Pattern Wire....continued

by Patti Vanderbloemen

My post two weeks ago touched on a new-to-me technique using sterling silver pattern wire - a great way to add dimension and texture to projects. Just as I was starting my journey back to a healthy recovery, I was knocked down with an awful cold and eye infection that left my right eye swollen shut for 4 solid days. BUT...I am 99.9999% better now! Before my cold struck, I ordered just a bit more (understatement!) pattern wire..again, from Rio Grande.

So far, I have only managed to make two new pieces with this wire. For the first project, I chose to use the square pattern wire. I had only used 18 gauge square wire in the past and was fearful of the wire twisting on me when forming. But, this wire has much more heft, and the actual challenge was having an absolutely flush solder join for this bangle ... any sanding of excess solder and there goes that lovely pattern!

I added a little mixed metal charm, but the bangle alone would have been fine, I think.  

I apologize for the blurry photo below, but I wanted you all to see the nice thickness to this wire.

The last piece I made was that ring that I originally purchased the wire for in the first place. I FINALLY got my hands on a Labradorite cabochon that actually had the flash that I thought was out of reach for me -- every Labradorite I have purchased in the past lacked all flash.

Yes - that pattern wire was meant to be a ring shank! 

That's only a 10mm cabochon...but I happen to have the world's shortest fingers and rings always look so huge on my hands....sigh.

I hope to get to work on using more of this wire as the very next set of projects!

Thanks for stopping by today!!