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Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. Free-Form <br /> Adjective <br /> Pronounced 'frē-ˈfȯrm' <br /> Definition: a shape or design having or being asymmetrical or irregular <br /> <br /> Free-form designing can be daunting.

Freeform Wire Necklace

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Forging, Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Free-Form
Adjective
Pronounced 'frē-ˈfȯrm'
Definition: a shape or design having or being asymmetrical or irregular

Free-form designing can be daunting. It can mean that you will have to accept that your pieces will NOT be symmetrical. Or even match for that matter. In the second of three projects of free-form wire projects, I invite you to 'step outside of the box' and suppress your desire for symmetry by designing an awesome free-form necklace. Once you see how easy and fun making a necklace with this technique, you'll want to make more! Grab some tools and let's go!

Materials

10 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-10D
  • Lesson Quantity: 38.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $13.45
  • Gold Club Price: $10.09
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Wubbers Jumbo Round Mandrel Pliers
G2-1305
  • G2-1305
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $35.97
  • Gold Club Price: $26.98
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1
Measure and cut two pieces of wire, one at 24" and one at 14". Rest the wire on the bench pin and file the ends flat using the flat file.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, file the ends
Step 2
Position the wire at the bottom of the round nose pliers and make an eye on the end of each wire. Break the neck of each eye, centering them atop of the wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a loop
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, center the loop
Step 3
Now is the time to envision the shape you wish the outer piece to become. Use the Wubbers to form random curves on the 24" piece of wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, form curves
Step 4
Again, using the Wubbers, bend the 14" wire asymmetrically to the bends in the 24" wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make bends in the wire
Step 5
Using the cushion clamp, clamp the wires together and adjust the bends to compliment each other.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, clamp the wires together
Step 6
Remove the clamp. Lay the wires on the bench block and gently hammer the curves to add some dimension using the flat face of the chasing hammer. Don't worry about the wires stretching, you can adjust them later. Repeat with the second wire.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, hammer the curves
Step 7
Lay the 24" wire on the bench block with the eye hanging off the side. Using the flat face on the chasing hammer flatten 1 ½" of wire below the eye. Repeat with the other eye.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, flatten the wire
Step 8
Holding the eye with one pair of pliers, position a second pair of pliers on the flattened wire. Gently move the pliers in opposite directions, twisting the wire. Make one or two twists in the wire. Don't twist too tightly as you risk breaking the wires. This simple technique will add even more interest to your design.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, twist the wire
Step 9
Using the 400 grit sandpaper, clean the wires as needed to remove plier or hammer marks. Align the eyes perpendicular to the wires. Using the cushion clamps, clamp the wires together and manipulate to make them align.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, align the wires
Step 10
Suspend the necklace from a leather or fiber cord or chain.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, attach fiber or cord

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