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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 9:28:12 GMT -5
Because she's so encouraging, and because I didn't want her to think her beautiful wraps convinced me to give up even trying, I attempted my sixth (and possibly final  ) wrap last night. Just so I could say I gave it another try. Been about 4 months since the last one. Can you say you're rusty if you never 'had it'?
12 inches of wire literally kicked my ass.
Anyway, I've decided to try some other things while waiting on my rocks to tumble. Last weekend I jumped into the jewelry business. Well, it really isn't a business if you just give your creations away, but it was fun banging on some metal. Also gave etching a try. I figure the wife and friends can overlook the goof ups, since they know the 'artist'. Again, very much beginner level.
Probably should have made sure all wire were straight before pics. The ear wires were purchased.
Pretty rough, but this work is definitely less tedious than wrapping IMO. I can see more time going to metal.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 27, 2017 9:55:30 GMT -5
MAN! Your metal work is out the door! Love it! Doesn't look newbie, at all.  Big props! As to the wrapping. I love the design, very good idea and execution. I can offer some suggestions as to your problems. Looks like you are using half round (?) but it looks inside out. Did you put it on backwards? It looks like, what? 2 wires? three? For that wrap, I would use 4. That way you would have some wire on that bare corner. Have you sanded your pliers edges? It will really help with scratches and nicks. Using all square wire can be a challenge because the square likes to get off square. When I do use square, I use 2 square, 2 round. Makes it easier. The bail has that "messy" look that a lot of people LOVE, so I wouldn't even be worried about that (if you were). People do it on purpose. In all honesty- your wrap looks pretty good. There is nothing there that says to me that practice would not help. You actually DO have some control over the wire. I can see that clearly. Square is a challenge to keep right and you did a good job with that. Having said all that, I realize that wrapping is not something for everyone. You obviously love doing the metal work more. I won't push you. But, if you do want to keep trying wrapping- I see no reason why you can't be a complete success at it.  |
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411 
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Post by Erich on Jan 27, 2017 10:36:17 GMT -5
Your metal work is quite good I think and your wrap is,for your sixth piece, handsome. I don't think it would take you to much practice to be near perfect.(nothing is ever perfect)
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Post by wigglinrocks on Jan 27, 2017 10:42:39 GMT -5
MAN! Your metal work is out the door! Love it! Doesn't look newbie, at all. Big props! As to the wrapping. I love the design, very good idea and execution. I can offer some suggestions as to your problems. Looks like you are using half round (?) but it looks inside out. Did you put it on backwards? It looks like, what? 2 wires? three? For that wrap, I would use 4. That way you would have some wire on that bare corner. Have you sanded your pliers edges? It will really help with scratches and nicks. Using all square wire can be a challenge because the square likes to get off square. When I do use square, I use 2 square, 2 round. Makes it easier. The bail has that "messy" look that a lot of people LOVE, so I wouldn't even be worried about that (if you were). People do it on purpose. In all honesty- your wrap looks pretty good. There is nothing there that says to me that practice would not help. You actually DO have some control over the wire. I can see that clearly. Square is a challenge to keep right and you did a good job with that. Having said all that, I realize that wrapping is not something for everyone. You obviously love doing the metal work more. I won't push you. But, if you do want to keep trying wrapping- I see no reason why you can't be a complete success at it. Yeah , what she said . I think it all is very nice work |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jan 27, 2017 11:08:01 GMT -5
Get it on garage. Seeds of a master.
Love the Sci Fi bangles.
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Post by Pat on Jan 27, 2017 11:14:45 GMT -5
You done good! All winners! |
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Jan 27, 2017 11:30:00 GMT -5
Your metal work is very good. Take it the next level and make your own ear wires too.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 11:36:54 GMT -5
MAN! Your metal work is out the door! Love it! Doesn't look newbie, at all. Big props! As to the wrapping. I love the design, very good idea and execution. I can offer some suggestions as to your problems. Looks like you are using half round (?) but it looks inside out. Did you put it on backwards? It looks like, what? 2 wires? three? For that wrap, I would use 4. That way you would have some wire on that bare corner. Have you sanded your pliers edges? It will really help with scratches and nicks. Using all square wire can be a challenge because the square likes to get off square. When I do use square, I use 2 square, 2 round. Makes it easier. The bail has that "messy" look that a lot of people LOVE, so I wouldn't even be worried about that (if you were). People do it on purpose. In all honesty- your wrap looks pretty good. There is nothing there that says to me that practice would not help. You actually DO have some control over the wire. I can see that clearly. Square is a challenge to keep right and you did a good job with that. Having said all that, I realize that wrapping is not something for everyone. You obviously love doing the metal work more. I won't push you. But, if you do want to keep trying wrapping- I see no reason why you can't be a complete success at it. Thanks Tela, I saw plenty wrong with it too. Ha! I did use half round, but had trouble even telling which side was up. By the time I got there, I had already threatened to throw it all away a few times. I didn't really care so much as long as I could say I finished it. I had forgotten that the last time I tried with square wire was a nightmare as well. Fighting that twist was a big problem. The bail has that messy look because, well, that's what I'm capable of right now.  And by that point, I just wanted it out of my hands. I have a hard time managing the two wires I used, I can't figure out how to handle everything that doesn't feel clumsy as hell. Is using four wires going to be twice the headache for me? IF I torture myself some more, I would definitely try round wire. I need to look at some BASIC wraps for ideas I might be able to handle. And I'll sand those pliers. Thanks again for the suggestions, I really would like to be able to put a decent wrap on my tumbled stones (in under two hours). I need a valium before I start another one though, don't want to blow a gasket. |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 11:40:25 GMT -5
Your metal work is very good. Take it the next level and make your own ear wires too. Thanks! I ordered those before I realized that it would be easy enough to do. Those are niobium, is there any wire that is better than others for that? Or better yet, is there anything I shouldn't use? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 27, 2017 11:44:15 GMT -5
MAN! Your metal work is out the door! Love it! Doesn't look newbie, at all. Big props! As to the wrapping. I love the design, very good idea and execution. I can offer some suggestions as to your problems. Looks like you are using half round (?) but it looks inside out. Did you put it on backwards? It looks like, what? 2 wires? three? For that wrap, I would use 4. That way you would have some wire on that bare corner. Have you sanded your pliers edges? It will really help with scratches and nicks. Using all square wire can be a challenge because the square likes to get off square. When I do use square, I use 2 square, 2 round. Makes it easier. The bail has that "messy" look that a lot of people LOVE, so I wouldn't even be worried about that (if you were). People do it on purpose. In all honesty- your wrap looks pretty good. There is nothing there that says to me that practice would not help. You actually DO have some control over the wire. I can see that clearly. Square is a challenge to keep right and you did a good job with that. Having said all that, I realize that wrapping is not something for everyone. You obviously love doing the metal work more. I won't push you. But, if you do want to keep trying wrapping- I see no reason why you can't be a complete success at it. Thanks Tela, I saw plenty wrong with it too. Ha! I did use half round, but had trouble even telling which side was up. By the time I got there, I had already threatened to throw it all away a few times. I didn't really care so much as long as I could say I finished it. I had forgotten that the last time I tried with square wire was a nightmare as well. Fighting that twist was a big problem. The bail has that messy look because, well, that's what I'm capable of right now. And by that point, I just wanted it out of my hands. I have a hard time managing the two wires I used, I can't figure out how to handle everything that doesn't feel clumsy as hell. Is using four wires going to be twice the headache for me? IF I torture myself some more, I would definitely try round wire. I need to look at some BASIC wraps for ideas I might be able to handle. And I'll sand those pliers. Thanks again for the suggestions, I really would like to be able to put a decent wrap on my tumbled stones (in under two hours). I need a valium before I start another one though, don't want to blow a gasket. 2 wires is very difficult to work for a decent wrap. A minimum should be 3. I almost always use 4. I just like the look better- 3 is fine. Using more wires will probably be easier for you. Find the middle of your bundle, wrap with 1/2 round (use some reader glasses from the grocery store, if you need to) about 3 to 5 times depending on the stone. Once you have a nice neat bundle, it is much easier to control the wire as a group. I also tape my ends together. I don't always need to - it's just a good habit, I think. Try 2 square with a round in the middle (or reversed). Make sure they are the same hardness, though, or you will have trouble. What hardness are you using now? |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 27, 2017 11:44:29 GMT -5
Awesome looking design on the etchings. Do you use the laser printer method on all or are some hand drawn? All of the earrings hand cut with a jewelers saw or prefabbed blanks? Drilled holes or punched? Sorry for all the questions but I was just working on some etched pendants last night myself.
I had the same frustrations in the early stages of wire wrapping. My advice to you is to listen to what Tela tells you.
Chuck
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Jan 27, 2017 11:47:11 GMT -5
Your metal work is very good. Take it the next level and make your own ear wires too. Thanks! I ordered those before I realized that it would be easy enough to do. Those are niobium, is there any wire that is better than others for that? Or better yet, is there anything I shouldn't use? Sterling round wire for a cool tone option, 14k gold fill round for a warm tone option. Those Niobium wires are nice too, but having hand made findings instead of manufactured ones will help elevate your work. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 27, 2017 11:51:16 GMT -5
I love the niobium for copper earrings because I can get them in a patina color and they are hypoallergenic, whereas the patinaed copper can irritate the ear. I like 20g round silver for earwires. Easy to do and then you can say it is all handmade- plus you will save a ton of $. Just look for the tutes online and don't forget that you have to do the little hammering bit on them for strength.
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Post by roy on Jan 27, 2017 11:53:18 GMT -5
lookin good to me wow!!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 12:05:02 GMT -5
Make sure they are the same hardness, though, or you will have trouble. What hardness are you using now? I have some dead soft and half hard. I believe I used the dead soft. Couldn't be sure.  |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 12:06:45 GMT -5
I love the niobium for copper earrings because I can get them in a patina color and they are hypoallergenic, whereas the patinaed copper can irritate the ear. I like 20g round silver for earwires. Easy to do and then you can say it is all handmade- plus you will save a ton of $. Just look for the tutes online and don't forget that you have to do the little hammering bit on them for strength. Good, I have some 20g round silver on the way. Thx! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 27, 2017 12:11:31 GMT -5
1/2 hard is probably going to be easiest for you to use. I makes much better bends. Soft is more of a challenge and doesn't hold it's shape as well.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 27, 2017 12:35:06 GMT -5
Awesome looking design on the etchings. Do you use the laser printer method on all or are some hand drawn? All of the earrings hand cut with a jewelers saw or prefabbed blanks? Drilled holes or punched? Sorry for all the questions but I was just working on some etched pendants last night myself. I had the same frustrations in the early stages of wire wrapping. My advice to you is to listen to what Tela tells you. Chuck I haven't used the toner method yet, I started simple. Most of mine are just drawn with the sharpie. I did use a couple stamps, like the soccer ball and the earrings with the timepieces on them. I used blanks on most of the earrings, the long rectangular ones being the exception. I ordered it all at the same time to see what I liked working with best. The blanks came first and the sheets came later. I like sheets better and will be cutting more with the jewelers saw. Most of the blanks I ordered were pre-drilled and the others were drilled with the dremel, after using a center punch. This was my first go around with all this and was using tools, materials and chemicals I've never dealt with before. A lot of experimentation to see what works and what doesn't. Just keeping up with the sequence of events was tough...designing, cutting, stamping or drawing, etching, filing, sanding, tumbling, patina, polish...did I leave anything out?
You and Tela got me interested in the etching. Saw the pendant you and your son made for your wife and all Tela's work and decided I wanted to give it a try.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Jan 27, 2017 14:37:19 GMT -5
A lot of fine work , your wrap is great very nice don't give up challenge your self makes a healthy mind, I'm blown away your talents are great all a round, great job!
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Jan 31, 2017 20:54:15 GMT -5
Love the metal work. Great job.
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) wrap last night. Just so I could say I gave it another try. Been about 4 months since the last one. Can you say you're rusty if you never 'had it'?
Big props! 
And by that point, I just wanted it out of my hands. I have a hard time managing the two wires I used, I can't figure out how to handle everything that doesn't feel clumsy as hell. Is using four wires going to be twice the headache for me? IF I torture myself some more, I would definitely try round wire. I need to look at some BASIC wraps for ideas I might be able to handle. And I'll sand those pliers. Thanks again for the suggestions, I really would like to be able to put a decent wrap on my tumbled stones (in under two hours). I need a valium before I start another one though, don't want to blow a gasket. 
