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WIRE
WORKING AND WIRE WRAPPING Working
with wires of different thickness, hardness, shape, color,
materials, strength in fashioning jewelry and other objects
is a very desirable skill. It takes experience with the feel
of wire, how it is shaped, how it's strength can be structurally
enhanced, and how it can be interlinked, interlocked and interconnected
with other wire, with beads, with other materials. This "feel"
will vary a bit with the type of metal. For example, brass
is harder than sterling silver.
There
are two approaches.
The
first is called Wire Work. In wire working, the artist creates
shapes, using various sizes of wire. The artist can create
jewelry findings, such as clasps, headpins and earwires. S/he
can create chains of linked wire shapes. S/he can create unusual
shapes to dangle from earrings, or to embellish pieces as
decorative components. SHAPE is the key word here.
The
second is called Wire Wrap. In wire wrapping, the artist uses
wire to create structural components, then assembles these
into a supporting system. This is similar, though on a micro-scale,
to building and engineering a bridge. The artist might create
a setting for a stone, or a piece of jewelry which depends
on controlling the tensile strength of the wire in some way,
to hold the stone in place, and keep it from popping out.
STRUCTURE is the key word here.
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WIRE
WORKING
After
the ORIENTATION
TO BEADS & JEWELRY FINDINGS
Class...
Begin
by learning how to make a simple wire loop and a
coiled wire loop.
Then,
do these core classes:
- Mix N Match Bracelet
- Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendant
- Jewelry Findings and Chain Link Bracelet
Then
select from any of our beginner, intermediate and
advanced electives.
NOTE: With the descriptions and
instructions for each class, there are suggestions
about which classes to take next.
Read
about:
o What "Gauge" Means
o Wire Stiffness: Hard, Half-Hard and Dead Soft
PREPARATORY CLASSES
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WWPRE-1
Simple and Coiled Loops
BEGINNER
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WWPRE-2
Wire Bails
BEGINNER
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CORE
CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS |
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WWCORE-1.1
MIX N' MATCH BRACELET
BEGINNER
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WWCORE-2.1
WIRE WRAPPED CABOCHON PENDANT
BEGINNER
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WWCORE-3.1
JEWELRY FINDINGS AND CHAIN LINK BRACELET
BEGINNER
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ELECTIVE
CLASSES - EARRINGS
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WWE-1.1
LET'S MAKE EARRINGS - HEAD PIN DANGLES
BEGINNER
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WWE-1.2
LET'S MAKE EARRINGS - CHAIN DANGLES
BEGINNER
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WWE-1.3
LET'S MAKE EARRINGS - FRAME WITH DECORATION
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE
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ELECTIVE
CLASSES - BRACELETS, NECKLACES AND PENDANTS
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WWB-1.0
WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET WITH BEADS
INTERMEDIATE
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WWB-2.0
Bead-Chain ROSARY
BEGINNER
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See
all available Instructions and Kits
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Goals for
Wire Working/Wire Wrapping
CRITICAL
SKILLS TO LEARN:
- Understanding wires, metals, hardness, and
measuring wire
- Understanding tools and mandrels
- Using tools and wire to make shapes; developing
Control over how to make shapes
- Using wire to build structural components
--- Learning about support systems and structural
elements/components
--- Hammering and twisting wire
--- Making coils and springs
--- Learning how to lock wires together
--- Learning how to create cradles and encaging
- Combining beads with wire
- Combining cabochons and other differently
shaped objects with wire
- Chain Making
- Designing Earrings
- Designing Clasps
- Finishing Touches
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SUPPLIES
AND TOOLS
To KEEP ON HAND
An assortment of wires,
in different gauges, materials and finishes, and in
round, square and half-round. We suggest using half-hard
wire for most sizes. As the sizes get 14 gauge and
above, the dead soft is easier to use.
An assortment of glass, metal, gemstone, pearl beads
and cabochons in various sizes and shapes.
As assortment of clasps
that you like to work with, in several finishes.
Chain nose pliers
(smooth inside jaws)
Round nose pliers
Side Cutters and Flush Cutters
Jump ring pliers
Assorted mandrels (jump ring, ring, bracelet, necklace)
Steel Block
Wood Block
Anvil and dome blocks
steel wool
Chasing Hammer
Leather head hammer/mallet
Plastic head hammer/mallet
4 or 5 pin vises
Cup burr
Caliper
Nail File Set
Work surface
sharpie markers
Scissors
Ruler (marked in inches and millimeters)
Thread zapper or bic lighter
Pen and Paper
OPTIONAL
Small hand-held butane or propane torch
Jeweler's saw and blades
bees wax
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JEWELRY
DESIGN CAMP
October
2013 (Enrollment Closed)
2015 (TBA) |
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Immerse
yourself into a week-long study of jewelry design
theories, and their applications and manipulations
with various materials, techniques and strategies. |
~
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CraftArtEdu
is a truly unique
online craft and fine art e-learning community
~
- ~ -
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