Hello and welcome back, fellow wire wrapping jewelers! Beginning your wire-wrapping jewelry journey doesn’t have to be hard—I’ve scoured the web to find the best resources to help you kick-start your journey. Let’s get creative and make some beautiful jewelry!
Online Sources
If you are a visual learner, like me, there are quite a few places where you can learn the art and craft of wire-wrapping jewelry.
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Madelynn, the owner of Studio 73 Designs, yes that’s me, can help you if it’s overwhelming to start a new hobby (and turn it into some cash) if you don’t know where to start.
Our resources are user-friendly, and the best of it all? I am offering you a FREE wire-wrapping guide to get you started. When you subscribe to their free newsletter, you can also get our guide for free. This is one newsletter you’ll be looking forward to every time it arrives in your inbox!
Apart from the free guide, there’s another four you can look forward to:
- The Wire-Wrapping Planner will help you track each project’s name, the stones you’ve used, wire specifications, and a lot more. Print as many as you need and file them in a standard binder.
- In the Ultimate Wire-Wrapping Guide for Beginners, you’ll find many resources to set you up for wire wrapping jewelry journey.
- If you care about the environment as much as I do, you’ll know recycling as much as you can is a must-do activity. In the handy Tips for Finding Wire guide, you’ll find suggestions on where to find and use recycled electrical wiring. Ultimately, the aim is to save money and promote sustainable practices.
- The title gives it away: Wire-Wrapping Tools & Supplies Checklist. Everything you’ll need to start your journey! Wish I had this when I started…
- In Wire-Wrapping Resources you’ll find the resources, with clickable links, to learn more about wire-wrapping and making your jewelry.
2. Udemy
Unfortunately, this one isn’t a free resource. But what I like the most about Udemy’s online courses is that they are affordable. It is like having a teacher by my side and I can stop and rewatch lessons until I get it just right. Sometimes we all need a refresher.
3. Skillshare
I love opening Skillshare on days when I don’t feel like ‘thinking and tinkering’ or trying to dream up a new design. The step-by-step instructions are fantastic and aimed to help you create the featured design. A big thumbs up from me.
Remember to check the pricing before you sign up—sometimes I forget to do that and just charge it to my credit card. It makes for some ‘interesting’ discoveries when my statement arrives, but I’ve never regretted investing in my craft.
Books and E-Books
I am a bit old-school in my thinking at times and find that a physical book that’s richly illustrated is just what the brain needs to cut out distractions. Between the internet and books, I’d say I split my time in a 60-to-40 ratio with books taking the bulk. I’ve listed some of my favorite wire-wrapping books below and I hope you can get as much inspiration from them as I did (and still do).
The books below are linked to their respective Amazon pages.
4. Wire Fun: A Step by Step Guide to Beginning Wire Wrapping by Barbara Tilley
It is as if Barbara Tilley took me by the hand when I bought this book. I would recommend that you buy yourself a copy if you’re a beginner. There are five projects spread out across 44 pages with loads of color images. As a beginner, this was one of my most treasured possessions and I still turn to it for inspiration.
5. Wire Wrapping: The Basics and Beyond by Jim McIntosh
Imagine 298 pages filled with everything you will (probably) ever need to know about making wire-wrapping jewelry. Well, this book is that book! From the basics of making wire wrapping jewelry to rather advanced concepts of design, this book will have you covered. A fountain of information I’d recommend any beginner should buy.
6. The Art of Wire: Creative Techniques for Designer Jewelry by J. Marsha Michler
J. Marsha Michler offers beginners a wonderful resource for starting on their wire wrapping journey. What I love most about this book is the extensive discussion of techniques and how to personalize your jewelry. Five techniques are discussed in five chapters: hammering, wrapping, filigree (one of my favorites!), crochet, and dowel knitting (quite different from knitting with yarn. I learned that the hard way!).
My first piece came from this book—a brooch I gifted to my mother. There are 30 projects to choose from, like earrings, brooches, rings, and bracelets, to name a few. This is a highly recommended book, and I’d urge you to buy a copy and refine your skills to perfection.
Online Communities
I have mentioned in an earlier post that online communities are a great resource for finding advice, ideas, and inspiration. That still holds when you’re a beginner. Apart from books, I’ve learned a lot by asking questions on Facebook groups or reading other people’s questions to the same problems I was facing.
I have listed some online forums, Facebook groups, and other interesting places to help you achieve wire wrapping success:
7. Pinterest
Pinterest is my go-to source for inspiration. There are so many designs that my head starts spinning after a while! But it is a great place to show off your work or get tips from other experts in the wire wrapping field.
8. Facebook
Facebook groups are another substantial source I turn to for inspiration, tips, and tricks. Experts share their knowledge freely and you can build a sense of community with other members of the group. Here are two groups I highly recommend:
- Beginner Wire Wrapping: a great space to connect with other wire wrapping enthusiasts and to show off your pieces. It is a private group so answer the questions honestly and stick to the rules.
- Wire Artist Club: a great place to share your designs, and website, and to learn from fellow enthusiasts.
9. Reddit
What would the world be without Reddit forums and threads? This subreddit is a great place to post a question and get answers from other enthusiasts who are also beginners. You can pick up tutorials for a certain technique you’d like to learn, and I have gained wonderful ideas and tips.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it! A whole host of options from groups to books to some free and paid online resources. These options cater to various learning styles, and I love each of them.
Happy wrapping until next time!
