Dandelion clocks are much more fun safely encased in resin than out in the garden getting their seeds blown all over the place! The clocks are easy enough to find. Drying them was a piece of cake too as you can see from the previous tutorial on how to dry flowers with inexpensive crystal cat litter. I also shared some tips on how to embed dried flowers in resin as well as how to use bezels.
This tutorial shows how you can wire wrap a bezel via net weaving for large cabochons. This is by no means the only way to do so. Please check out the links below for more ways.
You will need 18 G wire for the frame - preferably half-hard for the rigidity or work harden soft wire. Preferably 24 G for the finer work because it is stronger than 26 or 28 G. The fine silver plated silver wire I used was courtesy of Parawire. You can hang the pendant on a chain or leather cord - I used a metallic leather cord, courtesy of Endless Leather.
First find something round that is a little less than the diameter of the cabochon.
Cut about 12 inches of the 18G wire and wrap it around the makeshift mandrel.
Use broad nose pliers to make the 90° bends - this is to form the bail.
The two bends should just meet. As the Parawire I used was soft wire, I work hardened the frame by hammering with my nylon hammer.
Cut about 2 feet of 24 G wire and wrap a few times around the frame close to the bend. Don't worry if it shifts a little. You'll be going all the way around the circle.
I like to use my bail forming pliers (the medium) to form a loop. Then wire wrap a few times again around the frame.
Continue to alternatively wire wrap and form loops all around the circle.
Use another 1 1/2 ft of 24 G wire. Secure one end to the upright wires by wrapping around a few times. Use a figure 8 weave to wrap up the uprights.
Add another length of 24 G to the top of the loop at the bend area. Now make a second row of loops, anchoring them at the top of the loops below. You can work 2 rows without the cabochon in place. As you form the third row, make sure you push the wire net against the cabochon. I added a fourth row to ensure the cabochon is not going to go anywhere.
Before You Go:
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
This tutorial shows how you can wire wrap a bezel via net weaving for large cabochons. This is by no means the only way to do so. Please check out the links below for more ways.
You will need 18 G wire for the frame - preferably half-hard for the rigidity or work harden soft wire. Preferably 24 G for the finer work because it is stronger than 26 or 28 G. The fine silver plated silver wire I used was courtesy of Parawire. You can hang the pendant on a chain or leather cord - I used a metallic leather cord, courtesy of Endless Leather.
First find something round that is a little less than the diameter of the cabochon.
Cut about 12 inches of the 18G wire and wrap it around the makeshift mandrel.
Use broad nose pliers to make the 90° bends - this is to form the bail.
The two bends should just meet. As the Parawire I used was soft wire, I work hardened the frame by hammering with my nylon hammer.
Cut about 2 feet of 24 G wire and wrap a few times around the frame close to the bend. Don't worry if it shifts a little. You'll be going all the way around the circle.
I like to use my bail forming pliers (the medium) to form a loop. Then wire wrap a few times again around the frame.
Continue to alternatively wire wrap and form loops all around the circle.
Use another 1 1/2 ft of 24 G wire. Secure one end to the upright wires by wrapping around a few times. Use a figure 8 weave to wrap up the uprights.
I used my large bail forming pliers to make the bail. I curved it front to back. It doesn't matter which way. I also moved the remaining wire to opposite sides and spiral coiled them. The weaving wire was also trimmed and the wire end tucked in. That's it. If the instructions don't make sense, check out the first tutorial link below for others.
Before You Go:
- How to Make a Viking Knit Wire Bezel for Cabochons (also includes net bezel)
- How to Wire Weave a Cabochon
- How to Wire Wrap Cabochon Tutorials
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Love this tutorial Pearl!
ReplyDeleteI've done many a net weaving wrap around cabochons but I've never started it like this. I like it!
And - I also know how much work you put into this tutorial - and it really shows!
Thanks, Aims! There are many ways to capture the cabochon! It is a question of which ones we like best of all!
ReplyDeleteHi Pearl, that is just stunning! Thank you for walking us through the entire process, from picking to framing! Love it! Love ya' Patricia B
ReplyDeleteThis type or wire wrapping looks beautiful, I need to try it out. My only concern has always been that I will not be able to make consistent loops. But it shows off most of the framed object and the dandelion looks just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely amazed by this, looks really great when finished (some can be too fussy). No idea if you are still reading comments after 3 years. If you are, I feel I'm not grasping the loops formed with bail pliers. I have them but pics confuse me, which I rely on. Written instructions for jewellery is even more tricky for my small capacity brain. Lol. Beautiful photography, beautiful pieces & brilliant tutorials (just come from resin one, preceding this).
ReplyDeleteHope I've made a little sense, late night here in UK. Tyfs!!
For those of you who are not sure how to make the loops look uniform, I use my round nose pliers or something that will give me the same thing every time. Just like for my spring type wire wrapping, or for my jump rings, I use a toothpick or an ink pen to make it the same every time! That's what works for me! Just find the best thing that works for you to give you the size loops you want a go for it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Crafting!!! 😉