Welcome to The WireWorkers Guild!
As the guild is just surfacing from its foetal position, we are looking for new members and contributors to exchange ideas, inspire design and share in the wonderful craft of wire jewellery and wire art.
Please fee free to contribute to the bi-monthly newsletter by contacting: linda.jones@wirejewellery.co.uk or go to www.wirejewellery.co.uk and use the 'Contact Form', quoting: 'WWGUILD' as your subject heading.
There are 5 sections to the blog newsletter:
Section 1
WIREY DIARY
... tell us about shows and up-and-coming events ...
ROCK 'n' GEM SHOW: 27-28th March 2010
Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
BIG BEAD SHOW: 17th April 2010
Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey
GEM 'n' BEAD LINKS SHOW: 25th April 2010
Winthorpe, Newark, Notts.
CHESHIRE BEAD FAIR: 16th May 2010
Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Cheshire
Section 2
TIPS & ADVICE
... share your tips & queries ...
CLEANING WIRE JEWELLERY
If you find your pieces have tarnished, just dip them in 'Goddard's' Silver Dip solution for a couple of minutes ... glass beads and all (although, don't dunk anything with pearls, it will ruin the outer coating!). Then rinse in water and dry ... and your pieces will look as good as new! Make sure you use rubber gloves (avoid any contact with your skin) and keep the solution away from children, as it is highly toxic. Just use a piece of wire to suspend the jewellery into the jar so that you can dunk it in and out without any fuss. The solution can be purchased from most large supermarket chains.
However, to try and prevent oxidisation, keep your unused wire and jewellery pieces in clear, plastic re-sealable bags.
Section 3
GRAPEVINE
... spread the word about new tools, gadgets and bargain beads ...
THE BEST CUTTERS IN THE WORLD!
If you've been making wire jewellery for a while, you will know how important it is to own a good set of wire cutters ... especially, when you need to snip jump rings off a coil! I can highly recommend TRONEX flush wire cutters - they are not cheap, but will last a lifetime if you don't use them on thicker wires than 1mm. They are currently available from only 1 UK supplier: www.madcowbeads.com So if you can't afford them just yet, make sure they're on your birthday list!
BUTTONS ARE IN!
Buttons have always blended well with beads for all wire jewellery designs and it's well worth checking out www.jonesnottm.co.uk for unusual designs.
SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE SUPPLIERS
Internet online shopping can be very confusing with so many suppliers touting their wares so it's always good when they come personally recommended. I am sure all of you are already very familiar with the Scientific Wire company for wire supplies (see: www.wires.co.uk) - you just can't beat their range and prices. For unusual beads and components, check out: www.e-beads.co.uk and semi-precious stone ranges from: www.beadsdirect.co.uk
Section 4
SHOWCASE PROJECT
... send in your own, unique wire art project ...
I can see why you are not getting comments - it took a while to find this box - not on view.
ReplyDeleteI was asked to subscribe to blogg something or other - people don't want to subscribe every time. So it's not lack of interest it is the lay out of the site. You should have hundreds of blogs.
Finding my way around the archives is difficult - I found your lucky charms and then couldn't find them again. Only dates to go by. I persevered and found them again but not sure how to find you on facebook. I did once by clicking a link.
All the information you are sharing here is brilliant - and I hope you will continue.
Regards Eileen
PS oh no! I can't read these words tI have to type and prove I'm not a robot - here goes
I followed your ink to wires.co.uk they have a good selection and delivery was quick thanks Linda
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
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