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Post by pghram on Mar 31, 2017 18:58:01 GMT -5
I haven't done any wire wrapping in several years but I bought a bunch of copper wire & I'm going to try again. Please be brutal in your feedback. I'd really like to learn how to do this well.  Thanks for looking. Peace, Rich |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 31, 2017 22:43:12 GMT -5
Glad to see your trying again. Rather then point out flaws I'll point out the positives. Stone looks held in place well. Your binding wire on the bottom looks great. The side wires look like they hug the contour tight. Pick something you don't like about this one and concentrate on that next time.
Chuck
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Post by tims on Apr 1, 2017 0:52:37 GMT -5
I'll be brutal, and i've posted some of my tries so please feel free to return the favor. What catches my eye is the wrapping around the base of the bail where the wrap isn't uniform. Did you wrap that part from the bottom up, from the wide part to the narrow top? If i go from narrow to wide on something it's pretty easy to keep uniform but if i go from wide to narrow the wire likes to slide up and not stay tight. Otherwise the bindings, curves, and just overall appearance are gorgeous.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 1, 2017 6:18:42 GMT -5
Pros- everything Chuck said and I'll add that it was a good choice of wire color. The bail came out pretty good, too. Cons- because you asked- If you were going for that messy chaotic look with the top bindings, which some people love, you missed it. You either have to be really, really messy or very neat. There is no other way, IMHO. Did you use half round for that? I would have gone with heavier round wire. I think, and this is just me, that the binding at the bottom should have been longer or you should have made the turn in (side wires) closer to the bindings. It not only looks better but is structurally more sound. When you make the bend to lock in the stone, if it is close to the binding then it can only move in one direction should it get pulled or something. The way it is, any tug on it can pull the wire, letting the stone escape. If the bend is closer to the bindings it can only pull in one direction. Also, the bend doesn't need to be as large. The wire only needs to catch the edge of the cabochon to hold it in, so long as your wrap is tight- which it sees to be. All in all, though, I think you did good- certainly, you are on your way. There is nothing really wrong with this.  |
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Post by pghram on Apr 1, 2017 14:37:47 GMT -5
I'll be brutal, and i've posted some of my tries so please feel free to return the favor. What catches my eye is the wrapping around the base of the bail where the wrap isn't uniform. Did you wrap that part from the bottom up, from the wide part to the narrow top? If i go from narrow to wide on something it's pretty easy to keep uniform but if i go from wide to narrow the wire likes to slide up and not stay tight. Otherwise the bindings, curves, and just overall appearance are gorgeous. You have a good eye and are correct, I went bottom up, thanks for the tip! Peace, Rich |
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Post by pghram on Apr 1, 2017 14:41:11 GMT -5
Pros- everything Chuck said and I'll add that it was a good choice of wire color. The bail came out pretty good, too. Cons- because you asked- If you were going for that messy chaotic look with the top bindings, which some people love, you missed it. You either have to be really, really messy or very neat. There is no other way, IMHO. Did you use half round for that? I would have gone with heavier round wire. I think, and this is just me, that the binding at the bottom should have been longer or you should have made the turn in (side wires) closer to the bindings. It not only looks better but is structurally more sound. When you make the bend to lock in the stone, if it is close to the binding then it can only move in one direction should it get pulled or something. The way it is, any tug on it can pull the wire, letting the stone escape. If the bend is closer to the bindings it can only pull in one direction. Also, the bend doesn't need to be as large. The wire only needs to catch the edge of the cabochon to hold it in, so long as your wrap is tight- which it sees to be. All in all, though, I think you did good- certainly, you are on your way. There is nothing really wrong with this. Tela, Thanks, I have tried to incorporate your improvements into the next one. I was not going for the messy look, that's just how it turned out. I am using half-round because I don't have round. I'll have to get some. Peace, Rich |
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Post by pghram on Apr 1, 2017 14:45:49 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for taking the time to provide input. Here is my second try w/ an attempt to incorporate your feedback. Please keep the criticism coming, I really appreciate it.  Peace, Rich |
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Post by aDave on Apr 1, 2017 15:25:04 GMT -5
I'm no wire wrapper by any stretch. Heck, not at all, so I won't offer any critique. I do, however, like your choice of stones to go along with the copper wire. I think it looks neat.
Maybe one day I'll have to try, though I'm a little hesitant due to arthritis-like issues in the fingers.
Dave
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Post by drocknut on Apr 1, 2017 16:05:30 GMT -5
I didn't see the first wrap until now but I'd say Tela and Tims gave you good feedback. Your second wrap looks even better. The only thing I notice is that the bail is a little large for the piece but some people like larger bails. Keep up the wrapping.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2017 11:27:32 GMT -5
Much better. The style is a little different- cleaner. It looks great! I agree that the bail is a little large, but I prefer that you wrapped it tighter at the top and brought the lock wires in. Great job, Phil! Now all you need to do is practice. |
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Post by pghram on Apr 2, 2017 12:04:16 GMT -5
I didn't see the first wrap until now but I'd say Tela and Tims gave you good feedback. Your second wrap looks even better. The only thing I notice is that the bail is a little large for the piece but some people like larger bails. Keep up the wrapping. Thanks! Is there a rule of thumb for the size of the bail, for example, half the height of the cab? Peace, Rich |
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Post by pghram on Apr 2, 2017 12:07:45 GMT -5
Much better. The style is a little different- cleaner. It looks great! I agree that the bail is a little large, but I prefer that you wrapped it tighter at the top and brought the lock wires in. Great job, Phil! Now all you need to do is practice. True confession time, you should have seen the monstrosity of wire that I clipped off in order to get the cleaner look. Thanks again for your input. Peace, Rich |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2017 12:10:14 GMT -5
Much better. The style is a little different- cleaner. It looks great! I agree that the bail is a little large, but I prefer that you wrapped it tighter at the top and brought the lock wires in. Great job, Phil! Now all you need to do is practice. True confession time, you should have seen the monstrosity of wire that I clipped off in order to get the cleaner look. Thanks again for your input. Peace, Rich I think I've seen a few piles of wire on my own work bench! LOL! That's how you learn. |
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Post by tims on Apr 2, 2017 16:12:43 GMT -5
Really like that second one. The clean and simple wrap up to the bail is what i'm struggling to achieve and yours looks good.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2017 16:32:20 GMT -5
pghram, I'm sorry I called you Phil. I ALWAYS want to call you Phil. It's my brother's name and your avatar reminds me of him.
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Post by pghram on Apr 2, 2017 18:07:31 GMT -5
pghram, I'm sorry I called you Phil. I ALWAYS want to call you Phil. It's my brother's name and your avatar reminds me of him. Don't worry, I've been called a lot worse. Your brother must be a handsome guy :>). Peace, Rich |
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Post by drocknut on Apr 5, 2017 10:28:23 GMT -5
I didn't see the first wrap until now but I'd say Tela and Tims gave you good feedback. Your second wrap looks even better. The only thing I notice is that the bail is a little large for the piece but some people like larger bails. Keep up the wrapping. Thanks! Is there a rule of thumb for the size of the bail, for example, half the height of the cab? Peace, Rich Rich, I don't think there is an exact "rule of thumb" for the size of the bail. I think it is up to the artist. Some like bigger bails while others like smaller bails. I generally just go by what the cab size is and eyeball it to see if the bail looks right with the cab. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 5, 2017 10:43:00 GMT -5
I generally go for 1/3 the height of the pendant, but like Diane says, it depends on the piece. If I do a large piece that I think someone might use on beads, I'll make it bigger; if a small piece would be best on a delicate chain, I'll make it smaller.
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meviva
Cave Dweller 
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474 
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Post by meviva on Apr 5, 2017 14:01:33 GMT -5
I like both of the wraps, but can see the improvements you made by taking Tela's and tims advice.
Andrea
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