Jewelry Making and Beading Blog - Comments

beadjewelry comments on Maintaining a rotary tumbler - and polishing precautions

beadjewelry — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:27:50 +0000

Hi Sheryll,

When you can't use a tumbler, unfortunately the best you can do is either be careful about hamming the wire so as not to break the bead, or switch to a harder wire. Of course, the trade off with harder wire is that it's more difficult to bend, but it might be worth experimenting to see if it works for you. For example, instead of using "dead soft" wire, you could try "half hard" wire.

If you're having problems with your wire shapes bending or loops opening, you can also try reducing their size, so that you're making smaller rings and loops that are less likely to lose their shape.

Thank you for commenting on the beadwork book ~ I'm so glad you're finding it helpful. :)

Chris

Charming Charms! comments on The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts

Charming Charms! — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:43:05 +0000

I like the low-stress angle Chris. As a long-time beader, that's exactly what I want to hear. Look forward to getting my hands on this book.

Charming Charms!
http://charmingcharmsblog.blogspot.com/

Sheryll Ryan comments on Maintaining a rotary tumbler - and polishing precautions

Sheryll Ryan — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:07:53 +0000

Chris, your articles on using a tumbler were very helpful. My primary reason for investigating a tumbler is to work harden the silver and gold filled components I use in my jewelry. Using a chasing hammer is awkward if there is a glass bead attached near the geometric silver shape I'm work hardening. To make this a little clearer-- on a 6-7" piece of silver wire I create a coiled or other shape, string a lampwork bead, then end with another geometric shape to complete a "component" that is then attached to other components.

I understand that putting lampwork and other types of beads in the tumbler can crack them. Can you tell me what you recommend in this situation?

BTW, I love "Teach Yourself Visually Beadwork" -- well done.

Thanks,
Sheryll

beadjewelry comments on The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts

beadjewelry — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:17:18 +0000

Thank you, Dennis! :)

Dennis Gold comments on The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts

Dennis Gold — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:22:42 +0000

I know someone in my house who will be getting this book for their birthday. Keep up the great work!

cici comments on Celebrate spring with a stoneware porcelain pendant

cici — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:40:49 +0000

Wonderful article!
Nice pendant!

Mariana Torrellas comments on Refugee crafts project helps newly arrived women through crafts

Mariana Torrellas — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:51:00 +0000

Hola, estoy comenzando el negocio del alambrismo, si pudiera, me gustaria que me orientara. Gracias!

Judy comments on So how do you darken brass?

Judy — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:53:09 +0000

Thanks for the step-by-step! I really like Persona's antique tarnished beads (http://www.personaworld.com/build.php). But I would love to build my own someday too!

Thanks,
Judy

AnaVar comments on Buying for the beginning wire jewelry crafter

AnaVar — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:00:16 +0000

Hi! I just found your blog, and reading older posts.. I love your work! I'm making first steps learning how to make beaded jewelry and your blog is full of information I need! Have to go through briefly!

Melissa comments on Buying for the beginning wire jewelry crafter

Melissa — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:29:21 +0000

Great article. This is exactly what I was looking for to start making jewelry. Thanks.