Since this months Boot Camp is all about wire and what you can do with it, I thought we'd talk a little bit about my history of crazy free form wire work.
I do not read instructions. I do not follow rules. Typical wire wrapping is Greek to me, and I never tried it because I hate to have to measure anything (yes, I am kinda lazy that way). For me, the free form wire work comes very natural, so it all worked out. However, I realize that it is not so for everyone. Some people are very intimidated to just dive right in and play. I will not lie, there is a learning curve, lots of unwrapping and re-wrapping or wrapping too much, until you can get that balance of function and design....but you can do it.
When I started- I basically learned so I could capture sea glass in wire.
Staci Louise Originals the early days.....lol
I never took a class to wrap stones or sea glass (obviously) so there was a lot of trial and error. The most important thing to me at first was to learn to capture the glass securely, so it couldn't be pulled apart. There is nothing worse then wrapping something up really nice and then it pulls apart off one side, and your sea glass falls out.
Then I learned to drill sea glass, so the wire wrapping was able to become more decorative and less functional.
(this was all sterling silver mind you, back when it was $8-$12 an oz!!!!)
Then I tried this style below, the loop with beads wrapped around the outside, and only made a couple....it just wasn't me
However, trying this allowed me to think about making a wire frame and attaching beads to it. So, of course, I took this technique and ran with it- and made it bigger...................
my tide line design in sea glass
AND BIGGER...................
Then I added wire as charms and adornments to my beaded pieces
and that is about it.
Free form wire work- just try it, and be bold and have fun! You won't discover anything amazing if you don't try!
I hope seeing my early work has inspired you to just jump in and try. And remember- post your progress, experiments and success's in our flickr group (for the current Boot Camp Only)!
have fun!
