Alternating Crafts

Winter can sometimes mean yarn related craft thirst, so I am now crocheting and also learning a new craft along with that, which will see the combination of cotton and beads, I am just waiting on supplies for that project which is called tatting.

I will how ever, have to learn and master many basic instructions to put the 2 together.

You may like to see a video tutorial on this, I have chosen a certain teacher as she is also in her early stages of learning, but she gives precise and clear instructions. Her camera is close up and clear, so it is easy to see what she is doing, she can also be very entertaining.

These are orders I have recently completed.

 I have the free pattern for the cable stitch neck warmer here on my crochet blog.

Shaping Wire For Style

I've been hoping to find my own unique style of wire shaping.

A style that will flow naturally and look great.

When I am making something I examine it and ask myself would I buy it, or what is so special about this piece that would make a person want to buy and wear it?

My inspiration for this piece was the yin yang symbol.

 I can also see a tree, can you?

   

Keeping up with shaping the wire I made these earrings.

   

A couple of twists and pulls gave me this shape which I wrapped beads around.

I'm also getting the hang of the tree of life pendants, I have the tree roots showing this time.

 Close up.

I made a few purchases on ebay for precious gemstones in various colors and I am awaiting their arrival to make more of these, I think they look very nice and I had several compliments when I wore 1 of the red theme I made, the second red theme is up for sale as it is a better 1.

It comes with a triple stranded glass seed bead necklace.

Hope you enjoyed my post.

My Craft Room. The Bead and Wire Side Of Things

It has taken time to build a supply of beads, wire and tools. I built up a vast supply of yarn, hooks, buttons, pattern books etc over a period of time for my crochet obsession too, so I was no stranger to the accumulation of new materials to feed my new passion.

I was how ever caught out many times regarding the sizing of beads and wire gauge by shopping online, but over time I over came my lack of knowledge in this area, now when I am in doubt I will purchase a small quantity first to test them out, nothing goes to waste, there will always be a project when that type of bead is needed.

Take a peek at the other side of my craft room, the jewelry side of things.

The pictures are taken from the left and journey onto the right.

The jars on the lower shelf hold mostly 4mm glass beads. 

 Over time I found or made hooks for hanging.

 Below you will see my newest addition, I had a bunch of magnets that I glued to a piece of left over skirting board and secured this to my wall, now I can hang my tools, ease of access and a much neater working bench.

 Here is a closer look as the pictures rotate to the right, this is right in front of where I sit.

 And over to the right even further is where I am now, typing away to you.

Whilst I practice my wire shaping skills I have my feet up and enjoy the company of a coffee, my computer or the chatter of the wild birds drifting in from my window.

   

More practice

 Getting the hang of it now.

 Here is an idea that may be of help to some one.

I had some scrap chicken fencing wire, with a couple of cable ties I secured the sides together and turned it into an earring hanger.

I hope you have enjoyed my post, cheers Cat.

Designers Block or Can I Design Jewelry At All?

I have not hit the selling scene as yet, so I am unsure if my jewelry makings are up to the task.

I have how ever made plenty for gifts, the females in my family are most delighted with their special little hand made gifts of jewelry.

I have had success with bead weaving and beading and now   I have turned my hand to working with artistic wire.

I must say this is a challenge in it's self!

Self doubt and thoughts of helplessness cross my mind as I try and twist and turn the darn wire into a shape of some sort.

I crawl the internet for as many free tutorials I can find and watch the same technique accomplished over and over by many different gifted wire workers.

  My first tree of life is pictured above, not a great challenge, but indeed a lovely piece of art.

 But can I design? Inspiration is found once again by scouring the internet and ideas build upon one another.

Above is an attempt at a design, below is another which I quite like.

  

At times idea's and techniques flow freely as pictured below.

I will admit that I have only been at this wire working for a few months, but I am like a rabid vampire, thirst not for blood, but for skill and know how and  I will not stop until my thirst has been quenched!

7 pairs, 21 individual wire pieces per 1 ear ring.

 Who would have thought wire shaping would look so refined, elegant and scream "wear me".

Thank you so much for reading my post, I do have plenty more to share on this subject, so see you soon!