Work with WigJig - Part 2 - Video

Today, I want to show how to use a wire-wrapping Jig while making this pair of earrings.

In general, I use 20 gauge wire for earrings, 18 ga wire for bracelet components and 18 or 16 ga wire for necklace components. Using dead soft wire may require hardening of the finished piece.

You may use different size of pegs to change  a size of the loop like here.

Use the same element as an embellishment for  a pendant.

Work with WigJig - Part 1

Beaded Tea Ball Infuser

Whether you're brewing cups of your favorite loose-leaf tea or seasoning wine, cider or soup with spices, you'll be happy to have these infusers on hand. Having a nice looking infuser makes your tea taste even better.

You will need an infuser, beading wire 1 ft, crimping beads, beads of your choice, and crimping pliers (buy them here). I have one large bead (diamond shape in my case) as a focal bead.

Shawl / Scarf Pins

I made these pins a while ago. I used thick, 16ga wire, to make this little accessories. I finished up each pin with spiral closure.

This classic and elegant shawl made with a lamp-work bead.

I wire wrapped in herringbone technique and finished up this brooch with spiral closure.

 Click on the photo to buy or get more info about a pin.

Green Summer Beaded Necklace with Tassel

Last time when I was crocheting with beads was long ago. Looking at small boxes with Matsuno Japanese seed beads, I took leftover green beads and a small amount of brown beads - just enough to make a necklace. Checking for some matching beads to make a focal piece, I found 4 leaf-shaped Czech beads.
So, sitting in front of my computer, I watched a movie and crocheted :) 

I used all the beads. I was surprised that I had exactly enough beads to make this neckalce, no more no less, not even a tiny pinch of beads left :)

Tassel is made of a large dragon jasper bead, unakite and Czech faceted and leaf-shaped glass beads. S-hook clasp that attached to the large jump-ring by the tassel.

 You can buy this truly one-of-a-kind necklace here

Druzy Cabochon Pendants

About three years ago, at the Tucson Gem show I bought beautiful druzy cabochons. Druzy cabochon, also known as drusy cabs, are cabochons named for having a druse, or an area filled with small quartz crystals within or on the surface of the stone. Each stone is hand-cut to best display the druse. Each drusy gem is unique and unlike any other. 
Last week I found a good way to frame the cabs into pendants showing the beauty of the natural stone.

This was the first pendant. The color and structure of this stone reminds me caramel sprinkled with sugar. So sweet!  

Total length of the pendant is 3" (7.5 cm), wight 1 1/2" (3.5 cm)

Surface of this large cabochon has also "sweet" color of hot cocoa. 
Total length of this pendant is 2 3/4" (7 cm), wight 1 1/2" (4 cm).

This cab (below) is a little smaller. This pendant was made with sterling silver filled wire; I oxidized and polished it for antiqued look.
Total length of the pendant is 2 3/8" (6 cm), wight 1 7/16" (35mm).

You can buy these pendants and other jewelry here

Birthday Sale

In honor of my daughter's and my Birthdays, I am holding an annual sale this week that will let you save 30% on all jewelry. The sale starts on Friday, May 23rd (Anya's Birthday) and ends on Friday, May 30th (my BD). Prices are already reduced! (click on the banner):

So if you've been thinking about picking up a hand made jewelry, gift for your friend or for yourself, now is the time to celebrate with us and take advantage of savings.

Plus, first three buyers will get a free gift from me (value up to $15).

UPD. After this sale, use coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off. 

Marking your pliers with crystals

Yesterday I was teaching a jewelry class.  Some of my students had the same tools that looked alike (e.g. all crimp pliers look alike). While teaching classes  (or taking a class), you may accidentally grab somebody's pliers. To know which tool is yours,  simply mark it :) 

I have all my pliers marked with Swarovski hotfix crystal rhinestones, 5mm.

Clean the surface of your pliers from grease and dirt. 

These crystals are "not recommended for leather, water resistant material or non-porous surfaces", so I put a tiny drop of 'Jewelry&Metal Glue'.

Also, you can use adhesive backed crystals (you find them in scrap-booking department). There is just one snag - those crystals may "wear out" and have not pretty look.
Also, you can use paint to mark your pliers. Just do not paint handles.