Category: Foundation Skills

Why You Should (Almost) Never Work off the Coil - The Tao of Wire

Why You Should (Almost) Never Work Off the Coil

04 Apr 17
dianne
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeTnjIRWUfw[/embedyt]

Beginner wire workers are often told that it’s okay to work directly off your coil or spool. That’s a bad piece of advice, and in this video, I explain why.

If you want to find out more about “Foundation Skills: Introduction to Basic Chains”, it’s available now from the Lessons Shop. Click here.

 

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Foundation Skills: Introduction to Basic Chains – Now Available!

15 Mar 17
dianne
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I’m pleased to announce that the next module in the “Foundation Skills” course is now available!

This course carries on from where “Introduction to Wire Jewelry” left off, and features 4 projects (and an exclusive video course only “bonus project”), a work hardening exercise, and tips and tricks for helping you streamline your production flow.

From the course outline:

“Hone your skills working with square wire and basic tools as you learn to make handcrafted cold-joined chains. You’ll learn tricks for speeding up your production. You’ll also learn to spot potential “Sweater Test” problems, and how to ensure your chains are the highest quality you can make. Finally, you’ll make four projects – the Basic Chain, the “Criss Cross” Figure 8 chain, a secure Hook & Eye, and a Butterfly Connector.”

Available now from the Lessons Shop!

Foundation Skills: Introduction to Basic Chains by Dianne Karg Baron, The Tao of Wire, an online video course for beginner wire jewelry

Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry - Course 1 - The Tao of Wire

Free Course – Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry launches June 29, 2016!

17 Jun 16
dianne
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After months of preparation, I’m happy to announce that Foundations Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry is now available!!

Episodes 1 to 5 have been on free preview in the Video Library for the past few months.

Now, this free video course is available in its full version!

Register now to start your creative journey!

Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry introduces you to the tools, metals and types of wire you’ll need to start working on your projects. It is intended for beginners, but will also be a good refresher for people who are familiar with wire jewelry.

Topics covered in this course include:

The Sweater Test
Tools Part 1: The 8 Essential Tools
Tools Part 2: More Useful Tools
All About Wire Part 1: Metals
All About Wire Part 2: Shapes, Gauges, Tempers
How to Straighten Wire – 3 Methods
5 Tips for Minimizing Body Strain
Introduction to Square Wire

The course also includes two project videos (S-Link Chain, and Simple Hook/Beaded Hook) that will help you build your confidence in using your tools, and give you pointers on trouble spots you’ll need to watch for!

S-Link Chain - Project 001 Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry - The Tao of Wire

Project 001 S-Link Chain

Simple Hook / Beaded Hook - Project 002 Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelry - The Tao of Wire

Project 002 – Simple Hook / Beaded Hook

 

Register today to start your creative journey!

 

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Can you spot the off square wire? - Episode 8 Supplemental - The Tao of Wire

Spot the Off-Square

13 Apr 16
dianne
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In Episode 8 – Introduction to Square Wire (included in the free Foundations Skills – Introduction to Wire Jewelry course), I talk about developing the ability to see wire that’s gone off-square. It’s a skill worth developing – both as a maker and as a buyer – because once you’ve learned to see off-square wire, you’ll always be able to see it. You’ll be able to distinguish high quality, well-made wire jewelry from work that is not quite there yet.

To help you, here are some side by side examples of wire jewelry. One piece has off-square bits, one doesn’t. Can you spot the differences?

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Learn how to prevent your wire from going off square. Sign up for the free course Foundations Skills – Introduction to Wire Jewelry today!

 

 

All About Wire - Part 2: Shapes, Gauges & Tempers - Episode 5 - The Tao of Wire

Episode 5: All About Wire, Part 2 – Shapes, Gauges & Tempers

21 Dec 15
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What wire should you choose for your project? In this episode, you’ll learn about the different qualities of wire like shape, gauge and temper, which can impact how your design looks, how easy it is to construct and how well it will wear.
This video is part of the Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelery course. Find out more!

 

Shapes, Gauges & Metals Chart - Episode 5 - The Tao of Wire

 

SWG / AWG Gauge Conversion Chart for Wire Jewelry - Episode 5 - The Tao of Wire

 

 

All About Wire, Part 1 - Metals - Episode 4 - The Tao of Wire

Episode 4: All About Wire, Part 1 – Metals

03 Dec 15
dianne
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Now that you have your tools, the next step is to choose your wire. In this episode you’ll learn about the different metals that are commonly used in wire jewelry.

 

This video is part of the Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelery course. Find out more!

 

Wire Metals Chart - Episode 4 - The Tao of Wire

 

Wire Metals - Mini Chart - Episode 4 - The Tao of Wire

More Useful Tools for Wireworking - Episode 3 - The Tao of Wire

Episode 3: Tools, Part 2 – More Useful Tools for Wireworking

28 Sep 15
dianne
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You’ve got the Essential 8 Tools. So what should you add next? In this episode Dianne talks about other tools you can add to your basic kit, as you continue your wire working journey.

This video is part of the Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelery course. Find out more!

 

More Useful Tools List - Episode 3 - The Tao of Wire

 

 

 

The 8 Essential Tools for Wireworking - Episode 2 - The Tao of Wire

Episode 2: Tools, Part 1 – The 8 Essential Tools for Wireworking

28 Aug 15
dianne
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What tools do you need when you’re first getting started making wire jewellery? In this episode Dianne describes the 8 “must have” essential tools you should have.

This video is part of the Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelery course. Find out more!

 

002-8EssentialTools-TheTaoOfWire-Epis2

The Sweater Test - Episode 1 - The Tao of Wire

Episode 1: The Sweater Test

12 Nov 14
dianne
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Does your jewellery pass The Sweater Test? Does it catch, snag or scratch when worn? Or worse, will getting caught or dropped deform or even destroy your jewellery? In this video, you’ll learn about why starting with the finishing in mind is the first and one of the most important steps to becoming a professional wire worker.

 Link: File Shapes & Sizes – a downloadable pdf from Contenti.com

This video is part of the Foundation Skills: Introduction to Wire Jewelery course. Find out more!

 

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