My shoebox today featured two very special and very different projects that had been made by viewers. The first was a display of silverware, serving pieces, wine glasses and candlesticks decorated with beads and wire. All were sent by viewer Patti Smith of Mobile, Ala.
I briefly met Ms. Smith last spring when I was making a personal appearance in Mobile. It was at that time that Patti handed me a present but it was not until later that I was able to unwrap it and see the very attractive serving fork and spoon that Patti had given me. I was so pleased that I called Patti to thank her, and to rave over the pieces. When Patti offered to send more items to show on the air, I jumped at the chance. The result was a very extensive display along with step-by-step pictures that you saw on the program.
The tips and suggestions and information that Patti offered included the following:
- Artistic Wire and The Beadery both make the colored wire used for the items. In all cases 20- or 24-guage wire with metallic coating was used.
- Glass or acrylic beads in a variety of shapes and sizes from a variety of sources were featured. Many were purchased at Wal-Mart, some from craft stores and others from bead catalogues. In one instance Patti submerged glass beads in etching cream to obtain a frosted glass look. Very effective.
- Most of the silverware was actually stainless steel purchased at local discount stores. (Wal-Mart, etc). Wine glasses and glass candlesticks were similarly inexpensive pieces.
- One of the pieces was a plain glass bottle with a glass topped cork stopper. Patti etched a design on the bottle and round ball top and wrapped the 2-inch long neck of the bottle with wire and a multicolored selection of beads.
- All pieces are dishwasher safe.
- Silver wire is inclined to oxidize over the years.
- Wine glasses with faceted stems are easier to wrap than straight cylinder stems.
- The wire may be wrapped very close together so the underneath item is no longer visible or it can be wrapped very stretched out so every wrap can be seen. It is a matter of choice. Both are attractive.
The basic steps for wrapping with the wire:
- String selected beads on the wire and push back away from the end of the wire.
- Start wrapping the plain wire around the stem continuing to keep the beads pushed back out of the way until the stem (or handle, or candlestick, etc.) is fairly well covered with the wire.
- Start pushing the beads up one at a time and placing them where you wish as you continue to wrap. Continue until all beads are placed or until it is satisfactory to you. Cut wire leaving about a 3-inch end.
- Select a bead from among those placed on the stem or handle. Pull the wire back thru that bead, bend it around to hold, bend it into a sort of comma and press to bury.
Resources colored wire
Contact Artistic Wire for a local retailer.
Artistic Wire (wholesale only)
Website:
www.artisticwire.com
colored wire - The Beadery
Available at arts and crafts stores.
The Beadery Craft Products
Hope Valley, RI
US
Phone: 401-539-2432
Email:
info@thebeadery.com
URL:
www.thebeadery.com
Also in this Episode
)
