BEGINNER | WIRE Build a Wire Bangle Wovenwith a Zigzag · PDF fileBuild a Wire Bangle Wovenwith a Zigzag Pattern ... Build a Wire Bangle Wovenwith a Zigzag ... ASK THE ARTIST:
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PROJECTBEGINNER | WIRE
Build a Wire Bangle with a
Woven Zigzag Pattern Apply entry-level techniques to create
a surprisingly sophisticated effect.by Swati Nigam
■ 16-gauge (1.3 mm), length according to bangle size
■ 26-gauge (0.4 mm), length according to bangle size
toolboxes ■ Wirework ■ Soldering ■ Finishing
put some zing in your zigzagIf you want to create a set of bangles with a bit of color to them, feel free to substitute colored craft wire for the weaving wire. Depending on the colors you choose, you can have stackable bangles to match any wardrobe!
Weaving right to left
Weaving left to right
Tail
X2
Wire end
X2 X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
1
Wire end
X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
X2
5 4 3 2 1
Weaving right to left
Weaving left to right
Tail
X2
Wire end
X2 X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
1
Wire end
X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
X2
5 4 3 2 1
Weaving right to left
Weaving left to right
Tail
X2
Wire end
X2 X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
1
Wire end
X2 X2 X2
5 4 3 2 1
X2
5 4 3 2 1
60
1Determine the size of your finished bangle by wrapping
a piece of string around your hand at its widest point. Position your hand as if you were putting on a bracelet. Hold the string snugly, and then cut it to the correct size.
2 Cut five pieces of 16-gauge (1.3 mm) sterling silver wire
to the length of the string you measured. File both ends of each wire piece flat, then wrap each wire around a bracelet mandrel to form it into a rough circle. Bring the two ends of each wire piece together, and make sure the ends meet flush.
3 Flux one of the wire circles, and place it on a soldering
block. Place a pallion of hard solder under the join. Heat the circle slowly and evenly. When the flux becomes glassy, concentrate the heat around the join until the solder flows. Quench, pickle, rinse, and dry the circle. Repeat to solder the remaining circles.
4 Place one of the circles on the mandrel and lightly
tap it with a rawhide mallet to make it more consistent in shape. Repeat to shape all the remaining circles.
NOTE: The circles don’t need to be perfectly round at this stage; you’ll refine their shape later on.
5 Cut a 2–3-ft. (61.0–91.4 cm) piece of 26-gauge (0.4 mm)
sterling silver wire to use as weaving wire. Wrap the wire two times around one circle clockwise, leaving a 1-in. (25.5 mm) wire tail [Figure 1].
6 Position a second circle to the left of the first one, and
run the weaving wire under-neath the second circle. Wrap the weaving wire clockwise around the second circle twice. Weave tightly so the two circles sit right next to each other.
7 Repeat adding and weaving until you have woven all
five circles together [Figure 2].
NOTE: Circle 1 is the circle you started with on the right, and circle 5 is the one you ended with on the left.
8 To complete a full weave, you need to weave back to
circle 1. To do this, you must change the direction of your weaving wire. Run the weaving wire underneath circle 4, and wrap the weaving wire twice, this time counterclockwise [Figure 3]. Repeat for circles 3, 2, and 1, always weaving up from under the circle wire [Figure 4].
Continue weaving right to left (clockwise) and then left to right (counterclockwise) until the weave is complete all the way around the bangle.Figure 1
Figure 2Figure 4
Figure 3
Weaving left to right Weaving right to left
ASK THE ARTIST: SWATI NIGAM
61
ending and beginning wıre sectıonsWhen you are near the end of your weaving wire, leave a 1–2-in. (25.5–51 mm) tail at the end, and continue with a new piece of weaving wire from that position. Once you’ve reestablished the weave with the new weaving wire, trim the tail of the previous one. If you wrap tightly, the 26-gauge (0.4 mm) wire holds well even after it is trimmed.
When you trim a wire tail, make sure to pull it up tightly against the circle wire with flatnose pliers, and trim it flush to the circle it is wrapped around. Trim the tail on the outside of the circle wire so it won’t poke your wrist when the bangle is worn. Use the pliers to press the trimmed end down against the circle.
9 Place the woven bangle on the bracelet mandrel, and
tap it with the rawhide mallet to give it a circular shape and to harden it.
10 If you want a shiny finish, put the bangle in a tumbler for 2–3 hours to harden and
polish it.11 If you wish to give the weaving depth by
antiquing it, first clean the bangle with steel wool. Dissolve a tiny bit of liver of sulfur in some warm water. Dip the bangle in the liver of sulfur, and then quickly rinse it in cool water. Continue to dip and rinse until you have achieved your desired color. Dry the bangle, and lightly rub it with steel wool to highlight the wire weaving. Tumble the bangle for about an hour to harden and polish it.
If you had to switch media tomorrow, which would you choose, and why?I would have to say metal clay. I have not worked much with it, but I love the versatility it offers and the flexi- bility with all of the beautiful textures you can use! I also like the fact that it does not need too many tools or too much space.Contact: fleurviolettejewelry. blogspot.com.