Gemstone wrapping

Cinda · Post by **Cinda** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:39 am

Any recommendations for tutorials/videos for wrapping stones in specifically shells? I have a few shells I picked up recently that I'd love to actually wear. I'm pretty crafty, but I've never wrapped before.

Thanks!

Post by **Xiao Rong** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:53 am

What kind of shells? I've wrapped a few so far, still trying out new ideas. I've had the best luck wrapping moon snail shells; I'll try to post a picture of them when I can.

Post by **RosieMoonflower** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:56 am

Following, also working on shell jewelry.

Post by **Firebird** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:05 pm

http://everythingunderthemoon.net/forum ... 29465.html

http://everythingunderthemoon.net/forum ... 29462.html

This guy Bry, seems to have got the tech down...perhaps you should contact him.
ff

Post by **Xiao Rong** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:34 pm

This one I wrapped was very simple and I think shows off the beauty of the shell.

These two are wrapped like cabochons, which are slightly more advanced; this video is a great introduction. The moon snail shells are a little irregular, which makes it a bit more tricky and shells have to be treated a little more gently than stones; I've chipped a few while wrapping them.

Post by **Firebird** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:13 pm

Sweet!
I should learn this...I have shells for days!
and stones,
and twigs,
and feathers,
and leaves...
hahahahahahahahahahahahah

justbry · Post by **justbry** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:06 pm

There's a bunch posted on Youtube, try typing for a channel named Liz Kreate, she has basic
tutorials for gemstones, but I'm sure you can also apply them to shells and other things.

Good luck :] It's a really fun and rewarding hobby

Cinda · Post by **Cinda** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:24 pm

Thanks! Xiao, those are most of what I have. Felt drawn to a few while I was walking in the ocean recently, and I'd like to wear them. I like that simple wrap, nice!

I'll check out all the links and ideas, thanks!

Post by **Myrth** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:20 pm

Very nice! This gives me some ideas. I think I need to invest in silver wire.

Post by **RosieMoonflower** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:19 pm

Will any craft store provide the wire? I have a few shells that have perfect holes in them, made by other mollusks when they were alive. I would like I run something through them and then put beads on it to make a necklace. Any suggestions for materials? Lastly, I have this one angels wing shell I would like to wrap but it is very fragile. It has a hole in it already and I don't want it to crack further. I would also like to incorporate a feather or something to cover the hole. Suggestions?

Post by **Xiao Rong** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:27 pm

I'm sure any store like Michael's will carry the wire you need. I've even found wire at Walmart, although their quality is somewhat more suspect. I'd suggest 22 gauge wire for wrapping the shell, and thinner wire (higher gauge -- 26 and up, since higher gauge = thinner wire) if you were going to do a lot of beading.

As for the broken shell -- it's super pretty! Covering it with another feather might be really cool.

Post by **RosieMoonflower** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:32 pm

Thanks for the advice Xiao! My plan is to hit up Joann's - it's a craft store, when I get paid at the end of the month and see what all they have. I know they have stuff for making jewelry so hopefully it can be a one stop shop for me. As for the feather.. I'm hoping I just"find" one. But I've also asked my friends husband to collect a few on his hunting trips. I hope they aren't too large...

justbry · Post by **justbry** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:18 pm

I go to Michaels for my wire, I mostly work with copper and nickel wire, but sometimes I also
work with the copper-colored ones, but mostly stick to the 'bronze' or 'gun metal' colored ones. There's
also craft wire which is tarnish free, I'm not exactly sure what type of metal they use though.

I like working with Copper wire, mostly cause of the color and the patina it creates over time. Also
copper when used with gemstones and crystals enhances/energizes the crystal/stones energy.

You should grab a plier kit; they're relatively cheap especially if you're just trying it out for the first time and don't
want to shell out a lot of money.

Good luck, I hope this helped :]

justbry · Post by **justbry** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:23 pm

^random Citrine wrap I made :]

Everything Under the Moon