Wire Weave Stud Earrings and Cross - Lapiz Lazuli

I have written about Lapiz Lazuli
previously – Lapiz as Healing Stone.
Well, it didn't get rid of my migraine
headache…yet….because I don’t put it on all the time but who knows.

However, I am still in awe with this dark blue gemstone which is regarded as a stone of truth and friendship and believe to helps the wearer to be authentic and allow self-expression/confidence.

Few months back, I purchased a teardrop and oval shaped Lapiz suitable for pendant and ring. Been meaning to wire wrap them for self but as usual, many ideas ran through my head when I first saw them but once they reached home, they’ll be sitting in the box for many moons to come…haha....bad habit.

These pair of wire weaved stud earrings and cross is commissioned by a friend. I employed the weaving technique for the cross as well as the Herringbone weave for studs.

How do you like the earrings?
Me too…I love it…hehe
Notice the tiny golden shimmer?
They are not gold, how I wish, but pyrites.

Today is my favorite day....yay its Friday!
Don't we all look forward to Friday :)

Silver- A Versatile Element (Guest Post)

Silver is a shining white beautiful metal and its name is originally derived from the Latin word “Argentium” which means money. Silver is a precious, and even though it is inferior in status compared to gold; silver is a metal with many versatile usages. Silver is good conductor of electricity with excellent thermal conductivity and commonly used in electroplating. Silver also have good ductility and malleability making it an effective lubricant, catalyst and alloy.

Silver has widespread applications since the early dawn of civilization. Records show that silver alloyed coins were used since prehistoric times of Peloponnese Greeks and Sumerians.  Romans and Carthage fought legendary battles over control of silver mines. Even to this date, American silver eagle and Canadian maple leaf used as an investment currency. Silver is also long used as an industrial metal. It has been used in photography before the arrival of digital photography.  Dentists use its alloy to make amalgams which are used to fill cavities in patients’ teeth. Various engineering and medical fields that involve generating radio frequency and very high frequency use silver due to its high electrical conductivity. Other applications of silver includes its use in making mirrors, flutes, use in nuclear reactors and is also used in medical sectors in its ionized form.

However, the most common use of silver is undoubtedly its use as jewelry. Silver Jewelry not only serves as accessory but with increasing value, it also can be considered as a sensible investment. So, if you are planning of buying it online, I suggest you must visit GoldenMine. It offers a wide range of silver jewelry like shining sterling silver chains, silver earrings, silver pendants to be worn with silver chains and many more jewelry items. The price is reasonable and the shipping facility is efficient and the order can be placed both by email and phone call.

By Smith Geroge
Smith Geroge is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity, fond of art & jewelry. Not content writing strictly in the non-fiction arena, He is also researching on best travel services. He maintains a Facebook page to network with his friends and readers and blogs about the Travel and profession of writing at http://www.facebook.com/smith.geroge.5.

Twice Around the World (TAW) Necklace

It seems like rainy season is here.
We have been experiencing a lot of rain lately. Mostly in late afternoon.
Just nice to bring down the temperature at night including tonight :)

While you are enjoying a cool night too, here is a recently completed necklace.
A Twice Around the World (TAW) wire wrap necklace.
Stones are Tiger's Eye, red and golden.

If you'd like to learn how to make the TAW component of this necklace, check out the tutorial here.

Somehow, I am feeling very sleepy now.
Must be the weather.
Signing off here, off to zzz land.

Wire Jewelry - Wire Bookmark

Few weeks back I managed to find and purchase some 16g stainless steel wire (soft). Been looking high and low for this wire for a while. You know wire of this size (especially soft one) is really hard to come by so I was very tempted to buy the whole coil.
Refrain! refrain! :)

On the other hand, I have lots of 16g hard stainless steel wire but they are really tough to work with, if not near impossible (for me at least). I think I mentioned this before, so just bear with me. DH use them for his fishing "accessories" and of course arms and fingers are stronger.

Back to this bookmark, I find that this wire size is the best for this kind of wire bookmark. Thinner wire will feel very flimsy even with hammering.
With hammering, this bookmark is very sturdy and would withstand your reading habit.
This one is adorned with pearl and 8mm Swarovski Crystal and the bottom part with 3 short hammered wires.

Wire Jewelry - Earrings, Borneo Ceramic Beads

These are very special one of a kind beads due to its colorful combination.
The handmade nature of the process and the natural individuality of the clay and colors result in variations from bead to bead, expressed in differences of shape, sizes, texture and color.

You wouldn't notice it from the pictures but one of the beads on this wire wrap earrings is actually smaller than the other one. I guess it doesn't matter when the colors compensated for this :)

This pair of earrings is experimental.
All components are handmade with lots of hammering on the 19g stainless steel wire.
The ear hook was OK as I hammered after shaping them.
The toughest part was twisting the wires that hold the beads.
I can only twist them after hammering the wire ends flat so it was really really tough and hard work.
Almost gave up on that.
Glad I didn't break my pliers.

Before signing off, don't forget to check out my Tutorial Giveaway at Magpie Gemstones.
If you you click on this link - http://www.magpiegemstones.com/news.html and sign up for the newsletter, you'll get the chance to win.
Have a great week.

WireBliss Tutorial Giveaway at Magpie Gemstones

Happy Sunday dear readers.
This is a short post to let you all know that one of my Tutorial - Braided Wire Cuff is the giveaway item at Magpie Gemstones.
If you have subscribe to Magpie Gemstones Newsletter, you will have a chance to win the tutorial.

If you haven't yet, you can sign up here -Magpie Gemstones Newsletter Signup and be eligible to win.

Winner will be announced September 22nd.
You still have time....go on now to register.

I have been a fan of Szarka, the owner of Magpie Gemstones since I started with wire jewelry about 6 years ago. She not only creates beautiful wire jewelry but also supplies tonnes of gemstones, beads, accessories and tools for your jewelry needs. Head over to http://www.magpiegemstones.com/ to check her out :)

Over the years, being a fan then friends of her, Szarka's customer service is the best if not one of the best.
You will find out once you start talking or communicating with her.
The first time I purchased from her, I was surprised and happy to received more than what I purchased.