Technique Tuesday!
Back in the beginning of September, Mike and I went away for a long weekend with our friends Beth and Dan.  Both couples were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversaries, so we thought it might be a hoot to take a joint vacation.  The only thing was, Beth and Dan’s daughter was getting married the very next weekend!  So to assuage our guilt over not being around to help that weekend, we found a pretty rock on the beach (in Maine), and I wire wrapped it for Beth to wear to the wedding!

See, we were working on the details after …read more

Paul Bishop had so much news that I had to split his answer into two parts!  It’s really not his fault: fact is, he is responding to two different Questions of the Month, and it was all good stuff that I felt I needed to share
Here are the pieces that Paul felt were the best things he made this summer, and an explanation of why the second piece is so special.  Remember as you read this, Paul works on his jewelry business part time.
Tigress
The design uses 12, 6 and 4 mm tiger-eye rounds, with pewter bead caps,
silver-plated findings …read more

Paul Bishop, of Bishop Wire and Bead, wrote to update us on how he has made out working on his jewelry goals for the summer.  Paul had an ambitious line-up, including working on his website, trying out face-to-face vending, using up old stock, trying out a new material, and taking updated pictures, including process shots.  Whew!  Paul makes me tired!

Well, the report was good all the way around, so now I’m feeling even more tired!  Here’s what Paul had to say:
Now that it’s a month later:
I loved selling to people face-to-face. I will definitely do it again.
My idea to …read more

Technique Tuesday!
A special project created and shared by Paul Bishop, our wire-wrapping champ, of Bishop Wire & Bead. Don’t miss Paul’s great tutorial from last week, Sodalite Delightful!
You need:
· A length of heavy half-hard wire, enough to go around the briolette with room to space and to create the extra bends and hanging loops. Since the wire is on the outside, soft wire will not be strong enough unless you can hammer it to hardness after formed.
· Two lengths of soft, thinner wire. …read more

Technique Tuesday!
A special project created and shared by Paul Bishop, our wire-wrapping champ, of Bishop Wire & Bead. Look for another great tutorial by Paul next week!
Wrapping stones can be fun and challenging. Fairly regular-shaped rocks are easiest. One with a distinct shape can prove a challenge. If you’re entirely new, pick a smooth rounded rock. It is far easier on the hands than a sharp one when it slips out of your grasp.
You need:
· An interesting stone. Mine was sodalite.
· …read more

Make Art Monday!
Paua Wrap Necklace
This piece combines a lot of techniques that I enjoy: simple wire wrapping, bead embroidery, bead weaving, and stringing. As usual, I have no good name for it!

[Editor's note: Once more I am happy to turn this blog over to the wonderful wire work of Paul Bishop. This is Paul's second tutorial: please don't miss the one from last week on creating a freeform wire wrap.
If you'd like to offer a tutorial on J&B, by all means, contact me at cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces), and let me know what you'd like to write about.]
Artist: Paul Bishop
Website: Bishop Wire & Bead
Project #2 – A spiral on a front-top drilled flat pendant
This tiger-eye pendant is smaller than my thumbnail. It’s about 3/4 inch wide and 1 …read more

[Editor's note: I am thrilled to introduce you to the wonderful wire work of Paul Bishop. He graciously agreed to write a wire tutorial for all of you, and he ended up writing TWO of them! The second will be posted next week, so stay tuned!
If you'd like to offer a tutorial on J&B, by all means, contact me at cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces), and let me know what you'd like to write about.]
Artist: Paul Bishop
Website: Bishop Wire & Bead
I’m honoured that Cyndi asked me to provide a little something, specifically on the topic of …read more