So... What are Woven Wire Bracelets?
By Linda Shanahan
Bracelets by Henry Huss. The Bottom is an 18 strand 18-gauge sterling silver wire weave. The top bracelet is a weave using 22-gauge sterling silver wire with gold wrap and an onyx stone.
Creating wire wrapped jewelry can be fun and extremely rewarding.
Woven wire bracelets can be made using many kinds of wire incorporated in a multitude of designs. You can use just one specific wire or choose to mix the wire; copper, bronze, gold, or silver just to mention a few. You can use any kind of less expensive nontoxic metal wire; mixed metals are currently extremely popular. Your design can be made with thin wire such as 22 gauge or a thicker wire such as 10 to 8 gauge, the thicker the wire the lower the gauge. It is best to keep the gauge consistent to enable a tight fit when wrapping. You can choose round, half round or square wire. A word of warning: in making the bracelet be sure not to twist the wire when forming the weave or the strands. The wire can be woven which simply means weaving it (similar to braiding) or it can be in straight alignment with a perpendicular wrapped wire holding it together. With a little experience you can weave or set beads, gemstones, or cabochons within the bracelet design. Handcrafted clasps are relatively simple to make but with a little imagination even they can be an intricate art form. You can also make earrings, wire rings, and learn to wrap fused glass or cabochons to create pendants. With a little experience and confidence, you can experiment with twists and turns in wrapping a stone. There are tutorials online, but nothing beats having an expert on hand to bail you out when you get into trouble. Whether you want to learn to make wire rings, bracelets, how to wrap pendants, or how to make your own unique handcrafted clasps, Henry Huss can help you get started in the world of wire jewelry making. For information or to sign up for a class with Henry or any other of our resident teachers visit our website at www.slrgs.com.
Woven wire bracelets can be made using many kinds of wire incorporated in a multitude of designs. You can use just one specific wire or choose to mix the wire; copper, bronze, gold, or silver just to mention a few. You can use any kind of less expensive nontoxic metal wire; mixed metals are currently extremely popular. Your design can be made with thin wire such as 22 gauge or a thicker wire such as 10 to 8 gauge, the thicker the wire the lower the gauge. It is best to keep the gauge consistent to enable a tight fit when wrapping. You can choose round, half round or square wire. A word of warning: in making the bracelet be sure not to twist the wire when forming the weave or the strands. The wire can be woven which simply means weaving it (similar to braiding) or it can be in straight alignment with a perpendicular wrapped wire holding it together. With a little experience you can weave or set beads, gemstones, or cabochons within the bracelet design. Handcrafted clasps are relatively simple to make but with a little imagination even they can be an intricate art form. You can also make earrings, wire rings, and learn to wrap fused glass or cabochons to create pendants. With a little experience and confidence, you can experiment with twists and turns in wrapping a stone. There are tutorials online, but nothing beats having an expert on hand to bail you out when you get into trouble. Whether you want to learn to make wire rings, bracelets, how to wrap pendants, or how to make your own unique handcrafted clasps, Henry Huss can help you get started in the world of wire jewelry making. For information or to sign up for a class with Henry or any other of our resident teachers visit our website at www.slrgs.com.
Silver Bells
Left to Right: Linda Shanahan, Gail Wilder, Anita Metzbower, Linda Murray, Susan Carter
These five Belles may have Silver in their hair
But let me tell you this, they don’t really care
Silver on their arms, silver on their hands
Silver on their fingers in the form of bands
Work inside the shop No better place to be
Designing silver jewelry, they’ll sell it for a fee
Want to buy their work? There gonna have a show
Solo shop for Christmas you really gotta go
Nine Artists make their work available to buy
Presents for your loved one if you are a guy
Ladies you may purchase anything you like
Location in Sun Lakes won’t have to take a hike
Shopping at this place it will be only you
Attention needed now I’ll tell you what to do
Call us on the phone the number’s at the end
Oakwood is the place just around the bend
Appointments will be made you’ll enter one by one
You’ll get to look and touch until your shopping’s done
Cash or check is what we’ll need to have for pay
We’ll package it right up and you’ll be on your way
We show for twenty days, we start December first
And we are so excited I think that we might burst
You might just get a cookie and maybe even punch
You’ll find something wonderful I just have a hunch
CALL LINDA SHANAHAN AT 503 422-8882
Silversmithing Artists from Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club Participating:
Susan Carter Carter, Don Hall, Jim Marquis, Anita Metzbower
Linda Murray, Richard Sanderville, Linda Shanahan, Tony Thompson, Doug Williams
Left to Right: Linda Shanahan, Gail Wilder, Anita Metzbower, Linda Murray, Susan Carter
These five Belles may have Silver in their hair
But let me tell you this, they don’t really care
Silver on their arms, silver on their hands
Silver on their fingers in the form of bands
Work inside the shop No better place to be
Designing silver jewelry, they’ll sell it for a fee
Want to buy their work? There gonna have a show
Solo shop for Christmas you really gotta go
Nine Artists make their work available to buy
Presents for your loved one if you are a guy
Ladies you may purchase anything you like
Location in Sun Lakes won’t have to take a hike
Shopping at this place it will be only you
Attention needed now I’ll tell you what to do
Call us on the phone the number’s at the end
Oakwood is the place just around the bend
Appointments will be made you’ll enter one by one
You’ll get to look and touch until your shopping’s done
Cash or check is what we’ll need to have for pay
We’ll package it right up and you’ll be on your way
We show for twenty days, we start December first
And we are so excited I think that we might burst
You might just get a cookie and maybe even punch
You’ll find something wonderful I just have a hunch
CALL LINDA SHANAHAN AT 503 422-8882
Silversmithing Artists from Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club Participating:
Susan Carter Carter, Don Hall, Jim Marquis, Anita Metzbower
Linda Murray, Richard Sanderville, Linda Shanahan, Tony Thompson, Doug Williams
TURQUOISE, THE SACRED STONE OF THE SOUTHWEST
November Splash Article - Linda Shanahan
Doug Williams’ Turquoise Shown Above Is In Different Phases
Starting with Raw Stone Slab And Ending In A Cabochon
Turquoise was thought to have been sacred pieces of the sky by Persians, Tibetans and Mayans. This stone is a combination of aluminum, copper, phosphorous, water and other local ingredients responsible for changing the color or adding matrix. The most rare and valuable stones are found right here, in the Southwest. There are about twenty mines in the Southwest United States that supply or have supplied gem quality turquoise. The most common mines are found in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. Most of these mines have been mined out with the exception of Nevada and a few in Arizona. Turquoise stones set in silver from Navajo artisans have become an icon of this part of the country. The silversmithing aspect dates back to 1828 when the Spanish occupied the Southwest region and shared this skill with the tribe.
When purchasing turquoise be aware that there are many different grades of stones. Stabilized stones are soft low-grade turquoise that has gone through a special process that enhances its color and hardness. This process involves putting the stone under pressure so that it absorbs a type of clear filler made of epoxy or plastic. The process makes the stone harder making it easier to manipulate and cut. There are also reconstituted or chalk stones. These are actually fragments of stone that are crushed into a powder and mixed with epoxy. This results in harder blocks that can be cut into slabs or stone shapes. Lastly, there are imitation (dyed plastic) stones on the market made to look like turquoise. Make sure you know what you are buying. High grade turquoise is worth three times the value of Gold because it truly is that rare. If it is inexpensive, it is not good turquoise. If you are purchasing a silver piece look for a “925” or a “STERLING” stamp somewhere on the back. This will assure you are not getting silver plate or some other metal.
As a healing stone, Turquoise is among the crystal healing master stones. According to followers of the New Age, the healing powers of Turquoise can benefit the whole body, with special strengths in healing ailments of the immune, respiratory, waste and skeletal systems.
Regardless of what attracts you to this stone, natural gem quality turquoise is one of the rarest and most collectable stones in our world today
PLEASE NOTE: Doug’s creations along with other SLRGS Club Silversmiths will be available for Holiday Sales Dec 1 to Dec 20. For more information check the December Splash under Silver Belles
Shopping will be by appointment only for social distancing purposes.
www.slrgs.com
Starting with Raw Stone Slab And Ending In A Cabochon
Turquoise was thought to have been sacred pieces of the sky by Persians, Tibetans and Mayans. This stone is a combination of aluminum, copper, phosphorous, water and other local ingredients responsible for changing the color or adding matrix. The most rare and valuable stones are found right here, in the Southwest. There are about twenty mines in the Southwest United States that supply or have supplied gem quality turquoise. The most common mines are found in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. Most of these mines have been mined out with the exception of Nevada and a few in Arizona. Turquoise stones set in silver from Navajo artisans have become an icon of this part of the country. The silversmithing aspect dates back to 1828 when the Spanish occupied the Southwest region and shared this skill with the tribe.
When purchasing turquoise be aware that there are many different grades of stones. Stabilized stones are soft low-grade turquoise that has gone through a special process that enhances its color and hardness. This process involves putting the stone under pressure so that it absorbs a type of clear filler made of epoxy or plastic. The process makes the stone harder making it easier to manipulate and cut. There are also reconstituted or chalk stones. These are actually fragments of stone that are crushed into a powder and mixed with epoxy. This results in harder blocks that can be cut into slabs or stone shapes. Lastly, there are imitation (dyed plastic) stones on the market made to look like turquoise. Make sure you know what you are buying. High grade turquoise is worth three times the value of Gold because it truly is that rare. If it is inexpensive, it is not good turquoise. If you are purchasing a silver piece look for a “925” or a “STERLING” stamp somewhere on the back. This will assure you are not getting silver plate or some other metal.
As a healing stone, Turquoise is among the crystal healing master stones. According to followers of the New Age, the healing powers of Turquoise can benefit the whole body, with special strengths in healing ailments of the immune, respiratory, waste and skeletal systems.
Regardless of what attracts you to this stone, natural gem quality turquoise is one of the rarest and most collectable stones in our world today
PLEASE NOTE: Doug’s creations along with other SLRGS Club Silversmiths will be available for Holiday Sales Dec 1 to Dec 20. For more information check the December Splash under Silver Belles
Shopping will be by appointment only for social distancing purposes.
www.slrgs.com
JIM MARQUIS: ARTIST WHO ASPIRES TO INSPIRE
Linda Shanahan
LOST WAX? What’s that all about?
Jimmy can tell you without a doubt
Can’t use a cell phone or even a fax
But this man can tell you all about wax
This man’s a genius he really does know
How to form wax and then make it flow
First out of wax you form what you choose
Sprue up that artwork, be sure not to snooze
Invest that wax pattern to form a nice mold
Now melt out the wax, it’s hot please don’t hold
Force in hot metal this is called casting
Clean glitches and sprue, your piece will be lasting
You’ll finish and polish your friends they will say
“You did it yourself?” No way! Oh no way.
JIM MARQUIS was born in Flagstaff and spent most of his childhood and teenage years around that area graduating from Flagstaff High in 1965. He enlisted in the army in 1966 where he attended airborne school making a total of ten jumps, one in the providence of Kom Tum. He served in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne then on to Ft. Bragg to finish his 3 years. Jim moved to Page AZ for an apprenticeship with the Bureau of Reclamation as a Power Plant Mechanic. His position involved maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment (turbines, pumps, air handlers, rotors, cranes etc.) and all other mechanical equipment associated with the installation and repair at Glen Canton Dam. Later he was promoted to the Mechanical Supervisor position. After retiring in 2008 he moved to Sun Lakes where he became involved with the Sun Lakes Rock Gem and Silver Club. He has served as a valuable member of the club teaching Lost Wax which he truly enjoys. This art form which starts with wax and ends with a metal jewelry piece involves a few steps but Jim says “If I can learn them then I am certain anyone can. Being a member of this club has been a positive experience for me and I look forward to teaching more classes and creating more projects at our three shops in Sun Lakes. My lovely wife Patty (the clubs raffle coordinator) and I hope to continue doing our part to promote the club. We have met some very artistic people involved in this group and encourage anyone who is interested to join and discover their inner artist.” Our meetings are the third Monday of the month (starting in October) at the Sun Lakes Najavo room at 10am. For more information visit our website at www.slrgs.com. A big thank you to Jim for his commitment and dedication to the club.
Jimmy can tell you without a doubt
Can’t use a cell phone or even a fax
But this man can tell you all about wax
This man’s a genius he really does know
How to form wax and then make it flow
First out of wax you form what you choose
Sprue up that artwork, be sure not to snooze
Invest that wax pattern to form a nice mold
Now melt out the wax, it’s hot please don’t hold
Force in hot metal this is called casting
Clean glitches and sprue, your piece will be lasting
You’ll finish and polish your friends they will say
“You did it yourself?” No way! Oh no way.
JIM MARQUIS was born in Flagstaff and spent most of his childhood and teenage years around that area graduating from Flagstaff High in 1965. He enlisted in the army in 1966 where he attended airborne school making a total of ten jumps, one in the providence of Kom Tum. He served in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne then on to Ft. Bragg to finish his 3 years. Jim moved to Page AZ for an apprenticeship with the Bureau of Reclamation as a Power Plant Mechanic. His position involved maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment (turbines, pumps, air handlers, rotors, cranes etc.) and all other mechanical equipment associated with the installation and repair at Glen Canton Dam. Later he was promoted to the Mechanical Supervisor position. After retiring in 2008 he moved to Sun Lakes where he became involved with the Sun Lakes Rock Gem and Silver Club. He has served as a valuable member of the club teaching Lost Wax which he truly enjoys. This art form which starts with wax and ends with a metal jewelry piece involves a few steps but Jim says “If I can learn them then I am certain anyone can. Being a member of this club has been a positive experience for me and I look forward to teaching more classes and creating more projects at our three shops in Sun Lakes. My lovely wife Patty (the clubs raffle coordinator) and I hope to continue doing our part to promote the club. We have met some very artistic people involved in this group and encourage anyone who is interested to join and discover their inner artist.” Our meetings are the third Monday of the month (starting in October) at the Sun Lakes Najavo room at 10am. For more information visit our website at www.slrgs.com. A big thank you to Jim for his commitment and dedication to the club.
LOST WAX...WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT?
WAX + METAL = AN ORIGINAL HANDMADE GIFT
Linda Shanahan
Casting – Lost Wax Process
The lost wax casting process is widely used as it offers asymmetrical casting with very fine details to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The process involves producing a metal casting using a refractory mold made from a wax replica pattern.
Steps involved in the process of lost wax casting are:
•Create a wax pattern of your piece. Premade wax patterns are available in our shops.
•Sprue the wax pattern
•Mix Investment material, add to can with the wax pattern. Set to harden.
•Eliminate the wax pattern by melting it (inside the furnace or in hot water). This will create a new mold (a negative impression of your wax pattern).
•Using the acetylene/oxygen torch, heat the metal in a crucible and spin to allow the liquid metal to flow into the negative impression.
•Clean the cast of investment debris.
•Remove sprue from the cast
•Finish and polish the casting on the die.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS? YOU CAN DO IT.
JOIN SUN LAKES ROCK, GEM AND SILVER CLUB
www.slrgs.com
Casting – Lost Wax Process
The lost wax casting process is widely used as it offers asymmetrical casting with very fine details to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The process involves producing a metal casting using a refractory mold made from a wax replica pattern.
Steps involved in the process of lost wax casting are:
•Create a wax pattern of your piece. Premade wax patterns are available in our shops.
•Sprue the wax pattern
•Mix Investment material, add to can with the wax pattern. Set to harden.
•Eliminate the wax pattern by melting it (inside the furnace or in hot water). This will create a new mold (a negative impression of your wax pattern).
•Using the acetylene/oxygen torch, heat the metal in a crucible and spin to allow the liquid metal to flow into the negative impression.
•Clean the cast of investment debris.
•Remove sprue from the cast
•Finish and polish the casting on the die.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS? YOU CAN DO IT.
JOIN SUN LAKES ROCK, GEM AND SILVER CLUB
www.slrgs.com
September 2020 Splash Article
Meet “THE FACETING FANATIC”
Think you can facet? Of course you can. Be you a woman or be you a man Tony can teach you, yes he is the king The “facet fanatic” it has a nice ring Five seven facets go on the gemstone He’ll help you out. You won’t be alone Cut and then polish the facets and girdle At first you’ll be slow so much like a turtle You’ll finish your work and he’ll tell you “well done” Then you’ll share with your friends “that was such fun” Tony Thompson The Artist who “Aspires to Inspire” After 36 years in banking in Northern Nevada, Tony Thompson made the move to Sun Lakes, Arizona. He became a member and a student at the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club in 2014 and contributes regularly as a volunteer instructor and helper in the various shops. He and his wife Judy enjoy much of what Arizona has to offer: the arts, theater, sports and the great weather. They also enjoy traveling and discovering the history of the area. While traveling they always find rock shops to browse through finding material to bring back and work up in the various Sun Lakes lapidary shops. Tony enjoys the shop forming stones into cabochons that can later be used in the silver shops. His summer hiatus in Nevada allows him plenty of opportunities to rockhound and rub shoulders with the local ranchers. His first love is faceting learned in a class provided by SLRGS club. He now gives back by teaching the craft. Tony also enjoys the art of stained glass which he teaches in the summer out of his home studio. He also works with lapidary, lost wax, silversmithing and fused glass. He is the father of two sons and one daughter and grandfather of four (soon to be five) college graduates. Interested in becoming a “faceting fanatic”? If so visit our website at www.slrgs.com. It’s never to late to learn or to discover your inner artist. Linda Shanahan Welcome to Stephanie Reisenbuchler who will be writing the club articles for the Splash. Any news you have for publication should be directed to Stephanie.
|
