Welcome to the
WIREWORKERS GUILD
March Newsletter
Below is an image for design inspiration, using beautiful semi-precious stones from http://www.beadsdirect.co.uk/ ... the instructions for this project with matching bracelet and earrings will be featured later this year in 'MAKE JEWELLERY' MAGAZINE'. If you want to subscribe to the magazine, which I personally believe is the best UK publication for jewellery design inspiration ... go to their website: http://www.makejewellerymagazine.com/
Flavour of the month is bead supplier: www.beadsdirect.co.uk
You can see my recent interview with Claire on their website BLOG and I can highly recommend their range of semi-precious stones if you want to make that extra special piece: www.beadsdirect.co.uk/Semi-Precious+Beads.htm
WIREY DIARY
... tells us about events and up-and-coming shows ...
ROCK 'n' GEM SHOW: 27th-28th March 2010/Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
BIG BEAD SHOW: 17th April 2010/Sandown Park Racecourse, 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
TIPS & ADVICE
... send us your questions and advice ...
T O O L S : I have been asked to recommend which tools are required to get started.
The 3 basic pliers needed are: ROUND- (for coiling, making jump rings .. anything circular), FLAT- (for creating angular bends and generally holding wire) and CHAIN-NOSED PLIERS (same as Flat-Nosed pliers but with tapered ends, for small, delicate work). Therefore, you could just invest in either Flat- or Chain-Nosed until you can afford both.
You will also benefit from purchasing a steel stake and hammer so that you can work-harden, flatten and spread your wire, making it tough and functional. The flat stake can be purchased from http://www.cooksongold.com/ (Product Code: 999793) and even though any old hammer will do - as long as it has a flat, smooth, highly polished end, specialist jewellery hammers are obviously better and Cookson's
once again has a range, from the most basic 'Jobbing' hammer (Product Code: 99989P) to a super-duper one, which is my favourite (Product Code 99989X).Don't forget, once you've bought your basic tool kit ... it should last you a lifetime!!
All the pliers can be purchased from most bead suppliers but http://www.cooksongold.com/ have this very good range:
Round Nosed Pliers (Product Code: 999697)
Flat Nosed Pliers (Product Code: 999696)
Snipe Nosed/Chain Nosed (Product Code: 999693)
Side Cutters (Product Code: 999705)
THE WORLD'S BEST CUTTERS: Anyone who's had a little experience in making wirejewellery will know that cutters are an extremely important tool - especially when it comes to cutting jump rings off a coil. A cheap pair will squeeze the wire before it cuts and the ring will never be 'flush' closed. I can highly recommend TRONEX flush cutters, which are only available from one UK supplier as yet: http://www.madcowbeads.com/ They are not cheap, but will last a lifetime, as long as you don't use them to cut wires a higher gauge wire than 1mm. Put them on your birthday wishlist, if you want to create a professional finish to your pieces!
SHOWCASE PROJECT
LOOSE CHANGE CHARM BRACELET
This is a Charm Bracelet using up loose change, left-over holiday money, vintage coins, ... infact
this wire framing will suit any circular flat-backed item (like buttons and bottle-tops!).
It was featured recently in 'Make Jewellery' magazine (Issue 11, Page 43) and I can email the instructions to anyone who's interested in the wire framing.
Just email: linda.jones@wirejewellery.co.uk with subject heading: LOOSE CHANGE.
R E C Y C L I N G is definitely in, especially in these times of belt-tightening global recession ... and I'm looking forward to telling you more about my new project book (coming out in July, but available for pre-order from 'amazon' in April). The new book: Making Beautiful Wire & Bead Jewellery' is filled with design inspiration and projects, some using bolts, ribbons, feathers, buttons, washers, pebbles, etc... keep a look out!
Here's a sneaky preview of my Vintage Button Necklace
(3 diamante buttons with brown and cream pearls),
which can be made with any 3 buttons of your choice
(see the black coat button necklace variation with wire
shapes glued to the front).
NETWORKING
... tells us about courses & workshops in your area ...
RIVERSIDE BEADS
JEWELLERY WORKSHOPS (& shop)
In the Antique Craft Centre, 50/56 High Street, Market Deeping, Peterborough PE6 8EB
Tel. 01778 346810 http://www.riversidebeads.co.uk/
Introduction to wirework 4 hr course: £15 (dates available Sun. 9th May & Sun. 13th June)
Intermediate wirework 4 hr course: £15 (date available Sat. 17th April)
Tiara Making 4 hr course: £20 (date available Sun. 6th June)
Introduction to wirework 4 hr course: £15 (dates available Sun. 9th May & Sun. 13th June)
Intermediate wirework 4 hr course: £15 (date available Sat. 17th April)
Tiara Making 4 hr course: £20 (date available Sun. 6th June)
WIREJEWELLERY.CO.UK
Faulkners Oast (East), Tonbridge Road, Hadlow, Kent TN11 0AJ
Tel. 01732 850 727
Introduction to Wire & Beaded Jewellery for beginners and intermediate wire artists.
One dayTiara Making courses.
I love that necklace. I shall being eagerly awaiting that copy of MJ to arrive on my doormat.
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