Tuesday 2 December 2014

XMAS SNOWMAN














What a month November has been! My head is still spinning
from the juggle of work and home life!


















I've worked so hard on preparations and sample making for 3
Create and Craft TV shows, culminating in my last one on
the theme of Crystal Gem Trees and Tree of Life pendants!


















I'm now taking a break from the shows until January to
give myself some time to put together my latest book
(packed with Whammering projects!) ... not to mention
move house (and studio!).

But, before I go and get tied up with all that, here's a
a little Christmas project:

*SNOWMAN DECORATION*

Have fun creating it for your tree, to hang off a gift 
tag, put on a card or, suspend as a silly seasonal pendant!






 























































































































































 

And here's another funny snowman ... 
that has just come dancing in!














 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY
WIREWORKING TO YOU ALL!

Monday 13 October 2014

"SPIDER WEB" PENDANT TUTORIAL

AUTUMN is definitely in the air! As John Keats the poet
famously wrote: "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness ... "

The nights are closing in and my cardigans, woolly tights and
jumpers are coming out of my wardrobe again!

I've been working hard on Xmas designs (I know, it
seems far too early!!) but CREATE and CRAFT TV wanted a
Xmas themed programme so that makers can start their
preparations...
 











So ... together with some stunning materials from my
favourite supplier,  BEADS DIRECT, I put together
3 colour co-ordinated kits with ideas for a table setting,
gifts, cards and decorations ...
I really enjoyed working with Nigel May the presenter!










If you didn't get to see the programme, I will give
you a taster of some of the projects later on in my
December blog...

I was also so pleased to be able to launch my
latest DVD (which is the first part in a series).
It's beautifully and very clearly filmed by the 
ART and CRAFT ACADEMY and is instructional both 
for complete beginners as well as those at an intermediate
skill level. 
If anyone reading this is going to the BIG BEAD SHOW
on Saturday (18th) I will be promoting it there and 
demonstrating various projects using my WHAMMER!

But, back to Autumn and as Halloween is at the end
of this month, I felt this Spider Web Tutorial was very
much in keeping with the season ...

1) Begin by cutting 4 equal lengths of 0.8mm wire - for the
size of the pendant I created, my lengths are just over 2".  
Alternatively, you can use ready made headpins and just snip the 
'heads' off with your wirecutters!  
2) Cut an arm's length of 0.4mm wire and secure one
end around the centre of one of your straightened
wires. Once secured, attach the wire to the second length
to form a cross shape.
3) Continue securing the further 0.8mm lengths, in
turn, weaving the 0.4mm wire in and out of the
star shape (like a basked weave).
4) Once the structure feels secure, leave a gap between
the next bit of weaving.  This time, you don't need to
weave in and out (like a basket), instead you can wrap the 
0.4mm wire over each of the 0.8mm star shaped stems.
5) If you wish, you can add a bead, somewhere between
your open weave - just to add colour and interest
(it's the 'spider' decoration!). Also, don't worry that
the weave is a little wobbly ... it all adds to the 
spidery charm!
6) Now for the FRAME: 
Find a circular mandrel that is the correct diameter size to 
fit your web. Wrap the mandrel with 0.8mm wire to create a 
round frame.  Once you've made the circular frame, cut the 
wire from the spool, leaving an overlap of wire of at least 10mm 
on each side of the circle.
7) Using your round nosed pliers, create top links with
the overlapping ends of the wire.  Grip each link in your 
flat nosed pliers and twist, 90 degrees to the frame, so that 
the top links face in towards each other.
8) Secure the links together, by binding them with a
short length of 0.4mm wire.
9) Place your 'web' at the centre of the circular frame and 
bend the tip of one of the projecting stems around the outer
frame to attach and secure it to the side.
10) Repeat with all the other stems.  You will most probably
have to trim and neaten them as you go around the frame ...
11) Now all that's left to do is to connect the pendant to 
a 'S' link and suspend from a cord, ribbon, chain or key ring!
Alternatively, hang them from black thread as 
Halloween decorations! (BOO!)
Have fun experimenting with different coloured wires
for more variations!
 
Or, create a DEW DROP version, using
clear crystals and seed beads ...
Well, I must dash off again as I have more preparation
and planning to do for my next show on 
CREATE and CRAFT TV with BEADS DIRECT
If you want to catch it - it's on 23rd October at 1pm 
and it's brimming with beautiful semi-precious stones! 
Can't wait to show you my latest designs! 

HAPPY WIREWORKING!
Earrings & Pendant in Silver




Friday 12 September 2014

TWISTED STEM EARRINGS



















I often wish there were more hours in the day!! I've had 2 
CREATE and CRAFT TV shows to prepare since I last blogged and
now I'm working on the next one for October 11th ... Never a
dull moment here in my workshop!

This little gift of my TWISTED STEM EARRING Tutorial 
has eminated from my last show, which featured a JIG and  
WIRE TWISTING demonstration. I was particularly impressed 
with the twisting tool as it was so small, portable and did the job!  
In the past, I've always twisted wires with my hand drill which 
is a lot more bulky, so I highly recommend this little gadget!

  

1. If you like long,
elegant earrings, you're
going to love this project!

Start by twisting 3 lengths 
of 0.8mm (20-gauge) wire 
together ... or more, if you feel 
so inclined. Then, cut the 
length into two 3" (7.5cm)
pieces.





























2. Using your chain nosed pliers, hold the twisted cable 
about an inch in at one end and UN-TWIST with your
flat nosed pliers to separate the wires out at each end.
Leave about 1" (2.5cm) of twist at the centre of each length.






3. Take one of
the projecting
wires at each
end (on each
stalk) and wrap
around the stem 
to secure the twist
at the centre of 
each stalk.



























4. It's up to you, but you can either cut
off the projecting wires (leaving just
one as link at each end) OR create small,
spirals to flatten over the wrapped wires 
underneath. This also provides a little extra
detail and decoration to your earring stems. 
Use your flat nose pliers to straighten out the 
projecting wires at the top and base of each stalk
and stroke it flat with the nylon end of the 
Whammer on a steel block.



















5. Gently Whammer the central twisted cable 
on a steel block to spread and flatten slightly
and using your round nosed pliers, create top and base
links on each end of the twisted stems. 
(P.S.*This is also a good technique for creating
stalk like chain links).




















6.  To create the finished earrings, suspend from
ear wires and attach with beads of your choice!




















Above - you'll see something more bold, whilst
below ...


















... pearly and girly. Dainty and elegant!

I do hope you enjoy experimenting with this tutorial!
Try twisting more colourful wires for a chunkier, more
vibrant look!
********************************************
Now back to the shows I've just done for
CREATE and CRAFT TV with beautiful materials
and products from BEADS DIRECT!
I've had to make lots of samples and thought you
might want a tiny sneak peak at some of them if you've
missed the shows ... a little inspiration can always go a long 
way!  One of my shows was based on demonstrating the 
wonders of the Coiling Gizmo - a simple, yet brilliant tool!
which in my mind, should take over from the
current Loom Band craze! Here are a few Gizmo
madness to whet your appetites ...





































































































I think that's probably enough for the time being, as
I can hear a few yawns in the background! Anyhow, 
THANK YOU to LeRoy Goertz for inventing such
a neat wire gadget!  
I also created lots of Celtic samples to back up
the projects from one of my books called:
Wire and Bead Celtic Jewellery 
Here are a few of the pieces:
 












Starting with plaited wire bangles and rings ...



I also had fun demonstrating some projects using a JIG:

The spiral chain links are created by hand and

This Celtic (style) cross shows a chain link system 
created with a jig and below, you'll see another ...

However, my book doesn't only contain jig projects,
here are few more created without!


Just learn to create a few simple wire spirals and the rest
will just falls into place!

Above, is a good example of what you can do with
twisted wires ... making choker frames, bangles,
pendant frames, rings ... etc... etc ... it provides endless 
possibilities to create chunkier frameworks for pieces 
with mixed colours.



The wonders of wire never ceases to amaze me!
Anyhow, I do hope you enjoyed the small gallery
of work and why not have a go at twisting some 
wire to make a pair of elegant, Twisted Stem Earrings!

HAPPY WIRE WORKING!