Wire Wrapping Tutorials and Helpful Hints

In October, Jewels By Jules was called and asked to make jewelry for a fundraiser to be held in Toms River, New Jersey on November 22, 2008. After talking with a representative of the fundraiser and sharing pictures and ideas for bracelets and cost, a leather cord bracelet was selected for this wonderful event. Jodi, owner of Jewels By Jules, made 45 Greek leather cord bracelets, all hand twisted and wire wrapped, with each bracelet having a Swarovski crystal heart pendant. All bracelets were made at wholesale cost for materials, and Jodi donated her time when making the bracelets.

In addition to the donated bracelets, Jewels By Jules will take orders for bracelets through November 30, 2008 at a cost of $35 each with $5 being donated to the Food Pantry (shipping cost is included in this price).

A representative for the fundraiser contributed this information regarding the upcoming event:

“At North Dover Elementary School, in Toms River, NJ their yearly fund raiser, to be held on November 22, will be giving back to several local charitable organizations. Each year approximately 450 people attend the PTO organized event to help raise monies for the school purchasing items to benefit the students.

This year everyone attending will be bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Food Pantry at the House of House. The Food Pantry’s volunteers take care of collecting and making up packages that are given out to the clients of the House of Hope who are in need of help. In thanks for their donation a specially designed leather bracelet bearing an orange, symbolic for hunger relief, Swarovski crystal heart will be given out to 45 lucky winners.

In addition a portion of the events proceeds will also be donated to “Oceans of Love” a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to helping Ocean County children with cancer and their families and “Autism Speaks” an organization who is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.”

New website: Jewelry Lessons by Eni Oken & Friends is an interactive website designed for jewelers of all disciplines and all levels. Eni Oken is a renowned wire artist. Eni has two websites, with Jewelry Lessons being her second site and Eni Oken’s Jewelry being her original site. Eni is an extraordinarily talented wire wrapper. I found Eni’s site a few years ago and have purchased tutorials from her. About a year ago, she announced her idea of creating her new website, Jewelry Lessons. After a lot of hard work, Eni went live with the site at the end of August. I was thrilled when Eni invited me to be a teacher on her new site – what an honor!

On Jewelry Lessons, you will find free tutorials and low cost tutorials, a question/answer section, a gallery for posting pictures of jewelry, resources, tips, and articles. Membership is free and once a member, you are able to post on the site.

This site will be a huge success because of its key ingredients: Being able to interact with all site members, posting on the site, and the camaraderie that is quickly establishing with the members! Currently, there are primarily wire wrappers as members but we are hoping to change that very quickly as this is a site for all disciplines, not just wire wrappers. If you haven’t been to the site, please visit! There truly is something for everyone, from novice to advanced levels of jewelry artistry.

Eni sums up her vision for the site quite nicely in a Founder’s Article, excerpt below:

“JewelryLessons.com promotes four key concepts:

LEARN. SHARE. TEACH. EARN.

The web is a wonderful place to find information. By creating a specialized community where users share a single objective, information is organized and easier to find. This is a site specifically designed for jewelry makers where you will find information, share knowledge, and earn money by doing so.”

Eni writes about all the benefits and perks of the site in her article About Jewelry Lessons Website. I am very proud and feel very privileged to be part of this wonderful site, in the company of many very talented artists!

Wire Style: 50 Unique Jewelry Designs I was invited by Denise Peck, Editor of Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine, to participate in the collaboration of a wire wrapping book! I was going through a rough spot in my life when this invitation was extended - couldn’t have happened at a better time! I am very excited to announce the release of this book and look forward to more in the future - maybe next time it will be my own! But how exciting to be included with six other talented designers to come up with a versatile book with easy to advanced projects.

I met Denise a few years ago. She is a delight to work with and has been an inspiration to me. I am always amazed at the hours she puts in and how diverse she is in her work - she does it all, from attending bead shows, editing magazines, publishing books, and yes, she even has time to make beautiful jewelry, too. She has many pairs of earrings in our book - I dubbed her the Earring Queen!

Along with the 50 projects, the book also has a section describing gauges and types of wire along with measuring tools, techniques commonly used for wire wrapping such as simple and wrapped loops, and tools of the trade. This is a great section for new wire wrappers as there are pictures of everything and well written step by step instructions for the techniques used in the book.

In the back of the book are pictures and mini biographies of all contributing artists. A good friend of mine dabbles in photography and she took my picture which turned out really well. Actually, it is the picture on my About Jodi page. And if you want the long version of my biography, you will find it here on the blog, too.

Also listed in the back of the book is a list of suppliers, both wholesalers and retailers. This is a handy list for unique items, such as the peacock toggle I used on one my necklaces which was purchased from Rishashay.

At the time you place your order with Jewels by Jules, request your free gift wrapping on your handcrafted wire wrapped jewelry and trendy purses. Red foil wrapping paper available as pictured. Last day of shipment for Christmas orders is December 21, 2006.

Jewels By Jules has a new look! Our site has been completely redesigned by Accrete Web Solutions. In addition to our new look, we have also added lots of new pieces of jewelry including several new lines:

• BeJuled™ Toggles - Jules is the designer and fabricator of a very unique line of sterling silver toggles, BeJuled™ Toggles (plans for a nominal fee tutorial is on the burner for early 2007)
• BeJuled™ Cuff Bracelets - One-of-a-kind freeform wire wrapped bracelets.
• Leather Cord Bracelets - Greek leather cord wire wrapped with silver sterling.
• Closeout Jewelry - Great deals on fashionable jewelry up to 40% off!

Christmas Shopping - We have lots of great jewelry gifts for under $50 or check out our Closeout Jewelry with gifts under $20!

Free Christmas Gift Wrapping - At the time you place your order, request your gift wrapping.

Kudos to S. R. Emerson of Accrete Web Solutions for creating such a great site!