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Post by Cher on Apr 26, 2005 13:14:01 GMT -5
I tried my hand at making some of the ball point pen earrings, its sure not as easy as she made it seem. That was a terrific link though, lots of neat stuff and info. Anyway, I'm having a heck of a time finding something that shows them really well ... I mean the color for the background. This was the best pic I could come up with so far. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I also tried sky blue, white and brown. I'm thinking flat black might be best but I couldn't find anything that wasn't too washed out looking. These are Amethyst Swarovski crystals with Malaysian Jade beads and about 2 1/2 inches from top of earwire to bottom.  Thanks for looking, Cher |
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Apr 26, 2005 13:43:16 GMT -5
Those are very nice, would you call this wire wrap?
csroc
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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 26, 2005 13:53:12 GMT -5
Gee Cher are you tracking my internet sites? I was just looking at that this morning - was wondering how to get the curled wire onto my ears *hangs head in shame* Those are really nice  I really like them, check out the heart pendants, they're really nice too! |
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Post by Cher on Apr 26, 2005 14:26:40 GMT -5
LOL Tweet, I was wondering the same thing. From the impression I got, they could be just twisted in but I knew my mother wouldn't like that so I had to try and fix a way to hook the earwires on. I'll have to check out those heart pendants too, I've looked through a bunch of stuff, it's nice.
Chas ... yup, these are wire wraps.
Cher
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 26, 2005 14:52:23 GMT -5
interesting, why are they called ball point pen earrings? am i missing something?
KD
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Post by Cher on Apr 26, 2005 15:24:16 GMT -5
interesting, why are they called ball point pen earrings? am i missing something? KD You use the case of a ball point pen to make them. The center piece goes down into the pen then the rest is swirled around it. I had to do quite a bit of adjusting to get the center to stay straight, especially after I curled the end to hold the beads on. Cher |
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Post by Alice on Apr 26, 2005 15:30:09 GMT -5
That's a pretty cleaver idea to make earrings (use a pen tube).
Great job Cher!
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Post by rockyraccoon on Apr 26, 2005 20:31:19 GMT -5
great job cher! where is this link  . kim |
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Post by Cher on Apr 26, 2005 21:06:22 GMT -5
It's an MSN group called Fine Wire. I can't remember but I think it was Tami that posted it, lots of great pics there, that's all I've looked at so far. And there's the tutorial for making these earrings. BTW ... I used 22 gauge half-hard wire, I don't think dead soft would work. Cher |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 27, 2005 13:27:50 GMT -5
Nice- but how can you afford that Swar Crystal- Damn that stuff aint cheap- I just put together an order for Fire mountain- Just shy of $100!!! and that is just to make some Mothers-Day necklaces! My wife shook her haed and said- NO WAY- We tried to trim it down but everything I wanted it we NEED! My wife is a school employee and summer time means NO PAYCHECKS! I told her we could probably get 25 to 30 necklaces total out of this order- maybe that will work- if not Maybe an early fathers day present for me! Dang hobby just costs too much money!
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Post by Cher on Apr 27, 2005 16:45:54 GMT -5
Buying beads is not cheap and you're right, the Swarovski's are expensive, but I didn't buy them at Fire Mountain and only bought a few. I wish I could afford to get more of them but with hubby out of work, it won't be anytime soon. I can't remember where I got them but I'll see if I can find the invoice. Cher Hey Stefan, I did some digging and found where I got them but since then I have found a place that's cheaper. $0.08 cents each, I paid $0.10 each for them ($2.59 for 24) Anyway, check out www.artbeads.com they have good prices and FREE shipping. |
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 27, 2005 18:16:14 GMT -5
buying beads ain't cheap is right!! but the flip side of that is, you need a good inventory of beads, findings, stringing stuff and glue to really be creative and make good jewelry. and of course it costs a lot just to store the stuff so it is easy to access.
time to start hitting all the garage sales, Stefan. Cookie has made some great finds that way. i'm always on the prowl for chains and clasps and interesting bits and pieces.
i rationalize some of the cost of materials when i give my handmade things as gifts, it's cash i'm not spending on something else i might buy the person. also, i get a lot of enjoyment out of this "hobby" (addiction) so even if i come close to recouping the cost of it, it's worth it to me.
hope you post some pics of these mother's day pressies, Stefan!!
KD
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Apr 27, 2005 18:26:43 GMT -5
Cher, love the earrings! And thanks for linking the Fine Wire website. I found it once before, thought I had saved it in my favs but didn't! So, now I have it again thanks to you!
Stefan, I buy my sterling and crystals from Artbeads. Less expensive than Fire Mountain. And I really like it that I can buy just one bead or 100 beads! Their shipping is fast too! Unfortunately, not a large selection of things. I got some puppy jasper, sodalite and howlite beads from them and they are really nice.
I haven't been beading for a while because I couldn't see. Had to take my glasses off to be able to see well enough and would end up with serious eye strain and a headache. Finally got to the eye doctor to get a prescription for close up work, so hopefully I will be able to see with them. Got the new glasses today and have a buckletload of new beads I need to get to work on!
llana
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 28, 2005 12:04:06 GMT -5
Hey thanks for the link- I almost have the missus talked into the Fire Mountain order- Seems she has been going through all the drilled rock pendants I've been working on and has picked out a couple that she wants done up (thanks KD you have her liking the NATURAL necklaces now) I looked at the 2 she has in mind and I don't have any glass that does them justice- then we went over the Fire Mountain stuff and she says that we are just gonna have to order it ALL! I guess our tax return is bigger than I thought?
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Post by creativeminded on Apr 28, 2005 12:52:30 GMT -5
Those are beautiful, you did a great job.
Tami
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Post by connrock on Apr 28, 2005 18:36:44 GMT -5
Cher they are great!!
I can build a machine blind folded but wire wrap,,,,
No Way !!
I envy you!
Tom
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Apr 28, 2005 22:06:53 GMT -5
Very pretty earrings. I like!
Trish
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I really like them, check out the heart pendants, they're really nice too!
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