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November 13, 2014

Small Lessons Learned in Wire Wrapping: Asymetrical Gemstone Bracelet

It's a Wrap


Today, a piece of jewelry pulled from the pile by a friend, shined up, given a little re-work and sent to a new home.  

But along with it are the lessons learned from the time I made it, to when I finally finished it, at least 2 years, maybe much more.

Great gemstone wire wrapped bracelet - interesting tips on what makes it wearable and pretty: Lisa Yang's Jewelry Blog

The changes I made were so small, but made a huge difference - especially since it went from the UFO (unfinished objects) pile to sold in a matter of minutes.  Here's what's different...

First change - the clasp.  


Previously it had a small, non-decorative sterling hook.  You may think - why is a plain lobster claw clasp any better?

It's more secure and less obtrusive.  And, connected to it's similarly styled ring, looks more like a piece of chain (i.e. part of the bracelet) than a clasp.

Great gemstone wire wrapped bracelet - interesting tips on what makes it wearable and pretty: Lisa Yang's Jewelry Blog

Second change - added movement.  


See that small group of three dangles on headpins next to the silver bead.  Those - and the dangle at the clasp - are new additions and changed the bracelet from flat and boring to interesting. 

I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.  Without that little bunch of beads, the silver bead stuck out like a sore thumb and the entire bracelet was flat.  

There was always a weight at the clasp, but it was a large - at least 12mm - faceted amethyst.  Who wants to rest their arm on that rock all day?! 

In the revised version, the clasp dangles are the perfect counterweight to the gemstone group on the front - which means the bracelet really swirls around your wrist with no top or bottom.

Great gemstone wire wrapped bracelet - interesting tips on what makes it wearable and pretty: Lisa Yang's Jewelry Blog

Third change - the size


And last, but by no means least, I made the bracelet a little larger when I added the new clasp.  Because each gemstone section is fairly large and rigid, the original size had the bracelet bending around the wrist.  Very unflattering.

Enlarged by less than 1/2 inch, the bracelet twirls and flows around the wrist showing off all the beachy goodness of the gems.

Fourth change - SOLD!


In case you're wondering, the gemstones are aqua and lt. blue chalcedony, single and double pearls, a yummy rainbow moonstone with incredible blue flash, green serpentine, dark amethyst, blue lace agate, and the dangle cluster is glass beads and pyrite - all wrapped in sterling silver wire.

Do you ever pull things from the UFO pile and re-work them?  Funny how a fresh perspective can make all the difference.

Look for something similar to show up in my Etsy shop soon. (probably on my wrist too!)

2 comments:

  1. Beautiful colours and I like the little dangles. I've pretty much done away with the handmade hook-type clasps even though I really like the look. They're too iffy, as in if they get caught on something then the bracelet or necklace is likely gone for good.

    I have a projects bin for early and unsold efforts. I looked through it just yesterday searching for a stray matching carnelian for my latest necklace. There's a whole lotta stuff in there. PLUS I found two of the world's ugliest necklaces, my very first efforts when I first learned to wire wrap beads. I should post them. They're truly, unspeakably awful. In my case, I don't think I can even rescue the beads as they were hideous, too.

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  2. I like having different colors of stones. I hadn't thought of the idea that the dangles create movement. Good to know. Thank you,

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