April 12th, 2012
Victoria and the Wall of Fretz
Victoria is our Wired Up Beads tool expert and a tool lover to the core.  Victoria rearranged our Fretz hammer display this week so that it looks nice and neat and is perfect for hands-on touching (not to mention inadvertent drooling).  We love for visitors to stop by our shop in Southlake to see and [...]
March 20th, 2012
Wire Protectors – It’s the Little Things that Make a Big Difference
This tiny sterling silver finding can make a huge difference in the durability and professional appearance of your work. At only 32 cents a piece, they are economical to use too. Called a wire protector, it not only protects the wire, but adds a very professional look to your jewelry. Wire protectors give movement and [...]
March 7th, 2012
Bloopers in the WUB Factory
During our recent inventory we discovered a few big messes. No, make that areas of mass discombobulation and chaos. However, what once could make us want to cry was conquered quickly with our Best Craft Organizers. We’ve been in love with them ever since they arrived at our shop in Southlake, Texas. We’ve recently sent [...]
March 2nd, 2012
The Rose of Corinthe
Have you ever picked a petal off a rose and noticed how it looks a little like a heart?  Inspiration for making jewelry can come from many sources that are a part of our every day lives.  The piece shown below is a beautiful rendition of a 6-petaled rose made from six copper hearts.  The [...]
February 22nd, 2012
Oh Ginny, I’m Beggin’ You Please!
Before I explain about how Ginny is breakin’ our hearts, we wrote a new Tumbling Tips Tutorial today here at WUB.  Ginny came up with the first tip that we listed–we thought that it was a jewel! Ginny’s tip is: “Repurpose a necklace, bracelet, or earrings you don’t wear anymore – Take it apart and [...]
February 4th, 2012
Oh, the Sights to See in Tucson!
It’s been said that going to the Tucson gem and mineral shows is overwhelming, but at the very least it is quite entertaining!  I just finished teaching classes at the Electric Park, and am rested up and ready to hit more shows.  However, it would be hard to find a more interesting place than the [...]
January 28th, 2012
What 20-Tons Can Do!
Ever wondered what it would be like to get to use a hydraulic press?  I just took a class with G. Phil Poirier and Peter Gilroy, both amazing jewelry artists and tool developers.  They handed us a generous bag of copper sheet in gauges ranging from 18-gauge to 30-gauge, then turned us loose with a [...]
January 24th, 2012
Got a hammer? Just look what you can do!
Well, the first day of Charles Lewton-Brain’s fold forming class was quite amazing!  We annealed, folded, hammered, annealed, opened, hammered, folded, hammered, annealed, opened–well you get the drift.  However, just look at the magic that happened! And wow!  Can Charles ever swing a hammer!  You wouldn’t believe the different forms that he could make with [...]
January 24th, 2012
VivaLaPepa & Panda(emonium) – Both Sides of the Fence
VivaLaPepa – Victoria           Panda(emonium) – Judy       Both Sides of the Fence   VivaLaPepa-   What can I really say about us? Judy is far more eloquent when writing than I am. So pardon the brevity in which I write. In the few years we’ve known each other we’ve become this quasi-artistic duo. [...]