notes on metalworking in wire by dianne karg baron

Secret Santa 2008 – Sneak Peak :-)

by diannekargbaron on December 8, 2008

I’m participating in the Secret Santa on CWJ again this year, and as usual, I’m choosing to work outside my comfort zone. Back in the summer when I was teaching at Haliburton, one of the projects we did was a “freeform” bangle. Now, anyone who knows me and has any familiarity with my past work, knows that I’m not a freeform kinda gal. It was the notes I got for my Secret Santa recipient’s preferences that made me think freeform would be the best approach.

Secret Santa 2008 Cuff

The starting point for this bangle was the Illingworth Necklace by Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934). This is the second time I’ve used this necklace for inspiration. The first time was during the YOJ 2005. The results this time look to me like “Wonder Woman meets Jackson Pollack” LOLOL

The frame was made out of 16 ga round copper. Then, making use of the miles and miles of Artistic Wire I have, I wound in 20 ga purple and 28 ga tangerine wire.

Gilbert spent literally years working on his necklace, tying and retying the wire knots. Originally, I was intending to make the interweaving more dense, but time is getting short, and the bracelet needs to be in the mail in the next day or so if I have any hope of getting it to its destination before Christmas.

Funny, I haven’t made much jewellery in the past two years, partly because I haven’t felt very inspired. But working on this bangle made me feel very energetic – I have the “itch” to do more work. Unfortunately there are other deadlines looming, so I have to put off making for a little while longer. I’m starting to have ideas for new pieces though, and am faithfully sketching them in my notebook. Feels good…

Here are some process photos I took showing the stages of construction.