McBirdie`s Nest

See, I lulled you in by posting an academic paper and a recipe, then I whack you with even more jewellery.

 

I'm really enjoying the pieces I have made recently--I've been using more beads and doing a triple crochet chain for heavier, less precise pieces.  It was a bit of luck, this process; I just wanted to use up my beads faster than I had been due to a certain...um...shopping spree on ebay's bead section.  I have a slight neurosis when it comes to making sure that my beads all fit tidily in the same little box.  Too many beads for said box means time to use up beads.

 

I've also been working on a new ring process that I think is very jolly.  The ring shank and foundational nest are all made from the same piece of silver, so you don't get the pricks, pinches, and re-sizing that is the usual hallmark of handmade rings.  I would wear them and I don't wear fanciful rings, really.

 

 

I went on a bit of a jewellery making kick the past couple of evenings and so I have just spent the last couple of hours uploading and describing 13 different pieces of jewellery.  So while I absolutely love what I've made, I'm not going to linger too long on describing it here.  As usual, full specs and descriptions can be found in The Shop and the main pictures are below.

 

I will say, though, that I am getting a heap more enjoyment and satisfaction out of the whole process as I am learning more about the background techniques.  This go-round was my first time making my own jump rings and clasps--something that I thought was beyond me just a week ago.  I had literally no idea that it was as simple to make your own jump rings as it is.  To be honest, I'm now kicking myself for spending any money at all on the stupid things; it really does just take a bit of wire and a couple of minutes.  

 

I've also fallen in love with the spiral caging process.  I had NO IDEA it was as easy to do (I'll try to remember to stick up a quick how-to, for those who want to try it) as it is; now my only problem is trying to make myself stop doing it long enough to learn other techniques.  I could seriously sit here all night making dozens of pairs of spiral caged bead earrings and not even notice that I had done it.

 

I just got a shipment in today of a whole heap of wire and some more beads, so expect that the rather jewellery-centric vibe of the site is going to continue at least a little longer.  I do need to get some gardening done this weekend, so that might show up, too, and I really will try to get some writing done soon (I have actually published about ten SS365 blogs in the meantime that I just haven't shifted over here and there are about four recipes waiting to go up--sorry), but...well.  I'm currently in love with wire.   Bear through the infatuation a bit longer, if you can.

 

Just one wee thing, though--if I get an expected shipment tomorrow, there might be something new and interesting showing up in the realm of Thriftiness that might interest you.  Maybe. 

 

 

 

I got a delivery of a new book on more advanced wire jewellery techniques, so you know that means I made more pieces last night.  I only completed three--two necklaces and a bracelet--because the other piece I worked on involved crocheting nine feet (not nine feet raw wire, I hasten to add, but fully NINE FINISHED FEET OF CROCHETED WIRE)...did my fingers hurt when I stopped?  Boy howdy.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any heavier gauge gold wire to finish it off, so that piece will have to sit still for a few days until I can get around to ordering more wire.  

 

But in the meantime, you can see a few pictures below of the three new pieces or go through to the shop to see their full specs.  I'll try to write up how they were made as soon as I get a spare moment, but spare moments are getting rare around these parts. 

 

 

For those who follow along, I sent out two little bits of jewellery to two little girls in the States--both were made from magazine paper coiled into little flower shapes and hot glued onto crocheted craft wire.  I got a post today showing what Girl #1 looks like in her little present.  The following post is from her mother and has been photo-cropped to protect the innocent:

 

Cross-Atlantic OKC Post

mcbirdie, thanks again for making this necklace for the diva. She loves it. :)

 

• 5 comments
• Success!

GurlieSmith

44 / f / Straight

Commented Yesterday - 10:30pm

Cute, cute, cute :)

harpy61

48 / f / Straight

Commented Yesterday - 11:59pm

Pretty in Pink!

CWESQ

99 / m / Straight

Commented Today - 1:22am

Our little gift arrived Saturday, too. I need to post a pic. It was most adorably packaged, too.

pinkprincess76

33 / f / Straight

Commented Today - 7:58am

Sweet :-)

AlyinChicago

33 / f / Straight

Commented 33 minutes ago

So cute!