Perfectly Twisted

New In Etsy! Reversible Wire Wrapped Crystal Point Pendants

izzygumbo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:33:00 +0000

Yeah, it’s late and I’m tired… so I’ll just give a quick update.
We’re under some snow, I’m sure your news tells you about our Spring blizzard

All is well, but my class tomorrow will be postponed until next week (Saturday) please email me and/or contact Caboodles for details.

So today and the past few days, I’ve been wrapping pendants and working on tutorials. Not everything done and certainly in my chaotic pattern but it’s all getting there. Here’s the latest post in Etsy!

More pendants to be listed and the Artbead project to be done! Crimany, it’s wonderful…
I wrote a few poems too if any of you like to read weird poetry. http://izzysgumbo.blogspot.com/

Now, love me please and go shop
Hugs! lol…

The listing is here…

Here’s a quick preview of what will be in the store by the weekend I hope!

And…just so you know…. Very large snowflakes on my slide….
Very pretty.

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Copper Wire Wapped Carnelian Butterfly Pendants

izzygumbo — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I know I’ve been laying low for a bit but I’ve been working on some new things in addition to my upcoming classes. I also have been working on the ArtBeads project but I have to admit that it’ll be another minute for that one. The bead, at no fault to them, was larger then I expected. Go figure, through the excitement to blog for them, I didn’t check the measurements and now the idea I had has to change. More to come (this was a post from previous days).

Regarding the past day or two, I’ve been inspired by these beautiful carnelian butterfly beads. I found them at a bead show a couple of years ago but have never really given them a try until now. I got new copper wire and so perhaps this is why the inspiration. I hope you enjoy them.

The tutorial for this will be out in my store soon along with the pendants, so keep an eye out for them! Hugs and thanks for always being here and for sharing yourselves as well. Smiles and many blessings!

I used 21 gauge, round copper wire, 3 strands of 7 inches each, the Carnelian beads are approx 1 inch by .75 inch and including the bale length, the whole pendant is 1.5 inches long. The leather cords are finished in copper bands and a copper clasp. Simple and really fun to make. I hope they inspire you!

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Caboodle Gifts, Next Class Schedules

izzygumbo — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Her Newsletter:

****Caboodle was named in Westwords Best of Denver 2009 issue as The Best Place To Shop Local! ****

I was very excited to hear this. I actually found out from a parent at my childrens’ school who emailed me. I have had some issues with my phone at the store the past two days and couldn’t get any calls (thus wasn’t reachable by Westword when they tried to call me). I’m on page 55 and online you can do a search in their best of issue and I am under the shopping section.

We are always striving to have something new at Caboodle. Our most recent additions are the most adorable Easter baskets you’ve seen. These are not your typical Target or Walmart type Easter Baskets. These are made of fabric covered cording that is then coiled into the cutest shapes. These baskets are something that will be passed down for generations or at least usable year round when you find an infinite number of items around the house that would just look cuter in a basket! Your little one may nnot want to put it away after Easter because the babydoll will need to accompany you everywhere in their new basket. These can also be used for loved ones you don’t see often, wives and sisters or special teachers. They are a fabulous way to make any gift something extra special. Come check out what we have before they are all gone! We have two sizes and several different fabrics to shoose from (for the time being, that is). We also have some new steel faces from Iron Maiden of Denver. A wonderful and whimsical way to add a personal touch to a patio, living room, bathroom-really any room in your house! SwAgs has a few new purses in also. These purses are agreat way to look great, carry what you need (they make great bookbags, project bags or purses!) and help our environment. If you haven’t been in since the holidays there is lots more to see.

****Next up are some great classes for April (and May). Susan from Perfectly Twisted Jewelry (who did a fantastic job with our Ladies Night Out) and I were brainstorming and came up with a series of classes we are calling the Recycled Crafts Series. We also have a great class for younger kids up to third gradish called StoryCrafters that incorporates crafts, storytelling and acting all in one.

To honor our Mother Earth and celebrate Earth Day, join us for a series of wonderful classes we have titled the Recycling Series. You can register for individual classes or you can register for the whole series for $50.

Recycled Crafting $10
Saturday April 18th 3:30-4:30
Not only is this a great class to learn about all the wonderful things you can make and do with your common household or found items but it fits your budget as well! You will leave with a list of craft ideas you can use for gifts or just to enhance your home. This class is facilitated by Susan from Perfectly Twisted Jewelry. It is appropriate for any age and there is a maximum of 15 participants.

Paper Beads & Magnets $15
Saturday April 25th 3:00-5:00
Bring in any scraps of paper you may have lying around: magazines, calendars, wrapping paper, even newspaper. All of these items can be used to make beads and magnets! We know you are already good about reusing the back side of paper and using old envelopes to make your shopping lists but now you can learn how to make something wonderful for those little scraps of paper that are just too small to write a note on. You will learn how to make several different shapes with the paper beads. This class is facilitated by Susan of Perfectly Twisted Jewelry. It is appropriate for ages 10 years and up and is limited to 12 participants.

Wire Mobiles & Rooters $15
Saturday May 2nd 3:00-5:00
These are not your second grade mobiles! These mobiles use metal coat hangers and are a single strand embellished with various gems or glass. They look lovely in a window or on a wall. Your imagination is your only limit. If you have a particular piece of glass or stone or marble you would like to incorporate into your mobile feel free to bring it. All materials will be provided with the class, though. If you’d like to make a rooter for all those plants you take clippings from across the fence in the back yard (we won’t tell!) then bring a small glass of your choosing and you will learn how to wire wrap it to make it just beautiful. This is a perfect project for jars that have lost their lids! This class is facilitated by Susan of Perfectly Twisted Jewelry. It is appropriate for ages 10 years and up and there is a limit of 12 participants.

Wire & Beaded Candleholders $15
Saturday May 9th 3:00-5:00
Bring an old jar or two you have lying around the house. These can be jars that have lost their lids or just something you’d like to pretty up. We will be using wire coat hangers and smaller wire to wire wrap and bead the glass for a beautiful candle holder. If you didn’t get time to make a rooter at the last class you could do that instead or also. Bring a few glasses! If you don’t have anything lying around the house to use then ask your neighbors or hit the second hand stores for something truly unique (and usually cheaper than new).

Contact Caboodle Gifts to register for any of the classes. We are located at 1515 S. Holly St. Denver, CO 80222 or call 303-759-3966 or email at caboodlellc@gmail.com

Thanks Marlene!

Caboodle Gifts

izzygumbo — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:40:00 +0000

When times are ‘tough’… the brain starts to THINK…
A warm spring day, a few great ideas, a responsible and green heart.
I want to teach wire and craft classes, I want to sell my art and I want to network with other local artists who do the same and share the same passions. I was fortunate to meet Marlene at Caboodle Gifts! She has a wonderful local shop dedicated to bringing ‘homemade’ back into the ‘mainstream’ of shopping. The store is packed full of amazing and functional handmade items. Several of her vendors work with a completely green mindset, recycling products and producing ART and sell.able items out of common things found around the home. There are wonderful knitted items, embroidery and lace items, soy candles (made by the way, of Wind power), jewelry for the body and the walls made from recycled wires, glass and paper beads. There are handmade greeting cards and some are embedded with seeds so the card can be planted and GROWN, even after reading the enjoyable message inside (genius)! There are also regularly scheduled craft and art classes given right inside the shop. Marlene is a pleasant, energetic and beautiful woman who cares very much about teaching and sharing local art and reaching out to the community through it also. I am blessed to be one of her local vendors and I’m grateful to have such an amazing place to teach my crafts. If you are local or passing through Denver, please take the time to stop in. The contact and address information is below! Watch for my class schedules also as we’ve just chatted about a wonderful series of classes focused on ‘Recycled Crafts’.
Eco and kid friendly The schedule and details will be out soon. Many hugs and smiles to all.

Click on any of the images to enlarge them and have a glance inside the shop!

Echo…
~I know, I want to do everything. ;o)

Caboodles Gifts in Denver Colorado.
1515 S. Holly (Evans and Monaco),
Denver, CO 303-759-3966
Owner: Marlene
Many local artists give classes there, please call or email her for a schedule.
www.caboodlegifts.net
caboodlellc@gmail.com

Sharing Patterns. Copper Wire Scarf and Hair Sticks.

izzygumbo — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:16:00 +0000

I’ve had such a great response from these, so I thought I’d share the patterns. If you’d like to support the sharing and contribute, you are welcome to purchase the whole tutorial from my Etsy store here, but if you think this is something you can do, then give it a try! I’d love to see your creations!

A friend said these would make great hair sticks also, if you wear them.

Enjoy!

From Post:
http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/2009/03/copper-scarf-pins.html

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Hooked On, Copper Wire Jewelry

izzygumbo — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:02:00 +0000

Well, just a few new projects finished, thank the goodness. My hammer is broken, so I started to string some of the amazing beads brought to me from Mexico. The Turquoise, once again, is from the most amazing Magpie and I loved using these Carnelian beads as accents. Very ‘Egyptian feeling’ to me. Again, using a simple leather cord, I create a casual ‘finishing end’ to the necklaces. Some are simply tied and believe it or not, the leather holds as well as any clasp.

A nice way to finish off leather, at least in my opinion, is by using a handmade clasp in a figure 8. The leather, I add wraps of 21 gauge wire, attached one side, but left the other lopped. It threads through the figure 8 like a slide clasp and ‘catches’ just enough to hold firm, because of the wrapping at the ends. Take a closeup…. I like doing them this way as it gives an easy and secure way to alter the length of the necklaces. The leather is not large enough to be ‘bulky’ when knotted at the back, but it is large and rough enough to ‘hold tight. Sure, it’ll come off if you yank on it, but most clasps will too if you tug well enough. It’s a secure hold. Give it a try. These beads are a decent weight with the copper wires also and so I found this to be a nice surprise that a simple tie knot would work. The other copper clasp is simply hammered from 14 gauge wire as is the rest of the heavy copper in the designs. The accent wraps are all 21 gauge.

Click any of the images to enlarge. Enjoy the ideas and now I need to run off and list these.

As an update to the Artbeads.com blogging for beads promo I spoke on earlier, I got my bead! I’ll be thinking on a project to create and post soon – one quick trip out of town, but by next week, I should have that posted here also.

Hugs and creative days!

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Copper Wire and Turquoise Jewelry Scarf Pins

izzygumbo — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:53:00 +0000

I love these and I thank a friend named Joyce, for the idea! I had a ball creating these as a friend of mine also makes wonderful knitted scarfs, so certainly, I ran right over to her and shared what I was working on. The knitted scarf you see in this image is from GinaCreations and you can find her new shop in Etsy. Check back there as she is still loading up the store with items, but in the meantime, I decided to get a start and made these pins to compliment her knitting projects.

They are created with one 14 gauge wire each for the frame, and then decorative 21 gauge wire for wrapping accents and adding beads. I wanted a nice way to accent the scarfs as well as making it a functional piece of jewelry to help secure the scarf. I’ve seen some versions of scarf pins where two pieces are used and for me, that would become a ‘lost’ piece over time, so I decided to create a design using only one piece of wire. These are simple and a basic ‘hair pin’ or ‘safety pin’ spring. They thread through the fabric and the decorative front acts as a ‘paper clip’ gripping some of the fabric as it slides on.

I used 14 gauge wire so that the pin will hold it’s shape while worn and while being pushed through the fabric. The wire is thick and hard to work with for muscle, but in my opinion, to make a push through pin with any less a size will allow for the ‘pin stick’ to bend over time. I meant for these to be worn with thick cotton or decorative knit scarfs, sweaters and shawls. These are toooo thick for a silk or similar fabric scarf. Just FYI if you think to make some.
If you use thinner wire, I would suggest using HARD wire to make sure the pin stick keeps it’s shape. Using stronger, but smaller wire will be more suitable for silk scarfs or fabrics that are not a knit.

Tip: the end of the pin is going through fabric and the front is laying on the fabric, so make sure you file ends off smooth so they don’t catch the fabric while being put on or off. Same goes for tucking wrapping wires, etc. Tuck them clean and well as this is a piece to be worn on fabric and you don’t want a snag nor do you want your wire coming loose after wear.

The tutorial,which contains all three projects is listed in my store! Please visit if you get a chance. Hugs and I hope you are filled with delightful ideas from this.

Click this image to go to the listing.

This tutorial is also available at JewelryLessons.com (in a couple of days anyway

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This is an image of how they are ‘worn’, but as fyi, they work well laying sideways also. The back ‘pin’ I left sticking out at the bottom more then should be, but so that you can see how it inserts into the fabric.

Like hair sticks. I wear them. Enjoy and show me if you make any! I’d love to see.

UPDATED: 3.16

I’ve had such a great response from these, so I thought I’d share the patterns. If you’d like to support the sharing and contribute, you are welcome to purchase the whole tutorial from my Etsy store, but if you think this is something you can do, then give it a try! I’d love to see your creations!

A friend said these would make great hair sticks also, if you wear them.

Todays Kyanite and Silver Wire Pendant

izzygumbo — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:39:00 +0000

updated: 2.28

I have a friend who does the most intricate wire work and I was asking him and his wife opinion on these pieces. I see some very elaborate wire out there and have wondered ‘how do they do that’. I’ve been quietly poking around JeweleyLessons.com and have found some awesome FREE tutorials there that explain just this process. I’d give you the direct links, but I decided I’d rather just encourage your visit to their site. Explore all that’s available and I hope you find some great projects and learning. The website is easily layed out and the tutorials are clearly marked with prices or they say FREE. Most of the tutorials are projects, but there are also many many techniques offered and shared. How to twist, coil, clean metals, how to measure, information about jewelry tools, machinery, etc.

There are so many talented teachers sharing their techniques in well written and well photographed tutorials. These pieces look complex and while some really are complex, some are very do.able for a beginning wire worker or someone just starting out with this type of design. Give JewelryLessons.com a look if you have time. I’m also a teacher (in the learning) there and have only one tutorial posted just yet, but will soon be more.

Artbeads.com

I am sooo excited! I just got an email from Artbeads.com asking if I’d be interested in their blogging for beads promo and if I would participate and YES! Certainly I’d love to, so I hope to have some posts here soon once this gets going. More info on this in later days.

I have nothing to write just now about the pendant, other then it’s my new today project… my fingers ache. lol!

Just posting the image – it’s not quite done but this time I actually ‘sketched’ out an idea first. Am I close?? I think this helps with keeping the original idea for the piece ‘in the mind’ while I am wiring. I used to never doodle the image first…. I think I will from now on. The detailed wire is hard for me to do and somewhat a new type of design work for me, so I hope to improve as I go and build some tuts for some of the designs I have in mind. Wish me luck! This is a start.

Hugs all – it’s a long day. I’m about to retire the wire for today and get back to the story book… it’ll be done one of these days.

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Copper and Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Jewelry In the Making…

izzygumbo — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Well good morning again everyone! There’s fresh coffee, tea, sugars and honey on the table.

I’ve been head down this week working on a few things. One of them being learning about copper. I’ll have a good article posted with links to a few sites and some information I found soon. I’m ‘composing’ while I create and learn. For now, I wanted to share some images of a couple new copper projects in the works. I have yet to finish earrings and such for these sets but by this weekend, they should be posted.

I find that copper is amazing with turquoise and finally, I have found a way to use the wonderful beads I purchased last year at Magpie Gemstones. The little focal ‘Goddess face’ there is porcelain and I also purchased this from Magpie. I’m afraid I don’t remember the designers name, but I purchased three of these focals from Szarka last year and just love them. I’m glad I found copper to use with them. Check out her beads – amazing quality and the price was outstanding. I have to admit that I’ve used turquoise before, but didn’t ‘love it’ until I got these strands. I also have some of her focal bone pieces which are outstanding and have waited to find the right application for them. I think copper is going to be perfect and those images are also, coming soon.

Thanks to Magpie! http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

These images are sold but I hope they give you some great ideas. The bone beads, turquoise and porcelain focals are from Magpie. The first image below to the left… those beads are called Pietersite and they’re an amazing blend of browns, tans and red colors. I think they all worked very well in copper. Enjoy!

These are some additional things in the works… just so you know I’m still here.

(the aqua aura pendant is listed. Click image to go there)

Okay everyone – back soon – many hugs!

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Mystery Beads…. and Copper

izzygumbo — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:53:00 +0000

I love the look of these beads with the copper and leather. My family brought them back from Mexico last year for me, but unfortunately, we’ve misplaced the name of the beads! They almost seem as though they are a clay of some type because the drill hole seems like a chalk or hardened clay, but… we were told they are stones of some kind. If you have any idea what these might be, I’d really appreciate the information. I’ve been searching for a while, but haven’t found anything even close.

I hammered these copper pieces and then used a mixed color of copper to accent the metal. The necklace is meant to be worn close to the neck like a choker. I think, having chatted with some of you now on this, I might call them Artistic Beads if I can’t identify them as a natural stone. They are just beautiful and I hope the images do them some justice.

Again – any further help with the beads would be great, if you recognize them!
Many hugs.

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