Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Unusual, but easy Wire Wrap Techniques

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Eni Oken’s Ornamental Jewelry

 I fell in love with Eni Oken about 5 or 6 yrs ago, not long after  she had started her jewelry making website.  Her wire work is so gorgeous, you can’t help but fall in love with it.   Her website has grown from just a few lessons to a  mulitude of downloadable lessons,  a journal gallery, blog, jewelry items for sale, tips and tricks like a pricing spreadsheet for jewelry and MUCH more!!!! Its a great site to look at for any jewelry maker not just wire workers.

 Eni has wire work lessons for sale individually as well as a couple of set of lessons on CD. There are a few free lessons and the rest range from $5 to $19-much cheaper than taking a wirework class.  Her lessons range from beginner to advanced so don’t feel intimated when you first look at her amazing work! Start at the bottom work your way up and don’t be afraid to try them.  I have bought a number of her classes and they are very easy to follow with detailed pictures and descriptions to help you each step along the way.   

 You can make some stunning centerpieces for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets form these.  I encourage everyone to give it a try and see how fun it is.

[tags]wireworking, creativity, jewelry, wire, eni oken[/tags]

Comments

  1. Beautiful! I like the pairing of the sparkly gems with the intricate wire wrap work. I especially like her asymmetrical pieces she has done.

Have you read?

Beaded Halloween Skeleton Craft – A Spooky-Cute Bead Project For Halloween Decorating

If you like your Halloween crafts with a little bit of spooky charm and a whole lot of handmade personality, this Beaded Halloween Skeleton from CraftBits is a fun little project to add to your October crafting list.

This project uses simple supplies — white seed beads, black seed beads, 24-gauge wire or beading thread, scissors, and wire cutters — to create a small beaded skeleton that can be used for Halloween decorations, charms, party favors, or even spooky handmade jewelry. The original tutorial walks you through building the skeleton row by row, starting with a black bead at the top and working through the skull, body, arms, hands, legs, and feet.

What I like about this project is that it has that lovely “old-school craft book” feel. It is not overly complicated, but it does ask you to slow down and follow the bead pattern carefully. This is the sort of Halloween bead craft that is perfect for a quiet afternoon when you want something seasonal but not messy. No glue gun strings across the table, no glitter stuck to the dog, just beads, wire, and a little bit of patience.

The finished skeleton would be cute added to a Halloween keyring, made into a zipper pull, tied onto a treat bag, or hung from a mini Halloween tree. You could also make a batch of them for party decorations or classroom craft swaps. If you enjoy tiny seasonal makes, you might also like browsing the Halloween Crafts section on CraftBits for more spooky little projects to pair with it.

This is a good project for confident beginners who have used seed beads before. Younger crafters may need help with the wire ends and keeping the rows tight, but older kids, teens, and adults who enjoy bead crafts should find it very satisfying. I would suggest using a bead mat or a shallow tray, because seed beads have a special talent for rolling into the one place you cannot reach. Ask me how I know.

For supplies, small packs of black and white seed beads are easy to find, and Amazon is handy for basic beading wire, bead mats, and small jewelry pliers if you are building up a Halloween craft kit. If you prefer more unusual beads or want tiny skull charms to add alongside your skeleton, Etsy can also be a fun place to look for Halloween beading supplies.

This little skeleton is proof that Halloween crafting does not need to be huge or expensive to be fun. Sometimes the best seasonal projects are the small ones you can make in multiples, tuck into gift bags, or hang around the house for a bit of handmade Halloween mischief.

Best for: Halloween bead crafts, spooky handmade charms, beginner-friendly wire bead projects, Halloween party favors, and small seasonal decorations.