Swirls and Whirls O My!

I've always been terribly fascinated with the intricate designs that can be achieved with wire.  Lately I've been especially obsessed, so much so that I've taken it upon myself to learn on my own.

Teaching yourself something when you're not sure of the vernacular is a real pain in the butt though.

After enjoying the wonders of Google and tracing designs mentally, finding a few helpful tutorials and coupling it with my knowledge of how to use the tools I have, like roundnose pliers (used for making spirals and loops), I was able to finally come up with this.

While the  colors do match they are entirely accidental.  I took a large teardrop from my grandmother's chandelier that was salvaged after she died and wrapped it loosely to form a bail (where the pendant hangs from), and around to cap the briolette (teardrop shape).  The addition of the copper-colored wire was a bit trickier and I found for this version attaching it loosely then making tentative designs that I had better success than previous attempts.

This is the last of a series of pendants.  While I spent most of my time doing cage wrapping I did make some attempts to form frames for cabuchon like shapes, also somewhat helpful for loose stones and rocks (although that sort of thing works better for symmetrical pieces as I learned...)

Interested in seeing my other work?  Stop by my shop and checking out my jewelry collection!

Do you wire wrap?  What's helped you learn?  What are your favorite designs or techniques?  Share in the comments below!  And while you're at it add me to your social media networks and don't forget to hop on the newsletter!