http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/handcrafted-jewelry-blog.html The Weekly Wire handcrafted jewelry blog. Here's where you can get instant updates on new and improved pages, my weekly thoughts and inspirations, and see what's hot off the bench. en-us handcrafted jewelry Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:42:43 GMT Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:42:43 GMT hodgepodgerie.com http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/aegean-cuff-bracelet-tutorial.html Learn to create a beautiful wire cuff bracelet reminiscent of a classic greek relic. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:42:42 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/jewelry-making-tips.html Here's a collection of articles full of great jewelry making tips and techniques to help you expand your knowledge and hone your skills. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:54:44 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/turquoise.html Is it turquoise or something else? Know what you're buying. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:49:41 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/ball-pein-hammer.html Is a ball pein hammer the right tool for your jewelry project? Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:35:34 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/cold-connections-class.html Add a new dimension to your jewelry designs when you learn to make tube rivets for your lampwork beads and add your own handmade bead caps and in this cold connections workshop. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:24:45 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/smaller-dapping-dies-for-bead-caps.html hi! I bought a lovely and really inexpensive dapping block from you. It's great for medallions and larger pieces, but I also want bead caps. And you Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:01:43 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/which-gauge-for-small-decorative-twists.html Which gauge wire do I use for small decorative twists? Jan Stacy's Answer:Hi Jan! I'm not certain what you mean by, small decorative twists, but most Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:28:01 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/earwire-gauge-questions.html When making ear wires like on your amethyst hoop earrings, what gauge do you use? 18 or 19 is too thick to go through my ears or hurts when i wear Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:31:13 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/stone-hardness-and-tumbling.html Do you have a certain Moh hardness level you would suggest NOT tumbling? I know you mentioned turquoise and pearls and dyed corals but what about the Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:21:33 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-patina.html I have a nice shiny length of copper 10' x 3'. I am using it as inlays in my kitchen cabinets. I want to patina this copper with liver of sulfer. Can Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:16:43 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/sound-of-snow-necklace.html A quartet of Autumn leaves is captured in this copper and Sterling silver choker style necklace. Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:02:37 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/fold-forming-basics-class.html Have fun forming, folding and unfolding sheet metal to create beautiful metal art jewelry in this fold forming basics class. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:44:05 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/making-large-s-link-components.html Hi Stacy, Do you have any tips on making the large S links like the ones you used in your LeCarnivale and keeping the curves consistent? Is there an Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:37:12 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/water-turning-grey.html My tumbler was working really well until I put in some beads with fine silver on them - the water came out a dark grey colour and the shot is dull and Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:49:35 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/protective-finish-for-copper.html How can one prevent copper from turning green and is there a coating that would protect the client's skin? Thank you, Riki Stacy's Answer:Thanks for Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:32:16 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tools-markings-on-wire.html I am having a difficult time with tool marks, especially when working with heavier gauge wires like 14g or 16g. How do you avoid tool marks? Thanks! Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:20:25 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/opposites-attract-sterling-silver-cuff-bracelet.html The attraction of opposing forces is on beautiful display in this Sterling silver cuff bracelet. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:20:37 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/aurora-cuff-bracelet.html With its pink and golden sunrise hues, this fold formed copper cuff bracelet is a fitting tribute to Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:03:37 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/etching-copper.html Expand your jewelry design possibilites in this quick tutorial on etching copper. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:42:21 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/heavy-dark-patina.html I want to buy patina gel from COOL TOOLS but will this product heavily darken silver for a Dark-Dark patina on silver. Stacy's Answer:Hi Carolyn! I'm Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:57:32 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/basic-wire-boot-camp.html Learn to create beautiful wire jewelry <i>fast</i> in this exciting and fun Basic Wire Jewelry Boot Camp™! Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:17:02 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumble-polishing.html One secret to beautiful wire and metal jewelry is tumble polishing or just tumbling. This article covers the dos and don'ts of the rotary tumbler. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:41:28 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-turned-dark.html My Copper Bracelet came out beautifully the first time I tumbled it but the 2nd time it turned out dark and looked ugly, dark and tarnished. I used Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:00:51 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/lorenes-twisted-sisters.html How do I keep my creations from looking so Victorian. What should I do to make the design more bold and dramatic? Stacy's Answer:Hi Laurie! I don't Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:44:17 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/question-about-bench-block.html Stacy, First, thanks for the wire jewelry Q & A! I'm new to working with wire (I love it, even though it has its frustrating moments!) and it has been Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:34:56 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumble-burnishing-goldfill-wire.html Hi- Is there a way to tumble polish - burnish gold fill wire to a satin/brushed/ or matte finish before I wrap gems or incorporate it into a final Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:28:47 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-etching.html Hi Stacy, I have a question about copper etching. I can't seem to get a good etch in copper I use rubber stamps with the Stayz On ink, Radio Shack Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:41:48 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/my-first-wire-and-lampwork-bead-creation.html Stacy, I just got my first shipment from Rio Grande. I wanted you to see my first creation! It is not as exotic or unique as your necklaces but it Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:29:49 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/alternatives-to-tumbling.html Dear Stacy, I would like to make woven wire jewelry which incorporates Swarovski crystals, Freshwater pearls, gemstones (some softer than 5 on the Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:27:05 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/using-a-vibrating-tumbler-to-remove-oxidation.html Hello! I oxidize copper and silver for metal pendants. I am trying to find a way to speed up my polishing step. So I purchased a vibrating tumbler Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:20:48 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/charmed-bracelet-class.html In this fun fun fun workshop, you'll create a fanciful charm bracelet with tons of movement! Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:48:40 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/feather-cuff-bracelet.html I've created this unique cuff bracelet in a feather motif. It's a bold Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:36:42 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/jewelry-wire-gauge.html Take the guesswork out of wire sizes with this handy reference guide. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:21:13 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumble-polishing-help.html Have a question about tumble polishing your wire jewelry? This is the place to ask it. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:48:45 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/liver-of-sulfur-patina.html Liver-of-sulfur is one of the most widely used patinas for jewelry. Here's all you need to know about this popular finishing method. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:46:25 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-earwires.html Hi Stacy, I have seen some copper wires and was wondering how safe they are to wear? I know copper has some therapeutic benefits for joints. Can Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:35:33 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/ficus-leaf-cuff-bangle.html Copper and Sterling silver fold-formed ficus leaves gracefully top this stunning cuff bangle. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:43:10 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/online-tutorials.html Hi Stacy I was wondering if you are planning on putting the tutorials to your class on Crazy Coil Link Bracelet. I live too far a way in order to come Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:17:24 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/grey-scum-on-copper-pieces-after-tumbling.html I have just started using copper with my lampwork beads, and when I tumble the pieces I get a grey scum in all the crevices, which I have to brush Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:07:30 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/romancing-the-bead-class.html In this fun workshop you'll learn how to weave, coil and wrap wire to show off your favorite focal beads. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:05:08 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/to-seal-or-not-to-seal.html Hi Stacy, I have used Permalac sealer on a few copper necklaces I have made and then oxidised, with mixed success. Occasionally, the sealer has left Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:38:55 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-and-brash-necklace.html A very stylish copper choker style necklace for one who wants to make a bold statement. Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:59:28 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/polishing-oxidized-chain.html What is the best/easiest way to polish silver chain once it's been oxidized? I've been polishing it by hand with steel wool, but it is soo time Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:49:35 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/hammering-class.html Get the answers to all your questions about hammering your wire jewelry in this fun and potentially noisy workshop! Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:30:20 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/patina-class.html In this frequently requested workshop, you'll learn all about the patina and how to easily create different jewelry finishes. Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:51:33 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/using-a-tumbler-for-polishing-jewelry-with-beads.html Hi Stacy, I would like to ask you about using a tumbler for polishing jewelry with beads as ceramic, lampwork, pearls, gems, corals. What kind of Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:48:07 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/question-about-a-protective-finish.html Hello Stacy, I would love to know what protective finish you use on some of your jewelry pieces. It looks nice and shiny and I think it would protect Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:46:25 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/will-copper-and-silver-wear-well-together.html I've been playing with some wire wrapping. I experimented with the copper and silver together. How do these wear together? I see many copper & silver Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:54:04 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/adding-a-nice-finish-after-antiquing.html I do not have a tumbler yet and after I patina a piece I want to rub some off and give the piece a very nice finished look. I work in Sterling Silver Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:42:29 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/preventing-blue-patina-from-coming-off.html I have to know...on the bracelet Aegean how do you keep that beautiful blue copper color from coming right off? How does the moisture from one's skin Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:20:02 GMT