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Daily Wire Tip Jan 7: Learn Caging and Save Materials

By on January 7, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
January 7, 2011

Question:

I have some very nice pieces of obsidian, and I want to wrap them with silver colored copper wire. I have several sizes of obsidian, and I want to make a necklace mixed with other beads. The problem is, there are no holes. I have tried making cages, but the glass falls out before I can secure the piece. Is there any other option or instruction you could direct me to? I have been putting off buying silver and better quality materials, until I have mastered a few reliable techniques. I have gone through lots of material trying to learn. Thank you for any help you can offer.

-Joy in Freeport, Illinois

Answer:

First Joy, where are you getting your education while you are learning? I ask because often folks buy wire and just "try," messing up a lot of wire in the process, rather than saving money by buying a few inexpensive classes such as Lock That Rock (which would help with your current challenge).

Some folks get a book or two and might not quite understand the techniques described, whereas taking a video class would give a great background for better understanding how to execute the designs and patterns found in books and magazines.

Visiting your local bead store or rock club might help too. They often have basic classes in most wire basics, or could direct you to someone local who could give you hands-on training to get you started. Really, I think "Lock That Rock" is all you need for your present project. Let me know how it turns out!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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5 Comments

  1. avatar

    mary

    January 7, 2011 at 9:23 am

    Dale has given excellent advice as to where to start. There are those of us who do not learn well from written directions but do better if shown the steps in a hands on environment. Your local rock club would be a great source of information and learning on a vast number of lapidary topics as well as introducing you to people with like interests, giving you a great networking opportunity.

    My local rock club offers a variety of classes and such, that anyone with an interest can take, so it is well worth your time to try and find out if you have a club in your area.

  2. avatar

    Jane Elizabeth

    January 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I agree with Mary… Dale has an excellent class on line as has been mentioned “Lock that Rock”. I have taken it myself and given it high praise… check it out if you haven’t already.

  3. avatar

    jake

    January 7, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Joy, it sounds like you are a lot like me – i like to try things on my own before making an investment. BUT when it comes to stones and wire your mistakes while learning can be very expensive and frustrating. The worst thing that can happen is that you finally become so frustrated that you give up and abandoned this wonderful outlet for creativity! Dale’s instruction is fantastically detailed and she answers many questions before they even pop into your head.

    This is definitely an art form that deserves to have the initial investment in qualified instruction early on in your education. Especially since you can get DVDs or on-line video courses so that you can do them right in your home! Don’t risk breaking your wonderful obsidian or wasting any more wire – take a class and make your experience much more enjoyable.

  4. avatar

    Cindy

    January 7, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    Great question. Why not try to Google search for a tutorial on how to accomplish this? You may find exactly what you are looking for. Or, join on one of the jewelery magazine forums. Some of them even have “subscriber only” lower cost or free tutorials, you don’t even have to pay for membership.

    Learning materials can get very expensive, especially in the face of our raw material costs rising too. Good luck!

  5. avatar

    Charlotte Crawford

    January 8, 2011 at 3:08 am

    Joy,
    You are so fortunate to have Dale’s excellent resources available. Do take advantage of them and it will give you a good foundation of skills from which you can expand with your creativity. I learned to wire wrap on my own and after 6 years took my first class. Wish I had the opportunity sooner; so, don’t wait. Good luck!