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Daily Wire Tip Jan. 21: Wired Leaf Design

By on January 20, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
January 21, 2011

Question:

I’m looking for a wire sculpted Leaf Pattern just with wire alone. I’ve scanned the websites and can’t seem to find anything. Would appreciate some information where I might find one. Thought it would be nice to make a combination pendant and earrings and possibly bracelet.

-Judy in Louisville, Kentucky

Answer:

Hi Judy, for an all-wire leaf design, you might want to look at the Leaf Link Online Class – look at these finished pieces below:

Wire Sculpted Leaf Pattern

These Leaf Links can be made as elaborate or as simple as you like. The wire gauge and the amount of forging are totally up to you as the designer. A heavy wire that is forged and textured makes a great single pendant, and using a medium gauge wire makes a nice pair of matching earrings! You could even add points to your leaf, by pinching the outer wire, and the tip can be as rounded and open or tightly pointed as you desire. Have fun with it!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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5 Comments

  1. avatar

    Peg

    January 21, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Judy, the best way to make a leaf – find a picture of a leaf you like, trace around the outside of the picture and over the “spine” and veins of the leaf. Copy your leaf drawing and make multiple copies (in several sizes for earrings, pendants, bracelet links, etc) Form your heavier wire (20 or 21 gauge) around the outer shape of the leaf, and using finer wire – 24 or 26 gauge – form the spine and veins of the leaf. You will have your own design and can use it over and over in different metals – add beads, etc. Have fun!

  2. avatar

    Joyce

    January 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    I have used embroidery patterns for some designs. They are easy to copy and look great. Follow the thread directions with wire. Use a skeletal leaf design. The size can be adjusted by photocopying. The size of the design will determine the size of wire.

  3. avatar

    Diane

    January 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    If you make the illustrated leaf pattern bracelet ornecklace you can also make oneof the links into a clasp by making the wire longer where it goes out to the loop, then curling it underneath into a hook with a small P-loop on it for a clasp. If you do it right, it’s invisible under the leaf pattern. I’ve made bracelets this way and people were delighted with not having a clasp showing.

  4. avatar

    Mitzi

    January 21, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Judy, while the pattern Dale suggested above is beautiful and I use it often, it’s not what I’d call a leaf.

    I have seen a leaf patten in wire in one on my numerous wire jewelry books or magazines, but I don’t remember which. Hnestly, if you have a wire jig; draw your own leaf design and then put pegs in over the paper and follow your own design (like an oak leaf).

    Have fun wrapping!
    Mitzi

  5. avatar

    Jeanne

    January 21, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I found some very life-like leaf patterns in two books I like to use to supplement Dale’s patterns: The book “The Complete Guide to Making WIRE JEWELRY”, has several leaf patterns and there is also one in the book “The Complete Guide to Wire & Beaded Jewelry”, has a leaf pattern that adds beads.