VALENTINE'S DAY CARD IDEAS

Over the years, I have designed and hand made
greeting cards for every occasion using wire!

In fact, many moons ago, whilst I was busy writing
jewellery project books, I submitted a proposal to
publish a book called, "Wire on Cards".  Unfortunately,
it never made it onto the shelves, as the marketing agency
promoting my jewellery books at that time, said that it
straddled more than one target audience:  'paper crafters' as
well as 'jewellers'. And for that sole reason, they didn't think
that it would sell in large enough quantities because paper
crafters, being the larger target audience, would not want
to use pliers and wires and vice versa!

However, I still have the outline and all the project ideas, so IF
there are any craft publishers out there reading this who
feel they are in any way interested, I am ready to go! Although now
years on, in 2020, I think it would possibly work better demonstrated
on a Craft Channel.


So as we're approaching Valentine's Day, now is the perfect
time to create your own unique card for your best friend, your
soul mate and loved one. Avoid the commercial route, of purchasing
a pre-made sugar coated mass-produced item and make your own
unique creation!

To help you on your way, I have dug out some of my ideas
which might help spark new ones for you?! So, sit back and
scroll down to take a look at all my heart themed suggestions ...

Above: "CLOSE TO MY HEART"
The little wire stick person is holding a metal textured heart.  
The heart is cut out of aluminium sheet (or you can use a metal 
stamping blank). The heart surface, is hammer textured and coated
in red permanent marker.  The metal surface has then been 
gently sanded to reveal some of the metal, leaving the red ink in
the dented areas.

Above: "BOUQUET OF HEARTS". 
Each wire heart has been created out of 0.8mm wire and is held 
together with another piece of binding wire. There is a red bead
dangling at the centre of each of the hearts. You could also tie a 
little bow over the binding area if so desired ...

Above: "JOINED at the HEART"
This wire heart frame has been made with two pieces of wire
and joined at the base and centre, where you see the scrolling.
Red seed beads have been wire wrapped around the outer
frame and it's suspended from jump rings at the top to provide
a bit of movement.

Above: "CUPID'S ARROW"
The heart frame is created out of 0.8mm wire, folded in half
with the ends turned into spirals at the centre. The arrow is
is also made out of one piece of wire folded in half and is attached
with binding wire to the frame.

Above: "LOVE BUG"
It's not so visible, as it's red on red ... but it's a little bug! 
With a red glass bead body with antennae and legs, attached to 
the decorated paper cut out heart.

Above: "BEADED HEART"
The heart frame is created out of 0.8mm wire and threaded with 
red seed beads with a flat backed red crystal glued to the centre.

Above: "ROUND THE BEND" in love with you!
I think the spirals say it all!

Above: "LOVEHEART"
I think this one secretly says 'you are hot!'
Created out of one piece of 0.8mm wire, wire 
write the word 'love' and keep the wire flowing to
make the heart shape surround, finishing off
and securing it on the opposite side of the 
frame. This card has a little gold leaf decoration
to add that extra sparkle and vavavoum!

... and FINALLY ...

A GIFT TAG: you could also stamp a name, or word of 
your choice on a metal heart (stamping blank) and
attach to a pretty organza bag full of handmade
chocolates?

I do hope that has filled your head with Valentine card ideas 
for your loved ones! These are also suitable ALL the year around,
to make for family and friends going through challenging times,
as well as 'wedding', 'thank you' and 'get well' cards.


Happy Card Making! 

Wavy Flowers

It's grey, cold and gloomy in the U.K., but with some
brightly coloured wire and a selection of zingy beads,
I hope to drop a ray of sunshine into your homes with
this 'WAVY FLOWER' Tutorial!

It was by popular demand, following one of the images
I posted on my Instagram page: "lindajoneswirejewellery"',
that I am sharing this project. This piece can be adapted to
be created in any size and colour, using any wire gauge
and beads and could be created as a necklace, brooch ...
and in my case, a decorative fridge magnet! (Which could 
also double up as a magnetic brooch!).

STEP 1
For my sample, I used 1.5mm coloured aluminium wire.

Starting with a small round link at the end of the wire, I
worked directly from a spool of orange wire, and created
13 wiggles, roughly the same height. You can make 7 or 9
wiggles too, depending on the size and fullness you desire.
Then, I cut the wire off the spool leaving a projecting tail of
about 5"-6".

STEP 2

Holding the top of the wiggles in my fingers, I gently teased
each one out to form a circular frame.

STEP 3

To secure the frame, open the end link, place the projecting wire
into the gap and squeeze the link closed around the wire.

STEP 4

Create an open spiral at the end of the projecting wire ...

STEP 5

Spiral the wire until it sits at the centre of your flower frame.

STEP 6

Using flat nosed pliers, begin pinching each of the petal ends, so
that they are joined and doubled at the tip.

STEP 7

Go around the whole frame doubling up each of the wires.

STEP 8

Using round nosed pliers or bail making pliers, curl the doubled
petal tip ends into a curve and back in the opposite direction further
down, to create the 'wavy' effect. The wires will want to bunch
up, but flatten them down with flat nosed pliers were necessary!

*TIP: If you mark or scratch off any coating off the coloured wire, you
can always dab a little coloured permanent marker pen to conceal!

STEP 9

Repeat around the whole frame and if your wavy petals need flattening
down, you can hammer using a nylon hammer on a steel block (as you
don't want to scuff the coloured wire coating!).

STEP 10 - PETAL FRAME 2

Using the same, or a different coloured wire (above I have used
bright pink!) you can create second petal frame - this time you
don't need to leave a long tail of wire for the central spiral.

STEP 11

To secure the frame, repeat the same process, (steps 1-3) and
connect the end of the wire around the link.

STEP 12

As in Steps 6-7, pinch the ends of all the petals.

STEP 13

As in steps 8-9, create the wavy wiggles on each petal and flatten
the frame down with the nylon end of the Whammer hammer on a
steel block.

STEP 14

Once both petal frames are created, place one on top of the other.

STEP 15

Cut a length of 0.4mm gauge or any fine wire and bind the two
frames together so that they are attached at the centre.

STEP 16

Cut another length of binding wire and begin adding beads
to the centre of your flower, filling the central space with any
colour of your choice.

STEP 17

Once the centrepiece is beaded, bring all the ends of your wires
to the back and twist together. You can then spiral the twisted
stem and flatten down at the back of your flower.

You can now wire a brooch pin at the back, or link it to a jump
ring for a pendant. However, if you want to create it as a fridge
magnet ... as I have ... continue to follow the steps below ...

STEP 18

Create a tight flat spiral, large enough to cover the centre back.


STEP 19

Glue the spiral over the back bindings. This is also good to do
if you're making a pendant, as it neatens the back and removes
any scratchy wires.

STEP 20

Glue a magnet on to the spiral and leave to dry.

*This idea also works well for a brooch too, as you can attach it to any
fabric (without leaving pin marks) by placing another magnet
on the other side of the material/fabric. The only problem with
selling an item like this, is that magnets can interfere with pacemakers,
plus they also have to be kept away from small children!

However, as fridge or home decor magnets, 
they can brighten up any house!

Back to school ... CHAIN LINKS

Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very
HAPPY 2020 NEW YEAR!
Let's hope this one is full of creativity,
laughter, peaceful days and fun adventures!

As it's a 'back to school' day here in the U.K., I thought
we could also go back to school with our wires and pliers too!
Because it's possible, that after the Christmas break, you might 
feel a little rusty, both creatively and physically! Therefore, 
bending bits of wire into any wiggle or squiggle to create
your own unique chain links, is a good way of getting your
creative juices back on tap and your wire mojo back in gear!

Above, are some of the chain links that I like to use in my 
necklaces, earring and bracelet designs. As long as you can
link into the top and base of your unit, it will work!

You can choose to link with jump rings for a monochromatic chain, 
or as above, pick out an assortment of glass beads and spice up 
your necklace chain with a pop of colour.

Alternatively, keep to one bead shape and colour for a more dressy look.

Any of your handmade links will also work well for 
earring designs!

I have designed many chain link projects over the years, as 
I love creating handmade unique necklaces...

If you prefer to design more uniform, duplicate chain links, you 
could always use a jig to make each of the wire units.  Below are 
a few of my past jig chain link projects:

Or ... just add 2 more pegs and make the 'Elizabethan' style below:

Plus, here's another take on this version:

I hope that these chain link designs have got your fingers itchy to 
play with more wire design ideas for the coming year!