Daily Wire Tip Dec. 17: Wire Jewelry Making Videos

By on December 16, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 17, 2010

Question:

I bought most of the DVDs that were on sale about 2 years back, when you were liquidating old DVDs to make room for Dale’s. Are your jewelry making DVDs with Dale the same material covered as before, or are they a lot different from the prior ones?

-Carrie in Hampton, Georgia

Answer:

Hi Carrie, my DVDs are quite different from those you purchased from Wire-Sculpture two years ago, when the present owners took over the reins. I am known for traditional wire jewelry designs that utilize mostly half hard wire; “sculpted” designs are created by using mainly dead soft wire. From this key difference, we both use different techniques, making different styles of wire jewelry. If you will take a few minutes to browse each of the DVD series, you will see full color photos of each project included.

My teaching style is also different, as I include every tiny detail as well as give variations and formulations for every design, allowing my student to learn the basic techniques and then take off with your own designs! For samples of my teaching style, and our high-quality filming, I invite you to watch any of our Free Jewelry Making Videos. You can also order a Free DVD!

Several customers have left reviews on the DVDs, which may help you decide. (Folks, if you like a product or a DVD on Wire-Sculpture, leave a review on the product so we know you like it!)

Here’s one review can also help to answer your question, on the Intermediate Series:

Dale adds a new perspective and some of her projects are new and fresh. I have all of Prestons DVD’s and Dale’s are much clearer and some of her methods are easier to see and understand. These are well worth the money. Every body loves her Bee I’ve been making.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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20 Comments

  1. avatar

    mary

    December 17, 2010 at 9:45 am

    Let me add my nickels worth on this. I have DVD’s and VHS tapes from alot of different wire teachers in my library. None and I seriously mean NONE of them are anywhere near the quality or level of teaching that Dale’s are. Someone may state I am bias in my review because of my association with Dale but I was trying to learn wire sculpting and wire wrapping years ago, before I met Dale and I have all the old tapes to prove it. I wasted my time, wire and patience trying to learn from them. (That’s how I met her – taking classes!)
    Dale’s whole series is worth the investment because you will gain the skills needed and you will be making jewelry and not spinning your wheels.

  2. avatar

    Casey Willson

    December 17, 2010 at 10:02 am

    Dale’s DVDs are on my “wish list”. I learned so much from Preston’s but love what I’ve seen from Dale’s examples!!!

  3. avatar

    Alex

    December 17, 2010 at 10:05 am

    Wire wrapping and wire sculpture are two trees off the same roots. Wire sculpture is very busy and rococo, making the design stand out, and the stone is only a part of the design. It uses different techniques too. Dale’s techniques wrap the stone, incorporating it into the design, and usually making the design enhance the stone; her traditional wire wrapping technique is usually a way to make the stone stand out, often making a decorative frame for the stone.

    I think a good idea would be to study both techniques. I intend to try one of her DVD’s, but need to sell some stuff to justify the cost!

    It is passing strange how Preston sold wire-sculpture.com or maybe just lost the domain by forgetting to re-register it; never got the whole story. Rumors were going around that he had sold the business and retired, and next you know, there he is again (obviously he kept the mailing list) saying that he never retired at all, and hawking his DVD’s and such.

    Honestly, I like books instead of digital media. Dale’s book “Wirework”is wonderful for me, was only $23.00, and contains a BUNCH of designs and tutorials. When I look at the DVD’s, they are rather expensive, and only seem (according to the descriptions) to have only two or three projects. At $35.00 US, I can’t justify it. I would have to sit at my computer to work on the projects (have tried it before, and do not like), and with a book, I can just prop it up on the workbench and turn the pages as I make the design. Very nice!
    ____
    Editor’s Note: Wire-Sculpture.com’s ownership was transferred from Preston to the current owners, including the domain, at the time of sale about 2 years back. We plan to be here for our customers for years to come!

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      December 17, 2010 at 10:47 am

      Thanks Alex : ) As you have stated, there are many ways to learn all different types of jewelry making, from DVDs, to On-Line Classes, books, magazine and of course taking a live class. The costs of producing a DVD are more expensive than producing a book, therefore DVDs do cost more. It all depends on the student and how they learn best as to the choice they make. I am very pleased to hear you get so much from my book!! (BTW, each of my DVDs include a written copy of the main directions, formulas and tool & materials needed for the projects on that DVD as well.)

  4. avatar

    Paula Mion

    December 17, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Hi,

    I feel that because I accidentally stumbled onto this site when starting and have since purchased all of Dale’s DVD’s that I understand the difference between her product and the others. I can honestly say I am spoiled rotten and looking at other wire jewelry DVD’s is downright painful..lol. The other DVDs are usually watching the instructors make something, where as Dale teaches how to make jewelry. It may sound the same, but NO there is a HUGE difference between the two. I consider now it a total waste of money to invest in other instructors.

  5. avatar

    Dharlee

    December 17, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I do not expect my reply to be used as I have a bit of a rant. I love Dales method of teaching. Her explanations are top notch and easy to view. However, I am disappointed to see that this company would publish negative responses about Preston. His methods are different, but that does not make them any less useful or relevant in terms of learning or selling our art. I realize that opinions are exactly that, opinions, however I do hate to see others brought down using any means by any company.

    Do I follow Preston? You bet I do, but I also follow Dale and several others. It is my humble opinion that the best way to learn is to take ALL of these examples and then develop your OWN style from them.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      December 17, 2010 at 1:14 pm

      When stating that folks need to try all types of instruction and instructors to be able to learn the techniques they need, you are correct Dharlee! However we try to give everyone a chance to voice their opinions and as the question asked was to compare two different instructors and two different methods, our community will respond with their opinions. Thanks for your concerns.

  6. avatar

    Cathy

    December 17, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I couldn’t agree more Mary!! She is the best and my hero!

  7. avatar

    Jeanne

    December 17, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    I guess I’m lucky to have started with Dale’s Beginner & Intermediate DVDs. Her detailed teaching of techniques, and clear demonstrations are so easy to follow that my first try, with practice wire, beads & cabochons, is often sellable. I have since tried a few online teaching demos and only because I have learned enough from Dale am I able to follow and complete a project that looks correct.
    Thanks, Dale, for getting me off on the right foot/wire!

  8. avatar

    Judi

    December 17, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    I also purchased DVD’s from WireSculpture/Preston several years ago. I appreciate the start I got in learning this craft from those DVD’s. I also have collected many books on the subject from many different author’s. I have gained alot of information from each one of them and feel this has fueled my desire to learn more.
    Dale’s style of teaching in her classes and book gives the student the techniques to continue on to design our own pieces. We are not just copying her designs. Her techniques are easy to learn and understand. If you ever have a chance to invest your time in one of her classes it will be time well spent. The DVD’s are the next best thing.

  9. avatar

    Mint Schlief

    December 17, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    There is NO finer instructor than Dale. She is a purist of the art of wire wrapping, and will not let you take short cuts or do “sloppy” work in her classes. I had taken her prong ring class and taken copious notes in class. But alas I had a few holes in my notes and when I tried to make a ring at home I got hopelessly lost. I bought her prong ring DVD and it was like sitting in her class, but almost (but not quite) better because I could put her on pause!! Her DVD’s are incredibly detailed and worth every penny you will spend. And you are learning the CORRECT way to do things, not the fastest and easiest. Best of luck

  10. avatar

    Tammy

    December 17, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    Hi

    Trust me when I say that Dale’s style of wire wrapping is very different. I got the new DVD and book and it’s so different from any thing I’ve learned or taught myself. You won’t be disappointed, Dale’s Jewelry is fantastic.

    Thanks Dale for letting your ideas out here for us to try and then create our own.

  11. avatar

    L. Ryan

    December 17, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Lynda says:
    I dido Mary. I have even unlearned old habits joyfully, to relearn Dale’s methods. She is my mentor (had 3 years floundering) and 2.5 years under her wings. I started with one of her classes – great teacher who taught a great class even with a high fever. I have both Preston’s DVD and Dale’s. The ones I refer to are Dale’s while the others sit in the bookcase. Thank you, Dale – teacher extraordinaire.

  12. avatar

    Judy Hansen

    December 17, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    I am new to this art form and am totally in love. I have purchased Dale’s DVD s. They arrived right after I broke my arm. I have enjoyed watching the projects several times through. Soon I will be able to start doing something. Everything she does is crystal clear: what, why, and how. You can not misunderstand because everything is so clear. I will continue to read, watch, and learn from every source I can. However, I think I accidentally lucked into the best start I could have gotten.

  13. avatar

    Leatherneck_v17

    December 18, 2010 at 12:32 am

    Whew HOT topic! I agree with Dharlee. I debated whether or not to write anything but I because the last time I posted something it was removed, but I have yet to figure out by whom or why. I know that each comment is manually approved and if I had been profane I would have understood. I made a very detailed response that was very firm because it was something I believed in; maybe that is the U.S. Marine in me. I gave credit where credit was due, but I also stated “My Opinion” about the subject at hand and also about the attitude of someone’s posting that was sarcastic. I also offered help to the person who asked the question in attempt solve the issue they were facing, within the hour my posting was removed. Well I realized at that point exactly where things were headed. Well let’s see if this one sticks.
    When I started with Wire Sculpture, the staff were the friendliest and most helpful people ever. In the past I have spent an hour or more on the phone because I had so many questions; boy did that change!) I guess it is to be expected Dharlee that things do change and I am also shocked at not only the negative things that have been allowed, but also the things that would not be allowed if they are “only opinions” and they are not vulgar or profane.
    I do not know any one personally but when Preston was there everything was different; and thanks to him, other artist books, and even Dale I was able to hone my talent in wire wrapping, sculpting, Jewelry making or whatever you want to call it and I cannot keep items in stock that I actually have time to make.
    I was already making jewelry from the free wire patterns that were on the site at the time before I purchased the liquidated DVD’s of Preston’s. I checked out library books because I could not afford to buy them. I then started receiving books as gifts and as my small hobby grew bigger I was able to purchase more things.
    Carrie, to answer your question, my advice is to obtain all the information you can and use what is comfortable for you at this time and as you continue there may be another time that the other information is useful. Everyone has different but similar techniques, the one thing that I have learned is you have to be confident in your own talent and sometimes go with your own gut when it comes to making designs. NO BOOK or DVD or CLASS will help you with that; you will obtain that on your own by practicing, believing in yourself and taking the bull by the horns so to speak. Soon you will find yourself not being able to sleep at night because your brain will not shut off because ideas keep running through your head. Keep up the good work and Merry Christmas to all.

  14. avatar

    Connie

    December 18, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    I have both Preston’s DVD’s and Dales book. I am still working on getting her DVDs. The class was a bit to steep for the time it came around on my side of the country, however I hope to be able to get to one at some point. I have found that the measurments in Dale’s work is critical to development as an artist. There is much less wire castoff’s from Dale’s designs and projects because they come more with a plan. A plan that can be adapted. It is like photo realistic art compared to creative art. I actually have learned alot from both and have sold several designs based on these techniques. Learn as much as you can from as many as you can in order to find what works for you is my advice.

  15. avatar

    Karen

    December 18, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I have a few of Preston’s DVDs and have attended a class with Dale. Both are fervent about teaching the art as they see it. I think Dale gives more complete and detailed instructions. She is a teacher “extraordinaire”.

    I think part of being an artist is discovering your own voice. That can come only after you have mastered the craft. There are many pathways to learn your craft–classes, DVDs, books, tutorials. We each have our own unique way of learning, so what works for one does not necessarily work for another. The only way to know what is behind the door is to open it–sample what the teachers are offering.

  16. avatar

    Ron

    December 18, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    I am very new to all this-I am 70 years and would like to have a hobby to retire with.
    Thanking you in advance for all your elpful articles. Ron..

  17. avatar

    judy mulcahey

    December 22, 2010 at 4:16 am

    where can I get the pattern for the bee pin?