Past Techniques:
We maintain a techniques web page that provides links to
the discussion of techniques in our prior newsletters. You can visit
this web page
here.
Follow the links on that page to the discussion of the
technique in that
newsletter.
Jewelry Technique:
This weeks jewelry making technique is a discussion on getting started.
Our experience is that many people succeed in learning to make jewelry, but some don't. Let's first discuss some common errors
that people experience in getting started that make it harder for them to be
successful.
- Many people see a jewelry design and that design is what motivates
them to begin making jewelry. Unfortunately, if that design is not
suitable for a beginner, it may be a bad choice as a first jewelry
project. The biggest single error that people make is in picking a
first or second project that is too difficult. We recommend making
the Queen of Clubs Earrings as a good first jewelry project. It is suitable
for beginners and allows you to make something that looks hand made and
can be used as gifts.
- A second error that people make is not accepting that everyone should
use practice wire and make about 3 pieces out of practice wire before
cutting your good wire. Sterling Silver and Gold Filled wire are
almost at record high prices. Don't cut a segment of this expensive
wire until you know exactly how much is required because you made the
component in practice wire and measured both before and after so that you
know exactly how much wire to use. For the Celtic Triangle Earrings
above, we made this component out of practice wire about 7-8 times before
we were satisfied with the technique. Any time you are making a new
component, you should assume that you will need to make that component out
of practice wire a few times until you are satisfied that you can make it
properly. Just as it is when you learn any new skill, everyone needs
to practice, including us.
- A third error that many novices make is in not following the basic
steps. The basic steps are easy. First you measure and cut the
wire to length, second you make a loop in one end of the wire, and third
you straighten the wire. Many people forget to fully straighten the
wire using nylon jaw pliers. This results in some irregularities in
your finished jewelry item.
- A fourth error that many people make is in placing all their pegs in
the pattern at the beginning. Unfortunately, this is something that
we learned relatively recently. You should always begin every
pattern with only two pegs and add pegs as you go. Many of our
patterns on our web site don't show this, because when we documented that
pattern, we weren't smart enough to know it at that time. Now we
know that if you have a pattern with 6 pegs and you start with 6 pegs, 4
of those pegs are going to be in your way and making life difficult.
- A fifth error that people make is in not pushing the wire with just
one finger while you hold and move the jig with your non-dominant hand.
Intuitively people want to grab the wire and hold the wire by the end of
the wire and keep the jig stationary. The important thing in making
wire components is to keep the wire straight until you are ready to bend
it against or around a peg. Keeping the wire straight isn't easy to do when you grab the
wire. You will tend to add kinks and bends to your wire using that
approach. If you essentially hold the wire stationary, by pushing it
with only the index finger on your dominant hand touching the wire, while
you rotate the jig with your non-dominant hand you will find that it is
easy to keep your wire straight. Once you understand and can
accomplish this technique you will be much more successful in making
jewelry items with our jigs.
- A final error that is relatively common is not releasing your grip on
the wire after bending it against a peg. Releasing your grip allows
the wire to relax back to its normal position. By releasing your
grip after you bend the wire against a peg you ensure that your wire
component won't spring out of shape when you remove it from your jig.
The above are the six most important techniques that must be
mastered/errors that must be overcome. We also discuss some
other common jewelry
making errors starting here. If you haven't visit that page and
the two that follow it lately, it would probably be a good review.
Above all, don't get frustrated. Like any skill worth learning the
skill of making jewelry from wire and beads does require some practice.
Nostalgia Corner:
 This weeks featured design in our Nostalgia Corner is the design for our
Queen of Clubs wire and beads earrings. As we discussed above, this is
a great beginner's project. Please note that contrary to our
instructions for making the Queen of Clubs Wire and Beads Earrings, we
recommend that you start with two pegs instead of three as we show.
This simple earrings is a great way to embellish a pair of interesting beads
into earrings. These earrings make great gifts because they look hand
made and they are unique. If you are selling earrings this is an
excellent earring that you can make and sell for less than $10.
Please
select here, or select the picture above to view our instructions for making
the Queen of Clubs Wire & Beads Earrings jewelry making project.
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Warning! Joke Follows.
This is only a joke. We tell jokes because we are in favor of smiling,
laughing and being happy. This does not mean that we are opposed to
anyone or anything.
If you have ever been offended by any joke -- please skip the below paragraphs.
Boomer Humor: This week we have two jokes. The first joke
was the winner of a LaughLab
Internet contest in 2002. The contest was part of a research project
in the United Kingdom conducted by the University of Hertfordshire and
hasn't been repeated.
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them
collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed.
The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency
services. He gasps "My friend is dead! What can I do?"
The operator says "Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure
he's dead."
There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on
the phone the guy says "Ok, now what?"
We wanted to change this joke slightly, but decided to copy
it exactly as it was when it won. Our second joke hasn't won any
contests, but we think it's funny anyway.
A guy is at his doctor's and the doctor tells him "I am
afraid I have some very bad news. You have SAPES." The patient
responds "SAPES, I have never heard of that, what is it?"
The doctor responds "SAPES is Sars, Aids, Polio and Ebola
Syndrome. It is very contagious and we are going to have to put you
in the hospital in an isolated room. We will have to feed you pizza,
fried eggs and tortillas."
The patient responds "Pizza, fried eggs and tortillas is
that because they have some special ingredient that will help me
recover?"
The doctor responds "No, it's because that's the only food
we can slide under the door."
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