OK, so this is harder than I thought. While working on this cuff, I realized that wire working requires a lot of thinking about structure and construction beforehand.
I tried to work in the same way as I, in many cases, work in beadweaving - creating a base and then add more materials as I go along and build the design. Implementing the same process with wire could have worked (I think) if it was a free form wire cuff, but in this case, it didn't work well.
I built a frame around the focal bead and then connected more pieces, one at a time. I should have measure and cut all the pieces first and then connect them with another piece of wire in order to have a symmetrical body. Another thing I learned is that I should have used thicker, harder wire for the foundation (the wire here is dead-soft 20 gauge). I also had problems with creating the closure after the whole body was finished - another thing that I should have thought of beforehand and resulted in an awkward finish.
Although I spent more than 5 hours working on it, struggling with the wire and pliers, and it didn't came out as I envisioned it, I learned a lot of things through the process, which is most important.
espectacular!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martina!
ReplyDeleteThe cuff is lovely! I like the effect of the frame around the focal.
ReplyDeleteI remember the sore fingers when starting to work with wire. I decided to work on making my pliers an extension of my hands. It took a while, but it was worth it!
Very unique!!! nice!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is an absolutely beautiful, amazing piece of art Smadar.
ReplyDeleteNicole/Beadwright
Ich finde Ihre Armband, trotz der
ReplyDeleteSchwierigkeiten sehr cuccessful.
I tried making a silver wire ring for my boyfriend for valentine's day but it just left me in tears and my hand hurt so bad the next day. I didn't plan it either but it seems like you were way more successful than I was.
ReplyDeleteI think the cuff you made is beautiful and makes me want to give wire wrapped jewelry another go :D
Thank you all very much for your encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteRose, as Kara said, it will take time and then we'll get used to it... I don't want to give up on this! :)