I was on JEWELLERY MAKER TV, showcasing lots of tools
and most importantly my Whammer hammer! I was also given
5 kits to work on and from those kits I designed and created
a spectrum of samples for the show.
So, if you're sitting comfortably, you can view all the pieces
that I created! I was given seed beads, semi-precious chips,
wire, cabochons, copper sheet and metal blanks and stamps!
KIT 1
The first kit I worked on included copper blanks, wire and beads:
I used alphabet steel stamps to imprint the copper blanks and
textured it with my dapping head to create 2 bracelets, one was
a wraparound black cord and the other beaded with copper jump
ring separators.
Above is another necklace, with stamping detail and beads.
This just goes to show, how easy it is to create a statement piece
without much jewellery equipment to hand ... just your trusty
Whammer hammer!
I used all heads of the Whammer to demonstrate these metal
textures on the earrings.
I was also given copper bangle strips, which I stamped and
textured.
This same kit, had silver disc blanks and these rainbow
coloured beads. So I textured and domed the discs and
created a necklace, bracelet and earring set in carnival
colours!
KIT 2
The second kit I worked on was packed with gorgeous
semi-precious chips and beads and copper wire. The first
thing I designed was this multi-layered necklace using
the green Aventurine chip beads.
In this piece, I wanted to demonstrate, how with just a reel
of copper wire and some chip beads, you could create a
pretty statement necklace!
Above, you can see how I created coiled copper beads
to integrate between the chip beads. Plus, I added a
very simple hammered wire frame to highlight a single
bead and drop.
I used the grey/black chips to frame one of the cabochon
beads, setting it off as the centrepiece of a necklace.
I also created a long asymetric necklace, using threaded
chip beads, some of the larger beads and freestyle handmade
copper chain links.
And I can never resist making Flower jewellery! So
here's a piece I designed with some of the beads in
the kit, plus some 0.8mm copper wire.
were perfect for pendant necklaces! For these, I wanted to show
different wire framing techniques.
This style of 'basket' setting is a great way of showcasing
set off the beauty of any shaped, flattish, large bead.
KIT 3
This kit contained brass wire in 3 different gauges (1mm,
0.8mm and 0.4mm) plus 3 tubes of Delica seed beads in turquoise,
cream and orange. So here's what I designed: lots of wire frames
and then threaded the seed beads with 0.4mm wire and wove them
in between.
I can assure you, that once you get the hang of this technique,
the bug takes over and the variations become endless!
Any shape will do and any seed bead colour will
also work.
KIT 4
This was probably my favourite kit to work on, as 'metal'
is where I began my jewellery journey. And this kit contained
a sheet of copper and lots of lovely semi-precious stones
plus a bottle of Liver of Sulphur to antique and blacken the metal.
As this 'stone' was top drilled, I suspended it from wire
and cut 3 copper circles from the metal sheet (textured,
domed and drilled holes in them) and created a necklace
with matching earrings.
With the other 'stones' I decided on 'tab' setting. This requires
using a piercing saw to cut away the metal, which then can be
bent around the stone to secure it in place.
For the pendant above, I glued the stonea onto the metal
and drilled holes on each side for 0.6mm wire to bind it
on for extra security.
This stone is tab set by cutting the tabs behind the
piece and bringing them over and around.
This particular stone, had a drill hole at the top centre, so
I riveted to the copper sheet with a spiral of 0.8mm wire.
Here's another version of inner tab setting and some
earrings I created with what was left of the copper!
KIT 5
When I opened this kit, I can't deny that I sighed with despair!
It contained Super Duo beads and the smallest of seed beads!
However, with 0.6mm wire, I created these bangles...
Following lots of other experimentation with wire, I plumped
for a needle and thread and began making a flower shape, but
used 0.8mm wire to add a spiral decoration to the centre.
And once I had got the hang of sewing the flowers, I
managed to create this necklace and earring set!
Never again! Give me wire and metal any day! I much prefer
working with larger beads and bashing away with my Whammer!
However, I can recommend it to anybody, push yourself out of
your comfort zone once in a while! It is always good for the brain
cells and provides new skills and techniques that can be
incorporated in other pieces. You Tube is full of tutorials to fuel
you!
