Okay – so you’ve waited until the last minute to shop for gifts and now that its getting down to the wire, you feel less like going out there and braving the crowds in the store.  Well, here’s your lifesaver – go online and order some wire jewelry supply kits with patterns for your gal – she’ll love it that you see the artist in her!

The best place to shop online for wire jewelry supplies is http://www.wire-sculpture.com.  They have everything that any wire jewelry artist could possibly want – supplying materials and tools to the young and old, experienced or novice alike.  All you need to do is peruse for ideas and ask for suggested gift ideas if you can’t decide.

When you arrive at http://www.wire-sculpture.com you will notice that the website offers instructional DVDs for beginners and intermediate wire jewelry artists.  Also, there is a DVD set for creating rings.  Whether your gal is someone who will dive in from the get go or tip toe into the art form, you’ll find the right instructional video for her from the collections.

You might also want to add a few wire jewelry making tools to your purchase as well as a pattern or two to get her started.  Once she does she’ll be hooked because women just can’t have enough jewelry.  Also, women like variety and what better want to achieve that goal than to make their own?  Also, add some beads, cameos or cabochons to your selections.   The site also offers Swarovski crystal beads, gemstones, and storing/packaging supplies.

Keep in mind that wire is the basis of wire jewelry making.  So consider adding to your shopping list several different types – from yellow brass wire to craft/galvanized wire.  A spool of each will go a long way.  If in doubt call Wire Sculpture’s toll-free number:  1-877-636-0608

Finally – don’t forget that you can also just buy a gift certificate if you can’t decide what to get for that special woman friend in your life.  To buy a gift certificate simply navigate to: http://wire-sculpture.com/index.php?p=gift_certificate and fill out the form.  Be sure to select the amount of the gift certificate.  Then you can relax because your shopping will be all done!

Happy Happy Holidays!

Finding instructions of any kind on the Internet is getting pretty easy to do these days.  Printing those instructions so that you can have them in front of you when you’re carrying out the described tasks is another matter.  So, this article is to help you print instructions, both with a black and white printer or a color one.  As a wire jewelry maker you’ll need your instructions handy as you progress through your projects.

First of course, navigate to the page you want to print.  Decide if you want to have the final copy in color or in black and white.  Some people hate wasting their color ink on instructions that will be filed away in a notebook.  Yet others, need the pictures included in the instructions as a task guide and as a result, want the pictures in color.

So, after you’ve found the page, you have a couple options on printing the material if a “print page” isn’t available.  The easiest way is to simply go to the top of the browser, top left option called “File”, and click.  The drop-down menu offers a print and print preview option.  The best way to print this way is to click on “print preview” to make sure you’re going to like the outcome.  You can see if you should change the “lay-out” to be landscape (meaning wider than longer) compared to the default setting of portrait (meaning taller than wider).  If you do want to change the lay-out, you can do so by clicking on “page setup” at the top of the print preview page.

Other available options include the amount of information on a page since the default is to make whatever is on the page fit into the printed page.  You may decide you only want the information on the left and don’t care about the right column and opt to increase the size of the print.  This is available in the drop-down menu called “scale.”  Finally, when you are happy with the look you can click “print” at the top of the page.

After you click “print” then you have the option to change the properties of your print by clicking on the “properties” button next to the name of your printer.  Click on the color tab at the top to find the color or grayscale buttons.  Select the one you want.  Click “OK” and then click “OK” again on the print screen and your printer will start printing.

Another option for printing which I prefer is to copy and paste the material I find on a webpage to a word document so that I have more control over the look and feel.  I can also cut out material I don’t want on the page by just “selecting” the portions I want, copying, and then pasting.

To copy and paste you simply use your cursor to “highlight” the section you want to copy, holding the left button on your mouse down while dragging the cursor over the section; releasing the mouse button when you’ve “captured” the content you want to print.  Once highlighted, then put your cursor over the area and “right-click” your mouse.  You will see the options available; select “copy.”  Once you do that the content you selected will be saved to the “clipboard.”  Open Microsoft Word or any other word processing program and place your cursor on the page.  Right-click your mouse one more time and you’ll see the option to “paste.”  Select it and you’ll notice that the content from the webpage now resides in your Word document.  Name and save your document and then print it.

Cutting and pasting is easy but also may require some adjustment to the layout since “formatting” doesn’t often transfer from a webpage to a Word document.  Also, these instructions are for a PC only since a MAC does not have the “right-click” button.

If you have any trouble printing after using these instructions feel free to submit questions to us at http://www.wire-sculpture.com

It is the season for gift-buying and coming up with something unique for the “creatives” in your family can sometimes be a challenge.  Well, here’s a great new idea for gift giving that will fulfill any artist’s dream – give instructional DVD’s about creating wire jewelry!

Learning is fun for artists especially when he/she can practice hands on.  So, this holiday season, give a learning series of DVD’s filmed in high definition with jewelry expert Dale “Cougar” Armstrong teaching her techniques.  The DVDs, along with the widest range of wire jewelry making supplies and tools, can be found at http://www.wire-sculpture.com.  There are many to choose from including buying an entire series for beginners or for creating many different styles of rings.  Each DVD introduces the artist to materials, patterns, and complete instructions to create various jewelry pieces.

As a stocking stuffer you might also add some wire jewelry supplies or tools that your creative friend or family member will want to get started creating wire jewelry.  You might also call Wire-Sculpture to inquire about recommended products or tools that would complement the learning DVDs.

Magazine subscriptions are always a nice way to introduce a new hobby to someone – consider signing up him or her for one.  Books with pictures and instructions are also a good way to go.

Whether your gift buying is to help someone find a new outlet for their artistic talent or add to an existing collection of wire jewelry supplies, be sure to check out the specials available on the website.  Wire-sculpture.com provides a 100% product satisfaction guarantee or your money back.

Finally, there are pre-packaged kits to buy as well including the materials for making wire wrapped pendants, earrings and/or necklaces.  All the materials and instructions are provided.  Be sure to check to see what tools are also required.  These make great stocking stuffers too!

Happy Holidays!

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.

All of us with kids are looking for ways to help our children experience a wide range of activities.  We do this to help our children discover their talents, stimulate their brains, and to give them enjoyment in life’s activities.  However, once your kids reach the teen years sometimes they lack the incentive to jump into your planned activities.  So, next time you’re trying to recruit your teenagers into an art project – pick wire jewelry making – you’ll be glad you did.

First, you will need to sell them on the idea and the best way to do that is to ask them if they would like to have a new piece of jewelry; something special that they can create with their own personal taste and to match some of the outfits they have.  The answer will be yes of course!

Then, set your date for the event – maybe even set a week of Sundays that you will meet together to continue to learn this new hobby.  Once the date(s) are set, then go on the Internet and browse with your teenager in search of wire jewelry making supplies – best to start at:  www.wire-sculpture.com.

Look at beads and stones and wire – plus don’t forget to look at training products, design pattern kits and DVD’s for instructions, especially if you are a novice yourself.  You might also consider buying a book or ordering a magazine.  The chances are that if you help your teen learn a new skill, he/she will continue to want to learn more.

Also, remember, jewelry making is not just for “girls.”  Guys can have fun with it too.

So, next time you want to get an activity planned to spend time with your kids, remember wire jewelry making – and plan a piece for yourself while you are at it.  You will enjoy the time together, discover new things about your teen and get a new piece of jewelry for yourself!