Not so bad for my first try, I think!
A while ago I decided that I would like to begin learning some new techniques, to expand the possibilities for my jewelry line. I have a good feel for composition, and people adore my pieces, but the fact remains that what I am doing is simply combining components, That won’t get me noticed by people looking for something special, such as those who make decisions on juried shows.
If I want to further myself, I need to grow past the stage I am in and find ways to make my work more special. Wire wrapping and weaving “seemed” to be the best place to start.
Easier said than done of course. I purchased some copper and silver wire in 18 and 28 gauge, only to quickly understand I need more than these two weight options. Sigh….I told myself to “learn” with what I have and make purchases later. This is also an attempt to force me away from avoiding practice because I am “waiting for new materials” to arrive.
So I had my wire and then I needed to form it. “I need a hammer!” I thought. So – yeah, I DID buy one. And because my friend Sonya, from StoneMetal Design, had once mentioned how she found it important to have a good hammer, I bought a Fretz. Yes, it was costly, but I just feel so good handling it. I purchased from Firefly Studios and recommend them highly. The seller helped me decide on my hammer and then quickly shipped once my order was in hand. What a surprise to find out how much lighter a jewelery making hammer is compared to the carpenter’s claw hammer I beat the headpins down with on the earrings below – hahah
I have made a few more pair of the hoop earrings in the first image, and will offer them in three sizes(the ones shown are the larger, at 1 3/4 inches in diameter), and in antiqued copper. That means my next experiment will be in using Liver of Sulphur(also purchased from Firefly Studios), to add the darkened patina to the metal.
Also I have been busying myself drawing up ideas for new designs. I have tried following tutorials, but I often don’t like the actual designs offered, and just can’t enjoy making an item that I don’t feel is something I would want to sell. Instead, I read the instructions and then incorporate the techniques in my own designs. It is frustrating,for sure, but it is more often that my design needed a tweak and not an issue with the technique employed.
It’s slow-going, I am finding. But fun!
