FLY CAN BE PRETTY TOOWIRE & JEWELRY MAKING TUTORIAL SERIES T99

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Copyrights DIY Beading Club 2013

Published By DIY Beading Club

INTRODUCTION

Learn how to use simple materials and turn them to a beautiful insect. The fly pendant is a very versatile design as you can come up with your own design by altering the technique. You can alter the size of the pendant, add more beads or

position the spirals differently to come up with your own unique design. While I was creating the fly, I imagine it can be turn into a beetle, octopus or simply any pendant

with spirals. 

The tutorial is catered for intermediate, or students with some knowledge of wirework, or anyone who loves to learn this basic wirework technique.  It has in-

depth instructions and ultra-clear, close-up photos at each step. Additionally, you can ask me question you have on the tutorial. No more getting stuck and frustrated on a

confusing or just plain inaccurate pattern.

For beginners, you can refer to appendix for detailed steps of making a spiral.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED:

Materials Needed21 gauge (0.7mm) copper wire28 gauge (0.3mm) copper wire1 big oval shaped Turquoise Bead with height3.5cm (1.4inch) and width 2.5cm (1 inch)2 round beads 0.8cm in diameter1 round bead 0.4cm in diameter

Tools NeededRound nose pliersFlat nose pliersWire cutterRuler

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:Cut 2 20ga wire of 30cm in length (shorter wire) and 2 20ga wire of 32cm in length (longer wire). Take 2 shorter wire and 1 longer wire and place the 3 wires neatly and they should start from the same point at the end. So at the other end at the top, you will see the long wire is 2cm longer than the other 2 shorter wires. Place the middle of other longer wire measuring 32cm in length horizontally on top of the 3 wires. The length where the cross between the vertical and horizontal wire should be at 10cm from the beginning of the long wire measuring 32cm.

Wrap the horizontal wire 2 to 3 times around the other 3 wires. This can be done by bending the end on the right to the left and the end on the left to the right side. Pull it slightly to ensure it wrap around the 3 wires securely.

 

Step 2:Now place the oval bead into one of the wires.

 

Step 3:At the back of the bead, with the help of the pliers, lift the 2 wires upward about 60 degree from the wire. Curl the 2 wires slightly and place them nicely on the bead. This will allow a smooth layout from the front view.

Step 4:At the other end, bend one of the wires to 90 degree and wrap it around the other 2 wires.

 

Step 5:Now back to the start of the bead. From step 1, it would already have a cross. The horizontal wire at one end to the joint should be approximately 15cm. Trim both ends to ensure they have the same measurement.

Step 6:Make spiral for the wire at the right. Refer page 18 for detailed steps on how to make spirals. To make a spiral, use your round nose pliers and make a loop upward.

 

Step 7:Leave about 4cm of wire between the spirals and the middle of the bead. 

Bend the wire downward to place it on top of the bead. You might place a small mandrel below the wire to help you bend the wire nicely.

Step 8:Make another spiral for the other side. Make sure the spiral is upward facing the left side. Leave about 4cm of wire and bend the wire to place it nicely on the bead. You might have realised the spirals are the wings for the fly. Adjust the length by rolling the spirals upward until you reach your desired location to place the spirals. We will make two more sets that will be placed above these spirals.

Step 9:Turn to the back of the bead, bend the wire which was used to wrap around the wire at the bottom upward. Bend one more wire upward. Place them at the back of the bead.

Turn to the front view of the bead. Bring the left wire to the front of the joint and wrap it around the wires above the joint by bringing it the back towards the left and to the right side again. By doing so, you have made 1 wrap around the wires. Repeat the same for the right wire by wrapping the wires 1 time. Place both ends horizontally. Both ends should be measuring 12cm between one end to the centre of the joint . Trim those ends to ensure they are of same length.

Make spirals at both ends. Leave about 3 cm of wire between the spiral and the joint. As you are using a shorter wire to make the spiral, your spirals should be smaller than the 2 we made in the previous steps.

 

Place them on top of the 2 spirals below.

Step 10:Now place a small 4mm round bead into the last wire left at the bottom of the bead. Bend the wire upward towards the front view.

 

Insert the wire into the hole within the joint between the small and the big beads. Pull it in slowly until the entire wire is brought to the back.

Step 11:Once the wire has gone through fully, pull it towards and place them on top of the oval bead.

Step 12:Now there are 4 wires left on top of the bead. Take the 2 longest wires. Trim them to 9cm from one end to the centre of the bead. Wrap them around the joint, pull them down to 90 degree to place them horizontally.

Step 13:Bend the wire downward to form a love shape.

Cross the wires at approximately 2 cm from centre.

Step 14:Make a spiral at the right with the remaining wire outside the love shape. It should be above the previous spiral made.

Step 15:Repeat the same for the left side.

Step 16:There are 2 wires left up there.Make one spiral with one of the wire and place it at the bottom of the love shape.

Step 17:Make another spiral with the last wire up there and place it at the top joint at the love shape. The spirals would actually cover the joints at the back.

Step 18:Let’s place eyes for the fly.Cut approximately 6cm of 28ga wire. Wrap one end onto the love shape for 2 to 3 times.

Place a 8mm bead (that serves as the eye)into the wire and place it nicely on top of the love shape.

Wrap 2 to 3 times of the other end of the wire around the love shape to secure the position of the ‘eye’.

Cut off excess wire at both side.

Step 19:Repeat another eye at the left side. Cut off excess wires. For the final touch up, you can adjust the position of the spirals and the eyes so that it mimic the look of a fly.

 

Step 20:Congratulation! You are done. You can turn this design to a beetle or something else. Do share your work at the gallery if you manage to create one!

If you have any question or feedback about the tutorial, please contact me at diyjewelryclub@gmail.com

Please do not distribute, lend or copy.Do not mass produce.

APPENDIXHow to Make Spirals

Use a round nose pliers, place the wires at the tip of the pliers and curl the wire as shown in picture.

Twist the wire and form a loop. The loop will be used as the base to form a spiral.

Hold the loop or spiral with your round nose pliers.

Begin to bend by turning the wrist of your right hand downward to form the coil. This is coordinated with your left hand that pulls the wire downward. You may hold the spiral at different angle to help shape the spiral.

Continue twisting the spiral until you reach the centre of the wire you place the mark at step 1.

CONTACT US

I hope you have enjoyed making the jewelry. If you have any query or feedback for the tutorial, please contact us at diyjewelryclub@gmail.com.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Started as a hobby, I have then addicted into sharing my knowledge through tutorial writing. I publish my knowledge and research through my websites. I also work with other jewelry artists to develop tutorials and publish their works. I hope you will browse through all our creations and hope you will like them.

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