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The New Year is fast approaching and its common for each of us to examine our life and look for areas of change.  One common thrust toward new choices is the commitment to make a better life for oneself and for their family.  Sometimes it involves learning and other times its just deciding to do what it takes to achieve a goal.  This article is about how to get on track and stay there for all of 2010, driving toward the development and application of artistic talents.

First of all, you must define what your talents are and how they can be manifested by you in a way that is rewarding and includes having fun, and often being able to monetize it.  With the shape of the economy and the ongoing need to manage finances, one can’t often just start up a hobby and not intend to make money from it.  So, for this article, fun and financial reward will be at the core.

Do you love to work with your hands?  Do you have a knack for manifesting sounds or images into 3D pieces of art?  Do you like jewelry?  If you answer yes to these three questions then you should explore the art of wire jewelry making as an artistic way to express your abilities.

Finding wire jewelry making supplies is easy too.  You can start with patterns and designs that include the materials you’ll need to create the piece.  All you will need to learn is how to twist and connect wire; learn the range of materials, and then start designing pieces.

You will pull from nature, your daughter’s piano recital, or from a squirrel darting across the top of your fence, ideas that you can translate into a beautiful piece of wire jewelry.  Be sure to jot down what comes to you as you experience various forms of inspiration so that you can draw on it when you’re ready to order supplies to create with.  Then, when received you can sit down on a quiet afternoon and start creating.

After you’ve created a range of pieces, you’ll then want to start planning how to commercialize them – where to sell them and how to hang out your shingle.  Be sure to consult some experts if you need to, so that you don’t find yourself frustrated with lack of success.

Finally, enjoy the process and stick with it for all of 2010 so that you can look back and give yourself a pat on the back for a year well done in capturing the essence of your artist talent and funneling it toward a productive outcome!

Happy New Year!

Okay – so you’ve waited until the last minute to shop for gifts and now that its getting down to the wire, you feel less like going out there and braving the crowds in the store.  Well, here’s your lifesaver – go online and order some wire jewelry supply kits with patterns for your gal – she’ll love it that you see the artist in her!

The best place to shop online for wire jewelry supplies is http://www.wire-sculpture.com.  They have everything that any wire jewelry artist could possibly want – supplying materials and tools to the young and old, experienced or novice alike.  All you need to do is peruse for ideas and ask for suggested gift ideas if you can’t decide.

When you arrive at http://www.wire-sculpture.com you will notice that the website offers instructional DVDs for beginners and intermediate wire jewelry artists.  Also, there is a DVD set for creating rings.  Whether your gal is someone who will dive in from the get go or tip toe into the art form, you’ll find the right instructional video for her from the collections.

You might also want to add a few wire jewelry making tools to your purchase as well as a pattern or two to get her started.  Once she does she’ll be hooked because women just can’t have enough jewelry.  Also, women like variety and what better want to achieve that goal than to make their own?  Also, add some beads, cameos or cabochons to your selections.   The site also offers Swarovski crystal beads, gemstones, and storing/packaging supplies.

Keep in mind that wire is the basis of wire jewelry making.  So consider adding to your shopping list several different types – from yellow brass wire to craft/galvanized wire.  A spool of each will go a long way.  If in doubt call Wire Sculpture’s toll-free number:  1-877-636-0608

Finally – don’t forget that you can also just buy a gift certificate if you can’t decide what to get for that special woman friend in your life.  To buy a gift certificate simply navigate to: http://wire-sculpture.com/index.php?p=gift_certificate and fill out the form.  Be sure to select the amount of the gift certificate.  Then you can relax because your shopping will be all done!

Happy Happy Holidays!

Finding instructions of any kind on the Internet is getting pretty easy to do these days.  Printing those instructions so that you can have them in front of you when you’re carrying out the described tasks is another matter.  So, this article is to help you print instructions, both with a black and white printer or a color one.  As a wire jewelry maker you’ll need your instructions handy as you progress through your projects.

First of course, navigate to the page you want to print.  Decide if you want to have the final copy in color or in black and white.  Some people hate wasting their color ink on instructions that will be filed away in a notebook.  Yet others, need the pictures included in the instructions as a task guide and as a result, want the pictures in color.

So, after you’ve found the page, you have a couple options on printing the material if a “print page” isn’t available.  The easiest way is to simply go to the top of the browser, top left option called “File”, and click.  The drop-down menu offers a print and print preview option.  The best way to print this way is to click on “print preview” to make sure you’re going to like the outcome.  You can see if you should change the “lay-out” to be landscape (meaning wider than longer) compared to the default setting of portrait (meaning taller than wider).  If you do want to change the lay-out, you can do so by clicking on “page setup” at the top of the print preview page.

Other available options include the amount of information on a page since the default is to make whatever is on the page fit into the printed page.  You may decide you only want the information on the left and don’t care about the right column and opt to increase the size of the print.  This is available in the drop-down menu called “scale.”  Finally, when you are happy with the look you can click “print” at the top of the page.

After you click “print” then you have the option to change the properties of your print by clicking on the “properties” button next to the name of your printer.  Click on the color tab at the top to find the color or grayscale buttons.  Select the one you want.  Click “OK” and then click “OK” again on the print screen and your printer will start printing.

Another option for printing which I prefer is to copy and paste the material I find on a webpage to a word document so that I have more control over the look and feel.  I can also cut out material I don’t want on the page by just “selecting” the portions I want, copying, and then pasting.

To copy and paste you simply use your cursor to “highlight” the section you want to copy, holding the left button on your mouse down while dragging the cursor over the section; releasing the mouse button when you’ve “captured” the content you want to print.  Once highlighted, then put your cursor over the area and “right-click” your mouse.  You will see the options available; select “copy.”  Once you do that the content you selected will be saved to the “clipboard.”  Open Microsoft Word or any other word processing program and place your cursor on the page.  Right-click your mouse one more time and you’ll see the option to “paste.”  Select it and you’ll notice that the content from the webpage now resides in your Word document.  Name and save your document and then print it.

Cutting and pasting is easy but also may require some adjustment to the layout since “formatting” doesn’t often transfer from a webpage to a Word document.  Also, these instructions are for a PC only since a MAC does not have the “right-click” button.

If you have any trouble printing after using these instructions feel free to submit questions to us at http://www.wire-sculpture.com

It is the season for gift-buying and coming up with something unique for the “creatives” in your family can sometimes be a challenge.  Well, here’s a great new idea for gift giving that will fulfill any artist’s dream – give instructional DVD’s about creating wire jewelry!

Learning is fun for artists especially when he/she can practice hands on.  So, this holiday season, give a learning series of DVD’s filmed in high definition with jewelry expert Dale “Cougar” Armstrong teaching her techniques.  The DVDs, along with the widest range of wire jewelry making supplies and tools, can be found at http://www.wire-sculpture.com.  There are many to choose from including buying an entire series for beginners or for creating many different styles of rings.  Each DVD introduces the artist to materials, patterns, and complete instructions to create various jewelry pieces.

As a stocking stuffer you might also add some wire jewelry supplies or tools that your creative friend or family member will want to get started creating wire jewelry.  You might also call Wire-Sculpture to inquire about recommended products or tools that would complement the learning DVDs.

Magazine subscriptions are always a nice way to introduce a new hobby to someone – consider signing up him or her for one.  Books with pictures and instructions are also a good way to go.

Whether your gift buying is to help someone find a new outlet for their artistic talent or add to an existing collection of wire jewelry supplies, be sure to check out the specials available on the website.  Wire-sculpture.com provides a 100% product satisfaction guarantee or your money back.

Finally, there are pre-packaged kits to buy as well including the materials for making wire wrapped pendants, earrings and/or necklaces.  All the materials and instructions are provided.  Be sure to check to see what tools are also required.  These make great stocking stuffers too!

Happy Holidays!