By The Sea Jewelry Original Designs

Though many of our designs are proprietary and property of By The Sea Jewelry (Squiggles© 1998 Linda Jereb, Original Wire Bezel©2000 Linda Jereb) some of our other designs are basic wire techniques that can be easily made by you at home using basic tools and simple skills.

In this section, we will show you the tools, basic techniques and information needed to make simple wire set jewelry.

We will also be offering predrilled sea glass that you may purchase for your personal jewelry creations, links to books and sites to expand your knowledge and Step by Step designs with photos that you can copy to perfect your skills.

(Please when using this information, take the fundamentals and make them your own, do NOT COPY our original proprietary settings)

Wire Wrapping Sea Glass 101

Wire wrapping is an ancient technique dating back to the Egyptians. It requires few materials, tools and basic ability to create. In this section we will discuss basic clasps, links and hammering or planishing wire.

Wire wrapping is the least obtrusive way to set your sea glass and does not alter the glass for future use or enjoyment.

Drilling sea glass is a great way to incorporate glass but we do not recommend beginners drilling as it requires the use of water when drilling. We will provide links to online videos that will show you how to properly drill your sea glass. We will also offer Pre Drilled sea glass for you to experiment with.

Basic Tools Needed

Work Area - The beginner can set up a small work area in any room of your home, all you need is a desk or table, sea glass and some simple tools.

Pliers (Can be hobbyist pliers found at any hardware store) We started our entire business with 3 pairs, one flat nose (can have cutters attached) one round nose (for making swirls and clasps) and a cutter (if not purchasing a combo flat nose). Ace hardware has a great range of hobby pliers and they come with a lifetime warranty. We still have 2 of our originals and are still using them daily.

Copper Wire (The Thicker the gauge the stronger your setting)
Copper is a cheap material to learn on and mimics the pliability of gold and silver that you can upgrade to once you have practiced your techniques.

Wire gauge numbers go up as the wire gets thinner, so the lower the number you use the harder it will be to work with. We recommend 20 or 24 gauge to begin.

Bench Block - Optional (This is a flat steel piece that you will use to hammer wire flat for depth of design) You can also use an anvil.

Dremel - Optional (used to polish your final creations)

Project 1
Basic Wrap How to set a piece in a simple wire setting securely

INSTRUCTIONS WITH PIXS
COMING SOON

Project 2
Basic Links - How to incorporate your glass into bracelets, necklaces etc. using S- Links, homemade split rings.

COMING SOON

Project 3
Embellishments - Learn how to make swirls and squiggly's and adornments for your wire wrapped or drilled sea glass jewelry creation.

INSTRUCTIONS WITH PHOTOS - COMING SOON

Project 4
Working With Drilled Sea Glass - Homemade Headpins
We will examine both paddle headpins and swirly headpins. Assemble your pieces to a final wearable creation.

Instructions with photos - COMING SOON

Wire Wrapping Books

Check back In - More Simple Projects to Come and Predirlled Sea Glass Sales!