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Post by susand24224 on Jan 8, 2024 19:04:04 GMT -5
And thank you for tackling my scrap bin.
I will try to look at it with your suggestions in mind.  Truth be told, there can be fun in designing around things.
Hopefully, I'm truly up for that challenge.  Good luck with your snow storm - I'm dreary enough with our cold rain ! Patty
Patty, as the author of this challenge I should say that it doesn't matter (at least to me) if what you create "works." What matters to me is experimenting with different ideas. Speaking for myself alone, when I try to design "perfection" it never works. When I just play around, sometimes it does so I'm encouraging others to do the same thing. You will be great! |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 15, 2024 18:28:11 GMT -5
So I have to really thank you, Susan susand24224 , I've had a crappy week, and it's all gotten me down, so I decided this afternoon to take a break and actually look through both "cooper sheet" scrap bins and see what actually might be inspiring.
It was fun although overwhelming, but I did find a bunch of interesting things, so maybe, just maybe, I can come up with something for the challenge ?
The funniest part was that I'm not sure if I remember making all those discarded creations I found----- must have been another lifetime.  I won't promise any perfection - but we're already discussed that - but I'm going to try to ONLY use something out of the scrap bin.
Maybe I can even find some wire in my "wire scrap" bin (which I'm NOT showing) - stay tuned  Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 15, 2024 18:38:52 GMT -5
So I have to really thank you, Susan susand24224 , I've had a crappy week, and it's all gotten me down, so I decided this afternoon to take a break and actually look through both "cooper sheet" scrap bins and see what actually might be inspiring.
It was fun although overwhelming, but I did find a bunch of interesting things, so maybe, just maybe, I can come up with something for the challenge ?
The funniest part was that I'm not sure if I remember making all those discarded creations I found----- must have been another lifetime. I won't promise any perfection - but we're already discussed that - but I'm going to try to ONLY use something out of the scrap bin.
Maybe I can even find some wire in my "wire scrap" bin (which I'm NOT showing) - stay tuned Patty
That's an impressive lot! |
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 15, 2024 19:06:56 GMT -5
So I have to really thank you, Susan susand24224 , I've had a crappy week, and it's all gotten me down, so I decided this afternoon to take a break and actually look through both "cooper sheet" scrap bins and see what actually might be inspiring.
It was fun although overwhelming, but I did find a bunch of interesting things, so maybe, just maybe, I can come up with something for the challenge ?
The funniest part was that I'm not sure if I remember making all those discarded creations I found----- must have been another lifetime. I won't promise any perfection - but we're already discussed that - but I'm going to try to ONLY use something out of the scrap bin.
Maybe I can even find some wire in my "wire scrap" bin (which I'm NOT showing) - stay tuned [/div] Patty
Wow! So much scrap, so little time! I'm salivating over your scrap pile! It is so much more impressive than mine. Suggestion--if you cut two identical circles from some thinner copper sheet and roll the circles around round nose pliers (the bigger the better) you will end up with little cones from which you can dangle something (earrings). You can also (of course) texture it or whatever before you wrap it into a cone. I've taken two photos of my pathetic (compared to yours) scrap pile: (1) failed designs, including designs I worked out in 26 gauge before tackling it in thicker wire, and also actually failed. You can see a very small cone although it got flattened--blue arrow. You would want a much larger circle than I used for this. (2) my pathetic wire stash.   |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 15, 2024 19:36:59 GMT -5
All I can say in my defense is that it's from quite a few years & in the early years I only used sheet, very little wire. And 90% of it is actually copper flashing, of which was mostly from a huge copper gutter that I bought at a garage sale for $5. But I ain't showing my failed wire bin.  Wire weaving can be wasteful, especially when you're learning !
The cone idea sounds interesting though & there is a bunch of texture sheet in there to utilize. I also keep staring at discarded enamel experiments.
Lots to play with - just what I need !
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 16, 2024 4:30:18 GMT -5
All I can say in my defense is that it's from quite a few years & in the early years I only used sheet, very little wire. And 90% of it is actually copper flashing, of which was mostly from a huge copper gutter that I bought at a garage sale for $5. But I ain't showing my failed wire bin. Wire weaving can be wasteful, especially when you're learning ! The cone idea sounds interesting though & there is a bunch of texture sheet in there to utilize. I also keep staring at discarded enamel experiments.
Lots to play with - just what I need !
Patty
You need no defense for your amazing scrap pile--you were creating future works of art! Just think, Patty, if you try one thing or ten things and none of them work, it doesn't matter because it's just your scrap pile. Thus, no guilt connected with screwing up. For me, at least, that is very liberating. I've actually got my design worked out but can't do anything until this below zero stuff breaks in a few days. It requires hammering and my old dog gets frightened and runs out the doggie door; he can barely see and barely hear (except loud noises like hammering things flat) and then gets lost in the yard. There's only so many times I can wrap up like I'm in Alaska to go search the three acres to find him late at night. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 16, 2024 7:56:22 GMT -5
susand24224 Susan, thank you so much for being such an inspiration and full of enthusiasm. I love your attitude. You are such an asset to RTH and a great cheerleader.
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 16, 2024 17:02:02 GMT -5
susand24224 Susan, thank you so much for being such an inspiration and full of enthusiasm. I love your attitude. You are such an asset to RTH and a great cheerleader. Thank you so much for your kind words, Tela, I'm blushing . . . |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 21, 2024 12:12:36 GMT -5
OK, so after showing off my scrap bin, I figured I'd have to do something.
For sure, I didn't want to disappoint Susan.  So I finished up a batch of "junkyard jewelry" yesterday afternoon, only one of which is technically acceptable in a wire wrapped challenge, but then I'm not sure that it matters.
So here's what I've come up with - everything out of the scrap bin, except the stone, beads & ear wires.
Green Ribbons:
Blue Moons:
Square frames with corrugated dangles: Foldformed/Corrugated Teardrop Pendant Wire Wrapped gong:
This one I found the frame pre-made in my scrap bin (in fact I found 2), but for the life of me I can't remember what they were supposed to be for.
This last one is my official entry for this month's wrap scrap challenge
Thank you for the challenge Susan, it was a fun distraction.
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 21, 2024 12:28:13 GMT -5
I love them! Great job on them all. My favorite is the folded piece. You did such a nice job on it. I have never tried it, so I'm doubly impressed.
This is a great challenge and I still hope to pull one out. Thanks for sharing.  |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 21, 2024 13:51:40 GMT -5
Thanks Tela, In the end I actually found it fun.
I may have to try it again.
I went through a phase some years ago of doing corrugated & fold formed pieces.
That one was ALMOST there, only needed a little more coaxing.
I'll thank Mr Brain for that one.
Patty ... off the hook  (briefly), and now realizing she was the first submission-so now I'm on the hook for the next challenge |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Jan 21, 2024 17:01:50 GMT -5
liveoak Those are really nice Patty. 👍 They definitely don’t read “scrap bin”. Shows what we can do when forced to use all our resources rather than just the shiny fresh new stuff. So, do you have a little rolling mill for texturing? And the fold forming, I’ve watched videos on that, do you think all the special chasing hammers are necessary? It seems people are always showing a whole fancy set. Your wire wrapped item looks quite small and difficult to work (or the frame is maybe larger than I’m imagining). Again, all very nice. I think maybe I like the ribbon coils the best.
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 21, 2024 17:07:51 GMT -5
liveoak Patty, you did it! And I am so impressed with what you did, each and every one of them. I finished mine last night so will add it shortly, but it certainly pales in comparison to yours. All of yours are *very* creative--I have found that having these interesting scraps around stokes my creative side, and I wanted others to experience the same--it looks like you did! Congrats! I have to edit to say that your earrings holding a circle and a diamond brought a smile to my face. I've always believed that life is too short to wear totally matching earrings, and this is one lovely example of why!
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Post by liveoak on Jan 21, 2024 17:42:48 GMT -5
liveoak Those are really nice Patty. 👍 They definitely don’t read “scrap bin”. Shows what we can do when forced to use all our resources rather than just the shiny fresh new stuff. So, do you have a little rolling mill for texturing? And the fold forming, I’ve watched videos on that, do you think all the special chasing hammers are necessary? It seems people are always showing a whole fancy set. Your wire wrapped item looks quite small and difficult to work (or the frame is maybe larger than I’m imagining). Again, all very nice. I think maybe I like the ribbon coils the best. Thank you Khara.
Well I have Susan to thank for that push-that scrap bin has been accumulating all these years-honestly I've never peeked in before. But she certainly made me see I should have.
Yes I do have a rolling mill, the cheaper version, and for the fold forming, I also have what's called a corrugator . I actually have a couple that make different sized folds. Useful sometimes & fun. The original one I have was originally sold for squeezing toothpaste, believe it or not. ( Amazon) You can only use thin gauge sheet with it (30 or 36 gauge).
With hammers I think you can make do a lot of the time with what you might have.
I have a bunch of hammers & stakes, etc, but all of them are an off brand.
Maybe they aren't as perfectly balanced or finished as a Frtez, but they work well enough for me.
It MIGHT be different if I did this for a living.
The gong frame is 1 1/2" wide, but the wrapped stone is only 9/16".
So pretty small. It's urging me to make matching earrings.
liveoak Patty, you did it! And I am so impressed with what you did, each and every one of them. I finished mine last night so will add it shortly, but it certainly pales in comparison to yours. Thank you, Susan for the challenge, it was fun. We have to do this more often !
You made me look at my scrap bin in a whole different light.
I look forward to seeing what you came up with.
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 21, 2024 17:45:12 GMT -5
Okay, here goes: All copper wire is 16-gauge, the silver wire (not sure if it is argentium or sterling) is likely 28-gauge, but when it gets that small who knows? The beauty of the silver wire is that it came from my "not enough to use for anything" silver scrap container, rather than the "might be able to be used for something" pile. The links with the copper balls were rejects from a chain I was making; I decided to make the links smaller so there wouldn't be so much bare space. I had to remove some of the bindings on one so it matched the other. Finding earwires that could accommodate two 16-gauge wire took a bit, and I really need to make my own to have it work completely. I like the design -but- were I to do it again, I would use 14-gauge so I could really smash parts flat without fear of breakage, and I would make them larger. I likely would do silver balled dangles hanging from the bottom--thought about it this time but have used copper pickle and more copper to pickle, so didn't want to start over with new pickle for the silver.  |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 21, 2024 18:07:56 GMT -5
I like them Susan, they are interesting.
The different colors & different hanging lengths & that they both move independently, is my favorite kind of jewelry.
How did you color the outer ring ?
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 21, 2024 23:15:23 GMT -5
I like them Susan, they are interesting. The different colors & different hanging lengths & that they both move independently, is my favorite kind of jewelry. How did you color the outer ring ? Patty Thank you, Patty! I like movement as well. The outer ring was *very* hot pickle and the piece was hot as well. I left it in there quite awhile. The heat caused the blues, which remained after I removed some of the pickle. It was supposed to be silver wire over the pickled areas, and the rest more coppery, but they are so small and I am sufficiently "clutzy" that it didn't quite work that way. The silver wires and chain lengths were added after the pickling. I got one of the circles backward when I put it on the ear wires, which is why there are so many wire ends showing. Since I'm planning to make new ear wires I'm not going to fix that for now. These were formed around a ring mandrel for size 9. |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 22, 2024 7:26:59 GMT -5
Interesting with the pickle. I've probably seen that happen but wasn't paying enough attention to realize it could be a benefit. Hmmm.... nice tip. We are all our own worst critics ! Personally, I like them, they are the kind of design that you want to look at a bunch of times to understand.
Patty |
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 22, 2024 17:21:15 GMT -5
Interesting with the pickle. I've probably seen that happen but wasn't paying enough attention to realize it could be a benefit. Hmmm.... nice tip. We are all our own worst critics ! Personally, I like them, they are the kind of design that you want to look at a bunch of times to understand. Patty Patty, a little more detail for you. I use a small ceramic "dish" for most pickling and leave it in the microwave for a minute and 15 seconds, which has it very close to boiling. I also run the piece under hot water (as hot as my tap water gets) before I put it in the almost boiling water; I put it under the tap water immediately so the stone or whatever is in there gradually warms up as the water warms up. If you just leave it in the LOS a short period of time you usually get the silvery color with a lot of blue. Left a long time, I found out that some of the blue remains despite the darkening from the pickle. This is by no means sure--but when it works, the colors can be beautiful. **Special thanks to liveoak for catching my earlier error! (Now corrected) |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 18:08:36 GMT -5
I really like those susand24224! Good use of negative space and I like the different colored metals. But, I feel compelled to drop a bead off the bottom. LOL!
Hopefully, I can come up with something next.
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(briefly), and now realizing she was the first submission-so now I'm on the hook for the next challenge 
