Jewellery making anyone??

mapleleaf1010

Gold_Dust wrote: »

I'm usually one for ebay as I don't really care about what happens to the box beyond the initial gifting, but have you tried a stationers? Or a party supply shop? I'm thinking that small gift boxes like the ones you're describing would cross over into the wedding sector.

I hadn't thought about researching the wedding sector or a party supply shop! Thanks for that! :j

I tried eBay but haven't managed to find what I want yet.

savvy

Gold_Dust wrote: »

Hopefully one day soon! My wire-wrap ring was hilariously bad (I used the top of an Issey Miyake bottle as a mandrel :rotfl:) but it's something I want to be decent at, so I'm going to try again, soon. Join me!

Well you're one step ahead of me, cos that's not what I'd have used a mandrel for.......I'd have used it as a perfume bottle stopper :rotfl::rotfl:

I would join you, but I don't even know whare to start!

Gold_Dust_2

I hadn't realised that anyone had replied on here!

mapleleaf1010 wrote:

I hadn't thought about researching the wedding sector or a party supply shop! Thanks for that! :j

I tried eBay but haven't managed to find what I want yet.

You're welcome! Any luck?

savvy wrote: »

Well you're one step ahead of me, cos that's not what I'd have used a mandrel for.......I'd have used it as a perfume bottle stopper :rotfl::rotfl:

I would join you, but I don't even know whare to start!

@ mandrel

Here's what I was trying, and failing to do:

http://youtu.be/uvhgv0iVj_Y

And it went very wrong. All you need is a spool or two of wire of the right gauges, a bead, and something to wrap it all around. The rest is just the usual wire-work pliers, and some finesse. Which I obviously lack :rotfl:.

savvy

Gold_Dust wrote: »

And it went very wrong. All you need is a spool or two of wire of the right gauges, a bead, and something to wrap it all around. The rest is just the usual wire-work pliers, and some finesse. Which I obviously lack :rotfl:.

You make it sound soooo simple though!! :eek::o

Gold_Dust_2

Good, because that's how I want to view it! I spent years telling myself that this kind of stuff was too hard and that I'd have to be a dedicated, die-hard hobbyist who had learned from a professional before I could do it, but the reality is that it's more fun to just have a go.

Materials and tools are relatively inexpensive and go a long way too, so whether I succeed or fail it doesn't really matter, as long as I've had a bash .

Is that you in your display pic, btw? You look like one of my colleagues at my new workplace - how weird would it be if we turned out to be colleagues?! We could make some jewellery together

Purpleroses

yay so glad this thread is up and running again. I love jewellery making, have been for about 6 years now.

The one thing when making rings, start off a size or 2 bigger than you need as it tends to shrink as you work it. If you're making them to sell then a mandrel is great so you can get exact size. you can get stainless steel ones for a decent price online, they last years and you can also hammer onto them xx

Gold_Dust_2

Thank you, those are really useful tips! I've heard that a steel mandrel can scratch the rings, is that true? And is there anything that I could substitute for a nylon hammer? Is a hammer even essential?

Any pics of your makes?

Purpleroses

i've never had a problem with the steel mandrel. I guess a hammer isn't really needed. Depends on the style of ring you make if its one with just wire I tend to give it a whack with the hammer (on the mendrel) to work harden the wire.

Just making more stock for the craft fairs so can post some up sometime

Gold_Dust_2

I bought loads of stuff from the craft fair yesterday, but I couldn't get a hold of a mandrel. Now I'm waiting for it to be delivered....taking too long!

Grimbal

Hi there, had a quick search of the forums but nothing came up so I hope you don't mind me asking on here!

I was wondering if there was a thread that allowed members to share links II know there's rules on MSE about this sort of thing) - I'd really like to get a wider audience to my facebook page. I've just started making & selling jewellery after leaving my job last year, so would appreciate any pointers how I can expand my page views !