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Sara Richardson
is the associate editor
for Step by Step
Wire Jewelry and
Lapidary Journal
Jewelry Artist.
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Jewelry artists have used classic wire wrap for centuries . . . some work even dates back to 2000 B.C. Pieces of jewelry found in ancient Roman sites contain wrapped loops. Way back then, soldering techniques were yet to be developed, and wire wrapping was an important jewelry-making technique. When I began my journey in wire jewelry, I really had no idea wire wrapping had been around for so long!
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Beaded Victorian Earrings, by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong. |
It's amazing to think that these old techniques can still produce beautiful and unique pieces today. Besides the classic wrap, there are so many different ways to make wire jewelry . . . such as knitting, crocheting, and weaving, using several types of wire. If you want to incorporate beautiful stones or cabochons in your wire jewelry, classic wrap works well because it typically uses square wire with a thicker hardness. It creates a completely different dimension in your work and holds the stones nicely in place. The softer round wire is better used for the other techniques.
Dale Armstrong's Amazing Work
For more dimensional wire inspiration, I don't have to look any further than Dale "Cougar" Armstrong's extraordinary square gold-filled and sterling wire creations in her classic wrap style. She has the soul of a lapidary . . . she still describes herself as a "rockhound" and combines wire with bold and beautiful stone cabochons and beads.
I've admired her work, the pieces she's contributed to Step by Step Wire Jewelry, and the projects she's taught at our Bead Fest shows. She is also the face of Wire-Sculpture.com and has produced a few great series of DVD tutorials. And through her inspiring tutelage, we have also published projects from some of her students, including Donna Zimmer and Sonja Kiser. That's a real testament to her teaching skills.
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Sparkling Finger Bauble, by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong.
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Check Out Her Book!
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Drusy Leaves for Spring. Wire-wrapped bezels by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong.
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Now Dale shares and teaches her wonderful work in yet another way. She has come out with her own book: Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping. It's chock-full of 18 projects that are bound to inspire you! You can make a little bit of everything: bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings, and rings. She even includes a gallery of her work to get your creative process flowing.
She teaches you how to use geometry in classic wire wrap, and how to make correct angles to shape the wire around the stones . . . even around odd-shaped cabochons, like the gorgeous uvarovite garnet drusy triangles she uses for her "Drop Necklace." I really like the "Free-Form Orbit Ring" (because I'm more inclined to try something free-form!) and the "Beads All Around Clasp Bangle" (I'm drawn to the purple faceted cubic zirconia stones!)
Other standouts include the "Sparkle Earrings," which utilize snapset heads to trap faceted stones, and the "Mixed Wire Cabochon Fish Pendant" which uses pretty twisted wire. And there's so much more you need to check out! Don't hesitate, pick up your copy now in the Interweave Store.
With books like Wirework, and masters like Dale Armstrong, the ancient art of wire wrapping will continue on and thrive for many years to come.