Copper In Jewelry

I've been away for the holidays , camping in the Florida Keys and have found something unique about my copper thumb ring.

My ring is made completely of wire and braided. While at home, I wear it daily.  So it gets washed continually throughout the day when I wash my hands. I marveled at how it has remained so shiny and untarnished.  It is oxidized and sealed; but after all this time, one would think I'd have to clear the tarnish at some point.

Here it has sat on the table for a few days.
I picked it up this morning to find the beautiful rosy color has darkened.

I decided to wear it anyway. To my surprise with each hand washing, the pretty rose color is returning! Only using Dawn dish detergent or soft soap and water.

I am excited to experiment further.  I normally advise removing rings when washing, cooking , etc but with Copper tgis may not be necessary.

More to follow as I experiment.

Sharing Handmade

As many of my fellow Artisans know, our handmade products are slowly being copied and mass produced.
Our hard work and passion is being, re-created into a lesser quality for a lesser price.

That being said I am hoping you will join me in spreading our Handmade beautiful works of art. Whether you create Flower Arrangements, Jewelry, Paintings, Baskets,Crochet, Knit, Sew or the many others ways he share our love, please help share it with the Global world.

I hope this doesn't end with only the Christmas season, but continues on indefinitely. I will certainly continue to do my part !  All I ask is that we take a few moments every few days and "share" anothers work.
Simple, easy and we all band together as one, showing our passion and quality for each others business.

I will be placing a similar posting such as this on my FaceBook Business Page in the notes section. I am asking any Artisan who would like to participate to post a  *valid* (please check it for us) to your business page.  I am also asking that they please share others work as well. This can be on your personal profile, blog, and Twitter. When sharing please include a link to that particular item, hopefully it can create a sale !
And the same will be done for you also.

Please use the hashtag  #ArtisanSharingArtisan    maybe we can take this further than even I hope ! Let's sprad the handmade movement and help each other  !

I will be sharing links on my FaceBook Profile, and Tweeting that same link each time I share. I've been doing this for a few weeks now and it makes me feel really good inside, helping a fellow passionate artist be seen by my friends and on Twitter !

I can be found at Twitter here 

If you would like to join me- remember to post your links here, I'll check back regularly.
And/or on my Business Page on FaceBook !

Ring Tutorial

Dana Ring Tutorial

This is a ring I named The Dana Ring, after  dear friend.  You will make this ring using a 2 hole bead and wire. You can embellish it with crystal bicones, and the possibilities are endless !
I love making these rings and thought why not let others make one as well. They are fun, get lots of compliments and do they ever scream bling !!!

As a courtesy to me, I request that this ring NOT be made for mass production. copied or taught without my permission.  
And please go easy on my photos. I tell everyone on my Fan Page  that I make jewelry NOT photos :)

I hope you enjoy making this #blingring !

TOOLS

22 gauge Artistic Wire
Swarovski 2 hole crystal heart
flat nose pliers
flush cutting pliers
ring mandrel
The Swarovski heart crystals can be purchased here on Etsy  in a variety of colors.

1.  You will want to cut your 22 gauge wire into 2 pieces of 10-12 inches each.  You can use 20 gauge wire, but it can make the ring a bit bulky with wire. Thread your Crystal Heart using both pieces of wire, and place the heart in the center.

2.  Place the heart and wire on your ring mandrel at a size approximately 1/4 -1/2 larger than you want to make. This is due to the inside diameter of your ring changing after you wrap it all together.

3. Wrap both sides of the wire around the mandrel once. This will give you 4 strands of wire for the back shank. Be careful making sure the wires do not twist.

4.  Make sure you have one side facing up and one side facing down.  Gently make one loop around the heart, ending with wire on each side.

  5.   Wrap 2-3 more times or as many as you would like in your design. I generally wrap 3. This will also help to secure your crystal from turning or angling the wrong way.

6.   Gently remove your ring from the mandrel, and while holding it take one side of your loose wire and wrap once around your ring shank, just to secure the side. Now do the same with the other side.
you can now continue with 1-2 more wraps on each side, finishing with a short cut near the shank and tapping the cut end down with your flat nose or chain nose pliers.. Remember to feel the edge to assure of no wire that could cause a scratch to anyone.

And there you have it ! A stunning #Swarovski Crystal #Heart ring !!

Playing with Leather :)

No.. this is not an excerpt from "Fifty Shades of Grey"  I'm talking about bracelets.
You know all the different leather with "pretties" on them.

I opened the mail today and Wa-La!  My order came in !  I've made wrap around leather bracelets with rhinestone chain, multiple rows of leather with crystals and beads, but I really like the simplicity of these.

That being said... I've decided to have a Pin To Win on the leather bracelet you see in the photo. It's a way to give back to the most wonderful fans/ friends in the world ! You've stuck by me when I was sick (when am I not?) and you've given me tons of encouragement to keep going !

For this alone I thank you from the deepest depths of my heart !

This bracelet is grey with a stunning crystal rhinestone slide bar ! it will match anything !!!
I can make it up to a size 8 1/2 .. Or you can use it as a great surprise gift..

To enter ??  Just post a comment under my photo board titled Pin To Win..  Though sharing it on your boards would seriously make me smile too  :)
Not into Pinterest? Not an issue - you can merely leave a comment here ♥

Happy pinning  : Pinterest link

Good luck !!!

To Tut or not to Tut ?

Last year I wrote a tutorial for wire wrapped beginner ring.
It's a very simple tutorial really, using a Swarovski crystal heart and wire.
You can add bicones to enhance it as well.

My tutorial has been accepted in Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine thus creating a dilemma.  I have been considering placing the tutorial here on my blog for all to use. If I send it off to print I guess that would be the same?
They want so many changes though arrrgghhhh !

Stay tuned, maybe this dilemma will get resolved .

New Giveaway on my FB page !

I decided it was time for another GiveAway on my FaceBook fan page !
It's  a 28mm Crystal faceted Heart wrapped and woven with non-tarnish Silver Artistic Wire.

The heart isn't nearly this dark, but this is how the photo came out with the camera and the white background. The heart has more of a peachy/teal look when you turn it to see the different facets.
It is a remarkable crystal and one I immediately fell in love with when I saw it.

As always, a MUST have !

Here is the link to the  Giveaway  merely click on Giveaway and you will be spirited away to enter !

I do have a question for you to please answer,though it should have been more specific. I ask if you would like to see more wire work from me. I actually would like to know if you'd like more wire work or bead work. But the mind wanders when we need to think sometimes :)

It is not a requirement, but I would be grateful if the link is shared too ♥

Good luck !!

Heartbreaking

I went to the local gallery to check on my pendants they have behind the counter and was dismayed.
No one had been cleaning them, or taking care of them.They had the door open and moisture was exacerbating the condition of the Argentium.

The owner mentioned I may want to bring in some new pieces !  yeah so you can ignore them as well ?
When I asked why I wasn't called when they needed cleaning the reply was "I just make money off them and that's it"  So I now have these pendants in my possession and doing the cleaning and polishing .

I am so upset I will be putting up for sale -auction - or giveaway..


Here is the before photos from today:

Stay tuned for a great buy ♥

jewelry with a story

Here is the latest Awareness Bracelet, one of my copyrighted originals. I love making these because every one has a unique story.

This one is no different:

Childhood friends lose touch and reunite to tragic news.

One has breast cancer and has lost her daughter. This bracelet has many meanings. I chose to put the Rose Swarovski Crystals in the forefront as facing breast cancer is upper most in her mind.  so her daughters birthstone would not compete (October) i chose RoseWater Opal AB Swarovski Crystals.  Rose for Pink Tourmaline & Opal which are both considered birthstones for October.

And the Aquamarine for the wonderful friend who is overjoyed to be reunited.
The Rosewater Opal and Aquamarine are to remind the recipient that though her daughter is gone now, she and her best friend are both behind her recovery all the way.

Time for a Pin To Win !!!!

I promised a Pin To win this afternoon -before I got tied up with The Geek Squad and my computer.

 Since many of  you like my new Blue Gold Stone Ring I will be offering one as a Pin to Win

 Your ring will be made in Copper- non-tarnish- or pure your choice and your choice of crystal color.. I personally think light sapphire or aquamarine would be stunning..


 All you need to do is Pin the photo of the ring to one of your boards to be entered..


A winner will  be chosen Saturday January 19, 2013

Happy Pinning !!!