Year of Jewelry Week 12: Three Feet of Wire

On April 2, 2012

I really did have something made for Week 12 before I left on my trip to Vegas, but it was based on the design elements of another artist. Since I felt that was a tad too close to cheating for my taste, or, at the very least, lazy, I decided to postpone my submission until I’d recovered from my vacation, and try again with something more original.

These simple earrings, available for viewing here, do use just three feet of wire… with an inch of wire to spare actually, though I will admit that each earring required its own three feet. Of course, make one as a pendant and it qualifies just fine, so I feel justified! A 12″ length of 20 gauge wire with a 24″ length of 26 gauge coiling wire creates a simple setting for a Swarovski rivoli (as seen) or cabochon, between the sizes of 10mm and16mm. I’ve utilized this loop prong setting in my jewelry for almost a year now with tremendous success. The earrings measure less than two inches in length from ear wire to bead, has nice movement and takes less than 15 minutes to construct, in total. And, because I can never be too busy, I’ve written a tutorial, which should be available soon…. along with three more tutorials of various degrees of difficulty. Sigh.

Thanks a lot, Year of Jewelry, for being so… so…. annoyingly motivational. Sheesh.

However, I can’t pretend I don’t enjoy every moment of every day during which I get to design and create for the enjoyment of others. And hey, it keeps me out of trouble. Mostly. Except for that one time with the monkey, but that was just a fluke ….and he got what he deserved! Stupid monkey.

But I digress…. Year of Jewelry has presented me a collage of opportunity to push myself beyond the boundaries of simplicity or complexity or the ever-pressing need for perfection. It allows me to have fun, to express the necessity for creativity which nestles in the core of me, pulsing and flashing, and I intend to indulge! I would like to believe everyone enjoys these opportunities for themselves, and takes advantage of them with regular abandon. But should you find yourself short on time, hopefully you’ve enjoyed, at least, this small sample of expressionism.

Have a great day and happy weaving!