Bracelets by Henry Huss: The bottom is an 18-strand, 18-gauge, sterling silver wire weave. The top bracelet is a weave using 22-gauge sterling silver wire with gold wrap and an onyx stone.
Linda Shanahan
Creating wire wrapped jewelry can be fun and extremely rewarding.
Woven wire bracelets can be made using many different kinds of wire incorporated in a multitude of designs. You can use just one specific wire or choose to mix the wire; copper, bronze, gold, or silver, just to mention a few. You can use any kind of less expensive nontoxic metal wire; mixed metals are currently very popular. Your design can be made with thin wire, such as 22 gauge, or a thicker wire, such as 10 to 8 gauge; the thicker the wire the lower the gauge. It is best to keep the gauge consistent to enable a tight fit when wrapping. You can choose round, half round, or square wire. A word of warning: In making the bracelet, be sure not to twist the wire when forming the weave or the strands. The wire can be woven, which simply means weaving it (similar to braiding), or it can be in straight alignment with a perpendicular wrapped wire holding it together. With a little experience, you can weave or set beads, gemstones, or cabochons, within the bracelet design. Handcrafted clasps are relatively simple to make, but with a little imagination, even they can be an intricate art form. You can also make earrings, wire rings, and learn to wrap fused glass or cabochons to create pendants. With a little experience and confidence, you can experiment with twists and turns in wrapping a stone. There are tutorials online, but nothing beats having an expert on hand to bail you out when you get into trouble.
Whether you want to learn to make wire rings, bracelets, how to wrap pendants, or how to make your own unique handcrafted clasps, Henry Huss can help you get started in the world of wire jewelry making. For information, or to sign up for a class with Henry or any other of our resident teachers, visit our website at www.slrgs.com.