silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
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Post by silverjewellerygirl on Mar 9, 2021 7:11:40 GMT -6
Good Afternoon, I'm back to pick brains again! I've been working on a couple of pieces the past week or so, and I've noticed that I'm really struggling with symmetry. I've attached a couple of examples to this message. Just wondered if anyone had any tips on improving the symmetry of my work? I'm really fed up with it being lopsided and looking a bit unprofessional - is it a question of skill and practice, or do you have tried and tested ways to get the symmetry right?! Thank you, all! Sami
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 9, 2021 12:11:43 GMT -6
Sami, because it's made by hand, hand crafted jewelry isn't always easy to get symmetrical. There are some techniques that help with that, but I think the biggest factor in symmetry is practice, practice and more practice. For spirals, measuring your wire makes a big difference. Before you start your spiral (if making more than one and you want them to match), measure both ends of the wire to be sure they are the same length. I always measure the ends of wire to 1 3/4 inches which results in nearly identical spirals. That isn't the length you have to use every time; sometimes I go 1.5 inches and sometimes 2 inches, just be sure that whatever length you choose, you make it the same if you are making more than one spiral and want them to match. And, mark your round nose pliers with a black marker so that you always start in the same spot on your tool. Marking your pliers will also help you to make your loops the same size every time as well. Somewhere around here, we had a long discussion about how to make perfect loops; I'll try to find it and provide a link, but I'm in a bit of a rush right now. Even if you aren't making loops, some of the techniques can be applied to other aspects of working with wire. If you are interested in making ear wires, here is a tutorial for making matching wires: Perfect Ear WiresI'm sure some of our other members will be along with their tips and tricks. We're always eager to help each other and share knowledge. Also, keep in mind that hand made will never be perfect and the human eye generally takes in the overall big picture rather than zooming in on flaws. You see them because you made the item and you know where every mistake is, but the rest of us aren't going to be able to pick up on that unless it's a big, glaring error. Meanwhile, keep practicing! Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Mar 9, 2021 14:21:17 GMT -6
Sami, the thread that Dawn was talking about is here, but mainly it's this post of hers in said thread that says it all. "As far as advice on making loops goes, I'd encourage anyone who wants to improve their loops to practice, practice, practice and practice some more. My loops used to be terribly wonky, until I spent several afternoons doing nothing but making loops, both simple and wrapped. The more I did, the better I got. A few other tips. I mark my round nose pliers with a black sharpie pen. That way I always use the same place on the pliers to wrap the wire around so my loops are always the same size. When making the bend in your wire for your loop, instead of a 90 degree bend (which is what pretty much every tutorial says to do), bend it further than that past the top of the bead. Rather than this |_ you want more like this |\ in order to give your self room to work your loop into a perfectly round shape. If the finished loop isn't a lollipop shape, insert your round nose pliers inside the loop and adjust it until it is. For simple loops, after I make the bend, but before I start the loop, I cut the wire to a length of 3/8 inch and I measure every time. I never try to eyeball the length of the wire. For wrapped loops, leave yourself about two inches of wire to make your wraps. Don't start wrapping until your loop/wire looks like this: O___ If the loop and wire aren't in that position, adjust it until it is. I generally make three wraps and stop there. If your first wrap isn't snug against the loop, use your long nose pliers to push it into place. The rest of the wraps should easily follow the first loop without requiring further adjustments. I almost always use 20 gauge wire for loops. Anything smaller than that is too flimsy and anything bigger is too hard to work with, although if I want a really secure loop or am making a sturdier than usual piece I do use 18gauge. I also generally go with simple loops because I like the look better than a wrapped loop, but that is more a matter of personal preference. Unless a piece is made of heavy beads or is going to get hard use, I've found that simple loops are plenty study enough for normal wear. I make an exception for bracelets, as people move their hands/arms around a lot and bracelets sometimes catch on things which could pull the loops out of shape. If making simple loops, make sure that the loop is completely closed so that things like charms can't slip off and become lost. That's about it. I hope what I've written above is clear and not too confusing. It's hard to explain it without photos. Maybe next time I'm in the studio, I'll take a few photos and post them here for further clarification. Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help if I can." I can get obsessed with symmetry myself (but have been trying to embrace my asymmetrical side), with extremely varying results, but practice is really the biggest part of it, a lot of it. Maybe a wire jig could be of help in practicing making those curves and spirals? You can buy them, but I also found a video on YouTube about making your own.
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 9, 2021 21:01:47 GMT -6
Thank you for finding that, Cat. I looked everywhere I thought it might be, but could not remember where the conversation took place. I think as soon as we get moved and settled, I'm going to write a tutorial on making loops and spirals and post them to our tutorial section. You're the best! Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Mar 10, 2021 0:28:07 GMT -6
Dawn, I simply used the search function and searched for "loops"
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 10, 2021 1:08:53 GMT -6
That was some smart thinking, Cat! Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Mar 10, 2021 4:05:22 GMT -6
Can you tell I'm a librarian?
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
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Post by silverjewellerygirl on Mar 10, 2021 4:09:41 GMT -6
Thank you, both, for your answers! I suspected it was practice! I've made quite a few bracelets and necklaces that use the wrapped links, so getting lots of practice in. I'm struggling with symmetry and shaping for bigger things, but will keep practising!
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 10, 2021 11:53:17 GMT -6
Yes, indeed, Cat. I've appreciated your research skills more than once. You'll get it, Sami. After a while, you just develop a sense for it. Start saving all different sizes of mandrels to wrap wire around. My tube of lip balm makes a perfect size six ring. I use the spool from a roll of adding machine paper for hoops and I have a diamond shaped container that once held mechanical pencil leads that makes perfect diamond shapes every time. Much easier and more accurate than trying to shape the wire with just your tools and hands. You'd be surprised at what's around the house than can be useful for your jewelry designs. Dawn
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 10, 2021 11:54:31 GMT -6
Oh, and when things just don't go the way we want no matter how hard we try, we call that an "intentional design element for visual interest"... Dawn
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
|
Post by silverjewellerygirl on Mar 12, 2021 14:48:40 GMT -6
Thank you, all! I've got lots of bezel and jump ring mandrels, so will put them to use! I've just started another project out of the book... this time, I need to practice making spirals the same shape... wish me luck!
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 13, 2021 14:33:24 GMT -6
This is one of my favorite jewelry sites. It's a wonderful resource of tutorials, classes and all sorts of tips and techniques. The Beading GemDawn
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