Free! Wire Weaved Cabochon Pendant Tutorial, Part 1

​I've been emailed several times, being asked if I could create a tutorial on how to wire wrap an un-drilled cabochon.  It's a difficult request in that most designer cabochon are not of a uniform shape or size... making the giving of exact measurements a hard thing to do.

Click here for Part 1 of the DIY tutorial

Then I realized... more important than giving exact measurements, is to perhaps, give the 'idea' and thought process behind wrapping an un-drilled stone.  So I invite you into my studio during the creation of this pendant... and I'll share 'what I was thinking' while I built it.  I'm still a learning student of this art myself... so there might be better ways, but this is one of 'my ways' ;)

When wire wrapping, using a stone or bead WITH a hole makes 'capturing' the stone or bead, fairly easy.  You put a wire through the hole somewhere in your design process and wrap around it in a beautiful way.  Wrapping a cut cabochon, with no holes, is another matter and requires a different thought process.

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The un-drilled cabochon won't stay in place or secure within the wire, unless you're able to build a 'harness' around the stone, all the while, creating a beautiful design and functional bale, in the case of a pendant.

I've put together images hoping to show this process.  I don't always have a design in mind to begin with, other than the initial bale I intend to use.  Many times that alone, will drive the rest of the creation.  Many times, the shape of the stone and any color variations it might have, will also drive the over all design.

Due to their unique shapes, using grid paper helps to keep an eye on symmetry.  Even though many of my pendants are more 'free form' than not, there is still a balance to maintain... keeping the stone centered within the pendant for example.  Re-aligning your project to grid points will help a great deal, while you work.

I hope these 'tricks and tips' of mine, help you along your creative way!

Click here for Part 1 of the DIY tutorial

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My other tutorial projects can be found for sale in my store.