WIRE WORKING AND WIRE WEAVING

THE FIRST CLASS IN THIS SEQUENCE IS WIRE MIX N' MATCH BRACELET.

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.

     After the ORIENTATION TO BEADS & JEWELRY FINDINGS CLASS 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.

Learning 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

KITS make great gifts!

Also, follow us on our 
LEARN TO BEAD BLOG

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