Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Hard and soft combined

 What started as an experiment to see "what if I put tatting inside wire weaving" seems to have gathered a following. So, I'll share what I've learned from doing this piece:

I used Parawire in 2 colors, "Army Green" for the three base wires in 20 gauge, and "Vintaj Natural Brass" in 28 gauge.

I had to start twice, because the first time I wasn't sure about the weave structure and made mistakes. Probably only another wire weaver would have noticed, but I did, so I started over to do it right!

When adding the tatting (see this previous post on that technique) I attempted to keep the wire weaving pattern as undisturbed as possible. In my earlier pieces my weaving tended to be messy at that area but it doesn't need to be. The tatting only needs to be caught with wire now and then, as if one were adding a bead.

Parawire, or any coated wire can be marred or scratched easily with tools such as pliers, so I did most of the shaping by hand. Serious jewelry artists usually avoid coated wires but since I'm breaking the rules already, why not have fun with the color choices? And, obviously, I'm not going to do any oxidizing or any other processes that would harm the tatting.













I do have some solid wires in my stash as well, such as solid natural brass which I used in the frame findings and jump rings on the earrings below. The solid brass will naturally patina or get darker over time, but that is okay.

12 comments:

Lady Jane said...

really really pretty, I still cant tat but admire your work. hugs, lj

Marilee Rockley said...

Lady Jane, thank you! ♥

Michelle said...

So beautiful, I love the juxtaposition of textures!

Marilee Rockley said...

Thanks, Michelle!

Kathy Niklewicz said...

I love that you are acquiring a following! I'm sure the wire weaving folks never heard of tatting before!

I feel as if I am on a spaceship going into the unknown with your posts. You keep forging ahead and even 'breaking rules' but creating magnificent items. Although I'm not knowledgeable about wire manipulation, it's fascinating to see how jewelry designs and even earring wires can be custom made. I used metal chains for my bell clappers and attached wire flat-head pins to acrylic beads for the clappers (shaping a simple 'hook'), and usually added a metallic bead cap. I bought wire cutters to cut the chains and also used them to cut wires on flowers. That' the extent of my 'wire art'!

Marilee Rockley said...

Thank you, Kathy. I always enjoy reading your comments; you are such a good writer! I've seen the pictures of your tatted bells on your blog and they're absolutely gorgeous!

God's Kid said...

Absolutely gorgeous again!!!!!!!! :)
And the earrings are fabulous too!!!! :)

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

How do you come up with all these wonderful ideas? I am intrigued by the process, but I'm not sure that I would be able to work successfully with wire. I love all of your jewelry pieces, and this one is especially beautiful. Keep breaking the rules!

Marilee Rockley said...

Thanks for the encouragement! ✨

Marilee Rockley said...

Diane, it took me 6 months to understand how to turn a simple loop in wire, so for sure you'd learn a lot faster than me!

Frivole said...

Very beautiful Marilee - I love your mixed media pendants.

A Trapped Steele Mind said...

Gorgeous piece!!!