Quartz Skulls and Copper

Magpie Gemstones quartz crystal skulls and lots of copper! Three cute little bracelets, each sporting a crystal skull. They are so much more beautiful than the camera will capture. My favorite is the one in the center.

Class Schedule from July thru Sept

*** All classes are 3 hours - 12-3pm - OR - 6-9pm -- EXCEPT Toodles Pendant - 4 hours - 11-3pm OR 6-8/two consecutive Fri nights ***

All projects will be done in copper unless noted in their description or you make prior arrangements.

Classes are held at And The Bead Goes On, in Bracken Village. More details, map, calendar and link to sign up are here .
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July 4 - If the store is open, we'll have a daytime class only - Scallops Bracelet - Beginner
A fun little project for a holiday class. Suitable for beginners, fun for pros. Lovely little scallops all around your wrist.

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7/11 - Intro to Wire/Serpentine Bracelet - bootcamp #1 - Beginner
Learn the basics of wire and how to handle the tools by making various components to assemble a unique bracelet. Learn the straight up noose, serpent link, jump rings, dangle charms, S-hook, hammering and oxidizing. There are at least 6 earring combinations resulting from the skills gleaned in these techniques. Never handled wire before? Come join the addiction!

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7/18 - Cube Classic Cuff - Beginner
Learn to make the basic cuff bracelet. Suitable for cubes, rounds, large or small beads, or no beads at all. In class we will be using cube beads and heavy wire. Tips, hints and many samples of other possibilities.

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7/25 - Spiral Heart earrings - Beginner
Whimsical hearts in mixed metals. Spiral and curve and hammer, add some sterling for flash. Perhaps add dangling sparklies?

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Aug 1 - Flutterbye and S-Links bracelet - beginner
Learn to make a 16g sterling S-link chain, with the focal center a version of the Twin Spiral, which reminds me of a butterfly, popularized by Sharilyn Miller who learned at the feet of Lynn Merchant, wire goddess.
In class, we'll make various dangly wire charms to decorate your new creation. If you want to do this bracelet in sterling, be sure to specify when you sign up. Otherwise we'll have copper cut and ready for you.

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8/8 - Spiral Rings - Beginner
Make 2 fully adjustable heavy gauge rings! One technique, two different results - one with piles of spirals and the other reminiscent of ancient fork rings, with many more styles possible. Learn to bind wire, make spirals, hammer and oxidize.

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8/15 - Tree of Life - Beginner
Metaphor, mystical, symbolic - found in every ancient culture in one form or another. The roots reaching into the earth, into the underworld, the branches reaching high above, into the heavens. Design your own special tree. Use tiny stone bits for a leafy tree, or fill the branches with your family birthstones.

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8/22 - Jellyroll - bootcamp #2 - Beginner
Coiled and Beaded Cuff Bracelet - 8mm beads and a bit of wire, viola! Your very own wearable art! Change the beads, change the look entirely! Positively stunning with Swarovski crystals!

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8/29 - Intro to Wire/Serpentine Bracelet - bootcamp #1 - Beginner
Photo above
Learn the basics of wire and how to handle the tools by making various components to assemble a unique bracelet. Learn the straight up noose, serpent link, jump rings, dangle charms, S-hook, hammering and oxidizing. There are at least 6 earring combinations resulting from the skills gleaned in these techniques. Never handled wire before? Come join the addiction!

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Sept 5 - This class has been canceled. My store ladies get to go play in Tuscon, so I get a day off, too.
Toodles Ring - Bootcamp #3 - Intermediate -
MUST have taken one (any) of my other classes prior so I know you are wire proficient.
Learn the Toodles Weave, previously published in Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Summer Preview 2007, by creating an adjustable ring with charming dangly beads.

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9/12 - 12-3 (4 hours) OR 6-8pm - Part 1 - Toodles Pendant bootcamp #4 - Advanced -
All students MUST have taken the Toodles Ring or The Tree of Life with the Toodles bail.
Expand the Toodles Weave to capture a cabochon or cameo. Learn to weave fine wire around a heavier frame, a little or a lot, all around or as a highlight. This is the tutorial featured in the Summer *Preview* edition of Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine 2007, which is out of print. Now available directly from the author, Sherry, and taught exclusively at And the Bead Goes On! in Garden Ridge, Texas.

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9/19 - (12-3pm only) - Hammered Heart - Beginner
Hearts and sparkles, won't you be mine? Hammer some copper, wrap some sterling for detail, make a few jumprings, dangle a whole assortment of sparklies, then turn a bit of wire and some cord into a necklace to show off your lovely new creation. This cute heart makes a great Mother gift - use birthstone colors for all the family!

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9/19 - (6-8pm part 2) - Toodles Pendant part 2- Advanced -
MUST have taken Part one last week

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9/26 - Border wrap - Beginner
A classic, ancient and most versatile setting for jewelry making, with unlimited possibilities from simple to extraordinarily ornate. Learn to measure your stone, choose the appropriate placement for your bundle wires, bind several wires together to form a bezel to frame your stone, then set your muse free to embellish the details.

Playing with ox and cords - Toodles series

Playing with oxidizing and cord for this smallish piece. I definitely like the darkened copper best. I found some 2mm round leather cord that will balance well with the heavier pendants. So, that led to making a coiled tube of twisted copper for the center. Needs darkening, too, if I use it with this pendant, haven't decided yet....
Yuck, rulers in the photo look so tacky, but I needed to be able to show a perspective owner it's size.
Opinions? With the coil or without?

5/30 Update - Darling Daughter Number Two received it and loves it.
*snip*
"I can't believe how much detail is in the pendent, that must take a lot of time to make."
*snip*

Yup! Happy Birthday, hunnybear! Each twist full of love (with a few grumbles thrown in for good measure and balance, don'cha know!)


I went with coil on leather and am quite happy, myownhumbleself. *grin* Now, for the other woven heavy pendants, I'm working on a simplified version of a viking knit, in the non-tarnish copper, with an oxidized coil to tie the pieces together.... Got one done, now to take photos with my new camera. (Fell into an HP 6MP and oh boyoh buddy is it sweet! Thanks, Denise!!!!!)
later, gator


The Toodles Weave tutorial in PDF form -
http://www.magpiegemstones.com/tutorials.html

It's heeeeerrrreeeeee! SbS Wire - Toodles series

Whooooopppeeeeeeeee!!!! and pout! SbS Wire Summer Preview edition is hitting mailboxes across the country, but not mine.... yet... **heavy sigh**

Perhaps tomorrow...

Questions and comments?


sherrys.jewels@gmail.com

Bliss to you!
 
***Edited update - the Summer Preview issue is sold out, no longer available.****

### edited again 12/2010 - The tut PDF has been available privately, off and on, currently sitting in limbo waiting to be revamped. If you are interested in it, drop me a note.

Here are a few photos for inspiration -

It's at the Printer's!!!! - Toodles series

The article for the woven bezel is at the printer!!!! Step by Step Wire Jewelry Magazine Summer Preview edition! Happy dance!!! *I'm just a liiiiiiittttttle bit excited...*

Get your subscription started now so you don't miss it. *giggle*
http://www.stepbystepwire.com/wire/

Then get over to Szarka's shop and snatch up a variety of cube beads with big holes, 'cause you're gonna need some. The article uses an 8mm, but Your stone of choice may need larger or smaller, and of course you'll want to do other sizes....
http://www.turquoisemagpie.com
*thank you for finding a source, mizzy Sz!!!* *smoooooochiez*

Green agate and viking knit - Toodles series

The green agate pendant migrated onto my viking knit necklace for the Austin gathering. It gets more attention than it's sister, the shades of brown jasper pendant. The raw copper wire is taking on beautiful patina in various crevices and shines a lovely pinkish orangey color on all the high points

The necklace hooks in the front, has 3 black glass crystals with Bali silver spacers and bead caps, viking knit with non-tarnish copper wire.


The Toodles Weave tutorial in PDF form -
http://www.magpiegemstones.com/tutorials.html

S-link bracelet with a Butterfly center

Here's my personal version of a 16g sterling S-link chain. For the center, I used a version of the Twin Spiral, which reminds me of a butterfly, also dubbed Flutterbye. I added a silver Grace charm in the center, and some danglies at the clasp, amethyst, Bali beads and feather/leaf, and my name-sake feather in copper.
It rarely comes off my wrist, I love it so.

Mood bead bracelets or anklets

Playing with mood beads and cotton cord. Simple knock 'em out easy for the fun crowd. Three mood beads in each, with a variety of glass bead accents. Tie one on your wrist or ankle!

What are mood beads, you ask? Oooooooo, lovely little works of art continually changing and rearranging!
"Thermo-sensitive liquid crystal beads that change color as you wear them." Rings were all the rage in the 60's. Everything comes back if you wait long enough. My artist soul gets lost in the changing color...

Turquoise disks and balls

Turquoise disks suspended beneath turquoise balls, all hanging from sterling silver wire, attached to a leather thong. The focal section is about 3 1/2 inches wide. The total length is 14 to 16 inches long, with the sterling chain ending in a cute little dangling disc.

Red Jasper woven pendant and necklace

Ta da! Completed! I rarely make necklaces but this pendant said I needed to rectify that deficiency. So, out came the tarnish free copper and the red jasper beads. The rectangles are just a bit over 1/2" long and the faceted buttons are 4x6mm. How's that for mixing my measurements? The necklace is just under 22" long, with the clasp hooking in the front. I am not satisfied with the clasp, pondering something different....

Update - I did change the front clasp and magically, a new home came along and this beauty left my care and keeping for a new jewelry box. Enjoy, my dear!

Red Jasper Pendant

Just a little weaving, as I practice and test designs for a wonderful rutile quartz piece which is waiting for the muse to speak. This one is a nice little tumbled red jasper, wrapped in copper, of course. A 16g wire goes once around the stone and forms the base of the bale, which is woven with 24g. Two 18g wires snuggle on either side of the 16g and perform the entertainment. 1-5/8 inches tall and 1 inch at the widest point.

Pale Turquoise Cab in Copper - Model for the SBSWJ tut - Toodles series

Still playing with weaving! An old turquoise cab, very pale, and 24g copper carefully woven over and around 18g. The pendant measures 1 3/4 inches tall and 7/8 inch wide. Much smaller than Princess Leia!

Feb 07 - Update! This is the picture that led to the tutorial article for Step by Step Wire Jewelry, to be published, hopefully, in the Summer edition. Hang onto your shorts, cool your jets, subscribe now to make sure you get it... http://www.stepbystepwire.com/wire/
Meanwhile, there are some cool tutorials there, for other projects, to occupy your waiting time. *grin*


The Toodles Weave tutorial in PDF form is available online -

My little store, I'll email the PDF to you as soon as Paypal sends notice of payment -
http://Sherrys-Jewels.com

Princess Leia Goes to the Beach - Toodles series

Winning entry in a wire work challenge. What a thrill! Miles of copper wire, a vintage turquoise cabochon, a raw ruby, a tiny quartz point from Arkansas. As I was photographing the piece, the top spiral screamed *Princess Leia*, and the theme of the challenge was summer vacation, so... with all that gorgeous blue and all those crashing waves... viola! She named herself.

From this piece, the Toodles Series was born...



The Toodles Weave tutorial in PDF form -
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/4327434

This shot is before oxidation. What a dramatic difference!