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I first knew of Bezelform.com's existence when Rick Swartzwelder, the creator of the bezel mandrels and prong guides started to advertise on my blog through Project Wonderful.  Intrigued by these wire-wrapping aids, I checked out the site. I finally bought the basic set when it recently went on sale.


The mandrels are designed to help wire artisans wrap cabochons because the sides of the mandrels are much wider than the cabochon itself. Machine made cabochons in particular don't have any girdles (sides) making wire wrapping such well polished and slippery gemstones tricky. The engraved markings (optional) help set the prong positions. Not only is the task easier for novices, experienced artisans will also benefit from the time savings.

Rick said he almost quit when he started wire wrapping. So he developed his own mandrels to help himself and soon began to get loads of compliments on his work. The idea to produce these mandrels for others came when he began to suspect," ...that the real 'talent' I had may have been due to the mandrels I use."

I was suitably impressed when my basic kit came. The set is beautifully made and packaged and will last probably forever. The mandrels sit in a specially holed foam form notjust for storage and protection but for easy size location.There is a chart at the bottom which shows exactly what sizes they are. I chose not to have my mandrels engraved as I prefer to have the flexibility of making my own divisions where I want. The set fortunately comes with instructions on how to mark even divisions if I change my mind.


The wide sides of the mandrels and the fact that they are metal allow me to hammer wire to harden it.


I particularly appreciated the ovals and hearts as mandrels for these shapes are practically non-existent. The round ones will save you from having to hunt around the house looking for cylindrical objects of the right size if you're lucky! They also create tear drop shapes.

Rick is apparently working on additional shapes like squares, octagon, marquis etc as other wire artisans have requested them.The graduated sizing means mixing and matching multiple shapes just got easier as you can see from Rick's onyx and aquamarine pendant creation on the left.

There are directions on Rick's site on how to wire wrap cabochons. Or you could check out my past tutorial post, How to Wire Wrap Cabochons. Even if you aren't into cabochon work, the mandrels are still useful for other wire wrapping projects.

The following designs in my Etsy store were created using the new mandrels:

This large grey banded agate cabochon pendant necklace was wire wrapped with the one piece base and bail section shaped with the largest of the ovals in my set.


I used an oval mandrel to form the main shape for the blue Swarovski wire wrapped earrings (below left). A round and an oval mandrel became templates for drawing the shapes for the Futuristic Swarovski Riveted Earrings. Sure you could buy template rulers that will do same thing but I found having the physical shapes to play with made choosing the sizes I liked easier. (Yes, it was masochistic to cut out the shapes by hand. I don't have a disc cutter yet!)


GIVEAWAY
I found Rick really great to deal with and he kindly agreed to sponsor this giveaway. He is giving away a mini-kit which you see on the right. This set consists of 5 popular sizes. The mandrels are all engraved and come with a drawstring pouch. It's a super starter kit which can later be upgraded if desired.

To enter, all you you have to do is make a comment below. Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower or also on Facebook Fan page or Twitter. The giveaway ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday October 4. I will pick a winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after.

Good luck!

______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips 

112 comments:

  1. I have often heard about those bezel forms and always thought I don't need them - but hey, that sounds interesting...

    Love your blog, I also follow you on Twitter (@kasi1983).
    Keep those interesting articles (and great giveaways) coming!

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  2. Great blog - I wasn't aware of these devices. They seem like a great idea.

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  3. Thanks for the article! I've been too intimidated to try wire wrapping cabochons, but these look like they make it much easier...

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  4. That sounds great! I admit that I struggle with creating bezel's and ten to shy away because of that. This kit looks like a fantastic tool!

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  5. Hey there! Oh this would be awesome to have. Count me in!
    I am also a FB fan and I follow you on Google. :]

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  6. I have an awful time..It would be really nice to have something to help me learn. I have been to the site and have looked at the mandrels. This beginners kit just might be what I need..

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  7. I'm just getting interested in jewelry wiring. This would be a great help. Thanks for offering the giveaway. jaclynw@charter.net

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  8. Very nice. I'm itching to get back into making jewelry, it's been too long. And I'm always keen to see new stuff. Thanks

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  9. I am a beginner at wirewrapping and these mandrel seem perfect to bring me to the next level. Wow I love them

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  10. Thanks for the lead. You can't have too many tools, love my tools. As usual wonderful information from an awarding winning blog.

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  11. I am also new at wire wrapping - this kit is an awesome idea! I would love to have one.

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  12. I am also new at wire wrapping and the kit would really help. Thanks so much for the chance to try it.

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  13. wow! I've read about this kit before - would love to have one! x Thanks for the opportunity! xx

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  14. I have been looking at the mandrel kit for some time. A beginner kit would be great.

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  15. What an awesome way to get the right shape and save money by not wasting excess wire! I totally want to be in the drawing!

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  16. I am not sure if I need to post an individual comment for my other entries but I will anyway. I subscribe to your blog updates.

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  17. I always marvel when folks come up w something so terrific. It's one of those "why didn't I think if that?" moments:-)

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  18. Last one (maybe), I also follow you on Facebook.

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  19. I just finished a wire wrapping class this weekend and would so love to have a set of these. Sure glad I follow your blog on google reader and facebook or I might have missed this opportunity.

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  20. Sorry, Pearl, I do not Twitter but I love your blog! Actually, I have been wanting to get into wire wrapping as a tool for enlivening the refashioned and redesigned jewelry I am so into making. Maybe this is the kick I need!

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  21. This sounds so neat. I've been scared to start working with cabs because it was so overwhelming. This looks like it would really help a lot. Thanks for this giveaway.

    Judy,
    jwhite_pertet@hotmail.com

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  22. Oh wow, I like this kit and I wish to wrap my own beads too. Very artistic and informative this blog of yours.

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  23. I really enjoyed looking at your creations.

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  24. I subscribed to your post today.

    melmellcc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I followed you in google today.

    Mel Cole

    melmellcc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I liked The beading Gem in Facebook.

    melmellcc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I followed beading gem in twitter today.

    My twitter ID is melcoleofpausa

    melmellcc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. I'm trying to learn wire wrapping and something like this would be so helpful! Thanks so much for such a great contest!! Whoever wins is gonna have a LOT of fun and take their talent to a whole new level!!

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  29. Oh wow!
    I am struggling with even-shape bezels! It would be awesome to get such a set!

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  30. (I am also following you here in Blogger)

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  31. Hi :)
    I first read about the mandrels in a previous newsletter, followed the link and read about them. They sound like a great idea but unfortunately I can't afford to buy the full kit right now. The starter kit, though, would be a welcome addition to my tool set :) I thoroughly enjoy your highly informative newsletters and blogs and will now follow you on Facebook and Twitter. :)

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  32. I've heard about this and would love to try it! Whoever is chosen to receive it will be one lucky artisan. Thanks for giving us a chance at trying it out.

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  33. These look great! I've been too intimidated to try wire-wrapping.

    lizhart
    at
    kippercat
    dot
    net

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  34. Hi there! Let me first say I love your journal entries! You always have such informative tips and information and very well written. Now on to the mandrel kit. I wire wrapped my very first stone the other day. It was quite challenging but did come out very beautiful. Would love to be considered for the giveway so I could perfect this technique even more.

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  35. Wow, I've been wanting some of these for ages. Thank you for the giveaway :-)

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  36. Would love to try these out. I find wire wrapping a pain but this would probably make it much easier.

    I follow your blog.

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  37. And I follow you on Twitter as Gemdiva.

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

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  38. Wonderful giveaway! Please add my name in the drawing.

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  39. awesome looks like great fun and would love to try it

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  40. This would be great to help me with my wire wrapping - I really need the practice!

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  41. I'd never heard of these things either, but they look like they'd make wrapping cabs a lot easier. I've tried wrapping cabs before and it seems to take more skill than I'll ever have, lol.

    I am also a subscriber to your blog.

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  42. I'm always drooling over how many great tools you have available there. Here in my country (Argentina), it's really impossible to find the many aids one needs to make one's work better.
    Thank you for this giveaway. It should really help!

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  43. OHHHH I'm drooling! These look so awesome. Going to do some research.. gotta have them! Would it help to say "pick me, pick me, pick me" ?

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  44. I always wondered how those were wrapped, they are beautiful. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.


    ps@persephonemoon.com

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  45. Wow, this is such a brilliant idea. I'm soooo clumsy at wire wrapping (hopefully just because I'm still new at it!) and these would be very helpful. Thanks for this opportunity -- I'm headed to bezelform.com right now to look around!

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  46. Oh! And I'm a follower of this blog, which I adore!

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  47. wow...I have seen this product and it is a great invention...I would LOVE to win this..Thank you, Dora

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  48. I have been a follower of yours for a while. That would be perfect to win. I am also having a celebratory giveaway myself. Would be honored if you and your followers would join me. Thanks again and have a great Monday. http://totallyuniquetreasures.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-contest-is-for-you-in-celebration.html

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  49. I have been following you for a while on FB as well.

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  50. I love the professional results! I have not been very successful with wire wrapping, but these mandrels might be exactly what I need. Thanks for the post!

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  51. Looks great! October 4th is my birthday....

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  52. As always, your blog never a disappointment!!! I look forward to it!!

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  53. What a great idea! I'm enough of a beginner to where I didn't even realize that such a thing as a bezel form even existed. I'd love to be entered into your giveaway. Thank you.

    janers41 at yahoo dot com

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  54. I can see lots of possibilities for these mandrels! Thanks for this giveaway.

    BTW, love your blog!

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  55. I would love to use these mandrels for creating bezels for my polymer clay beads and pendants!! The fact that you can use the mandrels to create templates for making your own cabochons is extremely pleasing. I'm guessing my students would love them as well!

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  56. What a great opportunity this could be. This set could get me started on a new venture.

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  57. It is fantastic to hear a review from someone who uses his mandrels. I see him post on the WWJ discussion boards and have visited his site. I always wondered how beneficial they would be. Now I know. Thank you.

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  58. I have heard about these and I really want them. This is a great giveaway. Of course I will have to buy them eventually even if I don't win!!!!

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  59. I am a blog subscriber. How does that work for extra entries. Is the entry automatic for this and for facebook??

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  60. Oooh great! I've always wanted to try these but wasn't sure if they'd be worth it. Glad to know they are!

    I'm a blog subscriber ps

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  61. I've never heard of these mandrels, but the kits definitely look like a must have for anyone that does wire wrapping!! I'm a blog subscriber and facebook "liker" :) Always look forward to reading the blog daily!

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  62. I count a comment as one entry, blog subscriber as another, FB page follower as another and so on!!

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  63. Wow Pearl! This will be nice addition to my jewelry tools :) if I win.

    I am also:
    * Follower of your blog
    * Follow your buzz
    * FB Page follower.

    Thank you for the giveaway.

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  64. What an amazing idea - I've never successfully wrapped a heart shape yet, so I'm off to the site to investigate the tutorials (and maybe spend some money...)

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  65. I've never heard of these before - I found your blog through the jewelry forum at about.com. Thanks so much - will be checking back often.
    NHBeadLady

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  66. could make a wrapper out of me yet!!!

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  67. Thanks for the opportunity Pearl!
    Already following :)
    Dana

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  68. amazing blog, i have been searching for a simple way to wire wrap gem stones and sea glass, and this seems like the perfect solution. thanks x

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  69. What a great idea for wire wrappers! These bezel forms are full of intriguing possibilities! I spotted the link on the Orchid list.

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  70. Never heard of these. I saw your post on the Jewlery Making forum. Interesting! Thanks so much.

    Lolly

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  71. Hi, Pearl!

    I'm back from my vacations and I really missed your posts! Gladly I receive them on my e-mail so I didn't miss a thing! :)
    This is such a great giveaway! I knew about Rick's bezel forms and they're on my wish list, but since I just can't afford them I'd be thrilled to win. I'm a very passionate wire newbie, as you know.
    So, could you throw my name in the hat for this one, please? I'm a blog subscriber and I also follow through the Google Friend Connect, I follow you on Twitter and on FB.
    :)

    kisses
    Cristina, from Sunshine's Creations

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  72. This looks like an awesome idea! I especially love the marks to use for determining where to put the wraps and prongs! I usually oxidize the metal and then buff it out and cover my cab in painters tape so I don't accidentally scratch it. This looks like I can probably do that step before adding the cab.

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  73. HI
    I AM IRMAPOLANCO@YAHOO.ES
    And i want to win the bezel kit, your creations are so beautifull.
    THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY AND THE OPPORTUNITY.
    CIAO.

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  74. Wow you are getting a lot of comments this time around. Please enter me also as I have been eyeing one of those kits forever.

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  75. I follow you thru Facebook. Yeah I am stalking you (or it sure seems like it but you have the best posts)

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  76. Didn't know these tools existed. I can see where they'd be really useful to have.

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  77. Wow - I'd love to try them! And if I get them,
    I promise to do a detailed review - and I'll be making regular bezels with them...
    Mindy

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  78. I'd seen these advertised, but didn't understand their value until I read your post. Very interesting!

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  79. Thank you for passing along this info. Saw it on Orchid. I am not familiar with these tools, but am looking forward to using them. Been stuck in a rut lately with lots of cabs to work with and can't seem to focus on what direction to take, these might just be what I need to get focused back into my work. Also new to your site/blog I'll be sure to check in on it often hoping for more tips. Thank you.

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  80. I'd like to win to be able to experiment.

    Laura

    Laura(dot)Moticka(at)dc(dot)gov

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  81. I would love to win!

    I also follow your blog.

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  82. That sounds really neat!
    kimberly.reuter (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  83. I like you on facebook!
    kimberly.reuter (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  84. Wow, the things they come up with (so smart, LOL). I've experimented a bit with wire wrapping because I have a lot of sea glass and stones from the beach that I'd like to make into jewelry --of course, those shapes are probably too organic for this kit, but I'd love to try wire wrapping with "real" cabochons and this kit sounds like it'll help.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  85. Just subscribed via e-mail.

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  86. Thanks so much, since reading this, you are right... Can you think of anything that might take some hammering as well. Maybe I should go have a look in the husbands workshop mmmm. Yep that is what I will do.

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  87. Hi! I would love to win this for my sister as a Christmas present. She is into beading and making jewelry from vintage pieces with new beads. Thank you for doing this giveaway! :)

    aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

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  88. I struggle with bezels... this looks like a wonderful tool! And why havent i heard of it before!!??!! thanks for doing this giveaway!

    taylored4you@cox.net

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  89. this would save me hours of slipping and sliding around my cabs,wow. Caralyn

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  90. as a wire wrapper this is super and would save scratches on my stones, wire, and me. Even more impressive on the second look Caralyn

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  91. I wasn't aware these existed! This is wonderful.
    Thanks for the chance on winning - Also followed and liked on facebook!

    beadedremarcs @ gmail [dot] com
    Floriae

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  92. Never knew these existed either, will check out his website for more info.
    Will also "like" the facebook page.

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  93. I've been wanting to learn how to wrap cabochons, but couldn't quite get the hang of it. This set could make it a whole lot easier.

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  94. I would like to try that product , looks super interesting, it would be nice to play with it. thanks

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  95. cI would love to be included in this Bezelform's Mandrel Mini-Kit Giveaway. I am also a FB follower (https://www.facebook.com/sue.wendelovich), Twitter (@Wendelovich) and an email and Google + subscribers (nost8mt@gmail.com) Thank you!

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  96. Ellen Lee, angelicabeads@yahoo.comJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    I am a beginner wire-worker, although I've been beading for more than 25 years. I have a collection of cabachons and would truly like to use this set to create bezels for them. It looks like an amazing set and I would be very, very grateful to have it!! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed!! Thank you so very much.

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  97. wonderful idea, definitely would bring my wirework to a new level-and help me save time too

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  98. I'd love to have this kit. However, is this new or is it an old giveaway. Some of these posts are from 2010.
    Barb
    celticartwitc@gmail.com

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  99. Hi, I've been a subscriber of this blog since i started doing wirework jewelry. I like to do pendants but always shy away from wire wrapping cabochons because I don't have the correct mandrel to do so.

    Would love to win this bezel kit giveaway though.

    Cheers!

    Emily Tan
    www.emilysecretpassions.blogspot.coEmail: emilytanmeisin@yahoo.com

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  100. Hello. I've been a subscriber of your blog ever since I starting doing wirework jewelry.

    I love to do pendants but always shy away from doing the wire wrapping cabochon type due to not having the proper tools.

    Would love to win this Bezelform's Mandrel Mini Kit giveaway though. It would make my work easier & faster and that I would not always find an excuse not to do it.

    Thanks & Cheers!

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  101. Hi there. I've been a subscriber of your blog ever since I started on wirework jewelry.

    I like to do pendants but have always been shy on doing the wire wrapping cabochon style due to inappropriate tools.

    Would love to win this Bezelform's Bezel Mini Kit Giveaway so that it will bring my wirework to a new level.

    Thanks & Cheers!

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  102. Oh my, these look SUPER useful. *crosses fingers to win* What a great idea.

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  103. wow this is news to me I never knew such a product existed. I am an so excited by this . My wire wrapping expertise has only been wire wrapped rings but have wanted to expand my knowledge to the bezel- cab styles but just haven't yet. I think I might be a little on the scared side but I plan on getting braver....lol...Okay well I am up for this giveaway could you please throw my name in the hat. I will cross my fingers and toes for this one.. bye for now and happy wire wrapping to all....

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