Spiral bezels for Ornate ring

Question: I just purchased your pattern for the 037 ornate ring and have a question. When adding the spiral bezels, are they placed on top of the base and wired or do they sit along the outside edge of the base, with the base forming a kind of tiny platform for the cabochon to rest on? I hope this makes sense!

Answer: the question makes perfect sense. The spirals sit alongside the outside of the base, that is why the base needs to be the size of the INSIDE OF THE CAB. So that the cab can sit on it without falling through.

Straightening wire

Question: It regards wire straightening. I purchase some sterling silver wire. I think it is 24 or 26 gauge – finer, anyway. It came on a reel and it is pretty bumpy – not nice and straight. Is it a good idea to try to straighten it with either a wire straightener or some other tool?

Answer: it's better to avoid straightening wire excessively, because it will make the wire more brittle and springier. But in this case where the wire is really bumpy, do this: cut the length of wire that you require for the project, and then run a soft cloth over it to straighten it. If it's REALLY bumpy, then use nylon jaw pliers, and just run it up once or twice.
And again, avoid doing it a lot, or it will make the wire really brittle and springy in time.

How to hand coil

Question: [In lessons such as the Coiled Bangle or Ornate Ring] regarding the coiling around the main frame of wire. Can you coil it with your round nose pliers and then slip it on to the frame wire? Other wise, I am having difficult working with such long pieces of wire. Do you cut your wire into more manageable sizes? Or do you start in the middle of the frame and wrap one way and then the other.

Answer: I normally cut a piece of wire that is no longer than my arms length, about 2 feet or under. Then I attach it to the frame by coiling once or twice. This is done by holding the frame and a short 1 inch tail with my left hand, and then holding the end of the long wire with my right hand (all this if you are right handed, of course). Then I pretend I'm sewing, holding only the end of the wire. I don't use the pliers, only my fingers. I don't run the wire along the length of the wire, or else it gets really springy.

I slip the wire through the work, from back to front, and pull it as if I were sewing. When the wire is long, you have to raise your hand to pull the entire length of wire (that's why it can't be longer than your arm). So it's very physical, to say the least.

HAPPY 2008!

Happy 2008! I'm finally back from vacation and ready to tackle the new year. This year promises some big changes! Some friends and students are wondering why the site updates have been a little slow, both in terms of new jewelry and of tutorials. Well, it's not only because of the holidays == I'm working on a major revamp of the site and it's taking me all my time. It should be ready in 3 to 5 months.... hopefully sooner. So hang in there!