Wire Wrapping Techniques

On some jewelry, lapidary and gem forums chatter has been wire techniques. I’ve been asked by several people lately from these forums what is exactly a wire wrapping technique.

There is the traditional wire wrapping done mostly on the East coast, from what I’ve found of many wire wrappers. This is the Victorian style with big looping and swirls; most over-do the technique and end up overshadowing the gemstone.

Another technique that is emerging on the West coast is more of a free style or form. This form of wire wrapping is being referred to by East coasters as ‘just wire holding’ and not even a real technique. The free form follows the form of the stone or just creates different corners to hold the stone among the wires.

Emerging somewhere in-between is a very unusual technique, wire sculpture where the individual has really used their imagination and done a mix of many techniques; traditional, free form, and soldering. This is really more of a form of artwork and very intense.

It really doesn’t really matter what type of technique you use, as long as you create something that is unique, a piece of art that you are proud of to share with everyone else!

East Meets West

East meets West in this design of Southwestern culture; graduated AZ Turquoise nuggets meet together to center on a Chinese Turquoise pendant encased in a bold silver off elongated design. Wear this at a medium length or longer with the extender and fishhook hoop style earrings featuring the same AZ Turquoise nuggets.

This and other unique gemstone designs are at Timeless Designs!

Craft Shows – My 2 Cents

Another post sort of a follow-up to the one from Monday; yesterday was a Spring Craft Show that I have done for the last 3 years. This is normally one of my best Spring shows and I was surprised at the results of the craft show, which has made me step back and re-evaluate doing Spring/Summer craft shows entirely.

It was not for a lack of advertising that the show did, they always do a ton of advertising. But what was experienced was very unusual and I wonder if the state of the economy is really having that much of an effect on the overall spending habits of customers. The show is only one day and usually is wall-to-wall people; not this year. The show opened as usual at 9:00 a.m. and there were no customers until almost 10:30ish and at best it was a trickle all day long. This is a show that is usually a steady stream of customers from the time of opening until close at 3:00 p.m. Again, not this year, and the weather was beautiful, a little on the muggy side, but still, I can not contribute the weather to the poor turn-out.

In visiting with several vendors on/off all day, I came the conclusion that all shows, not just the church shows, but even the big stable weekend market days in and around the area are experience the same ‘no-show and no-buy’ experiences. One comment that was made by a customer is that job situations are just not stable enough for them to buy anything right now; only the stables, but they wanted to get out and support their church’s annual function.

Does this mean the possibility of church craft fairs may be coming to an end? Not many vendors I know are signing up for shows, until almost the last week before the show, for almost the same reasons; they can’t afford to do the shows when there are no buyers. On the other hand, what does it mean to the big weekend market days in the area; an end to a weekend get-a-way to browse and purchase from local area artists? From different forums I’m hearing that some shows are still going strong; people buying and no lack of economy driven slow down; while in other areas, many are struggling and disappearing because they can’t afford to stay in business. I don’t know for sure and since I don’t have a little crystal ball, it’s hard to determine whether or not to continue with the Spring shows or wait to see what Fall shows bring.

Slow Business or Slow Economy

As of late I’m asked “Is business really slow? How come I can't sell anything? Or The economy is so bad, I’m going to have to sale everything off and get a ‘real’ job." In this slow economy I’m hearing all over that buying is slowing down drastically. I do see a slow down in certain areas of the country, some more than others; but there are areas that are still booming and business is good. So is the question so many people are asking, “Slow Business based on Slow Economy really valid?”

In my business (custom jewelry) I’ve seen a slow down in the big ticket items (single item priced over $100); however, I’ve seen an increase and interest in the lower to mid-market priced items (single item prices $25-45). So, this begs the question, is it really the economy slowing down the purchasing or are people just looking harder at the price of things and then determining if there is enough ‘disposable’ income to make these ‘personal, impulse’ buys? History has shown that when times are good, money is flowing and the value of a dollar is measured in ‘how many toys you have, how big your house is, how stylish a car you drive, what private schools your kids go to, and how much money spouse makes and the type of job’.

Now that times are a little tougher, big businesses are cutting back jobs, and the financial and housing industries have seen their worst years in decades, the trend that many are seeing of people not buying is really, people pulling back, evaluating their situation, and looking to justify their purchases, only after the bills have been paid. It’s a cycle seen many times over the course of history…and if history is correct, this too shall pass…..will we ever seen the ‘good times’ such as the past 10 years, probably not that good, but people will return to the days of impulse buying once the housing - financial - big business dust settles; but the days of the small business owner may not be as successful and may be much tougher than they once were, As a small business owner that wants to last and survive, I’m stepping back to evaluate the situation, listen to my customers and those around, making adjustments as needed in my business. To survive in any situation, one has to evaluate and move forward…learn from history!

Summer Southwest

Another beauty out of the Southwest for Summer…..the focal for this necklace are the pillow Terconite Turquoise gemstones accented with non-tarnish artistic silver wire and adding to the design are Chinese Turquoise tubes, Amethyst chips and orange and green Magnesite. A 2” extender has been added so the necklace can be worn a short or medium length; I’ve added dangle earrings in the same gemstones.

Get your hot, bold and unique Summer jewelry at Timeless Designs!

Summer Hot Lime

Be the first to make a statement this Summer in hot lime……a large Mother-of-Pearl pendant hangs from dyed lime Magnesite and accenting gold lined seed beads. A 3” extender for easy change of lengths to fit your mood and dangle earrings completes the look.

Timeless Designs has this and many other hot, bold, exotic gemstone designs.

Shades of Purple

Gemstone designs in shades of Purple! Graduation, Anniversary, Birthdays...or just 'thought of you gift'.......get a unique gift!

Peppermint Jasper Magnesite Silver Links Set

Purple Lace Agate Copper Earrings

Purple Jasper Aventurine Bluestone Silver Chain Set (this one is on sale!)

Wild Horse Jasper Ivoryite Sterling Silver Set