Dandelion clocks are much more fun safely encased in resin than out in the garden getting their seeds blown all over the place! The clocks are easy enough to find. Drying them was a piece of cake too as you can see from the previous tutorial on
how to dry flowers with inexpensive crystal cat litter. I also shared some tips on
how to embed dried flowers in resin as well as how to use bezels.
This tutorial shows how you can wire wrap a bezel via net weaving for large cabochons. This is by no means the only way to do so. Please check out the links below for more ways.
You will need 18 G wire for the frame - preferably half-hard for the rigidity or work harden soft wire. Preferably 24 G for the finer work because it is stronger than 26 or 28 G.
The fine silver plated silver wire I used was courtesy of Parawire.
First find something round that is a little less than the diameter of the cabochon.
Cut about 12 inches of the 18G wire and wrap it around the makeshift mandrel.
Use broad nose pliers to make the 90° bends - this is to form the bail.
The two bends should just meet. As the Parawire I used was soft wire, I work hardened the frame by hammering with my nylon hammer.
Cut about 2 feet of 24 G wire and wrap a few times around the frame close to the bend. Don't worry if it shifts a little. You'll be going all the way around the circle.
I like to use my bail forming pliers (the medium) to form a loop. Then wire wrap a few times again around the frame.
Continue to alternatively wire wrap and form loops all around the circle.
Use another 1 1/2 ft of 24 G wire. Secure one end to the upright wires by wrapping around a few times. Use a figure 8 weave to wrap up the uprights.
Add another length of 24 G to the top of the loop at the bend area. Now make a second row of loops, anchoring them at the top of the loops below. You can work 2 rows without the cabochon in place. As you form the third row, make sure you push the wire net against the cabochon. I added a fourth row to ensure the cabochon is not going to go anywhere.
I used my large bail forming pliers to make the bail. I curved it front to back. It doesn't matter which way. I also moved the remaining wire to opposite sides and spiral coiled them. The weaving wire was also trimmed and the wire end tucked in. That's it. If the instructions don't make sense, check out the first tutorial link below for others.
Before You Go: ______________________________
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