Wire-sculpted jewelry caught my eye after a couple of years of learning the basics of jewelry making - bead stringing, beaded crochet, etc. Looking back, that seems simple now, but what a great foundation it provided me for using wire! The color combining, design techniques, and other things all come together to give me my own personal touch in designing jewelry. And this is not static - it is constantly changing as I learn more. Handsculpting wire jewelry is a continual learning experience.
So many people have impacted my learning, both personally, from several of the books listed below, and from the internet. I want this lens to show you, too, some things I have learned, where to go to learn more, and to have fun looking at all the pretties!!
Keep checking back!
What you will need
Tools,Wire,Stones/Gems,
Tools:
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Wires:
Brass for practice
Copper - both for practice and wearing
Sterling Silver
Argentium Silver
Gold filled wire
Stones/Gemstones:
OOOH!! So many choices! Just about anything you want to wrap in wire can be done. Let your imagination go. Look at some of the catalogs listed here to get ideas of what kinds of gems or stones you like. Think in terms of theme, color combinations, related items, etc. Have fun!
Links
(web sites - not chainmaille!)
- Connie Fox's jewelry
- Wire jewelry, wire supplies, tutorials.(look for her 'Design Fundamentals' CD - great for discovering your own signature designs)
- Eni Oken's awesome jewelry
- Tutorials, jewelry, great service!
- Robbie Ward's awesome site
- Metallique-Bijoux offers online wire-jewelry-making classes. Check out her "Obsessions in Wire" e-book. Also her new e-book on rings.
- Woven sculpture pendants
- DK. Heath is a talented artist and photographer, using her skills to craft intriguing wire-woven pendants. Check out her tutorials!
- One of About.com's helpful sites
- Sign up for their newsletter!
- Leroy Goertz' coiling gizmo
- A neat little invention to help you wind coils to use in jewelry making.
- Preston Reuther's main web site
- Many DVD's from beginning to advanced wire sculpture; tools, wire, gemstones, etc. He now has several free videos on different wire sculpted projects.
- Rio Grande Catalog
- They have several catalogs - tools and equipment; display and packaging; and gems and findings. These are awesome!
- Fire Mountain Gems
- Catalog of beautiful gems, stones, crystals, wire, tools, findings, etc.
- Thunderbird Supply
- A catalog of supplies for the jewelry artist.
- DIY's jewelry making TV show
- Jackie Guerra shares her know-how on different types of jewelry making. Many guests make for fun and varied lessons.
- Delphi chat forum
- Creative people on this forum are willing to help beginning wire wrappers and exchange ideas with other wrappers. Very helpful!
- Creations by Carol
- Carol Ladine makes beautiful hand sculpted jewelry.
- Really wicked wire wrapping!!
- Many talented people highlighted here. Serious eye candy!
- Wig Jig University
- Lots of designs using the wigjig to make specific-sized components for making jewelry.
- Step by Step Wire Jewelry Magazine
- This magazine has great how-to articles, graded by skill level. Check out the Summer '07 issue's cover article - 'Weave Extraordinary Bead Caps', by Iza Malczyk. Awesome!!
- Online classes - some free!
- Learn new techniques from home. Several authors, including Lisa Niven Kelly, have tutorials in wire work, seed bead work, metal work and PMC.
- Mackintosh Jewelry Studios
- Great designs. Have bought several tutorials and made some. Easy to understand with loads of pictures.
- Iza makes beautiful jewelry!
- She has sold a couple of tutorials on Etsy.com. I loved her Ethnic Ring - intense, but lots of great pictures and good instructions. I'm going to make more! Enjoy her gallery.
Making a wrapped wire loop
Check back!
Wire jewelry making on Amazon
Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry
An awesome step-by-step pictorial showing how to make several projects, easily learned and adaptable to your jewelry. Check out her new DVD!
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 10/08/2008)
All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To series)
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/08/2008)
Making Wire Jewelry: 60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper & Brass
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 10/08/2008)
Get Started With Wire Jewelry (Bead & Button Books)
Amazon Price: $11.01 (as of 10/08/2008)
Making Wire Jewelry (Easy-Does-It)
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 10/08/2008)
Great Stuff on eBay
Making wire jewelry
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More Great Stuff on eBay
Usually a set has sizes for earrings, bracelets, and a focal for a nice pendant. Delicious interweaving of colors.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byLampworked beads
Clean, evenly shaped, petite beads. Have been just the right size for making earrings by adding Bali spacers, crystals, and beads. Fun colors!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byGreat Stuff on eBay
Jewelry making tools on eBay
Some tools especially designed for wire wrapping jewelry.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byReader Feedback
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DazzlingDesigns
Nice lens. Wire jewelry is among my fav's. Please feel free to stop by my Handmade Beaded Jewelry Lens. Posted March 20, 2008 |
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LeslieBrenner
Very nice! Posted January 27, 2008 |
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Boshena
Really great links. I am inspired. Posted January 14, 2008 |
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Celtica
Sorry, forgot to give stars... here are 5 shiny ones for you! Posted December 17, 2007 |
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Celtica
Great lens - looking forward to a tutorial so I can learn to make some (ok, I know it's not that easy!). If you'd like to check out my Celtic symbols jewelrylens and rate it I'd be thrilled! Posted December 17, 2007 |
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Scarboroughseashells
Great start to your lens- can't wait to check back as you add new things- especially as you add photos of your own things! Some really terrific links to! Posted November 11, 2007 |
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Retro_Loco
I've always wanted to try my hand at this. I've added you to my faves to refer back. Nice lens. Posted November 05, 2007 |
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AngieOnSquidoo
Nice lens ! Posted October 08, 2007 |
