How to tighten jump rings

Just like cars or any items, jewelry may sometimes needs a little maintenance.

Some jewelry comes with open jump rings. There is a gap in the round ring that probably has your charm, pendant or anything connected on it. It may be fine now, but you have the risk of loosing your charm or pendant.

Here is few simple steps to help prevent it from happening. You will need two pliers. It could be either chain nose or flat nose pliers or both. I recommend smooth jaw pliers so it won't mar your jewelry. If you don't have one, you can tape the jaws or dip it in tool magic.

Open the rings by pushing it apart NOT by pulling it open.


Push both ends until it overlap.

Using a little bit force, bring both ends together.


Ring should connects as if it's one continuous circle.

If you want to take a step further, you can solder this. If not, this would be good enough for keeping your charm or pendant stays or other chain stays together.

Oobleck Recipe For A Fun Summer Activity

During Meadowbrook Science week, teachers showed children some simple science.
My daughter came home and told me about "Oobleck". Oobleck I remember was a story from Dr. Seuss, "Bartholomew and the Oobleck".

She told me the teacher made one and she got the recipe.
With my curiosity, we decided to make oolbeck. This is one great activity for summer too...

Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 to 2 cups corn starch
1 cup water
food coloring (optional)

It looks and feels liquid but if you give a pressure, it turns solid. Of course, the baby wants to play with it. Well.... I have to admit I played with it too... I think I played it when I was little, but I think it was called something different.

I recommend playing it the deck as you can hose it down when it gets messy.
Sounds like you're ready to be a scientist...

Find Bigib Gallery Ten Door County

New this year....

Gallery Ten at Door County is representing Bigib piece this year. You can find Bigib magnetic bookmarks at the gallery.

Pictures show is just a few... So do stop by Gallery Ten when you are in Door County.

Pliers you need to make or fix jewelry

Pliers... may look a like but they all are made for different purposes. If you need pliers to fix jewelry, perhaps tightening jump rings, I would suggest to start with these pliers.

Flat nose is great for folding wire to make basic loops. Chain nose is great for making wire wrap loops. This two can be used to tighten jump rings.

If you need to make loops, chain nose pliers is great. And of course for cutting, you will need cutting pliers.

Good quality pliers is essential. I got mine from jewelry store. It has lasted since I started making jewelry.

Please make sure they have smooth jaws. If they don't you could cover with a tape or tool magic solution to prevent from marring jewelry. I covered mine with tool magic solution. It may look "gunky" but it's serve the purpose.

Cube in cube...anArchitecture inpired piece

"Is that a tesseract" one of my friend commented on this piece.

Not really... It's another Architecture inspired design... cube in cube. In structural engineering, there is a "tube" system which is used in Chicago Sears/Willis Tower.

Borrowing this idea, I design this necklace. It's made from sterling silver wire, formed, soldered. The smaller cube is connected with a jump ring, which allows some movement in the pendant.

It's surely a conversation starter... Great gift idea for mathematician or architect...

What do you think?

To learn more about similar piece, please visit my Etsy store

Things to do in O'hare area

If you are looking for a nice walking area, with local shops and restaurants to go to, try Long Grove. It's located about 30 minutes north from O'hare/Schaumburg area.

We were there early Spring. The flower starts blooming, ducks are out for food ( they are tame ) and nice warm sun, it's truly a nice place to walk and enjoy the day.

There's a shop where they sell candies and also one of my favorite is the back porch where they sell chimes for your garden.

It's one of my favorite place to go... what do you think?

Asian Noodle House Hoffman Estate Illinois

I don't talks about food too often... but when I do, the food is something that give a long last impression... a.k.a good...

We had lunch at Asian Noodle House. Someone told me about the off the menu item. Few of those mentioned including Laksa, Cendol, Roti Chanai, Nasi Lemak... (ask the waitress/waiter)

Laksa, a noodle with hot curry soup with tofu, egg and chicken. It's really spicy hot. If you like spicy food and adventurous, you should try this. It has a long lasting heat in your body...

I also ordered Cendol, a coconut milk drink with green tapioca. Hainan Chicken is good too. It comes with ginger scallion sauce that is so yummy.

I was told Nasi Lemak is good, but I didn't order as too much for lunch.

The price is very reasonable, the service was fast. There is a huge decor on the wall depicting people grow rice in Asia and the room was bright. The food... is good...

And sure, I would like to come back for more...