The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This is a piece one can wear from day to night, very beautiful!…” read »
- on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda the ring is cute, did you a spiral worked in to your ring?…” read »
on “Garden Droplets”:“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
on “a taste of honey”:“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
on “Evergreen Copper”:“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
on “Prince Moai”:“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
on “Lovely Impression”:“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate!
I'll take a closer look at Swellegant.
Lynda, thank you for the…” read » - on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous.
…” read » 
on “Prince Moai”:“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
on “Simply Crystal”:“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“Great earrings. Can't wait to see what you do with the 16g.…” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Wanda, I really like this. Love the Butterfly theme and admire all the hard work…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Please let Jimmy know that he is my first on-line crush. Love a guy who…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“I read your tute and found it very easy to follow! And must agree with Kate and…” read »
on “Mystic Mystery”:“Love that color! Great design, too.
…” read »- on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Blue with brass. What more could anyone want? Great design.
…” read » - on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“My kind of color! Love the design, too! Isn't it great to have a stash when…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Mmmmmm, yummy color! Love it!
…” read » - on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Kate is right, It definitely has that "industrial chic" look. Great color, excellent design! …” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Thanks so much everyone. When I designed this I was thinking that the butterflies were skipping…” read »
- on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Great Pendant! Love it! If you aren't sure about the design, put it away for a…” read »
- on “Recycled Blues”:
“Instant summer! Love 'em!
…” read »
Tammie's Buddha Rock
About this design:
At a show, a customer admired my display of wire-wrapped cabochons and natural rocks. She asked if I would wire-wrap a customer's stone--OF COURSE, I would, I replied. She drove home, got the stone and placed it in my hands. It's one she picked up walking along the Oregon coast and evokes strong feelings in her. I think it's an ocean polished snow quartz or quartzite with a bit of sand trapped in a groove on the face. I truly enjoy wire-wrapping pieces for customers. The natural stones are a fun challenge after doing calibrated cabs.
Components:
Customer's stone, sterling silver square (21ga) twisted (20ga) and half-round (21ga) wire.Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 1:16 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:You did a wonderful job! We buy some spendy beads and others find solice in a simple rock of nature.
Very inspireing!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 1:27 pm #
Deb D Grammy Chick says:What a beautiful pendant!
I wish I could wire wrap like that…I have some beautiful stones I found on the beach in Delaware that I would love to be able to wrap like this! 
On Jun 15, 2010 at 1:45 pm #
sunny chick says:Fabulous wire work! Love it!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 2:04 pm #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:Stormy, Grammy and Sunny–Thanks for the compliments.
Grammy–It just takes practice (and using cheaper copper or brass wire until you gain confidence–tho I use those wires for less price-y pendants AND because some stones “want” those color-tones) to do wire-wrapping. There is a good tutorial for starting out at About.com. The title is “How to Wire Wrap a Cabochon.” Also, the book by Irina Miech, “Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders” has a good description and pictures in the project ‘Wire-wrapped Cabochon.’
On Jun 15, 2010 at 2:13 pm #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Lovely wire work!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 2:16 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:Excellent workmanship!
Thank you for the wire wrapping links and tips too! Umm..have a good source for wire? Please?
On Jun 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm #
FaeryGoth Chick says:beautiful, a job well done!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 2:54 pm #
Green Eyed Lady Chick says:Stunning your work and nature’s!! I love it!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 3:06 pm #
Orchid Betty says:Fantastic wire work, beautiful pendant!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 6:31 pm #
Lynn g says:This is very nice, and you captured it nicely..
On Jun 15, 2010 at 6:34 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Very nice … I’m sure she’ll be thrilled when she sees her stone wrapped so beautifully. SLS
On Jun 15, 2010 at 6:35 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:Nice work, Gayle! the twisty wire is perfect for this stone.
On Jun 15, 2010 at 8:39 pm #
Pam E aka funky tulip says:Beautiful and inspiring
On Jun 15, 2010 at 8:51 pm #
Dora H says:Great job wrapping and enjoyed your story !!!
On Jun 15, 2010 at 9:17 pm #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:Sweet Chick (and anyone else interested): Sources for wire.
Freshmans.com–sterling in round, square, half-round at good prices (located in Salt Lake City and I shop there in person)
RioGrande.com–sterling and argentium silver in round, square, half-round at reasonable prices
brandywinejewelrysupply.com/–has brass and copper wire as well as sterling in square, half-round and round.
wire-sculpture.com–has your Christmas list of wire (brass, bronze, copper, sterling, gold-filled) in square, round and half-round. Haven’t ordered from them yet but will be placing my next wire order with them.
Hope this gives you good options for wire.
On Jun 15, 2010 at 10:42 pm #
Canadian chicky karen says:Great wrapping, beautiful job!!
On Jun 17, 2010 at 7:02 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Such a gorgeous stone and amazing job wire wrapping! Thanks for all the info on the wrapping and wire sources!