Need Honesty and Ideas

[upsided0wnducks]

Alright guys, sooo I have a commission that is just really different from any wrap I've ever done.

This is the sketch I was sent:


The small circle is an amethyst and the rest of the large one is silver. The square around it is silver with hematite beads.

This is my attempt at the wrap:


I am going to re-make this wrap and try to make it better. These are the things I think I can fix relatively easily. Center the star on the back of the piece. remember to make the loop on the top instead of having to add a bail. Try and make the outside square, more square.

Please, I want suggestions, critiques and any advice you can muster. This is an unusual piece for me and I'm having trouble. I'm not sure how to get the ends of the square to meet nicely so that'd be a good thing if you have an idea for me.

Thank you! Krista

[NatureNut]

Wow Krista, it's really, really cool and different. Great job tackling this and doing it so well!

For the square, it looks like there is some pulling on it so I would use hard or half hard wire for it. Also, (and I'm sure you did), I'd measure the sides of the square really, really carefully and precise.

I'm sure others will offer better suggestion than I could, but just wanted to say good job and good luck with it. Jo

[lisatech]

Very ambitious piece - you have a lot more skill than moi! I wouldn't have the first idea where to start... :-)

For the square... Is there a possibility you could construct the square and solder it square or rawhide hammer it into a harder silver so it will be more stable for your wrap...

The only other thing I could comment on is that if the square was a bit bigger then the design would more resemble the drawing in proportions.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing the next version...

[peachfront]

I lack the skill to give technical advice, but if it's a metaphysical piece, I would be cautious with the orientation of the five pointed star. I would do it one point up pointing directly at the bail. So it hangs with a point up when it's being worn. If my meaning is not clear, look at the United States flag...I recommend the same orientation as the stars on our flag. If it's two points up, then it's a negative symbol for some metaphysical people. The more vegan and "harm none" the customer, the more cautious I would be about making sure the orientation of the star was as perfect as I could get it. Now if it's some Goth guy with five skull rings on his hand and five more skull tattoos on his body, an upside-down star may be just the ticket. But I'd still check to be sure what was wanted. Hematite, amethyst, silver...this piece may have a healing purpose and the shape of the star (pointed up or down) might be important.

[NDK]

Krista, this is a really cool project. I think you've done a nice job so far.

It's funny, I was thinking similar thoughts about the star. Make sure you have it the way they want it.

I can't offer much technical advise, except for maybe trying to clean up the weave wrappings around the top and bottom pieces of the square.

Keep us in the loop! I'm very interested in seeing the final product.

Nate

[drocknut]

That is a very cool and interesting piece. Looks like you put a lot of time and thought into that. I think you captured the design that was given to you perfectly. For the square perhaps you could form it around something square to get the proportions right. Also you might use the wires from the square to form the bail at the top then add the other inside elements (I think they call it a bead frame or something like that). Basically shape the square using one wire and at the top connecting it together by making a wrapped loop using one side for the wrap and the other for the loop. Just a suggestion.
I'll bet whatever you come up with will be beautiful.

[TByrd]

You did a great job on such a large piece. The things that I see that need work are as follow:

1). The frame needs to be straightened so the wire needs to be hardened before you start the weave by making the frame very precise and then harden it by using a rawhide or plastic hammer on a steel block. If you use a different hammer or do not use a block, the wire will be deformed.

2) Did the customer want the star on the back or is that a design element that you put in? If the cab needs held in place, can you make the weave three dimentional and weave to the back and then to the front?

3) The wires along the bottom and the top look messy, I do not know if that was done on purpose. Could those wires be less messy? Could you use these to weave the cab in place?

4) The hematite beads in the corners could be a little tidyer. Could you wrap them around the wire like some of the weave?

I hope that you can gleen some new ideas to help you improve on a great design. You did a great job on this piece.

Good luck.

Tammy

[amyk]

I was thinking the same thing as NDK for neatening it up and the same as drocknut for the bail. I was also thinking you could use a heavier gauge wire for the square. That would also make it more sturdy.

I know we all teach about the benefits of square wire here, but I think in this case it would look neater with round wire. I think also if you instead of leaving bare areas on the square, you could form the square first, then wrap it with a coil all around adding in the beads on the corners, ending with the two ends making the bail.

Then add the center elements. The weave could still be attached to the square the same way, just go over the coil with the weave anchors. You could even form the circles and weave seperately and just sew it to the square when finished with the two pieces. I would probably use maybe a 26 gauge round to sew it on with.

All in all, a great attempt at a difficult wrap. Awesome job. I would love to see the end results also.

Just my suggestions.

Amy

[upsided0wnducks]

Yey! I'm so glad I decided to put this up here. That is all really wonderful advice and I think the final piece is going to be very much improved because of it!

The weaving does need cleaned up, but this was my first attempt at weaving so I think I'll get better with time.

I talked to the customer and he wants the star pointing up like peachfront suggested. And it was my idea but he didn't give me any hints to how he wanted the back to look, and the star was a bit of an accident but he likes it so it's staying

I like the idea of making the square hard and separate so I'll try that. I'm not sure I'd coil around the square though, just because he told me he wanted the piece to be about a square inch and I'm already pushing that and it feels a little cramped to me. But I might use a little thicker gauge, debating the merits of the round vs square. I like the thought of the bail being a real part of the square, I will be doing this.

Only one of those sets of beads was put on how I wanted it to be so I can fix them being a little messy, straighten them up a bit.

I'll let you all know when i finish the piece, he wants it done by September but I'm sure I'll finish it way before then

Krista

[adrian65]

You did it exactly as your customer demanded. The only thing not shown in the drawing but which is in the pendant is the weaving around the amethyst. If the customer prefers without weaving, you could try to groove wrap the purple round stone, but I doubt the pendant would be as solid as the one you did.

Adrian

[TByrd]

You did a great job on such a big adventure. You did very well on the weave, especially it being your first weave. Congratulations!! It sounds now that you have decided to use harder or to hazrden your, it is the details, that is the problem that I need to pay the most attention to. Good luck and keep posting so we can see the final piece. Don,t forget to take a photo for your 'portfolio'.

[Roger]

I think as far as wire goes use square for the square frame and round for the large ring.I love your weave but it would look great either way.

Good Luck
Roger

[gerard]

I have no suggestions to improve, except if the overall size is at a limit use a smaller stone. Your wrappings are tremendous, and you attention to detail unsurpassed. Don't answer this next question if it is too personal, but I was wondering what kind of fee you get for a custom order like this one?

[upsided0wnducks]

I talked to the customer about the weaving before I even started my first attempt. I looked at the design and figured out how I could make it still a wire wrap, because wire wrapping is the only type of jewelry I do. So I told him the crescent moon wouldn't be solid, it'd be weaving if I did the piece and he was fine with it

I think I will use the square for the outside and the round for the inside circles, that's a good idea. I only have the one round amethyst stone, otherwise I have to drive a couple hours to my suppliers again and the other stones were really small when i was up there last.

The question isn't too personal, I charge the same I would if I made it all of my own accord, I have a base price I charge, then add on any extras the pieces require such as a certain stone, what size and shape of wires I'll use, just figured the price for weaving/hr, I charge extra if it's twisted wire and so on. I'm charging the guy $110.00 plus shipping for this piece once it's to my satisfaction. I'd say once it was to his satisfaction, but most of my customers are satisfied before I am lol, I won't sell it if I don't love it and want to keep it for myself lol. Even when the design isn't my own, I'm going to make it perfect or I won't want to claim it later lol.

Krista

[upsided0wnducks]

After some practice and a few more tries, this is what I've come up with. I've yet to put the beads on but what do you all think this go round? The weaving isn't as close together, is that good or bad? I made the crescent moon separate from the square, does how I attached them look alright?

Krista

[upsided0wnducks]

OOps, here's the picture

[christopherl1234]

I think this is coming along nicely. I think the weave would look better if you would have put a wrap where all the gaps are. I forget what they call it when you do that but you just go around one time before you go to the other side. Just my opinion.

[sitnwrap]

Your project is amazing. I think what Christopher said also has a practicle funtion in that the coils in between will help keep the weaved wire in place and not slide or misshappen on the square wire.

[Roger]

I like it just like that.I suppose you could clean up the wraps....really like your work!!!

Roger

[drocknut]

That looks great.