Design Sources
The following links are those sites I like to go to when I need a bit of inspiration – in no way am I suggesting copying someone's designs but rather use them to give your ideas a kick start.
Jayatu
When I first started making jewellery this was the site that really gave me inspiration. Connie Fox's designs were brilliant and very different to anything I'd seen before. Although she's focusing more on classes now the site's still full of galleries with designs from Connie and her students. Also a very useful section on basic wire techniques.
http://www.conniefox.com/
Sundance
The Sundance Catalog has some amazing jewellery but at a price! Not so well known in the UK this US site has many followers and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery you only need to put in 'Sundance' as a search on eBay's US site to find lots of people selling Sundance-inspired jewellery. If you like the designs of Jess Maharry try looking at Cathy Dailey's shop on Etsy – she produces charms and findings that are very similar.
http://www.sundancecatalog.com/index.jsp
Jewellery Techniques
As well as Connie Fox's tutorials mentioned earlier Etsy also provides details of techniques in its' forums. Also, try the following links for ideas:
http://www.allaboutjewellerymaking.info/jewellery-making-tutorials/
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/
Monday 26 January 2009
Findings Suppliers and Tips - UK Buyers
Findings is the term that describes any component used to make a piece of jewellery and can include wire, sheet, ear wires, clasps and beads.
Sterling silver wire is extremely useful – lighter weights can be used for wrapping, attaching beads to chain, making your own eye pins; and heavier weight wire can be used for clasps, earring wires and making your own chains. In the UK wire is usually sold by millimetre thickness ranging from about 0.02mm – very fine wire that can be knitted; to upwards of 2mm. Also comes in three types – soft, half hard and hard. Soft is more bendy and malleable whilst hard is more difficult to bend into shape but will keep the form it has been bent into more easily. As a personal preference I buy half hard wire – if you hammer the wire after forming with a rawhide or wooden mallet it will become harder and this method won't flatten the wire. Wire is also sold in gauges – to convert use the table at the top right.
I've recently been making large link hammered chain by using heavier gauge wire and forming into a circular shape, then flattening it on a steel anvil and hammering with a ballpein hammer. This is a small hammer used to decorate metal and creates an interesting textured finish very quickly. I've found 1.2mm to 1.5mm wire best for this – if you're nervous about traditional soldering methods which involve fluxing and pickling try the easy solder that the Solderman sells on eBay; much quicker and with a bit of practice you can achieve a professional finish.
When buying ear wires do check the gauge of the wire – you can buy some very cheaply but they can be flimsy and poor quality and made from very thin wire that will snap easily and not hold anything of any weight. Also check the length of the wire – short wires can fall out easily and earrings will be lost.
Remember, photos can be magnified many times – check the size against a ruler to see how big or small it really is!
It is often cheaper to buy chain loose rather than finished – most chains can be finished easily with bolt rings and jump rings or other clasps.
There are some excellent suppliers selling on eBay and Etsy – the suppliers that follow are tried and tested and will provide a source of well priced, high quality findings.
Palmer Metals
Palmer Metals are a UK based website supplying quality jewellery findings – no minimum order and all items sent recorded delivery. Order on-line or by phone – small, friendly supplier who are often cheaper than anywhere else. Excellent, easily navigable website. They sell sterling silver, gold, gold filled (higher quality than plated), and even some copper findings. Also very good for leather cord and other stringing materials. Their loose chain is a really good buy – I've sold lots of their 0.64mm beading wire on eBay and they've just started selling a round link 12mm chain – great for the current style in oversized links. Compare the prices with Cooksons-I find Palmer Metals can be cheaper for some items.
Cooksons
One of the largest bullion dealers in the UK but don't let that put you off! They will supply small quantities of wire, sheet and findings in sterling silver and gold and you can either order on-line or by phone – staff are friendly and knowledgeable. A huge range of professional jewellery findings and supplies. Also very good for tools and packaging.
Wires
An interesting UK website that supplies all sorts of wire – copper, silver plated, sterling silver and pure silver. Can sometimes be cheaper than other suppliers; best to check what you're after and do a comparison check. If buying in bulk they have a link to their wholesale site. They also supply some tools including a beadmaker which is a useful little tool for making your own silver wire beads.
Perles
Perles are a European site that sell all sorts of craft materials - very good for Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads, chain and other findings. Prices in euros – postage very reasonable and they usually put in a little free gift with each order. Also have a small free projects section.
Sterling silver wire is extremely useful – lighter weights can be used for wrapping, attaching beads to chain, making your own eye pins; and heavier weight wire can be used for clasps, earring wires and making your own chains. In the UK wire is usually sold by millimetre thickness ranging from about 0.02mm – very fine wire that can be knitted; to upwards of 2mm. Also comes in three types – soft, half hard and hard. Soft is more bendy and malleable whilst hard is more difficult to bend into shape but will keep the form it has been bent into more easily. As a personal preference I buy half hard wire – if you hammer the wire after forming with a rawhide or wooden mallet it will become harder and this method won't flatten the wire. Wire is also sold in gauges – to convert use the table at the top right.
I've recently been making large link hammered chain by using heavier gauge wire and forming into a circular shape, then flattening it on a steel anvil and hammering with a ballpein hammer. This is a small hammer used to decorate metal and creates an interesting textured finish very quickly. I've found 1.2mm to 1.5mm wire best for this – if you're nervous about traditional soldering methods which involve fluxing and pickling try the easy solder that the Solderman sells on eBay; much quicker and with a bit of practice you can achieve a professional finish.
When buying ear wires do check the gauge of the wire – you can buy some very cheaply but they can be flimsy and poor quality and made from very thin wire that will snap easily and not hold anything of any weight. Also check the length of the wire – short wires can fall out easily and earrings will be lost.
Remember, photos can be magnified many times – check the size against a ruler to see how big or small it really is!
It is often cheaper to buy chain loose rather than finished – most chains can be finished easily with bolt rings and jump rings or other clasps.
There are some excellent suppliers selling on eBay and Etsy – the suppliers that follow are tried and tested and will provide a source of well priced, high quality findings.
Palmer Metals
Palmer Metals are a UK based website supplying quality jewellery findings – no minimum order and all items sent recorded delivery. Order on-line or by phone – small, friendly supplier who are often cheaper than anywhere else. Excellent, easily navigable website. They sell sterling silver, gold, gold filled (higher quality than plated), and even some copper findings. Also very good for leather cord and other stringing materials. Their loose chain is a really good buy – I've sold lots of their 0.64mm beading wire on eBay and they've just started selling a round link 12mm chain – great for the current style in oversized links. Compare the prices with Cooksons-I find Palmer Metals can be cheaper for some items.
Cooksons
One of the largest bullion dealers in the UK but don't let that put you off! They will supply small quantities of wire, sheet and findings in sterling silver and gold and you can either order on-line or by phone – staff are friendly and knowledgeable. A huge range of professional jewellery findings and supplies. Also very good for tools and packaging.
Wires
An interesting UK website that supplies all sorts of wire – copper, silver plated, sterling silver and pure silver. Can sometimes be cheaper than other suppliers; best to check what you're after and do a comparison check. If buying in bulk they have a link to their wholesale site. They also supply some tools including a beadmaker which is a useful little tool for making your own silver wire beads.
Perles
Perles are a European site that sell all sorts of craft materials - very good for Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads, chain and other findings. Prices in euros – postage very reasonable and they usually put in a little free gift with each order. Also have a small free projects section.
Welcome and First Post
I always find it hard to start a blog and have started and deleted more than I care to mention - this one is designed to be a resource tool for all jewellery makers - whether it be where to buy the basics - precious metals; findings; chain; beads etc; or to showcase those designers who can give our inspiration a kickstart when we're lacking in ideas.
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