Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 31, 2010

Question:

You have often said that your patterns are free for us to make and sell. Does that hold true for all jewelry patterns, such as those in magazines, or does copyright keep us from selling the designs of other people?

Answer:

Although this is a repeat question, I think it is important to address again, as we do have new people here every day. Please follow this link for the answer and comments: Permission for Selling Jewelry Made With Wire-Sculpture Patterns and thanks so much for asking!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Hi there, Wire Sculptors!

You know I want to keep you updated whenever something new comes along here at Wire-Sculpture.com. Well, I’ve got some great news.

In the last month, we’ve been filming, printing, and packaging our brand new Intermediate DVDs–and they are nearly ready for release!

Curious? Check out our Intermediate DVDs announcement page here.

On Wednesday, March 31, at 12pm Eastern Time, our Intermediate DVDs will go on sale–and we’re offering fantastic prizes for the first people to purchase them!

• The first 3 people will get one free seat at any of our Wired Workshops this year!
• The first 10 people to order will get a $50 gift certificate to Wire-Sculpture.com!
• If you’re one of the first 100 people to order, you’ll receive an exclusive Dale “Cougar” Armstrong pattern to complement what you’ll learn in the series! You’ll also be invited to an exclusive teleseminar with Dale, where she will personally answer your questions, offer tips, and more!
• One more great bonus–for every DVD sold between March 31 and April 4, Wire-Sculpture will donate $1.00 to Dale “Cougar” Armstrong’s favorite charity–and Dale will match each dollar!

This is not a presale–the DVDs will only be available for purchase after noon on Wednesday! Each DVD will be available for $39.95–but if you buy the set for $199.75, you’ll also receive a free DVD with two bonus projects, as well as free shipping!

The Intermediate DVD Series will cover 7 projects (and 2 bonus projects if you purchase the set), complete with accompanying instructions and charts, and as always, Cougar’s enthusiasm and personality!

This DVD series will be like taking a week-long intermediate level class from Cougar–in the comfort of your home studio.

You’ll learn patterns and methods of making rings, bracelets, earrings, and even pendants! If you’re looking to take your wire wrapping skills to the next level, you should really consider checking out these DVDs!

So watch our Intermediate DVDs page and your email inbox this Wednesday for a link to the exclusive DVD sale where you can place your order at noon on March 31! With overnight shipping, you could be learning new skills on Thursday!

Click here for more details on what projects and techniques will be featured in the Intermediate Series DVDs!

Stay tuned, and stay twisted!
Brandon Hutchins
Wire-Sculpture.com

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 30, 2010

Question:

New to wire wrapping, I hesitate to use sterling silver wire to practice.  What is the best wire to use to practice with?

Answer:

Some folks like to use brass, and others use plated wire, but in my opinion, copper is the best wire to practice with. It can be purchased in about every gauge and temper as sterling silver and although it may be just a bit softer, it will give you very similar results. You can find a variety of copper wire in wire wrappers gauges here: Copper Jewelry Wire I also enjoy occasionally mixing copper and sterling or argentium wire together, for a more casual and rustic look in finished pieces.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 29, 2010

Question:

I’m wondering why anyone forges wire.

Answer:

Wire jewelry makers ‘forge’ wire for several reasons as it shapes, stretches and hardens any metal used. One example can be ear wires: if a 20g round wire is used to make an ear wire, after the initial shaping, the curve that goes through the ear can be forged with a chasing hammer to flatten it, adding not only an artistic look to the ear wire, but also hardening it into the round which for some people can help to prevent it from slipping out of the ear easily.

When some of us make jewelry using heavy gauges, like 14 or 12, we use soft wire because it is easier to work with, and by ‘forging’ it, we not only add to the shape, but also harden the design into place. For an example of forged heavy wire, I invite you to see this piece on my personal gallery page: Cougar Creations. This set was made using 14g square, dead soft wire that I shaped first, then forged using a chasing hammer, which gave the slight rise to the earrings (as hammering the metal slightly stretches it, causing it to rise). Sometimes folks turn the piece over and pound it again to make it flat, however in this particular case, I used the rise to add dimension to the design.

If you would like to experiment with forging, you will need a chasing hammer, a steel anvil or bench block, and I would recommend copper wire to play with  (An inside tip, in my upcoming Intermediate DVD series, there is a project that introduces you to forging.) It is also very important to wear eye protection while forging, like glasses, safety goggles or optivisors!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Hi Wire Sculptors,

I know you’ve been curious about the Wired Retreat coming up in September. Well, I’ve got all the details–and let me tell you, I can’t wait!

Last year, we held our Wired Retreat in Buffalo, New York. People who came had a great experience–but this year, we’re taking the Wired Retreat to the next level. From September 24-26, you’ll stay as our guest at the elegant Ritz-Carlton – Amelia Island, on the beautiful eastern coast of Florida!

Enjoy breathtaking sunrises from the Atlantic Ocean in your room overlooking the beach. Feel the warm ocean breeze on your skin. Feel free to bring your spouse or a friend to share your room at the Ritz–there are golf courses, museums, and boutiques nearby, tennis courts and a fitness center at the hotel, and of course, the beach to enjoy!

The Wired Retreat package covers all your expenses: your stay at the Ritz-Carlton; all the jewelry making supplies and materials we’ll be using; meals with Dale and other wire jewelry artists; and as always, you’ll get to keep everything you make! The only cost you’re responsible for is getting to Florida! There are also group rates available if you’d like to stay at the Ritz longer than the class - make it a real vacation!

Inside the Ritz, the Wired Retreat spans three days–Friday, Saturday, and Sunday–and it covers several projects. This experience is much more than a Wired Workshop–we mean it when we call it a retreat! Relax in sunny Amelia Island and sample gourmet food and beverages while meeting and chatting with other wire jewelry artists.

We want to make sure everyone who deserves to attend the Retreat, can: that’s why we’re offering single payment, 3-month payments, and 6-month payment plans! And, if you order in the next 2 weeks, we’ll give you a $500 discount on the Wired Retreat Package!

This Retreat isn’t about learning a pattern–it’s about learning techniques that will strengthen your wire jewelry making skills and open up your creativity! You can take these techniques and themes to any jewelry piece you’re making and apply them. Dale “Cougar” Armstrong will give you individual attention and make sure you’re working as efficiently and safely as possible, so you can save wire and supplies!

Before the class, you’ll get to enjoy a 30 minute private consultation with Dale “Cougar” Armstrong where you’ll choose the materials to make your jewelry with–from the gems to the wire. In class, Dale will guide you through planning your piece, techniques, tips, and more advanced methods of wire wrapping, as well as marketing designer jewelry. Dale will work with you one-on-one to increase your skills and draw out your creativity–that’s why this retreat is so exclusive!

Let me tell you what Dale said about the Wired Retreat: “I do not often offer a course such as this, where I actually give many of my personal secrets to my students. The techniques a student can learn at this special event will only enhance their skills!” What jewelry you choose to make in this Retreat, Dale says, “could retail for $1500!” Now that sounds like a great investment–and that’s not counting the techniques and marketing skills you can apply to all your future work!

Now, before you start dreaming of sandy beaches, warm ocean breezes, and laughter over gourmet food with new wire artist friends, I have to tell you--this Wired Retreat is not for everyone. Due to the limited space available, we must narrow our guest list to only qualified wire jewelry artists.

We want to make sure that our participants get the most out of this wonderful educational and relaxing weekend, and we want to ensure that we’re reaching the most deserving wire artists who can benefit the most from this experience.

Only those wire artists who can prove they have the skills, experience, and desire to spend a weekend with Dale in a less structured environment, will be able to come!

Only order the Wired Retreat package if you’re confident you meet at least one of the following requirements (there will be an application form):

•    You’ve attended Wired Workshop classes through the Advanced level (if you haven’t yet, but you will have taken these classes by September, that’s o.k.!)
•    You’ve purchased and worked through Dale’s Beginner DVDs
•    You have pictures of jewelry you’ve made on Etsy, Flickr, Facebook, or on your own store’s site, that we can see (we love looking at pictures of our customers’ art!)
•    You can write us a note about why you want to come to this special Wired Retreat with Dale in Florida

So what now? Click here to sign up for our Annual Wired Retreat! Seats will go quickly!

I hope to see you at the beach!

Brandon Hutchins
Wire-Sculpture.com

P.S. Look for tomorrow’s exciting announcement about our new release: the Intermediate DVD Series!