About the Ruby Pendant

QUESTION: I don't see the link to make this piece : http://www.enioken.com/jewelry/gem104.html
If I wanted to make this, where would I fine the supplies??... where would I find the beautiful faceted opaque rubies that you use to make this item.

ANSWER: There is no specific tutorial to build this particular piece, however, the tutorial http://www.enioken.com/jewelry/spiralpendant-054.html shows how it was built. The construction is the same, however, the spiral was made chaotic instead of regular.
I bought the opaque rubies at sunlightgems.com, but you can find them in other suppliers on occasion. I usually purchase my supplies directly from bead shows, and not from the site, since I get to pick and choose the strands I like.

Two questions: tumbling and failed projects

I received the following questions:
>>>I guess my question for you (among many) is after creating one of yours (034 coiled bracelet) will it be all right to tumble it to clean it and also to harden the silver?

Answer: Yes, it is totally fine to tumble the coiled bangles. They should resist the tumbling just perfectly. If they don't, then you know you didn't build them right! :-)

>>>>>My next question............How many horrible things did you make and throw out in the beginning

Answer: Just to give you an idea, I have a shoe box I call "the cemetery", which is full of items which will never see the light of day or be shown on a website. This serves to remind me that not everything works out like we want it to, and that we are constantly learning!

Using beads instead of cabs

Question via email:
"I have a question about another one of your tutorials: do you think with the square cab ring it's possible to use a square bead and just be careful about covering up the holes with the wrapping?"

The answer: Yes, absolutely -- the hole can even help to secure the bead better. Instead of starting the pattern right away, thread the wire through the bead first, secure it on the other side of the frame and only then start the weaving.

How to describe one's own work

I received this question via email:
"I hope your having a great 2008. I have a question/need a little advice....I have been a wire artist for about [number] years now, and I am finally ready to market my jewelry to boutiques, shops, etc. However, as I prepare my brochure about my jewelry, I find it a little challenging to put into words how I want the public to view my jewelry line. For example, making jewelry is an art for me (and you too!!!!!) and I feel really connected to the stones, crystals, metals and I definitely want to express that, but I don't want to sound so deep and 'out there' that I exclude potential customers who like my jewelry just because it's pretty to them. At the same time, I don't want to sound shallow just to appease the mainstream population and feel like I'm not being true to myself and my art. Any advice on how to merge these two ideas would help. Thanks for your time. Happy jewelry making!"

My answer: Describing one's own work is one of the most challenging aspects of our work. I try to keep in mind what I was thinking during the moment I was creating the piece. Was it particularly challenging? Why? What inspired you to create it? A color, a moment, a person, an object?
Also, you can try to keep the description light and even a little bit funny. And most important of all: make it personal. Describe it like you are talking to the person directly, as if it were an email or a blog. That way you connect with the reader and you also eliminate that "new age/hippie" feeling you find in most artistic descriptions.
It is personal to you, it's your "creation", your baby, so make it deeply personal!
I hope this helps!