SEAHORSE TUTORIAL

As it's summer and the 'seaside' comes
to mind as a tutorial theme ... here is
my attempt at a SEAHORSE!

What I absolutely love about them, is that they
pair for life! Not only that, but the male Seahorse
is the only creature that can become pregnant.
The female transfers her eggs to the male's pouch
(which he self fertilises).  They receive everything
they need in the pouch from oxygen to food,
gestating there for between 14 days to 4 weeks.
The process of birth is quite long for such a small
creature, with contractions lasting up to 12 hours!

I bet lots of you Mum's out there would have
liked to have come to earth as a seahorsewoman!

Well enough of this waffle, let's get on with the
tutorial ...
Begin by cutting 2 x 6"/15cms lengths and
1 x 1.5"/4cms lengths of 0.8mm (20-gauge) wire.

1.  Using your round and flat nosed pliers,
create a small circle at one end and a larger
open spiral at the other on the smaller,
1.5"/4cm length.

2.  Take one of the 6"/15cm lengths of 0.8mm 

(20-gauge) wire and create a small link at the very end.  

Next, double the wire by folding it in two, about 

1"/2.5cms from the link you have just created.

3.  Hold the doubled end of the wire you have just

created and curl it around your round nosed pliers,

separating the ends out, as shown above.

4.  Pull the extending wire down and curl

it into a larger open spiral.

5.  This is optional, but I recommend hammering the units

you have just made (hopefully with a WHAMMER!) on a 

steel block. This will make them work-hardened and more

sturdy.

6.  Cut some 0.4mm (26-gauge) wire and secure

the two units together. 

7. Thread a 2mm bead onto the projecting end of wire 

nearest the top, for the 'eye'. Snip off any excess and

neaten the ends.

8.  Cut another small length of 0.4mm (26-gauge) wire
and bind the 'snout' together.  Cut off any excess and
neaten the ends.

9.  Now to create the back of the Seahorse ... take your
last 6 "/15cms length of 0.8mm (20-gauge) and create
a small spiral at one end.

10. Cut a long length (about 18") of 0.4mm-0.5mm
wire - I have used some 0.5mm green coloured wire.
Wrap one end just below your spiral and bind around
the copper stem wire at least 4 times to secure. Now
pull the wire out to approximately 2cm from the main
stem wire and loop back down ... Repeat, wrapping the
wire around the main stem about 8 times in between
each projecting loop of double wire...

11.  Continue step 10, until you have used up all
the green wire.  Neaten the end. (If you have any
gaps between the wrapped wire, push it all together
at this stage).

12.  Use your chain nosed pliers to squeeze the ends of
every extending loop and twist around to create projecting
twisted stems.

13.  Create spirals, curling the twisted stems around
in the same direction.

14.  Cut a small length of 0.4mm (26-gauge) wire
and secure the top of the back, to the front unit.
Cut off any excess and neaten the ends.

15.  Cut another small length of 0.4mm (26-gauge) wire
and secure the opposite end of the back, to the base
of the front unit. Cut off any excess and neaten the ends.

16.  To make the curly tail of the Seahorse:
create a spiral at the very end of the stem
wire.  Hammer the spiral to toughen and
work-harden.

17.  Cut another long length (approx. 12"/30cms) of
0.5mm green wire (or, whatever fine binding wire you're
using) and begin binding it around the tail end of the
Seahorse frame, leaving about 1"/2.5cm projecting at
the start of the binding ...

18.  Continue binding the wire around the tail, in whatever
way you wish. Create a tight spiral with the projecting
end and flatten this over the unit, to hide the copper binding
underneath.

TA DAH!  There you have it! This Seahorse pendant
measures about 3"/7.5cms in length and it's ready
to be suspended from a chain or cord!

Here are some more experiments in silver!
Just PLAY with the idea and come up with your
own unique variations!

* HAPPY WIREWORKING *