My First Attempts at Wire Wrapping

Last week I told you that I wanted to learn to wire wrap, and I've finally gotten a bit of wire to try my hand at it!  Many thanks to my friend SometimesSummer, who makes really awesome wire-wrapped jewelry.  I met her through Etsy, and while we shared a tent at a local festival, she showed me the basics of wire wrapping.  I've also joined the Wire Wrapping for Beginners group on Etsypreneur,  and found some really great video through that group. 

I love the look of wire-wrapped gemstones and crystals, but I'm more of a natural, casual kind of girl and wanted to try something a little different.  My older daughter has found some really beautiful rocks and stones as we explore the woods and parks, and I thought it would be a neat idea to free form wrap some of them.  I also tried to combine a few stones and beads that I had in my supplies.  I'm using 26 gauge copper wire, and I braided 10 lb hemp cord to create a necklace with the stone.

This was my first attempt.  Not exactly a work of art, but here it is!

Here are the ones that I made using my supplies on hand

 

I actually really like the way the big pink stone turned out-- definitely a keeper!

I made two more after this, one I wrapped with tiny hot pink beads interspersed and Daughter has already claimed that one for her own, and she wore it to school.  It got rave reviews at the bus stop!  This is the last one I made. 

So what do you think?  If you are an experienced wire-wrapper (and even if you're not!), I'd love your feedback.  What is your favorite technique?  Feel free to link up to some of your favorite work or tutorials in the comments. 

And the last question... do you think there's a market for (completely) natural stones like this, untumbled, fresh out of nature in this type of jewelry?  Would you buy something like this, and if the answer is yes, what price range would you expect?

I'm excited to finally get started on this new type of jewelry design.  Follow me as I learn more and improve my technique! If you haven't already clicked the "subscribe" button on the left, be sure to do it now!

All the best, Jessica