Carry a Sketch Pad
You never know when inspiration will strike. I have always carried a small spiral notebook to jot down my to-do lists, grocery lists, and sketch my jewelry ideas. Ideas were in the front lists in the back. When purchasing these books, I tried to find those that had lines spaced one quarter inch apart to make it easier to guesstimate the size I was sketching and how it would possibly work in a finished piece. There is a lot of room in this size notebook for putting down what I was thinking at the time I was sketching. It comes in handy during construction, especially when I can't remember what I was thinking!
Instructions
Last summer, a friend of my daughter gifted me a small hand bound book he made. I LOVE it. It is thin and is the perfect size to stuff in the pocket of the small purse I carry. But the real genius of this little book is that pale grey dots mark off a quarter inch grid on each page-search Dot Graph Paper. No more annoying lines through the sketch. Of course, without the lines, I can't write in a straight line!
So, before I go to an appointment where I may have to wait for a while, I use a pencil to draw around a stone I have in my stash. Here I have the stone (purchased several years ago from wirejewelry) oriented two ways. While I am waiting, I pull this little book out and sketch in actual size what I might like to make.
So, before I go to an appointment where I may have to wait for a while, I use a pencil to draw around a stone I have in my stash. Here I have the stone (purchased several years ago from wirejewelry) oriented two ways. While I am waiting, I pull this little book out and sketch in actual size what I might like to make.
It is a good idea to keep a record of your ideas to look back on. After making a piece, put all the pertinent information on the design page, just in case you want to make a similar design in the future.
Materials
18 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-18D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $5.35
- Gold Club Price: $4.01
18 Gauge Round Dead Soft 14/20 Rose Gold Filled Wire
H6-18D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $10.80
- Gold Club Price: $8.10
25x21mm Polished Druzy
DRY-8703
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $24.00
- Gold Club Price: $18.00
25x25mm Polished Druzy
DRY-8712
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $24.00
- Gold Club Price: $18.00
Tools
WireJewelry - Essentials Jewelry Pliers Set with Case, Set of 5
G15-21
- G15-21
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $124.95
- Gold Club Price: $93.71
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): General Education
Judy Larson
Other Tips by Judy Larson
My first tip - Updated
Build A Tool Rack
Clamps for Jewelry Making
Finishing Wire Ends
Handmade Closures
Removing Tarnish From Your Jewelry
Homemade Pickle
Wire Wrapped Loops
How to Make Balled Head Pins
Lessen the Noise - Save Your Eardrums
Make a Rivet and Eyelet Tile
Two Tips for Making Pendant Bails with Craft Wire
Petal Forming on a Wood Block
Save Your Fingers while Texturing
Soldering on Copper
Sticker Templates
Using 6 Step Barrel Pliers 
Using a Center Finder
Using a Tile to Cut Rivets
Using Household Super Glue on Minor Cuts, Nicks and Scrapes
Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
Clothespin Tools
Making Decorative Granulation Beads
Using Your Hole Punch Pliers
Decorative Granulation and Beads 
How to Find and Mark the Center of a Disc.
Choosing the Right Clasp
Chunky Chain Inspiration
Tool Tip - Steampunk or Industrial Rivets 
Storing Jump Rings
Wear Your Brooches on a Neckwire
Storing Your Metal
Using Disc Cutter Shims
Conditioning a Rawhide Mallet
Flattening Metal Pieces
Quenching
Saving a Broken Solder Brick
Why I Use Solder Paste
Designing a Toggle Clasp That Works
Round Mandrels
Get the Look of Eyelets
Earring Pairs Template
Storing and Caring for Files
Open or Closed Jump RIngs on Bracelets and Necklaces
Versatile Permanent Markers
You Used What
Rescuing a Very Used Magnesia Soldering Block
Using Hole Punch Pliers
Metal Shears Care
Paperclip Earrings
Think Outside the Box - Alternative Metal Texturing
Make Stamping Metal a Bit Easier 
Stone Bezel Setting Tips
Viking Knit Tips
Using Glue Under Cabochons 
Tool Tip - Digital Pocket Scale
Repeat Performance
Another Way to Condition a Rawhide Mallet
Why You Should Take a Class
Jewelry Making Templates
Carry a Sketch Pad
Keeping Your Bracelet Focals in Place
Metal Content Stamping 
Pine Trees, Animals, and Mountains Templates 
Using Sanding Sponges and Papers
Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons
Closing Rings Tightly for Soldering
Squaring Wire Ends
Ring Mandrels
Tool Tip - Bench Brushes
Scrap Wire Twisted Rings
Tool Tip - Soft Bristle Metal Brushes
Project Multiples - Calibrated Cabochons
Mobius Pearl Drop Earrings
Copper Wire Solder
Large Dapping Punches and Alternatives 
Project Multiples - Glass Pebble Cabs
Project Storage
Tiny Bead and Findings Storage 
Working Smart
Display Trays as Storage
Making TIny Leaves
Adapting a Tutorial
Build Better Bead Storage
Using Magical Crimping Pliers
Add a Touch of Gold
Make a Lacy Argentium Scrap Metal Sheet
Birch Bark Texture
Versatile Snap-on Bails
Bead Cap Primer
Using Glue Sticks with Printed Templates
Choosing a Lake or Riverstone
Do a Facebook Collaboration
Shielding a Jewelry Piece When Stone Setting 
Some Ideas Are Right in Front of You
Curving and Scrolling Wire
Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work
Cutting Wire Multiples of the Same Length
Separating Distinct Textures on a Single Piece of Metal
Changing the Size of a Pearl
Easy Ring Cleaning
Add a Bit of Dimension
Keeping Projects Separate
Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads
Unexpected Jewels
Saws and Turning Radius
Flattening Metal Pieces
Mobius Ring Spacers
Filing Angled Wires in a Jig
Storing Handmade Elements
Simple Way to Straighten Wire
Two Ways to Make Simple Loops
Making Simple Eyepins
Using Fun Tak as a Resist
Why Use a Binder to Store Embellishments
Storing Dapping Blocks and Punches
Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings
Enlarging a Bezel
Leaf Inspirations
Earring Findings for Different Ages
Accidentally Learning Something New
Fusing Jump Rings
Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe
Out of the Mouths of Babes or Fixing a Spinning Bracelet
Rethinking a Design
When Bead Holes are Too Large
Soldering a Dome to a Backplate
Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye 
Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet tips
Making Lightweight Earrings with Unexpected Finds
Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes
What Happens To Pearls Not Worn, Cleaned, and Stored Properly
Aha Lightbulb Moment
Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap
After the Rain - Found Treasures
Back to School
Bezel Solution for Corners and Points 
Filling Holes in Stones
Dots to the Rescue
Raising Stones in Bezel Settings
Leveling the Bottom of a Large Bezel
Using Leftovers
Make-do Sawing Solutions
Combining Tutorials
Scrap Melt
What's Your Jewelry Style
Using Wax from Braces
Sometimes Simple Really is Better
Opening and Closing Jump Rings
Bead Soup and Small Changes
Repurposing Sterling Cord End Findings
Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options
Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones
Altering Your Dapping Block
Trimming Around a Bezel
Making Tiny Dapped Metal Leaves
Labeling Cabs When Working with Them
Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks
Get Inspired by What's on Your Bench
When Things Go Awry
Putting On and Taking Off a Cuff Bracelet
Adding Hearts to Your Designs
Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill
Power Up
Hammer Basics
Wire Temper and Jump Rings
Embellish Bezels with Twisted Wire
Jewelry Packaging for Small Items - Pillow Boxes
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart