Garden-themed silver charms cluster together at the front of this necklace, creating an image of an idyllic moment in a secret garden. I often wire wrap several charms together to create a story. When using multiple charms, I prefer a dense arrangement without a lot of empty space. Often it takes three or four tries before I achieve balance, especially with asymmetrical designs.
As jewelers, many of you are probably familiar with the regrettable realization that a wire wrapped link must be adjusted to correct a necklace design. Wire wrapping provides wonderful security, but closed wire wraps cannot be changed or moved – they must be cut apart and completely re-done!
Several years ago, I started using a wire wrapping trick that has saved me lots of time: I make all of my link sections, but I keep the loops on both ends of each link open until I’m done designing the necklace. This allows me to rearrange the order of the links without requiring me to cut apart earlier work. I can add a link here or remove a link there by simply connecting the open loops. Once I’ve got an arrangement I’m pleased with, I go back and wire-wrap closed all of the loops. Do you have a favorite jewelry making trick?
It took me several tries to achieve balance in this assymetrical design.
Keeping my loops open allowed me to rearrange the links to find the best balance.
What an easy way to save on frustration! I will definitely put this into practice.
Comment by Carolyn — April 30, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
I use solid liver of sulphur to darken my sterling silver handmade jewelry, and sometimes if I’m not in a hurry, I just put my silver pieces in the small container (which closes tightly) instead of mixing up the water/liver of sulphur solution. After 24-48 hours, the metal usually darkens just from being near the sulphur. No messy solution to clean up and dispose of!
Peggy
Comment by Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li — May 2, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
You are so right, once the loops are wrapped, that’s it. This is a great tip to provide some flexibility before reaching the point of no return.
Comment by Charlene — May 3, 2010 @ 9:27 am
I’ve just started oxidizing silver, Peggy, so your tip is timely! Several us stayed late at work last week for a demonstration Emily gave of the oxidation process. I love the look and have used all the items I blackened. It’s time to buy my own liver of sulpher and try your tip!
Comment by leah — May 3, 2010 @ 4:51 pm
Leah, I can’t wait to see what you make with your oxidized findings!
Comment by Yolanda De Leon — May 4, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
Another thing I do for my designs… I always put the clasp on the “right” so right-handed folks can put the clasp in their right hand to put on the necklace (and pendants will be facing the correct way), since most folks are right-handed.
best,
peggy
Comment by Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li — May 5, 2010 @ 11:30 am
Good point Peggy! I do the same, it makes putting on a necklace a cinch. Specially when one is in a hurry!:>
Comment by Yolanda De Leon — May 7, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
One tip the Staff @ Nina has given me that I use ..maybe way to much (but I love the look) Is scuff a shinny silver piece with a green scratcher…it achieves a brushed look. I mean who would have thought! And as we all know silver scratches easily, so if I add a gem next to a shinny silver pendant the gem is over time, going to rub the silver and scratch it. This tip is great to remedy an already scratch piece too…Thank you who every shared this tip with me
Comment by Ali Oesch — May 8, 2010 @ 7:46 pm