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Color Inspiration- Art on the Rocks

by Nancy Chase
Combining creativity, conversation, and a little cocktail-inspired fun, Nancy Chase brings a fresh twist to beginner jewelry making.

Inspired by the clear golden color of Jamaican rum, she designed a class where students used vintage crystal beads, gold and silver wire, and simple techniques to create sparkling charms, earrings, and chain-link patterns.

In just two hours, beginners learned wire wrapping, faux bead caps, and the art of opening and closing jump rings- all while chatting, sipping, and enjoying the creative process. It's proof that jewelry making can be just as social as it is satisfying.
Art on the Rocks
Art on the Rocks much like those popular paint-and-sip events; blends creativity with a touch of refreshment.

When I was invited to teach a jewelry-making class at a local community center, we set the mood with a pitcher of Jamaican rum punch. As I prepared for the workshop, I found myself flipping through last year's vacation photos.

That's when inspiration struck!

"Art on the Rocks" would be the perfect theme, with a fun double meaning. The golden, crystal-clear color of rum became the heart of my jewelry design for the day.
Nancy Chase's Color Inspiration- Art on the Rocks - Art on the Rocks, Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, art on the rocks
That's when inspiration struck!
We worked with a sparkling mix of vintage clear crystal beads, jump rings, and gold and silver 20-gauge wire, creating a beautiful palette that instantly caught the eye.

Over the course of our two-hour class, I guided beginner wire workers through creating a basic charm drop and then showed them how to make a faux bead cap to give each charm a polished finish.

We added small beads arranged in a chain-link pattern, turning them into additional charms for our projects.
Nancy Chase's Color Inspiration- Art on the Rocks - That's when inspiration struck!, Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Color inspiration palette
The Finished Piece
Along the way, everyone learned the right way to open and close jump rings, which is a simple but essential skill, before attaching their beads to a chain and clasp. We also turned some of the beads with faux bead caps into elegant earrings.

The room was filled with laughter and conversation as students sipped cocktails, chatted with new friends, and enjoyed the satisfaction of making something beautiful with their own hands.
Nancy Chase's Color Inspiration- Art on the Rocks - The Finished Piece, Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, beauty shot of the bracelet

Materials

Beads - Wide variety sizes and styles
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Wire - 20 Gauge in variety of metals
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Sterling Silver Earwires 21mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.60
  • Gold Club Price: $3.45
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Silver Filled Oval Lobster Clasp 9mm - Pack of 1
S3-13
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.50
  • Gold Club Price: $1.13
Add to Bag
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Tools

WireJewelry - Essentials Jewelry Pliers Set with Case, Set of 5
G15-21
  • G15-21
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $124.95
  • Gold Club Price: $93.71
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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat
MAT-620.00
  • MAT-620.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Wrapping, Design

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