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Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap. We recently visited the National Gallery of Art in DC and the Calder exhibit was breathtaking.

Calder-inspired Earrings

by Margot Potter
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Dapping, Forging, Making Spirals
  • Skill Level: Beginner
We recently visited the National Gallery of Art in DC and the Calder exhibit was breathtaking. I've been a fan of Calder's art for years, but seeing the pieces in person offers a whole new level of inspiration. I am particularly enamored with his wire work, and these simple hammered and dapped spirals are my homage to Calder.

I replaced the dark wire with a bright silver, and increased the thickness of the wire so I could add some texture. (Tip: Aluminum wire is great for larger designs because it's lightweight.)

Materials

12 Gauge Silver Enameled Aluminum Wire - 40FT
H14-V12-40FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
Out of Stock
Sterling Silver Jump Ring Closed (.032) 20ga. 6mm - Pack of 10
K11-18
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $4.56
  • Gold Club Price: $3.42
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Sterling Silver Earwires 14.5mm w/2mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-46
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.22
  • Gold Club Price: $1.67
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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Bent Chain Nose Plier, 6 Inches
G2-104
  • G2-104
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.87
  • Gold Club Price: $7.40
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Chasing Hammer - Flat Faced with Polished Wooden Handle - Pack of 1
G3-13
  • G3-13
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Steel and Rubber Bench Block 2.5X2.5 Inches
G17-22
  • G17-22
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
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8 Punch Dapping Set
DAP-708.00
  • DAP-708.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $48.97
  • Gold Club Price: $36.73
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Instructions
Step 1
Working from the spool, turn a loop in the end of the wire using round-nose pliers.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a loop
Step 2
Use chain-nose pliers to grasp the loop flat in the jaws and use your fingers to wrap the wire around the loop forming a spiral. I made four wraps. (If you don’t want to add texture to these, use nylon jaw pliers to prevent nicking wire.)
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a spiral
Step 3
Bend the wire to a 90-degree angle as shown using chain-nose pliers. Cut off any excess wire.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, trim the wire
Step 4
Grasp the end of the wire with fatter end of the jaws of your round-nose pliers and turn up and over into a loop. The loop is positioned as shown.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a loop at the end
Step 5
Gently open the coil so there is a little space between the wire. Place it on the bench block and use the round end of your chasing hammer to add texture.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, texture the wire
Step 6
Place the coil face down into dapping block. Use a dapping punch and hammer to gently dome the coil.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, place the spiral in the dapping block
Step 7
Use chain-nose pliers to pull the center loop to continue to make the dome shape with the coil. Adjust this with your fingers.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, pull out the spiral into a pyramid
Step 8
Attach earring wires using jump rings.
Margot Potter's Calder-inspired Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, attach ear wires

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