The WireWorkers Guild

'FLOWING STREAMS'
C O M P E T I T I O N
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to send your entries
in for The WireWorkers Guild
Designer Challenge ...

* The inspiration and name of your
piece must have relevance to the
title: 'Flowing Streams'

* Deadline for entries is:
1 st December 2010

* Maximum of 2 JPEG images
to be submitted

* Wire has to be the MAIN material,
but other materials can be incorporated
within the piece

* Designs can be a piece of jewellery
or an accessory ...

* A description is encouraged,
with 100 words maximum

* Please email JPEG images to
linda.jones@wirejewellery.co.uk
BEFORE 1st December 2010

Come on guys, get cracking ... any swirly
whirly design will do! You don't have to
be a mastercraftsman: this is a FUN,
design challenge for beginners,
intermediates, as well as established
wireworkers alike. There
is NO judging - just the fun of
taking part.

The only criteria is that you have to
be a member of The WireWorkers Guild!
So - JOIN NOW - if you wish to have
your design published!

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It's coming up to that time again ... when
we all have to think about Christmas gifts.

This STAR design is a simple project
and can be incorporated as a:

* TREE DECORATION
* EARRING DESIGN
* NECKLACE PENDANT
* GREETING CARD EMBELLISHMENT
* CAKE DECORATION
* HAIR ACCESSORY
* BROOCH
* HANDBAG CHARM
* KEY RING
... etc ... etc ... etc ...

All you need to get started are:

Round and flat nosed pliers, wire cutters
hammer & steel stake, 0.8mm silver-plated
wire & 0.4mm gold-plated wire.
























1. Working from the end of a spool of 0.8mm
silver-plated wire, curl a small circle using your
round nosed pliers.
























2. Place your round nosed pliers about 1.5cms
up from the circle you have just created and
bend the wire back down. Repeat to form a
'zig-zag' in the wire.
























3. Continue forming 'zig-zags' in the wire,
keeping them the same height and making
them as even as possible.
























4. Once you have created 6 'zig-zags', cut the wire from
the spool, just passed the initial length of the first circle.
























5. Using your fingers, pull the top of the 'zig-zags'
around to form a circle, so that the cut end meets
the small circle.
























6. Push the cut end through the circle and using your
round nosed pliers, curl the wire around the link
to secure.
























7. Spend a little time re-adjusting the
star frame and once you're happy with
the overall shape, use your flat nosed pliers
to squeeze the ends of the zig-zags to
create the points of the star.
























8. Repeat - for all six points of the star frame.




















9. To work-harden and toughen the structure, hammer
the ends of the star frame on a steel stake,
being careful to avoid the join.
























10. Cut a long length of 0.4mm gold-plated wire and
begin wrapping it around the centre in a random
fashion.
























11. Wrap all the wire around the centre of
the star and secure around the side of the
frame.
























12. Now, for the centre of the star:
Create a spiral ... at one end of
a length of 0.8mm silver-plated
wire ...
























13. Push the spiral through the centre
of the star frame and bend the projecting
end back down on the other side.
























14. Turn the star frame around and begin
creating a small circle at the end of the
silver projecting wire.
























15. Keep curling the projecting wire, spiralling
it up to towards the centre of the star.
























16. Push the finished spiral against the centre
of the spiral - ensuring you have a decorative
spiral on each side of your star frame.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO USE THE STAR
TO EMBELLISH whatever you wish!
Just change the scale by using more or less
wire as required!
























(Above) Create the frame and fill it with beads - this
one is a brooch, but it could be used as a Xmas table
centre-piece, popped on the top of a tree, an
embellishment for Xmas napkin rings, window
decoration ... need I go on .. !! And if you don't
wish it have a Christmassy feel, create it like a
Sheriff's Badge!
























... and finally, if you've already bought
my latest book: 'Making Beautiful Bead
& Wire Jewellery' you will have seen
this 'Shooting Star' project, which I
also demonstrate to make on
BEAD TV (www.beadtv.com).
This looks great on a jacket-lapel or
as a hat-pin!

HAPPY ***STAR*** MAKING!