Q & A: Ask Me Anything

On May 23, 2013

Well, not anything. I will take my weight (a svelte 110) and my age (17, because that’s totally believable… like… totally) to my grave.

But, most everything else is up for grabs. Want to know what I had for breakfast? You know you do, and I’ll be happy to answer! It was a hamburger, pickle and American cheese only. I dislike condiments. And most dressings and dips. Potato salad and coleslaw should burn in the fiery depths of my disgust and a chocolate shake should accompany every meal whenever possible.

I’ll tell you my fears… spiders, heights, the ocean and sleeping bags. Don’t judge me!

I’ll even tell you my hopes and dreams if you ask.

But mostly, this is your opportunity to question me about art, my process or business, creativity in general, ethics and morality as a whole. And I’ll do my best to address them each. Or, if you don’t really care, or I’m not inclined to answer, to at least entertain you with wildly imaginative responses.

Hope to hear from you soon! But, until then, happy weaving and stay creative!

Nicole

95 Responses to “Q & A: Ask Me Anything”

• Diane  oooh, I would really love to hear your hopes and dreams! Also would like to hear how you got started in jewelry making and what you started with and your progression…..also looking forward to other people’s questions that you don’t feel like answering as I love to hear you tell a yarn and your humerous remarks. You, my dear, are one smart and funny lady! But answer MY questions for real please!!
  
   
  • Nicole  Oh all right, but only because you’re the first to ask. I have to say, I’m living my dreams, mostly. I’ve come a long way, at any rate. I hope to eventually do well enough to crawl my way out of two years of unemployed debt. I only ask for what I need, but I NEED to not owe student loans for an education I never finished! lol. I started with beaded jewelry, strung necklaces, that sort of thing, some thirteen years ago out of a desperate need to keep busy. Ended up with over 500 necklaces and decided I should probably do something with them, so I started selling. Did remarkably bad. Gave up. Started again. Gave up. Threw my tools around in a hissy, but started again. Developed a love for wire about five years ago when I was at a show with my unremarkable jewelry and saw an artist with some of the most amazing wire pieces I’ve seen to date. And wouldn’t you know, I can’t remember her name. But I credit her with inspiring me to get started with wire work. And because you KNOW you need to know this about me…. I had a parfait for breakfast.
    
     
    • Diane Thank you for answering…and yes, I DID need to know about the parfait!
      
       
    • MayLa  LOL does that mean you were about 4yrs old when you started making jewelry ? I love your work and your funny too.:)
      
      
      • Nicole  I suppose, if you count the macrame friendship bracelets, I really WAS about that age when I started. Lol. Those things were so popular in the 80’s! Though, of course, I neither assert nor deny I was ever even alive during that decade. Ha!
        
        
• Catherine Rowan I make jewellery with around the level of sales success that you had 13 years ago. What would be your advice regarding advertising and starting to sell- the where/when and how?
  
  I love wire wrapping but it kills my fingers and splits my skin, so it’s never likely to be my forte. And WHAT is a parfait?
  
   
  • Nicole  A parfait is a great little yogurt, berry, granola concoction that some evil genius invented to get me addicted to HEALTHY food. Healthy… blech. I have one every day. SO yummy!
    
    My advice on advertising is to do it EVERYWHERE. No seriously… add your website to the signature of your emails or posts, join groups that are creatively-minded, though not necessarily singularly jewelry-related, blog, create a Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest (at least until you discover your target audience and know which social media platform gives you the most return). And be active on each of them. Post things that are interactive. Posting a picture of something is not inviting your audience to interact, so ask questions, be as genuinely interested in their lives and work and hobbies as you’d like for them to be in yours. It takes time to build an audience, but it’s the singularly most rewarding part of owning a small business, I promise, more than even creating.
    
    When you’re just starting out, there’s no need to invest a ton of money in selling. Pay for a $12 domain name, link it to a free blog like blogger or weebly, link to your selling platform (Etsy, Storenvy, ArtFire… etc) and customize it to match your aesthetics. So for less than $15 a year, you can create a professional brand that will draw in customers. You can move up to a hosted website or a build-your-own website if you like, but I know many who never bother and find a domain name and blog is really all they need to reach their target audience.
    
    Hopefully this answered your questions pretty well. And I promise it doesn’t have to take 13 years!
    
    • Catherine Rowan  It does, thank you, Nicole.
      
      I did try to set up a storenvy site, but it is so difficult to use. My attempt at customisation looks like something an eight year old would do, in fact an eight year old would probably make a much better job of it. I do need to interact more. I am guilty of posting pictures only.
      
      Parfait sounds lovely, but probably far too healthy for me!
      
       
      • Nicole  You can sometimes find Storenvy themes for fairly inexpensive… sometimes as low as $10, and new ones are constantly popping up. It’s better than the standard theme you get when you sign up and not much of an investment. I figured out how to remove the side bar and that was about as far as I got. lol.
        
         
        • Catherine  Themes… Ah!… never thought of looking for those. Thank you.
          
           
    • Shanna G.  I just want to butt in and say a lot of the major hosts have specials for domain names all the time, so you can probably invest even less. A few weeks ago I grabbed one for around $1. Just google coupon codes for whatever service you’re going with first, and you might get lucky!
    • Nicole Good point! I got my domain for free when I signed up for the Bluehost service, so it was a deal.
      
       
  • cath ross Great question and interesting answer thanks
    
     
    • Nicole You are very welcome!
      
       
• Julie Lockhart I LOVE your website, it’s so seamless for as much as you have connected to it. I have been trying for months to build something for myself and have run into so many issues.. I HATE HTML5! I am even learning Adobe Flash so I can make my own banners.. But It’s a real struggle.. In the end my new Adobe skills might be worth more than my jewelry. >.< My question(s) for you are this..
  
  What program/service do you use to sell your PDF's on your website? It seems they are not part of your Storenvy site. (If you don't feel like telling me, I understand! I feel like a rat for asking TBH.) I like how Etsy allows for instant DL when someone buys a tutorial, but I am growing less fond of Etsy.
  
  Also, I have noticed that you have your tutorials listed all over the place. I have heard really bad things about JewelryLessons.com, ie they take way too much a cut for sales etc.. I was wondering if you would recomend them. Or if there where any other venues that you would recomend.
  
  I was also wondering what your thoughts where on selling origonal jewelry versus tutorials. Would you classify one or the other as your 'bread and butter'? The idea of residual income gives me happy goosbumps.. but I feel like I am transforming from an artist into a techie and I am not sure how I feel about that.. I would rather be spending time getting my hands dirty than at the keyboard.
  
  Thank you for being as open as you are, Nicole. Many of us love you for it. <3
  
  • Julie Lockhart Oh.. I forgot.. What do you think of services like wix.com ? (website template thingies)
    
     
    • Nicole  I figured I’d answer this question separately, because I could probably wax poetic on it just as much as the previous questions. I originally started out with my photography portfolio listed on the free version of Weebly. Weebly was the cleanest free platform I could find at the time, and was, by FAR, the easiest to use. It didn’t look like a blog, and even offered a very simplified shopping cart. The only downside was a domain of http://www.nicolehannaphotography.weebly.com, which isn’t as professional as a private .com address. However, I can still recommend, depending upon the demands you’ll place on your website, the use of a free service. You can spend $12 a year to purchase a domain name and have it forwarded to any website you like. I am actually considering opening a weebly site again for my photography and forwarding my new .com domain there. I don’t expect for it to draw heavy traffic and, even if it did, would probably handle it better than the service for which I’m paying! But really, it depends on the level of customization you plan to achieve with your website. If there are extremely specific aesthetics in mind, these free platforms might not be the route to take. But if you’re looking for something simple, to display your work in as uncomplicated a manner as possible, the free platforms might be the way to go. I haven’t tried Wix specifically, but I might look into it. I was considering going back to Weebly, but I imagine there might be better options out there now. Weebly didn’t have as many template choices as I’d have liked, though that might have changed since I’ve last been there. Honestly, if you’re looking for a way to cut costs and keep your overhead affordable, thereby passing those savings on to customers (which is my rule of thumb), then using a free service is certainly a way to go.
      
       
      • Tammi Iamarino  Side response, Wix is awesome for free
        
         
        • Nicole  I’ll definitely check that one out. I was trying to set up my photography portfolio through WordPress and almost cried. I forgot how complicated it really was to get set up the first time around. Who has the time to mess with all that nonsense? lol
          
           
      • Julie Lockhart I really do like wix so far, but I think I need to bride one of my code monkey friends to help me finish it. I bought my domain name via godaddy and that might have bene a huge mistake, they are really grabby and not easily letting me apply it elsewhere.
        
        • Nicole  I have my domain with Bluehost, as well as my hosting service, but I wonder how easily I’ll be allowed to move it if I like. Should be interesting. I’m going to spend some time next week playing with Wix though and testing it out.
          
           
        • Cindi Blanchard  It’s easy to move your domain from godaddy. You just need your new dns info that your web host should provide you. Type in the new info and your site will be live at the new domain within 24 hours.
          
           
  • Nicole  Don’t feel like a rat for asking! Nothing wrong with curiosity, and it’s a great question! My site is on a WordPress platform hosted by Bluehost… great for low traffic, but problematic with high traffic. WordPress is really easy to use if, like me, you decide to use a pre-fabricated theme or to pay someone to build your theme. I tried building my own site with a theme builder, but I had no prior knowledge and, quite frankly, I need my time to create product, not create code. So, I paid for a pro theme that comes with support, and have fiddled with it over the months to get it where I like it. Simple and no fuss.
    
    I provide the downloads via a WordPress plugin. It’s not a perfect scenario, since the downloads can’t be added to a cart for a bulk purchase, but it’s a start for now. I tried installing a cart, but it was a nightmare and slowed my site considerably, so I opted to go without.
    
    When I was with Etsy, they didn’t allow for direct downloads, so it’s pretty cool they do that now. I too have had my issues with them, however, so no longer do business there if I can help it. But I’ve since found several avenues to sell my tutorials which, while not necessarily extremely successful, have managed to help spread the word.
    
    And though I have also heard bad things about Jewelry Lessons, it’s been a great site for me. They do take a large cut, but there are a few things to consider: they provide in-site traffic with more than 80,000 members, whom I would otherwise, without this service, have to find and direct to my site myself, which requires overhead in hours I don’t always have; they provide the servers and space that allows for consistent downloads and ease of searching; they also pay the PayPal fees associated with the transactions. So all things considered, you’re paying for a complete service. If you take advantage of some of the special teacher incentives and programs they offer, then you really aren’t losing much more than one would through Etsy, with its listing, selling and PayPal fees, and it requires little to no maintenance on the part of the teacher. For me, the ease of use is worth the higher fees. They are strict on their rules, however, so if care is taken to adhere to them, I can’t foresee a problem. And, for goodness sake, avoid the forums… you’ll thank me later. The drama is sometimes silly. lol
    
    You pose an interesting question about selling original jewelry verses tutorials. I’ve seen this one come up a number of times, often with strong and varied opinions. I always suggest really understanding what you want from your business. I’ve always wanted to teach, so offering tutorials was a natural progression for me. It offers me a (mostly) reliable income, without which I wouldn’t be able to offer the free treasure hunts I enjoy so much. Heck, without which I might not be able to maintain a shop or website at all. But it’s not without hard work. Though there is residual income, I still work several hours every day to generate traffic to my site, interact sincerely and openly with the audience, fans and friends who follow my work, and post new designs and tutorials often to stay relevant. But I also endeavor to provide original jewelry that is outside or different from the tutorials I offer. Since I allow the sale of products derived from tutorials, I don’t want to compete against myself and therefore have to work hard to keep my own pieces one of a kind, fresh and funky. I do not necessarily consider one or the other better, both satisfying in their own way, both generating some level of income, so for now I’m content to continue to offer both, keeping them each as new and fun as possible.
    
    You mention becoming a techie, however, and I do have to say I totally sympathize… I spend more than half my week maintaining my website, networking, generating traffic and building an audience, and only an average of 20-25 real hours a week towards the actual process of creating. It’s, without a doubt, a full time job. Without this level of commitment, I’m not sure I’d be anywhere near as successful as I am, with still a mighty long way to go. But, with time, there’s absolutely no reason anyone can’t be successful, I believe!
    
    I know this was an uber long answer, but hopefully I addressed your questions. lol
    
     
    • Julie Lockhart Nicole, thank you so much for taking such a length of time to adress my questions. It means a great deal to me.
      
      Overall I think I am heading in the right dirrection, I just need to keep my focus and stay determined. I too have always seen myself teaching. Aside from jewelry there are so many arts on the verge inclusion into the history books.. I have always wanted to own a studio that specializes in teaching these ‘lost arts’ and keeping them active as part of our culture. (seriously, how many people do you know that can tat anymore). But with tech heading in, in force brick and mortar is fossilizing… in fact is might look really good wire wrapped…
      
      Your work is amazing and you are an incredible lady. Thank you.
      
       
      • Nicole You are most welcome! I love the look of tatting. But my husband wont let me have another hobby. LOL
        
         
        • Julie Lockhart  I know what you mean! I had to give away all of my yarn and thread when I took up wire. (I still have a few skeins hidden under the bed! shhh!) He caust me sculpting warhammer alteration this morning.. I had to conveint him it was part of a necklace.. Now I am going to have to figure out how to include a chaos sorcerrer in a pendant..
          
           
        • Nicole  Lol I say things like that all the time. Oh, I needed this brand new lens for jewelry photography… when really I just wanted it for portraits. lol. Whatever makes him feel good about the supplies and tools I bring in the house!
          
           
• cath ross  I have to ask, having searched your site for ages, where is your hidden tutorial today , ha ha
  
   
  • Nicole  lol It was cancelled this week. We have a graduation party and ceremony to prepare for so we’ve been running ourselves ragged. But it will start again next Tuesday at noon, I promise.
    
     
• Debbie  First of all, congrats on your success and defining style! I knew you when… I wonder if you could explain your precise procedure for your lovely oziding. For instance, what product do you prefer, and what do you use to polish off the high areas? I am looking for easy peasy, haha. Is it different for sterling, brass, or copper? I have one of your early copper pendants, and we knew each other on CWJ for a long time. You must remember my4jewels, huh? I’m still at jewelry making, mostly wirework, for well over 20 years…
  
   
  • Nicole Thank you Debbie! I remember you from CWJ! I personally use Liver of Sulfur Extended Life Gel, purchased from Monster Slayer in a jar with screw top lid. The gel is easier to use than the solid rock form, and the fumes are less toxic. I’ve also purchased the gel in bottles with pop top lids, but I have had the bottles leak, so turned back to the jars. I’ve designated a small Pyrex dish for use with my Liver of Sulfur, heat up some water in a tea kettle or coffee pot (the coffee pot gets it to the PERFECT temperature… if using a tea kettle, you can’t let the water boil), pour just enough water in the dish to (what I assume will) cover the piece, dip a spoon in the gel (grabbing just a few drops to transfer to the water), then I stir and add my pieces. Same process regardless of metal. Heck, most of the time, I oxidize all three metals at the same time. Copper oxidizes much more quickly than bronze or silver, but still they usually are all oxidized in under a minute. Then I use the same spoon with which I stirred, pick the pieces out of the solution and rinse under cool water. I sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the piece and use my hands to rub it in and rinse it off (I recommend wearing some inexpensive rubber gloves). This will stop the solution from continuing the oxidizing process. Then I use an inexpensive extra fine steel wool pad (8 pack for $2.99) to buff the solution off the metal for highlights. I can usually use one pad for five or six pieces, but I don’t generally save them after use, since they turn rusty. Sometimes, if necessary, I’ll use a soft bristle toothbrush to brush off the little pieces of steel wool that might get stuck in crevices. I put the lid on the dish with the solution, wait for the water to turn clear (usually in a couple days), then dump it in my garden (tomatoes LOVE the acid in the solution!). And that’s it. Though it seems like it’s quite the process, it really takes less than five minutes to heat up the water, oxidize, buff and clean. I’m all about easy peasy myself!
    
     
    • Debbie  Thanks so much! Do you recommend tumbling the piece first, assuming it can be tumbled, so the shine is under there waiting to be uncovered? Or will the steel wool shine it up?
      
       
      • Nicole  The steel wool does not shine it up. I actually prefer the matte finish, but sometimes to shine I’ll use my Dremel and some Fabulusture polishing compound and it polishes up in just a minute or two, versus the hour or two in a loud tumbler. But you would want to tumble last. Steel wool to get the Liver of Sulfur off, but then tumble to shine.
        
• Dawn Rodriguez  Nicole,
  Thank you so much for taking hte time to do this. You are so amazingly generous in sharing your gift. Can you explain to some of us beginners the difference in wire or direct us to a place that explains it clearly. I have been unsuccessful in finding much a a definition or when it is best to use which type. I also seen someplace where people talk about putting thier pieces into a rock tumbler with ‘shot’to harden them?? Wouldn’t that be hazardous to your stones? It is all very confusing. Thansk so much! I hope your son’s party is a huge success!
  
   
  • Nicole  I think the reason it’s hard to find answers on this is because it really does depend on the artist. Basically you have wires in tempers: dead soft, half-hard and hard. The temper is decided based on the number of times the wire is drawn through a draw plate, in much the same way that a viking knit is drawn through a plate (it’s much less malleable when drawn through the smaller holes than through the larger holes, because the metal is more compressed). Personally, I use half-hard and dead soft for different projects. If it’s a heavily woven piece that will require passing a lot of wires through tight spaces, then I prefer dead soft, because it allows for a smoother movement without kinks. But for rings or heavy-wear items, I prefer half-hard. You can use a tumbler to harden pieces, though it is recommended certain stones be avoided when using one. For me, that’s just all too much thinking, and I’m inherently lazy, so if I start with half-hard or hard wire, a tumbler is unnecessary. Plus, those things are loud, and I’m basically in a glorified apartment, so I try to avoid angering the neighbors. They’ve already stolen my trash can! My pieces are also usually heavily layered, so they wouldn’t bend or kink regardless. But, it depends on the type of work you do, really. Most stones, however, will handle a tumbler just fine. The process of the shot moving around the barrel is very soft, and it’s the repetition that hardens and polishes the piece.
    
     
    • Dawn Rodriguez  Thanks so much, that was a huge help!
      
       
• Jane Walker  I started making jewellery about 18 months ago with stretchies and beading etc. I moved on to wirework about a month ago and am totally wrapped with it, excuse the pun. I am overwhelmed with your wirework and I aim to get to within a 1000 miles of your ability.
  My question is this and it may seem like a really basic question but what is the best way of keeping your tension even? Does it come with practice or is there some method you can share to everyone’s advantage.
  Thanks Nicole for being an inspiration.
  
  • NicolenYou’ll get there Jane. Two years ago, I was doing basic cage wraps or netted bezels, so you’ll definitely get there!
    
    A lot of it does have to do with “practice makes perfect”, but a good way to approach tension is that you should consider the weaving wire in the same manner you would yarn over a knitting needle, instead of as thread through fabric. You don’t want to pull on the wire, but instead lay the wire across the base. Give it a shot thinking of it that way and see how it helps.
    
     
    • Jane Walker  Thanks Nicole, I’m in the middle of a piece right now but I’ll give it a try on my next piece. Don’t want this piece to look like two halves, Thanks again xx
      
       
• Verónica Rito  Hi Nicole,
  it’s been awhile since I want to ask you what kind of product do you use to coat your copper jewelry, and how do you apply it.
  Each time I sell a copper piece I’m afraid what will be the reaction of my client regarding the natural oxidation of copper. The pieces that I keep for me I usually clean them with ketchup, but I’d some problems when the ketchup doesn’t come off completly, specially in small spaces and holes, and I know that most of people doesn’t have the patience or care to clean their pieces properly. So this is an issue that concerns me a lot, and I’ll aprecciate your answer very, very much.
  
  Thank you
  
  Verónica
  
   
  • Nicole  Hi Veronica! Personally I don’t coat my copper. Coated pieces need to be re-coated anyway, sometimes once a year, sometimes more depending on how heavily worn a piece is. If you’re looking to keep copper pieces bright, I’d suggest a really nice anti-tarnish craft copper. I’ve used brands from Michael’s and JoAnn’s that STILL look bright, and it’s been five years since I’ve made it! I oxidize my pieces, though, and usually just inform customers that real copper will continue the oxidizing process, so care is required to maintain a certain look. But I do recommend Worcestershire sauce to brighten up pieces. It works ten times better than ketchup with no mess at all. Just dip it in the sauce and rinse. You can also provide a polishing cloth or nail buffer, though I find the nail buffer doesn’t remove oxidization specifically, but instead simply adds shine. I also suggest making up “care cards” to pass out with purchases, or just to pass out to those interested in how to maintain jewelry prior to purchase. It comes in handy.
    
     
• Erin Peterson  How did you get started doing wirework? Where did you start?
  
   
  • Nicole  I was selling beaded jewelry at the only local show we have (basically a glorified flea market), and spied a vendor there selling some seriously gorgeous wire wrapped jewelry. I went home and did an internet search on it and was inspired enough to give it a shot. Which basically consisted of me buying the cheapest wire I could find, the cheapest pair of pliers and wire cutters I could find, and twisting some cage wraps. It was a hot mess, but I eventually learned to refine and enhance, taking inspiration from where I could find it. Lots of searches for wire jewelry and lots of messing up and five years later, here I am!
    
     
• Marika  How long did it take you to become as awesome at making jewelry as you are now? And related to this – how many throwaway pieces or scraps did you “create” in the process? And I don’t mean here a number or anything, but a percentage perhaps? Or hm…I did 250 bad and 1 good (yeah right!)
  
  I’m getting better at making jewelry, but I’m still doing more scrap than real pieces that I can show off. You know like the tango, one foot front and two back…
  
  • Nicole  Well, I started wire wrapping about six years ago. Took about two years off due to an inability to dedicate the necessary time, and now here I am. I can’t really say I had many throwaway pieces. Even the pieces I was none too thrilled with managed to find appreciative homes, regardless, but I had my share of “oops” pieces as I learned the ropes. And even now, though there is nothing particularly wrong with some pieces, I will scrap them simply because they’ve been sitting too long. I’ll trade in the metal, reuse the components and create something fresh and new. I wouldn’t consider it a throwaway piece, though. Just think of it this way… you have mistakes from which you learn, and then you have pieces in need of a face lift.. but there’s never a “throwaway”
    
• Dora Muller Harrison FB  You have come up with so many unique designs.
  Where do you get your inspirations? Do you ever see creations in your dreams.
  And thank you so much for the weekly treasure hunts, it’s so very sweet of you.
  And tell your son congrats on his graduation !! <3
  
  • Nicole You’re very welcome for the treasure hunts, and thank you for the graduation wishes! I will pass it on.
    
    I wish I could say that I find inspiration from some place specific, or that I plan designs, but alas, it’s far less interesting than that. I really just cut random lengths of wire, pick out a stone or bead that appeals to me right at that moment, and then I just start building a weave and go from there. I can say that I’m moved to mimic natural shapes and movements and don’t usually like hard lines in my work, but otherwise, it’s sort of a free for all and anything is possible. Sometimes I wish I could draw designs, but it’s always been disastrous when I’ve tried! lol And now that you ask, I’ve never dreamed of a design, that I know of, but perhaps subconsciously something from my dreams has figured into my work. I might have to try using my dreams as an exercise in creating something!
    
• Doreen Do you do any classes or webinar classes?
  
  • Nicole  I haven’t yet, mostly because I just haven’t found the time or (as in the case of webinars) don’t really have equipment. I can’t imagine the factory webcam on my computer is sufficient for showing close-ups. But I hope its something I can do before the year is out. I will research a few how-tos on teaching classes online. But at the very least, should have a couple non-interactive videos available by the end of the year. That’s the plan, at any rate
    
     
• Irance Alexander  Hi Nicole,
  A sweet hello from the far side of the globe (Malaysia). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to get involved in your treasure hunting every Tues (mine here wed midnight) by changing your time so i don”t have sneak out in the middle of the night (looking like more of a cheating spouse….hahaha). Anyway Nicole, i really admire your dedication to your work not to mention your talent. I follow your fb and blog everyday, my question is how do you plan your time and get so many things done at the same time. Tutorial and all plus lots of extra long article(s) and posting on your website plus your fb AND still have a life??… I can’t seems to do more than 2 tasks a day.
  
   
  • Nicole  I don’t have a life, really. I mean, unless it’s a chore, like grocery shopping on Thursdays, I really don’t leave my house. Well, maybe I give my husband a lunch date once a week LOL but otherwise I’m pretty house bound. Crowds freak me out, so I tend to avoid large groups of people, which means parties, bars and most shopping is out for me. The mall positively sends me into fits lol. So, really I have nothing but time to focus on what I do. I don’t have a job outside of the home, having been laid off December of 2011, so I have plenty of time to focus only on my business. I wish I were more organized with my time, or more committed to getting work done when I set it before me to do, but sometimes laziness gets the better of me, and I find myself scrambling during the 11th hour. But I DO try to get an article or blog post written once a week (it’s my new goal), to interact with fans and friends online for at least an hour every day, work on jewelry directly at least 20 hours a week (preferably more), and clean up my space, organize, and spend time photographing pieces, fiddling with my website, etc. It’s not always as organized as I’d like, though, as I get easily distracted by the TV. lol. And I’d be hard pressed to get a single piece done every couple weeks if I still had a job outside the home, so I’m definitely blessed in that regard. So don’t feel bad. I’m a total shut-in, so I have no excuse but to get as much done as possible.
    
• Dianna So, what is you favorite color, favorite food and favorite designer? We love you Nicole!
  
   
  • Nicole  I don’t have a favorite color. Or, more specifically, it changes often. I went through an orange phase, then a neon pink phase (which I admit I’m still kind of in), and purple is always nice. I think I’m leaning more towards moss green these days though. I don’t have a favorite food, but I do have a favorite dish. I make this horribly fattening Mexican Chicken dish with Taco sauce, cheddar, chicken, onions and Doritos. I could eat the entire casserole dish of that stuff. In fact, I’m hungry just thinking about it. I don’t have a favorite clothing designer (I buy most of my clothes form JC Penny, so it’s usually just their store brand), but I love IMNIUM’s jewelry. Not just love it, but COVET it. I think of nefarious means of getting money so I can buy a piece from her one of these days. lol
    
    • Dianna  I just looked up IMNIUM’s jewelry. I can see why you covet it. Gorgeous. Funny you should mention moss green. It’s always been on of my favorite color. In fact I am making a bracelet right now using moss green faceted pearls with an abalone clasp. How was the graduation?
      
       
      • Nicole The ceremony isn’t actually until Sunday, but we’re planning a joint party for our nephew (also graduating the same day from a different school), so we’ve been running ourselves ragged this week lol. I never realized my kid had NO dress clothes. Sigh. Which is what I was doing all day Tuesday. Have you tried to buy dress shoes at Payless lately? SO expensive! Lol We ended up at Target. LOVE Target.
        
         
• Lisa O'Rourke  Hi Nicole,
  
  Will your new cabouchon tutorial be suitable to use with either a piece of seaglass or a pottery shard?
  Thanks
  Lisa
  
  • Nicole  Hi Lisa! Modifications would have to be made to the materials list to accommodate stones of different sizes and shapes, but the principle can apply to most any flat(ish) back stone.
    
     
    • Lisa O'Rourke  That’s great Nicole, thanks.
      Lisa x
      
• Amanda Tomlinson Good morning Nicole, first I must say that I am more than a bit obsessed with you and your woven wire designs! (Although not in a creepy way, don’t worry, lol) My question for you…I also love oxidized copper wire, but lately all of my suppliers have gone to “non-tarnish coating” which is fine if thats what you’re looking for but I’m not. Do you recommmend any online sources for truely “bare” copper wire?? I would so appreciate it : ) Oh, another thing…is there anyway we can put a face to your online personality? You have done an amazingly fabulous job interacting and building a fan base!! I am pretty jealous of your sense of humor and way with words, you keep me laughing, lol ; }
  Amanda
  
  • Nicole  I have a picture up under the Artist tab though I look mighty mischievous in it.
    
    As for copper wire, I always only buy mine from Monster Slayer or Rio Grande. They have the best prices and quality that I’ve found. Many people suggest checking with your local electrician or hardware store, but you generally have to strip, separate and straighten that wire and I’m way too lazy for all that. Lol. But it’s certainly a less expensive option, monetarily-speaking, though would increase your product prices due to the time involved to prep it. But who doesn’t like having options, right?
    
• Sandy When you weave, do you let the weaving wire flow loose or do you wrap it up in something like a sewing bobbin or a small thread/wire spool? Also, for the pieces you’re working that are particularly long, do you use anything to help you keep the wire from kinking while allowing you to weave a bit more effortlessly?
  
  
  
  • Nicole Usually the wire is allowed to move while I’m weaving with it. Pieces are generally more than 200 cm at a time when I work, and I just drape it over the arm of my chair or couch while I work and let it wiggle while I wrap. This actually prevents kinking, because as you weave, the wire inherently twists tiny bits which, if the wire is left on a spool, can kink it and snap it. I’ve never tried to wrap the end around a small bobbin, but only because I’m lazy. lol. Whatever saves me time is my general rule of thumb! I don’t use any tools to hold wires in place while I work. Just my hands. I started out with wire on a very limited budget, and have learned to adapt using only three tools… my hands, wire cutters and needle nose pliers. I use more now, occasionally, but mostly I have a very strong grip and can hold many wires in place at once.
    
• Alan Kolodny  Nicole,
  I really want thank you for sharing your tutorials, they are beautifully written, very detailed and with an abundance of photos.
  Your recent articles on photography are great. I’ve already ordered the photo tent and downloaded photoscape. Photography is not one of my gifts and any help is sincerely appreciated.
  My question is have you ever designed a cross pendant and would you share a photo?
  
   
  • Nicole  Hi Alan! So far, this is the only cross design I’ve finished. It started out smaller in my head and suddenly morphed into a piece that was HUGE. I’ve always meant to revisit the design, but never got around to it.
     
    • Alan Kolodny  Its beautiful! Its a shame you don’t live in MS., anything with a cross sells really well here. I sell more tatted crosses than anything else.
      
      • Alan Kolodny Have you ever done a Star of David?
        
         
        • Nicole  I haven’t yet, though perhaps I’ll be inspired to soon
          
           
• Debé  I have a questions. My jewelry in the tumbler seems to be coming out dark. I read somewhere that the PH balance could be off and to use flat coke. I did and it seemed to work for a short while. I bought another rubber container and still the same problem. Any suggestions as to why it is happening and/or how to resolve it.
  
  Thanks
  D
  
   
  • Nicole Unicorns!
    
    That’s my response when I don’t know the answer. lol. I’ve never actually used a tumbler myself, and know only the basics associated with ones use. I’ve heard a few people say you should run the tumbler with only the shot the first time to thoroughly clean it. I’ve heard a few say to use specific cleaners, like Dawn Dish Soap. I’ve heard a few say to switch to plastic barrels (I can’t imagine how loud those are!). But I’ve never heard this particular problem addressed with any real clarity or consistency, so it may depend entirely on your tumbler, the type of shot, and the solution you add to your water. I wish I could be of more use in answering this question but…. unicorns? Squeak. Everyone loves unicorns.
    
     
    • Debbie Grant  Someone in a forum was having that problem and she ended up using more of the burnishing agent (blue Dawn dish soap, I believe). It probably had to do with the type of water in the area. I use a tumbler that has a rubber barrel and I do quite a bit of hand polishing before I put it in the tumbler.
      
       
      • Nicole  Thanks Debbie! I’m woefully uneducated in the use of a tumbler. One of these days I might invest, though
        
         
• jill carter  Hi Nicole, you have kindof touched on this in answering Sandy’s question about weaving, but when you are starting a weave which has a few – say 6 new base wires, do you have any hints about how to get it going nicely ? Thanks
  
   
  • Nicole It helps to make sure you have a nice grip on the wires. If you are just starting a new weave with many wires, I find it helpful to make sure I have plenty of wire to grip before I start the weave. I don’t use tools to hold my wires in place, so it’s all about the grip for me. So, generally, when I start a new piece, I cut long lengths of base wires, and generally start smack dab in the middle of them with a weave, giving me plenty of room to maneuver.
    
     
• Brenda M  What should one use to ‘spray’ on the piece, once it is finished, to reduce oxidization… ie. I would like to keep it looking like the bright copper it is?? Thanks!!!
  
   
  • Nicole  I wouldn’t recommend a spray, since it’s harder to control and can get all over stones and dull them. I personally don’t use any type of lacquer so can’t offer an educated opinion on brands. They all eventually wear off, especially with high-wear pieces, so you’d have to warn customers to add a new finish often, depending upon the wear involved (assuming you are selling). I’ve heard people suggest clear nail polish (for the less expensive option), and I’ve had Renaissance Wax recommended as well. But if it’s a piece just for you, a quick dip in Worcestershire sauce will brighten it up like new.
    
     
    • Lisa O'Rourke  I use Renaissance wax on my copper metal pieces which is great but I think it would get caught in all the little wires on wrapped pieces.
      
       
      • Nicole  I wonder if you can use a soft bristle tooth brush to work it into the crevices and evenly distribute it. I’ve never used it so I’m just guessing. Log
        
         
• Lisa O'Rourke  Will you ever do a tutorial for your dragonfly? It’s my favourite design of yours. I’m also really looking forward to your new cabochon one. So pleased I managed to do a nice copper crystal key pendant last night and am going to put it on a piece of ribbon and give it my friend who just moved house.
  Lisa
  
   
  • Nicole  I had plans to do a workshop for the dragonfly, but time keeps getting away from me. Right now I have no immediate plans to distribute a PDF tutorial for that design, but I never know how I’ll feel in a month or so lol
    
     
    • Lisa O'Rourke  Aw that’s a shame, I’m in the UK so wouldn’t be able to do a workshop. One more question, the last I promise. Do you ever write for jewellery making magazines? The reason I ask, is that I do and I was thinking of mentioning you to the editor of Beads & Beyond.
      Thanks Lisa
      
       
      • Nicole  I haven’t yet, but only because I just hadn’t thought about it. lol. It’s amazing the avenues I haven’t even considered yet! And I’m honored you’d think to mention me
        
         
        • Lisa O'Rourke  I’ll email Becky now with a link to your site Nicole.
          Thanks Lisa:)
          
• Robin  Hi Nicole,
  
  Your work is amazing and I am very inspired by you. Thank you for all your tutorials and all the information you share with us groupies. lol.
  
  Do you have any tips for not marring your wire when you use your pliers? I saw in an earlier post you use your fingers alot but sometimes I just can’t get something tight enough and I always have a hard time with pliers leaving marks.
  
  Thank you again for your generosity!!
  
  • Nicole A lot of people dip their plier tips in Tool Magic or use replaceable rubber tips, but I’ve personally never bothered. If I use tools, I only grip the ends of wires that will be trimmed. Occasionally I have to use the tools on wire that can’t be trimmed, and I tend to buff those marks out with a Dremmel, sometimes even a steel wool pad will do the trick.
    
     
    • Aimee  Thanks, been having trouble with plier marks myself! I just got a Dremel… finally (now I’m trying to remember all the reasons I thought I needed it)! What Dremel attachment(s) do you use for buffing out the marks? Still trying to figure out how to use this crazy thing!
      
      Thanks for all the info you share, and for your amazing, inspirational work!
      
• Erin Peterson How many tutorials have you written, in total? And, how many, then, are you hiding from us (playfully kidding). I would like to make sure I’m not missing any from my “collection.”
  
   
  • Nicole  lol I had two that I retired completely. Another artist actually offered a version of one free on her own blog after mine was released (insert sad face), and the other was simply not a popular design. I think I have around 45 total right now. And I just can’t see myself stopping any time in the future. I love writing them!
    
     
• Lisa O'Rourke Nicole, do you have any tips re hand and wrist strain? I suffer from tendonitis and have found it getting worse in the hand I’m gripping the wires with.
  Thanks
  Lisa
  
   
  • Nicole A lot of people use a type of compression “glove” for their wrists (similar to what a cyclist would use), and others just wrap up their wrists with Ace bandages. I developed tendonitis from typing when I worked for the Post Office, and have to periodically wear a wrist brace when I work. It can get in the way but it keeps me from bending my wrists at odd angles while wrapping and coiling, so it just makes me a little more aware of how to properly handle things. I would suggest trying a small industrial strength clamp to hold wires in place. It’s easier to grip a clamp than some wiggly little wires for some, and a lot of people have said that’s helped them. For me, the clamp gets in the way, but it’s worth a shot.
    
     
• Lisa O'Rourke  Thanks Nicole, that’s great.
  Lisa
  
   
• Megan Coffman  I had to come and thank you! I utilized your Wire Wrap Woven Pendant Tutorial parts 1 & 2. Of course I put a little of my own spin on it a bit. Before my wire wrapping had nothing to it i.e. 2 20AWG sq wires with a solid wrapping of 20AWG 1/2 round…very utilitarian but very boring! Yesterday I sat down and created such a beautiful Carnelian pendant. BTW I tried your lap weight idea, but mine was just way too happy to be in my lap and his making bread became too painful for me to concentrate on making my jewelry.
  
   
  • Erin Peterson  Nicole, I couldn’t find the tutorial that Megan is referring to. Can you point me in the direction to find it?
    
     
    • Nicole  Hi Erin, I don’t have any titled Wire Wrap Woven Pendant Tutorials parts 1 & 2, but I do have Intro to Wire Wrapping Parts 1 & 2 which are both free and include wire wrapped dangles and types of weave. These can be found in the blog posts.
      
      However, give this one a shot… http://flight-fancy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wire-wrap-woven-pendant-tutorial-part-1.html
      
      • Erin Peterson That makes sense! Thanks for the tutorial too. I will have to give that one a shot.