Tag: Jewelry | LSIrish.com

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Even a wood carving – pyrography – line art artist needs a hobby. Something that
is quick, fun, and inexpensive. something that you can work in the rec room,
and something that will make fantastic easy gifts.

My extra hobby is wire-bent, wire-wrapped copper jewelry!

The Wire-Bent Links Bracelet, shown above, is a fun design created from a selection of the over 300 bent-wire links that you can create featured in Easy & Elegant Beaded Copper Jewelry, published by Fox Chapel in 2011.

As you practice the wide variety of copper wire bent links that you can create you will end up with a wonderful pile of small, bright, shiny links – ready for your next jewelry project.

By creating a simple straight loop beaded link chain, you now have the bracelet base on which you can hang those links, using a jump ring or split ring. This is one design where the more the better, so let your creativity run wild.

Supplies include a few simple tools –

flush wire cutters

round nose pliers

nylon grip flat pliers

long nose pliers

18-gauge copper wire

20 – to 24-gauge copper wire

assorted bright, shiny, bling beads

assorted jewelry findings

Books by Lora Irish

Easy & Elegant Beaded Copper Jewelry

How to Create Beautiful Fashion Accessories from a Few Basic Steps

You can make affordable and stylish copper wire jewelry with a few simple tools, some wire and beads. Learn over 300 different link styles and how to create your own with step-by-step instructions and outstanding instructional photos!

Wire-Wrapped Jewelry Techniques:

Tools and Inspiration for Creating Your Own Fashionable Jewelry

This comprehensive guide to wire-wrapping jewelry covers all the techniques beginners need to know!

30 expert wire wrapping techniques step-by-step, including simple loops, cluster wrap, adding beads to wrapping wire, adding a coil element, wrapping sequential layers, and more
8 stylish DIY projects for statement jewelry like necklaces, pendants, hairpins, and earrings
Comprehensive guide includes step-by-step instructions, lists of materials and tools needed, and helpful tips and tricks
Beginner-friendly for anyone who is new to wire wrapping or just wants to brush up on techniques

Wire Wrapped Copper Jewelry Designs Read More »

Dec 7 2016

Leather Burned Jewelry

Leather Pyrography / By irish

Step 2 – Creating the Copper Jewelry

Leather Burned Jewelry, Day One
Leather Burned Jewelry, Day Two
Leather Burned Jewelry, Day Three

Wire-bent and wire-wrapped jewelry is an art that is currently in high favor among crafters. Jewelry supplies are readily available at most large box craft stores and through online shopping.

For my leather burnt necklaces I chose copper wire and findings, but there is a wide variety of wire types that you can use as silver, silver-coated, black, and colored aluminum. Personally, I prefer copper as it is a soft, easy to bend metal that can be tempered through gently hammering into strong, secure links and chains.

Glass beads and lamp work beads are also a favorite for me in jewelry work, but you will find a wonderful selection of gemstones, cut crystal beads, resin beads, and even bone or shell beads that you can use.

Completing your necklace

1 Cut an 8” length of 18-gauge copper wire with your flush cutters.

2 Grip the wire about 3” from one end in your straight pliers. Bend the wire to a 90 degree angle. Move the wire to your round-nose pliers, gripping the wire at the 90 degree angle. Roll the 3” end around the round-nose pliers to create a small loop.

3 Slide the short end of the wire through one of the holes in your leather burnt necklace. Move the wire to center the leather inside of the small loop.

Secure the loop

4 Grip the top of the loop, where it overlaps the long working end of the wire in your straight pliers. Roll the short end of the wire around the long working wire two to three times.

5 Clip the excess short wire with your flush cutters.

6 With your straight pliers crimp the cut end tightly against the long working wire.

Adding beads

7 Slide your chosen beads onto the long working wire. In my necklace I used one 2-mm copper bead, one 16-mm square yellow jade bead, and one 2-mm copper bead.

8 Grip the working wire in your straight pliers, with the tip of the pliers against the last bead. Bend the working wire into a 90 degree angle.

9 Place the 90 degree angle into your round-nose pliers and roll the working wire into a small loop.

Adding the chain

10 The second small loop should be created by holding the wire in the same spot or area of the round-nose pliers as you did the first loop. This keeps the two end loops of the bead dangle the same size.

11 Cut two sections of 2- to 3-mm copper chain 7” long each. Slide the last open link of the chain onto the short end of the loop wire. Move the chain link to the center of the loop.

12 Complete your wire wrapped bead dangles by gripping the small loop in your straight pliers and wrapping the short end wire around the base of the loop two to three times.

Shaping the leather

17 Your leather burned necklace can easily be shaped by simply placing your finished necklace under your kitchen faucet for a few moments, allowing the leather to become wet. Pat the leather necklace dry on a clean cloth. While the necklace is still damp and pliable, lay the necklace on a large, plastic soda glass and with loose (oversized) rubber bands lightly secure into place. Let the necklace dry overnight.