I have started making some of my jewelry pieces with Sterling Silver. I've held off doing so before now because the price of silver was so high. With the prices coming down I have been able to order some wire to sculpt with.

One of the ways I found to reduce my costs of sterling silver was to use Argentium Sterling Silver. This silver is a modern sterling silver alloy (fairly new on the market) which modifies the traditional alloy (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) by replacing some of the copper with Germanium. As it retains the same 92.5% silver content, it is still sterling silver.

I have found that this Argentium Sterling Silver is just as beautiful as traditional sterling, but it does have one advantage. Less tarnishing!! And as everyone who owns silver jewelry knows, the tarnishing of your favorite pieces is a real bummer.

Also because the Argentium is less expensive I feel a real freedom to create pieces without fear of costly waste.

Here is a recent piece I created with the beautiful Argentium Sterling Silver wire.

This is an Australian Pink Opal gemstone surrounded by Rhodonite beads on the left and Rose Quartz beads on the right.

This was a custom order from a client.

You can view more of my creations at https:/www.facebook/thetwistedgem.com

 

1st Official Try at Wire Sculpture

 I was first introduced to wire sculpture though a master wire sculpter named Preston Reuther. I was intrigued that you could take a piece of wire and create a beautiful piece of jewelry. I found his website quite by accident, but it didn't take long before I was hooked.

I tried several times to figure it out on my own and after several frustrating failed attempts, I bit the bullet and ordered his DVD sets. Now I am churning out jewelry like a pro and get excited with every twist of the wire.

Here is my first official piece - "official" meaning it is the first piece I ever offered for sale. This is a fairly small cameo.

I was shocked when I sold it on the very first showing! My good friend Andi bought it as a gift for her mother. I've come to learn that the smaller the gemstone or cameo, the more difficult it is to sculpt with wire. Leave it to me to try the hard stuff first!!

But this piece challenged me enough to keep going.

I have to thank Preston for his expertise, for making my craft better, and for providing continuing education in the world of wire sculpture!

To check out Preston's website (which is jam packed with cool stuff) just click here. 

 Wire Jewelry Bootcamp by Preston Reuther

If you want to learn how to wire sculpt, this is the place to start!

Rock and Gem Show Delights

I love a good Rock and Gem Show and the 2103 Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Rock Show held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - March 16th and 17th did not disappoint. This shindig is put on by the Cedar Valley Rock Club and I try to go every year!

I picked up some great Lapis Lazuli beads. Keep an eye out for the new pendants I'll be creating with them!

There was a huge Asian T-Rex display and lots of Iowa fossils, but my favorite booth is always PV's Rocks. 

I also picked up a couple of mineral specimens for my collection. I love to get unusual pieces for the Twisted Gem's show display. They make a great background for the jewelry I make.

Here is a piece of Calcite from the Chihuahua Mexico region. New to my collection!

This piece will look great with the copper wire I use for some of my designs. 

And I always try to pick up some good ole USA rock too!! This piece of Dolomite is from one of the quarries near Black Rock Arkansas. It has a pearly pink color and is really quite beautiful.

I was also able to pick up some glass-topped showcases. As usual, I spent too much money, but I suppose there are worse habits to have.

I was on the lookout for some great cabachons, but found the pricing a bit steep. Even though I prefer supporting local rock clubs and rock shops, even I refuse to over pay. At any rate, this year was another great show. If you get a chance, hop on over to the Cedar Valley Rock Club website:   http://cedarvalleyrockclub.org/

Happy Birthday Twisted Gem!

Going public today with this new blog. Introducing my hand-crafted jewelry to the internet world!

I started out with simple stringing with beads, making easy earrings, bracelets and necklaces. My daughters and grand-daughter and I have had many fun afternoons making jewelry! I discovered I have a knack for color combinations and designs and got many compliments from people. So I decided to try a craft show or two to see if anyone other than family liked my stuff.

After having great success with lots of sales, I became hooked. My friends started ordering birthday presents for their family members and the rest is history!

I have a tendency to try a lot of different techniques, ie. stringing, chain maille, making pendants, and of late, wire wrapping of gemstones. I have always had a particular weakness for gemstones and gravitate to the earth tones in most of my designs.

I also like to add Swarovski crystals to my work. The bling is something I just can't resist.

Most of the jewelry I have created has been custom-ordered from friends and acquaintances. I love seeing their faces when I show them their completed pieces and knowing that my jewelry is given with love makes them even more special.

This piece is a  

40mm x 45mm Botswana Agate (Africa)
with 4mm Red Agate Beads
Sculpted with Copper Wire
Finished Size 3 1/4" H x 1 3/4
$65.00

I love the fiery red of the agate on the right and the creamy white on the left. The copper wire I used for the wire-sculpture really picks up the red. 

All of the pieces I'll be posting here are for sale, so let me know if you can't live without it!
I hope you enjoy my designs as much as I do!