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WIRE
WORKING AND WIRE WRAPPING Working
with wires of different thickness, hardness, shape, color,
materials, strength in fashioning jewelry and other objects
is a very desirable skill. It takes experience with the feel
of wire, how it is shaped, how it's strength can be structurally
enhanced, and how it can be interlinked, interlocked and interconnected
with other wire, with beads, with other materials. This "feel"
will vary a bit with the type of metal. For example, brass
is harder than sterling silver.
There
are two approaches.
The first
is called Wire Work. In wire working, the artist creates shapes,
using various sizes of wire. The artist can create jewelry
findings, such as clasps, headpins and earwires. S/he can
create chains of linked wire shapes. S/he can create unusual
shapes to dangle from earrings, or to embellish pieces as
decorative components. SHAPE is the key word here.
The second
is called Wire Wrap. In wire wrapping, the artist uses wire
to create structural components, then assembles these into
a supporting system. This is similar, though on a micro-scale,
to building and engineering a bridge. The artist might create
a setting for a stone, or a piece of jewelry which depends
on controlling the tensile strength of the wire in some way,
to hold the stone in place, and keep it from popping out.
STRUCTURE is the key word here.
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BEAD
Stringing
Begin
with Basics of Bead Stringing and Attaching Clasps
Then learn to Pearl Knot
Learn the basic steps in Wire Working, and making
a coiled loop
Pick up principles about beads and color, and jewelry
design
Select any electives that you might be interested
in
NOTE: With the descriptions and
instructions for each class, there are suggestions
about which classes to take next.
Sequence: STITCH OF THE MONTH
The
Stitch of the Month curriculum is designed to teach
12 major bead-weaving stitches/techniques in a comparative
context.
This
is perhaps one of the best ways to learn bead weaving.
You learn how to make better choices. You get a clearer
understanding of what each stitch is, how to manage
and control it, and what your project and design options
are, when you learn them comparatively, rather than
in isolation from each other.
Each
class is devoted to explaining a little of the history
of the stitch and the how-to basics of doing the stitch.
Students then practice with variations on the stitch,
such as increasing/decreasing, flat vs. tubular vs.
circular, and the like. Students are guided in creating
a bracelet, using the stitch, and usually one or more
variations of the stitch.
The
student will typically cover this information in each
class:
1. The history of the stitch
2. Learning the basic stitch
a) How to start the stitch-project
b) How to implement the basic
stitch throughout the project
c) The most appropriate kinds
of materials (beads, findings,
stringing materials) for this
stitch
d) The most appropriate kinds
of projects for this stitch
3. Increasing and Decreasing using the stitch
4. Finishing off the piece (clasps, edges, embellishment,
fringes, and the like)
5. How to read a pattern for this stitch
6. An introduction to other variations using this stitch
7. Making a bracelet, using this stitch
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BW1.01
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw101-INST
Instructions, 13pages
*LTB-bw101-KIT-A
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw101-KIT-B
colors |
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BW1.02
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw102-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw102-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw102-KITB
colors |
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BW1.03
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw103-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw103-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw103-KITB
colors |
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BW1.04
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw104-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw104-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw104-KITB
colors |
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BW1.05
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw105-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw105-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw105-KITB
colors |
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BW1.06
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw106-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw106-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw106-KITB
colors |
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BW1.07
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw107-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw107-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw107-KITB
colors |
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BW1.08
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw108-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw108-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw108-KITB
colors |
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BW1.09
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw109-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw109-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw109-KITB
colors |
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BW1.10
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw110-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw110-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw110-KITB
colors |
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BW1.11
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw111-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw111-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw111-KITB
colors |
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BW1.12
Square Stitch Bracelet
BEGINNER |
*LTB-bw112-INST
Instructions
*LTB-bw112-KITA
Chartreuse/Orange/Fuchsia
*LTB-bw112-KITB
colors |
BEAD
WEAVING
Sequence: Other Beginner's Classes |
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See
all available Instructions and Kits
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Goals for
Wire Working/Wire Wrapping
CRITICAL
SKILLS TO LEARN:
- Understanding wires, metals, hardness, and
measuring wire
- Understanding tools and mandrels
- Using tools and wire to make shapes; developing
Control over how to make shapes
- Using wire to build structural components
--- Learning about support systems and structural
elements/components
--- Hammering and twisting wire
--- Making coils and springs
--- Learning how to lock wires together
--- Learning how to create cradles and encaging
- Combining beads with wire
- Combining cabochons and other differently
shaped objects with wire
- Chain Making
- Designing Earrings
- Designing Clasps
- Finishing Touches
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SUPPLIES
AND TOOLS
To KEEP ON HAND
An assortment of wires,
in different gauges, materials and finishes, and in
round, square and half-round. We suggest using half-hard
wire for most sizes. As the sizes get 14 gauge and
above, the dead soft is easier to use.
An assortment of glass, metal, gemstone, pearl beads
in various sizes and shapes.
As assortment of clasps
that you like to work with, in several finishes.
Chain nose pliers
(smooth inside jaws)
Round nose pliers
Side Cutters and Flush Cutters
Jump ring pliers
Assorted mandrels
Steel Block
Wood Block
Anvil and dome blocks
steel wool
Chasing Hammer
Leather head hammer/mallet
Plastic head hammer/mallet
4 or 5 pin vises
Cup burr
Nail File Set
Work surface
sharpie markers
Scissors
Ruler
Thread zapper or bic lighter
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Our
LEARN
TO BEAD program
is based on
The Design Approach:
- Focused on teaching how to make smart choices
- Developmentally-based, where you learn skills
in an orderly way, and understand how skills build
upon each other
- Easy to follow
You may purchase:
o Written instructions for each lesson
o Kits of Supplies
o Recommended Books
Visit
our LearnToBead
Blog
See
all available Instructions and Kits
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