Egyptian spiral

[crazydoc]

I found a great tutorial for an Egyptian spiral (see: http://tinahdee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/egyptian-coil-tutorial-by-tinahdee.pdf), and decided to try my hand it. The results are below.

Once I get a bit more practice with it using craft type wire, I plan to take the plunge and do this on in sterling.

I still need to decide on a cool-looking clasp for it. All ideas are welcome and appreciated.

~CD~

[jcorn]

Beautiful!

I think a lobster claw or a barbell type clasp would be complementary to the design.

[Factitious]

Wow! That looks really cool!

This makes me want to get into jewelry making.. but I really don't have time for another hobby, so I should restrain myself

[SkyyAngel]

First thing that came to my mind was a continuation of the design. Specifically like the last cloak clasp in this photo: http://www.elvenforge.com/images/3clasps.jpg

[RaraAvis]

Beautiful!  I bet it will be even better in silver.

[Onyxnox]

Fantastic, thank you for sharing the link. That would look phenomenal as a belt, or in copper too.  I like the last clasp example shared by SkyyAngel too, but then again, something that stands out and contrasts would be wonderful too.

[Myrdda]

i have a heck of a time getting the links to lay straight ... they want to slip and slide all over the place .... any suggestions?

[crazydoc]

i have a heck of a time getting the links to lay straight ... they want to slip and slide all over the place .... any suggestions?

I'm brand new to this myself, but here's what I have discovered in my extremely limited experience.

Being consistent is VITAL. That includes the length of a finished link, the width of the "bend" in the initial wire, and particularly in the shape of the "hook" you make in each link at the end. I've also found that things go much, much better when you make sure that the "hook" part (the last bend over the top) is all the way to the bottom of the spiral (line it up).

Also, when I was finished, I gave each link a good healthy squeeze (across the "hook") along the back side. Aligning the hooks and straightening up that hook (on the back side, again) and squeezing it a bit closer together (one side of hook closer to other side - not necessarily closer to the link part), also helps.

I'm still learning, so when I get some more practice, if I come up with any epiphanies (unlikely, but hey, who knows?), I'll definitely post.

I think the key truly is consistency.

Good luck!
~CD~

p.s. Thank you to EVERYONE for the kind words and for the excellent clasp suggestions!

[penelopewaits]

that's really pretty!

[Feast Your Eyes]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing the link, I think I'll try it!

[Christy43]

Good job!!!  I made this before its pretty repatitive.  But fun.  Looks great in copper wire.

[Licer]

I love this. I have a necklace in copper that I got from my Great Grandma when she died. I never thought about making my own.

[crazydoc]

I couldn't resist the suggestion to do this in copper.

Now, I want to add some patina so it looks darker and more "egyptian"-looking.

I've read that you can use Miracle Grow (the plant food) to accomplish this feat, but I'm not sure exactly how that is done.

Any words of wisdom?

~CD~

[Feast Your Eyes]

The Egyptian Coil is featured in the latest Belle Armoire Jewelry. That magazine has lots of tips on antiquing metals, so you might check it out. Liver of sulfer, maybe?

[beth8144]

This is just stunning Great job. And thank you for the link to the tut.

[Kornelia]

This is beautiful! I would really love to see it as a headband, though I'm wondering if it wouldn't pull the hair?