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Posted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 11:00am in artisan necklaces, blog hop, jewelry challenge, jewelry making tips

Mixed Media Sun Goddess Necklace

Spring Goddess (SOLD)

Vintage sterling pendant with labradorite and aventurine

Acai seed beads, Labradorite, Bali sterling silver

Tibetan resin and sterling silver bead

Lampwork by Donna Millard

 
Waxed linen is a very versatile fiber.  They've been using it in bookmaking for ages.  Linen has survived since Egyptian times so it's not a fiber we have to worry about deteriorating very quickly.
 
Diana of Suburban Girl Studios thought it would be fun and interesting to see what jewelry artists are doing with waxed linen.  As you'll see from the list at the bottom of the post, there were a lot of jewelry folks wanting to share!
 
Waxed linen in many colors
 
 
I started using waxed linen quite a few years ago after taking a book binding course with Volcano Arts and buying a bunch in bulk.  I like the fluidity of a necklace that is knotted on it.  Very much like silk, but heftier.
 

Ocean Inspired Statement necklace

Nautilus- an example where I've used thread ends to tie charms

 
Some tips or things I've noticed when using waxed linen:
  • Beads do have to have larger holes than the average semi-precious stone beads to slip on to the thread.  
  • It's not as easy to get a tight knot against a bead with waxed linen as it is with silk, especially once your hands have warmed up the wax and made it sticky.
  • Keep your hands cool, because as mentioned above it works its best when cool so it can slide through beads and those knots are easier.
  • However, when tying off the waxed linen on a clasp or within your design use the wax to your advantage.  Tie several wraps and knots and warm it with your fingers to get it to mold into itself.
  • Like when using silk for pearls or gemstones you need to make sure you cut a large enough length of waxed linen to make your piece, allowing for knots that you'll use to separate beads.
  • Waxed linen comes in a lot of different colors.  Use that to your advantage as a design element.
  • Fray the ends to add texture to a piece.
  • When tying knots you may have to tie it twice to get a bulkier knot.  It can be frustrating to try to make it larger like you would a silk thread knot where you wrap twice, because it doesn't slide against itself like silk.

Raku lampwork

Donna Millard Lampwork

 
 
Here are the links to other participants in the Waxed Linen Blog Hop:
 
Janet Bocciardi -  you are here!
 

Comments

Spring Goddess is

Submitted by Christine Altmiller on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 1:23pm.

Spring Goddess is Sensational!!! She radiates warmth and fluidity and earthiness. Wonderful wonderful piece, Janet!

beautiful piece Janet! you

Submitted by AntiquityTravelers on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 1:50pm.

beautiful piece Janet! you know how I love tribal, and this one is so fun! what great tips for using waxed linen. Going to need to bookmark this and remember!

Thanks Christine! It was a

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 3:54pm.

Thanks Christine! It was a color combination I don't normally work with, but will again.

Thank you, Cynthia. I'm

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 3:58pm.

Thank you, Cynthia. I'm hoping it saves some folks some frustration, because the results are really wonderful.

Hi Janet it is good to

Submitted by Becky Pancake on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 5:40pm.

Hi Janet it is good to connect with you again. Your waxed linen necklace is absolutely AWESOME. Aren't Donna's lampworked beads wonderful? Your sketchbook is great thanx for sharing it. I am envious of the marquise cut focal in "Kelp Forest." I am sure it will be amazing when you are done.

Your necklace is gorgeous! I

Submitted by Ann Schroeder on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 5:43pm.

Your necklace is gorgeous! I love the focal with those dangles and the frayed linen. It was fun to see a chunkier piece on the linen, and thanks for all the tips!

Wow! Your Spring Goddess

Submitted by Shaiha on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 6:27pm.

Wow! Your Spring Goddess necklace is fabulous! Truly a show stopper.

That is one stunning

Submitted by Lesley on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 6:38pm.

That is one stunning statement necklace Janet - beautiful!

Thanks Becky! Good to be

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 6:43pm.

Thanks Becky! Good to be back creating. :-) The Kelp Forest is turning out amazing in my head... hopefully it will in my studio, too. Hopefully in the next few weeks!

Thanks Ann. I've picked up

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 6:43pm.

Thanks Ann. I've picked up more tips from reading other posts as well. Great hop!

Thanks for sharing your tips!

Submitted by KelsyC on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 7:43pm.

Thanks for sharing your tips! Great stuff to know. Your necklace is gorgeous!

Gorgeous work and I

Submitted by Diana P. on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 8:52pm.

Gorgeous work and I appreciate the list of tips you posted as well! Great advice! Thanks for participating!

Thanks so much. This was

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 9:42pm.

Thanks so much. This was fun, wasn't it?!

Thanks so much Lesley.

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 9:42pm.

Thanks so much Lesley.

I learned from other posts,

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 9:42pm.

I learned from other posts, too - so wonderful the sharing and the variety! Thanks so much.

Thanks Diana.

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 9:42pm.

Thanks Diana.

Stunning work! and how great

Submitted by Kari Asbury on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 11:27pm.

Stunning work! and how great to include a list of tips :)

Really love that luscious

Submitted by Sarajo Wentling on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 1:27am.

Really love that luscious first necklace! And thanks for the great list of tips too.

That is a great necklace. I

Submitted by KayzKreationz on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 2:50am.

That is a great necklace. I love the color in it and the way you attached the focal. Very pretty

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. All

Submitted by flowers on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 3:14am.

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. All those tips are a plus.

Lovely work - I really like

Submitted by Linda Y on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 12:06pm.

Lovely work - I really like the tribal piece and the tips your provided are very much appreciated.

Janet, I love your necklaces,

Submitted by SueBeads on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 2:44pm.

Janet, I love your necklaces, and thanks so much for the tips! Also, good to know the linen is lasting, I was a little worried about that!

Hi Janet,Oh wow I love the

Submitted by Therese's Treasures on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 3:43pm.

Hi Janet,Oh wow I love the Goddess necklace it is gorgeously stunning! The Nautilus necklace is beautiful and the look is cooling a great necklace for summer. Thank you for the tips.Therese

Nice! Thank you for sharing

Submitted by a2susan on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 4:22pm.

Nice! Thank you for sharing tips, they are especially helpful.

What great tips! I loved

Submitted by Michelle Mach on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 5:20pm.

What great tips! I loved learning about how it's been used in bookbinding. Your necklaces are beautiful, too.

Janet, I love both of your

Submitted by Erin Siegel on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 5:52pm.

Janet, I love both of your tribal inspired necklaces you show here. Earthy tribal and Oceania tribal. Love them both. And thanks so much for the handy list of tips for working with waxed linen. Those are great! (and accurate!)

Thanks for the great tips.

Submitted by Kathy Lindemer on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 7:49pm.

Thanks for the great tips. Your pieces are beautiful.

I love your necklace! The

Submitted by lindalandig on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 8:50pm.

I love your necklace! The colors are awesome and it is an interesting and unusual combination of materials. Great work! What a good idea to include a list of tips for working with waxed linen! No one else thought to do that.

Beautiful pieces! I love the

Submitted by Memories for Life on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 9:10pm.

Beautiful pieces! I love the golden yellow in the first piece and the great beachy feel of the second one!

LOVE your Spring Goddess

Submitted by PyxeeStyx on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 11:09pm.

LOVE your Spring Goddess necklace. It has a very old world Egyptian feel to it. Beautifully bohemian.

Such a luscious necklace! I

Submitted by Kashmira on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 5:27am.

Such a luscious necklace! I love all the beads you used in there...each one is special. And thanks a LOT for all those tips. I had not thought about warming up the wax part. Now it makes complete sense! You the best, Janet!

Thanks to all of you for your

Submitted by Janet Bocciardi on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 2:14am.

Thanks to all of you for your sweet comments! I enjoyed this hop immensely and imagine we'll all be working with it more than we were in the past.

Love your necklaces! And

Submitted by beadrecipes on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 1:21pm.

Love your necklaces! And thanks for the tips!

Gorgeous! I really love the

Submitted by Jennifer Cameron on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 4:33pm.

Gorgeous! I really love the nautilus piece to bits! I would wear it all summer long.

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