Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Jones, who has an unusual hobby: collecting antique glass telegraph insulators. While running on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee, she found a colorful shard of glass. She began to notice them everywhere. Doing some sleuthing, she found that the pieces came from large glass telegraph insulators, first used in the late 1700s. They became commonplace in the 1800s and early 1900s, but their use was discontinued in the ’70s. You can still spot the pieces near railroad tracks or underneath old telegraph poles. Lisa tumbles the shards, using olive oil to create a matte finish. The pieces often have interesting ridges and drip points — perfect for wire wrapping. Their wonderful colors and shapes (as well as their fascinating backstory) will give your jewelry special meaning.
SUPPLIES
Necklace 19 1⁄2 in. (49.5 cm)
- 3 30–40 mm glass insulator shards, sea glass pieces, or stones
- 2 14–18 mm sea glass beads
- 4 3–7 mm pearls
- 4 9 mm hammered round links
- 7 ft. (2.1 m) 24-gauge wire
- 6 in. (15 cm) 22-gauge wire
- 13–15 in. (33–38 cm) chain, 8 mm links
- 1 1⁄2-in. (3.8 cm) head pin
- 21–22 6 mm jump rings
- hook clasp
- chainnose, flatnose, and roundnose pliers
- diagonal wire cutters
Earrings
- 2 14–18 mm sea glass beads
- 2 9 mm hammered round links
- 6 in. (15 cm) 22-gauge wire
- 4 6 mm jump rings
- pair of earring wires
- chainnose and roundnose pliers
- diagonal wire cutters
Supplies from Eclectica, 262.641.0910. Check your local bead store for supplies.
INSTRUCTIONS
Components