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!