"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." Coco Chanel
"Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication." Leonardo da Vinci
Those two quotes resonate with me when I'm designing. The ability to simplify,
can help you to create a stronger visual piece, as you're eliminating the
unnecessary 'fluff', enabling the necessary to speak! Just as I'm sure, you've
often heard the phrase: Less is More!
So carrying on with that vibe, I thought I would share the simplest of tutorials.
This will help if you haven't picked up your pliers in a while, or if you're new
to fiddling with wire!
As most of us are going to be enjoying a 'staycation' this year, or perhaps are
quarantined with too much time to fill, this summer project just requires some
wire that's not too thin: I have used 1.6mm aluminium, because it's soft, light
and very easy to manipulate.
STEP 1
Depending how large you wish your pendant to be,
find a circular object to wrap your wire around, thereby
creating a full circle. Cut the wire off from the spool,
leaving the ends overlapping on each side.
STEP 2
Place your round nosed pliers at one end and create
a circle.
STEP 3
Hold the circle in your flat nosed pliers and continue
curling the wire around into a spiral, leaving a small
projecting tail at the very end.
STEP 4
Using your round nosed pliers, curl the projecting
tail into a link at the top of your spiral.
STEP 5
Place your spiral onto a steel block and gently hammer
to flatten and work harden.
STEP 6 (optional)
If like me, you have used a thick gauge wire, you can
choose to texture the surface with the small dapping
head of the Whammer hammer. (If the wire curls up,
flatten it back down with the nylon head).
STEP 7
Depending on how simple you wish to make the
pendant, you can just secure 0.4mm wire around
the top two wires. This keeps it from misshaping,
or opening up when worn.
STEP 8 (optional)
If you wish, you can continue weaving whatever
0.4mm wire you have left ... or, you can wire in a bead,
or small seed beads within the spaces at this stage.
STEP 9 (central bead feature)
You can choose to leave the centre of your spiral
(A) as is, or (B) glue in a small flat backed crystal,
or as above (C) and following on with steps 10-13,
thread a bead with 0.8mm wire, forming a small
spiral at one end.
STEP 10C
Flatten the spiral onto the bead, pulling the excess
wire straight at the back.
STEP 11C
Thread the bead stem through the central hole of
the spiral (with the bead on the front side).
STEP 12C
Create a spiral with the 0.8mm projecting wire (at the back of
the bead), bringing it tightly up towards the centre of the spiral.
SPIRAL 13C
Flatten the small spiral against the back of the bead and
centre of the pendant. (*For extra security, you can always
add a dab of glue to prevent the bead from moving around.)
SPIRAL 14
Et voila! A very simple necklace pendant that just
needs popping onto a chain with an extra jump ring!
This design also looks great created as earrings!
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During this very strange, unsettling and
difficult year, I have created many pieces
of jewellery and if you follow me on
Instagram(lindajoneswirejewellery) you will
see them all and more!
So if you need a spark of inspiration for
more summer pieces to make, below is a gallery
of my latest work.
I hope that you enjoy!
HAPPY WIRE WORKING!
It's good for your wellbeing!
Please do also feel free to ask for any advice
with techniques, or project suggestions. I
always love to help if I can!
