Learn Viking Knit in April

In April 2010 we'll have a Viking Knit Class given by Pat Kuehn. Viking knit looks complex but is not complicated - according to Pat! Once you've "knit" the wire around a mandrel, you pull it through a draw plate to gradually reduce the chain, work hardening in the process. Great for making bracelets or necklaces from which to hang your PMC pendants. 


You've likely seen Viking knit in projects many places. Now you'll know how to do it!

Materials list:

• 24 gauge wire  A spool of copper wire, purchased at any craft store, is perfect. Any artistic wire will do-any color(other gauges of wire can be used-24, 26 or 28 are easiest for beginners)  
  

• chainnose pliers
• roundnose pliers
• nylon-jaw pliers (if you have them - don't buy just for this)
• flush cutters or something to cut your wire
• end caps  (we can also just use your wire to create a wrapped end cap)
• clasp for closure 

Work Surface Tip

You know those great little 4" x 4" non-stick work surface sheets that are recommended for holding metal clay pieces as they dry?

They are expensive - 4 of them for $4.50 at Metal Clay Supply. That works out to 74 square inches at $.07 per square inch.

Whole Lotta Whimsy has 2 6" x 6" pieces for $4.60 (That's 72 square inches, at $.064 per square inch.)

Compare that to this bargain - a 23" x 16.25" sheet (which you can cut into whatever sizes you need) for $9.99! That's almost 374 square inches - at less than $.03/ square inch.

I found mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond, but they are also available online at Target, Amazon.com, Sears and probably at many other kitchen supply stores. They are all oven friendly, but not for use inside kilns.

More Charm Exchange Jewelry

Here's another great  necklace, made by Cheryl Colman, from the charms she collected at our December 2009 copper charm exchange.

Cheryl used some copper chains from the local hobby store to display her large collection of charms dramatically. (Note: not everyone got this many charms - the more you made to trade, the more you took home.) Great job, Cheryl.

Making Focal Toggles

Thanks to Jules for her demo about large toggles that can be a focal point of your jewelry. A great meeting - lots of people attended and there was a generally happy hum throughout the room all evening.

Jules (Julie Van Hoecke) demonstrated while some watched and others worked along. She shared lots of  great information about pre-finishing, tools she likes and tips. She kindly created a page of website references where she finds her various tools and supplies. View it here.

My favorite tip was how much pre-polishing is possible - check out the shine on these pieces which have not yet been fired.

Jules demonstrated her home-made lavendar oil paste, sanding and pre-finishing, using various syringe techniques and inserting "up eyes" into toggle pieces. Up Eyes can be purchased pre-made or fabrication using fine silver wire.

Pat Kuehn - proud owner of a new jump ring cutting tool - showed off a wonderful copper and crystal necklace made with jump rings.

Cheryl Colman wore her finished charm necklace, using several copper chains and the copper charms from our Christmas copper clay charm exchange.

Lynette wore a pendant made with copper wire and resin.

Other things shared at this meeting included a set of great dichroic cabs made by Jennifer, resin cabs made by Betty, felt food made by Lynette and a needle felted silk scarf (by who??).

March 2010 Meeting Demo

KC PMC Guild member Julie Van Hoecke will be doing our March 2010 meeting demo on Tuesday, March 16. (Check our website for meeting details.) Julie makes a LOT of PMC silver jewelry which she sells at shows in the area and that night she will be demonstrating how she makes one of her signature pieces - a large, embellished toggle clasp meant to be worn in the front, not the back, of your neck. She incorporates her clasps into the design of the necklace, making the clasp the focal point of her pieces.

This sample shows some of her embellishments - she uses CZs and glass cabochons in bezels, lots of textures and other interest to make her toggles way more than a device to provide closure. Don't miss this demo - it should be great.

If you would like to play along, be sure to bring your clay working tools, surface mat, textures and a cab or two.You will need a couple sterling silver "up eye" or 20 gauge sterling silver wire to make one. Up eyes are a ring with a post which is inserted into the clay and fired, providing a sturdy connecting ring to attach items to a fired PMC piece. Julie will have some of the silver up-eyes people can buy for $2.00 each. They are available at Fire mountain # H20-4211FY at Fire Mountain.com.

Guests are welcome - you can visit our meetings twice before we ask you to join and pay our membership dues.