[Caitlin]

The shape of the bead closest to the clasp in the enclosed picture looks like it was crimped.

Crimp beads are used to fasten a wire or wire thread to a clasp. You use a pair of crimping pliers to assure getting the best crimp. In part 1 of a good crimp, the pliers have a special notch which crimps one side of a little tube bead into a concave shape against the other side holding the wire thread tightly. It makes a kind of crescent moon shape at this stage. Then part 2 of the climping pliers squeeze the edges together tightly. It is a very secure way to attach a clasp, but it leaves a line on one side. It isn't all that pretty. So you can cover it with a special open bead called a crimp bead cover. You put it over the crimped bead and gently squeeze it closed. The bead now looks like a round silver bead next to the clasp.

[Caitlin]

Here is a picture of a crimp bead cover.
Go here to see illustation of a crimp bead with and w/o cover. Also a pair of crimping pliers on this page.

[quote=Caitlin Williams]The shape of the bead closest to the clasp in the enclosed picture looks like it was crimped.

You are right. Those are just "uncovered" crimps and yes, I should finish it better. I even think that I have some of those crimp covers - forgot about them... Thanks for pointing it out !!! I'll "fix" it tonight.

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Here is a picture of a crimp bead cover.
Go here to see illustation of a crimp bead with and w/o cover. Also a pair of crimping pliers on this page.

>>>>> Artbeads - my favorite store !!!!
Do you know any good suppliers of pearls ?? From the pictures I posted you can see that I use a lot of different sizes - shapes - colors. Most of my stuff came from Treasure island, but lately Stephanie forgets to ship what was ordered and paid for and I have to beg her to do it sending her zillion emails....they mostly stay unanswered. I'm looking for more reliable but equaly versatile seller.....

Great work! These are really wonderful. You have a good eye.. I especially like the colored ones, the bronze & the last creation. They look like candy. YUM!

Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Valeria101

Those should make a cascade of a necklace! Any chance to see them being worn...

I refuse to post picture of me here....but maybe my daughter will allowe me to "drape this creation" over her neck and do the photo.

[Caitlin]

Hi Ivona
I think the Gem Show in Tucson every feb is the best place to shop for beads and pearls and I am currently saving for that event.

Check out these guys. I am fairly sure they are both reliable online sources of many shapes, sizes and colors. They both go to China to buy.

http://www.integritypearls.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Pearl-Emporium

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Hi Ivona
I think the Gem Show in Tucson every feb is the best place to shop for beads and pearls and I am currently saving for that event.
...HMMM... TUSCON... Far away from Canada. Maybe next year...
Check out these guys. I am fairly sure they are both reliable online sources of many shapes, sizes and colors. They both go to China to buy.

http://www.integritypearls.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Pearl-Emporium

...Thanks, I'll check them out

[Kathleen Conway]

Hi Imanit,
I so admire your work- your necklaces have rhythm, grace and versatility... yum! Only wish I could see them "in pearl-person"!

BTW you might enjoy the work of the artist who has a site called Priceless Imperfection- Zara Scoville. She also works in wire.

Now, if only I could find this sort of pearl piece for sale. I'm so longing for pieces like yours that I've enrolled for my first pearl-stringing workshop next week. Those Forum members host retail sites, please consider there's a demand for these exuberant styles as well as the strands.

Originally Posted by Kathleen Conway

Hi Imanit,

BTW you might enjoy the work of the artist who has a site called Priceless Imperfection- Zara Scoville. She also works in wire.

.

I checked her site. I like her creations very much. They are repetitive as far as design goes, but I like her style. Thanks for the tip!!

Ivona

Might this be the place to confess to a beading weakness?

Tina Koyama

Clearly, her style is only partially pearl-friendly with all the free-hand weaving involved, but where there are pearls, they fall in place pretty darn well: e.g. THIS How on Earth? These things seem so difficult!

And this !!!! Looks to me like a needlework..... Not for me - hate needles... Very exciting shape - but what one can do with it ????

Right - that one is not meant to fit anywhere to be worn: it is one of the sculptures ... The wearable pieces seem normal enough.

As Valeria101 suggested, it does look good with ammolite clasp. I bought a stone, did my first wire wrapped piece.... I'm happy with result, even if it's far from professional job... I also took out some Swarovski. There was too much "bling-bling" for me...
Here it is:

Oh, my! So...it does work!

Wire wrapping.... was forever somewhere on my list of things to try too, especially I was hoping to try some familiar weaving and flat knot patterns with thin wire. Unfortunately, they'd have to wait - the most I can do for now realistically is write about unfulfilled craft aspirations The knotting sure is fun, the annealing required by free-standing knots - a kitchen trashing b&$%c!
Frustration aside... I wanted to share a cute lil' site teaching a type of wire-wrap used in-lieu of bezels; something that your ammolite clasp reminded me of. Their explanation worked pretty well for me, although I might have looked over others as well.

And one more - some 'pod' patterns: LINK
[and while on Amy O'Connell site, you might want to take a look at the Sculpture gallery]

Trying things out definitely taught me some healthy respect for the makers of such things: it definitely takes diligently applied attention, time, patience... as much as anything I do. Maybe one day...