Welcome to Viking Knit

What am I working on today - Viking knit!

Viking knit is one of my favorite ways to work with wire. Instead of buying expensive tools and tutorials, I learned how to do it by watching YouTube tutorials and I use the "budget" tools, i.e. a pencil...

 

I did invest in a wooden draw plate though. When you 1st have the raw chain, it is stiff  and does not bend easily. Once you've drawn it through the draw plate it becomes pliable.

 

Through trial and error I worked out how long I needed of the raw chain to get a certain length of finished chain. Once you reach the length you need, you begin pulling the chain through successively smaller holes in the draw plate (twice per hole) until you reach the outer dimension that you want

Approximately 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches of wire wrapped around a standard sized round pencil lengthened to this earring.

 

Check out my favorite YouTube tutorial by BlueKittyCreations.

 

 xo ~ Mad

Playtime!! Adventures With Gilder's Paste Part I

OK fellow crafters, raise your hand if you are panicking that it is already NOVEMBER 10TH!!!!! Today, instead of hiding under the bed, I decided to break out my latest toy: Gilder's paste. This toy was a gift from a friend who tried it, but liked using a different medium better, so since it was just sitting in a corner drying up, she gave it to me to play with! **giggling with glee like a 3yr old**

Because it hadn't been used in so long, it had begun drying up. The back of the can says to use paint thinner to "rejuvenate, soften, blend" although Claudia said I could use water... Weellll, I bought some acetone (which can be used to thin paint) and decided to try both methods.

I have some raw brass that I washed with soap and water to remove any remaining oils and residues from the stamping process and sat down to play with the Gilder's paste. I can tell you now that it is not easy to revive. :-)

I have 5 different colors to play with in various stages of drying out. I will post again after I figure out the best way to rejuvenate it.

Cans of Gilder's paste

Wings in Antique Gold

Well, we have to let it dry for 12 hours, then buff it and seal it with acrylic sealer. Tune in later for an update on how it turns out! And don't forget to always have fun with your crafting!

Etsian Artists: Fabulous & Fun Fridays - How To Make a Decorative ...

Etsian Artists: Fabulous & Fun Fridays - How To Make a Decorative ...: "I love Fridays! It's the start of the weekend, the end of the week and I always have such high hopes going into it! I wanted to do someth..."

A terrific tutorial from oddballartco of Etsian Artists. Make your own personalized bubble mailers!

Love this!