Are  you new to working with wire?  Or have you been working with wire and are ready to learn a few new techniques?  Easy Wire 2010 hit the shelves this week, and you’ll want to to run to your nearest bookstore and pick up the lastest issue!  Easy Wire 2010 is packed with over 50 ideas to get you started on your creative journey with wire.  The projects are fantastic in this issue… from contributions by the editors of Step by Step Wire Jewelry to my own friend, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. 

Open up Easy Wire 2010, and you’ll find projects teaching you all of the fundamental wireworking skills:  Wrapped loops, simple loops, spirals, coiling, jump rings and how to add texture.

Simple Loops –  In “Emerald Garden”, I showcased some seriously luscious lampwork beads by Marilyn Jones of Novelty Beads.  I love the metallic finish, and each bead has such pretty details.  I simply added some special Thai silver pieces that I had been saving, along with some sparkly Swarovski crystal.  I used sterling silver wire for the simple loops, and oxidized the piece in liver of sulfur.  This one is available on Etsy.

Texture  – Now here’s a project using some nice and thick 12-gauge copper wire.  You’ve got to put in some effort to bend this wire!  In “Full Circle”, you can hammer the links flat and add what ever details you’d like.  I added detail to the links and washer clasp with simple dots.   Now that I have this piece back, I’ve been wearing it with everything.  I’d love to make one in silver too!

Spirals – One of my favorite wire techniques….creating spirals.  What could be better than creating my favorite flower with wire?  Here are some of the roses in my parent’s garden…and then capturing that color in a necklace that combines both sterling silver chain with copper wire roses and ribbon.  I made a similar necklace as a gift for my son’s Kindergartner teacher.

 

Adding Texture and Coiling –Another staple for any wireworker…creating coils.  In “Urban Ornament”, coils from 3 different types of wire are added to a textured rectangle blank.  This is a great way to use bits of coil left over from other projects.  Oxidizing this one in liver of sulfur was essential to bring out all of the details in the coiled wire and hammered metal. 

Go grab some copper, brass or sterling wire and get started today!  If you are a wire beginner, please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions that you may have.  I’m not expert, but I may be able to point you in the right direction!   Thank you for stopping by the sweet bead studio blog! 🙂