Daily Wire Tip Nov. 18: Wire-Wrapped Heart

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 18, 2010

Question:

I have a heart-shaped stone that I want to wrap. It is 45mm at the widest point, 38mm long, and 18mm thick. How do I do this?

-Patricia in Delray Beach, Florida

Answer:

Patricia, one of the easiest ways to wrap that stone is to use the “Anything” Harness found on DVD #3 of the Beginner Series.

Another way would be to make a regular frame and because the stone is so thick, you could incorporate a piece of pattern wire in the center of the frame bundle. For example, use two or more pieces of 21-gauge square on each of the bundle’s edges and put the pattern wire in the center. Of course, you would add more 21-gauge wire on each edge until the bundle is as wide as the side of the stone, plus two wires (one to pull on the back, and one for the front). In this manner you will not have to reach down into the frame to grab the pull wire and bend it up and over the stone, preventing the possibility of it being too tight and breaking.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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6 Comments

1. 

   Karen Borusiewicz

   November 18, 2010 at 8:55 am

   While I appreciate that you are an artist with a business, choosing questions that are being answered with solutions only being offered on a cd that must be bought is getting old. Please be honest and up front about what could be a very beneficial resource and either provide tips and techniqes or list it as a blog to lead you to a product that will help you. I have some of your books and a cd and they are great and I buy supplies here, but this email really frustrates me as the concept is so misrepresented and yet holds so much value to the community that will still generate sales.

   Thank you.
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 18, 2010 at 10:41 am

     Karen, being totally honest, this is a blog owned by Wire-Sculpture.com, not me (the education consultant/artist). I did provide a link to the DVD page, on which you can scroll down and see a good photo of what I refer to, or purchase if you wish; and in paragraph 2, I did provide detailed directions for another method of setting a heart. I get many questions each week and I choose those that are asked most frequently, those that are very unique, or those that I feel will help a majority of readers. I do not specifically choose questions that require a product sales. If you take the time to look through our tips and their answers you will find that again, I am honest. I appreciate your comments. You are welcome.
     Dale
2. 

   Heidi

   November 18, 2010 at 9:42 am

   The daily tips are nice but without pictures they do me no good. I am not an acomplished wire wrapper. Many times I do not follow what they are saying.
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 18, 2010 at 10:50 am

     Heidi, if you will go to the DVD link included in my answer and scroll down, you will see a photo of the harness I refer to. In past emails I have included the following link, that will show a pendant made using pattern wire in the center of the frame, ‘Love History’.
     Although it shows using prongs on the stone, it can be done as a ‘normal’ cabochon frame shown on this page ‘Basic Pendant Frame’. And no I am not trying to sell the classes here, but this is a good photo of a cab pendant.
3. 

   Lee

   November 18, 2010 at 11:25 am

   Thanks Dale. I have seen the patterned wire on your website but was not sure how to incorporate into a design. I have some new pieces of sea glass that are quite thick and think I will try the patterned wire to make my “anything” harness. I actually have a surf-tumbled heart-shaped piece of aqua sea glass. Can’t wait!
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 18, 2010 at 2:46 pm

     Cool Lee -should be awesome!