I was making a bracelet extension for a bracelet that I made too small, but realized that I should have used 8 wires instead of 4. After studying my dilemma I decided to cut the extension in half, made curls on one end and attach ear wires. Walah! Earrings!
www.artwirejewelry.com
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wire jewelry inspiration
I was inspired to make this necklace of falling leaves and "grapes" as I live close to fields of wine and raisin vineyards. I named this necklace "Abundance" because there are abundant clusters of grapes hanging from the vines. This necklace took me 40 hours to wrap 28 gauge gold filled wire around a thicker "vine" of gold filled wire. I then attached each branch together and added in the 2mm turquoise beads to represent the grapes. This is a asymmetrical necklace because vines hang naturally and not symmetrical.
Cost of gold and silver wire
I decided to compare the price for gold and silver over a ten-year span. It is very surprising and depressing all at the same time. This is because everyone wants jewelry at a lower price (can't blame them with this economy) but the cost of the wire I use in my jewelry pieces has increased by the following amount:
Gold: Increased by 450%: It went from $368.40 to $1652.90
Silver: Increased by 650%: It went from $4.80 to $30.77
What does that mean for me, a wire jewelry artist? That means if I bought an inch of gold filled wire ten years ago it would have cost me 6 cents. Today the same inch of wire costs me 28 cents! A simple wire sculpted pendant uses approximately 48 inches of wire. Ten years ago it would have cost $2.88. Today that same 48 inches of wire cost $13.44!
I hope everyone understands better why the price of jewelry has increased.
Gold: Increased by 450%: It went from $368.40 to $1652.90
Silver: Increased by 650%: It went from $4.80 to $30.77
What does that mean for me, a wire jewelry artist? That means if I bought an inch of gold filled wire ten years ago it would have cost me 6 cents. Today the same inch of wire costs me 28 cents! A simple wire sculpted pendant uses approximately 48 inches of wire. Ten years ago it would have cost $2.88. Today that same 48 inches of wire cost $13.44!
I hope everyone understands better why the price of jewelry has increased.
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