Wire wrapping is a very old jewelry making technique. It consists of winding a metal wire around a support, then setting stones and/or pearls on this wire. This method has been used for centuries, and it continues to be all the rage today!
Why do you use wire wrap in the making of your jewelry?
This is a question we are often asked. This is one of the reasons for writing this article. Wire wrapping is a very old manufacturing method, which has been perfected over the centuries. It allows you to create very elegant and sophisticated jewelry, while being relatively simple to make. In addition, this technique allows stones and/or pearls to be set without damaging them, which is a big advantage!
In addition, we have started on more elaborate jewelry with this technique. This does not prevent us from using others such as chain link (Byzantine etc.), lost wax casting or with Delft clay.
So you use wire wrap to make your handmade jewelry in France?
Yes that's right! We use this technique to make most of our jewelry. Wire wrap jewelry is elegant, timeless and very popular with customers.
It is very versatile because the shapes that we can make with it are limitless apart from that of our own creativity. We are also going to use it in decorative objects (soon on sale) such as trees of life but also animal figurines.
Ultimately what is wire wrap?
Wire wrapping is a very old manufacturing method, which consists of winding a metal wire around a support, then setting stones and/or pearls on this wire. This technique has been used for centuries, and it continues to be all the rage today!
It was widely used by the Vikings. We use this technique to make most of our jewelry.
The chain of mesh results from this since it is necessary to wind a metal wire around a round support to form the rings. It's also a technique we like to use in our jewelry.
As we form the wire with tools and often our hands, rigid metals like steel are more difficult to handle in this discipline. If you want to make wire wrap, start with softer metals such as copper, aluminum or brass. Money is also a good idea although more expensive.
You can even make crimps with wirewrap. This allows you to use undrilled stones (cabochon in the jargon) and use them in rings, bracelets or medallions.
The only drawback is the rigidity of the creation which can be confusing, particularly for a bracelet or a necklace. This is why we often combine wire wrap elements as the central piece of jewelry with more flexible chainmail elements.
You can also make earrings, pendants and other jewelry with this technique
The possibilities are endless and are only limited by your imagination!