Wire beading

[rhienelleth]

Remember how I said I took a basic wire class w/my sister?  Well, wire working is really, really fun.  I have fallen completely in love with it, and am now working out how to make my own clasps, earwires and even headpins from sterling and gold fill wire, for half the cost of buying these things ready made.  (Considering how high the price of silver alone has risen lately, this whole cost effective thing holds a great deal of appeal.)

My very first wire project, a bracelet done with some cute summery colored lampwork beads (mass produced in China, not the expensive artisan kind) and silver plate wire (I'm not about to use real sterling or gold fill on my first few pieces, we'll call them 'practice pieces'.)  I shaped and made the clasp (the most dificult part), though I think next time I'll need to use heavier gauge wire.  Even with hardening, this one still bends a little too easily. 

I apologize in advance for the huge shadows in the pics.  I took these outside, and the sun was setting. 

Also, I am in need of someone available to do a really quick turnaround beta for a Firefly/Serenity fic this evening.  It's Mal/Inara, though pretty much everyone at least makes an appearance. :)  Post-Serenity. 

Along the same lines, I'm still searching for a couple of Chinese phrases.  I've got a couple of people I'll be hitting up for translations, and hopefully all will then be well.

Comments

[shadawyn.livejournal.com]

That's really really pretty!

I still need to order my beads...

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

I am on a bead budget! I only got these because of some stuff I sold, so my paypal account had $ in it that had nothing to do with our regular account $$. And they were really cheap. My sister paid for the wire class, cause she wanted me to go with her (though it wasn't very expensive). I've got a couple of bucks set aside for the bead show this weekend, but other than that, I am seriously strapped for bead $$. Still giving thought to trying to sell a few things (obviously not the 'practice pieces') to help support my new habit, but I feel kind of strange about that, like why would anyone want to buy stuff I made, vs. stuff from a store? And I wouldn't have a clue where to begin, anyway.

[shadawyn.livejournal.com]

Because you can make custom, one-of-a-kind jewelry just for them ;)

Some people like stuff actually made by people, not machines. Or humans that are treated like machines. It's ever cooler when it's people they know.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

You make interesting and good points. :) I'm making Christmas gifts for all my girlfriends this year, and that amounts to the same thing, I suppose.

[shadawyn.livejournal.com]

I'm planning on doing Christmas presents and birthday presents the female friends, too.

Of course, I have to actually get started :P

Maybe once our Internet is back...

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Nicely done!

I've avoided serious wire work so far - I can do somethings, but not others. I'm a bit of a perfectionist for wire work. Of course I have this need to re-invent the wheel on a regular basis.

Beading is expensive, and I've never gotten around to selling any of my pieces, so I can't help you there.

I could read the fan fic - today - but I don't know if I fit the bill for what you are looking for in a beta reader. Since I'm not a writer and all. I am familiar with Firefly and Serenity though.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Absolutely you fit the bill! A discerning reader is often much more helpful than another writer in beta reading. :) I'll e-mail you with it when I've finished polishing (and translating).

I wish I was better than I am at wire work, but as the lady who taught the class said, you only get better with practice. I'd like to take another class on more advanced techniques once I feel pretty confident with these.

[sekhmets-temple.livejournal.com]

Ooh, pretty! The colours are lovely.

[fatema.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! That's very gorgeous! It looks so professional and beautiful! What a fun hobby. :)