Spiral Ring Tutorial

Thought you might like a new tutorial. This is also published in the Rock-A-Teer for August.

How to Make a Spiral Wire Bead Ring
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Spiral-Wire-Bead-Ring

Wire rings are very much in style this season. They can come in different shapes and colored beads to wear with different outfits. Twisting the wire is not difficult with the correct tools. All you have to do is make sure that the beads have holes in the center, so you can easily pull the wire through.

Supplies you will need:
• 1 foot (30 cm) 18g wire, soft. Hobby stores will usually have several suitable types (copper, sterling silver, etc.)
• 1 handmade bead with hole large enough to fit 2 pieces of 18g wire. (Rondell shape works best)
• Wirecutter
• Chain-nose (or needle-nose) pliers
• Ring mandrel or dowel in desired ring size - mandrels can be purchased through jewelry supply outlets and dowels can be found at your local hardware store. You may also be able to find something around the house of the right size and shape... a candle, broom handle, toilet paper holder, etc.

Directions:

1. Place center of wire against your form (a ring mandrel or dowel) and wrap twice around leaving the tails long.

2. Bend the tails up sharply.

3. Place the bead onto both wires and slide down to the base of the ring.

4. Bend the wires to a right angle directly on the top of the bead.

5. Spiral the wires on top of the bead. This can be a bit tricky. Start by making a small circle with one of the wires where it emerges from the bead, then push the other wire behind and against it, being careful not to overlap the wires. If you see the spiral start to puff up, use a small block of wood and press gently but firmly on the spiral to push it against the bead as you turn the wires. Continue spiraling until the desired size is achieved. Be sure to leave a tail of at least 2" (5 cm) on each wire to complete.

6. Bring the tail wires down to the ring shank on opposite sides of the bead and wrap around the base of the ring to secure. Trim and tuck the wire ends down and you are done!

Warnings:
These are very dangerous if done just slightly improperly. Be careful - make sure to tuck the exposed sharp ends into one of the knots on either side to prevent being hurt. Imagine giving this as a gift and they start to bleed, not a good sight. Suffice to say just put it on and tough up to check for problems. You may want to use a small jewelry file to file any sharp points.

Leather Fringe/Gemstone Necklace Tutorial

So many people were commenting on this necklace at the last club meeting and when I wore it at the Billings show, that I decided a tutorial was in order. I have posted the supply list and the steps on my personal blog HERE, so check it out.

If you would like this offered as a hands on this Fall, please let me know and I'll get it on the schedule.

Don't forget that the club library has a copy of my new book "Gem Tree Sculptures".

See you at the next meeting which will be August 14th at the Fruitland Grange at 7:30 pm. Dana

News from the NFMS/AFMS show

Well, here it is the last day in Billings, MT and we are ready to come back home. It has been a very busy few days here. The show started on Thursday, but all the vendors and exhibitors were setting up on Wednesday. We have seen a few Puyallup Club members here at the show, besides LaVon and Mike, Larry Hoffman and his wife along with Chuck Raup and his wife were here. Saw some old friends and made a few new ones.

I was able to teach 3 workshops and sell a few books, so that helped offset some of the expenses. If you are reading this and are wondering what book and what workshop, you'll have to ready my personal blog or my gem tree blog.

Obviously, if you have followed some of my posts on my gem tree blog and on the PVGMC newsletter, then you know that Paul and I came so that I could compete for my "Masters" in Gem Tree Design. I did get what I came for which was Masters at the Regional and National level, so two blue ribbons. I did not however achieve enough points to bring home the trophy...oh well, maybe another time.

I do have something new to share and that is the Rock-A-Teer was nominated for an award and received 2nd in the Federation for Large Newsletter and an Honorable Mention at the National level. The surprise this morning at the Editor's Breakfast was that I was voted into the American Federation Hall of Fame for Newsletter Editors. It was a great honor to be accepted and our ne

wsletter recognized at such a National level.

Here are a few pictures from the show. Hope everyone is well and surviving the heat back there in Washington and we will see you at the next meeting. Cheers, Dana James