Wire wrapping takes on an artistic appearance when used to embellish a natural stone, as in this example by jewelry artist Sue Fiddler.
Materials:
22-gauge, 22-1/2 round 14k gold-filled wire
30mm x 40mm stone
4 pieces of gold filled square wire, 10 inches long
1 thick piece of leather, 12" x 14"
1 ft. metal ruler
6" metal ruler
Flush cutter
Round nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Needle
Chain nose pliers
Small, thin knife
14" bolt with threads cut off
1. Use ruler to measure 1 ft. and mark every half-inch on leather. Then take the stone and roll it to measure. (figure A). It will be about 4-1/2 inches around. For a plain wrap, 4 more inches are needed.
2. Cut 4 x 1-1/2" inch half-round pieces of gold wrap (4-1/2 + 4 inches, but if you want to add a little more, add 5 ½ inches more, mark the center 5 inches). These are for the wrap wires.
3. Turn 4 times. Cut at 10 inches. Put together all 4 pieces with tape at ends. Wrap at marks (figure B). Mark center, 2 sides one at 6/16 on each side, one at 1-3/4 on each side.
4. Form the gold around the stone (figure C). Bring together at the top. Remove the stone and pinch the wires closed with ends extended upward. Next, cut the 22-1/2 into 5" piece, wrap 3 times around the bail (figure D), take the bolt without the threads and put about half-inch above the 3 turns on the back.
5. Bend over once, finishing wrapping the bail. Secure the stone by bringing out the first and second wires on front, and first wires on the back, to create a "cage".
6. You now can secure the ends of the bail and do twist the wires in a design that pleases you (figure E).
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2004/02/23/djmk104_2ca_e.jpg",350,450))
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