ICQ-ME

updated 07/09/2003 ©1998

This is a short look at a jewelry technique, that I like to call Swirling. Swirling is a part of a process known as Wire Wrap or Wire Sculpting. When working with Wire, the softer and smaller gages of wire are more bendable and flow much easier; allowing for what I affectionately call Swirling. I found out about Swirling while working on wrapping rocks. I had received a bracelet when I was younger that remains in my jewelry collection which contains a group of caged polished stones. pretty, and quite durable. Hmmm,, I thought to myself, this is a technique and I need to learn it. I read alot of articles on it; and did some really intense searches compiling quite an archive of links. I think this process of learning made it clear for me that this wouldn't be easy, but it could be fun, if I stuck with it.

For Me, The use of decorative cages to hold semi precious gemstones, has of recent become a resurrected art form. I found that a lot more people will wear a beautiful Carnelian Nugget as a lavalier, to gain it's attention, than if I glued the same cabechon into a nice foundation and presented it more traditionally. Jewelry today is changing in concept and everyone wants something "Different" Yes that's the catch phrase today, " Different ". If you wrap and Swirl you will certainly make each piece different simply because wire always varies it's placement, purely by nature of it's composition. I think that is why we wire artists love it so much. We Call it Taming Mr Wire; and when you have tamed him, you walk away tired and feeling the need for a strong drink of a cold carbonated beverage, believe me. I have an icee machine in my studio, and lots of ice in my freezer at all times. (Jamaican Rum Optional)

Sea Gems, became one of my biggest challenges since I received one as a gift a while back from a now absent artist friend - named Windy. Her pendant made me have to wrap some glass. I looked at all the different techniques. the keys to getting the glass to lay flat; and how to make the ever so subtle reflections in the highly frosted glass, play up the swirling shining wire of the cage and it's flourishing curls. Not too difficult if you can see what it really looks like. I can't normally because I have Dyslexia. I know this is a real handicap as an artiste and that is why it takes me so long to grasp certain concepts because I just can't get the picture straight in my head. in the meantime, I met a very sweet and talented lady by the name of Robbie, who told me nicely that all I had to do was " Get a hold of Mr Wire, and Pull His Tail, and then tuck it where I wanted it to go". Wow.... I did just that, and ever since I've been happily twisting and swirling him any and every way that I can think of' and believe me you can too. just grab him, put him inside of a jewelry cloth and give him a couple good pulls and straighten him out, heating him up and making him react like "Butta Baby" to quote my girl from SNL " Linda Richmond.

Like My Scarab shown Here, Fellow artiste Jerri's Hoops, are a classic example of a simple open swirl. just barely bent but flourishing and conveying visions of Iberian flaminco dancers. Another artist friend Leah, has a Penchant for Pearls - and she takes them on a trip through a helix shaped open spiral that ends in a soft effervesent free fall. I've never seen this type of technique produce such beautiful elegant results, and Leah's customers are always clamoring for more. The King of the Swirl is non other than Preston Reuther, Mr Master Wire Sculptor Himself. I think that Preston has done more swirling wire than anyone in the last 50 years. His approach to using wire is traditional and offers the confidence to branch out into wider boundaries; Like those of my friend the Queen of Wire - Ms. Metallique Bijoux, the owner of Metallique Bijoux Studios and also the moderator of one of my favorite places to learn; the Creative Wire Forum, where I've met all kinds of great wire artists. The folks there are all as expansive as their approaches and techniques, to this crazy medium, but there is one thing we all have in common - We All Love Our Friend Mr. Wire...

In Every artists portfolio there must be at least one staple piece, that can be produced rather quickly; also done easily at Shows; and of course it must be a traditional piece like the birth stone pendant. this piece illustrates a different version of that staple. the glass bicones are the perfect shape since they reflect light from both the top and bottom surfaces, and not always the same way. they play with the metal from each angle that it can reflect. it reminds me of how you take a simple bead and make it the focus of lots of other much more complicated work, balanced. my friend Micki has some beautiful examples of exactly what I'm talking about in her gallery. Take a few minutes and look at the stones she chooses to highlight with simple flowing swirls and minature curls - ever so dainty, and airy.

Coke Bottles that were tossed into the sea, for years in our unecologically aware days - have given us these luscious sea gems. Small pieces of sea glass which have been tumbled by the oceans waves, until their edges are softly rounded and each piece has it's own unique and beautiful shape. These pieces are perfect for wrapping and I must admit that if it hadn't been for Windy sharing her shards of sea glass with me, I'd never have taken the time to explore this wonderful art of Swirling and Wire Sculpture. I hope that I've given you the inspiration to grab Mr. Wire and swirl, wrap and curl those beautiful beads and gemstones, into your most beautiful and unique creations. Thanks for Reading, and please visit my Galleries to see my Wire Sculptures.

Designed and Maintained by REalities Designs, ©1998  Updated 07/09/2003