Where I've been...

I've been 'here' building wire wrapped jewelry for over 15 years.  My 'teachers' from the past still influence my designs, techniques and preferences, even today.  While long ago, I've credited and appreciated my teachers, I've decided to give a note of renewed thanks and appreciation.  Combined with their teachings, I've experimented over the years, and have applied and combined these lessons with my own techniques and style to my work.  I love many forms of wire work from traditional to the more complex and intricate weaving.

When I started, I used tutorials from books I purchased at the local Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  I got tools, wire and beads and just 'started' on my own, building simple earrings and wrapping simple wire around 'rocks' with holes in them.  I was in love and continued to learn, purchasing tutorials from Preston (sorry I don't remember his late name) from WireSculpture (at the time,  his website where he sold CDs! ).  I learned what I've come to know as 'traditional' wire wrapping techniques from him, using square wires and banding.  I also learned his unique style of wire sculpting which I found incredibly beautiful in all it's swirls and curls.  I continued to learn as much as I could between buying tutorials (also known as books from the hobby store), I found online groups and websites offering artist shared tutorials and there, discovered Wire Weaving.

I fell in love with Nichole Hanna Jewelry and her beautiful tutorials and learned to wire weave and construct woven designs from her.  It became clear to me that I was in for the long haul and I looked to learn more symmetrical work, noticing the beautiful styles of artists like Iza Malczyk, Alba, Valentina Winters and several others.

I dove in and purchased a tutorial by Iza Malczyk, her Butterfly Pendant tutorial which is a gorgeous design and where I fell in love with this style of jewelry.  From her, I learned torch work, precise measure and symmetry.  She  uses a style in this tutorial, I call 'Interlocking wires' and some basic wire weaving.  It's a beautiful tutorial that continues to inspire me today.

While I can't say where these wire work styles originate from, I can only give my continued thanks to those who I've learned from and continue to learn from today.  If I have forgotten to mention anyone, I give my thanks to you here.
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Some of my more favorite artists recently discovered are the works of Tracy Artes, ZD Artisan and Daryl Adams.  I have purchased tutorials from and have enjoyed learning from Tracy Artes, his designs are wonderfully challenging and incredibly beautiful.  The same for Daryl Adams... I loved learning some sound soldering and advanced weaving design from his Victorian Heart Pendant tutorial!  A recent discovery and favorite is ArtsvilleHandcrafted and their wire wrapping tutorials.  Some great designs and techniques to be found there!  And another favorite recent discovery is ZD Artisan, she also generously offers free tutorials, which give great detail and beautiful design. I have appreciated learning some new techniques from her work as well.  There are many artists, too many to name unfortunately, who  have been sharing their works on Youtube these days too and for them, I am also grateful. One favorite is Raftark and his generous teaching on a style known as 'heady' wrapping.  His videos are excellent and very detailed.  Heather Boyd has fun, easy wire work for beginners and I enjoy the refreshing ideas her free tutorials offer.
And last but certainly not least are OxanaCrafts and Fantasia Elegance, I've been learning from them for years.  Both share their amazing talents, free on Youtube.

I've intended to write this for quite a while now and am glad I found the time to finish this today.  Art is of the  heart and it has filled mine over the years.

I create free and for pay tutorials which I share to the world in gratitude for where I've come.  I also (in a Covid free world) am a hands on wire art and jewelry teacher for over 7 years now.  I teach for several rock clubs in the Denver area, I teach at mineral shows, rock shops and some bead stores.  I hope to restart my workshops this May, 2021.
Thanks for being here and for your continued support.
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