Traditional Properties of Coral: Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization.
Uniquely handcrafted natural gemstone jewelry.
Let’s look at the type that I’ve done more work with and that is wire working. I would recommend before investing into the tools and wire that you take a class from your local craft, hobby or beading store. This will give you the chance to really get your hands ‘dirty’ before putting out the money in the right tools and wire.
Wire working tool are some of the same ones that are used in every type of jewelry making; however there are a few specialty tools for working with heavy gauge wire and to make things like jump rings, connectors and findings. Here are some of the more common essential wire working tools. In future posts, I’ll be listing some specialty wire working tools and techniques.
Bent Nose Pliers: Use these to shape or straighten wire and to hold it in place while using other tools. I keep a pair of both large and small sizes to fit most projects. Inspect your pliers before purchase and avoid any with notches on the inside as that can scratch wire. Over time, your pliers will start to show wear and tear; to keep them around longer I wrap blue painters tape around the jaws to keep from marring the wire.
Round Nose Pliers: These are perfect for curving wire or making hooks and loops, which can be used as findings or for attachment pieces. Again here I have several different sizes ranging from small, medium and large depending on the design, stones and project.
Chain Nose Pliers: These pliers a are square on the outside, flat on the inside, with a tapered nose to reach small places. These are excellent for making angles in wire.
Wire Cutters: These are used to cut normal wire such as gold, sterling, and artistic wire. Do not confuse them with the specialty memory wire cutters that are only used to cut memory wire. The sharper the cutter, the better, as it will last longer. 
Jeweler’s Files: These come in sets with several sizes and shapes which are used to smooth off the metal. Wooden handles make it more comfortable to hold than all metal files; but is not necessary. Whatever your choice, make sure to get a variety of sizes and shapes to fit any project.
Bench Block: This is one of my favorite wire working tools; it is used to flatten wire and metal. It gives you a nice, sturdy, solid surface to work from.
Chasing Hammer: This round tipped hammer is used with the bench block to hammer wire flat. You can also use it in more advanced techniques to give a more hammered or textured look to your wire or metals.
Thing-a-ma-jig Wire Jig: For making just about any loop, curve, link, or design, a wire jig makes it easy. If you can draw or move a string in any shape, then you can do the same thing with wire in a jig.
Jewelry comes in every shape, size, and style, which is why it might seem like a overwhelming process to begin making jewelry. However, despite the wide range of creative possibilities, getting started isn't as hard as it looks. Before investing in any supplies, it's a good idea to understand exactly what type of Jewelry you are most interested in making. To help you get started, look at your own style of jewelry and the jewelry of those around you. What inspires you or gets your creative juices flowing to want to make some type of jewelry; whether it is necklaces, earrings, rings or bracelets. Below I’ve pulled together some basic Jewelry Making Types 101.
Beading w/Beads: Basic beading is one of the most simple and affordable types of jewelry making to get into, plus it is the most versatility when it comes to color, style, and design. You can make a chunky/bold, bohemian/craft necklaces and bracelets and matching classy chandelier-style earrings. For beginners it makes for an ideal place to start since all you need are beads, wire, and findings (clasps, ear wires and crimp beads). Some basic tools, such as pliers and needles are also useful, among other accessories.
polymer clay, but when fired, it turns to a solid 14k, 24k, or silver metal product. There are various ways of firing this type of clay from a kiln or even a torch. While large and somewhat technical, kilns have the most varied uses, such as fusing glass and baking ceramics. They are priced according to size, ranging from $100 to $800. The only drawback is that you will be restricted to metal clay that fires at a lower heat level. The clay is often priced according to the value of the metal in question.
is very expensive to get into and requires a kiln and quite a lot of equipment, which. Classes offer an inexpensive way to familiarize yourself with the technique and the tools before choosing to make fused glass jewelry on your own and making the huge investment. Fused glass is incredible in that no two pieces ever fire the same way; thus the results are very unique and unusually handcrafted jewelry pieces.
but as you purchase the equipment and tools, it can turn into another big investment. The one benefit to this technique is that no kilns are necessary, just lots of tools and a small soldering device. You may opt for taking a course first to get started as it is an easy way to learn the basics and to get general guidance before moving onto your own solo work.
Some of the most incredible Southwestern and Indian jewelry is made with Spiny Oyster beads. The colors of these beads vary from pink to purple and from light to deep orange. Spiny oyster beads come from the spiny oyster shell, or Spondylus, harvested from the Sea of Cortez, Baja California and Mexico. Different types of Spondylus may also be found in the warm waters off the coasts of Central and South America. Spondylus is Latin for “spines on its back,” which is appropriate for this beautify and difficult to harvest shell.
name for these animals, though they are also known as thorny oysters or spiny oysters.
ivalves. Spondylus have multiple eyes around the edges of the shell, and they have a relatively well developed nervous system. Their nervous ganglia are concentrated in the visceral region, with recognizable optic lobes, connected to the eyes. Spondylus shells are much sought after by collectors, and there is a lively commercial market in them.
since pre-Columbian times, serving as offerings to the Pachamama as well as some kind of currency. In fact much like in Europe the Spondylus shells also reached far and wide as pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian peoples traded them with peoples as far north as present-day Mexico and as far south as the central Andes. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped animals and the sea and often depicted Spondylus shells in their art.
Tri-strand floating freshwater coin Pearls with a beautiful MOP pendant with the blister pearls still intact!
Be bold in red Brecciated Jasper mixed among gunmetal spacers and black metallic square seedbeads.
A switch of classy and stylish with this little number; exotic Argaonite Agate, Sandy Opals and brass wire work highlighted by charmed dangle earrings.
Mixing red hot Coral with black Onyx and silver is a spiced up accent to casual or dressy attire.
Traditional Properties of Coral: Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization.
Uniquely handcrafted natural gemstone jewelry.
Let’s look at the type that I’ve done more work with and that is wire working. I would recommend before investing into the tools and wire that you take a class from your local craft, hobby or beading store. This will give you the chance to really get your hands ‘dirty’ before putting out the money in the right tools and wire.
Wire working tool are some of the same ones that are used in every type of jewelry making; however there are a few specialty tools for working with heavy gauge wire and to make things like jump rings, connectors and findings. Here are some of the more common essential wire working tools. In future posts, I’ll be listing some specialty wire working tools and techniques.
Bent Nose Pliers: Use these to shape or straighten wire and to hold it in place while using other tools. I keep a pair of both large and small sizes to fit most projects. Inspect your pliers before purchase and avoid any with notches on the inside as that can scratch wire. Over time, your pliers will start to show wear and tear; to keep them around longer I wrap blue painters tape around the jaws to keep from marring the wire.Round Nose Pliers: These are perfect for curving wire or making hooks and loops, which can be used as findings or for attachment pieces. Again here I have several different sizes ranging from small, medium and large depending on the design, stones and project.
Chain Nose Pliers: These pliers a are square on the outside, flat on the inside, with a tapered nose to reach small places. These are excellent for making angles in wire.Wire Cutters: These are used to cut normal wire such as gold, sterling, and artistic wire. Do not confuse them with the specialty memory wire cutters that are only used to cut memory wire. The sharper the cutter, the better, as it will last longer.
Jeweler’s Files: These come in sets with several sizes and shapes which are used to smooth off the metal. Wooden handles make it more comfortable to hold than all metal files; but is not necessary. Whatever your choice, make sure to get a variety of sizes and shapes to fit any project.Bench Block: This is one of my favorite wire working tools; it is used to flatten wire and metal. It gives you a nice, sturdy, solid surface to work from.
Chasing Hammer: This round tipped hammer is used with the bench block to hammer wire flat. You can also use it in more advanced techniques to give a more hammered or textured look to your wire or metals.Thing-a-ma-jig Wire Jig: For making just about any loop, curve, link, or design, a wire jig makes it easy. If you can draw or move a string in any shape, then you can do the same thing with wire in a jig.
Jewelry comes in every shape, size, and style, which is why it might seem like a overwhelming process to begin making jewelry. However, despite the wide range of creative possibilities, getting started isn't as hard as it looks. Before investing in any supplies, it's a good idea to understand exactly what type of Jewelry you are most interested in making. To help you get started, look at your own style of jewelry and the jewelry of those around you. What inspires you or gets your creative juices flowing to want to make some type of jewelry; whether it is necklaces, earrings, rings or bracelets. Below I’ve pulled together some basic Jewelry Making Types 101.Beading w/Beads: Basic beading is one of the most simple and affordable types of jewelry making to get into, plus it is the most versatility when it comes to color, style, and design. You can make a chunky/bold, bohemian/craft necklaces and bracelets and matching classy chandelier-style earrings. For beginners it makes for an ideal place to start since all you need are beads, wire, and findings (clasps, ear wires and crimp beads). Some basic tools, such as pliers and needles are also useful, among other accessories.polymer clay, but when fired, it turns to a solid 14k, 24k, or silver metal product. There are various ways of firing this type of clay from a kiln or even a torch. While large and somewhat technical, kilns have the most varied uses, such as fusing glass and baking ceramics. They are priced according to size, ranging from $100 to $800. The only drawback is that you will be restricted to metal clay that fires at a lower heat level. The clay is often priced according to the value of the metal in question.is very expensive to get into and requires a kiln and quite a lot of equipment, which. Classes offer an inexpensive way to familiarize yourself with the technique and the tools before choosing to make fused glass jewelry on your own and making the huge investment. Fused glass is incredible in that no two pieces ever fire the same way; thus the results are very unique and unusually handcrafted jewelry pieces.but as you purchase the equipment and tools, it can turn into another big investment. The one benefit to this technique is that no kilns are necessary, just lots of tools and a small soldering device. You may opt for taking a course first to get started as it is an easy way to learn the basics and to get general guidance before moving onto your own solo work.
Some of the most incredible Southwestern and Indian jewelry is made with Spiny Oyster beads. The colors of these beads vary from pink to purple and from light to deep orange. Spiny oyster beads come from the spiny oyster shell, or Spondylus, harvested from the Sea of Cortez, Baja California and Mexico. Different types of Spondylus may also be found in the warm waters off the coasts of Central and South America. Spondylus is Latin for “spines on its back,” which is appropriate for this beautify and difficult to harvest shell.name for these animals, though they are also known as thorny oysters or spiny oysters.ivalves. Spondylus have multiple eyes around the edges of the shell, and they have a relatively well developed nervous system. Their nervous ganglia are concentrated in the visceral region, with recognizable optic lobes, connected to the eyes. Spondylus shells are much sought after by collectors, and there is a lively commercial market in them.since pre-Columbian times, serving as offerings to the Pachamama as well as some kind of currency. In fact much like in Europe the Spondylus shells also reached far and wide as pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian peoples traded them with peoples as far north as present-day Mexico and as far south as the central Andes. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped animals and the sea and often depicted Spondylus shells in their art.
Tri-strand floating freshwater coin Pearls with a beautiful MOP pendant with the blister pearls still intact! Be bold in red Brecciated Jasper mixed among gunmetal spacers and black metallic square seedbeads.
A switch of classy and stylish with this little number; exotic Argaonite Agate, Sandy Opals and brass wire work highlighted by charmed dangle earrings.
Mixing red hot Coral with black Onyx and silver is a spiced up accent to casual or dressy attire.
