Week 31 - MONOGRAMS

Well, we more or less hit the theme this week - albeit a couple of days late.....
This piece actually serves absolutely no useful purpose whatsoever. I suppose I could use it as a key-ring thingy. It ended up waaaaay bigger than I intended! It would probably make a lethal weapon on the end of a bunch of keys...lol.
The "L" is made from 12 gauge copper, the frame is 16 gauge and it is wrapped with 24 gauge.
I dinged the wire up a fair bit while making this so that is why I have used a sort of brushed look on the initial. That was done with the grinding stone whatsit that goes on a rotary tool - what a brilliant li'l critter that one is!!!

Week 30 - ALL IN THE DETAILS

This week I decided to try something I have been wanting to do for ages. I found a tutorial "somewhere" (& haven't been able to find it since!) on how to do a tree of life.
Well, this is my one & only effort at it! I am quite happy with how it came out, but I definately won't be in a hurry to go down that road again. When I first saw it I thought - OK, I can do that! Boy, was this fiddly!!! I have new-found respect for those that do these more often than once - & as to making a matching pair - I don't think so........lol...
The other thing I have discovered - I have a lot of trouble with asymmetrical things - I really do like pieces to balance......
I have used 18g. wire for the framework & wrapped, twisted and woven with 26g. I have used the tiniest little antique seed beads to add a bit of interest. I made the frame for this a sort of oval/rectangle just so it could be just a bit different.

Week 29 - AFTERNOON DELIGHT

This week I recieved 2 new books from Amazon :- Bead & Wire art jewelry & Contemporary Bead & Wire Jewelry. After a bit of discussion on the forum, I am inclined to disagree with the general opinion that both of these books would be good for someone just starting out. Bead & Wire has ommissions in the instructions and is a bit obscure in places! If you didn't have a fairly good working knowledge of what you were about - you'd be stuffed! It's got some great design ideas though......
On the other hand Contemporay Bead & Wire is a gem! It is very easy to follow and all the artists featured definately know what they're about - I love this book!
That being said, this idea came from the Bead & Wire jewelry book. I've used copper for this one - 'coz it was all I had to play around with. I have made this in a much heavier gauge than recommended, but I am more than happy with how it turned out - it was a fun piece to make. I will definately be "playing" with more of the same in the near future. I think I'd even like this without the beads!

Week 28 - GOLDEN FANTASY

My piece for this week is another necklace - this time using G.F. wire.
Fantasy = Dreaming = what I'm guilty of using this wire. 'Tis a bit mangled in places - definately too heavy-handed here I think!!! G.F. is very soft!
Never-the-less, I'm quite happy with the overall look of this piece. Technique sucks - but you live & learn.....
I've coiled little Matsuno seed beads , in a glorious bronzey/copper colour, added Swaros in a golden topaz sort of colour & have used some really nice big clunkers in I don't know what ( anyone have any ideas?).