Purple and Wire

I'm not trying out new recipes for the meantime so I have some time on my hands again. Thus, I've recently rediscovered the joy of making jewelry. I've made some bracelets and key chains before for family and friends so I'm a little familiar with the basics and learned not to poke my eye with pliers and wire. Poring over samples and ideas over the net, one particular technique has fascinated me. Wire wrapping. The beautiful curves, the intricate swirls, the delicate designs. It is an art form in itself!

According to Wikipedia it is one of the oldest techniques for making jewelry by hand. And further defines it as making jewelry with wire and findings without using solder. Findings are those P shaped wires, clasps, cute little charms and other components that are used for making jewelry.

The internet is generous with tutorials so after poring over a few I made my first wire wrapped pendant :D

 

Here's how the back looks like:

For this project I used a purple colored teardrop agate, 18 ga (1 mm) copper wire, 26 ga (0.4 mm) copper wire and a couple of leaf shaped copper findings. Actual size is about 4.8 cm from top to bottom. Of course the first rock had to be purple! Then there's the requisite round nosed and flat nosed pliers and wire cutter. The flat nosed pair is borrowed from my hubby's toolbox. ;)

I know the coiling is a little messy especially on the bail (that loop on top where the chain goes through) and I definitely need more practice but I'm very happy with how this piece turned out.

Here are some very helpful tutorials posted by wonderful people:

• Basic Weaving Techniques by Donna Spadafore
• How to Wire Wrap Stones from Abigail Crafts
• How to Wire Wrap, Designed by Mavis Llewelly
• Weaving in Closed Places by Perri Jackson
• Adding New Wire by Donna Spadafore
• Adding Beads by Donna Spadafore
• Round Loops by Fiona Wilson
• How to Make a Spiral 

 Don't you just love free tutorials?