DIY Wire Four Leaf Clover Charm or Clasp

Four Leaf Clover Clasp

Don't you love it when a project turns out better than you ever expected?

I'm not talking about today's project (yet), but the lucky horseshoe link bracelet that I made last week.

It is my favorite bracelet right now.  It's comfortable, pretty, the perfect size and most of all, it's slinky.

On the down side, it's a little plain though.  There are several options to spice it up, such as adding beads to make a charm bracelet.  I definitely plan to do that in the future.

But for now, I decided to follow a similar path that I did with the infinity link bracelet.  Add a pretty handmade clasp that follows a theme - and provide step by step instructions.

Free Lucky Horseshoe Stud Earrings Tutorial

A little more luck...

The horseshoe wire link bracelet project inspired me to make another horseshoe shaped piece of jewelry.

This time, it is lucky horseshoe stud earrings.

I've never made stud earrings before, but this simple wire shape seems like a perfect place to start.

The best thing about this project?  It only takes about 2 inches of wire so you can make plenty of them right from your scrap bin!

Making these earrings doesn't take much wire or time, but it probably works best if you have a pair of step pliers or bail making pliers to make the horseshoe shape even.

I shaped the wire for both earrings at the same time.  Saves time and helps to make the shapes even.  This isn't really possible using standard round nose pliers.

Lucky Horseshoe Handmade Wire Chain Tutorial

Good Luck!  

Yes, I'd like some please!

This particular post and jewelry project all started with a search for a good luck symbol.  I considered several options before settling on a horseshoe.

Why are horseshoes lucky?

I tried to research why horseshoes are considered lucky - but there is no clear source for the belief, just a lot of speculation.  Clearly, there is a lot of superstition regarding which way you should hang your horseshoe though.  Some say with the ends up so the luck doesn't run out, others believe with the ends down, so the luck pours on those who pass underneath it. Regardless of the source of the belief, they are a prominent symbol in jewelry and luck, so I decided to try my hand at it by making this horseshoe chain bracelet.

Handmade Wire Hair Clip Barrettes

This week, it has been all about making hair accessories for me.

Technically, I'm not sure what you call them - hair clips, hair barrettes, hair pins - but that's what I've been trying my hand at making this week.

I have no instructions or tutorials to share with you yet - but I will, as soon as I feel like I've come up with a successful formula.

For now, I'm just playing and have come up with 3 different designs.

The first is a simple double spiral hair clip.  It looks

Jewelry Book Sale $6 to $8 - Until Feb 14th

I love books - and I especially love jewelry books.

 I also love it when they are on sale - so I'm sharing the latest good deals from Interweave.

Unlike last time - these are print copies - not E-Books.  Prices for the ones I am listing range from $5.99 to $8.09.

Also, there's a coupon right on the top banner of the website for $10 off a $30 purchase using the code LUVCRAFTS.

Hammered Wire Bones Necklace Project

It's all done! 

A day's worth of snipping wire, hammering, hole punching, filing, tumbling (and re-tumbling) and assembling.

It's no wonder I don't make many necklaces!

They take a long time.  And I'm definitely an instant gratification type of jewelry maker.


The big question is, was it worth the time and effort?

How to Make Wire Sticks or 'Bones'

I'm not quite finished with hammering wire yet - but probably getting close.

My fingers are definitely feeling it!

Since my last post on making hammered wire sticks, where I made one into a ring shank, I have scoured the internet for more inspiration on how to use them.

I made a board called Hammered Wire Sticks/Bone Jewelry that you can look at.

I also found a few free tutorials (listed at the end of this post) - and decided to make this project loosely based on one of them.

Making Hammered Wire Sticks: Beaded Ring Project

My last post about the differences between jewelry mallets and hammers made me want to experiment with a few things.

For example, which hammering surface do I really prefer, the mini anvil or the 4x4 stainless block?

I also realized that although I frequently hammer things, I'm not very proficient at hammering.  It's something that I do, not something that I'd say I'm good at.

So, I decided to take on a few projects that will at least improve my hammering skills.

My first project seems simple - and - well... I guess it was.

Mallet or Hammer: Which Should You Use When?

Add a hammer (or two) and a hammering surface to your list of must-have jewelry tools!

But, before I tell you what to use to hammer your wire components, I'm going to tell you why you want to hammer them.

Two reasons to hammer metal wire components

- to work harden the metal without changing the shape

- to add a pattern or change the shape of a metal component

Hammering a component to work harden the metal is a step that strengthens your finished jewelry.

Hammering a component to add a pattern or shape the metal is a way of enhancing the look of the finished product that will also work harden the metal.

Depending on the hammer that you choose, you can do both at once - or just work harden the wire without affecting the shape of the metal.

Online Sites to Sell Your Handmade Jewelry

One of my goals this year is to increase my online jewelry sales.

There are so many different sites and options to consider, it can be overwhelming.

What is the best online marketplace for my handmade jewelry?

Today, online magazine EcommerceBytes, published the results of a survey of 12,000 online sellers asking them to rate the various online marketplaces they are using.

Not surprisingly, Etsy and ebay grabbed the #2 and #3 spots - but there was a new site at #1 this year -  Bonanza.  

If you looking for a place to sell, check out the Seller's Choice 2014 Awards.  Based on this information, Bonanza is on my list of places to look into!

I'd also like your comments on where you've been successful selling - especially handmade items.  Leave a link to your store and maybe you'll get some love! (but as always, spam comments will be deleted).

Infinity Link Chain with Beads

Everything's better with beads!

Thank you for all the positive comments on my Free Infinity Link Chain tutorial.

I'm glad that so many friends found it useful - and also that the Jewelry Making Journal posted it for their free tutorial Friday on Facebook.

That made my day - since I love JMJ!

I also love when someone sees one of my ideas and expands upon it.