The WireWorkers Guild

LOOP
- DE -
LOOP









Here's a design challenge ...

*Come up with a wire shape.
*Check this shape can be linked from both ends.
*Duplicate the shape ...
*Connect the units together to form a unique chain.
*Attach a clasp at the ends - et voila! - you've just
created an original linking system.

That's how this LOOP de LOOP design was born.
It began its embryotic life as a chain unit and
developed into being used in Earring designs,
necklaces, bracelets, etc...

To make this simple Loop de Loop pendant, you will need:
1mm (14-gauge) silver-plated wire (or 0.8mm if preferred),
some beads, ribbon (chain or cord), 5mm silver bead,
round, flat and chain nosed pliers, wire cutters,
cylindrical mandrel, hammer and steel stake.























1. Depending how large you wish to create the unit,
wrap some 1mm wire around a cylindrical mandrel
to create an even coil.






















2. Snip the coil into pieces with your wire cutters. Each
piece should have one full circle at the centre with an
overrun on each side.























3. Using your round nosed pliers, curl links at each cut end.






















4. Using your fingers, gently pull the circles apart
on each side, leaving an oval of wire at the centre.























5. This is optional, but it does help to make
your unit much firmer and more functional:
Place it on a steel block and hammer the outer
edges of the unit (do not hammer any crossed
over wires as you will weaken them!).





















6. Using your flat nosed pliers, twist the top loops 90 degrees
to the rest of the unit.























7. Thread 3 beads (about 6mm diameter) with different
lengths of wire (short, medium and long stems) and
create headpins at one end and links at the other.























8. Connect the beaded stems onto a jump ring
and suspend from the centre of your wire unit.























9. For the top of the unit, you will need to
create a large jump ring and get a 5mm
silver bead (or, colour bead of your choice)
ready for threading ...























10. Thread one end of the large jump ring through
one of the top links of the unit - then thread your
silver bead onto the jump ring - and continue threading
the rest of the jump ring through the second
top link of the unit. Close the jump ring.








Your unit is now
ready to be
suspended on a
ribbon, cord or
chain.










However, if you wish to add a little more colour:
Cut a small length of 0.4mm (28-gauge) wire
and bind a bead within the centre of the unit.
(see: below)






















Once you practice creating the unit, you will find
it can be utilised in so many designs. Below are
some ... to fuel your creativity.























Here's a bracelet I designed with the original unit to create
a simple, but effective linking system.







Here you can see
how to duplicate
the unit for a
stunning beaded
bracelet.



































and make some matching earrings!























Above, is a pendant design, using 2 of the units
wired together at the centre with beads.

**************************************************
I HOPE THIS INSPIRES YOU
TO CREATE YOUR OWN WIRE
SHAPES - THAT CAN BE
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL AND
UTILISED IN A VARIETY OF
DIFFERENT DESIGNS!
**********************************
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

At the end of March I will publish
a GALLERY of Guild Members work
so that you can share and inspire each
other! All you have to do is send
1-2 JPEG images of a piece of work
by email (to:
linda.jones@wirejewellery.co.uk).
You can choose to send a project that
you've attempted from the blog, an old
or recent piece ... ANYTHING that you're
proud of! The only criteria is that you
MUST be a Guild Member,
sent in not later than 29th March and the
piece must contain some wire art!

What are you waiting for ... have a GO!