Love Gemstones Wrapped in Beautiful Wire Designs? Learn To Create Them!
This lens is the best resource for self-taught jewelry artists who want to expand their skills. If you'd like to view my wire sculpted jewelry, please visit my page at The Fairy Society and my website, Parthena Black - Dreams In Polymer Clay And Wire.
Getting Started
The Best Resources
I fell in love with wire wrapping with my very first project. I immediately bought Mark Lareau's All Wired Up and it quickly became my "bible." Mark's teaching style is relaxed and humorous as well as clear and easy to understand. He teaches all of the basic skills, from making wrapped loops to earwires. He includes a lesson on wrapping cabochons as well. This was the only part of the book that didn't work for me because I prefer to use natural stones because they choose their own design.I found The Basics Of Bead Stringing - A Complete Illustrated Approach For Beginner And Advanced Designers" by Debbie Kanan. I had actually bought the book to improve my stringing technique and was pleased to find a chapter on wire wrapping and sculpting. In my opinion, it is the best technique out there for wrapping natural stones and sculpting beautiful designs. The instructions are clear and easy to understand, but I don't recommend using a razor blade to separate the wire! I can usually use my fingers or one of my clay tools.
Preston Reuther, the "Master Wire Sculptor" has a heart-touching story about how he got started in the wire jewelry business. His website, Wire-Sculpture.com, offers a complete catalog of supplies, a free e-mail course and free projects. I've ordered from him and was satisfied with both the products and service. Preston offers several packages to help others get started in the jewelry making business. They are quite expensive but might be a good investment if you are serious about building a business. My only concern is that it is very easy to identify artists who have studied with Preston. His technique is absolutely beautiful, but all of the pieces are very similar. I recommend learning one or two other techniques so that you can give your work your own unique style.
Wire wrapping is not one of the easier techniques in jewelry making but it becomes second nature when you have developed a good technique. Ladies might want to keep their fingernails shorter or risk broken nails on a regular basis.
Essential Tools
Very Basic Tools You Can't Work Without
The tool sets sold at Wal-mart and craft and hobby stores are fine. I've even seen male artists use "man tools" for their jewelry making but most of those tools are too large for this purpose and more likely to scratch your wire. You might want to invest in higher quality tools
from jewelry making suppliers from the beginning since these tools last a long time.
I've listed the tools in order of their importance, the most essential on top.
from jewelry making suppliers from the beginning since these tools last a long time.I've listed the tools in order of their importance, the most essential on top.
- WIRE CUTTERS
- CHAIN/FLAT NOSE PLIERS
- ROUND NOSE PLIERS
- Painter's or masking tape to cover your pliers to avoid marring your wire. There is a product called Blue Tool Magic Heavy Duty Rubber Coating for Pliers
that you can also try. I've seen several people recommend it but I did not care for it. It peeled off very quickly and it was inconvenient to have to keep re-coating my tools. I live in a very humid climate and it sometimes wreaks havoc with my clay, so it may work better for you.
- Tape measure or ruler, unless you're very good at guestimating inches and feet
- CRIMPING PLIERS
- JUMP RING PLIERS
I've been told that a staple puller works very well but I haven't been as successful.
- Nylon Jaw Pliers
Covering your flat and round nose pliers with tape are a good substitute.
- METAL FILE
Some metal fingernail files will work just fine.
- Dowels, spools, and other round objects to use as mandrels
for shaping ear wires, rings, etc.
What To Wrap
Where To Find Stones
Cabochons can be found on most jewelry supply websites and in local bead shops, craft and hobby stores. My favorite source for naturally shaped, polished stones is our local museum! They have a bin in their gift shop where you can fill a small bag with loose stones. I have found several very unusual stones there and the price is right. Their stock mainly consists of amethyst, agate, rose quartz, tiger eye and howlite. It helps if you know what you are looking for. You can find these bins in local stores that sell souvenirs and gifts. I have even seen them in fishing tackle stores! Many of the larger jewelry suppliers online also offer loose stones and you'll likely find them in your local bead shop as well. Complement Your Creations
A High Quality Jewelry Box Can Make All The Difference
There are many ways to highlight and showcase your creations. I've used beautifully decorated small wooden boxes that I've either created myself or found at dollar stores, organza bags, handmade drawstring bags, wedding favors, Christmas ornaments....the possibilities are endless.For that truly special gift, why not showcase your exquisitely handcrafted piece in a high quality jewelry box? JewelryBoxes.com
There's something for every style and budget with fast, low-cost shipping. The company stands behind every product they sell and customer service and satisfaction is a top priority.
Your gift will make a lifelong impression, and you can encourage the receiver to fill their box with more jewelry created by you!
JewelryBoxes.com - Use promotional code AH-9749 for Special Savings!
Best Online Tutorials And Resources
Designers and suppliers offering supplies, tutorials, patterns, charts and more.
- Wire-Sculpture.com
- Free e-course on starting a jewelry making business, supplies, tutorial packages and free projects.
- Jewelry Making At About.com
- Tammy Powley provides free tutorials and projects for all aspects of jewelry making, including a large wire jewelry section. Free newsletter and forum.
- Eni Oken's Jewelry
- Eni used to have a few free patterns and tutorials on her site. It seems that she has removed them and now offers only inexpensive patterns for sale. She has replaced them with a tutorial links page with dozens of great free tutorials for beginners.
- Tools, Tips And Materials
- More from Eni Oken, including a price calculator, color schemes software, bead cost calculator and more, all free.
- Fire Mountain Gems
- Huge catalog of supplies, ready-made jewelry and free projects.
- Wire Wrapping Tutorials and Helpful Hints
- Great page with free tutorials for basic wire work and projects.
- How To Make A Spiral Ring
- Free spiral ring tutorial from e-how.com
- Chain Weavers Tutorials
- Free chain maille tutorials for your handmade chain.
- WigJig University
- Supplies and over 2500 web pages of free designs and tips.
- Key Stone Jewelry
- Designer of beautiful handmade jewelry shares tips for newbies and free tutorials.
- The Atlantis Ring
- Free printable ring sizer which can also be used to measure dowels to use as ring mandrels.
- Shavonne Ring Sizer
- Another free printable ring sizer and chart.
- All Info About Jewelry Making
- Chart of mandrel sizes for making jump rings.
- Bead Studio Projects Page
- Generous selection of free projects from Beadstudio.com
- MyBeads.com
- Australian site offers tutorials on wire wrapping stones with both a prong setting and a border wrap. Free tutorials for rings, jump rings, earrings and findings, too.
- beadage.net
- Guide to metaphysical properties of gemstones with photos.
- Rings & Things
- Offers insight into the properties of over 275 gemstones:
* Origin of the stone's name
* "Also known as" (aka) names
* Chemical composition
* Where it is found
* Honest details about industry practices, enhancements and synthetics, when applicable
* Metaphysical properties
* History and fun trivia facts
* Care recommendations - Jewelry Making Show On DIY Network
- Host Jackie Guerra and guests teach technique and instructions for each project can be found on the website.
- Beading Daily
- Blog and Online Community offering projects, discussions and links to other resources.
- SmartFlix.com How-To DVD's
- SAVE by renting instructional DVD's from SmartFlix.com! Choose from 5,948 DVD's in 228 categories from arts and crafts to woodworking!
Become A Jewelry Artist
Rent Tutorial DVD's At SmartFlix
I ran across SmartFlix.com How-To DVDs while searching for some do it yourself instructions on repairing my clothes dryer. Just for the thrill of it, I entered "wire jewelry making" into the site search. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found that they not only carry basic tutorials but that they also have DVD's from some of the most famous and admired artists in the medium.
Preston J. Reuther, Sharilyn Miller and White Gothic Studios are just a few among the artists and experts in the category.
These DVD's can be expensive to purchase. I know that it would take me quite a while to be able to buy all of the ones on my wish list. With SmartFlix, you can have an entire library at your fingertips! You can study up on personal finance and real estate as well as train your dog or learn to fly a plane!
The site also runs holiday specials. For Father's Day, they offered 10% off rentals. Join today and open up a whole new world!
Preston J. Reuther, Sharilyn Miller and White Gothic Studios are just a few among the artists and experts in the category.
These DVD's can be expensive to purchase. I know that it would take me quite a while to be able to buy all of the ones on my wish list. With SmartFlix, you can have an entire library at your fingertips! You can study up on personal finance and real estate as well as train your dog or learn to fly a plane!
The site also runs holiday specials. For Father's Day, they offered 10% off rentals. Join today and open up a whole new world!
Parthena's Big Little Art Supply Store - Grand Opening!
I'm so excited!
I've always wanted to own an art supply store and now I do! thanks to MisterArt.com Discount Arts and Crafts Supplies! I've hand-picked a selection of essential polymer clay supplies, sculpting and wire jewelry making tools. Save up to 75% off and save gas, too!Parthena's Big Little Art Supply Store
You might also want to check out my Freebies page for fun and useful business resources:
Freebies
Leave A Sprinkling Of Fairy Dust.....
Please let me know whether you found this lense helpful. Happy wire bending!
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Caringmom
Wow Diva!! Very interesting... Wire wrapping I thought was a very difficult process but it seems to be very very interesting. Sure hope you can one day teach me. lol Posted June 07, 2008 |
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Caringmom
You GO! Diva - maybe you should make the protocols for the Potty Watch! Posted June 04, 2008 |
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carrieokier
Very interesting stuff. Nice job! Posted May 05, 2008 |
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kathysart
FANTASTIC! Yay for me.. such a great find! Posted April 27, 2008 |
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This Just In.....
News From My Website
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Top Blog Posts
Blog posts relevant to this lens and special announcements
- Jewelry Tuesday At House Of Raquel
- It's Jewelry Tuesday and I'm the featured designer!
- Fearless Friday - Designer Raquel Roysdon
- Fearless Friday features fearless women in business. Our first featured Diva is Raquel Roysdon of the elegant House Of Raquel.
- Handmade Chain & Free Wire Jewelry Patterns
- Contains links to other resources and free wire jewelry patterns.
- A Social Networking Site That Pays YOU To Promote Your Business!
- Take a chance on a ground-floor opportunity that could pay you for what you're doing anyway.
Dreams, Visions And Reality
"To FulFill A Dream, To Be Allowed To Sweat Over Lonely Labor, To Be Given The Chance To Create Is The Meat And Potatoes Of Life" ~ Miss Bette Davis
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe Jewelry Making Site At Bellaonline.com
I had the privilege of being the Dreams editor on the second largest women's site in the world from 205-2006. Some of my articles remain as a guest author with my permission.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAmazon Spotlight
The Basics of Bead Stringing (Beadwork Books)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Still priced at only $8.95, this is one of the most useful books for beginning jewelry artists. Debbie covers all aspects of stringing basics and also offers what is, in my opinion, the best technique for wire wrapping cabochons and natural stones.
For more hand-picked recommendations, visit The Dreams And Visions Shoppe
Wire Jewelry Tools On Amazon
Books I've personally used and recommend.
All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To series)
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/07/2008)
Stamping Polymer Clay & Wire
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Jewelry With Wire; Necklaces * Bracelets * Earrings & More! (Design Originals, Can Do Crafts, 03362)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Crochet Wire & Bead Jewelry (Leisure Arts #3962)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 10/07/2008)
Creative Wire Jewelry
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/07/2008)
Best Jewelry Making Magazines
Some of the leading beading and jewelry making magazines that include articles on wire jewelry. Some offer special issues just on wire jewelry. Step by Step Beads offers my favorite, Step by Step Wire Jewelry quarterly.
Step By Step Beads
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 10/07/2008)
Beadwork
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 10/07/2008)
Bead & Button
Amazon Price: $28.95 (as of 10/07/2008)
Art Jewelry
Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 10/07/2008)
Wired Up
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