Cutting the Rock --> Shaping the Stone --> Wrapping the stone

Once you have the cab, the next step is to wrap it. For me, the cabs came from my love of wrapping. But the wraps came from my love of rocks. One of the nice things about wire-wrapping for me is that even if everyone hears the exact same instructions, even if everyone follows the exact same pattern, no two wire-wrappers will ever produce the same pendant. Part of that is the stone - no two stones are really exactly alike. Well, I guess the mass-produced stones can be exactly alike. Anyway...

My preferred tools for wrapping are square sterling silver wire (generally 22g dead soft), half-round sterling silver wire (generally 22g half-hard), flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, bail wrapping pliers, chain-nose pliers, and cutters. In truth, this stage of the game can be entered for very little money. If you are just learning and don't want to "waste" good wire, I strongly recommend learning on copper or brass wire in the same gauge and hardness you would be purchasing later. Practice wire from a hobby store doesn't work the same as sterling silver.

First step in the process for me is to cut 3-5 pieces of square sterling silver wire for the main structure. The number of pieces varies based on the thickness of the bezel (side of the cab). I generally use 4 wires. From there, I decide where the side binding wires will be based on what I might want to highlight (or hide) in the cab. Once I've set the placement mentally, I cut a long piece of half-round sterling silver wire. This is used to bind the structure wires together. I always start my binding wraps as close to the middle of wire as the design allows. If the front structure wire (the top structure wire that faces the front of the cab) is going to be shaped to hold the cab in place, I shape that wire prior to wrapping any additional bindings.

Once all of the side bindings are in place, I shape the wire around the cab. This is actually the final fitting, as I check placement of wire against the cab throughout the wrapping process. Holding the wire where it meets at the soon-to-be-bail, I shake the wrap, testing the sturdiness of the holding wires. If the cab stays in place, all is well. If the cab shifts or falls out, there are adjustments to be made. Once I know the cab will be firm in the wrap, I start to wrap the neck of the pendant. (Note, I only start! I actually only complete two wraps before moving on to the next step.) This groups all the remaining wire at the top of the pendant to make the bail and form the decorative accent. I take one wire (or two) from both sides of the top, spreading the stress of hanging across the two sides, and using my bail forming pliers (or a round pencil if that's more handy!), I make the round bail above the first few binds on the neck, bringing the remainder of the bail wire down to meet the other wires. I then finish wrapping the neck, wrapping over the bail wires.

And last, it's time for the decorative accent. Using the remaing wires - the downward facing bail wires and the upward facing end of the side wires, I just twist and turn to decorate.

...Cutting the Rock <-- ...Shaping the Stone <-- Wrapping the stone

Details to come later.

Copyright 2008 - The Rock Inspired