ANGEL DECORATION

The heat of the run-up to Christmas is now on!
Especially if you make to sell your jewellery and
also, if you want to start to plan to make your own
unique handmade gifts and decorations for family
and friends!

I've also got some very, very exciting
'breaking news': ....
I'm back demonstrating on TV with my own wire
jewellery show every month starting on
18th NOVEMBER
at 12pm and 5pm
on (drum roll ...)
THE CRAFT CHANNEL!!!
Freeview 88, Sky 679, Freesat 818
Or, you can watch it LIVE ONLINE (with a 7 day catchup!)

Sooooo.... get those Whammers out and ....
"Let's get hammered!!!" (that's my new catchphrase!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

For this month, I thought I would share a popular
project, that I often teach in my Xmas workshops, 
so here goes:

STEP 1

Depending on the size of your decoration, cut a reasonable length of 
0.8mm wire.  I used about 12" (30cm).  I placed my 8mm bail maker
pliers at the centre of the length and pinched the wires just under the
rounded end, so that the wires met and joined together to form a complete
circle. (*If you don't have bail makers, just use a pencil or pen as a
mandrel).

STEP 2

Using your chain nosed pliers, follow the wire structure shaping
shown above, to form a short (neck) stem of double wires. Then bend 
each of the wires out at right angles (for the shoulders) and then back
down to form the (body) shape, curving it out slightly with your fingers.

STEP 3

Decide on the overall length of the 'body' and place your round
nosed pliers on each of the side wires and form a loop, bringing
the wires in towards each other.

STEP 4

Create a large open spiral out of one of the wires
at the base of the body frame. *Optional, If you like 
hammering, (and let's face it, who doesn't?!), you can 
hammer the spiral on a steel block and any other part
of the structure to work harden it.

STEP 5

Use the remaining wire to secure around the base of
the frame, wrapping it around the other, to secure ...


STEP 6

Use any leftover projecting wire to form a small spiral, which can be flattened over the wrapped wire beneath.


STEP 7

Now the colourful fun begins! Choose a selection of beads to
wire into the space within the frame. Use 0.4mm wire and
connect with multiple wraps to  decorate your angel!

STEP 8

Get Creative! Decorate the frame as you wish!
You can also bind in a 'head' bead and more beads at the base.
Each angel you make can have it's own particular colour
palette and design.


STEP 9

Now for the WINGS! Depending on how large you wish
to create them, wrap some 0.8mm wire twice around a circular
mandrel. My mandrel was approximately 1.5" (4cm).

STEP 10

Remove the 2 loops from the mandrel, and bind to secure,
leaving a tail of at least 6" (15cm). Place the tips of your
chain nosed pliers near to the opposite side of the join
and 'tweak' both wires to form an indent in both of
the wire circles.

STEP 11

Separate the indented circles out (like opening a book)
and form a large circular (halo) out of the projecting wire.
*I also recommend Whammer hammering the outer parts
of the wing frames to work harden them.

STEP 12

And, whilst you're partaking in Whammer therapy, give
the circular halo a good old bash on your block and
then use the dapping head on the Whammer, to create a
little extra texture and shimmer!
(Releasing all those negative vibes!!!)

STEP 13

There are many ways of decorating the wings: such as
beading them or wiring in scrolls ... but  here's a quick
version that you can do:
Cut 2 x 1 metre lengths of 0.3mm wire (any colour of your choice)
and SCRUNCH and roll them in your hands (it's what I technically
call: 'meatballing'), to form 2 balls of wire.

STEP 14

Flatten and stretch out the balls of wire and with your fingers,
shape each of them to fit the inner space of the wings.  Cut
a length of 0.3mm wire and 'sew' the scrunched wire in place around
the outer frame with small stitches.

STEP 15

Once the scrunched wire is in place and fills the wing spaces,
gently Whammer them with the nylon head to compress
together and work harden.

STEP 16

Now, all that's left to do is to connect the wings to the
body with some 0.4mm wire!

You can suspend the top of the halo from a handmade
chain and hook (as above) or a ribbon that blends in
with your bead selection!

I do hope that you've enjoyed this Angel Decoration Tutorial?
Just use your creativity to make your own versions
with different coloured beads and wires ... as the whim
takes you!

 

I used knitted wire, for the wings in this pink version and tissue
paper for my white and crystal version ...