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​Make your own jewelry!

Coil and Beaded Bracelet

3/23/2015

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Tools
  1. Round Nose pliers
  2. Flat nose pliers
  3. Flush cutters
  4. File
  5. 3/8" Dowel





Materials

  1. 16 gauge wire 28”
  2. Four 10-12mm beads

Check out the classes I offer for personal instruction.

Directions-swirl center
  1. Cut one piece of wire 10” (small wrist do 8”) long File ends smooth
  2. Hold wire at center on round nose pliers
  3. Wrap each tail in opposite directions creating an outward spiral
  4. Continue until you have gone around twice
  5. Using flat nose pliers to hold swirl continue wrapping around until only a ⅜ -½ ” tail remains and center swirl is centered
  6. Now make open loops on each tail going in opposite directions


Beaded Links
  1. Cut 4 pieces 1 ½” long and smooth ends
  2. Create medium size open loops on one end of each wire
  3. Place on bead on each wire
  4. Create open loop in opposite direction of first loop to trap bead on each wire (trim a hair,if bead has too much room)

Wire Coil Links ( these can also be used for earrings components)
  1. Cut two pieces of wire 3 ¼” long and file ends of all of them
  2. Do the same process as on the center coil to create link coils

Eye
  1. Cut one piece of wire 3” long and smooth ends
  2. Create open loop on one end
  3. Holding this end wrap the tail around ⅜” dowel and wrap tail around wire under the large loop

Hook
  1. Cut one piece of wire 2” and smooth ends
  2. Create open loop on one end
  3. Create tiny open loop on the other end
  4. Now make an open swirl with flat nose pliers
  5. Hook should look like a fancy s

*Gently hammer all the coil links including the center piece and the S hook.

Assembly
  1. Open one end of a bead link and place the eye on it close up tightly
  2. Open other bead link side and attach to small coil link,, repeat alternating pattern placing Center coil after second bead link.
  3. Continue pattern after center ending with the hook.
  4. Check all connections are closed up and smooth out any rough spots with your file

  5. Should bracelet not lay comfortably around wrist, you can round inward each end loop on the coil links slightly.

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All Wire Coil Bracelet

3/17/2015

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Tools
  1. Round nose pliers
  2. Flat nose or chain nose pliers
  3. Flush cutters
  4. File
  5. 1/8"-1/4" dowel (optional)
  6. 3/8" dowel or pen

Materials
  1. 18-16 gauge wire 36 1/2"

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Creating the Center Coil
  1. Cut 10" (medium wrist) or 8" (small wrist) of wire
  2. Holding wire in the center with the round nose pliers begin wrapping tails in same direction around the tools nose.
  3. Continue around at least one full spiral
  4. Take wire off the round nose pliers and hold flat with flat nose pliers
  5. Continue the spiral wrap until only 1/2" tail remains on either side of the spiral
  6. Cut to center or even them up a bit ,file and then make loops going back from spiral to make hanging loops.

Making the Links and Jump rings
  1. Cut four pieces of wire 3 1/4" long
  2. Follow the same directions as for the large center spiral to create four smaller links
  3. To make the jump rings use fattest part of round nose pliers and create a spring coil or use a 1/8"-1/4" dowel to do the same. Make spring coil go around enough times to make 6 jump rings
  4. Take off the tool and cut the jump ring straight apart
  5. Open them sideways gently and file seams to be smooth when closed

 
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Creating the Hook and Eye
Eye
  1. Cut a piece of wire 2 1/2" long and file ends
  2. Create a open loop on one end
  3. Wrap remaining tail around 3/8" dowel leaving enough room between open loop and dowel to wrap the tail around the wire.
  4. Wrap twice and flush cut if needed
  5. Smooth out any rough edges
  6. Each loop should be going in opposite direction (twist if needed)

Hook
  1. Cut one piece of wire 2" long and file ends
  2. Create an open loop on one end
  3. now make a small open loop on the other end
  4. continue to spiral the small loop into a large loose loop making it look like a letter S

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                                                         Hammer time and Assembly of the bracelet
  1. Before assembling we need to do a little hammering
  2. Gently hammer the hook.
  3. Hammer the center spiral and all the spiral links
  4. Make sure all loop ends are closed up tight


Now we are ready to assemble
  1. Lay out all your pieces in order of assembly
  2. Start with the hook end and using a jump ring attach it to a link
  3. Now another jump ring and link 
  4. Next a jump ring and the center spiral
  5. then jump ring and link
  6. Jump ring and link
  7. Finally jump ring and eye( if it seems to be a bit to small add a second jump ring on this end or both if needed)
  8. Make sure all connections are closed up tight
  9. You may slightly curve the outside loops of the links and spiral center to make the bracelet lay flatter
  10. Check for any rough spots and file them or buff them out



Come see some of my work in my Gallery. Or come take a class with me in person.
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Beaded Wire Bracelet with Coil Center

3/17/2015

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Tools
  1. Round nose pliers
  2. Flat or chain nose pliers
  3. Flush cutters
  4. File
  5. 3/8" Dowel



Materials
  1. 16 gauge wire 2410"
  2. 6  10mm beads with large holes (big enough for 16 gauge wire)



Come see some of my Recycled Copper pieces
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Making the Coil Center Piece

  1. Cut 10" (medium wrist) or 8" (small wrist) of wire
  2. Holding wire in the center with the round nose pliers begin wrapping tails in same direction around the tools nose.
  3. Continue around at least one full spiral
  4. Take wire off the round nose pliers and hold flat with flat nose pliers
  5. Continue the spiral wrap until only 1/2" tail remains on either side of the spiral
  6. Cut to center or even them up a bit ,file and then make loops going back from spiral to make hanging loops.
  7. Hammer this piece to harden and or texture
  8. Gently bend outer loops down in a slight cure to help it lay flatter on your wrist


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Making the Beaded Links
  1. Cut six pieces 1 1/2" long and file ends
  2. Create a open loop on one end of each wire
  3. Place bead on each wire 
  4. Create a second open loop on the other end to trap the bead (wire can be cut first if there is to much wiggle room )

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                                                Creating the Hook and Eye
                                               
                                                  Eye
  1. Cut a piece of wire 2 1/2" long and file ends
  2. Create a open loop on one end
  3. Wrap remaining tail around 3/8" dowel leaving enough room between open loop and dowel to wrap the tail around the wire.
  4. Wrap twice and flush cut if needed
  5. Smooth out any rough edges
  6. Each loop should be going in opposite direction (twist if needed)

Hook
  1. Cut one piece of wire 2" long and file ends
  2. Create an open loop on one end
  3. now make a small open loop on the other end
  4. continue to spiral the small loop into a large loose loop making it look like a letter S
  5. Gently hammer the hook.

Assembling the Bracelet
  1. You should now have a Center spiral, 6 beaded links, and a hook and eye.
  2. Begin by laying all the pieces in order of assembly ( in case you have a bead pattern)
  3. Start with the hook and gently open one of the beaded links end just enough to put the hook on and close it up.
  4. Move to the next link and add it to the last beaded link
  5. Repeat  step 4 with another link
  6. Now add the Spiral center
  7. Add next beaded link
  8. Repeat step 7 two more times 
  9. Now add your eye
  10. Check all connections are closed up tight and you are done
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Feeling  you may want to learn this first hand with some help from me personally? Now you can. Join me at The Cape Cod Art Bar for a class! All materials included and you you can bring a glass of wine and some friends! I would love to meet you.
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Wrap a Coin (Quarter) or 1" Cabochon

3/11/2015

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This wire wrap project is appropriate for a coin that is the size of a quarter (1"across) or a cabochon that is fairly flat and also about 1" across. 
      I got some of my information and the inspiration to create these directions from another artists sight.  https://www.scribd.com/beadinggem    Please visit this sight to get even more information on  measurements for other sized coins. Or visit http://www.scribd.com/doc/91672366/How-to-Wire-Wrap-a-Coin-Pendant-Tutorial#scribd for their full instructions.

*If making something a different size you will need to change your wire length, possibly add the number of wires for bezel width (for the depth of the stone), and also use the correct size dowel for creating the frame for your bezel. 
Tools
  1. Round Nose Pliers
  2. Flat Nose Pliers
  3. Cutters
  4. File
  5. Painters tape
  6. Sharpie
  7. Ruler
  8. 7/8"-1” dowel
  9. ¼” dowel




Materials
  1. 20 gauge round or square wire 30”
  2. 20 gauge half round wire 12”
  3. Quarter $.25 or 1"  flat cabochon 




Come have a look at my handy work!

Making the Bezel
    1. Cut four wires of square wire 7 1/2” long. 
    2. Lay each wire side by side flat and wrap painters tape around both ends to secure.
    3. Lay wires down and mark with sharpie the center (3 3/4")
    4. Now measure out 3/4” from center on both sides and mark with sharpie
    5. Now measure out 3/4” out from those marks on each side with sharpie. 
    6. Now you have five marks total, each 3/4" from each other.
              7.   With half round wire wrap the three center marked areas on the square bundle wire four times each (cut ends should all be on one side and away from edges, this will be the inside/wrong side.)
            9.   Now wrap wire bundle around the 1” dowel starting at the center wrap with the inside/wrong side facing the dowel. 
             10.    Place coin or stone into center of bezel and check that the wires cross at the top where the remaining marks are, if they do not, adjust them so that they do.​
              11. Once you get the marks correct make 90 degree angles outward from the frame on the marks (these will be the bail wires)
Setting the coin/stone
         11.    Using half round wire, begin to wire wrap the wire tails tightly at the base of the bezel, wrap five times around front. you may trim it if you wish or leave it attached.
         12.  Remove painter's tape from tails
           14.    Place coin or stone into bezel and hold in place with painter's tape.
           15.   At each bezel wrap on the frame and at the center of each side of the bail wires create small bends in the outer wire only to hold coin. Start at the bottom of the coin and go up towards the top. Do on both sides of coin. Start with top and remove painter’s tape as needed to reach bottom area. Do this carefully so not to scratch coin.  Remove or adjust painter's tape when as you go.
   Making the Bail
             Option one (with 1/2 round trimmed)
             15.  Move back three to four wires closest to the front forward and gently away from the bail 

              16.  At the bezel base place the ¼” dowel and wrap the four to five front square wires in a U shape towards the back.
              17. Then wrap them under and around the bail. Trim and flatten.
              18. Take remaining wires and create a swirl in towards the front, Trim and curl the ends.
   
​ Option two (with 1/2 round un-trimmed)
               16. Wrap the four to five bail wires front to back around the 1/4" dowel.Use flat nose to bring them in close.

               17.   Wrap the bail with ½ round wire tightly, trim  1/2 round wire and re-tighten with flat nose pliers
               18.  Spread out the bail loops to look nice
               19.  Cut the back tails(4) to 3/4" ,  file smooth
               20.  Make tiny loops on small tails at the back of the coin and lay them flat against the coin
                21.   Finish remaining tails by filing them and curling them into soft coils or creating large loopy swirls towards the front.
Feel free to check out my other projects or just learn a little more about me and my passion.
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Chandelier Earrings

3/2/2015

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      I love chandelier earrings and everything sparkly and I am guessing you do to. Here is a fairly basic patter to create a pair of two tiered loop chandelier earring with crystals. Of course you can take these and put even more sparkle, non at all or use your own style of bead.



Tools

  1. Round nose pliers
  2. Flat nose pliers
  3. Cutters
  4. File
  5. ⅜” Mandrel (dowel)
  6. ⅝” Mandrel (dowel)
  7. Round pen with cap


Materials
  1. 20 gauge wire
  2. 16 gauge wire
  3. 5 beads/crystals 4-6 mm





   Here is a few more projects I came up with and would love to share, enjoy!


Come join me at The Cape Cod Art Bar and take a class with me. Gets hands on experience in a relaxed atmosphere and go home with a treasure! 
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Foward facing Ear wires (Follow the link for this design and skip the jump ring for this style.)

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  Fish hook Ear wires (follow link for pictured directions)​
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                                          Hoops and Jump rings
  1. Cut two 2 ½” pieces and two 3 ½” pieces of 16 gauge wire and smooth ends

  2. Wrap each 2 ½” piece around the ⅜” dowel to create a teardrop shape

  3. Wrap each 3 ½” wire around the ⅝” dowel just like in step

  4. To create jump rings wrap 16 gauge wire off spool around largest part of round nose pliers twice and cut at wire end to make two 
  5. Smooth wire ends of jump ring to create nice smooth finish

Beaded Drops
  1. Cut 6  1” and 4 ¾” pieces of 20 gauge wire

  2. make tiny open loops on one end of all these wires

  3. Place beads onto the wires and create medium size open loops on other ends
Assembly
  1. Create one open loop on one side of largest hoop

  2. Place one short then long then short bead link onto loop

  3. Create closed loop on other side

  4. Pinch loops together and make a bend just under it to make the loops face upright

  5. Make a loop on one end of smaller hoop

  6. Feed through loops on larger hoop but also feed on one of the remaining bead links in between the loops

  7. Close other end and pinch hoop and straighten loops

  8. Open one jump ring and put on one the loop, the last bead link , the ear wire and then the last loop.

     9.    Close jump ring.
Also Checkout some of my handmade pieces as well 
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DIY Rock and Roll Hoop Earrings

4/9/2014

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DIY large rock and roll hoop earrings

   

Always wanted to learn how to make some fun and fashionable earrings? Well lets get to it! These earrings not only have swing and a little rock and roll personality, they are fairly easy to make yourself and you can change them to suit your limitless imagination and bead supply, which ever comes first.

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Supplies and Tools

  1. 12" of 18 gauge wire
  2. 18" Chain with links open enough for wire. (I recycled a broken necklace)
  3. Twelve 6mm ball beads
  4. One set ear wires
  5. Wire Cutters
  6. Round nose pliers
  7. Shot Glass (preferably empty, so bottoms up)

Direction
  1.  Cut wire in half to make two pieces 6" long
  2. Make a loop at one end of each wire with round nose pliers
  3. Wrap wire around the shot glass close to the top with the loops facing out. This should create a teardrop shape.
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      4.   Cut chain into 14 pieces 1"(there may be a very tiny chain left but we are losing one ring each time we cut, so do not cut them longer).

      5.    Slide one chain then one ball onto the hoop alternating till you have 7 chains and six balls on each hoop. Do not worry if the wire gets a little warped, you can reshape it on the shot glass if needed.

      6.   Now make a loop on the other end that goes around under the other loop and close it.

       7.   Add your DIY ear wire and you have a pair of real rock and roll earrings
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Gallery/Shop
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Making a metal bangle bracelet

4/7/2014

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DIY wire bangle with bead center
    

     Making a metal bracelet with a center bead can be done with a few tools and is a great beginner project for learning wire shaping. I love these bangles because you can stack the bracelets and they take very little time to make when you get the hang of it.

Supplies and Tools
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  1.  14 gauge copper wire
  2. 16-18 gauge copper wire
  3.  Bead/s of choice with large enough whole to put the 16-18 gauge wire through
  4.  Round nose pliers
  5.  Flat nose pliers
  6.  Wire cutters
  7.  Emery board
  8. Round pencil or pen
  9. Sturdy round object about 2" across(exp wooden dowel, plastic bottle, or thick drinking glass)
  10.  Jewelers Hammer and block(optional)

Directions

     1. Cut the 16-18 gauge wire to 4"

     2. Cut the 14 gauge wire to 6 1/2(small) , 7"(medium) or 7 1/2"(large) 

     3. Using emery board gently round and soften the ends so they do not scratch you

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     4. Slide bead/s onto the 16-18 gauge wire centering the beads 

     5. Using the round nose pliers bend each side down about 45 degrees 

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     6. Using the pen or pencil and your fingers if possible wrap the wire around and cross over the wire.( if you are good with round nose pliers you can do it without the pen)

     7. Using the flat nose pliers wrap the wire around twice for a clean and secure conection
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     8. Hammer one end of the 14 gauge wire approximately 1/2" from end to flatten slightly, then using the emery board smooth out edges (If you do not have a hammer, do not panic. This step can be left out. I like to do it for a cleaner more professional look).  

     9. Using widest part of your round nose pliers hook the other end but do not close the loop completely yet.
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     10. Using the 2" round object you have wrap the wire around it to form a open circle with your loop facing out.

     11.Using the round pliers make a half circle on the other end facing out.
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      12. Now just put bead  onto open loop and close it tight. Then gently shape the bead wire to be a small arch and put on your new bangle bracelet!
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My Gallery/Shop
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Let's Learn a Little About Wire Gauge

2/7/2014

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                    Wire Gauge and What to use when.....   

    As you begin to learn about wire wrapping and jewelry component making, you will realize that often the sizes of these materials is measured as gauge. If you re anything like I was in the beginning this will be a "What the Mackerel does that mean?" moment.

         Let me explain.  Gauge is the measurement used to define the thickness of a wire. The Larger the number the smaller the thickness. For Example a size 12 gauge wire is quite thick and a size 26 gauge is very fine. Gauges are usually seen between 26(super fine)  to about 16 (thick) in most local craft stores in the jewelry wire section. You can get wires in an even larger range at wholesale on-line craft stores such as Rio Grande and Fire Mountain Gems as well.

        So what does this mean to the making process?  Well it can depend on what type of metal you are using as well as what you want to do with it. What I mean is if the metal is soft you may need a thicker wire to do the same or similar job as what a harder metal can do with a thinner gauge.  That is why, when you go looking for what gauge is for what situation, sometimes you find lists that show a range of gauges for the same jobs. But let's start with the basics.


        According to one of my favorite inspiring how to books, The Earring Style Book by Stephanie A Wells the break down looks like this for size and use.  
            
      Gauge
       26(super fine)-  Single and double wrapped loops, teardrop loop and wrap, wrapping single beads and attaching beads to frames.

        24(very fine)- Eye pins and head pins, single and double wrapped loop, teardrop loop and wrap, wrapping single beads to frames.

         22(Fine)- Eye pins and head pins, loops, teardrop loop and wrap, attaching beads to frames.
        
         20(Medium)- Ear wires, jump rings, eye pins and head pins, connecting frame pieces.

        18 -14 or larger(thick)- Frames 


        I used this guide often, when I was first learning the art of wire wrapping to decide where to begin on a project. However as my experience has grown I have found that softer metals will need to be at least one size thicker in gauge for the same results of strength. That being said it is only comfortable to go up to a size 19 gauge at the largest, for ear wires. Anything thicker can be heavy and cause irritation on the wearer. Another way to get around this is to gently hammer the ear wire, at the u-shape part, to strengthen it.  

       As you begin to work with wire, you will find your own comfort for different operations. I find that I do not like the very fine wires to work with because most of the wrapping I do involves ends that are never tucked under. When using the fine wire this in usually suggested because they are too soft to stay in place otherwise and will unravel during polishing(at least this has been my experience with dead soft metals, copper and aluminum) So for my designs I usually will not use a wire smaller than 19 gauge or 18 gauge for attaching beads to frames and wrapping stones. I also find that the finer gauges are too soft to hold as jump rings, unless tempered, or hammered, if the metal is dead soft. I also work with much larger sizes of aluminum because it is extremely soft and even gentle hammering can only harden it slightly. 

     Most of the wire I work with is either dead soft or soft, what this means is that it will shape much easier. I love the look of the hammering effect so I prefer it over the hard wire in most cases. I also believe that when you start learning it is a better choice so you can get your technique worked out before trying the harder metals. Copper is fairly inexpensive to work with and will give you a chance to experiment with your learning. I also suggest starting with just two sizes to begin, and from my point of view 20 gauge and 16 gauge is a great for many of your first projects.

        I hope this helps to clarify the gauge matter and gets you to the wire isle soon. Have fun and see what works for you. 
  
              Feel Free to visit my Gallery/Shop to see examples of different jewelry pieces made with different gauges and metals.


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    Dawn Rosell

    I am a self taught jewelry designer and artist.  I studied fashion design and come from a very creative family.
    I am a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to an amazing child. Both of which  continually inspire me to try new things and think outside the box, as well as to reach my dreams and inspire others.

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