Silver wire wrapped spiral daisy ring

Customers often ask me to tweak my already-existing items to fit their needs. I recently had a woman purchase one of my silver wire wrapped daisy flower coil rings.

However, instead of wearing it as a coil, she asked if I could redesign it with the daisy sitting right on the band:

Believe it or not, this ring is made with a single piece of wire. My main concern when designing it was to make sure it looked neat -- and that there weren't pieces of wire and wraps sticking out all over the place. Basically, I wanted the daisy to look as if I had been soldered to the band... even though it was wrapped.

It took some trial and error, but I'm pleased with how it turned out. The daisy is actually quite secure on the band and really cute! I made the daisy a little bigger than I had with the coil ring version so it would be front and center:

After successfully making this daisy ring, I played around with other designs where the ring's main feature was centered on the band. So far, none have turned out so well. I've tried using small Swarovski crystal pearls, but I think they're too bulky for this kind of ring. The pearls are sticking way out and I don't like the way they're sitting on the wire. I think pearls would work better if I strung the band through the pearl; I'll have to experiment. I think this design could work with crystal bicones; I'll have to see. But I at least know I can make these pretty flowers rings! That's the fun of making jewelry; even when my attempts don't work, I enjoy trying.

Check out the rest of my jewellery at Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations.

Handmade carved silver chunky ring: A sale and some closure

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Though I began making jewelry in 2010, I didn't take any jewelry-making classes until Februrary, 2012. As a birthday present to myself, I signed up for a basic metalsmithing class. I figured that I could combine these skills with wire wrapping and could make some more interesting and complex pieces.

Unfortunately, I just did not get along with my instructor. I've written about her before in this blog -- and while she wasn't a bad person, we just didn't hit it off. If a student didn't understand something right away, she'd grow impatient, and I was one of those students who needed that extra practice. I suspect that she's a wonderful teacher when dealing with advanced students, but doesn't do so well with beginners. By the end of the semester, our class of 16 had dwindled down to just 3 women, myself included.

I stuck it out for a few reasons: 1) I paid a lot of money for this class and supplies. 2) I wanted to prove to myself that I could learn a new skill. 3) I wanted to show this teacher that she couldn't make me quit. Eventually, a fourth reason was added to this list when I was laid off in March and decided to work on writing and designing jewelry full-time.

Because I was trying to learn these skills for a job, the class stopped being even remotely fun (not that it was so much fun, anyway) and I put a ridiculous amount of pressure on myself. I'm ashamed to admit that I broke down in tears a few times simply because I couldn't properly solder metal or successfully fuse a piece together. Talk about being a big baby! I took these "failures" way too personally -- and having this particular teacher didn't help.

Anyway, I did manage to complete one project: this chunky, carved ring made from fine silver. Everyone made rings so we could learn how to use a jewelry saw and how to do some basic soldering. I liked how my ring turned out, but I measured it incorrectly and it didn't quite fit my finger. I put it up for sale online, but it's difficult to sell a one-of-a-kind piece that only comes in a specific size.

Well, last night, I FINALLY sold the ring! I'm so happy right now and feel a sense of closure. This ring reminds me of that transitional period and how I pushed myself to get through it. Business has been good, but the sale of this ring has special meaning for me.

Meanwhile, things worked out for me during the next semester. Because I was now working for myself, I was able to take the mid-day enameling class, which is where I met my current instructor. I adore enameling, as well as this teacher and will soon be returning for my 3rd year in her class. She's taught me so much and is also one of my biggest cheerleaders. She's someone whom I admire and consider to be a friend.

I'm not sure when I'll ever feel that I've truly "made it" in this business... but I love making jewelry and am grateful that I get to do something so creative. Please check out my pieces at Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations. You can also check out my novel, REVENGE OF A BAND GEEK GONE BAD, on Amazon.

Metalsmithing Class: My sterling silver ring with flower design

Here it is! Here is the mythical silver ring that I have been talking about all semester:

While I don't think it's my best piece, I'm proud of it. For a seemingly simple ring, a lot of work went into making it! First, I had to carve out the silver strip using a jeweler's saw, then I had to drill and saw out the flower design. Next, I had to file the entire piece. I then annealed the ring by torching it so that I could make the metal more flexible; next, I bent it into a ring shape.

Next, I soldered the ends together, then annealed it a second time. Finally, I sanded, polished and buffed it.

So there were a lot of steps in making it -- and it doesn't even fit me. It's about a half size too small (though it's sligtly big on my pinky). So if anyone reading is a size 8 1/2 ring wearer, you can buy it on Etsy.

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

More Wire Wrapped Ring Designs

Here are some more of my wire wrapped ring designs. I basically use the same design as a base; I make a coil ring by wrapping the wire around in a circular motion. The shapes are created at the beginning and end of the process, i.e. I first make the spiral, do the wrap, finish the bottom portion of the ring. I then add the stones. Surprisingly, it's the last part -- the adding of the stones or crystals -- that takes the longest because I'm dealing with 28 gauge wire, which is very fine.

My friends say that a lot of my work looks Middle Eastern, That's definitely an influence, but I think I'm inspired by designs from around the world. I'm traveling to Nigeria soon so it'll be interesting to see what kinds of ideas I get from there.

Anyway, my rings are below. To purchase them or other jewelry from my shop, head to Naomi's Designs.

Silver wire wrapped ring with infinity symbol and spiral

If you've taken a look at my Etsy shop, you'd see that until now I haven't had rings for sale. I found them difficult to make and size and thought that earrings, necklaces and bracelets were more interesting. Lately, though, I've been on a ring kick.

After making my silver ring in metalsmithing class, I'm feeling more confident about the process. Granted, my new rings are made out of 18 gauge silver plated copper wire and are not carved and soldered; they're twisted, but I'm feeling more confident about designing and shaping them.

I love the idea of an infinity ring because the idea of a ring being a circle shape represents something never ending. That's why you have wedding rings and promise rings, etc. So I liked combining that concept with the round spiral and infinity symbol. All mean "forever" and I think this would be a great promise ring to give someone as a gift.

I also think it looks cool. I like the funky, abstract design and the geometric nature of the piece.

I'm still experimenting with more wire wrapped ring designs, so stay tuned!

To purchase my wire wrapped rings or other jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs.