|
Post by MyNewHobby on Oct 4, 2009 16:35:00 GMT -5
It seems like every time I pick up on the wrapping again, I am all thumbs. All of a sudden, I cannot seem to get it right.
Here are my problems ... (sorry for sniveling again ... but I need to get it right. Or I should say I want to as I am not having fun):
I can get the initial binding in the center. Now for some reason when I go to fold up and then down the first set of wires, I cannot get the wires to stay still so I can even get the tape on it to do the binding. The piece moves around and folds over. I think I have decided I don't like half round. It seems so unpredictable and I cannot see which side I working with. No .... I don't have a magnifying glass lamp.
I am using scotch tape .... I wouldn't think this is an issue as it is the only thing that doesn't move, even when I go to remove it.
Since I haven't been able to get the sections done, I have tried to do the bindings without the folding up and down and when I get to the top and get a somewhat (albeit crappy) bail, I then cannot pull out the wires to get the piece stabilized.
Dammit ... Any and all suggestions .... Please!
|
|
|
Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 4, 2009 16:55:07 GMT -5
I'm not exactly clear on where you are having the issues, but .... and take this with a couple grains of salt, cause we all know I'm no Randy or one of those wrapping geniuses .... here's how I've been tackling them.
First I figure out what I want on the bottom of the cab, then I do that binding or set of bindings. Then I bend up one side to the shape of the stone, and bend the outside wires to where I think I want them. Holding the bottom and the loose side in place, I tape the bottom - run the tape from the back of the stone, down over the bottom bindings, and up the front of the stone. I use the narrowest blue painter's tape I can find.
Once I have the bottom in place and an idea of where I want that one side and its binding, I mark on the wires where the side binding should be. Then I untape it, and hold the side wires with one of the clamping ways - either my little "alligator" clips with lots of tape on the jaws so they don't scar up the wire, or if I can, I'll clamp it into my little vise that clamps to the table top. Then I can bind the one side.
After that, I retape the bottom, and the bound side, in place, and work on the other side in the same manner. The second side is the hardest to bind, because you have to work the binding wire past the first side over and over - PITA.
Sounds messy, and it is, but that's the only way that I've found to do it. I guess they turn out ok, but not really "terrific" in my estimation.
Hope that gives you an idea that you can work with, Julie.
Tom
|
|
|
Post by superioragates on Oct 4, 2009 17:22:38 GMT -5
Hey Julie...sorry you are having troubles! This is how I figured it out: I wrap the binding on the bottom....by the way, a teardrop cab is easiest, or it was for me to learn on. To fold the wires up, I hold the binding area, and place the pliers on the wire to fold up, make sure it's right against the binding, then without removing the pliers, I just gently fold the wire over the top of the pliers. Don't over fold it, or crease it, just roll it over the top of them. This will give you an idea where the next bend should be, no guesswork. You might try tk3's idea of taping the stone in, I personally don't, but it just might work for ya till you get the hang of it again!! Hope this helps! Marie
|
|
damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
|
Post by damammy on Oct 4, 2009 17:31:34 GMT -5
Julie are making your wire straight to start? If you need to tape quilting tape is narrow and works best and are you crimping your binding wire after if is in place, that is what secures it. I don't know what else it might be. Donna
|
|
Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
|
Post by Larry on Oct 4, 2009 21:47:21 GMT -5
I'm not sure what part of the process this is referring to as I think I dod it a lot different. I cut all of my wire and lay them together all straight, side by side, then all of my taping happens. All the bending and such is done after for me. I know I'm not directly offerring an answer to the problem, but maybe an alternative method may work better. One thing to be cautious about with tutorials (assuming you are using Randy's or another one off the web), is that the same step-by-step may not be comfortable to everybody. If the method is not working for you, try doing things a little different. Don't try and force your skills/talents/fingers to work one way because your hands/mind may want to work another. Especially with things that are artsy or crafty, tutorials are a good guideline but one artists way can never be copied fully successfully by another artist. Experiment
|
|
|
Post by MyNewHobby on Oct 5, 2009 20:44:06 GMT -5
What is absolutely astounding about every single response here, is that every one makes perfect sense.
So .... what I am going to do .... is print out this thread and walk step by step from top response down and hopefully ...
Thanks guys ... I honestly do not know what I would do without your help ... at some point ... things will click and I will be a happy wrapper. But until then ... I will continue to submit my attempts to you.
As always ... Julie
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Oct 5, 2009 21:38:52 GMT -5
Julie, I've attached the set of instructions that I walk the people I teach through. There are a couple of steps that I do differently than Randy's tutorial, so it's really just another option. No pictures, though, sorry. (Except for the example work pictures at the end.) Normally I'm demonstrating each step for them, and then helping them mimic it. This piece normally goes home with them for future reference. I can see if I can grab pictures of any of the steps that don't make sense to you! This is just an alternate tutorial, not a "better" tutorial. In fact, it's a combination of a bunch of tutorials I learned from around the 'net. This is what worked for me.
|
|
|
Post by MyNewHobby on Oct 7, 2009 20:59:39 GMT -5
Akansan .... Thank You!!
One day I will not be such a dork!! But then again .... how much less fun would I be!
Am printing it out as we speak.
Thanks Again ... as always
|
|