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Thread: Latest work - and questions

  1. #1
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    Default Latest work - and questions

    I made this bracelet at the weekend. As you can see I've made 2 loops at each end of the bead for connecting to the helm chain sections.

    If you look closely you can see that the loops are all different sizes and shapes - is it just a matter of practicing this more? Or are there techniques for making more uniform loops? I'm thinking mainly of making loops once the bead is on the wire - that seems to be when I have the most problems making my loops.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

  2. #2
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    Hello Anne, I have made marks on the back of some round nose pliers to help get loops like that more even.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kwant View Post
    Hello Anne, I have made marks on the back of some round nose pliers to help get loops like that more even.
    Yes I've done that thanks to advice in the past - but part of the problem is getting in to work with the wire once the bead is in place - I think in trying to bend the wire around the marks - the bead gets in the way.

    That's why I wondered if it is mainly practice I need.
    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

  4. #4
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    It does get easier the more you practise.

    Your loops are a bit P shaped rather than a proper round. Are you making a right angle with the wire before you turn the loop? That should help. Also, you can make it sit snug against the bead. When you make the first loop measure how much wire you bend at a right angle and use the same length for the others. Tools like this can help keep your loops the same size, although I find them better for wrapped loops.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by lesley View Post
    It does get easier the more you practise.

    Your loops are a bit P shaped rather than a proper round. Are you making a right angle with the wire before you turn the loop? That should help. Also, you can make it sit snug against the bead. When you make the first loop measure how much wire you bend at a right angle and use the same length for the others. Tools like this can help keep your loops the same size, although I find them better for wrapped loops.
    Thanks Lesley - with this bead - I can't do the right angle bend before the loop as I wanted the two wires to have their loops back to back so was just bending from straight.

    When trying to do the right angle bend snug against the bead it never seens the work - the bead slides slightly or the right angle ends up off the straight line I want. Any advice on that front? Admittedly, most of the beads I've used so far have been 4 mm or 6 mm in size so I don't know if that is why I'm having problems holding the bead/wire when making the right angle bend.

    But I'll keep practicing.
    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

  6. #6
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    This design would look better if you made the full 90 degree bend as the wire emerges from the bead, and then turned inwards, so the cut end sits in the centre, which would make it far less obtrusive, as well as making it easier to keep the sizes consistent. Make all four bends before trying to turn any loops. You'd probably find it easiest to make the two first loops on the end of the reel before threading the bead on, then make the turn - going slightly past the point where the wires cross, and trim there. No wire wastage that way. I notch my round pliers to keep loops the same size.
    Last edited by mizgeorge; 10-03-2011 at 02:41 PM.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    This design would look better if you made the full 90 degree bend as the wire emerges from the bead, and then turned inwards, so the cut end sits in the centre, which would make it far less obtrusive, as well as making it easier to keep the sizes consistent. Make all four bends before trying to turn any loops. I notch my round pliers to keep loops the same size.
    Thanks George - I'll try that. I guess it's just personal taste as to which way to send the loops.

    When you notch your pliers - do you make the notch deep enough to "catch" the wire?

    I have marks on my pliers but they are fairly shallow and more for display than holding the wire.
    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

  8. #8
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    properly notched. The 'v' edge of a square file to start and then polish off to rounded. About 0.8mm diameter. Gives consistent loops and stops tool marks as well. I mark both jaws but in different places to give a range of my most used sizes.

    As for which way to turn loops, it's not entirely about taste. It's always better from design and finish point of view to keep raw edges to a minimum, and where possible to conceal cut ends. Turning them inwards rather than outwards makes them far less visible.

  9. #9
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    wow thats fab. im a beginner and looking foward to making lovely little pieces like yours. well done ! how long have u been jewellery making for ?

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    properly notched. The 'v' edge of a square file to start and then polish off to rounded. About 0.8mm diameter. Gives consistent loops and stops tool marks as well. I mark both jaws but in different places to give a range of my most used sizes.
    That's a tip I'll be following, thanks.

    [/QUOTE]As for which way to turn loops, it's not entirely about taste. It's always better from design and finish point of view to keep raw edges to a minimum, and where possible to conceal cut ends. Turning them inwards rather than outwards makes them far less visible.[/QUOTE]

    Thanks again, I hadn't really thought of it from that point.
    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

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