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Post by upsided0wnducks on Mar 27, 2010 23:31:32 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm Krista and I'm new to the site but am completely obsessed with wire wrapping. I've never really been a rock hound but as I get more and more into wire wrapping I keep wanting to know more about the stones I'm wrapping so here I am  You guys seem to like show and tell so I thought I'd put up some of my wire wraps. I've only been wrapping since the beginning of February but since I'm without a mentor and learning on my own I think they're okay, what do you all think? (I'm also just getting a handle on photographing good pics of things that are small and shiny so please excuse my less than perfect skills lol) This was my first commission, a beautiful piece of rose quartz.  This is a pretty piece of red tiger eye I did a week or so ago.  I'm pretty sure this is blue apatite, if anyone knows different would love to know!  And this is my latest, I'm pretty sure it's a piece of hematite.  |
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Mar 27, 2010 23:38:10 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Krista! Are you doing the wire wrapping only starting with Feb??? If so, your pendants look VERY good! And you make a very difficult thing, wrapping tumbled stones. Classic cabochons are easier to wrap.
With your tallent, you might use propper wire for the bindings and coil, which is half round. It would add a lot to the look of your pendants, which are beautiful already.
Adrian
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Mar 27, 2010 23:43:56 GMT -5
Thank you for the compliments! I've thought about getting some half round wire but just haven't really goten around to it lol. I really like the challenge of getting a tumbled stone into the setting, sometimes it takes a bit of effort, time and maybe a little bit of heated muttering, but in the end I really like the look it gives them and yes, I've only been wrapping since February, I'm really enjoying learning how the wire works and how far I can push things before I have to scrap a whole wrapping and start over lol. |
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Mar 28, 2010 2:58:12 GMT -5
I am not a wire wrapper, so I'm hardly a good judge. But, in the capacity of someone who subjects himself to art, I have an opinion. Aesthetically speaking, I prefer designs that do more to reveal the stone itself. Fufu coils are nice and all, but the subject of the jewelry is the stone and I think the wrap should compliment it over covering it. I prefer a minimalist method of securing the stone, but after reading Randy's tutorial on wrapping, I can appreciate the difficulty! That's not to say they aren't good...you definitely have skills!
Other than that, I can tell you have a natural talent. I think refining your skills with less expensive wire is wise...and once you're more comfortable, graduate to higher grade materials. You're definitely doing well for a couple months into it! Good job! Thanks for sharing!
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on Mar 28, 2010 8:16:42 GMT -5
I am a wrapper and I really like your wraps you have a eye for design and have not limited yourself to one style that is great.
The only thing I see wrong is the wrap on the bail, which you really need half round wire for, so with the half round your bindings will be smoother.
Looking forward to seeing more of your wraps. Donna
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 28, 2010 9:01:28 GMT -5
I have an opinion. ;D lol.... You definitely have the knack for this. (not everyone does). Your swirls and loops are clean and even, and the curves are well rounded. These are the kind of things that I look for and you've mastered them for sure. I agree with the others, get some half-round wire for your bindings. Also, you may want to try some square wire for your wraps. One try and you'll never go back!! I'm really hoping to see more pics from you, post'm all!! ...Even the ones that you don't like. It's easier to give advice on stuff when we see more. You're already good at wire wrapping, now it's time to hone your skills and get better. Welcome to the forums!!  |
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Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 28, 2010 10:27:19 GMT -5
i'm not a wrapper, but i would say for just a few months your doing great.
Welcome to the board.
mary ann
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Post by Bejewelme on Mar 28, 2010 10:31:33 GMT -5
I can't wrap at all! WOW to have taught yourself this well since Feb is something to be proud of, and you are doing a super job! Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely work!
Amber
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Mar 28, 2010 13:08:25 GMT -5
I am also a wrapper & want to welcome you aboard. This forum has some of the greatest & most knowledgable people you'll find anywhere.
You're doing a fantastic job, just keep at it. My remarks are the same as those above. One of the hardest things to master is the bail, but square & 1/2 round wire REALLY helps. The other suggestion is to try to show off the stone more. I really like the last one, but you can hardly see the tiger eye. I try to remember that less is more, when it comes to this stuff.
Hang in there & welcome
Jo
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Post by rockrookie on Mar 28, 2010 16:16:40 GMT -5
cool wraps !!
--paul
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Post by frane on Mar 28, 2010 20:14:25 GMT -5
Welcome to the board Krista! I think you are off to a great start! Wire wrapping tumbles really does challenge you and you have come out the winner here!
I agree with everyone here. It is worth the investment in getting the half round and the square wire. With your talent, there is no stopping you with the proper tools! That stone that you called an apitite doesn't look like one to me. Did you tumble it with other hard items like quartz or agate? Apitite is very soft and starts getting a layered, fractured look as you tumble it...at least in my experience. I would guess that it is a blue quartz or a light dumorterite.
You are doing great and I love the rose quartz! I am looking forward to more from you!
Fran
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 28, 2010 20:38:38 GMT -5
The blue one to me looks like larimar, but I've never heard of anyone tumbling larimar.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 28, 2010 21:18:10 GMT -5
I really like your wraps, although I too prefer to see more of the stone.
But they're YOUR wraps, so do them however YOU want.
Welcome to the group. You'll really find a lot of help and friendly people here.
Is that a yorkie in your avatar photo? I have 3 of them little critters lol.
Nate
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Mar 28, 2010 21:28:10 GMT -5
Thank you all for the advice and compliments! I am now completely convinced to buy some half round wire and square wire, is there anywhere online that sells just basic craft wire, ya know the cheap, cheap stuff so I can practice since I've never used it? I see a lot of places with sterling silver and gold filled and all that, but it's just too expensive to use for learning lol.
I was also wondering if any of you guys order wire together so you can get the better prices. If so I'd definitely want to get in on something like that.
I actually have no idea about the stones; I've not started tumbling my own rocks for I don't have a tumbler though I wish I did. These are all stones either out of Colorado where my Dad has a cabin in the mountains or from North Platte, Nebraska where I bought quite a few from Fort Cody, the lady there brought out a huge tub of tumbled stones and I spent over an hour pawing through it before my Mom drug me out of there. So I'm really not sure what most of them are except the really obvious pieces like rose quarts and tigers eye lol.
I hadn't ever really thought about the stone being the focus of the piece, until now I hadn't even seen very many other examples of wire wrapping, seeing so many all gathered in one place has been a lot to take in. I'm really glad to have found you guys!
- Krista
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 28, 2010 21:31:22 GMT -5
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Mar 28, 2010 21:45:21 GMT -5
Thank you! I've officially got both copper half round and square wire on the way to my house!  |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 28, 2010 21:49:05 GMT -5
Cool! Hey, did you know that you can twist the square wire using a cordless drill? That's how I do all of mine.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 28, 2010 21:52:10 GMT -5
Welcome Krista, this is a great place full of great people with lots of knowledge to share. I too am a beginning wrapper, had a lesson with Sheri (rockhobbit) in February. It's definitely a learning process. You have the knack for it. We do like show and tell on here so keep showing and telling ;D I have never tried wrapping tumbles, started out with cabs. I might have to try it sometime  I learned on the sterling silver square and 1/2 round then went to copper for practice now back to silver which I think is easier to work than copper. I bought my copper from Brandywine and it is a good company to deal with as far as I am concerned. We all just buy our own wire. If you're name is Randy or Marie you probably buy in bulk and get the big discounts anyway... ;D Good pictures are hard to get unless you have expensive equipment. I have a terrible time getting good ones. You are not alone in that. Doubt that blue one is Larimar, Randy. Doesn't seem to have the right colors in it, plus I don't think too many people tumble Larimar. Keep on wrapping, Krista. As a friend of mine says "practice, practice, practice" right Randy Diane |
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Mar 28, 2010 21:55:17 GMT -5
I haven't used twisting in much of anything because I haven't figured that out yet lol, I mean I know what to do in theory but just haven't done it. Maybe I will do a lot of experimenting with my new wire |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 28, 2010 21:56:00 GMT -5
Yep.... "practice, practice, practice", words to live by. ;D ....and larimar would be an expensive tumble wouldn't it? As far as having the right colors, I'm color blind, so it sure looks right to me. lol
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You guys seem to like show and tell so I thought I'd put up some of my wire wraps. I've only been wrapping since the beginning of February but since I'm without a mentor and learning on my own I think they're okay, what do you all think? (I'm also just getting a handle on photographing good pics of things that are small and shiny so please excuse my less than perfect skills lol)
