Getting To Know Your Wire Before Making Jewelry Final Part

When you choose a project one of the most important decisions to make is what size of wire you are going to use for that particular project. You will also need to decide what hardness of wire will work best. There are mainly three types of hardness to choose from. Which type is selected is primarily based on what part of the piece it will be used on, such as the clasp, connector, or jump ring. You may find the need to use a mixture of hardness in the same piece of jewelry. Thus, it is crucial to understand the differences and how each type works best. The hardness of the wire will be related to silver or gold-filled wire. Once you have gained experience, more than likely you will move on to wires that fall in this category. You now will need to select the wire that best fits your needs by size, type, and hardness. The three degrees of hardness are dead soft, half-hard, and full-hard. Part of the process of making wire includes the wire being pulled through a tool the diameter of the wire. The more times it is pulled, the harder it will be. Being familiar with the use for each type is important to the jewelry artist. The first type of hardness is called Dead Soft. This type of wire is easy to work with because it is soft. It is also easy to locate. Jewelry artists who work on wire sculptures normally work with this type of wire. The next type of hardness is Half-Hard. This wire is harder than dead-soft. It is strong yet it is still easy to bend into desired shapes. This type of wire is used for many purposes including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. It can add an extra interest to any piece. The final type of hardness is Full-Hard. This type of wire is used by jewelry artists who do not want to solder pieces together. They hold their shape nicely when wrapped. This eliminates the need to be soldered. There are many qualities to think about when selecting the type of wire to use. Another one to remember is the shape of the wire. You will see a variety of shapes including round, half round, and square. It is very easy to create a different look of your jewelry just by merely changing the wire you use. Before proceeding with a substitution of your wire type, make sure you consider what part it will play in your new piece of jewelry. Amy

Getting To Know Your Wire Before Making Jewelry Part III

There are a variety of types of wire available for use by the jewelry artist. It depends on the type of project you are working on. After practicing with the different types, you might also develop a preference for a specific type of wire over another. This is an option only if your project does not require a specific type. If you are a person who likes to wear gold or want to give this option to your customers, gold-filled would be a wonderful choice. This type of wire is only plated on one layer. Gold-filled is many layers of gold. If you feel ready to step up to a more expensive wire, than gold would be a good choice. This is not recommended unless you have practiced and are feeling sure of yourself. There are various karats to choose from. The karate range is from 10 to 24. There are other colors to select also. Other examples types of gold are rose and white gold. It is a matter of preference. There are many companies that sell the last type of wire. These are fun to work with and are lower in cost. You can find coated wire easily on the Internet and many craft stores. The main consideration when working with this wire is to be careful not to damage the coating. A great tool to use when you work with coated wire is the nylon-nose plier. Another option would be to cover your regular pliers with a cloth. This too can help eliminate damage to your wire. Do not let this concern keep you from trying to work with this type of wire. You will find there are a variety of colors to choose from to create festive and beautiful pieces of jewelry. Working with this type of wire can be fun for many ages. There is no limited to what you can make with it. Jump in and have fun! Amy

Getting To Know Your Wire Before Making Jewelry Part II

Practicing is the key to becoming familiar with different types of wire. The more you use them and try different types, the more you will learn the qualities of each type. This will Also allow you to gain knowledge of which type works best for different projects. The first type of wire is copper. This is a great choice to practice with. It is easy to find, especially at hardware stores and is affordable. It also looks great with earth tone beads. Galvanized is also a good type to practice with. It is a dull silver color. You often are able to find it also at your local hardware store. Sterling silver, which by the way is one of my favorites, is 92.50 percent pure silver. The word sterling is what indicates the amount of silver there is. The other part is a mixture of metal alloys. This part of the make up is what adds strength to the wire. Sterling makes beautiful jewelry, however it does tarnish. Fine silver is almost 100 percent pure silver. The actual percentage is 99.9. Since fine silver does not have as many alloys a sterling it is softer. The lack of alloys allows pieces made with fine silver to tarnish sliver. Keep in mind once you get in to the sterling silver and fine silver the cost goes up. Make sure you practice until you are comfortable working with wire before moving up. It is definitely less costly to make mistakes on the copper or galvanized wire.

Getting To Know Your Wire Before Making Jewelry Part I

Beginning to work with wire to make jewelry designs requires practice and patience. The most affordable wire to practice with is 18- gauge copper wire. This type of wire is easy to find at hardware stores and often can be found at craft stores too. Once you have practiced enough to feel comfortable with your design, there are a variety of wires to choose from. There are many qualities of wire to consider when you are making your wire selection. Part of your decision will be based on the project you have chosen. You will need to know the size, type, hardness, color or metal type, and shape of wire needed. The size of a wire is based on the diameter. In the United States the size of the wire is referred to a gauge. The smaller the gauge number is, the thicker the wire. To determine the wire needed for a project depends on what it will be used for. If you are using the wire to make jump rings they will warrant using a thicker wire, as opposed to earring wires. They will need to be made with a smaller wire in order to comfortably fit through the ear lobe. Fixed gauge copper is softer than silver, and silver is softer than gold. There is so much to consider when you begin to make your beautiful wire jewelry pieces. The best way to begin is to buy your practice wire and jump in. The most important part is to have fun while you are creating your masterpiece!

Using Gemstones for Healing is Not New

Gemstones have been around for years and have influenced societies throughout the world. It is believed by some that gemstones are connected to the life energy that is around us. This energy force can be found in animals, plants, rocks, and minerals. The energy from the stones have been used to try to bring balance to other’s lives. They have not just been used for their beauty, but have been used for religious and sacred rituals. It is known that the powers of gemstones have been used to run familiar items that we use daily such as batteries, televisions, and watches. Crystals are able to use and store electromagnetic energy and light. There is evidence that gemstones have been used for many years for their healing and therapeutic properties. Many great scholars have written about such events. Current day uses can be found in the practices of holistic medicine. Gemstones are composed of the same minerals as our bodies and the nutrients we eat that come from the earth. The energy can be transformed through the electromagnetic field from the gemstone to the body. This is thought to aid in removing disease from the body and creating balance. There are many different types of gemstones and they vary in their healing strength. They also come in many different colors and shapes. Their influences on the body are different. The use of gemstones in the healing process is a growing area. They are thought to aid treating the person as a whole, physically, mentally, and socially. These stones are considered to play a very important role in this type of treatment. Many do not believe in the energy that a gemstone has and the role it can play on our health. Often it is only by looking back that one can see the positive effect it had on them. Consider the needs of your customer when you are making a suggestion on the type of stone that best fits their needs, and not just the need to accessorize their wardrobe. This article is being written for entertainment purposes and to bring to light the belief that some have regarding gemstones. I am still trying to decide how I feel as I continue to research this topic. Although I am not completely sold on the idea, I have considered making different pieces for people in my life and encouraging them to wear it. This would be an attempt to make them more balanced and see if it really does make a difference. It may just be a believing is seeing results. Happy Holidays!

How To Pick Jewelry That Fits Your Physical Style #3

If you fall in to this final category you would be considered to be above average in height. Lucky you! This would cover anyone who is over 5’7” tall. Just about any length would look great on this individual. If you are thin along with being tall, chokers look great on you. This will draw attention from your height by cutting the line of your neck, thus de-emphasizing your physical appearance. Necklaces made of similar sized beads actually look the best on you. Gemstone jewelry or pearls are the best selection for you. There is such a large variety of stones to choose from. They also come in many different forms such as chips, nuggets, or smooth round stones. The woman who falls in to this body type also has a larger range they can select from when choosing bracelets. The main thing to remember is to stay away from pieces that are too dainty. They will only get lost on you. If you like the look of a thinner bracelet, then by all means wear them, however consider grouping several of them together. This will enable the bracelets to stand out on you. If you do not wish to wear several smaller bracelets, then you could wear two larger pieces together. If you are a fuller figured woman, the bigger the better in most cases. Dangling earrings are very attractive on the taller woman. This is due mainly to the amount of space that is found between the ears and the shoulder area. Stay away from the smaller round earrings. They will not look nearly as nice as the larger pieces. Any shape or design would do. Look at your wardrobe to make the final decision on the jewelry accessories that would look appropriate. Do you have more length than width on your facial space? If you do, then you would fit in the category of having a rectangular or oblong face. Basically, this means that the area of space is about the same width at the forehead as it in the chin area. Your face shape would need help adding the appearance of width to your face. To give the appearance of a wider face, consider wearing a choker necklace. This actually will aid in making the neck look shorter. If chokers are not for you, then a 16” or 18” necklace that makes a “U” shape would be attractive on you. As for your hair, the style should also be one that adds width to your face. Parting your hair to the side with a low part, sweeping across your forehead is a nice look for you. You can also wear bangs that are straight and blend with the hair that rests along your face. The perfect length for you would be above the shoulders and hit the middle of your neck. Ladies, avoid the v-neck sweaters and shirts as well as vertical lines. These will just add the appearance of length to your body type. The higher necklines the shorter and wider your face will appear to be.

How To Pick Jewelry That Fits Your Physical Style Part 2

The “average” body type woman normally is between 5’4” to 5’7” tall. A woman with this body type has the ability to wear a variety of necklace lengths. They are only limited to certain lengths if they carry extra weight or are large busted. To prevent accentuating their figure, stay clear of necklaces that find their resting place in this location. You will find if you fit into this category bracelets that have more substance and are bulkier look best. Wider pieces are better in this circumstance. The thinner bracelets just do not make the same fashion statement on a larger body type, as they do on a petite frame. As for the earring selection, there is no limit on the style or design when you are considering the body type. This actually depends more on the shape of the person’s face instead of their body type. In addition to the shape of the face their hairstyle should be a factor also. Geometric shapes are highly recommended for this shape. In the last article I discussed the oval shaped face. This time I am going to move on to the “round face” type. This shape will have more surface space by the ears. It is round at the cheeks. The goal when choosing your jewelry pieces is to make your face appear slim. In order to do this you will need to select a longer necklace. It is preferable to wear one that is from 28” to 32” in length. The woman with round shaped face can wear a variety of earrings. The geometric shapes such as round, oblong, rectangles, and squares will look great. She can also sport dangling earrings and look just as nice. The person who fits in this category should try to lengthen their face by parting their hair in the middle, if worn below the chin. If the hair is worn above that mark, then parting the hair to the side would break up the shape. Avoid wearing bangs unless they are wispy or messy. The plain straight bangs will only appear to shorten the face. You really do not want to do that. Ladies, avoid shirts, jackets, sweaters, or other clothing pieces that are made in a circular fashion. This would include rounded necklines. Concentrate on adding more straight lines and angles to your wardrobe. Happy Shopping! Amy The Painted House and More

How To Pick Jewelry That Fits Your Physical Style

Certainly, you may wear the jewelry you feel most comfortable with. Just like fashion statements when choosing your clothing, there are some suggestions you might consider when choosing your jewelry. There are some general rules to follow that will assist you while selecting jewelry that is right for you. Take a look at your bone structure and your height. If you are Petite, or under 5’4” your best length for necklaces would be no shorter than your collar and could go even longer. To make your appearance seem to be taller, you should consider V-shape necklaces that are below your breast, but above your waste. For a petite person, narrower bracelets are more appealing. Instead of one wider bracelet wear a few smaller ones together that compliment each other. Bangle bracelets will look nice also. Stay away from the wider bracelets. The earrings worn by a petite woman should encourage the eyes to look upward. This is especially helpful for the fuller figured petite woman. This helps take the focus off of her body weight and focus more on her face. Look for more geometric designs. This will look the best on you if you fall into this category. What is your facial shape? There are four shapes to consider. The shapes are oval, round, heart, and rectangular. The best way to determine your shape is took look at your face with your hair pulled back. What do you think it resembles? If you are having a hard time you could even draw on the mirror the outline of your face. This might be an easier way to determine where you fit in. If you have the oval shape, you are considered to have the perfect shape. Lucky you! You can wear any style of necklace and it all looks great on you. The earrings that you wear well, are triangular in shape. You can pull off wearing other styles, be careful that your dangles are not too long. The hairstyle that would best suit a woman with an oval face would be pulled back or actually in an updo hairstyle. If you choose to wear you hair longer, why not go for a to the shoulders look with either a middle or a to the side part? Stay tuned for more on this subject matter in my next article. The next size I will cover is the Average, which will cover people who fit in the range from 5’4” to 5’7”, and the round face shape. I hope this helps you whiling making the important choices you have to make while selecting a piece of jewelry. It is important that you pick pieces that you will wear for many years to come, and that make you feel beautiful each day!

What Length of Beads Do You Need?

Until I began my research, I had not realized there were actually formal names for the variety of lengths and styles necklaces could come in. Previously, I only would refer to them by their actual length measurements or as a chain, rope, beaded, etc. Who would have known? In my research I have become familiar with six different categories that necklaces can fall in to. Some types seem to look good on certain body types. Each type typically would be more attractive and appealing depending on the type of clothing style they are worn with. The first style is the Collar. This piece looks great on taller people. The length usually is between 12” to 13”. Normally, the Collar consists of at least three individual strands and can even include more. If you have a long neck, this type would give the appearance of breaking up the neck space, making it appear shorter. To really show off this type of necklace it needs to be worn with a fancy v-neck, boat neck, or an off the shoulder type of neckline. A piece that looks wonderful with just about any outfit or fashion style is the Choker. This necklace runs between 14” to 16” long. The necklace is worn as just a single strand. This type is thought to be the most versatile. It can show off any style of fashion from casual to formal wear. There is not any one particular neckline that it looks the best with. It is a matter of your personal preference. Do you consider yourself to be a princess? If you do, then this style is made for you! The Princess piece is typically anywhere from 17” to 19”. This is a great necklace to be worn with the crew neck or turtlenecks. Pendants show off nicely at this length. This is probably my favorite length from 20” to 24”, and is called the Matinee. This jewelry piece falls between the Choker and the Opera. It is best suited for the casual and business attire. This length is good for people who do not care to have something close to their neck and fits well around larger necked shirts or sweaters. This style can still be seen nicely even with an open blouse. This length seems to be popular now, especially among the younger crowd. The Opera Necklace ranges from 28” to 34” in length. Most necklaces in this range can be worn as a single long chain or strand, and can also be doubled to be worn as a Choker. The Opera length is considered to be the most common length. The final style is the Rope or Lariat. This style is really long and is classified as any necklace over 45” long. This necklace is really nice and versatile if it is made with clasps in certain places on the strand to allow it to be worn in different styles and lengths. This piece is a must if you want to have a complete wardrobe. The difference between a Rope and a Lariat is, the Rope is a continual strand, whereas the Lariat’s ends are left unconnected. Wearing a Lariat can be compared and worn similar to a scarf or a belt. The decision to wear a certain style of necklace is up to your personal preference in most cases. Some of the lengths definitely have a fashion style that suites them the best. You can make your wardrobe go a long when you add a variety of these styles to your jewelry collection. The appearance of an outfit can go from casual to a more formal look without even changing your cloths!. Happy shopping! Amy

Jewelry Making Tools

Jewelry makers like any other craftsman needs tools to do their job. If you are new to jewelry making, it is not necessary to start with a large amount of tools. You do need a few to start off with, and then add more as you go. This will also allow you time to research and try a few different types of jewelry before putting a large sum of money in to tools that you really do not need. A few tools to add to your beginning collection as you start off are, wire cutters, flat or bent- nosed pliers, round nosed pliers, jewelers’ files, crimping pliers, beading awl, nylon-nosed pliers, polishing cloth, pencil, ruler, and jewelry glue. You probably could hold off on getting the beading awl. You also might want to add a few dowels of different dimensions to your toolbox also. Wire cutters are essential to your collection. The best type to purchase, are the flushed-cut wire cutters. This type will allow you to make an even cut. This makes a much nicer finished project. The flat or bent-nosed pliers are selected solely on your personal preference. Both types of tools do the same function. It do not really matter which piece you choose to use, but the important part is to remember to choose a piece that has a smooth surface to work with. Do not get a type that has ridges or a textured surface. Another name you might hear the flat-nosed pliers referred to as the chain-nosed pliers. They are one in the same. Round-nosed pliers play an important part in jewelry design. They are used to make hoops, loops, and wraps for attaching beads and making designs in the wire. Solely jewelry makers use this tool. They are sold at most craft stores and jewelry suppliers. Jeweler’s files are use to smooth your wire ends. This will make your finished product look nicer. They typically are sold in sets of 10 to 12. Crimping pliers are used to hold your wire to the clasps of your jewelry piece. It is very important to use this tool properly. If you use it incorrectly, you more than likely will not tighten the crimp and this will allow slippage of the wire. The ends will come loose and the beads will slide off. Another concern when using this tool is over working the crimp. If you squeeze and pinch it too much, the crimp will become brittle and fall apart. This also will allow the wire to slip. The proper way to use this tool is to flatten the crimp in ridge that is close to the handle part of the tool. Once you have done this, make a ¼ turn and squeeze the crimp in the ridge closer to the front of the mouth. This should fold the crimp in half making a nice finish. Some jewelers choose to use flat-nosed pliers and just flatten the crimp. Using the crimping tool will make a more professional crimp and will be a nicer finish. Another jewelry technique uses knots to the beads in to place. The tool used in this process is a beading awl. It has a long pointed piece of metal and a wooden handle. This tool allows you to make secure knots against each bead. Nylon-nosed pliers are used to flatten wire without making marks on the metal. Flat-nosed pliers can be used instead, but cover the metal with a cloth to avoid damage to the wire. This tool is one that can be added later as you build your business. If you are going to be working with wire to make jewelry, a polishing cloth is a must. It may not be noticeable, however the wire is dirty and often tarnished. The wire needs to be cleaned prior to beginning your design work. To aid in your design process, it is important to either have a dowel or a pencil to use for coiling and circular designs. These can be purchased in different dimension if you are making your own jump rings. This will allow you to make different sizes. A measuring tool is necessary too. It is your preference if you use a ruler, yard stick, or a tape measure. My preference is a tape measure. It is easier to keep in smaller spaces. Jeweler’s glue is another product that can be added later. It really depends on the type of jewelry you are making. Many styles do not require glue. Some jewelry makers will add a touch of glue to their beading wire when they string bracelets or necklaces. This helps to make a stronger hold and eliminates breakage. The glue is also used on nylon knots if you are using this type of material. Starting out as a jewelry maker is so much fun. There are many varieties of jewelry to make. Be open-minded and try the different types to find your niche. It may take while, but do not be afraid to jump in and learn. It has taken me over two years to determine the material I like to work with the best. The main thing is to relax and have fun! Happy New Year! Amy The Painted House and More www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com 614-530-0219