Five Tools to Get You Started Making Wire Wrapped Jewelry

1. Wire Cutters:
The type of wire cutters you buy is very important. You want a very close cut on you wraps to avoid filing. I use these. I got them at a jewelry wholesaler. You can easily find them on line.

                                            

2. Needle nose pliers. These are not what your daddy has in his tool box. You need jewelry grade pliers. They will have smooth stainless steel noses that won't mark up your wire.
Here are the ones I use:

                                      

3. Flat Nose Pliers
These are important to have to flatten the ends of wire wraps and for closing jump rings.
Here are the ones I use:

                                 

4. Nylon Tip Pliers
These are great because they won't mark up wire when using larger gauge wire or aluminum wire.
They are also great for straightening out kinked wire.
Here are the ones I use:

                                     

5. Jumpring Mandrel
This mandrel has small size steps so you can make jump rings. You just coil your wire around the size you want and then cut straight up the side. More about jump rings later.
Here is the one I use:

                                    

So those are the top five tools I use every day. You can get started with just the first three. Check your local jewelry supply store or shop on line. If you buy on line, I suggest you read reviews before you order. In future I will go into detail about where I get my jewelry supplies.

A Portland Wedding

I am co hosting the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop from Katherines Corner. check out all of these great blogs! 

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My friend Sarah got married on the Fourth of July. I made this crystal and hematite necklace with an interesting chain treatment which I am very into right now. Sarah has extensive body art so I thought the clear crystal would be perfect and wouldn't interfere with it. 

This is her flower girl wearing the simple pearl necklace I made for her.

Who is Banba?

Irish mythology is still in the hearts of people of Irish decent living all around the world. Being of Irish decent, I too share this passion. I started out painting water colors of fairies and goddesses, then progressed to making jewelry inspired by the ancient knot work of the Celts. I chose Banba as the name for my collection because she was an Irish goddess and thought to be the first inhabitant of the island. Her name was often used in poetry to refer to Ireland. My hope is that my work will give the wearer a feel for this world of long ago.

Celtic Hoop Earrings

About ten years ago I decided I wanted to make my own style of hoop earrings. So I experimented with different gauges of sterling silver wire. I finally settled on 22 gauge half hard wire. I like to put a swirl at the top instead of a loop to add a Celtic feel that harkens back to the old Irish stone works and metal works of long ago.
Here are some examples:

Purple and clear crystals with small swirl.

Hematite hoops with extra loop to attach a center piece.

Coral chips with pewter beads with larger swirls at the top.
I recently discovered nylon tipped pliers which really help to make the swirls without nicking the wire. I give them a gentle pounding with a flat hammer and tiny anvil. Good luck with your projects. For more of my jewelry visit me on Etsy:
www.etsy.com/shop/banba

Summer Street Faires

I am so excited about working the summer street Faires here in Portland this year! I bought a new display case that is really going to make it easy! I bought this case from the Home Shopping Channel of all places. It is meant to hang over a door, but I know it is going to be perfect for my outdoor shows. My husband is going to put a handle on it so it will be just like a guitar case. Back when I played my guitar in bands, I would keep everything I needed in my case, open it up, plug it in and be ready to play. Now I can do it with this case - just with jewelry!

Yellow Orange Agate Earrings

These polished orange yellow agates are wrapped in sterling silver and have sterling silver ear wires and pewter accents. Perfect for spring! To purchase a pair visit my Etsy shop by clicking on the link on the right.

Come and Join the Blog Hop!