I have arthritis in my hands and right now I'm in the midst of a flare up - that means my hands are screaming in pain. And it makes sense: I need my hands right now because I have decided to make a cuff bracelet using memory wire. Those of you who have used memory wire can understand that using the stuff is painful just thinking about it.
My 1st effort and shaping memory wire into a cuff shape took several efforts but I did manage to get the shape and secured it with crimp tubes. I let it sit overnight and the next day I had the piece explode in my face. A shower of black beads went to the 4 corners of my PigPen (aka workroom, aka studio, aka office). The beads are still where they fell: I'll pick them up bit by bit.
I resigned myself to a change in design. The initial rib has been worked on it and, while I was writing about it elsewhere, I came up with another idea about shaping memory wire.
Well, the result is I have 2 cuff bracelets on the go. I've left both overnight and won't touch them again until tonight at the earliest. Pictures are posted on Bauble Babble. ...Glass0...
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5 comments:
Just out of curiosity, and because I haven't worked with memory wire, can't you use a thick gauge wire to shape a bracelet that will hold its shape? It seems that you shouldn't have to go to such extremes that you hurt your hands even more...
Susan
I have seen memory wire in different sizes, i.e. for necklaces/chokers, cuffs and even rings. You just cut it off where you want (which is hard enough, though, and should be done with a sturdy wire cutting tool, not a delicate wire cutter used for jewelry making).
All the best for your poor hands.
Sabine
I have RA in my hands and find that if I do a hot wax treatment before beading it really helps.
Your memory wire incident made me just wince with pain - I can't imagine doing all that work and having it blow apart.
Diane
Take care of yourself, please! As a person who has had arthritis since childhood, I have learned to pace myself considerably. That, and sometimes finding alternative methods of accomplishing things . . .
Kathy V in NM
Susan, Sabine, Diane and Kathy: thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words. I knew, while writing the entry that people with arthritis would know I wasn't exaggerating. There will be success at the end of this memory wire thing. I have to admit I hadn't thought of using a heavier wire frame - like wire hangers and the like. I think I have a project in mind that I could use it.
Thanks again all of you. ...Helene
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