Category Archives: Wire Work

Earrings, Metal Work, Wire Work

Suntan for Copper

earrings

Today, I watched a video on  www.cooltools.us demonstrating how to patina metal. Although it was likely designed to introduce customers to their new Patina Gel, the two part video was informative and did what good lessons should. It both confirmed things I already knew while also adding new information. Of course the video also did what it was designed to do; it caused me to want to order their product. Yet, I resisted and used some of my remaining liquid liver of sulfur to patina the above pictured earrings.

It’s interesting to view how various factors effect the look achieved from the patina process. It seems to me that its a bit like getting a suntan. The longer the metal remains in the liver of sulfur solution, the darker it becomes. That works for most people who are getting a suntan and get darker the more time they spend in the sun. That’s true unless you overdo it and turn red. Then you wait for that sunburn to peel before getting your natural color back. If you leave the metal in the patina too long, it turns so dark that you have to sand and polish (peel) until you recognize the metal again.

At my age, the word suntan congers up pictures of dry, wrinkled skin and reminds me of the threat of skin cancer. While giving metal a suntan also has unpleasantries, (the liver of sulfur smells bad) it’s the only type tanning I’ll be doing this summer. Isn’t it nice that in this 106 degree weather we can tan indoors?

Creativity, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work

Look for Connections

I’m still “gone to the dogs” today. doggie Dovetails sent the dog in the picture home with me to use for a necklace. The dog is a pin and we thought it might be cute in another design. Sherry, from my wire work group, showed me how to create a wire coil with loops that will fit around the pin for attaching it. Thanks Sherry!

After finishing the doggie necklace, complete with handmade copper wire dog bones, I donned it to be sure it would hang correctly. OOPS! That silly little dog wanted to flip over and lay on it’s stomach. Now What? 

I had been to the Bead Jamboree in San Antonio and talked with a vendor selling plated charms, etc. She showed me how she glued filigrees on to the back of the charms that didn’t have holes in order to make a hanger. I more or less disregarded her suggestion thinking I would just drill a hole for the hangers I needed. But, when that puppy did its flip, I realized that her idea might be golden. back dog Using E 6000 glue, I attached the dog pin to the handmade filigree and “hurray” now he’s a dog on his feet.

While I can’t proclaim that this is a major “aha” and some would say it was obvious all along, I do know that we must remain open to connections. Although I often disregard a technique someone it showing me, I do try to pay attention and store it in the back of my mind. You just never know when someone’s idea can be adapted to your own problem.

I guess that’s really what listening is all about – making connections for the now or for the future. Part of listening is honoring the person who is talking by giving him or her your attention. I’ve always thought it was my job to applaud the person for their discovery even if I didn’t value it for myself. Yet, someone else’s idea may later combine with your own adaptation when you least expect it.

Just think about the Wright Brothers who could fly their plane, but couldn’t make it turn. Watching an eagle tip its wings one day while making a turn is said to have provided them with the idea for making that first airplane turn. I’m sure glad they were paying attention or we all might be flying straight into mountains were it not for that great connection.

I’m looking forward to using this technique again on the bird pin that’s next on the queue. We’ll see what hatches.

By the way, you’ll soon find these necklaces at Dovetail of Wimberley just waiting to be adopted.

Diversions, Necklaces, Pendants, Wire Work

Listen to Your Mother

I heard this repeatedly as I was growing up, but thought I was past it since my Mom is 88 and I’m . . . growing out instead of up. Last week, however, I realized my Mom still has her bluff in on me. During a nursing home visit, I mentioned that a group of beaders was coming to my house the next day to work on some things. Mamaw immediately said, “what are you going to feed them?” “They’re not coming to eat.” I said. “They’re coming to work on jewelry.” “Well,” she replied, “I’ve found that things always go better with food.” I left the nursing home determined not to pay attention browniesto her suggestion, but in the end . . . I could say the pictured brownies just happened to be left over from the group of men I fed at lunch that same day, but that might be a big story. I guess I’m still doing what my Mother says.

During the same visit, several folks stopped by to speak to us at the table where I was working on some copper neckwires. I noticed Mamaw was real quiet and after everyone had moved on she reported, “I didn’t want to tell anyone, but those really aren’t very comfortable.” I truly disagree and love to wear my neckwires in various shapes, but I didn’t argue and won’t be making her any more in that style. Perhaps she will prefer one of the pieces pictured below. turq and onyx        Steven's rock

Today, while discussing my upcoming trip to Atlanta to visit our first grandchild who is 4 months old, Mother said, “hug that boy for me.” I DO plan to listen to my Mother about regarding that suggestion!

Creativity, Necklaces, Techniques, Wire Work

How Many Ways?

Working on another chain project today, I kept asking myself “how many ways” can you curl the wire to make links? This phrase came from my mouth hundreds of times as a teacher, professor, and consultant trying to get others to think creatively. The question is basic to both fluent and flexible thinking. When working on creative fluency, we try to come up with as many answers as possible to the problem posed, in this case the straight piece of wire that needed to curl. During the fluency stage of problem solving, it doesn’t matter whether or not the posed solution is plausible or far fetched. The goal is simply to produce as many ideas as we can. Since I didn’t want my chain necklace to look uniform or to have a pattern, I continually asked how many ways I could produce the links. littlebirdlink Once I had completed the links, I then asked which ones could actually be used and eliminated the others. This is one of the judgment stages of problem solving when convergent thinking is required. If we judge too soon, however, often good adaptable ideas are thrown out without being given a chance to develop.

The top link in this first photo is the regular S shape common in wire work. The middle link ended as an S, but began in another shape and the bird shape at the end happened accidentally. I used variations of these shapes through the rest of the necklace as shown in the picture of the entire necklace. I needed some good flexible thinkinglittlebird to make variations in the bird shape and you can see that some have upturned tail feathers while others are plain. The beads on this piece are also interesting. The vendor who sold them to me said they were made by Monks. They appear to be some type of clay.

 

bigbird

The lower picture shows a different necklace with more variations on the shapes of the links. It has various shaped coral, tiger eye, or carnelian gemstones in some of the links. This necklace is made of heavier, recycled wire while the necklace in the upper pictures is made of 18 and 20 gauge wire. If you make any of these, I suggest doing it in stages. I made most of the links in one day and my sore hands are not at all happy. That said, the fluency stage should happen all at once due to the natural production of ideas. Usually, there is a burst of ideas in the beginning (often the most common solutions), followed by a brief slow down and then the production of the most unique ideas. You wouldn’t want to quit right before those great ideas hatch!

Philosophy, Techniques, Wire Work

Awakening Beginner’s Mind


The title for today’s entry is not originally mine. It comes from a chapter in The Mindful Woman by Thoele. She discusses how healthy children demonstrate excitement and take the time to be truly present in each new experience. As adults, it seems the beginner’s mind leaves us in the midst of multitasking, tedium, and repetitive living. I wonder if we could change that?

While many of us find our beginner’s mind with brand new experiences, I was reminded yesterday of the awakening when adding a new dimension to a previously learned task. My friend was here (thanks Szarka) and helped me practice making better wrapped wire loops for my jewelry. If you are a wire worker, you’re probably laughing and wondering how this simple task could help garner beginner’s mind. Let me explain. My wire loops have been terrible for years. Since I didn’t know any better, I wasn’t concerned until my friend began inspecting things (in a kind way of course). Then I realized there must be more than crooked misshaped loops and scratchy ends. Rather than feeling like a failure after my friend helped me, I tackled those loops with enthusiasm. As long as I looked for improvement rather than mistakes, my beginner’s mind was active and I was enthusiastic. I can’t say that the picture herein shows perfect loops, but it does show improved loops. Luckily, I need to make many more loops to complete this necklace; so I’ll get plenty of practice. While I used to think that I had to learn a completely new skill to engage my beginner’s mind, thankfully, I now realize that loopsisn’t always necessary.

Drawing upon what I know about brain development, each person’s understanding of how to awaken their own beginner’s mind may be more important than we realize. Many researchers tell us that the dendrites in the brain which can branch to form new neural connections branch solely when we are involved with new, active, challenging learning in a risk free environment. Doesn’t that occur when we move forward from experiences in our beginner’s mind. In my case, beginning and branching dendrites also seems to bring joy.

Consider the difference in those who are elderly. Some are still pleased with life and interested in reading, working puzzles, playing games, etc. Others, however, are no longer engaged with life. Some of this variance results from health and/or emotional issues, but much of it is a matter of stimulation and brain engagement. My Mother, for example, once despondent, confused, and uninterested in life, is now a bridge-playing, piano player who reads constantly and is ready to get a move on at 88 years of age. The difference came as she left a solitary home life, moved to a nursing home and became stimulated and challenged along with others her age.

We are told that our dendrites can continue to branch into our 80s and 90s. Hooray! There’s still time to make those connections. I believe I’ll continue to seek activities that engage my beginner’s mind and hope for the best!

Pendants, Wire Work

Laugh

The last few blogs have been pretty solemn; therefore I can’t resist putting up the picture below. Late last night when I finished stringing several necklaces, a few moments of work time remained. The only thing immediately available was a group of small rocks and wire. Wrapping seemed appropriate.

If you know me, you would probably acknowledge that I’m a planner. I like order in my clutter, but have worked for years to be more free thinking. That’s what I really enjoy about the design work. Whether appropriate or not, I try to keep from over planning. Last night, however, a little planning might have helped.

Things were going “so so” until I got to the last rock. It just wouldn’t do anything. The back of it was flat, but the alternate side was raised to a triangular shape in the middle. Of course the wire slipped off of everything I tried. Being a stubborn person, I just wouldn’t give up. Finally, the wire work developed into the beady-eyed fellow in the middle of the picture. All I could do was laugh and head for bed. I’m still laughing at this little guy with the funny hat.

I’m also amused that as I’ve worked this morning, the radio has continued to play Bob Dylan selections since his 68th birthday is tomorrow. Do you think this fits??? monster I wouldn’t want to insult Dylan or his music, but perhaps from time to time he, too, may have been beady-eyed. What do you think? Laugh with me!

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, Techniques, Wire Work

Work Hardened

 hardened

As I learn about metal and wire work, the term work hardened arises often. It’s the idea of manipulating and/or hammering a piece until is becomes more hardened or brittle. When a piece is hardened just right, it helps it retain its shape and stability. I’ve learned the hard way that too much manipulation of a piece of wire makes it more difficult to bend. This is not unlike over doing when we exercise our bodies. I’m also learning that I shouldn’t hammer a piece too early in the design process, but rather wait until I have the shape I want. The best part is that I do have an excuse for pounding something. It’s great to stop in the middle of a frustrating day and just whack away!

This process is not unlike what is currently occurring here at the ranch. It’s been an exciting couple of weeks at Dreamcatcher. Each May, our bulls arrive back home from their feed test after spending the winter months at another location. We send them away as big calves and they arrive back as big bulls. I enjoy sitting at the very top of a fence watching these magnificent beasts come off the truck and back into our pasture. I never cease to be shocked at the change they make in just a few short months. The goal of the feed test is for the bulls to eat and grow; therefore they mainly just stand around and eat from the bunks. We can’t sell them to our customers at this point because they would melt if they had to work. These 110+ bulls get a rude awakening when they come back home. While they have delicious grass to eat in the pasture at the bottom of a hill, their water is at the top of that rocky hill. Since they’ve just been standing on flat ground eating during the winter, the climb to the top of that hill and back down is monumental, but important.

work hard bulls

Through this exercise, the bull’s hooves become hardened and their bodies become muscular. While the climb by the complaining bulls is currently precipitated by a barking, nipping blue heeler, a honking jeep and yelling people, in a few short weeks it will be easy and they will go willingly. As they become work hardened, they will be ready to serve our customers.

While there probably should be a third picture to this blog, I’ll refrain from inserting it. People seem to also get work hardened in both positive and negative ways. Are the wrinkles on my face a result of this process? Has the optimism we became accustomed to during prosperous economic times been work hardened with the current economic drop? If the analogy derived from both the metal work and the conditioning by design of our bulls applies to our economy, becoming work hardened could be a good thing. As with the wire work, will the resulting economy be more stable? Will we take more time to make important decisions? As with the bulls, will becoming work hardened make us better prepared for the future? Let’s just hope so.

Belts, Metal Work, Wire Work

Belted Perseverance

copperbelt

Finally! For several weeks I’ve been attempting to make a copper belt. I could show pictures of all the different prototypes, but then there would be no room for words in this entry. The belt idea began when I worked diligently to create a long necklace of different shaped hammered copper links. The necklace grew too long and I tried to turn it into a belt. It wasn’t bad, but needed a few modifications. Unfortunately, I would rather make something new than fix something; therefore I started another long piece of copper links for a belt. That piece actually did become a long necklace.

Eventually, after examining one of my purchased older silver Concho belts I attempted a modification of that design. I’ve always felt the Concho belts were a bit uncomfortable in the back; so this copper belt has just a few ovals and those in the back are small. I added the turquoise on a few ovals for interest and put some dangles at the end. The large hook clasp and open links allow for the belt to be attached at various places. I used a heavy copper wire from the recycling establishment for the links and hand cut the ovals from a sheet of copper. Also, I spent a good deal of time filing and sanding since I didn’t want the belt to snag on clothing. The next one will have a second hook clasp on the opposite end from the first so that part of the belt can be doubled. I can visualize it made from different shapes and/or different stones.

Now that I have the belt ready for creating variations, what shall I do to create a tiny waist and flat stomach for it to adorn?

Metal Work, Pendants, Philosophy, Wire Work

Pearl Pod Patience

 

Pods are a popular form in metal work, but my modified pod podrefused to develop. Several month ago, I made the metal pod and tried to fill it, but nothing seemed to work. Inclined to pitch it in that big round file cabinet (the waste basket), I decided to remain patient and hope for the light. Last night, after looking at the June Bead and Button issue and examining the work on page 63, I nurtured that pod again. It’s getting better even if it’s not perfect.

I am not a patient person! I enjoy the process of creating more than the pleasure of looking at or wearing the finished product. Therefore, my tendency is to throw away things that don’t work and move on. Lately, however, I’ve been trying to remember that “patience is a virtue” and allow pieces to wait for their time. Inspiration appears from strange places and the beginning of an idea may require impetus from something at a later date in order to reach design completion.

Artists often keep a sketch notebook housing ideas to which they want to return. As a composer, I kept a file filled with manuscript paper containing a few measures of a musical motif. It would seem that unfinished objects, like the pod, need to reside in an idea box so the designer can return to them later. I have an idea bin, but during irrational moments (usually when someone is coming to visit and I’m straightening the studio), I often throw away its entire contents. While some of my objects need to go to that happy object place in the sky, others do not and a little design wisdom is all that I need. Unfortunately, there’s still the problem of knowing what to pitch and what to keep. Maybe one day I’ll be struck with both patience and wisdom. At the least, I can hope.

Metal Work, Necklaces, Philosophy, Techniques, Wire Work

Challenging Neck Armor

Today is the posting date for pictures of designs completed in a Yahoo group to which I belong (Wire_Wrap_Texas@yahoogroups.com) About a month ago, those who participated in the group’s challenge received a small package of beads with which we were to complete a project. Basically the only stipulation was to use most of the beads and include some wire work. The package contained a few glass beads, rounds, copper spacers, a small black donut and a large crystal nugget. The latter two didn’t seem to fit with the others and the challenge began! Being majorly compulsive, I wanted to dive right in when the beads arrived, but made myself leave them alone. I lay them out in a saucer on my desk and peered at them for a week or so while repeating, “incubation is a good thing.”

Part of my goal with the challenge was to combine multiple elements of metal and wire with more delicate seed bead work. At first, I envisioned a netting of tiny seed beads covering the crystal nugget and providing some color. While this worked well, and I now know how to do this, the crystal still didn’t fit with the other beads. I added a pewter butterfly and some ribbon and gradually, things grew worse! PICT05539 Laying it aside, I picked up that black donut. “Now what?” I wound ribbon around it, wrapped this with 24 gauge copper wire and finally embellished it with a bit of seed bead embroidery. I also created several different sizes of wrapped rings to go with this one and hung the ugly crystal inside the largest circle. Using wire links to put the necklace together it looked great in my mind but pretty yucky in real life. Would I post a picture of this one challenge day? Definitely not!

Finally, feeling that I had been challenged enough, I designed a moon shaped copper piece cut from sheet metal and hung dangles from the holes I drilled. The seed bead embellished donut now hangs from the center of the piece and the crystal nugget? Oh dear, . . . I must have lost it somewhere! PICT0548

Did I learn anything from this challenge? You bet!

· I learned that my skills do not always enable me to make what I see in my mind.

· I have again confirmed that too much embellishment, as in the case of the crystal nugget, can ruin a piece.

· I learned how to cover beads with netting and how to change the look of a form with ribbon and wire to create a unique pendant or link for a strand.

· I realized that incubation and resistance to closure is still hard for me even though I continue trying to improve.

· I am reminded that there is a certain level of frustration in a challenging situation that is good and propels us, while too much frustration inhibits progress. It’s a delicate balance and the physical and emotional place we are in at the time of the challenge greatly affects the rigor we can handle. I believe that we each have to learn what level helps us grow and branch new dendrites.

· Lastly, I learned that I like having friends who support my learning.