what I teach my personal students). Use a triplicate order pad. Have the customer fill in their personal info, including shipping/mailing address, phone numbers and if available their email. I then write out exactly what the customer would like (based on our conversation) including what metal(s), their stone or mine, their preferred style (if possible, the name of a piece I may already have that they like, which I also take a picture of with my cell phone in case it sells) what embellishments they prefer if any, and a quick sketch. I then go over their order in detail again, jot the approximate delivery date on the form, and when they are satisfied I have them sign the order slip. I add my contact info to the bottom and give them the top/original order slip as well as my card. When their order is finished, I include the second slip with their order when I either deliver it by hand or ship it to them. (If shipping the item, I also call or email this customer to let them know their order is on the way, with the tracking numbers.)

And before you ask, yes I have had a customer who was not happy with her order and I did send her a refund check when I sold the item about seven months later, along with a thank-you for her interest in my work. She has since become a regularly returning client.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here!

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Question:

Why should I use, and what is the proper way to use, “red rouge”?

Answer:

Personally I do not use red rouge, but I know a lot of folks who do and I have my own ‘expert’ right here so: Red rouge (also known as jeweler’s rouge) is a very fine powdered, ferric oxide (iron) that can be purchased as a powder, a paste or in a bar or peel-away tube form (combined with wax or grease). It is also present in certain polishing cloths. Red rouge is an extremely fine compound that is used to put a final polish on silver, copper, brass, gold, and platinum metals as it will not scratch or remove any of the metal while being used.

For assistance with this answer, I went to my own ‘in-house lapidary’/boilermaker husband Charlie who says: “If you want to use red rouge to polish jewelry, you need to use it with a power tool such as a dremel or a polishing machine (with a dust collector and hood) equipped with a buffing wheel made of  felt, muslin or flannel, and the ideal speed of the tool used is about 5000 rpm. (Never use a buff for more than one compound and keep each buff clean and separate from others by storing in a plastic bag, labeled with what compound it is impregnated with, as well as what metal it is used on.) Always wear eye protection and work in an area with really good ventilation, better yet wear a respirator!

The rouge is sparingly applied to the wheel while it is running slowly and then, using light pressure, begin polishing your piece. Be careful going around your stones and beads and when you are finished, use a soft, clean cloth to remove any residual rouge.”

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here!