Comments on: Tips for Seniors to Finish Jewelry Without Help?

By: Terri

Terri — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 14:54:27 +0000

In reply to Irene Vrbensky. Irene how did you start your shop? Did you have help learning how to use Shopify? How did you photograph your designs? I know nothing about this process. Where can I go for information.

By: Terri Wlaschin

Terri Wlaschin — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:36:44 +0000

In reply to Angela. You could have them just put the bead on the head pin and use a pen to bend the wire over. No looped ring needed if they have pierced ears.

By: Charlene Nicholas

Charlene Nicholas — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:56:52 +0000

In reply to Irene Vrbensky. Your an inspiration. I'm 68 and a caretaker for my guy. I never have the time to do anything fun. Would love to make jewerly. I did go to a class at our local library made two pair of earrings. Blessings to you.

By: Kathleen Bennett (Kate)

Kathleen Bennett (Kate) — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:34:37 +0000

In reply to Jerrolynn. Hi Jerrolynn, If you have anyone in your classes with a pacemaker, it is not suitable for them to have magnetic clasps. I have a pacemaker and can't wear and can't use them. Such a pity as they are so helpful for older hands. I like the idea of the finished 24" chains for slipping over the head. I'll be 85'm in New Zealand in September, it would be nice to be in a class with your members, but I'm in New Zealand. Great work all you ladies are doing.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 05:15:57 +0000

They can choose large charms or small pendants. Then use a jump ring to connect the charm or pendant to the ear wire. This would also work with clip-ons.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:21:50 +0000

You might want to try the jigs to make ear wires

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 01:26:48 +0000

Maybe they’d enjoy hammering or texturing metal discs, rectangles or other shapes, punching holes in them, and connecting them to ear wires with jump rings.

I’m sure they could learn to make ear wires.

If you have beads with 1mm holes, they could make one-piece threader earrings — just hammer the tip of one end of a 3″ piece of 22g wire so beads won’t slip off; add beads “to taste”; and curve the other end of the wire into an ear wire.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 20:53:44 +0000

In reply to Leslie. Larger jump rings might be easier for older eyes and hands...

By: Helen M. Ritter

Helen M. Ritter — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:06:19 +0000

I often teach simple jewelry making in two nursing homes and it is so rewarding to see the pride they have when they’ve completed their project. Too my surprise several men signed up and made their spouses and daughters Christmas presents. It is great.

By: Jerrolynn

Jerrolynn — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:39:10 +0000

Please don’t lump all “seniors” into a group of “disabled” people. I taught a wire-wrapping class to a group of ladies ranging from about 75 to early 90’s. They routinely do beading, but hadn’t tried wire wrapping. They did a great job and enjoyed having helpful tools like parallel action pliers and magnifying visors or lighted magnifiers on a stand. They also enjoyed having 24″ Sterling silver chains (these can slip over the head when clasped) or Sterling chains with magnetic clasps.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:42:04 +0000

If you can teach them to properly open and close a jump ring properly, then you can buy components (or make a bunch) they can then just attach the component to the ear wire loop. They can make long earrings this way also. The creativity comes in when selecting the bead/charm combinations. To get really fancy; have them attach a small piece of chain to the ear wire loop and hang bead units on the chain.

By: Gabriela Kaufman

Gabriela Kaufman — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:25:10 +0000

It’s so wonderful that you do this with seniors!
I used to volunteer at a senior center and the joy that brought to them was priceless. I used to say:”girls will always be girls”. I loved seeing them changing my pattern, participating in the design process.
I judged each one’s ability and helped accordingly.
I had also the caregivers working with us, which was great help.

By: Irene Vrbensky

Irene Vrbensky — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:42:54 +0000

I started my jewellery business 3 years ago at 67 and now have an online store with shopify. It keeps me mentally challenged to create, and learn social media to promote. You can teach a dog new tricks but it might take longer. lol. I am always the slowest in any class I take which to me personally is embarassing but I will try to get over that. lol

By: Linda Carman

Linda Carman — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:45:50 +0000

I teach mostly seniors at an Art Gallery and even a person that has issues from multiple sclerosis. Teach them to use the tools. I am 71 and it is my hand use that keeps me limber. I have a finger and a half numb on right hand and 4 severely damaged at top knuckle that were broken backwards in a fall. Have had about 2 years of specialized hand therapy.

Those specialists worked with severely arthritic and/or highly damaged hands in exercises.

My old boss has severe trigger fingers and multiple surgeries and was also in specialized hand therapy. She is 69, a fine china painter, wire wrapper and water colorist.

This is the best thing you could ever do. IF YOU DON’T WORK THOSE JOINTS THEY WILL WORSEN quicker. I get so excited, I don’t notice the pain.

Teach them tool use.

By: Valerie Jackson

Valerie Jackson — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:53:27 +0000

Not sure I have a suggestion for you, but just wanted to thank you for teaching seniors! I’ve taught classes with seniors and with Alzheimer’s patients and, while they require some extra assistance, the joy of seeing them excited about wearing and owning a piece they made bring so much joy! Thank you for sharing your skill and expertise!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:21:47 +0000

Mary, would my wire loop videos help? How to Make a Plain Wire Loop Make a Wrapped Wire Loop How to Attach a Wrapped Wire Loop to Another Jewelry Component

By: Mary K

Mary K — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:00:54 +0000

How old are these seniors? I teach seniors all the time and they can make simple loops, if you show them how.