The thick wire mandrel

Mandrels are playing an important role in wire-work making, such as loops making.
Mandrels help to make demanded shapes beautifully. An appropriate mandrel helps much.

There are also mandrel tools sold in the market.

In household, you can find many items to serve as a mandrel. The pen and the pencil are of the most popular items and I use them often.

Another good mandrel idea is using the thick wire.

Wires are produced by different gauges.

Thick ones can serve as mandrels as well.

Put it simply, the wire itself is not only one kind of materials but also is a good tool.

3 mm thick wire mandrel

In conclusion,Wires can be great mandrels.

Recycling glass cans for storing crafting materials

Recycling: Save money and save the earth.
Glass cans are pretty and easy to maintain.
We can have many glass cans from daily grocery purchase.
We recycle these glass cans for storing various kinds of crafting materials and other things.


Plus, due to the transparency, it's very easy to find the materials you want.


Tips: Put glass cans in water for hours and the paper labels will be easily peeled down.

Recycle glass can

Recycling

Recycle glass cans

DIY: Nylon Jaws Pliers

Nylon Jaws pliers can be used to straighten wires and to bend wires without leaving tool marks.

Using nylon jaws pliers to straighten wires is one of the methods to have straight wires. It's not the best method but convenient. Nylon jaws plays an important role in lessening tool marks while making wire jewelry and wire craft.

To buy nylon jaws and the replacement can cost some money, DIY nylon jaws can save money and have some fun.

Making your own cheap Nylon Jaws pliers:


Tools you need:

1. a chain pliers or flat-nose pliers: You can make use of old pliers to save money.
2. a plastic cover of cans: Here is the cover of a milk powder can; the plastic materials used here is called LDPE. You can easily find the same materials from grocery items.
3. scissors
4. glue

Nylon Jaws tools

Making nylon jaws steps:


Step 1    Cut the plastic cover into the shapes of the pliers.

Cut the plastic cover into shapes for pliers

Step 2 Glue the plastic pieces onto the pliers

Glue the pieces

The tips are a bit open 

            The tips of the pliers are a bit open, yet it doesn't matter. When the glue is dried, it's done! You can use an art knife to trim the edges.

You can cut as many as plastic pieces for future replacement in advance. The best part is that the replacement is totally free.

Does this DIY nylon jaws work?

It's not perfect, but it works.

This DIY nylon jaws can straighten the wires.

When bending the wires, it makes rarely tool marks.

BTW: Make multi-layers nylon jaws for your own purpose.

the experimental wires

wire straightened

See how the nylon jaws pliers works with gauge 12 wire

My jewelry box

I love boxes.
I would like to share this jewelry box I bought in Granada, Spain.
When I traveled in Spain, l did love paella, one of the most famous Spanish dishes. 
I miss paella.