Around Wire: Basic Tools for Wirework

Around Wire: Basic Tools for Wirework: When you start working with wire, you need tools. Often, I am asked, "What tools do I need for wire-wrapping?" There is a huge range of jewelry tools available. I would say you need four tools for sure :) But...The more you work, the more tools you have, believe me.
So, let's look at some tools. Pliers.

.......

Tucson Gem Shows

Even though February is longer this year, it flew by very quickly. It was a very busy month for me. Earlier this month I was in warm Arizona in Tucson. For three weeks Tucson, Arizona hosts dozens of different gem shows, hundreds of dealer displays and many special events throughout the downtown and nearby hotels during the annual Tucson Gem Shows.

You ask me: What am I doing there? I teach to make jewelry!!! I saw my old friends and I also met wonderful new teachers and students. 

To make long story short, I'll show you pictures (I am a bad writer, by the way).

Three talented instructors-"Chain Maille Lady" Lauren Andersen, Irina Wilson and Me :-)))

Free jewelry making demo: Jodi  Bombardier and Me.

I was teaching next table to my friends Albina Manning and Dale 'Cougar' Armstrong.

I had a wonderful time with  Meredith Arnold and Bea Grob.

Fay and Dolores are taking my "Arizona Necklace" class. They are very talented!!!

This is just a brief of what was going on.  And I'm looking forward to next year!!!

Tucson Jewelry Classes

I wanted to let you know that you can find me in Tucson this winter! 

I'll be available to teach classes at 
Tucson Electric Park/Kino Sports Complex at JewelryTools' Tool Tent, #ES14.

You can see all the classes and days I'm teaching here:
http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/olena-bugrimenko/

Classes start at just $99 and will be held January 28-February 12, 2012

You can find directions to Tucson Electric Park here: 
http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/tucson2012-directions
Hope to see you there! 

'Garnet - the color of January!'

'Garnet - the color of January!' 

by SFBeads

Garnet and Leather Cord... luxurybyvera $33.00	Belt Cincher Corset Rib... HoneyCoolerHan... $175.00
Felted necklace burgund... Baymut $35.00	Pomegranate Earrings - ... Artesserae $325.00
Crochet scarf Cherry re... VitalTemptatio... $78.00	Garnet Fans Earrings in... NeroliHandmade $45.00
Garnet Colored Pomegran... kinaloon $16.00	Vintage Garnet Suede Hi... DeLaBelle $28.00
Vintage 1960s Bohemian ... grandmaison $95.00	Charm Garnet Bracelet JewelryByVilen... $45.00
Leather flower brooch w... meudeus $119.00	Carnelian Bead Embroide... CircesHouse $115.00
Chic Silver Cherry Bead... CallOfEarth $38.00	Red Leather Journal and... peaseblossomst... $33.00
Wheel Thrown Ceramic Ri... MissPottery $20.00	Roza Bordzhia ring (cop... HoneyAndRings $32.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Christmas Giveaway results!

... and the winner of our Christmas Giweaway is ... Maegan Morin   !


Her comment 74 was chosen as a winner by random.org generator:

Congrats to the winner and thank you for participation, everyone!

Beaded Christmas Ornament Covers (2 more)

A few more Christmas Ornament Cover:

Blue Snowflake

Golden Christmas Ornament Cover

Do you want to see more? Come here!

Christmas giveaway!!! Turquoise Necklace - Closed

It’s the month of December. Christmas is right around the corner – it’s the lovely time of the year,

the time for giving and sharing of gifts with family and friends. That’s why I offer you this beautiful giveaway right before the Holidays!

I will also add extra christmas goodies, but that is a surprise you will get to see only when you unwrap your goodie package.

To win:

Mandatory entry: 
Visit my shop, browse around, and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is! Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win!

Extra entries (make sure you leave a separate comment for each). Current fans are eligible!

1 entry:  Heart SFBeads Etsy shop and leave a comment here with your Etsy username.

1 entry: Follow my blog publicly and leave a comment here. You can follow by clicking follow in the right sidebar.

1 entry: Become a fan of Sparkling Fantasy on Facebook and leave a comment here.

1 entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a link here.

1 entry: Follow Me on Twitter and leave a comment here.

1 entry: Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link here.

The giveaway will end at midnight eastern time on Saturday, December 10.


The winners will be chosen by random.org on December 11. The winner will be announced here and he or she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another winner will be chosen after 48 hours.

Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. The more entries you post, the more chances you have to win!

This giveaway is open worldwide.

Have fun and good luck everyone :-)))

Turquoise - December birthstone

"If cold December gave you birth

The month of snow and ice and mirth

Place on your hand a turquoise blue

Success will bless whate'er you do."

In many cultures of the Old and New Worlds, Turquoise has been esteemed for thousands of years as a holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman. It really does have the right to be called a 'gemstone of the peoples'. The oldest evidence for this claim was found in Ancient Egypt, where grave furnishings with turquoise inlay were discovered, dating from approximately 3000 BC. In the ancient Persian Empire, the sky-blue gemstones were earlier worn round the neck or wrist as protection against unnatural death.

Giving a piece of jewelry containing a birthstone gem will bring the wearer with good luck and protection.

If you like these jewelry you can buy them here

Chainmaille Necklace Of Circles

 This gorgeous necklace incorporates both beautiful Carnelian beads and stunning chainmaille weave. The weave is called a Persian and it was done using silver plated and gold plated jump rings. Sometimes it is hard to believe that it is made of individual rings rather than long pieces of wire.

Necklace is 18" long.

The pictures can't capture the beauty of this necklace, you really need to get this one home and then you can fully appreciate it.

If you like the Necklace, you can buy it here