Annemarie is a wire artist living near Lincoln. Inspired by the magic of Mother Nature, her work has a beautiful natural and seemingly eff ortless fl ow and style. Annemarie has used components from the Vintaj range, which includes some really fabulous leaves in both copper and brass. The woodland leaf component, accompanied by fl uid wirework and the autumnal shade of the patina, work together perfectly to create the composition of this design. Once the vine-like technique is mastered, there are endless possibilities to create stunning complementary pieces.
MATERIALS
1mm (18 gauge) copper wire 0.8mm (20 gauge) copper wire Vintaj copper woodland leaf Labradorite cabochon
Designer tips
Practise the vine-like style with some scraps of wire. Twist them together and use random loops and swirls to secure the wires together. Go with the fl ow and see how the wires move. Don’t get too hung up about getting your vines perfect. The best thing about this style is that you can’t actually go wrong, just as long as your stone is secure. When using Liver of Sulphur, dip a number of times rather than leaving in the liquid for a long time, as this gives you more control over the colour of the patina. You can always keep dipping, which is much easier than removing the patina.
STEP 1
Measure the circumference of the cabochon with a fl exible tape measure. Multiply by three and cut two lengths of 1mm wire. Multiply by four and cut one length of 0.8mm wire. Find the centre of the 0.8mm, wrap around the centre of both 1mm wires. Place your cabochon on the desk and lay the wires to the side of it with the right 0.8mm wire on the underside of the cabochon.
STEP 2
Take the top 1mm wire to the left , creating a loop large enough to create some support for your cabochon. Use the tail end of this wire to wrap up the right side of the frame, stopping half way. Holding the cabochon in place, pull the 0.8mm wire (which was at the back of the cabochon) tight, and secure to the top right-hand side of the frame.
STEP 3
Place the cabochon onto the frame, bring the right side 1mm gauge wire across the front of the cabochon into a loose loop and gently curve the end up towards the top of the stone. Wrap the 0.8mm wire around this wire to secure. Use the left -hand side of 0.8mm wire to wind up the frame and create a loose loop to support the back of the top of the stone.
STEP 4
Gently shape the frame so it sits close to the stone, bringing all loose wires at the top together ready to secure the stone. Thread on the leaf and position onto the stone. Wrap the loose wires together with one of the wires, ensuring that the frame is snug on the stone. Tighten the frame by threading wires through the back and front of the frame, tying off when tight.
STEP 5
Use one of the 1mm wires to come down and across the leaf to secure it in place. Twist and curl the remaining wires together to create a vine-like wrap, which will be the bail. Shape around a mandrel to create the bail and poke the ends of the wires through to the front of the frame and stone. Secure by wrapping around various wires on the front.
STEP 6
If there is any wobble on the stone then use the tail ends of remaining wire to tighten and create tension, which will keep it in place. Cut and tie any loose wires, keeping with the vine-like nature of the design. Dip your fi nished piece in Liver of Sulphur briefl y to get a bronze colour and polish lightly so as not to remove too much patina.
Extra Projects Make a bangle and earrings
BANGLE Cut 1m of 1.25mm (16 gauge) wire and fi nd the centre. Thread on the leaf and fold the wire in half. Use one side to wrap tightly around the back and across the front of the leaf to secure. Twist and curl the wires together along the length. Shape using a cylindrical object. EARRINGS Cut a 15cm length of 0.8mm wire, form a loop halfway and use the vinelike style to create the earrings. Curl the end of the wires. Thread a bead onto a headpin, wrap and attach to the bottom of the earrings. Add earwires and gently bend into shape.
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