ANGELS

ANGELS are not just for Christmas!
So once you've experimented with this project, you can make them
all the year round ... as pendants, earrings, lucky charms and key rings
and of course, scaled up as Christmas decorations...

As my Mum has been very ill and whilst writing this, is still
in hospital, recovering from 2 hip operations, a broken hand and
a very weak heart ... I dedicate this Angel Tutorial to her, with the
hope that it will pull her through to coming home for Christmas!

For this project, you will need your usual pliers kit, some 0.4mm
and some 0.8mm wire, plus a selection of beads.

STEP 1

Working from the end of a spool of silver plated 0.8mm (20-gauge)
wire, create a tight spiral of approx. 1.5cm. The size of the spiral is
your choice and the width will determine the widest (base) part of the
angel.

Cut from the spool leaving a tail of about 7cm.

STEP 2

Create an open swirl spiral at the opposite end, curling it in the
same direction as the first ...

STEP 3

Bring the open spiral in towards the first tight spiral, until it sits
on top of it. The tight and open spiral should be the same diameter and
the central holes of each, should be aligned.

STEP 4

Lift the open spiral up (like a lid) ...

STEP 5

... and push out the wires to separate the coils of the tight spiral
to form a cone shape.

STEP 6

Once you have your wire 'cornetto', cut another length of 0.8mm
wire that is twice as long as your cone.

STEP 7

Place the straight wire through the narrow end of the cone and
thread with beads, right up to the level of the open spiral.

STEP 8

Push the open spiral lid down and push the end of the beaded wire
through the top central hole. Create a head pin (or small folded spiral)
to plug the base of the cone.

STEP 9

To create the WINGS: Wrap some 0.4mm wire around a ruler,
or piece of card, at least 8 to 10 times.

STEP 10

Gently slide the wrapped wires off the ruler, leaving a tail of
approximately 6cm .

STEP 11

Grip all the wires together at the centre and using the long tail
end, bind them tightly around the middle to secure. You should
now have the 2 ends pulled out, as shown above.

STEP 12

Use the ends of the wire, to secure onto the projecting beaded
wire going through the cone. Once secure, cut off any excess
and neaten the ends.

STEP 13

Thread a 'head' bead on top of the wings.
To create a HALO: use your round nosed pliers, or bail maker pliers
to create a wrapped loop above the top of the head bead, securing it
in place.

STEP 14

Once the wrapped loop Halo is created, cut off any excess wire and
if desired, Whammer the round end of the 'halo' to flatten and
work harden.

STEP 15

Gently use your fingers and pliers, to separate the long looped wires
of the wings, fanning them out on each side.

Now, all that's left to do is to suspend it from a jump ring for a
necklace!

These little Angel Charms also make lovely little Xmas
decorations!

SENDING FESTIVE WISHES AND 
ANGEL BLESSINGS TO ALL THE 
WIRE WORK CREATIVES OUT THERE!