Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 04, 2010

Question:

I have purchased some cut glass pendants and would like to know how to make a chain of sorts to hang them from for necklaces.  I do not want to purchase chain and leather cord is too plain.  Do you have any ideas?

Answer:

Ok, you say you do not want to purchase chain, and although one can make all types of chain, it can be time consuming and more expensive than buying it either ready made or by the length and just adding the clasp. The cut glass pieces you mention sound quite elegant, and like a painting, probably need to stand-alone. One of my favorite solutions for special pieces is a finished ribbon, like the one shown here: http://wire-sculpture.com/pages/jewelry_ideas_finished_ribbon.html If you do want to make chain, do an Internet search using the phrase ‘free chain making tutorials’. When I did this search I will tell you that my favorite result was ChainWeavers as they have a lot of free tutorials for most of the basic, ‘been around since the dawn of time’, chain weaves.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
October 17, 2009

Question:

I would like to make the clasps for necklace in sterling silver.  What type of wire would be most appropriate?

Answer:

The most often used wire shape to make clasps is round and the temper is determined by the gauge or size of the wire. If the wire is large like 18 gauge, then I recommend using dead soft because most clasps are made using small bends and larger soft wire will work harden quickly. If the wire is smaller like 21 gauge, then I would use a half-hard wire to give this smaller size the necessary strength. The size of the wire used should be decided upon by the size and style of the necklace, larger for a heavy design and smaller for a more delicate piece.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Hey everyone,  we had a surprise visitor at our Wire-Sculpture HQ today , The very talented “Ritzy Misfit” a.k.a. Brooke.  Why is Brooke a rising star?  Well,  if you haven’t heard by now, she is the “In DEMAND” artist right now because her unique jewelry has landed on the neck of Jillian Harris, ABC’s Bachelorette.  Way to go Brooke!  Many thanks for being such a great Wire-Sculpture client!

You can view some  of her unique jewelry pieces here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6657405

Brooke’s Bio:

My name is Brooke, and I love to make almost anything. I get obsessed with figuring out how to do things, and it seems I try it all.  I sew, make jewelry, decorate, re-finish furniture, and use all the big boy toys to make my creations. I don’t, however consider myself a “real artist” because if you ask me to draw a sketch of any of the things I make I couldn’t do it to save my life. You’d have a hard time guessing what it was.  I respect artists and their talent so much, I just don’t feel I’ve earned the title as of yet.

I really like to be unique, and think outside the box. With as many amazing and beautiful things there are out there these days, that becomes more and more of a challenge. But I’m up for it.

The way my creative process works is usually this:  I will see something, whether it be a piece of metal, some old weathered wood, or a simple glass jar, and an idea sparks. Sometimes this spark is inspired by someone else’s work, but I make it my own by tweaking it or even doing it the complete opposite way they did. But I love to be inspired by other people’s creativity. One of the things that makes the world go round, I think.

So as far as my pendants, which are so much fun to play with, it all started with a gift I got for my birthday. I was inspired, and the rest is history. I’m very blessed because people have had such a great response to my pieces.

These pieces really can tell you a lot about yourself. I have found, and hopefully will continue to, that people will choose pendants that reflect themselves as a person, down to their wonderfully unique soul.

“No one is perfect, but we are all beautiful. These pendants give the feeling of being beautiful, unique and rough around the edges all at the same time. My work reflects the wonderful, flawed idiosyncrasies in us all. And it makes us breath-taking.”

My style is asymmetrical, quirky, and sometimes dark. And sometimes… sparkly.  I love all things vintage, and if my things don’t incorporate something old, they tend to have that older, nostalgic feel. I definitely don’t hold back when I like something though. If it’s made completely of glitter and sequins, and I happen to love it, then so it is.  Again, outside the box, I guess.

As far as Ritzy Misfit, it has just grown in such a wonderful way! I’m blessed to have been contacted by some wonderful people who have helped me so much by giving support, and opportunities for growth. I’m pretty shy when it comes to showing people my work and telling them it’s great, so it makes it much nicer when they find me. My pendants are actually going to be on this season of the Bachelorette! Worn by the beautiful Jillian.  I have big hopes for Ritzy Misfit, and hope to continue to grow and evolve.

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