Mixed Metal Wire Wrapped Bubble Bracelet In Silver, Copper And Bronze

I was really pleased with how my wire wrapped silver and copper bubble bangle bracelet turned out, so I made a tri-colored version of it using silver, copper and bronze:

The challenge in making this mixed metal bracelet was to balance the three different colored wires. I didn't want it to have too much of one color -- which was a bit difficult since the bracelet's base is silver. But I played around with the placement and shapes of the spiral "bubbles" and like how it turned out.

I love the way that silver, copper and bronze look together and am already thinking of other variations: I'd like to make a copper and bronze bracelet with a copper base or one with a bronze base and silver bubbles. Or I'd even like to try brighter colors, like silver and blue wire.

This bracelet has already gotten a lot of views and a few sales; I think it stands out because it's fun and funky -- but is still a pretty simple design. Moreover, I have a great time making them, so look for more to come!

To purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs or MayaGirl Creations.

Wire Wrapped Spiral Bangle Bubble Bracelet In Silver And Copper

In my last entry, I wrote about the earring fan who requested that I make variations on some of my designs. She also asked if I could make her this mixed metal wire wrapped bracelet in silver and copper:

I created a similar bracelet in silver and red last holiday season. I was working at a 2012 Christmas fair and things weren't going so well, so I filled my time by making new jewelry. Since it was the holiday season, I put together a bracelet with appropriate colors. It's kind of cool then that this woman had me create a variation on this bracelet during this year's holidays. I like how the silver and copper look together, too. I originally made this as a bangle, but she asked if I could clip it and add an adjustable chain since she has a small wrist. I cut it about midway (right after the spiral sequence) and attached the chain there. Hopefully she'll find it comfortable to wear.

Since this is my 300th (!!!!!) blog entry and it's January 1st, it's a great time to list some of my jewelry goals for 2014. This also happens to be the year I turn 40 (it's about a month from now, yikes), so I'm coming up with a list of 40 Things To Do At 40. They range from wanting to go scuba diving to wanting to become a better cook, but my jewelry is a big part of this, too. I'd like to: 1) Finally put together my how-to book with jewelry projects. I talked about doing this last year and never found the time to do it. 2) Learn a new jewelry making skill. So far, I've learned how to do wire work, basic soldering and various types of enameling. Maybe this will be the year to try some goldsmithing. 3) Sell my pieces to a store or gallery. I tried to do this last year and never succeeded. I'm hoping that my higher-end pieces will garner some more attention.

Of course, I'd like to continue to build my business -- and to keep doing what I love! So check out my pieces at Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations.

Wire wrapped bangle bracelet mixed metal silver and brass

If this wire wrapped bracelet looks familiar, it is. I've made variations on it before. Only I've since sold them all and over a year has past since I first created this design. I've gotten much more practice with wire wrapping and have much more knowledge of making jewellery.

This is why I decided to redo the design and make it a bit more streamlined and secure. My old bangle bracelet had five silver wire wraps on it, which made it look uneven and off-center. I took a wrap out in the new design, making it nice and symmetrical. I also didn't like the older clasp, which consisted on two double hooks that kind of locked into each other. The wires were all out of sync and the hooks didn't close in tightly, so I made a new design with one hook that locks into a closed loop.

Finally, I made the wraps much tighter, holding the wires in a bit better. And then I took some better photos! I was never unhappy with my old bracelet; it looked nice and my customers seemed to be happy with it. But I'm always trying to improve my methods and my work. These were a few small changes, but I think it gives the design a little upgrade.

My old bracelet:

My new bracelet:

To purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs. To purchase my children's jewellery, head to MayaGirl Creations.

Mixed Metal Brass, Silver And Copper Mesh Bracelet

Sorry for the long break between posts, but I've been busy getting ready for my next craft show, which is on May 1. This weekend, I made seven new items: two bracelets, two pairs of earrings and three necklaces. I'm trying to add some more variety to my inventory so that I can appeal to more tastes. Hopefully, I'll have more success at this show than I did at the last one.

Many of the items I made this weeked contained mixed metals. I absolutely love the way that different metals look together -- silver and gold, brass and bronze, copper and silver ... there's just something elegant about metals and when you combine them, they really go well together.

For the bracelet pictured on this page, I went with a mesh design and attached each link so the lattice looks like a continuous piece. I alternated the brass, silver and gunmental (copper) links to create the pattern and what I love about it is that even though I only used three colors, it comes off looking like more. Also, in some lights the colors appear to change; when paired with the brass and silver, for example, the gunmetal almost looks red.

The really great thing about mixed metals is that they go well with everything. You can wear this bracelet with an evening gown or with jeans and a T-shirt -- and it'll look beautiful in both cases.

I'd eventually love to learn some soldering skills so that I can combine metals in other ways. But for now, I'm having a good time experimenting with different types of metal wire.

To purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs.

Silver and gold mixed metal mesh bracelet

I've written many times about using the lattice pattern in my jewerly designs. This bracelet was the perfect way for me to feature it.

I'd ordered gunmetal wire online and wasn't sure what to do with it. Honestly, I just liked the name. I mean, "gunmetal" -- what's not cool about that? Turns out, gunmetal is a very pretty brownish color and looks great with gold and silver. When I saw all three together, I was inspired to do something that incorporated this trio of warm, metallic colors. It's a little like my own "Naomi Olympics," with gold, silver and bronze!

Anyway, I wove nine-loop lattice links with each color and then alternated them to create the bracelet. What's really cool is that when it was all put together, it ended up looking like one continuous band of lace. It reminded me a little of tiles or perhaps, squares in a quilt.

I have some other mixed metal designs in mind. When making jewelry, don't be afraid to play with colors because you never know what combination will work.

To see or purchase more of my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs or Naomi's Studio.

Mixed metal gold and silver triangle bracelet

This mixed metal gold and silver triangle bracelet is an example of an experiment gone right. I've written about many failed attempts to make certain things, but in this case, this bracelet came out better than I anticipated.

I knew from the start that I liked triangle patterns and wanted to do something mixing gold and silver. However, I wanted to try an off-kilter design and decided to see what would happen if I made each triangle link progressively larger than the last. Know what? It ended up looking cool! It looks a little like a modern sculpture and well, that's what I want my jewelry to be: wearable art.

In other news, I now have a Facebook fan page, so if you like my work, please "like" Naomi's Designs on FB. Also, I'm starting to gear up for craft show season. My goal is to do four or five this year to see how well I do at them. So far, I have shows lined up for April 3 and May 1. The April show is going to be particularly sweet for me because last April 1 was the day I broke my leg and last April 3 was the day that the orthopedist popped my bone back into place. Owwwwwww!!! So it's kind of cool to know that a year after being in the worst pain I've ever been in, I'm going to be doing something new and fun and interesting. I know it seems odd to connect my jewelry making to my broken leg, but I had a chance to make a lot of jewelry while I was laid up! Plus, I have metal plates and pins in my leg, so I come with my own "hardware," LOL.

In all seriousness, I'm really excited about doing these shows. You just never know where life might take you. I definitely didn't expect to get injured last year, nor did I expect to be selling jewelry at craft fairs only a year later.

To see or purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs or Naomi's Studio.