Secrets to Wireworking Video 5: Figure-8 Bail Sun Catcher with Czech Pressed Glass Beads, Seed Beads and Wirework
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Design Idea MH27
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Bead, Czech pressed glass, emerald green AB, 9x8.5mm top-drilled leaf
- Bead, Czech pressed glass, emerald green, 9x8.5mm top-drilled leaf
- Bead, Czech pressed glass, olivine, 9x8.5mm top-drilled leaf
- Bead, antique silver-plated "pewter" (zinc-based alloy), 10x8mm owl with SS20 rose setting
- Beading hoop, imitation rhodium-plated steel, 6-inch closed round
- Flat back, Swarovski®, topaz shimmer foil back, 4.6-4.8mm rose round (2088), SS20
- Seed bead, Dyna-Mites™, glass, opaque iris dark bronze, #11 round
- Seed bead, Dyna-Mites™, glass, silver-lined transparent root beer, #11 round
- Seed bead, Preciosa Ornela, Czech glass, opaque copper, #8 round
- Wire, ParaWire™, copper, round, 24 gauge
- Wire, ParaWire™, silver-plated copper, round, 24 gauge
- Adhesive, Devcon® 5 Minute® Epoxy, 2-part
- Pliers, EUROTOOL®, tapered, stainless steel / rubber / nylon, 4-1/2 inches
Build on the skills from the series' previous projects as you follow Patti into the next project of our wirework series. Create wire spirals and twisted wire vines to form the splayed branches of this tree of life suncatcher. Then finish the look with the newest featured technique--a figure-8 bail!
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the following lengths of wire:
- Thirteen 12-inch lengths of copper wire
- Nine 7-inch lengths of copper wire
- Twelve 12-inch lengths of silver wire
- Eleven 7-inch lengths of silver wire
Step 2
Wrap one end of a 12-inch copper wire around the beading hoop three times. Tuck in the tail of the wire with chain-nose pliers.
Step 3
Wrap a second 12-inch copper wire next to the first. Loosely twist the wires together a few times.
Step 4
On one wire, thread on nine seed beads in a desired pattern then twist the wires together twice. Continue to thread on five seed beads and twist the wires together.
Step 5
Use the tip of chain-nose pliers to make bends in the exposed wire on each side of the seed beads.
Step 6
Wrap one end of a 12-inch silver wire around the beading hoop. Tuck in the tail with chain-nose pliers.
Make two or three bends in the wire then thread on seed beads as desired. Make more bends on the other side of the seed beads, thread on more seed beads and make more bends.
Step 7
Repeat Steps 2 - 6 in the desired pattern until all 12-inch lengths of wire have been attached, beaded and bent.
Step 8
Gather all the attached wire near the ends of the bent portions, approximately 3 inches from the edge of the beading hoop.
Step 9
With the wires gathered in one hand, fan the wires out evenly so they take up approximately 1/3 of the circumference of the beading hoop.
Twist the wires together several times and make bends to form the bottom half of the tree trunk, approximately 1/2 the diameter of the beading hoop.
Step 10
Thread an owl bead onto one wire in the middle of the twist. Fan the wires around the owl, leaving the front of the owl exposed.
Twist the wires together then fan the wires out evenly toward the other side of the beading hoop.
Step 11
Create a "branch" by twisting the two leftmost bottom wires together near the base. Thread a leaf bead onto one wire then twist the wires together. Continue this style to add leaf beads as desired.
Use chain-nose pliers to make bends in the twisted wires. Wrap the ends of the wires around the beading hoop. Use chain-nose pliers to tuck in the tails and trim any excess wire.
Step 12
Form a simple loop on the end of a 7-inch wire. Cut off approximately 2mm from the end of the loop. Clamp with nylon-jaw pliers and push wire around the loop to form a spiral, using approximately 1/2 of the wire.
Step 13
Position the spiral in a desired location on the twisted wires from Step 11. Wrap the spiral wire down the twisted wire. Tuck in the tail and trim excess wire with chain-nose pliers.
Step 14
Make several bends near the base of the next wire. Thread on a leaf bead and tightly wrap the wire around the hole of the leaf bead. Repeat to add leaf beads as desired. Add spirals as desired.
Step 15
Repeat Steps 11 - 14 until all branches are attached to the beading hoop.
Step 16
Cut a 12-inch length of copper and silver wire. Holding the wires together, pass them around the beading hoop, through the top of the tree branches.
Bring the wires together and create a teardrop loop, leaving an approximately 3-inch tail. Make another teardrop loop to create a figure-8 shape.
Bring the wires back through the hoop again and repeat the figure-8 loop several times.
Wrap the tail around the center of the figure 8 twice and trim excess wire. Tuck in the tail with chain-nose pliers.
Step 17
Use Devcon® 5 Minute® Epoxy to glue a crystal flat back to the owl.
Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.
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The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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