Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I made a bracelet with six wires and a black onyx as the focal stone. My customer told me that the onyx falls down to the inside of her wrist when she is using the computer. What would you recommend I fix to stop it from falling down? Should I put weights on the inside of the bracelet where the hook is to balance the weight?

-Frances in Fresno, California

Answer:

This really depends on the style and shape of bracelet you made, as well as the size of the cabochon.

If the bracelet is too thin to hold its shape with a larger cab, meaning not enough wires, and/or the gauge is not large enough, then remake it using more bracelet wires or a smaller cabochon.

A human’s wrist is oval in shape; therefore I make all my bracelets oval, and not round. However as I mentioned above, if the cabochon is too big, then the base of the bracelet will need to be wider and made with a heavier-gauged wire to be able to support the weight of the stone.

One other factor is the size of the bracelet. If the customer likes her bracelets really large and loose, no amount of wire or shaping will make a difference. If an oval bracelet is made to be about half an inch larger than the wrist size, the oval shape should hold the stone on top of the arm.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 12, 2010

Question:

I make freeform sterling silver wire wrapped bracelets. One end is a spiral, the other is formed into a hook. Any tips on making the hook look more finished and professional?

-Bobbi in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Wire Faculty member Sherrie Lingerfelt did a great job in this video tutorial, showing How to Make a Double Wrapped Hook. I believe it will look nice on your handmade bracelets too!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 7, 2010

Question:

I am loving making your Woven Beaded Bracelet that you teach in the Beginners Series Part 4! However, I would love to incorporate other sizes and shapes of beads rather than round ones. Do you have any other sizes or suggestions on different shapes to use?

-Suzy in San Diego, California

Answer:

Thanks Suzy–for a nice variation, try adding a 3mm round bead to one of the weaving wires as it goes around the main bead, alternating from side-to-side. You can also use rice shaped or barrel beads. I have even had a pattern of three beads between each braid (instead of one) using a 3mm then a 5mm and then a 3mm. The possibilities are amazing!

Beaded Woven Bracelet

Hint: Watch for a very special version of this weave in a brand new project coming soon in the Advanced Series!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
August 31, 2010

Question:

I recently bought the book Wirework. I was very pleased when I saw the beautiful jewelry that was pictured in the book. I am attempting to make the Ornate Cabochon Bracelet. I was confused when I read over the instructions; they didn’t seem to make sense, but I told myself, “one step at a time.”

Well, I’m on step 13, and the mystery is finally becoming clear: “You actually are making two pieces of jewelry and combining them to make one bracelet”! Why doesn’t the book say so? Anyway, this page is very misleading; I feel you should highlight the fact that the Chevron is merely a frame!

-Ruth in Wickenburg, Arizona

Answer:

Yes, the Chevron Bracelet Base (p. 45) is just as it is named, a “base,” to which any number of items can be incorporated. As I say in the book, the bracelet has an opening on which to attach a variety of “toppings.” The next project, the Ornate Cabochon Bracelet Topping, is an example of what can fit in the Base, which is why it is directly after the Base in Wirework.

Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping

As a progressive instructor, I wrote my book in the same manner that I teach classes and instruct on DVDs. I plan each series and class with each project building on prior projects and concepts. Each project is explained in full detail, and each section of the book has an introductory section. To be able to understand the directions, one should read through both the “Intro” section and then the design directions before setting out to make a project.

With any project, I suggest you work through the written pattern first, and then experiment and have fun making all sorts of designer bracelets!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
June 30, 2010

Question:

Hello, Dale! I love the site, and I find the information so useful!

The biggest issue I have is trying to determine how to adjust for different gauges of wire when I make something. I have found tips and instructions that specify the required gauge, and sometimes there is a caveat that states, “Adjust lengths accordingly if using a different gauge.” So, how do I adjust the lengths? Thanks!

-Karmadhyana in Salem, Oregon

Answer:

Thanks Karmadhyana, we try to do our absolute best!

Regarding your issue, there are a couple ways to think about this. Of course, if you are wrapping a bundle of wires that are a larger gauge than the pattern specifies, you will need more wire to go around the bundle.

However, I think most often this question concerns adding beads to a bracelet or other design. For example, when adding larger beads to a platform bangle, the bead wire would need to be longer due to the additional needed height of the platform so this wire ends up being long enough for proper folding and finishing the bracelet ends (generally an additional 1/2-inch will do). When using larger beads to make a woven or braided beaded item (collar, bracelet, earrings) because the braiding wire goes around each and every bead, this wire length needs to be increased to compensate for the larger bead size.

I know not having a lot of scrap wire is important to all of us; however, the only way to figure this particular change would be to guesstimate the additional length (I add 3/8-inch per 10mm bead to the original formula) and to keep track of your results. While making these experimental braided items, you will build a nice stock of size varieties for your next show.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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