Jewelry finding
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- This topic has 20 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by
Stephen Richard.
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- December 15, 2008 at 9:36 pm #9284
Anonymous
InactiveHi All,
I’m a beginner glass fuser , I’ve started with small pendants etc…I’m looking for unique silver glue- on bail and other unigue findings….it seems we all use the same kind:)
Any ideas, links, online supliers? I’m new in the business – I’m sure I’ll have many question
Thank you Paul for this great site! This is the best!
Thanks,
I wish you all very happy holidays!
judit
December 15, 2008 at 10:34 pm #11030eclairewl
ParticipantThe only fusing I do is to make dichroic jewelry (although I want to branch out a little), so I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to findings. What I am doing now is buying fine silver strip which I cut into 1″ – 1 1/4″ strips. Using a large round nose pliers I form a loop at one end and sandwich it between 2 pieces of glass for the pendant. When it is done, I tumble it to harden and polish the fine silver. I also make sterling bails the same way but I tumble them before cementing them to the pendants. Here is a picture of some pendants using these bails although one of them has the standard Aanraku bail. http://www.creativelyclaire.com/jewelry/index.php?do=view&item=155
As for earrings, you can make a small loop using fine silver wire and sandwich it between 2 pieces of glass. Tumble it to harden and shine it and you don’t need an earring bail.
Another way you can make your pendants more interesting is to wire wrap them. I make “donuts” which I wire wrap in sterling (http://www.creativelyclaire.com/jewelry/index.php?do=view&item=69) and I also do this with fused glass slides (no picture). I’m sure that all of this seems complicated, but remember we all started at the same place and through trial-and-error and practising new techniques we gain assurance and control over our materials.
Good luck.
Claire
December 15, 2008 at 10:46 pm #11031Anonymous
InactiveHippos Eating Alligators has exceptional findings for fused glass jewelry artists:
http://www.hipposeatingalligators.com
Paul
FusedGlass.Org
Helios Kiln Glass Studio
PaulTarlow.comDecember 15, 2008 at 11:36 pm #11032eclairewl
ParticipantPaul,
You are right about their selection, I just find it much cheaper to make my own. I don’t make pendants with fused wire loops, so I never use regular bails.
BTW, I love your tutorial on the fold-over pendants. I will definitely be trying that out. I also like your fusing and slumping schedules (which is how I came upon the website).
Thanks.
Claire
December 16, 2008 at 1:59 am #11033juditsd
ParticipantThank you Claire and Paul for your help! I’ll be trying them out. Claire,you make beautiful jewelry
j.
December 31, 2008 at 2:35 am #11034silverwingsandthings
ParticipantJudit,
I try not to glue as it is such a process. I fire a loop of argentium 20 gauge wire between the pieces of glass and add a sterling silver split bail from FDJ Tools to complete. The only problem is that any glass with lead will react with the wire usually all reds, creams, etc.. I do the same when making earrings except I make a smaller loop and slide onto your earwire. There is a graduated wire wrapping tool that helps you make consistent loops for each project. Also PMC+ Silver bails add a distintion to your pieces, but the same rules apply about the glass, that is why I use only Crystal Clear to clear cap my pieces. I texture the design into my bail strips then wrap them around wooden dowels greased with badger balm to dry, you decide the length of the tail to be fused into the glass. I also recommend a small piece of fiber paper be placed between the bail and the glass, just in case the glass gets a bit over fused. After they are dried slide them off and fire your finished bails in a clay saucer filled with vermiculite in your kiln. Then place in a tumbler with stainless steel shot, 1/2 teaspoon of dawn soap covered with water and tumbled until polished about 2 hours. You can treat the bail with liver of sulphur if you want to accent the piece, but since you will have to retumble after firing between the glass I do not bother with this. I once figured that the cost was about $2.00 per bail when the PMC+ was about $36.00 for 28 grams.
January 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm #11035rgilbert
ParticipantI try to make it as low-tech easy as possible. Like one of the earlier responses, I’ll fold over flat silver and sandwich that into the glass when I fuse. I split the flat pieces into a V to add a little more interest to the pieces. I’ve also been able to stamp on the flat silver and add a bit more interest to the piece.
The wire doesn’t cost much per piece while some of the bails (depending on the source) can get pricey. Braiding finer wire together can also work.
January 7, 2009 at 9:07 pm #11036eclairewl
ParticipantI’ve thought about stamping and maybe I’ll give it a try. Thanks.
Claire
March 8, 2009 at 2:18 am #11037juditsd
Participantthank you all!
March 22, 2009 at 12:59 am #11038juditsd
ParticipantCan anyone ( Claire?) tell me where I can buy fine silver strip for my pendant bail? The shipping cost of the suppliers I found on the internet is crazy high…
Thanks for any help!
judit
March 23, 2009 at 12:12 am #11039rgilbert
ParticipantHi
It’s a mad mad mad mad market out there. There’s any number of places that sell silver bezel wire– Metalliferous, MonsterSlayer, Rio Grande, etc. Fire Mountain Gems has a $5, stuff the box deal that is reasonable, but you’ll have to balance postage with upcharges on the bezel wire.
Roxane
March 23, 2009 at 1:17 am #11040juditsd
ParticipantThank you Roxane!
November 17, 2009 at 2:57 am #11041Caren Johnson
ParticipantHey guys, I am not a novice fuser, but I am brand new to this web site (less than 10 minutes), and already I’m loving it! Lots and lots of helpful information.
January 25, 2010 at 4:41 am #11042kkatiejo
ParticipantI was just reading your suggestion and wondered…are you”tumbling” this after it is fused into the glass? I’mnot familiar with the tumbling thing-just sounds like it might break the glass. Kathy
January 26, 2010 at 12:41 am #11043rgilbert
ParticipantGenerally, the silver bezel wire is added to the pre-fused glass, fused and voila, ready to go once fired. If the bails need to be cleaned, a polishing cloth or silver polish will do the trick.
–Roxane
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