Decorative Wire Wrapping

Afternoon people!

I've been doing a spot of wire wrapping this week with some of our beautiful coloured craft wires and Swarovski Crystals. It's a technique i've used in the past then for some reason, kinda forgot about it :0 It's safe to say i've re-awakened my wire wrapping passion again so look out for more wire work designs appearing in our Design Ideas department over the coming months.

It's such a great technique to get the hang of....it can be highly decorative and generally you only need wire, and a few pairs of Pliers to create stunning pieces of jewellery. You can keep it simple and let the wire do the talking, or you can decorate your design with gemtones and beads. Wire wrapping is also a really great way of creating bezels for gemstones and cacbochons. 

After making a small pendant from our supplies i had a search through the internet looking to discover wire wrapping by other designers. Some are simple and beautifully finished and others are super elaborate and intricately wrapped...they can only be described as works of art really! Here's what i found....

A hammered 'Copper Elven Wire Wrapped Brooch' by Gypsy Moon Art below. The design is simple enough but the hammering of the wire and the ultra neat curling makes it stunning. The patinated copper leaf is a beautiful addition too...

Imagine the time that went into this beautiful Ammonite pendant intricately wrapped in coiled copper wire! Designed by Gailavira Tutorials...

...and this stunning Princess Wire Wrapped Jewellery Bangle featuring a large Blue/Grey Agate by Vimala Hand Craft...

As far as intricate goes....it doesn't get much more detailed than this amazing pendant locket created with copper wire of different Shapes and thicknesses by Margot Handmade Jewellery. Margot has even created a tiny Heart key that keeps the locket closed....

I also came across some spectacular gothic designs like this 'Teal Smoke Wire Wrap of Dragons Wing' necklace and Dragons Eye pendant by the talented Lady Pirotessa on Deviant Art...

Etsy is full of talented designers creating wire wrapped jewellery. Lunarieen UK was one of the shopes that stood out for me. It's full of Elven inspired jewellery featuring gorgeous gemstones wire wrapped in oxidized sterling Silver. Stunning.....

If you're new to wire wrapping, starting off with something simple like my design below will help you grow in confidence. I used our Lime Green aluminium craft wire together with fine 0.4mm copper wire which i coiled before wrapping. It's a simple swirl design created with round and chain nose pliers, finished off with two Swarovski crystals. It was one of those pendants that designed itself as i went along and i'm really pleased with the results....

I will be turning this into a tutorial for you guys to have a go at next week so look out for that in Design Ideas as well as on our social media platforms if you follow us!

See you next time....

Emma xo