Tutorial for Wire Wrapped Charms, Shells, Sea Glass, Rocks with Beads and hanging charms, A DIY Wire Wrapping.

Last year I did a workshop with the Tidewater Artist Group where I taught how to make these easy fab wire charms for the summer, or anytime. See link HERE also you can see other ones I have done at other times...just more pics HERE and again HERE they are really nice big pics.

 

So before the workshop I created this fabulous tutorial handout for the group. I wanted to share with you finally.....I started off with supplies.

SUPPLIES

-Wire Cutters, Round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, chain nose pliers (these can be purchase at AC Moore, Michaels, or Any jewelry supply place. I originally bought all mine from http://www.ornamentea.com/

Last year I was lucky enough to get a new set at BeadFest I bought the Tronex from Beaducation they had a booth at BeadFest.

If you have never done this before start off with the least expensive set its all you will need for this.

-20 Gauge wire silver (you can use sterling once you get the hang of it but just start off with the inexpensive 20 g craft wire...you can use gold, copper, or even colors if you like. I use Artistic Wire when I use the color wire. The wire can be purchased at the jewelry supply stores, or the chain craft stores.

 

-Small e-beads glass ones or any kind of beads that fit on your wire, test them first.

-Charms if you like I use several charm shops on Etsy like http://www.etsy.com/shop/winecharms

and http://www.etsy.com/shop/gabyschiccreations

 

-Any kind of small pebbles, rocks, shells, sea glass, corks, cabochons

-file such as a jewelers file or even a fingernail file, or even one you have in the garage

-Ruler

Start with the charm of choice and gather your tools

 

measure your charm then round up to the next number (so if its 1 1/2 inch charm round it up to 2)

then the number by five to give you 10...so you will need approx. 10 inches of wire. Cut two 10 inches of wire from the wire of choice. Using your wire cutters. Then put both pieces of wire in your index finger and bend over it should look like this...see pic below

Now using your other hand twist one side of the wire then using your tip of your finger or the glass, cork etc. as a template twist the other side of the wire.

 

It should look like this now. If you need to open the space up with your flat nose pliers. Now insert the charm of choice whether it is the cork, glass, shell, etc..

 

here the charm is sitting nice in the opening

 

Now take the wire and bring it up, bring one piece of the wire to the front or the charm and the other wire to the back, do this on both sides. Twisting again.

 

it will begin to look like this, this is where you can add charms, beads, etc.

Continue twisting from front to back until you reach the top of your charm now using your round nose pliers bring the wire up and around the see the pic. Then wrap the rest of the wire around the neck of the charm...or get creative and add circles, etc.

Cut the extra wire off and now file smooth you don't want any rough spots on the wire. If you are using copper cored wire be careful when filing or you will take the silver to copper. Same goes with the colored wires. If you need to flatten some of the wire you can use the flat nose pliers now.

this is where you can make bends and grooves in the wire adding shape and also tightening up the wire. It also adds to the look.

 

I recommend a lot of books by artist on wire wraps that are very helpful, in fact I own these:

1. Making Wire & Bead Jewelry by Janice Berkebile and Tracey Stanely which I have met both and are wonderful people, I even have had a class with Tracey who I adore!

2. Inspired Wire by Cynthia B. Wuller

3. Wire Art Jewelry Workshop: Step By Step Techniques and Projects by Sharilyn Miller

 4. The Missing Link: From Basic to Beautiful Wirework Jewelry by Cindy Wimmer
now Cindy's book just came out this September which I had her sign at ArtBliss

 I have known Cindy for almost five years now and she is the sweetest most creative person you could ever meet!!! Cindy is the BEST! Her new book is totally awesome!! A must have for any wire work jewelry artist.

Here is Cindy Wimmer and I at ArtBliss

 

Cindy Wimmer signing my copy of her book

 

I love this one of Cindy Wimmer signing the books I put this one on Instagram  (see my link on side of blog) that night at ArtBliss.

 

Also wanted to share a few pics of the grand babies and the boys.....

 

Abigail and Cooper painting up in our spare room/part of the studio

 

Skylar edited this on my IPhone

 

Dusty catching a fish. He loves to fish.

 

 

The boys recently had spirit week at school and this day was Rock N' Roll T-shirt day.

Coop is really jamming with his air guitar.

Hope you enjoyed the post today.

Have a great week!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tweet

BEADFEST Through My Eye's Greater Philly 2012

WOW!!!! It was just unbelievable.....Beads, tools, metals, stringing, wire....more beads....seed beads, you name it if you can make jewelry with it, it was HERE!!! Just AMAZING!!!!! So much to look at and oh my talk about the SHOPPING.......stand back because here I come! If you stopped at a table, you bought something!! It was ENDLESS!!!! Oh it was like bead heaven! I'm still in awe of it! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

 

My first class started off with Enameling in Depth with Linda Darty. Which was complexly awesome and for my love of enameling I left the class with so much more info...and understanding of her book, I'm just super charged with enameling info!!!! JUST AWESOMENESS ALL AROUND!!!!! We worked individually and shared the row of kilns and had conversations at the kilns....just two days full of enameling LOVE!

This beautiful bird plate was one of the plates that Linda had made for her mom back in the late 70's...and let me tell you GORGEOUS!!!!! All done with enamels. Stunning!!!!

Here we are with the Paragon Kilns. They so wonderfully allowed our class to use and purchase after class if you liked. I already had one....and the quality of this kiln is PERFECT!!! I enjoy mine. I have the Paragon SC3-BD Kiln.

Some of Linda Darty's works of art...the cloisonne' pieces...just awwww BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

Linda had samples of the types of enameling and explained the pieces....I'm telling you her instruction is PHENOMENAL!!! I would love to have more in depth training....My mind is still spinning of all the ideas....and creativeness that I will use in the years to come. I can't THANK Linda Darty enough!!! Such an AMAZING teacher. We even had two of her past students come and help Sharon....and well I'm terrible with names....Sharon helped us all out in so many wonderful ways...I so appreciate Sharon for taking the time and sharing of talents with us.

Here is some of the students in the class works of art....everyone had a blast and turned out some amazing art!!!

                     Again the works of art of the enameling class....Breathtaking colors!!! AMAZING!!!

 

Great details and so many fresh ideas = yet so much more to do with enameling!!!  

Just look at these pieces......um.......Can You Say AMAZING again??? These enameling pieces were all stunning!

 

More pieces of enameling from some of the students. There were over thirty + students in the class.

More pieces of other students.

Of course having Linda's book I asked her to sign at the end of the class.

Here she signs my copy of the book.

 

If you would like to get the book they sell it alot of places Ornamentea, Amazon, and others.

My second class was a night class on Thursday night with the sweetest teacher....Brenda Schweder.

She has an awesome site and the author of three books, + many articles. Cute as a button....and just the friendliest teacher. She has this wonderful jig...that YES I bought! Go here to see NOW THAT'S A JIG! Its amazing...I had so much fun in her class using it, I made a bird, blow fish, an octopus...it was just an endless fun time!

                                    These were some of the examples you could make in class.

Using the steel wire if your hands hurt you could use gloves.

I just love this picture of Claire and Brenda with her specs on! They sold them at Beadfest too..

Visit Craftopics.com

 Here is the pic of the blowfish....

Brenda's book you can buy them at Amazon or you can get the autographed copy from Brenda

HERE!

AMAZON

Another one of Brenda's books.......AMAZON.

Here Brenda demos her Now That's A Jig

 

You can shop at Brenda's Etsy Shop!

Some of her articles in many magazines......

 

Here is Bill Fretz with his brand new grandson and first grandson too, just look at the proud grandfather. Just beautiful!

 

The lovely  works of art hammers by Bill Fretz.

 

So much to shop for everywhere you look!

Beautiful beads, and more beautiful beads.

 

It is just endless on the amount of beads, the styles, the colors, the texture, the gold, the silver, bronze......mixed metals.....oh my toooooooo much to list!!! A must see to experience.

                                      You could just spend hours at one booth....it was hard not to!

Oh and for the LOVE of wire!!! AMAZING!!!!

 

These were my peices I made in my first two classes one being the two-day workshop with Linda Darty, and then the evening class with Brenda Schweder.

My dear friend whom I met at ArtBLISS three years ago. Still time for this years event. Kerry Bogert

she is an amazing jewelry artist and makes the most fabulous beads. She has two books out and of course I have both signed copies! LOL! Her colors are fabulous and fun!

 

 

 She had the cutest booth with all her gorgeous beads and oh my so much to drool over! Her washi taped lights.....oh too cute!

 

Look how adorable the chair she had in the both corners of her booth....AWESOME!!! Love them!

 

She signed my copy of her book.....YES!

Look at her hand go! Thanks so much Kerry!

Get this book HERE!

Also at AMAZON.

                                          You can get your signed copy from Kerry HERE!
                                                 You can also get it here...at AMAZON.

 

Tracy Stanley

Her wonderful book can be purchased here at AMAZON.

 

Well in the world according to Tracy you must be willing to enter and enjoy!!! Embrace and find humor! I LOVED Tracy! She was just so much fun.....a girl after my own heart.... I can't tell you enough of how much I enjoyed this class.I finished my bracelet and I have been wearing getting HUGE compliments! Thanks Tracy!

Here are some of Tracy's works of art....just STUNNING!!!

I had purchased the hammers the night before class...never even using them until Tracy's class...she let us use these amazing hammers and oh my it was like magic was coming from the hammers....magic with little stars and glitter! I was sooooo impressed and was even more happy I had purchased a nice set from Bill Fretz and his Son. Look at my perfect coil!!!! Yeah doing the happy dance here!!

 

                                             Texture plates we used from Metalliferous

This beautiful necklace made by Tracy!! LOVELY!!!!

 Now look at this...I made this in class!!! LOVE IT!!!! By The Sea! So me!!!!!

Tracy showing us techniques......

Tracy signing my copy of her book!!! Thanks!!!

 

Two of my favorite people....my dear friend CAROL and My dear Hubby!!! Bruce!

They look sooo cute!

I bought one of my favorite beads from Maureen Henriques.

 

Just a little closing to remind you to create your dreams every day!!! The PSE brush was purchased from http://rhonnadesigns.com/  Hugs.......... and Enjoy your weekend!!

 

Tweet