Trying again

[kap]

OK I gave wrapping a try again my fat little fingers do not do what I ask of them . It's not great but I think I am getting a little better. So I thought y'all would like a laugh so here it is.
Give me some feedback I know I need a lot of practice
This is one I cabbed last week in 22g square dead soft brass

Is the better wire like silver and gold filled easier to work with? I have a hard time with the bindings and bails.
THANKS
Keith

[NDK]

I can't say what's easier to work, but I would imagine dead soft is dead soft whether gold, brass, or silver.

As far as your wrap goes, I think it looks nice. I'm certainly no expert, but here are my thoughts. The bindings are tight, the wrap is symmetrical, and the bail is straight. The curlies aren't perfect, but it's hand made so it adds character. Besides, with that beautiful cab as the centerpiece, I bet most wouldn't notice anyway.

Nate

[Bikerrandy]

If you want to try some good wire, try sterling silver (Argentium) from Rio Grande. It's not too expensive and it's definitely easier to work with, especially if you start using half round (half-hard) to do the bindings.

[rocksndahead]

The dead soft brass wire seems a little softer, to me, than silver or gf wire. However, not enough to make that much differance. The best thing about having found some square brass wire is you can afford to cut it off the cab and try again if you are not happy with it. I agree with Nate though, you seem to be on he right track.

[Toad]

Looking good. Keep on practicing and you'll have masterpieces soon.

[mc2]

Darn, looking pretty good to me! I know what ya mean about the fingers not working right. I certainly have to really work hard at it. Many times I get frustrated and feel like giving up. But, I am determined to learn how to wrap enough to find my own way/style. I believe you can do it! Practice,practice! All in all, that piece looks pretty good. If you want, next time I come up that way, I will bring my tools and show you what I have found that works for me on doing the curls. They are tricky.
I know part of my difficulty is that I work with all half-hard wire. I want to make sure my pieces hold up well, don't get bent easily. However, I may be very wrong about that. I think I may have to try some dead soft wire sometime.
Keep on twisting!!

Mike

[rockmanken]

Keith, I knew you could do it. It seems hard at first, but about the 5th one and it will seem easier. Practice makes perfect. You did and excellent job.
Like Randy said, the curls need work, but they are not that bad.
maybe it would help if you bound your wires in the bottom middle and then wrapped about 3/4 way up on each side. It would help keep the stone in place. Get some quilters tape(1/4" wide) and place over the wires at the bottom to hold in place. It will be your 3rd hand, sometimes the 4th one.
On your top binding, I have found that if you make a bend with a tail of about 1" and slip it over all the wrap wires and grasp it with the chain nosed pliers on the end of the tail and use the pliers to loop it around the wires, it seems to work better. Then tuck the end of it in where all the wires meet, at the top of the stone.
Hope this is a clear as mud. Hee hee

[frane]

Good to see you back at it! I think that looks fine and maybe turning your swirls into the stone instead of away may make it look even better.
great job!
Fran

[drocknut]

What's wrong with having fat little fingers?? hmmm? Mine are none too skinny or long and I can wrap, well sort of, so you can too. So there No laughing here, you are getting the hang of it.

I have never tried to wrap with brass so no idea about it. I didn't even know they made brass in square. I would think it would be easier with 1/2 round for the bindings. If brass doesn't come in 1/2 round you might try using copper as a less expensive alternative to silver or gold. I think each type of metal works it's own way so they all have their little quirks. I like working with the silver dead soft the best, that's just me.

That cab is beautiful and you are going to get better. Practice Practice Practice (right Randy ;-) ) Check out Marie's tutorial on swirls, it might help you, I know it helped me.

I did notice it looks like you used 5 wraps on one side and six on the other, might look better with the same number of wraps on both sides. :2cents:

Mike, I may be wrong but I was told that the dead soft will harden up as you work with it, don't know if that is true but maybe someone else will know. I tried half hard and it was way too hard for me to work with. I'd think as long as the person doesn't drop it all the time, stomp on it, or otherwise abuse the piece the dead soft will hold up just fine.

[kap]

Thanks everyone I will keep trying .
Diane I counted the wraps twice while I was doing them and still got it wrong .
Randy I will give the silver a try.
Keith

[drocknut]

Keith, I've done that myself, probably why I noticed it. It helped me to count them while wrapping, every time I go around the wires I count it as another wrap. Does that make sense? Don't worry about it, it just takes practice.

[amyk]

Not bad. I know what you mean about the bindings and the bail. That was the hardest part for me too. I have used Brass and still do. It is easy to work with, and looks like gold. I finally found some Brass half round. It is hard to find. Try this site.

beadstore.wigjig.com/Brass_Half_Round.html

They also sell the square. And cheap. 30 feet for about $3.00.

Or you can use copper half round. I did because I couldn't find the brass. A lot of people liked it because it had both metals in it. I even sold one.

Keep wrappin.