Do you want to add wire weaving to your skillset? If so, you’ve come to the right place because wire weaving mastery begins right here at Door 44 Studios. My name is Wendi, and I’m the wire weaver behind Door 44. I love to teach and I’ve found that the best way to teach wire weaving is through clear instruction using simple, modular designs. I strive to create designs that are both accessible for beginners and fun for intermediate jewelry makers. So, regardless of your background or your primary jewelry making discipline, you’ll learn useful skills and techniques here. You’ll also find lots of fun wirework components that you can blend with your own designs to create truly handcrafted artisan jewelry. So, but sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter below and let's make something beautiful!
Pretty Details & Fine Motor Skills
Hiya, Reader!
Can you believe it's already July? I hope you have plans to enjoy some quality time with loved ones this weekend. And, for my fellow US citizens, have a very happy 4th of July! I've posted this week's video one day early because we'll be celebrating the holiday with Matt's wonderful family tomorrow. I'm dying to see my adorable niece and nephew whom I haven't seen in ages. So, that's what I'll be doing for the rest of this weekend.
Here's what's happening behind Door 44 today. The video that just went live is a skill builder. I'll show you how to make your own jump rings and then how to use those jump rings to make some pretty little mobius flowers. There's nothing quite like chainmail to hone your fine motor skills. So, this exercise is going to really help you fine-tune your control when using pliers. It'll also help you become more aware of the finer details of your wirework.
The sweet little chainmail rosettes that we're making today are wonderful accents for all kinds of jewelry. But I particularly love to use them in earrings, which brings me to what I'm working on for next week's video. I've taken one of my oldest earring designs and updated it. And I'm turning that simple chandelier earring design into a sort of wirework basics workshop.
I can't stress strongly enough how important it is to truly master certain foundational skills. And in next week's little workshop, we're going to cover a bunch of those skills. Things like:
- How to form symmetrical components for earrings
- Hammer techniques (flattening and texturing)
- My favorite wire binding technique
- How to make simple-loop headpins
- How to make decorative wrapped loop beaded dangles
- How to make wrapped loop connectors
- Assembly strategies for using wrapped loop connectors instead of jump rings
It's hard to believe that we're going to cover all of that in one project, right? That's why I opted to teach the mobius rosettes in a separate video. It was just too many skills to pack into a single video. So, go ahead and make yourself some pretty rosettes and then start picking out some fun beads for the earrings that we're going to make next week! You'll get a sneak peek of those earrings in today's video.
That's all the news that I've got for now, wire weaver. I need to get busy preparing for our little road trip tomorrow. Once again, enjoy the rest of your weekend, wherever you are. And for those here in the US, happy Independence Day! 🎆
Until next time, my friend, go make something beautiful!
Hey there, Jewelry Maker!
Do you want to add wire weaving to your skillset? If so, you’ve come to the right place because wire weaving mastery begins right here at Door 44 Studios. My name is Wendi, and I’m the wire weaver behind Door 44. I love to teach and I’ve found that the best way to teach wire weaving is through clear instruction using simple, modular designs. I strive to create designs that are both accessible for beginners and fun for intermediate jewelry makers. So, regardless of your background or your primary jewelry making discipline, you’ll learn useful skills and techniques here. You’ll also find lots of fun wirework components that you can blend with your own designs to create truly handcrafted artisan jewelry. So, but sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter below and let's make something beautiful!
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