Basket Weave Ring - by Chou Campbell

Materials needed:
14 gauge copper wire
22 gauge copper wire
cutters
needle nose pliers
flat nose pliers

I cut 2 pieces of 14 gauge copper wire.
I cut 2 1/2 to 3 feet of 22 gauge of copper wire
wrap it about 4 to 5 times around one of the 14 gauge copper wire.

I wanted a ring that looked like a weave but not just so plain..I started playing around and this is what I came up with..I created this late on June 28th, 2010



Cut 2 pieces of 14 gauge wire about 8 inches long- Place it side by side, hold firmly. Cut 3 feet of so, of 22 gauge wire wrap it about 3 to 4 times around one of the 14 gauge wires. The wire will go under the top wire and over the 14 gauge wire. This will make a figure 8.


Hold firmly to both wires..Take the wire go under the 14 gauge wire closest to you then up and over it...making a figure 8.


continue this figure 8 for about 2 1/2 inches long



At the end you will wrap 4 or 5 times around one of the 14 gauge wires...take your cutters and cut the excess off.


Take your ring mandrel and place your piece on top of the number your ring size is. push the sided away from you. If you would remove the mandrel it would look like a U.



Place the U shape upward with the wires facing up...and push them down onto the ring mandrel so they are side by side going the opposite directions.



Pull firmly and twist into a circle.



Take the two wires on top of the twist(in picture the one furtherest away)..You will have two wires on each side of the ring. Take the two that is twisted on top of the ring as pictured..twist the wires together...and coil a small circle on the end.


Now you take the other two wires -Twist once then seperate.. Cut desired length depending on many coils you would like, then press down to one side of the ring. That the one coming from the center, cut to desire length and coil and position on opposite side...make it your own!


Each finished piece will be different so have fun!!!

Nautilus - Wire Wrapping by Chou Campbell

I love the ocean! I have made many pieces with nautilus shells. I decided to design my own wire wrapping nautilus. I started the frame of this nautilus, after I did the Tree of Life on May 26th, 2010. I tried many things on this frame, but nothing came to me until, Monday. I couldn't wait to get started.

Step 1. I used 14 gauge wire to make the frame.



Step 2 - I used 22 gauge wire for the wrapping.
I then pick the seed beads I wanted to use. I used a multi-color hank. You can purchase at your local bead store (The Bead Place, Fairview Heights, IL). (I purchased this strand from a friend- Bridgette Saunders - We call her the Delica Queen) =)



Step 3 - Add beads accordingly. One bead above the frame. Wrap around 1 1/2 times so that you can add beads to the opposite side.



Step 4- Continue wrapping on each side of the nautilus. The Wrapping does not criss-cross in the center. I thought about it, but nautilus shells are some what puffy... =)



Step 5 - Continue wrapping and adding wire when needed. The lower part you will wrap it 1 1/2 times, then add beads accordingly. You will go in between the top (no wrapping-just push through to the other side in between finished beads, add beads - continue)



Step 6 - I cut about 8 inches of 22 gauge wire - I add accordingly



Step 7 - I added a fresh water button pearl in the center of each side.

Tree of Life - Wire wrapping

Tree of Life
May 29, 2010
I enjoy making new items.
Bill & Christine Love shared this tuturial with me.
Below I am making my first tree of life pendant
Step 1 below


I used a 6 1/2 diameter medicine bottle to get the round shape I wanted.
Step 2 below




I am adding the beads and twisting the wire to make the base.
Step 3 below



The finished pendant

Step 4 below



I also made a tree of life in Sterlling silver and hematite

below

Wind Chime - Sea Shells & Glass Beads

My mother gave me a seashell chime a year ago. Over time the string dry rotted, and my chime broke. I missed hearing the seashells hit the chimes, so I decided to make my own beaded chime.

On May 20, 2010; I gathered all the seashells, washed them and let them air dry. I cut my soft flex the length I needed, and laid out my beads and seashells the way I wanted in my design. I sat down and began my fun project.
Phase 1



Here is my work in progress - I call this my second phase of the beaded chime. I had more than half the beaded chime done.
Phase 2


Apparently, my hands thought I was done making my beaded chime, so I cut the leftover soft flex, and hung it proudly off my deck. This is phase 3 - which took me 3 1/2 hours with no breaks.
Phase 3



I was over zealous when I cut the soft flex thinking that I was done. I knew there was a method to my madness, which is why I left the soft flex as long as I did (I had the design in my head). It was a bit windy when I hung my beaded chime outside. I heard the wind blowing, but still did not hear the clinking of the chimes. I looked outside and realized that I had not made it long enough so that the seashells could hit the wind chimes. I took it down and added the rest of the beads and seashells accordingly. If you are wondering if the wind makes the chime sing...the answer is yes.

This was phase 4 - total hours on this project was 4 hours.