WIRED FOR LOVE

SPECIAL VALENTINE FEATURE

The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in mystery,
however, we do know that the month of February has
long been celebrated as a time of romance.

There are many stories surrounding St.Valentine and
legend contends that he was a priest who served during
the 3rd century in Rome and when Emperor Claudius II
outlawed marriage for young men - (as he felt that all
young single men would make better soldiers than
husbands!) - Valentine, realising the injustice of the
decree, continued to perform secret marriage ceremonies
for young, courting lovers.  When his actions were
discovered, Claudius ordered that Valentine be
sentenced to death ... and hence, he became a martyr
and pronounced a Saint, in the name of LOVE!

Whatever, story or myth you might read, it is an in-
disputed fact that the 14th of February has since
become the second most popular card sending day,
after Christmas! 

So without further ado!  The WireWorkers Guild and some
of its most generous followers and talented wire artists
would like to share with you some HEART felt inspiration!
Below is our stunning:  
***GALLERY of HEARTS***
PLUS + we have a 'special gift' 
a WOVEN HEART TUTORIAL by
RACHEL MURGATROYD!
(So ... are you sitting comfortably? Then, please ENJOY!
Starting in alphabetical order ...)

 





















1.  Gorgeous Red Heart Pendant, designed and created
by ALISON BICKELL from TREASURED FOREVER.

2.  A wonderful Valentine set, including: Necklace, Bracelet
and Earrings by AMBER HEFNER of THE WILD TANGENT.
Which won her 1st prize for a 'Bead My Heart' competition
for Happy Mango Beads.

3. Above, is the beautiful delicate wirework of ANNEMARIE
KENYERES from PRETTY ROCK JEWELLERY.

4.  Here's a very original first pendant from ANNY CHRISTOPHER
from ZELENY CRAFT.

5. And yet, another super stunner from ANNY
CHRISTOPHER from ZELENY CRAFT!

6.  And here's one more from ANNY CHRISTOPHER to
complete her lovely trio of heart designs!

7. This superb contribution is from JENNY ARGYLE, better
known to all of us as BEADMAD JEN of KEITH AGNES
TUTORIAL and DESIGN fame!

8.  Here's BETTY KELLOG'S Gorgeous
Blue Dichroic Glass Heart Pendant from
her HOMESTYLE-ARTS website.

9. This delicately dainty "Bleeding Heart' pendant contribution
is from LOUISE GOODCHILD, inspired by her Dicentra plant.
(Look out for her, as she will be a feature artist later on this year.
Can't wait ... !)

10.  Another highly unique style and pretty pendant from
CHRISTINE GAINARD!

11. And from designer/photographer SALLY PITMAN - alias:
SKYPIXIE - here's her stunning wirewrapped Fimo Heart bead
(which was created by her talented mother, Valery King!).

12.  Some more heart shaped pendants from the talented
wire charmer, SKYPIXIE!





















14.  Above is a beautiful Bracelet of Filigree Hearts designed and
created by KARON CRAWFORD, who is a guest presenter and
demon-strator on JEWELLERY MAKER TV channel.

14.  Another winning exquisite entry to the Happy Mango Beads
competition was from LAUREN POTTS of LP'S JEWELRY.

15.  SIAN GRIFFITHS contributed this gorgeous
pink quartzite heart with freshwater pearls all mounted
on a co-ordinating kumihimo braid.

16.  Here's a something scrumptiously yummy from
SUE MASON-BURNS of KIWI-CHICK
CREATIONS!  

17.  Enjoy another highly original stunner from
SUE MASON-BURNS!

18.  And to complete her trio of hearts designs, above, is
SUE MASON-BURNS's luscious vintage rose pendant!

 19.  And look what's just flown in, all the way from 
Manilla! Some cute and colourful Love Bugs with 
heart shaped wings designed and created by the 
very talented, ANGELA MARIELA SISON of
CAMPBEADS WIRE - WORKSHOP!

 

















20. Finally, CLAIRE BARTRAM of FOLBAR BEADS
sent in her stunning design, inspired by a Valentine
magazine project I did for Beads & Beyond!

 


And if that wasn't enough VALENTINE themed jewellery
for one feature, I have delved deep into the Guild archives
and dug up, some more heart shaped pieces, designed and
created by WIREJEWELLERY.CO.UK
( http://www.wirejewellery.co.uk/)

And if that's not enough culinary wirey titilation and
visual feasting, here's a stunning project from the very
talented jewellery designer:
RACHEL MURGATROYD
called: WOVEN HEART PENDANT!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S

TO ALL THE WIRE ARTISTS

WHO LOVE TO CREATE !!

(and many heartfelt THANKS to all the talented

wire artists who so generously contributed to the

gallery!)

PEBEO for Wirejewellers!

If you've never come across  the name:
P E B E O

for high quality artists materials of
all kinds, let me be the first to introduce
you to this brand.  Since 1930 their
art materials have been available for
both professional and amateur artists
in Oil, Acrylic, Watercolours and
Pastels as well as a range of Casting,
Modelling, Silk and Glass painting,
etc..., etc..., etc..., but it's their
FANTASY Moon and Prism
colours and Jewellery Accessories ...
that you'll be the most interested in!












I had already seen some beautiful samples of
demonstration pieces at
LONDON JEWELLERY SUPPLIES showroom
in Hampton, Middlesex, (where they sell all the
supplies) therefore, when I was asked to product test
some paints, I couldn't wait to get started!

What I really wanted to find out, is would it work
well with some wireworking techniques?  And my
initial results are positive ... well, I hope YOU
also agree with me????

Working with Fantasy and Moon Paints, you just
need to purchase some Jewellery Accessories: such
as Pendants, Bracelets, Earrings and Ring blanks,
plus some plastic droppers and a packet of
Glazing Resin and you're ready for action!

The instant satisfaction is in the fact, that all you
have to do, is stir up the paint colours, drop it into
the recess of the jewellery blanks and then wait for
the magic to take place!

http://youtu.be/eT9-ceP9bKA 
(You don't need to speak French, but it helps ...
otherwise, read the subtitles!!)

So what's this all got to do 
with WIRE?
... I hear you ask?

Well, I have found that you could create some very
original jewellery pieces using your own wire motifs
within the resin.

Here's my first experiment, using a base of Pebeo black,
red and silver Fantasy paints on the Oval Bracelet, with
my own wire squiggles and motifs (created out of 0.8mm
silver-plated wire and Whammered!) placed onto the
dried paint.  This was then sealed and coated with
Pebeo Glazing Resin.

Going one step further ... to add a little more
originality to the piece, I decided to remove
the existing clasp and add one of my own.

And ... two steps on, I decided that beaded charms
would complete and make it a unique one-of-a-kind
bracelet!

I also created a matching necklace using Pebeo's
Oval Pendant blank.

Then, I had another go at using a purple, silver and
green combination of colours with some wavy wire
inclusions ...

... and I decided to remove the bracelet clasp and turn
it into a necklace, using wireworking techniques and
some matching beads!

If you don't want Ovals, try the square bracelet
blanks instead.  They are very contemporary and
in vogue!

Here's my Turquoise
version using the
Fantasy Prisme
Paint, topped with
my wire spirals
and coated in
the Glazing Resin.

However, to make
it just a little bit
more original
I opted to attach
6mm silver
beads in between
the squares!




Not only that, I changed the clasp
to a chunky Toggle!

Here's another attempt, using a different
colour palette:

... and once again
I changed the clasp
to add a little more
originality!
After all, that's what
jewellery should
be all about!

So, if this has inspired you, PEBEO has

everything you require to create some

stunning jewellery pieces in every colour

of the rainbow!  The only thing you need

is patience in letting it dry ...  A good 

8-12 hours is essential between dropping

the colour in and glazing.  And once again,

the clear glaze must also be left to dry

for at least another day!

More information about PEBEO products 

can be found on their website:

www.pebeo.com 
and all accessories and paints can
be purchased here in the U.K. from:

LONDON JEWELLERY SUPPLIES
(the home of the Whammer!!)