Silver jewelry perfect for spring!
May 28, 2020Swarovski pearls – beauty, durability and innovation
September 7, 2020Wire wrapping is one of the oldest methods of handmade jewelry. Examples of wire jewelry come from thousands of years BC. As history shows, wire jewelry has survived because it is the only known metal jewelry that can be made by hand, without the need for soldering or casting. For this reason, wire wrapping art was popular among ancient civilizations, because it did not need fire, electricity, or other modern technologies. What’s more, wire wrapping techniques has survived and to this day has not found application in the mass production of jewelry, because the machines are not able to form elements from wires faster, cheaper and more accurately. Handmade wire wrapped jewelry is made by wrapping thicker wires with thinner and combining them with other silver jewelry findings, stones, pearls or other decorations to create unique jewelry. Thanks to the precision and three-dimensional imagination, you can get intricate weaves and original forms that are impossible to achieve in machine production. In addition, wire wrapping jewellery is made by using mechanical connections between the elements, thus eliminating the need for soldering or other thermal treatments. Wrapping one wire with another makes silver jewelry more durable and precious. Thanks to the wire wrapping jewelry techniques, you can create practically any jewelry shape you want, from delicate intricate weaves to heavy and massive compositions. The main material in this technique is silver wire.
In addition to the wire wrapping ideas, which involves the intricate wrapping and joining of thicker and thinner wires, you can also use jewelry wire to create jewelry semi finished products yourself. Examples include silver pins, ear wires, jump rings, chain extensions, as well as various clasps for bracelets and necklaces. In addition to sterling silver jewelry findings silver wire gives the opportunity to create handmade jewelry such as: earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, cuff links and even wedding combs.
One of the simplest elements created with the use of wires is a silver pin, which we insert into beads and close with loops, blocking the bead and protecting it from slipping.
For this purpose, we create a P-shaped loop with round pliers — this is an option for beginners and is based on bending the wire into loop, until it touches the wire again.
An option for the more advanced is the eye loop, with a full circle of wire centered over the stem of wire (like a lollipop). For this purpose, use flat-nose pliers and bend the jewelry wire at 90 degrees angle to one side (about 1 cm from the end of the wire), and then use round pliers to form a circle in the opposite direction than we bent the wire at the beginning.
Both loops are open, which means they are available to open mechanically, best by using flat-nose pliers, so we can connect them with ear wires — making silver earrings, with a bail — making a silver necklace, or with other connectors or beads — making, for example, crystal lariat necklace. After connecting with other components close the loop — also with flat-nose pliers.
When making heavy jewelry or silver dangle earrings, when is a risk of the loop opening, it is worth creating a closed loop. In this case the end of the wire is wrapped around the stem of the loop three or four times, making the loop permanent, its called wrapped loop. However, in this case, wrap the wire only after combining it with another piece of jewelry. The exception is when the attachment has an open loop. To create silver head pins with loops, best is 925 silver wire with a diameter of 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm and 0.7 mm. It is worth adding, that regardless of the fineness and size of wires, all silver wires for jewelry have their durability, so the more we bend and tire them, the risk of breaking it increases.
Pins with a loop can also be used as connectors for bracelets, on which we thread GAVBARI: gemstone beads, crystal beads or Swarovski: bicone, scarab bead, other crystals, as well as GAVBARI cultured pearls, Swarovski pearls or other decorations.
Earring bases are other elements we can create with wires. Below are some examples for beginners, without the need of soldering. For this type of element, 925 sterling silver wires with a diameter of about 1 mm work best. To create some shapes, in addition to flat and round nose pliers, you could get tools that help you form arcs or circles. In this case, wire wrapping mandrel set of various sizes and a hammer may come in handy, of course not steel, but finished with leather, teflon, rubber or acrylic.
We use ready-made jump rings mainly for connecting elements, but you can also easily and quickly use them to create an extension for bracelets and necklaces, thanks to which your jewelry will become universal. For chain extensions, connect jump rings with each other and end with a decorative silver ball, oval ball, crystal, other pendant or end cap for engraving.
Silver wire for jewelry can also be used for wrapping stones, creating weaves ended with loop — playing a role of bail for pendants, necklaces or earrings. When wire wrapping diy, it is important to carefully hide ends of wire to avoid injury or getting caught on the fabric.
For more advanced, silver wire can also be used when making jewelry from epoxy resin and ceralun. For example, after filling up the silicone mold with resin, insert wires in it, which, after the resin has solidified, act as studs for the earrings, or a hook for the pendant. Find out more “How to create unique DIY jewelry with epoxy resin”.
Get inspired and make unique DIY jewelry with semi-finished 925CRAFT findings:
Soldering – what we need?
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