Sometimes plain wire is too boring. So we can use pattern wire or even twisted wire to make the design pop a little more. You can buy patterned wire. But here is an easy way to DIY patterned wire using a tube wringer. This is a device used to wring out the contents of paint tubes, adhesives and so on.
I actually got my
Heavy Duty All Metal Tube Wringer for Christmas! It is a relatively inexpensive ($22). Metal smiths use it to make corrugated effects on wire strips (bezel wire). Check this past post to see
how the wringer is used to make some nifty resin earrings.
An all metal one is needed to be robust enough. I used the wringer to mark 14 G wire (fine silver plated gold wire,
courtesy of Parawire). I didn't squeeze the handles together too hard. Once the first part of the wire is fed between the rollers, the key turns easily. I was able to make what I needed - about 6 inches - for the frame of the long necklace in just a couple of seconds. It helps to keep your fingers away from the wire as it came off the rollers!
I used my stepped ring mandrel pliers to form the round frame. You can use anything cylindrical of the right size you want.
Then it is a matter of making the bail. Bend one end up with chain or broad nose pliers. Then bend up the either side close to the first stem.
Use 26 G wire (also from Parawire) to wrap the bail area together. Trim the wire ends and tuck in.
Work harden by hammering a few times with a nylon hammer.
Trim the bail wire ends and roll over to form a bail. I used my medium sized bail forming pliers.
Then it is just a matter of using rings to connect dangles of Kazuri ceramic beads (
courtesy of Kazuri West) and other components.
You can also choose to decorate the frame itself. I used 2 lengths of 26 G wire to hold some beads and to wrap around the frame on either side of the bead selection. I had to play with what beads could actually fit within the frame.
Disclosure Photography The final photographs were captured on my iPhone 6S with the camera+ app and the Modahaus TS320 photo studio in natural light. Tutorial photographs are taken in artificial light in my windowless basement studio. In- app photo editing as well as quick use of Adobe Photoshop Elements were used for final tweaks. Find out more about my
How to Photography Jewelry Webinars. ______________________________
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