This all started out when I finally got my hands on a chasing hammer and bench block. From there I had to go and get silver soldering supplies. My first attempt at soldering didn’t go so well as I didn’t know what it mean when the solder flowed and I didn’t heat it long enough. But once you know what that looks like it gets pretty easy.

Here is my first piece – it’s made from copper wire. The solder is silver which is why you see 2 colors. I need to figure out how to copper plate the solder.

Next is this necklace I’ve had in my head for awhile…it’s using gunmetal chains and amber glass beads. I am thinking of adding some amber glass drops too…but I want to think about it.

Lastly is this cute little beaded necklace with purple glass beads. I have tons of these bead packets from ACMoore. Basically it’s a bunch of coordinated beads and when they’re on sale it’s like $1.50 each. They’re great for quick and easy projects. I put the beads on tigertail then used crimp beads to secure it on the chain.

(click on photo to view bigger)

I got enough to make a pair for all of my female relatives and some extras. Hmm…I have a lot jewerly to make in the next week and a half!

PS If you’re my mom/aunt/sister/cousin/grandma…you didn’t see this.

Here is the final product. The box is about 4″ square to give you an idea of scale. I used a G hook and prestrung my beads. I really like the organic feel of crocheted wire, and since you can only buy sterling silver wire in 1 oz spools (I got mine from artbeads.com) I still have plenty more wire (and beads!) to play with.

These are a gift for a friend who told me that I should make Lorene originals rather than copying some stuff I saw in a jewelry shop. Although the necklace I liked was $5000! And, yes I am still planning on making my own version of it.

I like the necklace but I LOVE these earrings. They are actually made from a multi-strand holder thing (the technical term) for a necklace. You couldn’t really see them since my hair was down but I’m sure I’ll be wearing these again. In fact I need to buy some more stones/crystals so i can make more!

The smaller bead section is knotted between every 8 beads. The large bead secion has knots between every 3 beads. I used a bead awl so the knotting was pretty simple to do, but I’m surprised I don’t have a blister on my left index finger. Altogether the necklace is about 49″ long. So it can be single, double or triple wrapped.

I also made up a little pouchette for the necklace. Healing stones made me think of the little crochet bags my mom used to make when I was younger. I used to have a collection of stones I carried in the pouch around my neck. I decided to do a simpler version (my moms had patterns) with #3 pearl cotton. I used a 0 crochet hook and double crochet so it went rather quickly.

I’m sending her the necklace with a wee baggie of sea salt for purification. I hope she likes it.

I’d also like to give a shout out to crimp beads. I’ve been making jewelry since I was a little kid and I’ve never been any good at making knots. With tigertail wire and crimp beads I never have to! Woo! I’m also a big fan of toggle clasps. They are so much easier to do than lobster clasps. Especially on things like bracelets.