A Beginner's Guide to Wire Wrapping
http://www.articlesbridge.com/Article/A-Beginner-s [2008-7-11]
Tag : Enamelled Wire
Findings are the connective components of a piece, such as clasps,earwires, crimps, jumprings, linklocks and boltrings. Findings canbe made from virtually any metal and you will find silver findings,gold findings and copper findings commonly used to enhance a pieceof wire wrapped jewellery.
Wire wrapping tends to be confined to smaller-scale production; andas a technique is more often associated with hand crafted pieces.The individual craftsmen and artisans use their skills to createinteresting and intricate items combining wire with findings, beadsor other adornments.
In its basic form, wire wrapping uses looping to link thecomponents of a piece of jewellery. Loops can vary in complexityfrom a simple O shape, to P loops and eye loops. By theirvery nature, these are open loops, meaning they can be opened toaccommodate another component of the piece. P loops are a wire loopformed in the shape of the letter P, whereas eye loops are moreintricate; a tennis-racket shape is achieved with a full circle ofwire centred over the stem of the loop.
Closed or wrapped loops are also used to create more permanentlinks; the end of the wire is wrapped round the stem of the loop,so that it cannot be opened. This method of looping gives wirewrapping its name. In essence, it describes a method of creatingjewellery using mechanical, rather than soldered, links. Openloops, such as P loops and eye loops are commonly found in handmadeear-rings, whereas closed loops are used in necklaces andbracelets, so that the links do not open should the jewellerybecome snagged or caught.
Most craftsmen and artisans will use three basic tools in theirwork: a flush cutter, a pair of round-nosed pliers and chain-nosepliers. The flush cutter achieves a cut in the wire that leaves oneend flush or flat, so that the sharp or pointed end that remainscan be discarded. Round-nosed pliers have a conical shape thatallow easy manipulation of the wire into loops, whereas chain-nosepliers have flat, smooth jaws for gripping and bending wire. Aswell as these three basic tools, craftsmen are likely to haveloop-closing pliers, an anvil, a chasing hammer, step-jaw pliers,nylon-jaw pliers, a cup bur and a good, old-fashioned ruler. Manyartisans also employ a jewellery-making jig, which is an open framethat is used to establish a pattern for use in the shaping of wireor sheets of metal.
There are various types of wire available to the craftsman, indifferent alloys (Silver, Gold), carats (9ct, 18ct), styles, shapesand diameters. With advent of enamelled wires the design can evenincorporate a variety of vibrant colours. Each type of wire allowsthe designer to achieve different effects, offer different levelsof malleability and build something unique into their designs.
Whether you are a professional jeweller, a student or hobbyist, thequality and cost effectiveness of your materials will always impacton the finished work. For a wide selection of wire and findings,it's worth searching for a company that specialises in supplydirect to the jewellery trade many companies now sell online, soit's worth searching either for jewellery supplies or thespecific item you are looking for.
Findings are the connective components of a piece, such as clasps,earwires, crimps, jumprings, linklocks and boltrings. Findings canbe made from virtually any metal and you will find silver findings,gold findings and copper findings commonly used to enhance a pieceof wire wrapped jewellery.
Wire wrapping tends to be confined to smaller-scale production; andas a technique is more often associated with hand crafted pieces.The individual craftsmen and artisans use their skills to createinteresting and intricate items combining wire with findings, beadsor other adornments.
In its basic form, wire wrapping uses looping to link thecomponents of a piece of jewellery. Loops can vary in complexityfrom a simple O shape, to P loops and eye loops. By theirvery nature, these are open loops, meaning they can be opened toaccommodate another component of the piece. P loops are a wire loopformed in the shape of the letter P, whereas eye loops are moreintricate; a tennis-racket shape is achieved with a full circle ofwire centred over the stem of the loop.
Closed or wrapped loops are also used to create more permanentlinks; the end of the wire is wrapped round the stem of the loop,so that it cannot be opened. This method of looping gives wirewrapping its name. In essence, it describes a method of creatingjewellery using mechanical, rather than soldered, links. Openloops, such as P loops and eye loops are commonly found in handmadeear-rings, whereas closed loops are used in necklaces andbracelets, so that the links do not open should the jewellerybecome snagged or caught.
Most craftsmen and artisans will use three basic tools in theirwork: a flush cutter, a pair of round-nosed pliers and chain-nosepliers. The flush cutter achieves a cut in the wire that leaves oneend flush or flat, so that the sharp or pointed end that remainscan be discarded. Round-nosed pliers have a conical shape thatallow easy manipulation of the wire into loops, whereas chain-nosepliers have flat, smooth jaws for gripping and bending wire. Aswell as these three basic tools, craftsmen are likely to haveloop-closing pliers, an anvil, a chasing hammer, step-jaw pliers,nylon-jaw pliers, a cup bur and a good, old-fashioned ruler. Manyartisans also employ a jewellery-making jig, which is an open framethat is used to establish a pattern for use in the shaping of wireor sheets of metal.
There are various types of wire available to the craftsman, indifferent alloys (Silver, Gold), carats (9ct, 18ct), styles, shapesand diameters. With advent of enamelled wires the design can evenincorporate a variety of vibrant colours. Each type of wire allowsthe designer to achieve different effects, offer different levelsof malleability and build something unique into their designs.
Whether you are a professional jeweller, a student or hobbyist, thequality and cost effectiveness of your materials will always impacton the finished work. For a wide selection of wire and findings,it's worth searching for a company that specialises in supplydirect to the jewellery trade many companies now sell online, soit's worth searching either for jewellery supplies or thespecific item you are looking for.
Related News »
In Focus »
footwear exports
Last month, European footwear manufacturers proposed extending anti-dumping measures against ..
B2B Keywords:
International market Chinese Importer Wholesale trade Wholesale products World trade Wholesale distributors International trade Foreign trade Wholesale distributor Importers Import export business Sell online Help u sell Global trade How to market a product Online supplier Wholesale product
International market Chinese Importer Wholesale trade Wholesale products World trade Wholesale distributors International trade Foreign trade Wholesale distributor Importers Import export business Sell online Help u sell Global trade How to market a product Online supplier Wholesale product
Feature Products»
Hot Products: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9
-
-
About Us -
Links -
Privacy Policy -
Terms of Use -
Site Map -
Contact Us -
Call Center: 0086-95105561 © 2007 Tootoo.com -
