Artisan Wire Jewelry

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Handcrafted Wire Jewelry

Artisan wire jewelry encompasses a myriad of styles. From the elegant gold work of Dale "Cougar" Armstrong to the industrial "found object" designs of Susan Lenart Kazmer, anyone who appreciates wearble art in any style can find something they love created with wire.

This lens is intended to introduce the reader to designers who create only the highest-quality wire jewelry.

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If you are looking for beads - glass, seed beads, trade beads, sterling silver, gemstone, and more! - visit Beads Central!

Getting Started Making Wire Jewelry

Making Wire Jewelry can be enjoyable and profitable

I first got interested in making wire jewelry after I had already been making my own glass beads. At first, the only purpose for the wire jewelry was to have something to do with all of my bowls and strands of lampwork beads I had made. But eventually, I realized that people really liked my jewelry, and that after an hour and about $50 in supplies I could sell a finished bracelet for over $200.

Making wire jewelry is not about the money, however. If that is what it is to you, you will not be likely to succeed. The customers are looking for quality work, and an artist who has passion for her craft almost literally breathes life into her work. The discerning customers who are willing to pay high prices can tell when your heart is in it because your work stands out.

While you are starting out, be careful to resist the temptation to sell everything that you make. You don't want your reputation to be built on your starter pieces. I realize that you are going to want to start profiting as soon as possible, but selling your starter pieces is the wrong way to go about it.

To save money on supplies, do all of your practice on copper wire, half hard (this will be stiffer than dead soft). Once your hands and tools work effortless together to create well-formed pieces, move up to sterling silver wire.

The key to any craft is the three "P's"...
Practice
Practice
and Practice.

The Tools You Need

These are the basics that you need for bending wire.

Lindstrom Round Nose Pliers
Lindstrom Chain Nose Pliers
Lindstrom Flat Nose Pliers
Lindstrom Micro Bevel Flush Cutters
Rio Long Round Nose Pliers

Focus on Quality

...for longevity as a wire jewelry designer

If you are wondering why your pieces don't command a high-end price, re-evaluate your designs and focus on creating high-end pieces.

The first area of improvement is your skill level and technique. A wise person knows that education never ends. Scour the wire magazines and books for techniques that are new to you, and take classes.

I highly recommend taking classes from the "famous" wire artists. Their work is adored and they are considered to be experts for a reason. You don't want to copy them, but it would behoove you to emulate the passion and love they have for their craft.

NEVER think that your skill is good enough, and ALWAYS be thinking about how you can improve what you do. The common thread among all of the "famous" wire jewelry designers is that they are innovators. And one last point is that you don't have to be totally perfect (some imperfections are considered a hallmark of being handcrafted), but you do need to feel like you are one with the wire.

Make sure you are using good quality tools because believe it or not, they work a lot better than the cheap low-end tools. In fact, the good quality tools (such as Lindstrom or Softflex brand) are like cutting butter with a hot knife - smooth and effortless. You will notice the difference immediately in the way that the tools grip wire.

The materials you are using to create jewelry should be the highest quality or the most innovative if you want potential customers to remember your work. For example, if you are buying cheap Chinese lampwork beads for $2 each, don't expect to get as many "ooo's and ahh's" as you would had you used a $20 focal lampwork bead handcrafted in an artisan studio. Naturally, by using high-end materials you are justified in charging high-end prices.

Finally, changing just one of these things isn't going to make much of a difference in what customers expect to pay you for your jewelry. But if you incorporate all three (excellence in your skill level, tools and materials), be ready to notice great results.

Spotlight on the book, Bead On A Wire by Sherilyn Miller

If you can only buy one Wire Jewelry Book...

... make this the one!

Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry

by: Sharilyn Miller

Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/12/2009)

I certainly can't discount the other books on this page, but I think this book is perfect for beginners. Sherilyn not only explains various clasps, links, wraps and connections, but then she gives you many projects to use each of the components.

Wire Jewelry Tools That Work Like Butter!

Quality tools really make all the difference in your wire jewelry design.

Lindstrom IS my favorite brand of wire jewelry tools - they are the "cadillac" of tools!

If you want to be a serious wire jewelry artist and you are using the cheapo $8 pliers sold at the bead stores, you are doing yourself a GREAT disservice. Lindstroms grip the wire easier and the ergonomic handles are easier on your hands. At my wire classes, most of my students who used the cheap tools not only had a difficult time bending wire, but when they tried my Lindstroms, they totally understood the saying "you get what you pay for".

Lindstrom Round Nose Plier, Supreme, Very Fine, 4.72" OAL

Amazon Price: $43.50 (as of 11/12/2009)

Lindstrom Supreme pliers, flat nose

Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)

Lindstrom Round Nose Plier, Rx Fine Jaw, ESD, 4.72" OAL

Amazon Price: $53.50 (as of 11/12/2009)

LINDSTROM PLIER CUTTER DIAGONAL MICRO BEVEL 8140

Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 11/12/2009)

Lindstrom Bent Snipe Nose Plier, Rx, Smooth Jaw, 6.12"

Amazon Price: $57.50 (as of 11/12/2009)

The Latest Books for Making Wire Jewelry

New books about making wire jewelry come out all the time. Here are some of the latest topsellers on Amazon to help you learn how to make wire jewelry, either for yourself or to sell for profit.

Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders: Creative Wirework Projects for All Levels

Wirey Stuff on Amazon

Books that teach great wire jewelry techniques!

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Wire Jewelry Designer Links

Here are some of the best wire jewelry designers in the field!

These are the wire jewelry designers who are innovative and who have taken it up a notch. Contact me if you have more recommendations for this list.

Artisan Wire Jewelry

Handcrafted Wire Jewelry

Getting Started Making Wire Jewelry

Making Wire Jewelry can be enjoyable *and* profitable

The Tools You Need

These are the basics that you need for bending wire.

Focus on Quality

...for longevity as a wire jewelry designer

Spotlight on the book, Bead On A Wire by Sherilyn Miller

If you can only buy one Wire Jewelry Book...

Wire Jewelry Tools That Work Like Butter!

Quality tools really make all the difference in your wire jewelry design.

The Latest Books for Making Wire Jewelry

Wirey Stuff on Amazon

Books that teach great wire jewelry techniques!

Share your opinion about Wire Jewelry

Wire Jewelry Designer Links

Here are some of the best wire jewelry designers in the field!

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Making Wire Jewelry can be enjoyable and profitable