Thursday, April 5, 2012

guest post - erin siegel



I'm thrilled to do a guest post here on LMAJ. Thanks for having me! Today, I'm sharing with you one of my favorite materials for jewelry-making - Irish waxed linen cord. I first discovered waxed linen about 5 years ago and I've been using it in my jewelry ever since. The more I use it, the more I fall in love with it. Waxed linen cord is a strong, durable and versatile material that works great for knotting, braiding and bead stringing. It's made up of fine threads twisted together that's referred to as "ply". The waxy coating on the cord helps make well-defined, crisp knots and holds them in place without the need for glue.The highest quality cord is Irish waxed linen cord made by Crawford Threads in Belfast, Ireland. I like to buy my waxed linen wholesale by the spool from royalwoodltd.com. You can also purchase it by the yard or the spool at ornamentea.com.



Waxed linen has traditionally been used for book-making and basket-weaving, but it's become quite popular for jewelry-making in recent years. Jewelry designers are drawn to the variety of beautiful colors it comes in, as well as it's strength and durability. Waxed linen comes in different plies or thicknesses. I use a 4-ply cord in most of my jewelry. A single strand of 4-ply will string through most beads. I tend to like to use multiple strands in my designs. More strands gives me more design options when I'm making jewelry and I also love the texture and fullness I get with multiple strands.  You can find all my tips, tricks and techniques for waxed linen cord in the new book I co-authored called, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbons and Cords. You'll also find creative jewelry designs using waxed linen cord by our very own Mary Jane Dodd in our book. We are very proud to have her as one of our contributing designers. You won't want to miss Mary Jane's designs, they are some of my very favorites in the whole book! 




Find out more about me and my jewelry on my blog, Erin Siegel Jewelry.

Erin


8 comments:

mairedodd said...

thank you so much erin for sharing your wonderful work and the information... i am a lover of the linen thread as well - as you said, it knots beautifully and eliminates the need for glue... a bit of a color chicken, i have begun playing with some of it - loving the salmon especially... congratulations on the book -

stacilouise said...

I can't wait to try it at Beadfest!!!! It has such an amazing look to it.

Barbara said...

Oh, I'm so excited you posted today Erin! Waxed linen is one of my favorite supplies and I first found it because of my interest in bookmaking. I continue to be inspired by seeing the work you are making with it. Really gratifying stuff to find a humble material and technique and translate it into a fresh and modern perspective....Can't wait to see the book...I know it's going to be incredible!

TesoriTrovati said...

I have really never used the stuff but you always make me curious Miss Erin! I can't wait to see a copy of your new book so that I can follow along and learn all the wonders that this material has to offer. Enjoy the day.
Erin

Izzy said...

Ditto, I've never tried it either, but now I'm gonna have to... =)

Artisan Beads Plus said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing, Erin :o) Congratulations on the book! You must be thrilled :o) What an accomplishment!
MaryAnn

Julie Holmes said...

This looks like really fun stuff! I will have to try it! ...and, one more book I gotta get! You had me at
Bohemian...

Kelli said...

THanks for sharing with us!!!!! I'll have to add some of this to my supplies!! I've been wanting to experiment with fiber in my work.

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