REVIEW OF 2012

Oh ... WHAT A YEAR! 
... and just as a quick reminder, here is a
look back in a 20 image review of some
of the projects and highlights!

We had some fantastically super talented, highly
unique FEATURE ARTISTS,
such as: ...

PAT LANGFIELD of PORTIA'S CRAFTS

ABBEY HOOK

LINDA SINNISH 

CHRISSIE WEBBER 

NICKY KENNISH of SPIRAL FOUNTAIN

HADASSAH LAU of HADASITY

MONICA CATRULLO of MNC JEWELS

SARAH DOWNTON - LAMPWORKED BEADS

At the beginning of the year (if you can remember
that far back) there were a lot of HEART themed
projects, leading up to Valentine's Day ...

1) Starting with the post and project of 10th January,
of how to create one of my favourite heart designs:
VINTAGE VALENTINE:

2)  Following this was another HEARTY
Beaded Pendant on the 25th January ...

3) The final heart theme came in the form
of the February 6th post, with this freestyle
TWIN PASSION pendant.

4) On the 17th February, I dedicated a complete
article to the humble BAIL - an instant decorative
enhancement to a plain wirewrapped pendant!

5) The LUCKY MASCOT project came up on the
28th February ... which always looks great on a
key ring, hand bag charm or book mark...

6) Trotting onto March 18th, ready for the Spring
proms and dances, was the HOT BOW tutorial.

7) The 3rd April was the EASTER themed project
of beaded NEST RINGS!

8) Following on with the bird theme, feather's went
flying on the 12th April with the FEATHER EARRING
project.

9) We went with more feather's to arrows on
the 4th May with the ARROW NECKLACE.

10) On the 16th May, through popular demand,
was the marriage of wire with SHAMBALLA
BEADS!

11) And then Britain was struck with all things
patriotic and JUBILIMPIC JEWELLERY
was unavoidable!

12) Stepping into June, we chilled out with
the HANG LOOSE pendant tutorial!

13) With all flowers blooming, we were
ready for the FLOWER PENDANT
on 2nd July.

14) On the 13th July, the project tutorial
was one of my favourite BASKET OF
STONES pendants.

15) Then into August, we saw the launch of
the world's first specialist wire jewellery
hammer, called the WHAMMER!! A necessary
addition to any wireworker's toolbox!

16) Moving swiftly onto the 2nd September, was
the BEAD WHEEL project ... bold, colourful and
contemporary!

17) Then, by popular demand, was the
UPCYCLING tutorial ...

18) With Autumn hovering in the air,
it was time for a leaf design on the
28th September, in the form of the
FLEAF project.

19) Creeping into November, there was a need
for a Christmas theme and the BEADED ANGEL
came floating in on 6th November.

20) Continuing with the festive theme, we enjoyed
the beaded SPARKLER DECORATIONS!

So on that high note, I want to wish 
every member of the Guild and all 
those who enjoy a dip into wirework,
the merriest of Christmas's and hope 
to join you for more project inspiration 
in the New Year!

P.S. If you would like to put yourself forward as a feature
artist ... please don't be shy! I would love to hear from
you (linda.jones@wirejewellery.co.uk).

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND 
BEST WISHES FOR 2013!

SPARKLER DECORATIONS

You can save a few pennies at Christmas by making your own
decorations, cards, gifts, accessories, etc... and here is a project
that can be adapted as a tree decoration, a pendant, handbag charm,
a key ring, wired onto a napkin ring ... I will leave it to your unique 
imagination to embellish and decorate whatever you wish!

1.  Firstly, you need to thread some beads with wire creating links
at one end and headpins at the other.  Sparkly crystals are perfect
for this and I have also used my TWISTER beads (created out of
0.8mm/20-gauge) gold plated wire.  Follow my tutorial on 'You Tube'
to learn how to make these:
TWISTER BEAD TUTORIAL

2.  Cut a length of 0.5mm clear nylon filament (fishing line) and
thread this through the top links of your beads to suspend.

3.  Thread a 1mm crimp onto the end of the clear nylon filament
and post the other end back through the crimp, so that when both
ends are pulled in opposite directions, the threaded beads are drawn
together to form a bunch.

4.  Pull the nylon together tightly and use the tips of your chain
nosed pliers to squeeze the crimp to secure at the top of the bunch
of threaded beads.

5.  Thread a couple more beads on both projecting ends of
clear nylon filament, plus one more crimp...

6.  Squeeze the crimp flat with your chain nosed pliers to secure
 the beads in place and cut off ONE of the projecting nylon threads,
leaving only one extending at the top of the decoration.

7.  Thread this projecting nylon line with a further bead, a crimp and
some small seed beads and re-thread the end back through the crimp
to create the beaded hanger loop at the top of the decoration.

8.  Pull the end of nylon filament tightly together, so
that there are no gaps between the beads and squeeze
the crimp to secure the beaded loop at the top of your
decoration.

It's now ready to be suspended from your Christmas tree!

Experiment with your own choice of coloured, shaped and
sized beads to create decorations, jewellery designs and 
embellished accessories!

In my book: 'BEAD AND WIRE JEWELLERY FOR SPECIAL
OCCASIONS'  on pages 115-117 you will find instructions for
my 'Bead Bauble' project which is similar in technique and style.

... but as Christmas is approaching ... here are a few more
images with a Yuletide feel!

Try it with white pearls, crystals and and clear bugle beads!

... Twister beads and purple faceted beads!

Just hunt through your stash of beads 
and experiment with what you've
got to hand to add some Christmas 
sparkle to your home!

P.S. You'll find more Christmas wirework projects on
BEAD TV  such as SNOWBALL PENDANT,
CHRISTMAS WREATH BROOCH and SHOOTING
STAR PIN ...

 

CHRISTMAS ANGEL

As a jewellery designer, I can't escape the slow countdown
to Christmas!  There's no way to avoid the start of mad-
hand-mass production of all things decorative and gifty!

Beads and wire are the perfect combination for creating
accessories and gifts and if you're into making your own
cards ... this little project is a perfect solution!  In fact, this
BEADED ANGEL PROJECT
can be created as a pendant, earrings, placed
on a card, suspended as a tree decoration, wired onto
a napkin ring, or used as part of a table display ...
Just make them and they will decide where they
should go...!

1.  All you need to get started, is your usual tools:
Round, Flat, Chain Nosed Pliers and Cutters.  As
for materials:  1 x peardrop bead (for the body), one
round bead (for the head), some seed beads (for the
wings) and 0.8mm, 0.6mm and 0.4mm gauge wire. 
Although, you could make the whole thing with 0.6mm 
if that's all you've got to hand!

2.  Working from the end of a spool of 0.6mm wire, create
a small circle with the tips of your round nosed pliers. Spiral
the wire around itself, until it is at least the diameter of the 
widest part of your chosen peardrop (or body) bead.  
Cut from the spool, leaving a tail of approx. 2cm projecting.

3.  Using the tips of your round nosed pliers, curl the projecting
end into a small spiral until it sits just below the larger spiral,
created in step 2.

4.  Place the tips of your chain nosed pliers at the centre
of the spiral and stretch it out - opening up spaces
between the coils - so that it becomes a tapered 'curly wurly' 
cone shape.  Bend the small end spiral down.

5.  To make the 'arms' of the angel, cut 5cm of 0.6mm wire and
place your round nosed pliers at the centre of the length. Cross
the wires around the tips of the pliers, so that they project in 
opposite directions, creating a small loop at the centre.

6.  Place your flat, or chain nosed pliers on each side of the
central loop and and bend the projecting wires in towards
each other to create the 'arms' of the angel.

7.  Using your round nosed pliers, curl the ends of the 
projecting wires into small loops (to create the hands).

8.  Thread all the units onto the end of a spool of 0.8mm wire,
starting with the peardrop bead, followed by the tapered spiral,
the 'arm' wires and finally the pearl 'head' bead.

9.  Using your round nosed pliers, create a wrapped
link at the very end of the wire (this will act as the
suspension loop, as well as representing the angel's
'halo').

10.  Push all the units tightly together and cut
the wire from the spool, leaving enough of a
tail to make a small spiral headpin at the base
of the peardrop 'body' bead ...

11.  Flatten the spiral headpin against the base of the
peardrop bead, securing all the units together as one.

12.  And now ... for the wings!  Cut approximately 20cm
of 0.4mm wire and wrap to secure, the centre of the length, 
just under the pearl 'head' bead (between 'head' and 'arms'), 
straighten out the wires on each sides.

13. Thread one of the projecting wires with your chosen
seed beads ( I used about 30 beads for each wing) and 
secure the wire back around the central stem (under the 
pearl 'head' bead) as before.

14.  Repeat step 13, on the opposite side, to create the 
second wing.

15.  Cut the ends of the wires projecting from the wings 
to about 2cm and spiral them in towards the centre, 
flattening one on one side of the angel and the other on 
the opposite side, so that they sit just under the pearl
'head' bead.  To shape the wings:  push the beaded
loops in on each side with your fingers to create a
inward dent.

16.  And now your beaded angel is ready to suspend
from a chain (a ribbon ... as a tree decoration, or
as a gift tag) ... I also, wired a few beads between the
'hands' with 0.4mm wire ... you can finish it as you
feel fit!

ONCE YOU'VE CREATED YOUR FIRST LITTLE
ANGEL, YOU'LL BE READY TO MAKE MORE!

HERE ARE A FEW MORE EXAMPLES TO
INSPIRE YOUR FERTILE MINDS ...

ANGEL EARRINGS.  (These are better created without
'arms', so that they don't hook onto flowing hair!).

ANGEL STICK DECORATION.  This little angel
is holding a star wand and I've left the wire projecting
from the base of the bead, so that it can be used as a
table, or plant decoration.  Just push the wire into a
plant pot and let her sit amongst the holly, or a gorgeous
poinsettia!

Above, is a variation ANGEL STICK PIN ...

Excuse me, if I buzz off now to make some more
to put on my Christmas cards for special friends and
family!

I hope you too will be inspired to make your own!
****  HAPPY 'ANGEL' MAKING!! ****

P.S. a beaded angel is for LIFE ... not just for Xmas!!