GOLD FISH

Before I dive into the little fishy project that I've
prepared for you, I want to tell you about a few
other bits of flotsam and jetsam floating around
on my ocean bed ...

 I'm currently creating pieces for an exhibition and sale,
that I partake in annually, for SOUTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS.
This is where artists in this area of Kent, open their own
studios (garages, sheds, spare rooms, conservatories, etc...)
to the public at large for the whole month of June.  I like
collaborating with a group of artists, which means we
can be open all the time, show a varied and exciting range
of work from painting, sculpture, textiles, glass, printmaking
and of course, jewellery, plus we all enjoy a natter with tea and
cake thrown in! So, please do drop in, if you're in the area ...

But, if you in the London area, I will be running a one day
WireWork Masterclass at the LONDON JEWELLERY SCHOOL
on Monday 26th June from 10am-4.30pm.
Bookings are NOW being taken and spaces are limited, so I urge
you to book as soon as you can!

If you miss this opportunity, I do also run WORKSHOPS from my
own studio in Kent, so all is not lost!

In the meantime, here's a little tutorial to keep your wireworking
fingers busy and active. You can scale it up as a piece of home
decor, or create it into a necklace or earrings ... I will leave your
imagination to it's own devices ...

STEP 1

Depending on the size of the fish, cut a length of 0.8mm
wire - I used about 6"-15cm. Place your chain nosed pliers
just past the middle of the length and bend a kink. Re-position
the pliers next to the kink and bend back to form a 'v' indent.

STEP 2

Hold your pliers on one side of the 'v' indent and bring the
wire back around, so that the ends cross over (to form the
fish's tail).

STEP 3

Spend a little time reshaping the frame with your fingers
and if one of the tail ends is longer than the other, trim with
your wire cutters if necessary.

STEP 4

Cut a short length of 0.4mm wire and use this to securely
bind the cross-over area of the tail. (Optional: Leave about 
an 1"-2.5cm of wire projecting on each side of the 0.4mm 
wrap ...).

STEP 5

(Any leftover wire from the wrap, can be created into a small
spiral and flattened over the join.) Next, use your round nosed
pliers to form circles at the ends of the fish tail.

STEP 6

Keep spiralling the ends to form the tail. (Optional: Place the spiral 
curls on the edge of your steel block and hammer to flatten
and work harden.)

STEP 7

Working from your 0.8mm spool of wire, create an open spiral
which fits into the centre area of the fish frame. Securely bind the
spiral into the frame at the top and bottom, using 0.4mm wire.



STEP 8

Once the spiral is secure and in place, cut off excess 0.8mm
wire, leaving just enough to create the 'eye'.

STEP 9

Using the tips of your round nosed pliers, curl the wire in
the opposite direction to the main 'body' spiral until it
touches the top of the frame, to form the 'eye'.

STEP 10

Secure a small seed bead into the eye loop with a short length
of 0.4mm wire (or, you can glue one in place!).

And there you have it! One fish down! Create these as pendants and
experiment with different ways of decorating the central sections:

Or, create a few more, to make a long statement necklace:

Try it silver ... copper, or coloured wires! Here's one that I made earlier
in silver with matching earrings:

Enjoy the fun of creating your own!
HAPPY WIRE -fish- MAKING