About the Artist

Brandy Black, Triad Goodwill Store Manager

As a local artist and the store manager at Oak Ridge Goodwill, my passion lies in transforming recycled glass into original sea glass jewelry through intricate wire wrapping. Inspired by Goodwill’s commitment to sustainability, each piece I create offers a new life to discarded materials. I aim to create unique pieces that reflect both artistic vision and sustainable practices.

Learn more about Tumbled™ Glass, Triad Goodwill’s new initiative to keep unsold, donated glass from local landfills.

Let’s Get Started!

The first thing you need to know is that it’s easy and fun to do. Stary by gathering all of your materials in one workspace. The tools and wire that I use are—

Wire:

• 18 g steel wire
• 26 g copper wire

Design Materials:

• Tumbled™ glass from Goodwill
• beads
• charms

Pliers:

• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• nylon jaw pliers
• flat nose pliers
• bail making pliers
• side cutter pliers

How Do I Make One?!

Step 1. Design a Layout.

I plan out each one of my designs with one piece of sea glass, beads, and charms.

Step 2. Create a Wire Base.

I use steel wire base and round nose pliers to create a small loop at one end of the wire. Then I use both chain nose and flat nose pliers to wrap the wire around the tumbled glass to create a base.

Step 3. Build Your Amazing Design!

Grab your copper wire, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, and flat nose pliers for this step. Weave copper wire around the steel base, incorporating your beads as you go. I like to make a separate design using beads to weave into the base as well.

Pro Tip: To avoid scratching your sea glass, use nylon jaw pliers to attach a charm by gently bending the wire.

Step 4. Add a Bail Loop.

Using bail making pliers, create a loop for the top of the steel wire base. I use round nose pliers to finish the loop.

Step 5. Finish Securing Your Work.

Use chain nose pliers and flat nose pliers to secure the wire design to the base. Tuck the wire in by weaving the wire around the steel base, and use your flat nose pliers to flatten the ends of the wire, using side cutter pliers to trim any excess wire.

The Last Step. Add Extra Shine.

Attach a small jump ring to the bail loop we made at the top of the base to make it easy to wear on a chain. I use a gloss sealant to coat sea glass to give a shine, using a UV light to cure it.